SECRET ATTACKS of Medieval German Longsword - Krumphau class with @forteswordplay
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Krumphau·scholagladiatoria
With Jeff Tsay of @forteswordplay looking at one of the Master Strokes from the Liechtenauer tradition of medieval swor…
Krumphau
Genusクルンプハウ(Kurumpuhau)
TransliterationTranslation: krumphau (crooked cut)
Overview
The Crooked Cut, delivered with crossed wrists to strike with the short edge, used to break the opponent's Ochs guard.
History & Origin
The Krumphau (Crooked Cut) is one of the five Meisterhäue (master cuts) in the Liechtenauer tradition, the foundational German longsword system dating to the 14th century. [1] Johannes Liechtenauer's Zettel (verse mnemonic) identifies the Krumphau as the specific counter to the Ochs (Ox) guard, teaching that the crossed-wrist cutting action simultaneously displaces the defender's blade while striking at their hands. [2] Sigmund Ringeck's gloss (c. 1440) provides detailed technical instruction on the Krumphau's execution, and the technique appears in virtually all subsequent Liechtenauer-tradition manuals, including those of Peter von Danzig and Jud Lew. [1],[2] The Krumphau has been extensively reconstructed by modern HEMA practitioners and is a staple technique in competitive longsword fencing. [1]
Effectiveness
The Krumphau (Crooked Cut) is a diagonal cut delivered with crossed hands or with the blade angled to strike at the opponent's hands or flat of their blade. [1] It is specifically designed to counter the Ochs guard by striking at the fencer's hands and simultaneously displacing their blade. [2] The crossed-hand mechanics create an unusual trajectory that is difficult for the opponent to anticipate. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The Krumphau (crooked cut) is one of the five Meisterhäue used in HEMA competition, specifically designed to counter the Ochs guard by cutting across with crossed hands. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From ready stance (chudan-no-kamae or equivalent) — Assume guard position, establish distance (ma-ai), execute the cut or thrust when an opening appears
From engagement distance — Use footwork to close to striking range, execute the technique with proper edge alignment (hasuji)
As counter — Wait for the opponent's attack, deflect or avoid, and counter-cut to the exposed target
Variants
Standard cut — primary cutting angle from the ready stance
Thrust (tsuki) — straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face
Rising cut (kiri-age) — upward diagonal cut from low to high
Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) — downward diagonal cut following the kimono line
Videos
Longsword Technique: Durchwechseln with Krumphau
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Krumphau·Sword Carolina
...or Changing Through with the Crooked Cut. Short video recapping our weekly Longsword lesson. Lesson pulled from the…
Krumphau Drill; Cut, Thrust, or Slice
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Krumphau·Sword Carolina
This is a clip of a drill we used during a recent class on the Krumphau. To watch this class and so much more, please…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Krumphau is a master cut (Meisterhau) of the Liechtenauer longsword tradition characterized by a crooked or bent trajectory that defends efficiently while immediately pivoting to offensive advantage. According to scholagladiatoria and Sword Carolina instructors, the technique's name derives from medieval German roots suggesting curvature or crumbling rather than straightness. Mechanically, the Krumphau involves stepping offline while cutting from an unexpected angle—notably, cutting from the opposite side of the body (e.g., cutting left while in right stance)—to bring one's edge against the opponent's blade flat, disrupting their committed attack. scholagladiatoria emphasizes the edge-on-flat contact creates significant mechanical advantage by dissipating incoming force as the cut progresses from the opponent's weak (foible) to strong (forte). A critical follow-up action involves a downward beat or push that further neutralizes the threat by leveraging the shoulder's natural pivot. Tactically, the Krumphau addresses multiple scenarios: direct sword-on-sword contact, hand-led attacks (by simply redirecting the same motion to intercept the hands instead), and varied angles of incoming cuts. When faced with more vertical attacks, practitioners may transition into shield cuts instead. Sword Carolina demonstrates the technique as part of combination sequences, particularly in Durchwechseln (passing through), where the Krumphau sets up subsequent thrusts or cuts. Both instructors stress the Krumphau functions as a dynamic cutting pattern generating continuous offensive-defensive flow rather than an isolated technique, with immediate follow-up actions determining success in combat application.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- scholagladiatoria — SECRET ATTACKS of Medieval German Longsword - Krumphau class with @forteswordplay: Provides etymological analysis of Krumphau (crooked, bent, not straight); explains Meisterhau concept as bread-and-butter mechanical and tactical system highlights; demonstrates edge-on-flat blade contact mechanics for force dissipation; describes downward beat follow-up action; presents tactical responses to normal Zornhau, hand-led attacks, and vertical attacks; emphasizes continuous cutting pattern and flow transitions between master cuts; discusses inside vs. outside binds and their defensive implications.
- Sword Carolina — Longsword Technique: Durchwechseln with Krumphau: Demonstrates Krumphau within Durchwechseln context (passing to opposite side); shows short Krumphau (without deep step) to facilitate positional transitions; illustrates winding over opponent's sword followed by thrust to face or chest; explains adaptation against ox stance (Ochsenhaltung) with feinting and short Krumphau to get underneath; describes manuscript authorities (likely Fontan or similar sources); shows how Krumphau creates setup for further attacks and demonstrates defensive responses.
- Sword Carolina — Krumphau Drill; Cut, Thrust, or Slice: Presents practical drill format combining Krumphau defense with variable counter-attack types (thrust, cut, slice); emphasizes footwork positioning necessary to establish correct range for each follow-up; demonstrates winding on the sword as part of technique execution; shows Krumphau applied against upper-line attacks (Oberhau); illustrates tactical flexibility and real-time decision-making in semi-resistance drilling.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Traditional martial arts — Practiced in traditional kata/...
— IWUF — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable
IWUF Competition RulesPDFHEMA — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓The Krumphau (crooked cut) is a diagonal cut that travels across the body at an unusual angle — it is designed to counter Ochs and disrupt the opponent's point by cutting at their hands or sword (Tobler, Fighting with the German Longsword, 2004)
✓The Krumphau targets the opponent's hands or the flat of their blade rather than their body — it is a disabling technique that removes their offensive capability
✓The 'crooked' path: the cut travels diagonally but with a hooking motion, crossing the opponent's sword line from an unexpected angle
✓The Krumphau counters Ochs specifically: when the opponent holds the sword high with the point threatening, the Krumphau cuts at their hands from below and across
✓After the Krumphau, the sword can wind into a thrust or transition to grappling — it creates an opening for follow-up techniques
✓The Krumphau demonstrates the principle of attacking the weapon rather than the person: disabling the opponent's ability to fight is as effective as cutting them
✓In modern HEMA competition, the Krumphau is used to displace the opponent's blade and create openings for scoring touches
Common Mistakes
!Cutting at the body with the Krumphau instead of the hands/sword — the primary target is the opponent's hands or blade
!Making the cut too wide and losing control — the Krumphau must be controlled to allow immediate follow-up
!Not using the crooked angle — the Krumphau's effectiveness comes from its unusual trajectory; a straight cut is not a Krumphau
!Attempting the Krumphau from too far — the technique requires close enough range to reach the hands
!Not following up after the Krumphau — the technique creates an opening that must be immediately exploited
!Using the Krumphau against guards it isn't designed for — it specifically counters Ochs and similar high guards
!Not training the transition from Krumphau to thrust — the follow-up thrust completes the technique
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Ready Position — assume the guard stance appropriate for the weapon
2Distance Control — manage spacing relative to the opponent
3Execute Technique — perform the offensive or defensive action with correct form
4Return to Guard — recover to a defensive ready position
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Art of Combat (Joachim Meyer, 1570)
1BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [2] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [3] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat
2BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)
Alias sources — [1] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [2] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat [3] Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Arts of Combat
5CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Forgeng, J., The Art of Combat (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003) [2] Tobler, C., Fighting with the German Longsword (Freelance Academy Press, 2004)
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist control for edge alignment, grip endurance, footwork precision
Favours
quick wrists, strong forearms, good posture
Key muscles
forearm extensors/flexors, deltoids, core, calves
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Krumphau differ from just cutting against an incoming cut?
Instead of meeting a cut with a flat-on-flat block in the same plane (which risks a double hit), the Krumphau uses your edge to strike against the flat of the opponent's blade while angling your cut differently. This creates pressure that beats the blade down and away from you, as explained by Schola Gladiatoria.
What's the tactical advantage of the Krumphau?
The Krumphau efficiently transitions from defense into immediate offense—you start in a defensive position but can pivot quickly into an attacking follow-up depending on your opponent's response. This dual functionality makes it one of the bread-and-butter techniques that define the German longsword system, per Schola Gladiatoria.
What targets should I aim for after executing a Krumphau?
Rather than automatically targeting the sword or hands, focus on controlling the center line. You're clearing the area in front of you regardless of whether the blade or hands occupy that space, and your follow-up options (thrust, cut, or slice) depend on the range and your opponent's response, as demonstrated by Sword Carolina.
How does the Krumphau connect to other techniques in the system?
The Krumphau is interconnected with other master cuts and techniques like the Shield—they can flow organically from one to another depending on your opponent's defense. Understanding what comes next after your Krumphau is essential rather than treating it as an isolated technique, per Schola Gladiatoria.
How does the Krumphau work?
The Crooked Cut, delivered with crossed wrists to strike with the short edge, used to break the opponent's Ochs guard.
Where does the Krumphau come from?
The Krumphau (Crooked Cut) is one of the five Meisterhäue (master cuts) in the Liechtenauer tradition, the foundational German longsword system dating to the 14th century. Johannes Liechtenauer's Zettel (verse mnemonic) identifies the Krumphau as the specific counter to the Ochs (Ox) guard, teaching that the crossed-wrist cutting action simultaneously displaces the defender's blade while striking at their hands.
Is the Krumphau legal in competition?
Traditional martial arts: legal — Practiced in traditional kata/forms and weapon-specific competition under var…; IWUF: legal — Legal in wushu taolu if applicable; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable historical weapon categories
How dangerous is the Krumphau?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — edged weapons cause fatal lacerations; historical battlefield mortality rates >30% (Amberger 1999)
How do I set up the Krumphau?
The standard setup chain: Ready Position → Distance Control → Execute Technique → Return to Guard.
How do I defend against the Krumphau?
Standard counters include: Parry (Absetzen) — deflect the incoming blade with a counter-displacement / Void (Step Back) — withdraw from measure to avoid the cutting arc / Counter-Cut (Nachreisen) — strike into the opponent's opening during their attack.
What are the variants of the Krumphau?
Common variants: Standard cut (primary cutting angle from the ready stance); Thrust (tsuki) (straight thrust targeting the throat, chest, or face); Rising cut (kiri-age) (upward diagonal cut from low to high); Diagonal cut (kesa-giri) (downward diagonal cut following the kimono line).
How effective is the Krumphau in competition?
The Krumphau (crooked cut) is one of the five Meisterhäue used in HEMA competition, specifically designed to counter the Ochs guard by cutting across with crossed hands.
What are common mistakes when doing the Krumphau?
Top errors to watch for: Cutting at the body with the Krumphau instead of the hands/sword — the primary target is the opponent's hands or blade / Making the cut too wide and losing control — the Krumphau must be controlled to allow immediate follow-up / Not using the crooked angle — the Krumphau's effectiveness comes from its unusual trajectory; a straight cut is not a… / Attempting the Krumphau from too far — the technique requires close enough range to reach the hands.
What are other names for the Krumphau?
The Krumphau is also known as Kurumpuhau, Crooked Cut, Krump-Haw, Bent Strike.