One of the best aspects of fencing is the friends we make along the way. Michael Kňažko, a fencing master at Barbasetti Military Sabre since 1895, in Prague, Czechia, is not only a fencer in the same tradition in which I work, but also an instructor with a similar outlook and goals. Situated as they are in central Europe, Barbasetti Military Sabre since 1895 is well-placed to reach a wide and diverse audience. Their program is classical and historical, but they work with everyone, Olympic fencers, thespians, and HEMA. Their signature event, SabreSlash, brings all these people together for two days of skill-based learning, bouting, and great fun. Please check them out and if you are in the Czech Republic or close by, pay them a visit!
As of May 2024, Jim is an official member of Barbasetti Military Sabre (since 1895) thereby cementing and strengthening the bond between SdTS and our colleagues in the Czech Republic.
In June of 2024, Jim was promoted to Prévôt d’Armes and became Master Kňažko’s understudy. A prévôt or provost is a coach who primarily trains other fencers, from beginners to advanced students. It is the rank one earns before testing for master. The most important task of a fencing master is teaching and coaching other coaches (they may or may not be excellent competitors).
In October of 2025, Jim traveled to Prague not only to attend and teach at SabreSlash, but also to test for maitre d’armes. He passed and now proudly represents Barbasetti Military Sabre (since 1895) in North America.
LUIGI BARBASETTI–a student of Giuseppe Radaelli, and like Italo Santelli in Budapest one of his most influential acolytes, Barbasetti shaped much of the military fencing in the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1899 onwards. One of the regions in which his method took deep root was the Czech Lands.
Barbasetti Military Sabre (since 1895) in Prague, Czechia, is a school with direct lineage back to Barbasetti through a succession of Czech masters (see https://www.ars-dimicatoria.cz/en/barbasetti-military-sabre-since-1895-2/).
BMS has satellite schools in Taiwan and most recently in North America. These ties are strong and both satellites are proud to carry on the traditions of the mother school. While we explore other Radaellian sources, our Italian sabre classes are based directly on the method as taught by Maestro Barbasetti.
