The School of Two Swords specializes in various forms of historical Western martial arts as well modern Close Quarter combatives. The core of the curriculum of the School of Two Swords is based on the McLemore Fighting System founded by Colonel Dwight McLemore—internationally recognized as one of the foremost authorities and researchers on edged weapons combatives, with a heavy focus on the martial systems and weaponry of early America.

For more information on the School of Two Swords and the various branches and instructors, check out www.schooloftwoswords.com.

The McLemore Fighting System

Ancient Combatives

The Ancient Combatives curriculum focuses on the research and practice of early systems of combat.  Currently the curriculum examines Gladiatorial and Viking combatives

Historical European Swordsmanship/Weaponry

This section of the curriculum focuses on the following weapons styles:

• • • Longsword
    • Sword and Buckler/Shield
    • Rapier
    • Backsword
    • Cutlass
    • Dagger

Early American Combatives

This is the main focus of the SoTS and the McLemore Fighting System and focuses on the following:

• • • Tomahawk
    • Bowie/large knives
    • Saber
    • Warclubs

Modern Unarmed and Armed Combatives

The Modern Combatives curriculum is geared towards real world self-defense tactics utilizing empty hand, knife and stick/baton as well as and understanding of threat assessment and de-escalation techniques.

Founder: Colonel Dwight C. McLemore

The school’s founder, Colonel Dwight C. McLemore, was a combat arms officer with the U.S. Army and an accomplished bladesman and instructor. He was renowned for his vast knowledge of Bowie and big-knife fighting and had decades of experience in self-defense and martial arts. The founder of the School of Two Swords, McLemore was rated expert level with the American Knife Congress, certified in kung fu, and held 1st dan in kendo. He passed in March of 2021. 

Photo: The Colonel, Steven Huff, Maestro James Loriega, and Maestro Ramon Martinez (from Martinez Academy of Arms)

Col McLemore is the author of the highly popular McLemore Fighting Systems series of books:

• • Bowie & Big Knife Fighting
  • Advanced Bowie Techniques
  • The Fighting Tomahawk
  • The Fighting Tomahawk vol 2
  • The Fighting Staff
  • The Fighting Sword
  • The Fighting Gladiator
  • The Fighting Khukri
  • The Dagger/Counter-Dagget concepts of Joachim Meyer (postuhumously released, edited and produced by Dr John Lennox)

These works serve to give a look at the core fundamentals and fighting philosophy in the various areas and looks at core fundamental principles of comat applied to historical research and decades of martial arts studies of various uarmed and armed combat and applying those to establish a method of training for continuing proficiency.