John Morahn John Morahn has been studying longsword for 9 years at Western Swordsmanship Technique and Research, after seeing them demo in a 4th of July parade. As a kid, he had always played with sticks, and was intrigued by the idea of learning that art more seriously. The opportunity to study two blocks from his house was too good to pass up, and he moved up quickly from student to teacher within the school, starting teaching in 2011.
As a teacher, John most enjoys imparting the nuances and techniques of German longsword skills. He is skilled at helping his students understand the finer mechanics of strong fundamentals in order to make them more effective. Having studied German translation in college, he brings his direct translation skills and knowledge of fighting techniques to old texts in order to make them accessible to his students.
At IGX, John will teach medieval scythe, a peasant weapon that was studied informally in period fighting schools. Having studied Mair’s late 16th-century teaching, John will continue the preservation of the almost-lost tradition of non-traditional peasant combat. Students should expect a fun and silly and non-traditional weapons teaching!
When he’s not teaching scythe or studying longsword, John also enjoys playing with polearms, peasant weapons, saber, fishing poles, woodworking, and gardens.