Historical sword training and risks accepted in combat

Historical fighting manuals are cited as discouraging punches against an opponent's blade because of the risk of breaking fingers or wrists. Fighters could accept that injury risk when the alternative was death. Cutting a polearm shaft supplies another example of an action avoided in training but attempted in a real duel. Striking hard wood with a tempered steel blade can damage its edge, particularly if the blow is poor. These examples explain why a practice prohibition cannot automatically establish that a technique was never used.