VEMBRACES

[Medicus matt]

@Medicus Matt: Have you tried to keep a close formation while striking solely with the blade, not exposing the cross guard or hand?

Nah, I'm a hairy-arsed sword waving barbarian me. 8)

If all one's doing is thrusting a short distance then I don't see the problem, and, if what Vegetius says is true (which I know isn't always a given, that seems to be what they were (highly and repetitively) trained to do.

I wonder if we can also draw conclusions from the sword furniture itself. The lack of quillions on Roman swords might be taken as an indicator that the common reenactor injuries to thumb and index finger weren't an issue.