Reddit reviews 16th Century Single Sword Combat: Bolognese Fencing

I can't think of any 'study guides' per se, but there are a number of resources that can help you out getting started in bolognese.

The best way to go about it is to read the primary texts and use modern supplementary material to help you sort out what is going on.

Here are some suggestions:
Giovanni D'all Agocchie's manual on the use of the sidesword can be found translated online in places. It's pretty easy to follow compared to other primary bolognese sources so is a good place to start. It contains a couple of very basic 'katas' which is what I like to start my students on as they are intended to help teach and learn the fundamental movements of the system. A full copy of his manual including stuff not directly related to side sword can be found here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/jherek-swanger-and-giovanni-dallagocchie/the-art-of-defense-on-fencing-the-joust-and-battle-formation-by-giovanni-dallagocchie-paperback/paperback/product-23737371.html

A 'cheat sheet' for the techniques contained in the manual can be found here and is a useful for guided practice: http://www.lulu.com/shop/reinier-van-noort/dall-agocchie-cheat-sheet/paperback/product-22581086.html

Manciolino covers mostly sword and buckler, and Tom Leoni does a decent job of presenting the material in a format that is easy to follow and practice from: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982591136?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=0WWCFEQSX1PFS73V14BW

A modern 'clift notes' version of the bolognese style can be found here, but I prefer reading straight from the master's pen: https://www.amazon.com/16th-Century-Single-Sword-Combat/dp/150321429X/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=16th+century+italian+fencing&qid=1551209540&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr1

There is also a complete translation of Marozzo's manual on lulu.com which is the most comprehensive of all the bolognese texts, and covers side sword with all the companion weapons as well as longsword (spadone) and polearms. However it is much harder to follow than the others mentioned above, so I would hold off on tackling it until you have a good understanding of the basics.

Other important works of the Bolognese system are the Anonimo Bolgonese which is one of the older bolgonese texts. It contains a lot of important information regarding the system and contains a large number of techniques. It is however kinda badly organized and not as clear as the other texts, but it makes for a good supplement.

Also important is Viggiani's manual. It is a very different approach to the bolognese style, and is not a complete system like the others. However it presents much more of the body mechanics that make for good defensive/offensive maneuvers. It should likewise be viewed as a supplement to the general bolognese system.

I'm sorry I could provide more links as I am on my mobile, but I hope this helps.

Buy the Black fencer sidesword through south coast swords:

http://www.southcoastswords.com/32-sideswords/29-like-steel-waster-sidesword-v2.html?sid=b5c5c9137a6a978244e1f6ec2b9b46d9

It will be back in stock in the next couple of days. You can't find a better trainer for the money right now. I'd buy this before picking up any steel sword for over twice the price. Later on you can pick up a steel sword.

These two books are pretty good reference point as well:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/giacomo-di-grassi-and-w-jherek-swanger/the-way-to-employ-arms-with-certainty-paperback/paperback/product-21298249.html

http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/completerenaissanceswordsman.aspx

You could also pick up William Wilson's sidesword book found here:
http://www.amazon.com/16th-Century-Single-Sword-Combat/dp/150321429X