I know that rapier is more focused on dueling then saber, but I believe that a good fighter back in the 17- 18 century would be able to do a lot more with a saber in a formal duel, battle field or a straight up no rules street fight. I don't know a saber just seems more like a proper weapon for a real warrior while rapier seems more like a specialised dueling weapon that's meant to be just that. That's probably just in my head, cultural bias and all that but if we were to revert back to fighting with swords and I had to pick one, I'd be more inclined to go for a saber or something like a saber like a messer or a dussack

Shouldn't you be trying to fight only half sword against another Montante/Zweihander? These big swings must be exhausting everytime you have to interrupt your movement, you lose all the momentum

This vs thokk weaponmaster, whats is better

Such an interesting weapon, i wonder how it does against swords, either on its own or as an off hand

Such a good video. I like these comparison videos, and they help me a lot. I'm not a sabre guy, but between the sabres available, the original sources you guys made available at AHF, and some good HEMA interpretations, I would like to pick it up at some point. I would like to get a SIGI Saber Pro just for that exquisite look (but it's hard to justify paying quite a lot for something that's not a main focus). A few weeks ago, I had the chance to wield it. I was surprised by how thin the grip is. I never saw a grip that thin on an antique. I find it hard to place the thumb on the back of the grip (too thin, too round; a bit flatter would have been a bit better in my opinion). Is this an issue for you?

I just bought that sword. Im so excited!

i noticed the training axe head on a wooden shaft at 6:02 ive been looking for one does anyone know where i could find one?

Sword breaking aside, I am massively impressed with how skilled they are. Their movements, their postures, their stances, their attacks and defenses, these guys really know what they’re doing.

Wow so it turns out smallsword is incredibly boring

YEA KILL DAT NIGGA BRUH GET EM

In Germany they are called "Gassenhauer". Their task was to cut paths through the enemy lines so that the other fighters could follow.

So now we got clinching in sword fights as well

No matter what anyone says, the saber is better than anything else as it is used by only one hand which gives you way more mobility then swords used with both hand. using that and it is lighter and faster

Sabres rule 😍👌

It is basically like fighting with two fists.... I'd argue that one should be blunt and serrated.... many will argue that it should accompany a shield... I think it makes a great shield like comparing the flatfooted to the bunions

I’m working on a series where there is a lot of bayonet combat. This is a good reference for me to look back on!

Doesn't the tournament sabre weigh 900+ grams? That seems quite heavy.

I think smallswords are super under appreciated. and those hilts are beautiful! that 3d printing did a good job! good attention to how the smaller elements of historicity and practicality interact. Also, I really like the weave look. it’s pleasing but not overdone.

I feel like Nova Fencing Sabres should get added to the list. Michal Sadowski who runs Nova is a top tier Sabre fencer, and he makes very good swords for a good price.

How has it held up? Im very curious as to longer term durability on the 16 guage. Thanks for the video

Put a few wraps of Teflon tape on the treads to help prevent them from coming loose.

Katana guy seems to make good moves but only when attacking. He needs to practice his counter attack. Rapier guy is most vulnerable when he attacks but is blocked by Katana, that's when Katana needs to move in for the kill.

I'm sure the rengenyei is good but I just hate the way it looks. That tire lug nut looks so silly. The Sigi and the Easton are my personal favs on the market.

Nice review.

Hey Nick, you surely though about it already, but this could be the way to a Spadroon trainer! VB already makes straight sabre blades, for sure a fitting hilt can be made this way!

I owe a couple of that smallsword, and can confirm everything Nik said. Very good product, and High quality for the price!

I remember that there were some in a similar manner for Hanwei Tinker line.

I so hope a baskethilt video is coming. Especially with so many new options ir wpuld fun to see your opinions.

Hello

With that design, it would be perfect for Italian small sword

It would be nice to see these designed to mate with the Castille economy small feder blades.

Very interesting concept and overview, good work

Hello everyone 👋

Nice malay.

That regenyei is beautiful... Excelt for the nut pommel. Imo that looks pretty silly. Thank you for such a fantastic guide. Your guide on the Blackfencer Swept Hilt Sidesword convinced me to get one for myself, and it should be finished soon!

I have one carried at Waterloo by the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards 😎

I can't find that book anywhere. It must be rare. I do recall these exact same stories from some of my past reading, however. A pinch of salt for sure, in fact an entire block, especially with the mention of the helmets being cleaved, which is impossible. Dented, yes, but oh well. This reminds me of the many medieval paintings with cleaved helmets, which were absolute propaganda in their time as well. But I do admire the 96' HC. The other feats mentioned, I would call half-propaganda as well, but in extremely rare cases, possible. Adrenaline can be a powerful thing in close quarters battle, but to down 9 French Cuirassiers, each of which, by regulation, had to be over 6 feet tall, is a feat that not even adrenaline can explain. Personally, I would prefer the 96' HC over the LC, only if given a good point. The LC had a hard time with the thrust against heavy wool coats, which rendered it quite useless in that regard. The HC with a good point would have made that look easy. The French Cuirassier swords were built for point only, for the most part, and I suspect heavy wool to be the culprit in that decision. The Cossacks fared little better against wool with their Shashkas, having about as much effect as the 96' LC. Going for the neck and head in the Winter theatres was known by all. Losing a cheek or a jaw was common. Gruesome, and I am sure terribly painful for the survivors, but a sad reality. I think I will order a 96' HC. I am fonder of French blades, but there is something about the utilitarian build of the 96' HC that makes it stand out from everything else of the period. It has an industrial look and would not have looked out of place in the very early 20th century if it had been developed at that time, instead of the rapier-centric blades that were.

I've got the exact same custom Kvetun slot hilt sabre you have and they got the blade right on the first try. Sorry to mess up your Kvetun custom order statistics, Nick!

If you want to fix that wobble all you have to do is electroplate the blade just a little bit of the metal of your choice I would recommend silver if cheap silver available thrift store kitchen has lots of plated pieces that is passed up because it's not valuable solid sterling silver and that would give you all the flex reduction you need

I like highly curved sabers almost like a shamshear because you have so many more angles of attack open to you than in my not so humble opinion

Thank you.

Brilliant video, Nick. These buyer’s guide videos are just priceless for both new and experienced fencers alike. Truly fantastic. Thanks.

*_zaroo kendo_* p.s. that drum track is crap.

In 2024, one of our Regenyei feather swords just snapped right at the hilt. I don't trust their products, they are way too expensive for the quality they offer. I still love my three bar hilt blackfencer sabre but it won't win you any competitions vs duel sabres. I will try the Kvetun Easton as soon as I figure out what configurations I want.

4:28 It's pronounced "Lands - Knecht" instead of "Land - Shneckt", and with "Regenyei" as with every Hungarian word/name the first syllable ("Re...") is stressed. 🙂

Nice highlights video.

Great video. Would love to see more of this type of thing

i feel this is a very western european oriented video. you're talking about hema sabres and immediately limit yourself to just military sabers, so the title is misleading. and in hema scene, when people say sabre (as you put it), they can mean different thing depending on where the hema scene is located, i find. for a truly comprehensive hema sabre buyer's guide, you're missing ensifer, bloss and others. finally, real sabres have curves. (edit for wording)

The latest VB Gymnasium Saber is really good and affordable, both the straight and curved versions. It might be too light for European saber tournaments, but its a good midpoint for the US, where there are more mixed weight saber tournaments.

I wonder how applicable this would have been to boarding actions in a medieval or renaissance context?