All about sabres! A look at the most widely used sword in history.

This is a very rough overview of the sword we know as the 'sabre'. It is a little rambling, and yet can only touch on the very surface of the subject, but it gives a very rough overview of the sabre. It's origins and cultural variations.

[@13bravoredleg18]

I dug up a Confederate Saber with my metal detector in Tennessee.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Great find!

[@iamk4474]

13BRAVO REDLEG awesome

[@bailey516]

Lucky, XD

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Cool shit. Once in a lifetime.

[@kinglouiev9530]

NICE!!

[@EnhancedNightmare]

I found sabre to be hard to master and not very intuitive but very satisfying and versatile once I learned how to handle it.

[@CZOV]

Hard comparing to what? All weapons are hard to master :)

[@McCbobbish]

Sabers are the sexiest of swords.

[@iiowlsii1089]

McBobbish rapiers are kinda hot😳

[@Dionyboz]

damn curves

[@MilkyKilky]

Yes and in second place goes to the Messer sword.

[@Robert399]

How can you say "one of the greatest British swords ever made" without saying "if", "however" and "context" 20 times in the same sentence?!

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Robert R Haha. True.

[@harjutapa]

+Robert R Ah, did you find this channel from Scholagladiatoria as well? :D

[@dei-wan-grey3888]

Robert R yep!

[@timothyheimbach3260]

1796 was a good year for British swords.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Timothy Heimbach Apart from the spadroon :-)

[@exploatores]

+Academy of Historical Fencing Has it ever been a good year for a spadroon :)

[@hjorturerlend]

+Exploatores Late 19th century France?

[@woff1959]

Very nice presentation! I enjoyed it. I was suprised to hear you mention the early Hungarian sabres from the 9th and 10th Centuries. Those tend to be ignored by most people. There were earlier ones, used by the Avars, but those were found in Hungary too. And it's interesting to see how you describe various cultures using the sabre. Ta!

[@emperortrajan3609]

I can't believe I didn't find this channel sooner. Awesome stuff man, makes me with I lived in England.

[@nikemozack7269]

Where did the Hungarians came from? What about the Bulgars, Avars before them. The sabre is a cavalry implement, and it came from the Eur-Asian steppes.

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

Hungarian from Ural mountains

[@RockerMarcee96]

So we have a very early history in the Ural mountains but around 3 thousand years ago we moved a few kms west and suddenly were in Europe. After this we migrated westward and in the late 9th century we settled in the Carpathian basin. Before that the Pannonian avars lived there, and the earliest find of the sabre is ~680 AD, but Greek sources mention them earlier, in the 5th century (earliest mention) and in later sources (8-9th century) complain about the semitic people stealing their weapon designs. The sabre as a design is likely to be either Byzantine or Persian but straight swords were prevalent in almost all of the world until Ottoman influence kicked in in the 16-17th centuries.

[@alikuzyaka2152]

They were Uralic peoples who have started their migration from the Ural mountains. They settled in with the Turkic Onogur Confederation(On-Ogur means ten tribes in Turkic). Some Greek fella recorded them as ungar deriving it from the Turkic tribes they were settling with. Thats how their names(known to the west) spreaded out. We still call them Macar though.

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

fassenkugel Sword of Attila is barely a saber

[@PiotrHo4]

@fassenkugel sword or saber?

[@qiangluo1974]

i think the horse is the main issue why some of our sabre are really short. size of the man isn't that much of a big factor. a lot of chinese infantry weapon were huge, 140cm~170cm miao dao like two handed sabre(120cm blade) were quiet common in northern frontier. pikes over 7meter were found in the mass grave. however our one handed sabre rarely has a blade longer than 80cm. i think the reason is on the smaller horse. i doubt the western heavy cavalry shock+ melee tactic will be practical with our 300kg horse.

[@joshuawiest5091]

The Mongols used heavy cavalry to great effect with smaller horses, even against Western armies and fully kitted knights with their massive chargers.

[@VelmiVelkiZrut]

I must congratulate you on your pronunciation of szabla... that's probably the best I've heard from an English speaker.I think it's interesting that you discuss the sabre as an infantry weapon; it was certainly used so, and historical sabre fencing is still taught in places (both earlier medieval and the later, simplified Napoleonic versions). But I do think it's telling that the peoples most associated with the sabre (the Avars, the Magyars and Hungarians, the Poles, and the innumerable Turkic peoples) were all known for their horsemanship and cavalry. It can certainly be used on foot, and it certainly was used on foot, but I would assume that at least initially this was not its original purpose.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+VelmiVelkiZrut Thanks, we have a few Polish fencers in the club, it helps :-) It will of course not be very difficult to ever find out exactly why the sabre came about, but it is certainly true that the peoples who used in early on were mostly semi-nomadic and yes known for their horsemanship. Whether the sabre became what it was because of that horsemanship is a big question. Quite likely I should imagine, but it may just have been a more universal approach to a sword. I have seen quite a few interesting articles by swordsmiths explaining how sabres are simply easier and quicker to construct when forging. Today it has more interest to us as an infantry weapon simply because horses are scarce compared to what they were, and because so many of us came from a background of infantry sword usage such as the rapier or longsword.

[@Pamjamelia]

I can't remember if I told you already but at Féile na Gaiscígh, an Irish HEMA event which took place on the 30th of June, I finally got the opportunity to learn about sabre fencing as there was a beginner's workshop first thing on the first day and a second class on the last day and I was so happy to learn that it was just as fun as I was hoping it'd be.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Excellent, another convert!

[@Pamjamelia]

Well I had been interested in doing some sabre training for a while so I suppose it was just a matter of time.

[@misterjosephfloyd]

Thank you so very much for sharing your time and knowledge with us.

[@JZBai]

9:05 Sabers: swords so awesome and powerful that they can make wall photos tremble in fear! :P

[@munckmb]

Thanks for this excellent overview! Really enjoyed it!

[@yaqppl]

Besides accidents from 2WW which you've mentioned, the last appearance of szabla, or (as you barbarians would like to call it) sabre was the Battle of Komarów in 1920. It was the last battle when cavalry was used as such, and not as mounted infantry. Also it was quite important.

[@milobem4458]

Battle of Komarów was probably the last battle between two large cavalry units, 2WW battles involved single cavalry regiments against infantry. But they were properly executed and most importantly successful cavalry charges, not some accidental involvement of guys who just happened to be sitting on horses.

[@3choBlast3r]

It's actually called a Karabela .. meaning black bane in Turkish,

[@McCbobbish]

The sexiest of swords.

[@aronnemcsik]

14:00-14:14 he was talking about Hussars as the light cavalry in Hungary and how it was their swords as opposed to the heavy cavalry straight swords. and when I heard this I remembered that the polish heavy cavalry used sabres as well In other words: THE WINGED HUSSARS ARRIVED!!!!!! Also the Hussar regiments for different nations in Western Europe came in to existence after the Ottman siege of Vienna in 1683. After seeing the charge of the hussars multiple country became interested setting up their own hussar untis that often carried Sabres

[@ravendon]

Depends on what definition you use. According to Britannica, "Sabre, also spelled saber, heavy military sword with a long cutting edge and, often, a curved blade. Most commonly a cavalry weapon, the sabre was derived from a Hungarian cavalry sword introduced from the Orient in the 18th century; also a light fencing weapon developed in Italy in the 19th century for duelling." So a straight saber is a thing.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

By use of sabre is as it was used in British English through the period when it was in use as a weapon. Britannica, and most dictionaries are awful when it comes to technical descriptions, and even broader ones. For example in British English the sabre was by definition a curved blade, only the introduction of the sport sabre did it ever apply to something straight, and clearly a sport sabre is a very different animal to a military sabre. To call them heavy is a joke by people who know nothing about them, and even the "commonly a cavalry weapon" causes confusion, leading people to believe they were really only for that purpose. "Straight sabre" is not a thing in British English, though it is in American English, and also in French. Those languages have slightly different definitions.

[@bsmnt23]

Wondering if you guys could help. Hanger sword, mortuary sword, backsword, schiavona, sidesword. Aside from the schiavona being nominally Italian, what in the world is the difference between these types of swords?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Robert Weston A hanger is a shortsword, typically a short sabre or short backsword. A cutlass is the same sword, and the terms were often used interchangeably. A Mortuary sword is a uniquely English type of basket hilt that had faces detailed on the guard, later Charles I after his death. They had both back edge and double edged blades. A backsword is just a single edged sword. Many early falchions looked like this, as well as a great many basket hilted swords. Sidesword is a sword which is a hybrid between medieval arming sword and the renaissance rapier. In between the two in length, it focuses on more thrust work than many arming swords would, but has a stronger cut than the rapier, and was commonly used in civilian wear and also military service. They are characterised by a protective hilt that allows the index finger to wrap over the guard like you would a rapier, A Schiavona is a unique style of basket hilt that rose from Italy to become popular throughout Europe. It typically has a long double, or single edged blade, a cats head pommel, a unique and characteristic basket shape and usually a thumb ring too (as found on many Polish sabres for example)

[@ilyapetrov5501]

At 4:27 what is exact model of cutllas? From which country, year, model?? It is very good looking sword! Nice collection! 👍🏻

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

It is a British coastguard and customs cutlass with no exact model year, but used throughout the Victorian period. Mine has had the side bar cut off, seeminglu intentionally as they were often done for easy storage. It was made by Enfield.

[@ilyapetrov5501]

@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing Thank you! 👍🏻 It is very nice sword!

[@ejdermengov]

some lessons from real academic researches (!); 1-Sabre-Saber-Szabla word came from turkic khipcak origin which "sabala" 2-curved shamshir swords created by Seljuk Turks which lived at İran. 3-Real Persian Shamshir was Straight swords not curved. 4-The Karabela sword which known as Polish Sabre orginally came from Ottoman (14th century), Poles start to use Sabre at 16th century. 5-Memalukes was Turkic slave soldiers then became Sultans thats why memaluke swords also came from Turkic origin.

[@ineednochannelyoutube5384]

Sabers certainly originate from late ancient persia, from the Hungarian Onogur confederation or the turks. Ethimology doesnt really help in determining weather it originated with the Turks and the Hungarians adopted it along with agriculture, or the Hungarians brought the design from Siberia, as the name derives from absolutely basic words in both languages. Szab in hungarian means to cut. Szablya means cutter.

[@azzeenn]

@@ineednochannelyoutube5384 Pontosan.

[@dunka12]

Hard to believe what is basically a giant knife, appeared or originated in Hungary, so late, when probably most tribes that used knives in history, reached the conclusion of making a bigger one. From persians, to the intricate and ancient egyptian khopesh, ancient greece too, and so on...

[@ivyssauro123]

+Shaka12 Yeah... his not so convincing saber origin is quite eurocentric indeed. It probably has it's actual origins, like modern history is finding more and more things to have had, in several places at a time, and not one country. I'd guess around middle-east, western asia and eastern europe.

[@deltax930]

+Shaka12 You can't make them too long with out first developing quite good metalurgy

[@ivyssauro123]

Patrurjonte Hum...anyone who is interested in history? I think that's pretty much what history is, what happened and where things originated.

[@ivyssauro123]

Patrurjonte And there's pretty much no arguing where any type of violin originated, violin history is pretty mapped out.

[@RockerMarcee96]

I'd put the most likely origins to either the Byzantine or the Persian Empire. The byzantine sources mention the παραμήριον (sabre) first in history. The first finds of sabres were in the Carpathian Basin however.

[@ME-hm7zm]

Hey! Can you tell me more about that Japanese sabre? I am familiar with the two-handed Kyu-Gunto for the Army, and the later Shin-Guntos, but not yet much else. I do like the hybrid east-west patterns. Is it an original, or a repro? Speaking of which, where do you get your antiques?

[@SebastianSzukalski]

+Michael Eversberg II If the definition of a "curved sword" is used, the Katana is a sabre, the wakizashi is a (very short) sabre. So the Tachi and all others would be too.

[@ME-hm7zm]

Sebastian Szukalski Yes, I have heard this, but I am referring to the Japanese blade with western style hilt. He holds one up at one point.

[@SebastianSzukalski]

+Michael Eversberg II That's a type 32 (or 1899). The type 25 (1892) also had a bowl-type guard. www.japaneseswordindex.com/civilian.htm

[@RevRaptor898]

+Sebastian Szukalski you forgot about the blade length some Katana count as a saber others as a cutlass. Wakizashi definitely counts as a cutlass. Tachi tend to be a little longer on average I think, so most would be counted as a saber.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Michael Eversberg II Sebastian Szukalski has already given you a good answer on the sword type. Yes mine is original, though the blade has been chrome plated at some stage which makes it look rather modern. They were popular for a short time period and came in both infantry and cavalry blade lengths. I get my antiques from many sources, usually local militaria and antiques dealers. Auction houses and militaria dealers/events are the best bet. The majority of dealers online are way overpriced, but there are a few good ones.

[@eatsleepplayrepeat]

What's great about sabres is that the were the last widely used sword in a major war, WW1. Also a bunch of militaries still use it in parades.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

That is true, and is a fascinating aspect of the last years of the sword in military use (extending to WW2 in smaller actions). Though the British didn't use sabres in WW1, having moved to a very different sort of blade, as well as lancers. Plenty of cavalry did make use of sabres in this time though.

[@theblancmange1265]

I guess it was not having armour since guns made that obsolete. And what is the best sort of sword for cutting?

[@michelledhyana4516]

10/10 best video on sabres ever found

[@TheKrodgib]

Could you make a video specifically for hangers and cutlasses? As in how they would be used, which period where they mostly used during? Thanks for the videos by the way 🙂

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+TheKrodgib Yes I certainly will do. Though very briefly I can tell you they were taught according to the same methods as the sabre, only some manuals recommend not striking towards the leg because of its short reach. I will get a video done soon to cover it in more detail.

[@astrazenica7783]

wow that heavy cavalry sword is a beast, nice condition blade, sweet

[@Durmomo0]

Why did they move from the curved saber to the straighter stabbing swords?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

It's a very complex topic. For a start straight swords were not inherently stabbing swords. Many straight swords were intended more for the cut in fact. For example the 1796 light and heavy cavalry swords came out the same year, both intended as heavy cutting swords, but one very curved and the other straight. The role of the users played a part here, with light cavalry intended for haraessing and scout work, and the heavies a blunt instrument. Ultimately the driving force late on was a constant argument between which was best, cut or thrust, and most armies settled in the middle with a lightly curved blade well suited to both cut and thrust. The move towards very heavily thrust orientated blades like the 1892 infantry and 1908 trooper of course came very late, as swords were really in their last few years of active service, and this just came from a doctrine of through that followed the point being best in most situations, which isn't neccessarily right of course, but the feeling of the day by those most heavily involved with sword patterns.

[@azzeenn]

​ kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2K9dKeFpruepNU illetve kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPLhWaQbbmaqJI vagy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZyQlZiuht2Zgtk kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjRg3t-j5ZjeJY Atilla szablyája (atilla sabre) in austria kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDdfmyGh7Fqaas

[@Ambarenya13]

Don't forget the Byzantine paramerion. Also appeared around the same time as the Hungarian weapons. Mentioned in several military treatises, including the Taktika of Leo VI. People who say that it wasn't curved at this point deny blatant evidence.

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

Wasent paramerion curved the other way?

[@bigstud6655]

Ambarenya13 yeah I’m

[@azzeenn]

​ kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2K9dKeFpruepNU illetve kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPLhWaQbbmaqJI vagy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZyQlZiuht2Zgtk kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjRg3t-j5ZjeJY Atilla szablyája (atilla sabre) in austria kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDdfmyGh7Fqaas

[@jothegreek]

You should check byzantine parameroion or romphaia

[@Ambarenya13]

GOOOOOOOOD. Remember the paramerion!!!

[@jeffdanials5866]

What a great, informative video, I subscribed !

[@n0n4m3_17]

Actually, the hilt of the original hungarian sabers were closer to the one you said that was called Persian... That is becouse the Turkic/Mongolic/Hunnic swords were almost exactly alike. For they were developed by the same groups. By the way: We did not "invent" it. We perfected it to the standards of the ERA. They were made to be useful against the enemies we faced. And the word saber comes from the word "szablya". Becouse we DID bring it to Western-Middle Europe.

[@eshafto]

Liked this very informative video, and learned a lot. You might want to be a little more aware of where the edge of the screen is when showing swords, though. A lot of the sword you're showing spends a lot of time off-camera. :-)

[@thatgopnik3515]

I need to know how to reheat plz...

[@Ranziel1]

Does the concept of "noble war" exist in military sabre (British or otherwise) or is it replaced entirely by the lunge and recover principle? From what I've seen there's little to no winding at all in sabre and fighters prefer to retreat or strike a different cut if they fail to connect.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Ranziel1 There are a couple of techniques that are essentially winding, but they are comparatively rare. With the dexterity, speed and rotational elements of a sabre, they are rarely useful.

[@thelonerider5644]

What's a good cheap metal training sabre? I know you found flaws with the hanwei hutton guard, but what if one made their own guard for this sword out of mild steel plate? Just a thought.

[@qiangluo1974]

i like 1796 a lot also because the combination of deep curve and false edge. the false edge cut can go around blade or guard and hits wrist and arm like a bird's beak.

[@themadrazorback2019]

Great video as always.

[@daywalkervictus]

Loving the sudden shift to sabers 'round here!

[@VTPSTTU]

I wish I had the opportunity to train in saber.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Look for a school that does it. If you can't find one, consider finding some like minded people and start a study group. It's one of the easiest weapons to get started with. Lots of people have started from the same position.

[@azzeenn]

​ @PiotrHo4 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2K9dKeFpruepNU illetve kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPLhWaQbbmaqJI vagy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZyQlZiuht2Zgtk kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjRg3t-j5ZjeJY Atilla szablyája (atilla sabre) in austria kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDdfmyGh7Fqaas

[@PeterKoperdan]

But why not use rapier for unarmored combat? Isn’t rapier superior to sabre? And why revert to straight blade after using curved sabres?

[@achrafkhouadja5458]

but we have sabers ( curved swords very similar to a polish saber ) in our museums that dates to 7th century ( arab/north african ), it was also a cavalry sword, can anyone care to explain the diff?

[@OhrmuzdAhriman]

I would love to learn to spar with a Persian shamshir, but they seem to be really rare online as I can't even seem to find a reliable one for sparring. Do you know where a good place to look would be?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

It's true that almost nobody makes them. it would be worth asking Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, who specialises in Persian martial arts. I know he has aluminium ones made at least. Besides that, I just had a shamshir bladed British infantry sabre made (as they were popular around 1800), by Wjocech Szanek in Poland. He will make you one, but it will cost around 400 euros.

[@mastershake4237]

What is the ideal weight for a saber? Not including cavalry sabers. Thanks

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

It can vary a fair bit depending on the period and style. But the typical range (not including cavalry) is 700g-900g. What is ideal depends on the type of guard, length of blade, and how you intend to use it. For example, Napoleonic British infantry sabres, the ideal is around 750-800g. For post 1821 where the guards were more developed, and blades a little longer, 820-900,

[@christophereppig7156]

What is the point of balance and total weight on that 1796 heavy cavalry sword?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Christopher Eppig PoB 8", 2.6lbs total.

[@christophereppig7156]

+Academy of Historical Fencing Wow, that's a beast! Thanks for the response!

[@hillkiran]

So, why did the brits transition from curved blades to straight blades?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+kiran hill Well it's not quite true that they did. If you look to the Napoleonic era, it is a complete mix of completely straight blades (heavy cav, spadroon, navy officer, cutlass), to heavily curved (1803 infantry, light cav and flank officer swords). In the 1820's, all of the above moved to lightly curved blades, which clearly are a compromise between the two, and that is largely the reason. A desire to have a blade that excels at both cut and thrust. Like most compromises though, it rarely works out that way. Move onwards towards the later 19th century when they finally went straight for most swords - this was a new philosophy, that the point was better than the edge. It was researched and found that the point was more likely to kill than the edge, something the French relied on in the Napoleonic era. This doctrine of course is far from perfect.

[@Tyler_Lalonde-]

Also how can I find the Iranian sabre and buckler? what channels have you found?

[@victoriansword]

Try the Razmafzar channel.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Tyler Lalonde As masterorca said. Dr. Khorasani's is a passionate and dedicated researcher and practitioner of those arts, definitely check out his channel. kzbin.info/door/EkddFkwPzt5q_Z6F23sNUQ

[@althesmith]

Quite a few talwars are fitted with a knuckle bow for protection, as well as some shamshir.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Al M Indeed they are. Did I not mention that in the video? So much to talk about in a broad overview that I might have missed it.

[@prospero768]

You say in the video that one of the advantages of a curved blade is its usability in confined quarters because of how it curves around the body. Certainly it could be expected that naval officers would often find themselves using their swords in very confined quarters belowdecks - so why do you figure both the 1805 and 1827 RN officer's swords (as well as 1804 pattern cutlass, and the 1845 very nearly so) had a completely straight blade?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Michal Lukáč 1805 pattern - it is a spadroon, and like the 1796 infantry spadroon, it was assumed that the officers wearing them would likely never have to fight with them. At this time period you will find constant reference to officers buying sabres, based on the 1803 or pre/non regulation similar models, just as many army officers were doing. You will often find these in museums and auction houses. 1827 model - this comes from a period of standardisation where all services were essentially using a derivative of the same pattern. Look to infantry, cavalry and navy at this time and they are all essentially the same weapon. Fashion, standardisation, an approach to a more universal weapon, an attempt to make a perfect hybrid cut and thrust sabre. All of these reasons are major factors.

[@prospero768]

+Academy of Historical Fencing Are you positive about that? None of the examples of the 1805 I saw had spadroon blades, they were all a straight-edge backsword (much like the later infantry models) with a stirrup hilt. One was even pipe-backed. And the 1827 is at most as curved as the 1845 infantry model.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Michal Lukáč That is what the British spadroon blade is. A light, straight, single edge backsword blade. Spadroons can have a variety of blade types, and hilt types. It is simply a lightweight, short straight sword for use on foot. The 1805 was just a new fashion/pattern version of the great many simple spadroons that came before it for both infantry and naval use in the 18th century, such as the five ball spadroon.

[@xenophon5354]

What is your opinion of the thumb ring? Generally useful or not?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Tom Rundell I find them quite interesting. Certainly they reduce the chance of slipping or losing grip, and they can increase power in some actions. However they can feel a little awkward in some actions. I have only used them briefly with sabres though so need to do a little more before coming to a more thorough conclusion. I have used them with basket hilts and that is my opinion so far.

[@lighthawk2626]

So I'm really interested in single edged swords and I'd love to learn to properly use a saber, however the only armed martial arts I could learn in my area are kendo and escrima, so not what I'm looking for at all. Is there a way to train on your own? I know it's obviously not the same as having someone teach you all the techniques but there's gotta be something I can do...

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Light Hawk Solo wise there are some things you can do, but they are very limited. Check out these two videos for more on the subject - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKakdGuLoquLZs0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnrKh5trrqZneJI

[@lighthawk2626]

Ok, thanks a lot

[@davidschlageter5962]

Great video!!!

[@casimiriii5941]

I was wondering, what would be the difference between a sabre and a scimitar?

[@casimiriii5941]

Also would you be able to recommend any reading materials, specifically in regards to mid 18th (like seven years war era) century sabre fighting.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+David Craft Scimitar is a catch all European term for middle eastern sabres. Therefore the scimitar is a sabre, just of middle eastern origin. The term is falling from use now though as people use more accurate terms for the range of swords it covers, such as Tulwar, Pulwar, and Shamshir. For some accounts of combat which I assume is what you are after, I would check out this and it's sequel - www.goodreads.com/book/show/23873431-swordsmen-of-the-british-empire

[@casimiriii5941]

+Academy of Historical Fencing thanks!

[@rasnac]

Hungary?!!!! Seriously?!!! FYI saber(one handed curved single edged sword) have been invented in Central Asia, and been carried to Western Asia and eventually to Europe by Eurasian nomads(Huns, Avars, Kumans, Bulgars,Tatars, Pechenqs etc.) and later by Turkic Migration around 9th century. Not even Hungarian scholars themselves ever claimed that it had been invented in Hungary.

[@birocsabal]

+rasnac It is more difficoult than that. The predecessors of the sabres were single edged straight swords, that appeared around in the 7th century a.d. in the eurasian steppes, and soon after-if no t at the same time- in Skandinavia (above mentiond "berserker sword"). They evolved into "messers" and falchions in western europe, and sabres in the steppes. In central Europe Hungary, Poland etc) sabres were pushed to the side in high middle ages in favour of streight blades, becouse of the cultural shift into christianity and with it to chivalric warfare (increasing quality and quantity of armour, thrust-to-the-gaps tactic, etc). Howewer they weren't forgotten becouse of numerous conficts with east european nomads. During the Ottoman Empire's extension warfare shifted back towards the more mobile, less armoured, light cavalry based eastern stile. In this period messers/ dussaks became more popular in german and chech territories and hungarians developed their own type of sabre on the base of the turkish kilij and the dussak. The later versions of this sabre type and the name "szablya" ,which ruffly means "cutter", were adopted in Poland when a Hungarian noble, Báthory István became king of Poland as Stefan Báthory 17th c.). In the 18th century polish and hungarian light cavalry became the model of the light cavalry troops of modern western armies: the hussars. They introduced the sabre in western eu. again, becouse in the 17th century european swordsmanship continued the shift towards thrusting swords.

[@Chroma710]

+rasnac Hungarians did invent sabers.

[@woff1959]

+rasnac The truth is that the earliest sabres come from graves dated c.680 A.D.. These were Avar sabres. The Magyars came to Hungary already with sabres. I would think the Avars invented the sabre, because Central Asia only got sabres after the year 800.

[@JacobTheIndoAmerican]

+Chroma The ruling class themselves came from Central Asia, as probably the curved sword design. C. Asians pretty much touched every corner of EurAsian, Eastern Europe being one of them. Hungarians did not.

[@wolfthunder1577]

+Christopher Szabo did Magyars have connect to Avars?And I think this should be "earliest saber like sword" not "modern saber origin" because as this video mention, modern saber is just one type of European backsword."they both curve" doesn't means the elder one is "the father" of another

[@SUB0SCORION]

I didn't know sabres came from Hungary, I'm proud of my homeland.

[@bakters]

+Maierek Maszkos I suspect it came from Asian steppes during migration period. It's not like anybody has any hard evidence to support their view, so early examples from Hungary hold some water. Definitely Hungarian sabers were very influential later on, no matter if they originated there or elsewhere.

[@SUB0SCORION]

bakters fun fact we own a saber whuch was wielded by one of my ancestor's during WW1. Too bad he broke it and grinded the blade to a wakizashi sized blade. And some years ago the grip started to loose so my father fixed it with ducktape... That sword looks funny: a one handed sabre with almost no guard, a ducktaped hilt, 40 cm blade with a little rust on it... Best heritage ever :)

[@bakters]

Maierek Maszkos Display it in an easy to see place, and speak about it with great pathos in your voice to unsuspecting visitors. Tell your family to rank their reactions, and discuss it in their presence for extra points. If they get offended, rank that too! ;-)

[@SUB0SCORION]

***** as far as i know it was shortend to be able to use as a household tool after the war.

[@SUB0SCORION]

bakters i am not offended so easily, u should try harder

[@thebobbytytesvarrietyhour4168]

I have been fighting with a 101 cm one handed saber, as was wondering if you would recommend any particular literature to study with it. Thanks.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Alex Hutchins What sort of hilt type does it have in terms of protection and how much curvature? Sounds like you probably have something well suited to the Infantry Sword Exercise manual from Henry Angelo. The art of defence on foot by Roworth is what we most study from, and it is perfectly applicable to a range of sabres.

[@thebobbytytesvarrietyhour4168]

+Academy of Historical Fencing It has a double side ring guard with s-shaped quillons and about an inch of deflection over the length of the blade.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Alex Hutchins Sounds like you might have something rather earlier period to around the 16th century. Any chance you could show me a picture? Or find an image of something similar online?

[@thebobbytytesvarrietyhour4168]

+Academy of Historical Fencing This is the same as mine, except mine does not have the piecework (www.alcheminc.com/AguirreS2.jpg). I fence through the S.C.A. so I am looking for a mid 16th century style more so. Not that it really matters.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Alex Hutchins With that style of sword I would be inclined to stick with sidesword type Bolognese swordsmanship like Marozzo or Dall'agocchie. It will work perfectly for those systems. If you specifically wanted something with a curved blade, well there are very few early resources on sabre. You could consider look at Richard Marsden's Polish sabre book which tries to reconstruct 17th century Polish sabre by merging later systems with earlier related weapons. Or check out Joachim Meyers dussack possibly.

[@tsgillespiejr]

Would you consider the kopis, yatağan, etc. to be sabers as well? They are technically curved backswords.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

No I would not. Because I would define a sabre as a curved blade, and a kopis, falcate etc as a recurve blade. Despite them being curved, the curve in the opposite direction creates a very different dynamic.

[@azzeenn]

​ @PiotrHo4 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2K9dKeFpruepNU illetve kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPLhWaQbbmaqJI vagy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZyQlZiuht2Zgtk kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjRg3t-j5ZjeJY Atilla szablyája (atilla sabre) in austria kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDdfmyGh7Fqaas

[@cafeqc3793]

5:30 and 16:30 What kind of blade is it, who made it? Thank you

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Both original antiques. The first is a British coastguard and customs cutlass made by Enfield around 1870. The second is a Type 32 gunto, a Japanese design of military sabre, the one shown is a period Chinese version who also adopted the sword.

[@cafeqc3793]

Thank You man

[@astrazenica7783]

I hope ScholaG agrees otherwise there'll be a 20 min video coming on more intricacies of the sword definitions ;)

[@althaz77]

Question: What about scimitars? Are they just another sort of sabre, or something else altogether? If they are the same, why are the two coolest things to call a sword for the same sword? The second question is not serious :).

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+althaz77 Scimitar is an English term, and other European languages have similar terms for the same sword. The term is likely a bastardisation of the shamshir, or shamsher, a sword which I showed in this video. Whatever the origin of the term, scimitar refers to a broad range of middle eastern sabres which encompass the tulwar and shamshir as shown in this video, as well as others like the Kilij and Pulwar. So scimitar is just a catch all phrase for sabres from the middle east.

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

What's the diffrence between a Sabre and a Scimitar???

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Scimitar is a catchall term in English for a whole family of sabres from the middle east and surrounding region, such as the Shamshir and Tulwar. Sabre is the overall term for a curved blade sword.

[@k-aw-teksleepysageuni8181]

Thank you. :)

[@epiclolman57]

does anyone know what the average point of balance on infantry sabres?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Napoleonic period British infantry sabres were anywhere between 9-15cm, due to the massive variety of blades. Post 1821 there was a little more standardisation, and 10-13cm is typical. You might want to check out this album where I have started logging a lot of data for swords I own - www.flickr.com/photos/155366595@N06/sets/72157690346713756

[@epiclolman57]

Academy of Historical Fencing thank you so much for answering my question, it does mean alot, would 7 3/8 inches or 19 centimeters be far too forward balanced to be controllable as a weapon for dueling? or in your experience where do you think is the best point of balance for a non cavalry sabre?

[@KadirAksu28]

The true sabre was developed in Turkic Central Asia in the 9th century, or possibly earlier. All sabres are descended from the earliest Central Asian forms, being introduced into other areas through invasion by, and other interactions with, peoples originating on the Eurasian steppes, such as the Bulgars, Magyars and various Turkic peoples.

[@justinprather8846]

Do large confederate D guard bowies class as a cutlass? I know bowies are very derivative of saber and cutlass in general.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Some of the largest examples would fit into the cutlass/hanger range definitely.

[@justinprather8846]

+Academy of Historical Fencing I wonder if you'd be interested in doing a bowie video, as I more or less consider blades of 10 inches and up a modern day short sword. Though some techniques are knife like it is also used in sword like ways and I believe it to be the last vestiges of swordsmanship in modern combat.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

It's a little far from my field of interest to be honest, and there are a lot of bowie specialists out there that would be much better suited to doing it. I'd generally not put anything under about 16" blade length into a sword category though. You can see the usage change substantially. The only things I see resembling any kind of sword combat today are the larger machetes fights, an some stick/umbrella defence stuff.

[@justinprather8846]

+Academy of Historical Fencing While true that there's great departures from the sword there's also many sword like uses such as glancing false edge cuts and parries. You also tend to see low thrusts with a hand planted on the ground similar to some rapier styles. Though it may not be a great point of interest for you I think it bares at least some sort of mention as it is clearly somewhat derived from swordsmanship and in a broader context encompasses the development of western bladed combat. As a student of the bowie knife I think you may be doing yourself a disservice as a swordsman to gloss the topic over, however that's just my opinion so take it as you will. Love your videos by the way.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

I wouldn't say I quite gloss it over. I own one original, and a training version I use occasionally too. I would just leave a video on the subject to someone that specialises in it. The other point is time period. We focus on the Renaissance to the Napoleonic period. Though I have some swords beyond this period, it really isn't a focus. Sometimes you just have to tighten down your focus. As there is only so much time to research and practice. I might look at doing a little with it though.

[@QuanKiDo1989]

Cross cutting art:kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIPKfK2jhLBjipY

[@Draaguoh]

can u pls do some talking bout the jian :) and ty for this channel very insightfull

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Sorry I missed this first time around. Right now I just don't have experience or knowledge enough to talk about it. I have slowly over the last year begun to research the weapon and start to look into styles that use it. We do have one Chinese sword practitioner in the club. We aim to get some training versions made soon to have a play with, but it is very early days.

[@PieterBreda]

really good

[@TheArtofFencing]

I don't know if you know, but your Japanese cavalry troopers 1899 sabre looks actually like the Chinese version of the Japanese design which they copied. The original Japanese sabres had wood on the handle where your piece has this green part, which should be a plastic. Another indication would be the scabbard. If it has 2 rings to hang it, its most likely the Chinese army version. Just so you know.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+tae1000esd Yep I did, but it confuses matters considerably to explain that in such a broad overview video. Well spotted though.

[@TheArtofFencing]

+Academy of Historical Fencing Yep i know it doesnt really give information for the viewer, but I just wanted to give you more information in case you didn't know. But one more question, did you handle the real Japanese version of the sabre? I have the Chinese version myself and I was wondering if the original has its pob so far away from the guard. I use my Chinese version as my heavy training sabre and you know what you have done after a intense training :)

[@jackalshine1369]

The ‘Chinese Sabers’ u are holding is not a genuine Chinese saber and only appear in the last part of Qing Dynasty mainly used by civilian. Due to lack of martial art, civilian forge a saber with heavier head to chop into imperial army armour easily. The true Chinese saber used by Imperial Chinese army of the Ming and Qing dynasty from 14th-19th century has a similar design of that tulwar u were holding. With round disk hand guard and longer handle for 2 handed use.

[@paulodomingues4179]

Wouldn't a Khanda also be considered a saber? Seems to me all sabers are in fact indian swords.

[@CZOV]

Sabres probably came from sickles, like swords from knives. There are bronze age swords and sabres, curved like a sabre or in reverse. But both were used with shields. Probably Europeans were the first to use it as a single weapon, because it was used as a sidearm.

[@azzeenn]

​ kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2K9dKeFpruepNU illetve kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPLhWaQbbmaqJI vagy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZyQlZiuht2Zgtk kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjRg3t-j5ZjeJY Atilla szablyája (atilla sabre) in austria kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDdfmyGh7Fqaas

[@Robert399]

So would you call messers and falchions sabres?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Robert R That is a tough one. Technically if they have a curved blade, which some do, they could be, but seeing as so many don't and the curved blade isn't a typical characteristic of them, then likely not. Unlike the tessack for example, or Sinclair hilt, that both most typically have a curved blade, then I would call them a sabre. As ever with terminology though, it is rarely black and white. The fact that we now have to look back at hundreds, if not thousands of years of sword usage and try and define them even to be able to discuss them is rarely easy.

[@jupism1234]

what did the mongols use then?

[@JoaoAlvarenga22]

What about the scimitar?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

It is covered in the video, and mentioned from memory. Scimitar is a catch all European term for middle eastern sabre types, and and likely derives from the term Shamshir, but overall encompasses the shamshir, Tulwar, Pulwar, Kilij and others. I showed and discussed two of those types in the video.

[@JoaoAlvarenga22]

Academy of Historical Fencing Oh I see, thank you for answering! Middle Eastern swords aren't really my area of expertise

[@jackalshine1369]

Actually the height differences in those days werent that much.. european were not as tall as now and Chinese werent as short. It is ony during the Qing dynasty approx from 1700-1900 where European gradually grew taller and and Chinese were deprive of nutrient due to vast population and incompetence of the then-government. And the height differences after 1930-1940 onwards has gradually decreased. Wonder how Dutch used to be one of the shortest to now one of the tallest? Chinese history in 15-16th century depicted Portuguese and Dutch explorer and merchant as short white men. Chinese during that time easily towered them.

[@trondsi]

Does this definition mean that Middle Eastern scimitars are also sabres? Didn't that design originate with the central Asian Turks, and then spread to Hungary?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Yes all of the swords that fit within the family that we now call scimitar are sabres, I show some of these on the video, like shamshir and tulwar. The origin of the sabre is likely central asia, with people like the Avars and others. These sabres go back to at least the 9th century, and likely a few hundred years further still.

[@WolfClant]

could you talk about the shashka?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+WolfClant I meant to mention it in the video but then there are so many more sabre types that I could have mentioned. At this stage I wouldn't talk too much about the shashka simply because I don't know enough about them. I have handled a few and know of them, but more research is needed.

[@WolfClant]

+John Smith you could search for shashka dances

[@zaboobebop]

maybe not spread but showed up or appeared would be better?

[@Blackhuskyy]

Maybe strange out of topic question, but why did straight swords go out of fashion

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Certainly not of topic. They didn't entirely go out of fashion, and in fact came back in force. Firstly why did curved blades become so much more common in northern Europe? Because of the excellent cutting ability and being well suited to unarmoured combat, at a time when armour was all but gone from the battlefield. Even whilst sabres were the standard swords of the British army through the 19th century, Scottish officers continued to use straight broadsword blades, and at the end of the 19th century, the army reverted to straight for infantry, and also cavalry in the very early 20th century, due to a new emphasis and philosophy towards point work. Fashion was also important, as the hussar imagery became massively popular in the late 18th century and early 19th, the image of the outrageously lavish uniforms and curved blades.

[@Blackhuskyy]

Amazingly informative, thanks very much!

[@3choBlast3r]

The fuck are you on about, the "sabres" found in Hungary were not only found in the graves of the Turkic origin Magyars, they Magyars had also just united with the Turkic Khazars (9th century) .. all the modern sabers originate from the Turkic sabre/scimitar, whose origins are far older than the 9th/10th century, migrated west with the Huns, Avars, Bulgars etc.

[@3choBlast3r]

Also.. the Shamshir is not Persian .. it's an evolution of the Kilij used by the Turks who ruled the Persians .. it wasn't fully/widely adopted by the persians etc them selves until the late 15/16th century .. like most copies they removed the Yalman, making the sword far less effective as a cutting weapon

[@MadNumForce]

I think he's a bit biased by his british-centric culture, but straight blades did not fell out of fashion everywhere. In France, except for the 1822 pattern, heavy cavalry always used straight blades, but the shift from double edged to single edged, and sword type hilt (with a pommel) to saber type hilt (with a cap), happened during the 18th century. The british 1796 heavy cavalry sword is... well, brutal. The french heavy cavalry sabers of the same period, namely the An IX, An XI and An XIII models were much better designed, but as dedicated thrusters. "Thrusting" is not the right word though, "impale" is much more accurate. The An XI blade is a marvel in this regard. There was the interlude of the 1822 "bancal" model, but in 1854 they swaped back to a straight blade. And from 1882 onward, the infantry also swaped to a straight blade. By the way, in french terminology, these straight sabers were considered normal "sabre". Blade curvature was of no signifiance. By 1800, when you were talking about an "épée", you were talking about something along the lines of a smallsword. Straight blade sabers of the heavy cavalry were sometimes referred to as "latte" (lath/slat), but as a sub-category of "sabre".

[@davidbriggs264]

Nothing about the American sabers, or sabers used by any other European nation? I realize that you might have wanted to actually show the sword as you mentioned it, but what about taking photos off Google or such and showing that if you don't actually have an actual copy of said sword. And while the Hungarians may have introduced the saber to Europe (and possibly given it it's name), you would actually have to go farther south, and farther east to find the true location of the origin of the saber. My guess would be modern day Iran, Afghanistan, or Pakistan as the place the sword first appeared.

[@LukasBukai]

Greeting from Slovakia..very nice video i like it..make video just 9-12 cent. sabre in Hungary/Poland/Czech/Slovakia... For Fun ;)

[@timothyheimbach3260]

so is any one edged sword a backsword?

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Timothy Heimbach It's a term that is used to refer to any one handed sword with a single edge, but it of course hasn't been used by all peoples of all cultures. It was and is a common English term though for all one handed single edged swords. To that extent you will see the term applied to medieval archers single edged swords to falchions, to the 1796 heavy cavalry sword.

[@dei-wan-grey3888]

Nice SABER

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

No sabers in this video, only sabres :)

[@dei-wan-grey3888]

Want to learn fencing skills as well man👊

[@dei-wan-grey3888]

Academy of Historical Fencing I just subbed with pleasure wonderful vids👊

[@ArfooHuroo]

Where can one buy a decent saber that is lighter in weight and balance than most

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

A blunt for sparring? Sword smithy for a Georgian period open hilt type. Peter Regenyei is about to release a lightweight model that should be good. Darkwood Armoury make good duelling sabres. Also Cold Steel's training sabre has been getting mostly positive reviews.

[@azzeenn]

​ @PiotrHo4 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2K9dKeFpruepNU illetve kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIPLhWaQbbmaqJI vagy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZyQlZiuht2Zgtk kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjRg3t-j5ZjeJY Atilla szablyája (atilla sabre) in austria kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpDdfmyGh7Fqaas

[@boofstien2]

Pleased I found the channel, good stuff! - sub'd

[@ThiLI0n]

Most austrian Pallaschs I've seen were double edged though...blade wise they are more like schiavonas than backswords

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+ShellPie The British heavy cavalry sword was specifically based on the Austrian cavalry Pallasch, and is almost identical to it, and the model which followed it. I think they have a clipped back edge which the British models didn't have as standard, but they are still very much the same fullered backsword blade.,

[@ThiLI0n]

Well yes, but the Pallasch was used from the 17th throughout the 19th centuries - a lot of varieties are around. And the archetypical Pallasch I got to know as a cuirassier weapon is very much like this one: s747.photobucket.com/user/kelly1863/library/Walloon%20Pallasch?sort=2&page=1 There's buckets in the Graz armory

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+ShellPie Yeh that's fair enough, I never said they were all backswords :-) Most years we go to an event in Vienna, and the heeresgeschichtliches museum there has an immense selection of wonderful Austrian Pallasch and sabres.

[@ThiLI0n]

True, those are nice ones^^ Pay a visit to Graz next time, it's like 2 hours by train and totally worth it www.museum-joanneum.at/en/styrian-armoury

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+ShellPie Looks nice. Not been there yet. I will make an effort to this year or next.

[@althesmith]

I really hate that last pattern of cavalry sword. Useful enough for a straight skewering but useless for any melee combat unless you just used the guard for a knuckleduster, imho.

[@althesmith]

+Al M Specifically, the 1908. Glorified BBQ spit.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Al M I am really not a fan either. I think it's one of the ugliest swords ever designed, and also a deeply flawed one.

[@GeorgeLCostnza]

lol in all fairness "Viking sword" is also quite a modern term. For that matter "sabre" is a modern term when applied to Viking period swords.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Yes, but these are just commonly used terms for talking about the type of weapon. Just as the Italians never used the term rapier in it's day, but it became to be known that in English and other derivatives in other languages as time went on.

[@GeorgeLCostnza]

@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing Right.. my point being, the rather modern terms you've used like "viking sword" and "sabre" referring to Viking period swords is, in the time frame we're speaking of (nearly 1200 years), just as novel as Berserkr when referring to single edged Viking period swords. Edit: Btw absolutely gorgeous collection. Are those all yours or shared in a club? Can't imagine how much money must have gone into it if it's all yours.

[@gwennblei]

Definition is way easier in french :D Saber : one edge, sword : two edges :p

[@hamilcarluxemburg5266]

Sabre, and if your avatar is meant to support Brittany's independence, you are wrong. Vivre la France, avec Bretagne. (I know I'm missing accents, but my English keyboard doesn't do them).

[@thomas.cloutier-guay]

actually in french a saber is described as a single edge sword so saber are considered a sub categorie.

[@gwennblei]

@ Lothgorn Traeg Firstly, "Vive" la France, and not "Vivre", and avec "la" Bretagne (Also don't worry about accents, there are none in the sentence). Secondly who are you to tell if a political opinion is wrong, you who clearly have no idea of what you're talking about ? Thirdly many bretons use the breton flag as a mean of identification without any wish of independence.

[@gwennblei]

@ Thomas Cloutier-Guay Not in the definitions I've been looking at. It's generally defined as a long bladed weapon that can be used to cut and thrust and is single edged and usually curved. Some definitions even points out that it's what differentiates it from a sword. If you do speak french you can see it in this definition for example, but you'll also see it in most definitions online. "Le sabre (du hongrois szablya) est une arme blanche d'estoc et de taille, dont on utilise la pointe et le tranchant. Généralement courbe et à seul tranchant (ce qui le distingue de l'épée, qui est à lame droite, avec deux tranchants), il peut être utilisé à une ou deux mains en fonction du type de sabre"

[@zaboobebop]

maybe this wouldnt be classified as sabres but swords certainly did not fallout in the philippines, china or especially japan during WW2

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Swords in WW2 Japan were due to a revival. They certainly had fallen out of use. But a push to bring back the romanticised memory of the samurai and instil a warrior culture in the common soldier led to the revival of the sword.

[@swietoslaw]

I always wonder why in British terminology saber is a sword, and even more weird battle knifes.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+swietoslaw Because the term sword is a catchall phrase for all long bladed weapons that are larger than a knife. So a longsword, an arming sword, a sabre, a rapier, they are all in the same umbrella term of 'sword'.

[@swietoslaw]

Academy of Historical Fencing Only in English ;) and this have no sens. You have sword, which divided into. Sword (longsword, arming sword etc) Sabers Battle knife But all are name sword, but when you look on polearms they name is not the name on one particular weapon. And historically speaking in y region (Poland) sabers were never swrod, rapiers from west were call that.

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+swietoslaw It is just a matter of variation from one country and culture to another. Look at the rapier for example. They were always called rapier in Britain, and yet in Italy, they were just called spada - sword. I think it makes a lot of sense. Sometimes you can have two weapons that are almost identical, just one is straight and the other has a modest curve, and yet you would call them something different? But then English is a bastard language :-)

[@swietoslaw]

Academy of Historical Fencing But word is from espada ropiera (or some thing like that) and meant just sword for clothe (civilian) then that why it is called in many country just sword. But with sabers its different, most of sabers (especially earlier then XVIII century) was having different fighting style and were more curved, and just west lightly curved sabers where use in combat more like falchions or backsword. And again is also all this battle knife like seax, german messer etc, which are just big knife.

[@dancarlson4779]

You should do a video of Russian Sabers

[@paweandonisgawralidisdobrz2522]

They are almost the same as Indian sabers but even less curved

[@Hashishtani]

Saber is much older than Hungary... I was in invented in Great Steppe.. 5th - 7th century AC.... curved swords where invented much earlier... they were used even in time of ancient Egypt.

[@someone-wi4xl]

no Arabian Scimitar .. disappointed

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

Apart from the Persian Shamshir shown at 12:00.

[@sabanozel9867]

where is thebTurkish Sabre? kilij with yalman (yalmanlı kılıç)

[@AcademyofHistoricalFencing]

+Şaban ÖZEL I don't have one yet, so it could not be shown in the video :-)

[@handymancoventry]

hi. i think you missed the best sabres in the world. i'm talking about polish hussars sabres. they still make them. these sabres were the top of sabre development. in attached link you can see some photos www.sklep.agru.pl/szable-husarskie-c-22.html

[@grailknight6794]

you should show more that 1796 heavy cavalry sword!!! there are too less videos on those swords!!! ☺

[@KadirAksu28]

The information is wrong man :/ Shamshir/Scimitar/Talwa all has a Central-Asian origin by the Turkic Tribes that Migrated there... Turkic and Tungusic people are known for their sword.

[@Wraithninja1]

The shamshir hilt was popular with Ukrainian cossacks back in the 16th century,.

[@liamh5127]

Sabre best of all weapons