Are Warhammer 40k Space Marine CHAINSWORDS even swords?!?!

[@shadiversity]

Play World of Warships here and remember to use code BRAVO : wo.ws/3ZKrT4u

[@f1y7rap]

Shad, I understand you want that sweet sweet sponsor money, but I'm disappointed you took WeeGee money. They have become a bloodsucking parasite. The first 2 dockyards showed that, and they even had to refund like a third of the playerbase over the debacle. Because its not free, its freemium (or pay to win)

[@AuraArondight]

Can you use a chainsword, though

[@ThunderMoon6458]

Tell your brother I vote chainsword and I would think the chainaxe would be better with chainsaw attachment. Need to do hammers next. And amor

[@BaltimoreKnifeandSwordCo]

The really problem we had with the Man at Arms chainsword was the teeth cutting toward the user. It would have been much more affective had we set the saw running backwards and throwing the cuttings forward.

[@Sujad]

Chainswords should be classified as a club. They're simply too unweildly unless you look at the relic chainswords like Ragnar Blackmane's sword which looks like it came from the Eldar.

[@christopherduke8935]

A chainsword is a macuahuitl with unobtainium teeth and a combustion engine. If we consider the Aztecs' obsidian blades "swords" then so must be chainswords. Most considered these weapons clubs however, and your pedantry has been logged by the cogitator's machine spirit.

[@ryanomalley3705]

This right here. I also like to think of it as a spinning steak knife ha.

[@Grabehn42]

I love how this turned from a historical comparison into a 40k email from management.

[@christopherduke8935]

@@Grabehn42 No errors can be made under the Omnissiah's blessed oculus.

[@FuknKms]

I agree 100%

[@koatam]

I call them clubs. They are probably closer to axes.

[@JackCrow0]

So, fun bit about the chainsword. it's actually a really recent invention (for 40k) the chainsword was created during the great crusade with the express purpose of killing orks. It's not designed to cut, but instead rip though the enemy. Orks when simply cut can quite literally staple themselves back together and be perfectly fine, so chainswords were made to just splatter gore everywhere. it then was popularized by the imperium because in comparison to power weapons it's really cheap to make, and if it can kill and ork then it can kill most other things. sadly though, yes, the chainsword is made by magic space men, using a magic space metal, in their magic space factories, with their magic space magic.

[@Dozarman]

You dare declare the Machine God a mere Warp craft?!

[@franzlechner6659]

Don,t forget about the Eldari Striking Scorpian chainswords. Not shure when they implemeted them , but problepley much erlier . But for the same reason , i would prosum.

[@murphieslaw6932]

@@Dozarman hehe, I see what you did there. Good one, oh follower of the Necron god ^^

[@Dozarman]

@@murphieslaw6932 *swears with all the slurs the Galaxy has ever had in binary*

[@torreyjones4421]

In fairness power weapons ARE significantly more effective than chain ones. They are just so rare as to basically be religious artefacts. The astartes can't field one for every soldier. Hell not even the sisters of battle who are so well funded that it's an entire army of regular humans in power armor can afford a power sword for each.

[@vinland5558]

Right, the power swords *are* better, they just can't get them. Basically you gotta be absurdly wealthy, be a chapter known for them (such as dark angels, who STILL don't give them to everybody), or be some incredibly important insquisitor or similar rank. A power sword will instantly cleave a space marine in two, even human sized ones. It's like asking "why do you drive a Toyota Corolla when Ferraris exist?"

[@MementoMori7777]

So my Bulwark Dark Angel's A VIP for owning one?

[@Wustenfuchs109]

Exactly! People who are new to the lore still have a problem with grasping the whole of it - and just because there is a tech for something, does not mean that everyone can have it... or that ANYONE can have it for that matter! There are things that are present in the lore that Imperium simply does not know how to build anymore. It includes a HUGE array of weapon systems of which only a handful remain now and are, as you rightly said, considered Relic weapons and worn only by the highest ranking members in Imperium. So the argument "Oh, powerswords exist in this universe, they are more efficient" is a null-argument. Nukes exist in our world as well, so? Not everyone has the, not everyone can have them, and they are not usable in every single situation. In 40K it is even worse than that, as they can forget how to make certain stuff. Some extreme versions of armor and weapons, even for Astartes, are Relic-level at this point.

[@S1030dan]

They are status weapons. The imperium has a Gazillion of power weapons on hand, high and low quality. But they are reserved for officers, generals, elite/prestige units ect.

[@Bradzerker-ed2dj]

The Sisters of Battle are a joke. A bunch of Karens in armor.

[@MyManMako]

Chain blades are not swords for duels. They are tools of slaughter. Their best targets are lightly armored opponents, such as regular humans or guardsmen. It's best attribute is the intimidation factor: loud howl of the blade, messy explosive kills and a seven-foot psychotic mutant in power armor wielding it - that is utterly terrifying and could rout whole regiments.

[@Nempo13]

It works decently well against armor as well. A lot of the armor in 40k is not ceremite level. Eldar armor is weaker than astartes armor! Orks just use thicks labs of steel. Necron is equal on armor strength, but their armor has better durability. Chain swords work against ceremite but it takes time to bite through it as the saw teeth remove parts of the armor. Most marine armor has damage from chain sword hits that got deflected. They aren't that useless like people would think due to what they are made of. The reason they don't make armor out of it is the alloy has shatter lines like obsidian does. In one direction it is strong, counter that direction and it shatters.

[@kurokaze511]

Also keep in mind that chain-weapons, like boltes, were designed to deal with the Orks. So they were made to cause as devastating a wound as possible because hitting the average Ork with anything else wouldn't even slow it down.

[@DnoFM]

Saviour of Imperium Ciaphas Cane would like a word with you about "chain blades are noy swords for duels".

[@MyManMako]

@DnoFM listen, the original design is not perfect is all I'm saying. If you're badass enough to kill two Broodlords, a Keeper of Secrets, three Hive Tyrants and two Khorne Berzerkers in melee combat, that is the achievement of yourself, not the blade.

[@MyManMako]

@DnoFM also, a Big Warboss, an invisible psyker, a mind-controller psyker, and many many more

[@mitch7235]

Shad: I love the lore, but hate the company! 😡! Me: isn’t that pretty much everyone?!? 😂😄

[@Underworlddream]

True but surprisingly their people that are boot licker for GW and all their bad practices.

[@matthewpalmer2810]

as a warhammer player, I think that this is the prevailing opinion

[@NyGeL_Derey]

Pretty much every company and their product

[@keeganmacdonald1102]

Yes but I still bay the plastic crack

[@ianpage2509]

When I got into Warhammer my dad looked into the company. He said that in 7 layers of supply chain there was no slave labor.

[@ReyesdeMadrid]

One theory I read is that the imperium made the chainsword specifically to kill orks. Orks are lightly armoured and fleshy. They are also fungoid based which makes limb transplants really easy for them. A clean cutting weapon like a power weapon would not have the stopping power needed to mess up an orc and keep it from grafting its limbs back on. A chainsword would tear up orc flesh in a way that the orc would hemorrage and its parts couldn't be used again.

[@Tuberuser187]

Chain weapons predate the Imperium, other races use them too like the Eldar and Orks.

[@apocako]

@@Tuberuser187 So both other peoples who fight orks a lot?

[@Tuberuser187]

@@apocako So Eldar made chainblades millions of years before Humans existed because the Imperium made chainblades to somehow stop Orks grafting new limbs on?

[@apocako]

@@Tuberuser187 How tf you got that from what I said? Dude, read it again, I believe in you!

[@Tuberuser187]

@@apocako Thats what the dudes claim is, that the Imperium developed them to fight Orks, guess what though? The Eldar actually had them before Orks existed, try to follow along. They where not created for fighting Orks, not specifically.

[@nextcaesargaming5469]

Shad laughing maniacally with a chainsaw is now going to live rent-free in my brain

[@anderporascu5026]

The debate that never ends! It goes on and on for donators. Some people started watching this wanting to know what they are on about and we'll continue watching until one of them concedes because it's the debate that never ends.

[@patrickkenyon2326]

Step back, Leatherface! There is a new crazy man with a chainsaw in town! Just in time for Halloween. And THIS ONE has body armor!

[@m.4983]

Yeah you're right, it was cringe.

[@jayr8271]

Never forget the psychological impact of the sound a chainsaw makes. Then put that in the hands of an 8 foot tall armoured monster

[@GoldenCrow320]

not sure anybody in the warhammert 40k universe is scarred of noise alone anymore.

[@edwardhealey591]

@@GoldenCrow320 *Laughs in noise marine*

[@Thepimpdaddy22]

I was thinking the same thing. Similar to a musket even. Impractical in comparison sure. But to a humanoid morale? Yeah that's devastating and including the visual impact of gore. Seeing someone cut down is one thing but hearing it and seeing chunks flying too? Yeah that's a good weapon

[@ric270]

the point of using chainswords instead of power swords is cost, a chainsword is way cheaper to manufacture in comparison and is designed for cutting into armor, but most marines carry a 2 foot long combat "knife" as standard

[@tarektechmarine8209]

Chainsaws are good enough. it will break teeth, it will clog, it will stuck in large amount of muscle, but it will work for most flesh.

[@marhawkman303]

Yeah the actual description of the teeth of a chain sword make me wonder just how many years it'd take to develop the tech required to make it

[@spartanonxy]

@@marhawkman303 Really only thing we likely don't have on hand readily is the engine. It just wouldn't be as effective due to the fact physics IRL are much less.... flexible. Sure it wouldn't be made out of the same material but alternatives are probably all over.

[@cedricschmidtke4287]

its actually a super common thing for militaries around the world to consider price. Famously, the Brits Replaced the US imported Thompson with the Sten gun for that reason one of the simplest designs during the war other things such as maintenance, the user and of course supplying the gun are also

[@Shin-e2w]

Chainswords are actually NOT designed for armor and while not having issues with the majority of tissue, can get stuck on armor.

[@Jason-ji8ql]

I think it also depends who you ask. If you ask an Ultramarine, "Would you rather have a Power Weapon or a Chainsword," you'd likely hear 'Power Weapon' as it's far more efficient to do the job. Ask a World Eater however, and they'll scream "Whatever is most brutal. Because anything is technically efficient, but brutality breaks not only the body, but also morale."

[@tau-5794]

Chain weapons also make much bigger spurts of blood, for the blood god of course.

[@codybates2419]

Astartes are shock troops. Chainswords absolutely fit the bill for them. Imagine an 8 foot tall walking tank chewing up your comrades with a chainsaw sword… Even in lore they break, get clogged, lose teeth and bounce of hard armor.

[@Shadowangel615]

I remember hearing a while back in a comment that Space Marines aim for the more exposed areas like joints when using Chainswords as well

[@233Deadman]

I do remember in an old 40k book, there's a character using a chainsword that's gotten clogged and jammed up, but has no time to fix it in the fighting. So he just starts using it as a club, because it's heavier than a regular sword, and can work for that.

[@nicholasmascitelli8129]

It’s worth noting that even in the lore, the chainsword does run into the problem you guys brought up. There are issues with the teeth on the wearing down or breaking if you just carelessly swing it at tougher materials. As an example, during the Horus Heresy the marines learned pretty quick that the chainsword was not great for fighting other marines because their thick armor would just wreck the chains if they didn’t aim for the gaps in the armor. And another note about the chainsword. Its recognized other options might be more efficient, but they wouldn’t cause as much pain and carnage as the chainsword. So a big factor is how intimidating it is to see the 7ft tall demigod in power armor running at you with a freaking chainsaw revving in one of his hands.

[@williamscott2580]

caiphas cain also famously gets his logged in squishy foes often and has to abandon it. i know of at least 2 occasions and think may even be a 3rd. so they far from a great weapon

[@LysergicKids]

"I love the universe, but hate the company" Shad is one of us, brothers.

[@chheinrich8486]

Isnt that most entertainment now 😂

[@anthonyeasson1739]

but he is ignorant of the lore and setting, best case he is a slightly educated tourist.

[@gageshippy2256]

​@@anthonyeasson1739shad is an expert on real life combat and history. Your a tourist when it comes to his field of expertise.

[@mattaffenit9898]

@@anthonyeasson1739 Dunking on GW, though. It counts.

[@NODnuke45]

"Chainsword" seems as though it might be the abbreviated form of "chainsaw sword" so, it's a chainsword.

[@sparkieT88]

it doesn't necessarily need to spin fast, it just needs high torque so that it doesn't stop spinning at whatever speed it is.

[@tabull8180]

The problem with slow moving saw is that the enemy will back out pretty much as soon as it feels getting hit. So slow moving chainsword would only be able to cause relatively small wounds in the split second of contact. Thats is unless enemy is somehow unable to back out from the sawing which I guess could also be possible since the saw pulls the target forward to you.

[@Marinealver]

what if it rotated in the opposite direction?

[@colindarcas6532]

​@@Marinealverthen it doesn't work as well as it swings in the same way as the saw spins. Meaning the blades don't catch as easy

[@anthonyelder7158]

Lol exactly@@Marinealver

[@anthonyelder7158]

Also, turn it around

[@Quincy_Morris]

1:30 energy swords are incredibly rare and costly. Chain swords are the cheaper more mass produced weapon.

[@robashley8216]

Dont let Shad know about the Chain Axe... Edit: I can't wait till they test the sack of adamantium doorknobs

[@Sameji]

or chain glaives

[@thepoliticalgunnut8018]

Chain fists

[@colindarcas6532]

Chain bayonets

[@AzariusR]

Chainswords but two of them stuck together.

[@themalcontent100]

With the chainaxe. I see it as a hammer with teeth, held by a bipedal truck.

[@rickrivera7005]

An experienced chainsaw guy here. The "rakers" are those little pieces of metal in front of the teeth or blades. You can change the height of them with a flat file. The height of those, chooses the depth at which the teeth bite. I think that comes into play here. If the engine is super strong and the rakers are filed all the way down, it would slice through much faster.

[@murphieslaw6932]

Underrated comment. Thank you for your service, citizen !

[@bobbertbobberson6725]

A chainsword may not physically be a sword, but neither is a lasrifle, plasma rifle, etc a rifle, as they lack rifling grooves which impart spin stabilization on a projectile. But they (chainswords) are a) used as a sword, and b) have a similar form-factor and ergonomics so it's no more wrong than the word "laser rifle"

[@christiansorensen7567]

Iquisitor: And did the weapons tell you these things? Could you hear them ... speak to you?

[@MNM-lq9te]

​@@christiansorensen7567yea cuz the guns and sword has a machine spirit.

[@secondamendment1927]

Wieght stabilized projectiles are a thing, just not very common these days. If the plasma remains connected w/the bulk of the wieght in the front & a "tail" trailing behind, it'd wouldn't need rifling. And lasers are concentrated photons, they just go. The most unrealistic thing about fictional laser weapons is how they fire projectiles and that they don't travel at the speed of light

[@marmyeater]

​@@christiansorensen7567Their machine spirits tell me you are a heretic.

[@marmyeater]

​@@secondamendment1927A lot of lasers are plasma based, but in Star Wars even the plasma weapons travel at light speed. It's just slowed down so we can actually see it.

[@dumper87]

When I’m limbing, I usually get through a 3” diameter hardwood branch in less than 2 seconds. A saw with a fresh ground chain will do massive damage on flesh, even with an accidental light touch. It’s the reason I carry a tourniquet in my pocket.

[@WestinsChannel]

Good on you. Too many guys in that trade so that job all day long without any medical in their person. Scary.

[@2superstobie]

Exactly and that's not even a super up version of the tool I imagine one of these that costs ten time the cost would be on par with a light saber for cutting potential

[@sevenproxies4255]

Yes, they have energy swords too. But they're not as simple or common in manufacture compared to the chainswords. Hence why chainswords are issued more often.

[@varundattoo9512]

This. I was go on the atypical rant, but, basically; the environment selects what is best suited to every situation and you know... Mechanicus have their reasons.

[@oktodragon2743]

Plus the energy swords are kind of expensive even for the imperium

[@sevenproxies4255]

@@varundattoo9512 The Mechanicus are really competitive and jealous too. Just because one forge world knows how to make power swords, it doesn't mean the Magii ruling it share their blueprints with other forge worlds. Heck magii on a single forge world even keep such trade secrets from other magii on the same world. So you need to be a high profile client to get one made for you. And the manufacturing of them take a big chunk out of the tithes which the departmemto munitorum take from that forge world as well. So sometimes you're left with the choice of either acquiring a single power sword OR 1000 earth shaker shells or 10.000 lasguns.

[@sevenproxies4255]

To put things in perspective: tactical marines of the adeptus astartes are not issued power swords. They get chain swords. Even a basic tactical marine is on the same level as imperial nobility (hence why they are adressed as lords by imperial citizens and guardsmen), yet they still do not get issued with power swords. They need to at least be promoted to sergeants before being able to get one. That's saying something about the rarity of such weapons.

[@AliceBowie]

I don't think they're even being made anymore. Maybe a few forges make them, but they're mostly archeotech relics.

[@BaltimoreKnifeandSwordCo]

The really problem we had with the Man at Arms chainsword was the teeth cutting toward the user. It would have been much more affective had we set the saw running backwards and throwing the cuttings forward.

[@justinbruck9602]

but it's a lot harder to resist the sword wanting to push back into you.

[@wastelanddv8062]

This better not be heresy. I will call the Inquisition.

[@ALX_Fitness91]

Let see shad take on a grey knight

[@Manco65]

No one ever expects the Space Inquisition....😛

[@spade_013]

Everything is heresy. Go ahead and call them.

[@thomashalsted1888]

Waste not your breath, human.

[@Random_Chiroptera]

Linking this to the AdMech....

[@AcanLord]

Another bit you might be missing is that i think Chainswords are also on a trigger. The blades might not necessarily actually start spinning until the teeth are already dug into a target. that would prevent the weapon from bouncing off, because the teeth being stationary would bite in much more readily.

[@charlesdaugherty321]

Chain swords are utility weapons. You can get through barricades, make cover, cut back vegetation on Catachan. ALSO!!! Things can regenerate crazy fast in 40k (Demons Tyrannids). You can slow the regen by inflicting a gapping wound rather than a simple cut.

[@Blisterdude123]

I love the idea of the chainsword, but imo the whole chainsaw bayonet things in GoW always made more 'actual' sense. As a mounted bayonet weapon on a two-handed firearm 'and' as a utility because you already hold it in a way akin to an actual chainsaw.

[@King.Leonidas]

in the off hand that shad sees this. in lore chainswords are armour piercing weapons meant to deal with the ridiculous 40k armour. they are relatively inexpensive that normal human officers can have them. a cadian guardsmen flak armour could probably withstand several hardened steel AP rounds from a 50 calibre rifle. the powerscale in the 40k universe is bonkers

[@primary2630]

@@Blisterdude123 yeah sure but these guys are massive super soldiers they don't need two hands to hold their gun/chainsword aka the lancer. You get more reach and versatility from a chainsword vs the lancer against the monsters that rage across the galaxy in 40k

[@johannesstephanusroos4969]

WTF is "gapping"?

[@Blisterdude123]

@@johannesstephanusroos4969 'Gaping', I assume.

[@michaelconnor1542]

Being padantic here, but all sword saw and have teeth. It's just that most are too small to register with the human eye.

[@CanalGabrielCoelho]

I cut the skin in my finger with an angle grinder, 11k rpm, I've never seen a cut blood so much so fast (and I'm a vet surgeon, I cut living tissue for a living), specifically because it didn't slice, it removed material from my finger, the chain sword in extremely high speed would rip anything in its path real effectively.

[@petermuller3995]

As do real world chainsaws. There is no "moving back from a cut" as shad claims.

[@Nempo13]

@@petermuller3995 Best part is the chainsword has two uses depending on how the user wants it. If you have it go one direction it bites into a target and pulls them closer making it even harder for them to deflect the blow or try to step back while it is digging at their armor. You can have it go the other way as a more defensive weapon that pushes people away as you hit them, this is most useful against other astartes.

[@yimpyoi9808]

@@petermuller3995exactly, chainsaw injuries are seriously gnarly, even just knicking yourself with one leaves a deep and messy wound since its not only cutting vertically, but shearing horizontally at the same time. even a glancing blow on with a chainsword would probably obliterate any flesh it comes in contact with.

[@qaszim2012]

You wanna see it blood faster use a router 😂😂, Hope your hand healed ok.

[@Richuncleskeleton17]

I think the chainswords teeth basically have monoatomic edges that greatly reduce cutting resistance and they move so fast that it effectively acts as a solid edge. Basically a way to try to simulate power swords mechanically

[@shagiephoto]

There are two ways to be divided on a chain sword. One is mentally... "on one hand...". The other is physically... like the two halves of a tyranid.

[@zerberus_ms]

10:47 The in game astartes also move at speeds visible to the human eye, which is against the cannon lore. The game versions of the Astartes and their technology are FAR FAAAAAR weaker than the cannon ones, so you can't rely on those.

[@VegetaLF7]

I actually agree with Shad on this one. If we're being technical, a lightsaber is basically a plasma chainsaw. Plasma goes up out of the handle, circles around back down the "blade" and the act of a physical material entering the containment field on impact results in the lightsaber melting away what it touches. It's like water saws that can cut metal, but with plasma. Like a Chainsword, it's in a sword-like shape and used in sword-like manners, but technically speaking it isn't a sword in the same way a blade that actually slices, cuts or stabs is. Chainswords and lightsabers are scifi weapons that are sword-adjacent, but not actually swords.

[@tabull8180]

I mainly agree, though that depends on how lightsabers actually work. I mean, it should work in way that it boils the tissue in such extreme way that it would cause the boiled tissue fly every direction in explosive manner. Which would somewhat also tear the tissue in front of the sword making similar action as cutting. So while the sword isn't actually cutting, it causes cutting-like effect. Chainsword never causes any effect close to cutting.

[@sameveland8560]

well its not really anything like a chainsaw, it's just a beam of super hot fire essentially

[@tabull8180]

@@sameveland8560 If we think about theorethical equivalent that could maybe be possible on our own world in some distant future, there comes the plasma chainsaw. If we talk about SW lightsabers, then its just beam of super hot fire essentially.

[@FaustianDaydreams]

13:20 but it’s not just space marines using these. I mean you could argue they have some sort of advanced motors with insanely light and sharp chains so it’s different but idk, takes a bit of suspension of disbelief.

[@robertmartens9072]

the guard also heavily use augments so it isnt too out there to assume some strength augments just not on the level of a spacemarine. so the chain swords could be two handed weapons

[@bulldowozer5858]

The Battle Sisters are described of rivaling the strength of Space marines through their faith.

[@tau-5794]

There are simply lighter versions of handheld weapons for the guard, a chainsword for them is much more in line with a standard sword than the things astartes wield.

[@Prismal_EEVEE5943]

I haven't seen anyone mention this but, the Chainsword cuts more like a box cutter than a saw. It's just 200 box cutter slashes a second rather than one slice.

[@Prismal_EEVEE5943]

correction its more like a karambit than a razor blade but my point still stands.

[@Naptosis]

@@Prismal_EEVEE5943 a hawkbill/talon or Wharncliffe both shred extremely well as you've pointed out.

[@sakalaath]

Which would make it worse at removing material, so potentially there would be less damage.

[@chadam917]

Would you guys consider doing an episode on the benefits and drawbacks of wielding a pistol in one hand and sword in the other? It happens a lot in 40k, and I've wondered how that changes your options in a fight

[@MorderiTor]

Power swords are harder to produce then chsinsword, and many of energy sword are artefacts reserved for most powerful members, so chainsword is like brigandine in medieval it's not better then full plate armor but it's still better then nothing Edit: ok I agree there could be material that's slowing down chain but we talking about very fast (some even giving speed up to 120 km/h) and when you take also material and how small the teeth are then you had a very powerful weapon. About debris you would where armor anyway so they are not an issue. Last thing is Chainsword a sword, well it's used as sword, you can apply all fencing style, and fight with it like normal sword, nothing changes, cause chain moving so fast that it even allows you to fight with enemy armed with knife or power sword, so it is a sword because it was designed to be use like any other sword, it's not a tool it's a weapon that was meant to do the same job as any other blades in universe. That's my take, and by the power of my Chapter Master Gabriel Angelos I think that chainsword is a sword, just different subcategory

[@EeveetoUmbreon25]

Counter point, guns are harder to produce then swords, we still make more guns then swords though🤷🏻‍♂️

[@marhawkman303]

Yeah, 40KI chainswords are sci-fi nonsense int eh same category as lightsabres.

[@Wustenfuchs109]

@@EeveetoUmbreon25 That is due to the change of combat tactics we have. In WH40K, primary weapon of a Marine (or anyone in Imperium) is still a ranged weapon. The thing is, there are several factions that: A) Engage almost exclusively in melee and B) Have an endless hordes of troops and don't care about losses so they can rush in masses. Neither of those things is true for us humans now, which is why we produce guns and not swords. When facing a Tyranid swarm, how many shots do you think you will land before the freekishly fast swarm, that does not take cover, does not care about taking losses, swarms your position and engages you in melee combat? Very VERY fast. Or when warp demons hop out of Immaterium where there is literally endless hordes of them and starts swarming your position. Even if you manage to use up all the ammo you carry with you, and every single bolt kills several enemies... you are still getting into melee combat fairly fast. On the other hand, there are factions that excel at range - like Tau. They have arguably better ranged weapons than Imperium does. So, instead of engaging them at range and being at a disadvantage, Marines engage them in melee where Tau are simply terrible... just like our armies of the world are today (Tau are a young race in that setting), and absolutely dominate them. And even with our modern armies, we still outfit every soldier with a combat knife - because there are still situations where such a thing can perform better than a full fledged rifle. So it is not really a counter point if you simply ignore the entire setting and why and when melee weapons are used in WH40K and try to twist it with our current military doctrines. I mean, when we outfit a soldier, we still give them both the long range and melee weapon still. Not a sword, as ranges a sword engages at are, while still considered melee, ranges where other weapons can outperform. Knife on the other hand, very useful in certain combat situations to this day. Especially with the return of urban and trench warfare we see in the world at the moment.

[@MorderiTor]

@@EeveetoUmbreon25 I get what are you trying to say, but you got it wrong, your example is wrong. Let's take an example from history in last years of Germany during World War II they had some good weapons like MP 40 or STG, but they were expensive to make and needed a lot of resources so they started making more primitive weapons that were cheaper to make, because otherwise there wouldn't be enough for all units, and it's similar to Warhammer production of powersword its very difficult and costly process what's more we lost a lot of our knowledge, so new ones are much weaker than those that we already have so they are usually reserved for most powerful members of Imperial Army like Adeptus Astartes, production of chainsword is much cheaper and faster in time it takes to make one powersword (depend on the source) you can make up to 1000 chainsword, so they are cheaper and weaker version of powersword but in most cases they are doing the same job just as fine. So it's not difference between a gun and a sword, it's difference between: "why make 10 000$ Assault rifle for infantryman if rifle that cost 100 $ doing the same job and we can mass produce it ?" Hope that I explain it, if not feel free to ask me again I will try to explain it in different way. Have a nice day

[@MorderiTor]

@@Wustenfuchs109 That is one awesome answer. Emperor protects my Brother !

[@AvoCattoTV]

I think it's very fitting that the thunderstorm starts going off in the background the moment they start dissing the in-universe chainsword. Here's the counterpoint to whether a chainsword is a sword: Macuahuitl had saw teeth made from embedded obsidian into wood. It's classified as a wooden club with saw teeth. Therefore, a chainsword is a club because it doesn't actually have a blade, but does have blades affixed to it in a chain.

[@ramonecasar3177]

A chainsword is a type of sword in the same way a lightsaber is a sword, a sword made of chain teeth and a sword made of light. Same with wooden swords, stone swords, nerf swords, etc.

[@baconghoti]

Is it as dangerous from hilt to point, yes? It's a sword.

[@huldu]

Wouldn't one of those Japanese saws then be some kind of a sword as well? Some of them are very similar to swords in design except that they're saws but they don't call them saw-swords.

[@baconghoti]

@@huldu hilt

[@kyriss12]

it's like that age old question of "what's the exact definition of a chair? how do you describe a chair? if that description involves a certain number of legs what about the exceptions that don't have legs, or possess and odd number of them? how do you differentiate a table, a stool, and a chair?" ultimately you just have to shrug your shoulders and admit you'll know a chair when you see one.

[@WestinsChannel]

​@@kyriss12poppycock. A chair is an object designed with the express purpose of being sat on/in as it's primary use, regardless of size, shape, or material. To call it a chair doesn't mean that it can ONLY be used to sit on, but anything not made with that express purpose does not become a chair simply because you use it as such one time.

[@pvtspartan]

These videos never bring up that the teeth are powered like a power sword....

[@apocako]

Thats just Storm's Teeth

[@TheRealRealMClovin]

From what I know, the in-lore reason Powersword is not used more than Chainswords, is because Powerweapons in general are really difficult to make and needs more rare resources, while also really difficult to maintain. I mean chainsword are so common even Imperial guard commisars, captains and officers can get hold of them. Chain weapons are just perfectly serviceable against basically everything short of Astartes-equivalent power armour or heavy vehicles/walkers, e.g with it's armour piercing. It's rare to even see a space marine with Powerweapon.

[@Bonesawisready926]

I do think it is dumb when guard, normal humans, can use those chainswords. Ibram Gaunt being one of them. Repentia from the Sisters of Battle have giant two handed versions. But Space Marines using them makes sense to me. Especially the speed. People forget marines are fast as hell.

[@jarrodtan5712]

​@Bonesawisready926 when you force to fight in close quarters combat and against something like orks having a chainsword is nice to have and a regular sword will not do anything to an ork

[@spartanonxy]

@@Bonesawisready926 Eh Space Marine speed varies a lot even within the same book. So be careful on the speed front.

[@evandonnelly2760]

Also in the lore, the chain sword and most of its variants (except the chain fist) have been shown to not work just like how this video said it wouldn’t work. They suck on armor, they get damaged easily.

[@themelon_1785]

​@@jarrodtan5712One problem... Recently in an official animation, two guardsman killed an ork with a bayonet... They just stabbed it and it died, so against even massive orks, blades, spears etc work to an extent

[@jokerlugnut749]

So, in my head, I always figured the Astartes were so strong it didn't matter. Even if it wanted to jump, they swung so hard it just bites anyway. And my head canon for why they're so delightful to use on Tyrannids, the Tyrannid shell is designed to resist blunt force, piercing, cutting, but haven't faced anything consumable that shreds material like that. Therefore, this is one of the few things they can't really resist to a ridiculous degree. Also, as for the semantics, that chain saw on the table is NOT a chain-sword. The handle isn't in alignment with the blade. It's angled with the clear purpose of bracing oneself as you cut a log. The other object was a chain-sword, but was unpowered. It's designed and shaped like a sword, and I'd use it in accordance with its design. That's just common sense to me.

[@gregorygreenwood-nimmo4954]

The 'energy weapons' you are thinking of Shad are power blades (swords, axes, lances - they come in all sorts of forms) that have a physical blade encased in an energy field that disrupts the molecular bonds that hold matter together - the field projects out beyond the blade, and so intersects with the target first, weakening the structure of the target at the molecular level before the blade cleaves the weakened matter, allowing power weapons to easily pierce most armour and, if sporting a powerful enough field generator, do things like readily chop through steel girders or stone columns or impale armoured vehicles deeply enough to disable or destroy them. Such weapons are difficult, costly and time consuming to manufacture by the point in the timeline of the setting that the 'current' Imperium inhabits, and so they only tend to be available to specialist units, high ranking warriors, and wealthy nobles. Chainblades are far easier to produce on a far larger scale, and so are much more widespread and employed by a far wider spectrum of the Imperium's warriors.

[@maxw2210]

I don't think motor speed matters, I think it probably doesn't spin any faster than most chainsaws today it just has enough torque not to slow down The key element you are forgetting about the whole chain sword is it is used by 8 ft tall superhumans, I don't like to think of it as a blade and have to be spinning so fast to maintain an edge, I personally view as a blunt object and When the space Marine swings the chain sword against the weaker enemy, he'll literally just go straight through out of sheer strength But when he strikes stronger enemies like majors, the teeth of the chain sword gets stuck, and because it has enough torque not to stop spinning it slowly rips through them

[@kieru8106]

The reason for chain swords is that it's a weapon that can be used to get through thick tough enemies like orks and tyranids, power swords handle the same task better, but power weapons need to be made on a forge world, where as a chain sword can be made on hive worlds, there being more hive worlds than forge worlds means chain swords can be more readily available

[@haraldbredsdorff2699]

I thought (and still think) that the main reason with chainsword, is terror. Sure, it need to cause enough trauma, to hurt the monster's of the 40K universe. But more, any enemy that faced a chainsword, would never want to face it again (unless they follow khorne).

[@kieru8106]

@@haraldbredsdorff2699 oh for sure, terror, it doesn't really work against any daemon or enlightened followers of chaos, orks, tyranids, or necrons, but traitors and people who consider turning traitor will see a gruesome fate that could happen to them as a good diversion, similar to why commissars will shoot conscripts who break rank to keep their men in line

[@tau-5794]

Chainswords are used over regular blades most of the time because they are one step up in effectiveness, while a monomolecular blade might be able to cut a cinderblock in half, the width of the blade past the edge means anything denser would quickly slow it down and diminish its effectiveness. Chainblades remedy this issue by having hundreds of similarly sharp teeth that incrementally grind through a target that might stop a basic blade. They also cause much more grievous wounds and are less intuitive to fight since the blade is constantly rotating and can also have its rotation reversed to throw off guards.

[@audeamus_]

6:49 Your welcome.

[@NicMage]

Chainsword is cool and rule of cool always wins For the Emperor brothers!

[@TheRealRealMClovin]

ehh not always but I get your point.

[@richardch.4356]

I Prefer Chainaxes

[@markusjanus2151]

Hi guys, love the vids. Just wanted to say that I believe that the chain sword is a pre 40k weapon, During the golden times The chainsword was actually used to cut down trees. It seems that they had to repurpose it for the battles in 40k. Also note that the Suits these ppl wear were used for mining as well. (not sure if still canon but can be checked).

[@tau-5794]

All power armor is custom made for actual combat. Terminator armor specifically is based on old mining equipment but the variants you see today were all developed with combat in mind.

[@erikaicarman3184]

Chainsawards have mono molecular edges, Meaning that hardness or resistance of materials isnt a factor until the teeth dull

[@JackWendigo1234]

Or they meet heavy armor. There's specific types of chain-weapons for armored targets, because normal ones don't cut that well through things like, ya know, VEHICLES AND POWER-ARMOR-CLAD OPPONENTS. Example would be The Chainfist (Powerfist with underslung armor-cracking chainsword), which is SPECIFICALLY for heavy armor and tanks.

[@lonelystrategos]

​@@JackWendigo1234If I am not mistaken, chainfists were originally created to cut through hatches on starships. Then someone figured out that they cut through enemies really well, too.

[@JackWendigo1234]

@lonelystrategos Chainfists are made with SPECIFIC 'Teeth' to carve through those, but yeah, if it cut through bulkhead, it cut through Bulky Head too.

[@marhawkman303]

yeah SUPER sharp teeth make cutting way easier.

[@JackWendigo1234]

@@marhawkman303 Are you being sarcastic, or am I being stupid?

[@maddoxortiz3458]

8:13 chainsaws are capable of being used quickly and somewhat aggressively as seen by lumberjack competitions

[@Jaster_Mereel]

0:19 Channeling his Tim Curry energy there.

[@sirujin]

a fast rotating chain will create such huge angular momentu, that due to momentum-preservation law will rotate the operator instead :)

[@ric270]

one thing to keep in mind is that the original chainsaw was designed to cut people, it was for primitive c sections when the best surgery was a fast one because painkillers were not a thing

[@je2848]

Funny enough when the cartels use them on their victims today, they still don't use painkillers.

[@marhawkman303]

medical saws are still standard too... mostly for cutting bone these days, but... standard all the same.

[@Arkalidor]

6:45 about the maintaining contact argument, I have limited experience with chainsaws, I literally only weilded one for a couple minutes to cut through various branches, but I have noticed that the chain does "catch" onto the target. Once the chainsaw gets contact with the target, it will be drawn in further (or drag the target in, depending on how you apply newton's laws.) So I wouldn't be too worried about contact in a sword fight being too short for the chainsword to be effective. The tool basically automatically handles this issue.

[@tavernburner3066]

1:22 power swords are alot more expensive than chain swords in 40k

[@johannesstephanusroos4969]

"alot" isn't even a word

[@scorpd77]

They're just harder to make period, it's like making a guardsman vs a space marine. One takes a while to make and is expensive, the other can be mass produced.

[@janremongalura5713]

It's rare.

[@tavernburner3066]

@@johannesstephanusroos4969 it is now

[@johannesstephanusroos4969]

@@tavernburner3066 Never

[@WLS_Churchill]

This episode is definetely going in my top ten...

[@RoboArmadillo]

The term "Chainsword" is the fusion of the the words "Chainsaw" and "Sword" They have taken the part of each word that sounds like "saw" (Chain *saw* and *Swor* d) and have fused them together there: Chain *swor* d Yes it is more accurate to call it a "Chainsaw sword", but Chainsword is a lot simpler and easier to say and sounds a lot cooler.

[@Warhawk.]

This. It's literally just a portmanteau of two words. Exactly like 'motel' (from ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’) and 'brunch' (from ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’). Nothing confusing or divisive.

[@apocako]

Also shortening names is a thing

[@Sam-Pound]

CLEVER! 😎😎🍆😎🆒️

[@trathanstargazer6421]

Every argument, no matter what it is, will come down to a difference in definitions.

[@Richard3rd665]

4:04 Power Swords don't slice. They create a field which disrupts matter, breaking molecular bonds. Atomizing what comes in contact. The sword inside is more meant to give the field shape. They are basically lightsabers on steroids. with an old school aesthetic.

[@andrewboyer7544]

No, without the sword it would do nothing. It doesn't atomize either. It weakens and breaks down molecular bonds and the sword itself applies pressure to the weakened material. You need the sword to do sword things, the power field just makes them capable of cutting hardened objects. Likewise, thunder hammers and power fists do the same thing with a stronger field and more force behind the hit. It doesn't atomize, it blows things apart like Legos.

[@Richard3rd665]

@@andrewboyer7544 A molecule is made up of Atoms, bonded together. So if the bonds in a molecule are disrupted, and broken. The end result would be Atoms in isolation. Free unbonded atoms. Hence, it Atomizes.

[@andrewboyer7544]

@Richard3rd665 I understand how that works but it doesn't have that level of power. A melta would do that. Power weapons breaks things into molecule chunks. So maybe an odd 1/1000000 would end up in isolation. The materials it hits do not undergo transformation resulting from being broken down into constituent atoms.

[@ShellworldGames]

All "real-world chainswords" I have seen so far were modified chainsaws or used major parts from them. A working chainsword would need to be custom built for the purpose from the start.

[@TheSandroNecromancer]

well there are a lot of nuances in in universe version. Mono-molecular edge, they have 2 chains with shifted teeth. Teeth broke all the time and chains are consumables. And also they made specifically against unarmored opponents

[@damagliocco]

My biggest issue with the chain sword is the cutting teeth do not extend past the width of the blade that is not part of the chain so the kerf or size of the cut would be smaller or thinner than the width of the actual chain sword. So it would only be able to cut as deep as the teeth of the saw before the edge of the Blade bottomed out. If you pay attention to the the chainsaw or any other saw the teeth spread out wider than the actual body of the saw or bar of the chainsaw. So then the kerf will be wider than the bar. Unless of course as you cut the material it opens up like we saw when he bisected the tyranid in the preview for space Marine. 2.

[@AliceBowie]

Force Swords are archeotech, and aren't being made at your average forgeworld. They're mostly ancient relics from the DAoT.

[@AliceBowie]

Powerswords, too.

[@Wustenfuchs109]

Well, all tech is basically archeotech in Imperium. They are explicitly forbidden from inventing new things, at best they can improve on the existing designs from DAoT when they find them. But there is nothing new being invented in the Imperium in terms of tech... meaning, technically, all tech is archeotech XD

[@andrewboyer7544]

Force weapons are useless in the hands of a non-psyker.

[@isaacfreeman1]

17:26 Chainswords are macuahuitl with engines. They're technically motorized clubs. Depictions of their use is often like clubs, and any show of them chewing into something involves bashing or shoving into something. It's rarely depicted as sawing through anything as quick as a slice.

[@cobaltcrypt7059]

The reason they use chain swords is because they are cheaper and easier to make then power swords Even then you wound very rarely see a regular human with a chain sword. More often then not the guardsmen would use a knife, saber, or something from history. Power swords are ultra hard to make and hard to use. An example of weapons being rare can be found in the fact that a human owning a bolter means they are a very rich noble, rouge trader, or commissar.

[@johnfuller2339]

Energy swords > Chain swords for efficiency Chain swords > Energy Swords for intimidation. The very fact it cuts through slower and more brutally ensures a painful and grueling tear. You don't get the luxury of your head being removed in a clean slice, you have to feel it chewing into you. This is the power of the chainsword. The fear it creates.

[@2shadesofgray752]

For the emperor

[@jessecollins9838]

I love this, semantics is all!

[@Elijah2ennis]

7:12 Growing up in an area where there is a big lumber industry. You hear awful stories, and see pictures etc. of when a chainsaw “kicks” or “bites”, and propels itself towards the user. It causes massive damage, in a matter of seconds. Many people lose limbs and die, just from a brief contact with a tree cutting chainsaw. It’s a dangerous industry, not just because of falling a tree. But arguably more so because of the chainsaw itself. Just something to add to your discussion. 😊

[@lukkaredwolf3534]

In most of the variants of chainsword, they are effectively single-edged, as the rear facing side is actually encased in a cover that prevents contact with the rotating blades of pain and death. Only in a few variants, are both sides exposed, and the people who wield them are thought to be crazy by most.

[@tabull8180]

While that has happened, modern chainsaws have technologies to prevent such kicks. Though some people apparently decide to remove such safety qualities because they feel it hinders the work. Darwin calls for those people.

[@ervvmuller6020]

The ever-overlooked problem with the cainsword is the casing. It could never cut through anything because the casing is bigger than the teethed cain. So it could only ever do surface damage. By crisscrossing the teeth left and right this could be fixed but then the material that needs to be removed is a few centimeters thick. By having a second Chain rotation the other way round jamming and yanking could be prevented. But I don't see how both fixes could be applied at the same time.

[@enoughothis]

Prepare yourself. The wrath of the Imperium is incoming.

[@primary2630]

11:35 the chainsword running into materials as strong as it can be seen in the 40k show Pariah Nexus where a space marine drives a chainsword into the body of a necron, and it's a big, tough one not a normal one and it does encounter resistance but because space marines are so strong you can see him dig it in deeper and the chainsword never once stops or breaks. The teeth are pretty much nigh unbreakable and they cut at a molecular level if I recall.

[@redfoxninja3173]

It doesn't have to make sense if it makes heretics and xenos dead! FOR THE EMPEROR!!!

[@clearlypellucid]

6:04 If you could design the chainsword teeth to bite firmly into the material and force itself to remain in contact, that could be an advantage in a theoretical fantasy scenario where the target's armor can't be easily cut, but can be chewed through over time. You'd still have to set it up with two chains moving in opposite directions to prevent it from launching itself though.

[@BranMaddox]

chainswords get gummed up with gore and the teeth have been known to break

[@Marinealver]

What if the chain spin in the other direction? Chainsaw spin inwards, Chainswords spin outwards.

[@IronKernel]

What I would say is that what Tyranth made is a saw sword, because it has a static blade, which means it has essentially lost its chain quality. The 40k chainsword is just that, a sword that has a chain quality to its blade. Take the difference between a normal hand saw and a chainsaw. The juxtaposition between them is like that between Tyranth's saw-sword and the chainsword. One has a static blade that would require a sawing motion from the wielder, while the other has automated the the sawing motion by way of a chain.

[@tabull8180]

While the discussion gets confusing toward the end, the tyranths sawsword is there as representation of the actual chainsawsword of the 40k, not as the sawsword without motor. Well its both. And the actual chainsaw is also both. Its little confusing. But the theorethical problem arises if one actually makes a chainsword, meaning sword which has chain as its blade. I don't know why someone would make such, but surely that would be entitled to the chainsword title rather than the 40k chainsword. Thats why language can be important.

[@NightOwlModeler]

As a machinists, super fast rotating cutting... anything isn't good because there's actually no way it CAN bite into the target. Biting is what allows the endmill or saw, or whatever to remove material. I've seem what happens when you don't have enough chip load on the teeth... the tooth slides on the target, burns out the cutting edge and soon your cutter fails. It's not an issue of go faster, it's an issue of physics. If you make the cutter go 1000x faster... then you must have the force pushing the cutter into the material a like order faster/harder, AND the target has to be held in place, so it can't be pushed away. It's the opposite effect as that crazy tooth sword with the trowels for teeth.

[@Meenaia]

I hope to see a real life Omnissian Axe one day!

[@HighmageDerin]

As somebody who's actually played the tabletopminiatures war hammer 40K game I wonder if the reason why there are chain swords more ubiquitous than the power swordis because the power sword has a higher point cost and that might translate into it's a harder weapon to make or there's not as many

[@FatherAndrew-Scarlet-Priest]

I'd like to see you build IRL 40k weapons, then test them.

[@kronos661]

We should ask youtube gunjesus to make boltguns :)

[@spiffygonzales5160]

​@@kronos661 Boltguns are over rated. The shells are only about the size of shotgun shells

[@FatherAndrew-Scarlet-Priest]

@@kronos661 splendid idea.

[@iamzeusv2]

@@spiffygonzales5160 .75 caliber, rocket propelled, armor piercing explosive "bullets" are over rated? suuuure. ok

[@spiffygonzales5160]

@@iamzeusv2 Oh I'm not saying it's not impressive. But given that the fanbase tends to think that they're soda can sized super shells with the power of a grenade in each shot.... yea definitely over rated

[@jamesflowers7142]

What if it had mono-molecular teeth? Meaning the tooth’s edge is one molecule thick, cheaper then a full blade made one molecule thick and if there is armor that could withstand it it would at least draw them in to you so that you could cause more damage.

[@tabull8180]

Thats.... not realistic in any fantasy world. I always assume that "mono-molecular" means the sharpest in the universe. Not actual mono-molecular. Because actual mono-molecular of any material to be built or to be effective on anything would be only possible with magic and if your magic is that powerful, why do you need molecules there at all.

[@enochofmi]

Tyranth: If you can call it a chainsaw sword, think of "chain sword" as a portmanteau of chainsaw and sword

[@swampliger8770]

Love the shoulders gentlemen elevates your trustworthiness. 👌

[@petermuller3995]

What? It rather lowers it even more.

[@jankostrhun8725]

Main issue with chainswords as they are portrayed is that they simply couldn't cut deep enough to actually do damage for anyone with any real armor (which to be fair they mostly meant to mow down lightly armoured hordes). Also they are portrayed in the lore to loose teeth on the occasion and that is by design in so if they would get stuck it just releases the teeth instead. Most importantly they are just so badass - who even cases.

[@chrisclifton1750]

the back and forth with these 2 always gets me. so enjoyable to watch. keep up the good work

[@grzybiarzgaming7800]

You're right, power swords and power weapons in general are considered to be a superior weapon but it's much more expensive in-universe, so it's much more rare. That said, chainswords in universe are mostly anti-light infantry weaponry, both on tabletop and in lore, although the way they are described makes them look more like giant rortating saws than a chainsaw that is shaped like a sword.

[@winningsince1992]

I mean just like the real world. We have far better weapons and optics then the military gets issued.

[@metaleater9]

I think you failed to considered that a chainsword would also be heavy enough to be a club such that when you hit someone your probably smashing them harder than you are sawing. Also if it had 2 chains rotating in opposing directions then that would solve many issues regarding it bouncing and ripping out of your hand.

[@gawkersdeathrattle1759]

MAXIMUM OVERNERD ACHIEVED

[@gregorylieber8362]

15:27 Tyranth dismantling Shad with facts and logic hahaha

[@robertjensen1438]

A man goes to a tool store to buy a chainsaw. The server sells him the top-of-the-line model, saying that it will cut through over 100 trees in one day. The man takes the chainsaw home and begins working on the trees, but after working for hours, he only cuts down two trees. “How can I cut for hours and hours and only finish two trees?” he asks himself. The next day, the man brings the chainsaw back to the store and says it doesn’t work properly. “Hmm, it looks okay,” says the server and starts the chainsaw. The man jumps back in shock and cries, “What’s that noise?”

[@spiffygonzales5160]

@@robertjensen1438 lol, stealing this

[@X7373Z]

12:45 There's also something else that can negate that problem: they don't activate the blade until they're actually making the strike. Requires real good grip control but if it only gains that gyroscopic force as it's about to make contact anyway then this won't matter as much.

[@nooneofimportance2110]

Chainswords aren't really swords. They are chainsaws, cosplaying as swards. The lore version are more robust, and Astartes are so strong, that yes, they can be used like a sword. But then again, with enough strength and/or speed, a baseball bat can cut like a sword, so that's kind of a moot point.

[@natethornnstuff1783]

Given the shape and size of a baseball bat it’s still going to bludgeon and crush. Swung at enough speed it could go though a target it otherwise wouldn’t it’s still going to bludgeon and crush. Or if the target is harder and more resistant than the bat at those speeds the bat would break. In order to cut things need to be thin. It’s why blades with poor blade geometry don’t cut as well usually because they are thicker than they should be or the edge bevel is too steep

[@nooneofimportance2110]

@@natethornnstuff1783 That's the point. A chainsword isn't really a sword, because its "cutting" ability isn't due to blade geometry, but ripping and tearing material out of the way. A chainsword is as much a sword as a baseball bat is, due to the fact that neither really cuts. Everything you said is correct. But I should point out that if the target is too resistant or hard, that can break a blade too. For instance, if you try to chop a tank in half with a katana, you're just going to end up with a broken katana ... regardless of what anime says.

[@jonashartman3059]

Thanks for the fun video, guys! I'm in agreement about the difficulty that comes from the construction of such a weapon in the real life or in the fiction, and I absolutely love the energy swords in the lore more because of how much more effective they are, plus I just find them cooler. XD Can't wait to see the next video discussing power gauntlets! Actually, would you guys consider doing a video discussing the pros and cons of power armor in fiction? That would be a really fun video to watch!!!

[@popcornboi1059]

1:20 the reason power swords are less abundant is because not a lot of firge worlds can make them likely only Terra mars and a handful of others. A chain sword though is cheep and reliable especially the ones the space marines use that have adimantum teeth that are so sharp its an atom at the edge. Another thing thats cool btw is rogal dorn the primarch of the imperial fists had a chainsword that also had the tech of the power sword in it so each tooth was able to act like a mini power sword

[@matthewpletsch7523]

I love how Shad's like "Seems inefficient." Welcome too the Imperium of man. It's not efficient.

[@matthewpletsch7523]

Also, the issue they are trying too argue, in lore, is that a Chainsword isn't meant for the hardest targets. You don't bring a chainsword too fight a tank.

[@youtubevoice1050]

Chain swords are only superficially similar to chain saws. The adamantium teeth are shaped very differently and are probably not even part of a traditional chain, because teeth can break out individually. These weapons are overkill on human-sized targets and meant for bigger threats, including armour. Although less efficient against power armour, they can slowly chew through it, given the opportunity, but going for weak spots is the way. I would also assume that chain swords produce much more grievous wounds and blood loss than a power sword.

[@Izayoink_Saccuy]

He is not ready for chainaxe

[@CommissarLORDBernn]

We have something similar to chainswords already, water-jet cutters. They're an abrasive moving through a medium much faster than any saw could. The problem with the chainsword is still Newton's 3rd Law. No matter how much charity you give it, the faster it moves, the more kinetic energy and momentum it has. If it moves faster, the KICK will be stronger too.

[@petermuller3995]

The kinetic energy is going to increase more than the kick from the momentum though, thats why guns work so great.

[@radefa1k]

the in universe explanation is that they are so sharp (monomolecular so a singular atom) and the edge selfheal so they don't dull. meaning they will cut anything like it was butter. so they don't really slow down or get stuck easily.

[@m.h.w.weckseler]

The problem i see, is that if it's spinning fast, or even just regular speed, the teeth would get no chance to bite into anything. The whole point of a chainsaw is that pressure makes the material sink in between the teeth, to then be ripped/cut away by the tooth. But if the material is hard, like armor or an exoskeleton, and the chain is spinning faster than normal, the teeth would just slide over and never dig in. Imagine using a chainsaw of a steel breastplate. All you get is scratches.

[@petermuller3995]

Why do angle grinders work then? Or chainsaws with rescue chains for metal cutting?

[@m.h.w.weckseler]

@@petermuller3995 Asking why angel grinders work is the same as asking why you can start firs with a lighter then after i said you can't start firs with water. It's a different tool. And by all means, show me a chain saw made for cutting metall. You won't find one. Only a bandsaw, which is once again a different tool.

[@petermuller3995]

@@m.h.w.weckseler A bandsaw uses the same idea. Also Google Stihl rescue saw.