Macuahuitl - Aztec Empire - MAN AT ARMS: REFORGED

Today our blacksmiths build an obsidian bladed Macuahuitl. The terrifying weapon of the Aztecs.
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Filmed on location at Baltimore Knife and Sword , hosts of Man At Arms
www.baltimoreknife.com
/ baltimoreknifeandswordco
Cast
Kerry Stagmer - Swordsmith
John Mitchell - Shop Foreman/Lead Fabricator
Bill Collison - Swordmaker
Rick Janney - Blademaker
Ferenc Gregor - Carving and design
Tanner Saslow - Machinist
Sam Salvati - Blacksmith
Kevin O'Hern - Blacksmith
Dave Reiter - Fabricator
Ellen Durkan - Blacksmith/Designer www.ellendurkan.com/
Derick Kemper - Blacksmith/Knifemaker www.damselflyforge.com/
Episode Produced and Directed By
Executive producer - Kerry Stagmer
pro.imdb.com/name/nm6659269/
Executive producer - Brendan Kennedy
Director - CJ Schmidt
Line producer - Tricia Parris
Baltimore Forge Crew:
Director of Photography - Paulius Kontijevas
Camera Op - Nick Hughes
BTS camera - Mahendra Khera
Production coordinator - Katie Shinsato
Set Medic - Kevin Dugard
Set Medic - Rachel Obitz
1st AC - Jason Remeikis
DIT - Matthew Marino
Gaffer - Steve Scott
Grip - Jason Shinsato
Grip - Jeff Calloway
Swing - Jordan Stossel
Art - Casey Kaleba - www.toothandclawcombat.com/
PA - Mike Chang
PA - Chris Bartlett
Post Production:
Lead Editor - Jake Schwartz
BTS - Mahendra Khera
This edit produced for the Awe Me Channel by That's How I Do It, LLC
Executive producer/Brand manager - Kerry Stagmer
pro.imdb.com/name/nm6659269/
/ kerry-stagmer-42207465
/ awemechannel
/ awemechannel
/ awemechannel
/ awemechannel
copyright © 2020 all rights reserved THIDI, LLC
#blacksmith #bladesmith #howto

[@BaltimoreKnifeandSwordCo]

A weapon with no forging or even any steel at all? Rick breaks into his paint stash to bring you something completely different!

[@DonVigaDeFierro]

Weapons with no steel are far from useless or primitive. I believe Skallagrim has a very good video on the topic.

[@ronbutner6235]

Baltimore knife and sword when you you going to make Leonardo pair of katana's

[@CatSizedPuma]

do a demon slayer sword

[@josemariacorta5906]

I LOVE your historical pieces far more than fantasy ones. This is amazing and I'm loving every second of this video.

[@nilsbachellery6939]

Japanese kanabō next ?

[@zaelitude]

I would just like to point out: He is painting with both hands with different colors at the same time. What a boss.

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

He's like Leonardo Davinci, who could draw and write at the same time. ^_^

[@jesusjara6488]

Not to mention that he's the only one that actually said macuahuitl right

[@jacobhoekman6865]

Did anybody catch the old citidel paints.

[@DBT1007]

He did it for content. On camera.

[@Crushanator1]

@@jacobhoekman6865 those old Coat D Arms ones are still good, all the newer pots have long since dried out lol

[@Slashser]

Fun fact: Every single Macahuitl that actually exists is an approximate reproduction, all of the original weapons were destroyed during the Spanish conquest except for one, which was destroyed during a fire in Madrid's armory

[@Foogi9000]

That's not a Fun Fact, that's a Sad Fact. :(

[@eltonjohntubola3212]

Everything is a reproduction.

[@david_aug_1017]

It's really sad...

[@Hallows4]

This video - along with some their other ones like the Ulfbhert and the Dandao - are basically exercises in experimental archeology

[@ricardocedillo1606]

I visited a museum in Honolulu that had Ancient native Hawaiian weapons on display that were very similar to the macahuitl. Not positive, but I think the were originals.

[@NavisNobelite]

I am the proud owner of this beautiful weapon, and I want to let you all know, these guys know what they are doing. Their talent came through 100% with the weapon. BUY THEIR STUFF! I intend on getting even more of their products in the future

[@whahehsushsusksn4884]

How much was it ?

[@chipotlesauceduaw8888]

@DreadCassowary WE NEED ANSWERS

[@mpforeverunlimited]

How much??

[@elderr.perales-vazquez934]

Can u tell us the price

[@jrhamilton4448]

Thank you my friend. I really liked making this and I'm glad you're enjoying it so much!

[@boredofmindgames4662]

The jaguar is usually the symbol of another “rival” god in Aztec mythos. The warriors that are usually depicted as carrying jaguar symbology are usually followers of Tezcatlipoca not Quetzalcoatl.

[@DaSaintDemon]

Why not Huitzilopichtli? The god of war

[@boredofmindgames4662]

@@DaSaintDemon isn’t he usually symbolised by the hummingbird?

[@sakurashogun]

@@boredofmindgames4662 no dead warriors that had a glorious death or women who died in childbirth came back as those aggro tweakers called hummingbirds. think of it as their version of Valhalla. I always found it cool that they would honor women in that way, childbirth was their battleground and great honor and glory for both her and her family if that happened.

[@boredofmindgames4662]

@@sakurashogun well when you think about it some hummingbirds use their beaks like swords and they spend their lives drinking nectar so it’s not to different from an afterlife drinking mead and battling.

[@sakurashogun]

@@boredofmindgames4662 yeah I know what you mean. Some species of humming burb also have barbed beaks just for some extra assholery haha. Although if my life depended on the sweet crack that is nectar I would be super aggro to my rivals too.

[@Itschimp157]

It really makes you think of the time that would have had to been invested on a project like this back then

[@raytan956]

@Red Roy u gotta consider how tough knapping is

[@Glaaki13]

@Red Roy I dont think you worked with stones before

[@Glaaki13]

@Red Roy sure sure

[@thedodorex7612]

@Red Roy remember that stick was traditionaly hand carved and that rock is sharp enough to take your arm off

[@Glaaki13]

@Red Roy lol you must have a sad life

[@Madderthanjoker]

This makes me wanna have an Aztec rpg the style of the Witcher.

[@pwnorbepwned]

There’s a Reddit post I found once, asking why no video games take place in that era where indigenous Aztecs, Spanish conquistadors, African slaves and hired Japanese samurai mercenaries all existed in South America at the same time and offer a perfect 4-man band formula.

[@LukaszSam89]

Expeditions: Conquistador is turn based tactical rpg that takes place in this period - its not bad, even if lower budget game. But yeah, higher budget rpg where you play as Aztec, Maya or Inca would be so awesome!

[@granmastersword]

@Zeta ELN yeah. The closest we got were the ancient ruins and civilizations in Black Flag

[@alvinsison9284]

Closest thing we've got is shadow of the tomb raider. Watching this makes me wanna replay that game.

[@saxonrains]

+ There was a mod for the game mount & blade warband called mesoamrica mod, where one could fight using this weapon and others against the conquistadors and other tribes.

[@AlexaAXAG]

if those blades were made for a weapon showcase instead of a client, i guarantee that lettuce would've been cleanly cut in half.

[@shannonmustari6333]

They could cut the burger king foot lettace

[@arturoenamorado6708]

Technically its historically accurate to not provide a killing blow. Mainly because Aztec soldiers knew to disarm but not kill enemy combats so they can be captured for ritual sacrifice later.

[@keithtestaverde3712]

Obsidian is extremely fragile but devastating sharp. The goal was usually to hit the opponent with it, and the Obsidian would break up and go into their wounds or cause even more wounds.

[@akaahri]

Thsi weapon is not made for clean cuts, it's desing to destroy the flesh and cause very disgusting wounds. They had obsidian knifes but they didn't used it to fight.

[@Dead_Goat]

The entire point was to break bones and leave NASTY gashes that would get infected and kill any surviving warriors. These were not made for clean cuts.

[@youtubehipster6147]

Man at arms : here's your weapon Customer : thanks....wait why is it covered in fruits and vegetables Man at arms : oh, we just had a little *testing*

[@youtubehipster6147]

1:06 for this weapon at least

[@gabudaichamuda2545]

Kerry: Yeah, we play a lot of Fruit Ninja

[@DamonFyrian]

I'll be honest, wasn't expecting them to do the demo reel, considering how brittle obsidian can be.

[@martonlerant5672]

They are not making prismatic blades (as would be appropriate historically speaking), and as such they can "risk" it

[@jrhamilton4448]

You'd be surprised once it's held into place with pitch it's remarkably tough! Only one insert came out and it was after I struck a hard object. The pitch failed not the insert! It was retrieved and re inserted.

[@altamario]

From what I gather the main focus the Aztecs had was to take live captives for sacrifice not necessarily for killing. Although obsidian is brittle its very sharp. Some surgeons use it today in surgery. With that being the main focus I guess a hardwood with replaceable blades is probably their best option? Almost like sharks teeth lol.

[@ryoka9104]

@@altamario it was for killing but as you say aztecs did use it for painfull injury and take captives, the reason why obsidian was used was because other than being hella sharp it was ment to break and stay inside the person it hits.

[@Forgenshoot]

@@altamario Yeah, but, look at this weapon. It's blunt and sharp and surprisingly heavy-looking. This wouldn't leave a clean cut so much as a series of deep gashes surrounded by heavy bruises. They lived in a jungle, this would be an infection explosion.

[@beowulf916]

I was waiting for you to slash the watermelon. You never did.

[@wabschall]

So the main problem with showcasing this weapon is that obsidian is also relatively brittle, and part of this nastiness of this weapon is that shards would break off in wounds, causing more damage. So to properly show the effectiveness of this weapon would be to essentially break it.

[@victormurillo6956]

@@wabschall Was also a commission so I assume they wanted to be careful with it.

[@wabschall]

@@victormurillo6956 Also very understandable

[@michaw.2168]

@@wabschall if they would have used probably treated obsidian meaning obsidian that's been chipt of it would be stronger but again it's a amazing artwork

[@the3pista1c]

Seeing that the squash just flew away with a tiny cut I imagine it would barely dent the watermelon

[@davidbautistabautista2437]

le doy las gracias por representar una parte de la cultura mexicana , es usted un artista lo felicito

[@jrhamilton4448]

Gracias!

[@panchovilla3492]

No creo que hable español, pero bien ahí xd

[@pabloortega6121]

Cultura prehispánica

[@emmalvrz360]

@@pabloortega6121 sigue siendo mexicana carnal

[@Master_fr0g21.]

​@@emmalvrz360 no, no lo es, sería algo anacrónico el decir que es de la misma cultura, México como nación (y obviamente como cultura) no existía en ese tiempo

[@youdontcare2001]

Did anyone notice the aztec death whistle on FERENC'S work table? Those things sound like ppl screaming. Check them out. And then imagine a thousand of them being blown on before a battle. It's one of the creepiest things I've ever heard.

[@UsDiYoNa]

They sound like GHOULS screaming

[@danielstellmon5330]

That sounds like a disturbingly effective Psychological warfare tactic.

[@Zombiewithabowtie]

Caduceus' favourite instrument

[@MajoraZ]

Too bad it's a fake tourist thing. There were Aztec whistles like this, but reconstructions of how they sounded have them sounding like the wind blowing, not screaming, and there's no evidence they were used in battles. That part of it is BS and just originates from the one youtube video that gets passed around a lot.... that's not to say that the Aztec didn't use sound based pyshcological warfare, though: Both Aztec and Spanish accounts of battles note that soldiers would make lots of cries, hollars, and the like.

[@remingtonwright6796]

"my lord, we're being invaded!" By who? Enemy army dressed in Jaguar skins: "AAAAAHHH!!!!!"

[@cometmoon4485]

I'd love to see more historical builds! I believe the Polynesians made swords using lines of shark teeth.

[@Glaaki13]

That would make sense

[@jrhamilton4448]

Always a possibility

[@Shadowpack95]

you speak of the Leiomano, a shark-toothed club mainly used by Native Hawaiians

[@zerovirus16]

I was just about to comment this 😁

[@achingbach2904]

Or Ascalon, the spear used by St George to slay a dragon. I'd love to see that

[@adrianpares2428]

In the words of one of Mexico´s most famous actors ever: "Cosa bella, cosa hermosa, cosa bien hecha" "Beautiful, stunning, well made" Ramón Valdés

[@knownofear1]

13:07 Shoutout to the old Citadel Ork flesh! Surprised it's still fluid after all these years!

[@-MoistPalone-]

I was delighted to see this as well!

[@jimm3093]

They keep for decades. I still have hex pots from nearly 30 years and still use what’s in them.

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

12:54 Holy MORK that is an OLD pot of Warhammer paint. I think I still have some from the 90s....

[@Glaaki13]

lol yes

[@ludonymous526]

This gave me an idea: how about the God-Emperor of Mankind's sword from "Warhammer 40K"?

[@MrWadeant]

Looks like were goin on a WAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH Boyz!

[@personman666]

I was so excited to see them using Citadel paint!

[@AweMe]

@@ludonymous526 I can't say what it is but we are filming a 40k build right now :)

[@chengyulee9968]

This is one of the coolest things you guys made. And you guys make lots of cool stuff

[@jrhamilton4448]

Thank you!

[@TCMECH79]

Ancient weapons are always cool

[@mikes246]

For me it's a real close call between this and the meteor sword, which I think was still maybe the most beautiful thing they ever made. This is so unique though. Seeing them work with different materials is so cool, and I learned a lot too.

[@EdElectra]

@@jrhamilton4448 nice-uuu

[@keithleracc]

Fun fact: the macuahuitl was powerful enough to cleave a horse's head off in one stroke. One account describes the horseman Pedro de Morón being dismounted from his mare after she was instantly decapitated, her head only attached to the neck by a thread of loose skin.

[@phoenixthehobbyist6071]

In reality. It probably couldn’t do that. The wood where the blades join to the body of the club is too thick to pass through the wound. Would still kill a horse in a single swing.

[@muldaeroththemurdermage4576]

Total urban legend but way too rad to not mention

[@Mentherex]

These accounts are probably from the Spanish writing home to make the enemies they faced seem more fearsome so when they beat them they'd seem more impressive. They wanted to be remembered as heroes, not men in full sets of armor on horseback mowing down thousands of barely armored smallpox infested natives welding wooden clubs with rocks in them.

[@roosajarvinen5698]

@@Mentherex Exactly, in reality conquistadors were raping and murdering their way through south America in a feeble search for a made up golden city, but there is no reason to believe that the weapon isn't extremely deadly, just not as much as the urban legend claims

[@elielsreaction4892]

@@Mentherex to be fair the Spanish conquest was aided by warring tribes and they even lost once in what is called the Noche Triste, so no the natives were not weak. I do give you the part though since almost 95 percent of the population died because of it.

[@Mastice81]

13:02 The Citadel’s colours from the ‘90s... they’re everlasting, almost immortal!

[@plumaDshinigami]

Mexican here. Love your work, guys, but the pronunciation is wrong. It's Maakwahweetl. A mouthful, I know.

[@ChiliFrog]

@Just Jeff Kemah, internetamixmachtli (I do, internet stranger) Mexa here too, took introductory Nahuatl lessons, lol

[@michimichi1799]

Hablas Náhuatl?

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

As far I know from having looked a bit at Nahuatl, it's more like Maakwaweetl IPA: /maːˈkʷawit͡ɬ/

[@plumaDshinigami]

@@michimichi1799 No, es así como me han dicho la pronunciación de la palabra y nadie me ha corregido. Si me he equivocado dime.

[@plumaDshinigami]

@@rasmusn.e.m1064 Thanks, but since these guys are English speakers I tried to write it in a way they could understand a bit better. I'll do some adjustments. Thanks again.

[@georgesr8979]

Wow guys as a Mexican fan of your channel and all your works, I feel really proud of you guys making an Aztec Sword (Macuahitl). Great video, you nailed it as always, you also did a very accurate painting it because the highest rank Aztec warriors were the Jaguar warrior and the Eagle warrior

[@jrhamilton4448]

Thank you for your kind words I am humbled, we will continue to make outstanding creations!

[@spartanracer]

Jaguar and Eagle were pretty high ranks but the Shorn Ones were the highest. The prestige of the prestige.

[@grahamhill676]

You didn't get annoyed by them pronouncing it wrong?

[@victorhugoborgesarias5417]

I am Mexican and this makes me feel proud of my roots

[@jrhamilton4448]

Im honored, it was a pleasure to make this weapon and I'm glad you our fans loved it so much.

[@randall7829]

Did you know your ancestors sacrificed humans to please their gods

[@jrhamilton4448]

@@randall7829 So did the Europeans once the weather changed in the early iron age. Ritualistic sacrifice became commonplace. Look up Clonycavan man.

[@randall7829]

@@jrhamilton4448 I didn't mean it to be offensive I was just stating a fact

[@suatchaglan7446]

@@randall7829 that’s wat I love most is their view of the cycle of life

[@romankovbasniuk1826]

I love that an 80s citadel paint was used to paint the green

[@kahn04]

The two handed painting was super impressive, I can barely get one handed painting to look good

[@ThingsForsaken]

When you can't stretch the clock, you doubletime to get things done. :) *Ferenc

[@RDGoodner]

I love how swords are so ubiquitous that even in places where they don't have the stuff to make swords, they make swords.

[@melanoc3tusii205]

I mean, you could also say that of clubs, axes, bows, and spears. The really interesting thing is that the mesoamericans actually used them in war, not as a backup/self defence weapon/conversation piece. I guess they become substantially more relevant when you combine a warrior culture with monomolecular blades.

[@redboy8833]

I mean, most of us were definitely able to make metal weapons. Our cultures just found that kind of stuff offensive.

[@blacksage2375]

A sword is just a big knife

[@lorenzomenegol6461]

They had metallurgy

[@Butterflier00]

there are few constants in Societies the big three Sharp things, Fried food, and Some type of alcoholic Beverage(s)

[@matodragonespor5000]

In some spanish chronicles it is said that the aztecs were able to decapitate a horse with a single swing of the macuahuitl

[@Halfort57]

Take them with a grain of salt. "Decapitating" most likely meant for them cutting a neck wide open

[@LuisDKtheOne]

Well in reality it dosnt cut, its more like a tear off your skin, less atractive but more devastating

[@andrewbeleckis8643]

Not a lot of reliable witnesses in colonizers. They were more then happy to just fall into hyperbole.

[@georgesr8979]

It’s true, I saw once a test in Mexico where they literally cut a dead ram in Half with just one swing, it was also really effective for dismembering the opponents, it’s far more sharper than it seems

[@antoinepanza9222]

.

[@BloodysChannel]

By the way: Oak dust is highly cancerous. You really should wear a resparator next time.

[@Fyrebrand18]

OAK DUST IS CANCEROUS?

[@BloodysChannel]

@@Fyrebrand18 Indeed it is. I can't post a link here, but just google "oak dust cancer" und you'll get plenty of information. Most species of wood are known for inflaming cancer but there are several - and oak is one of them - where it is scientifically proven.

[@farizkeren5730]

@@BloodysChannel you sure it's cancer and not something like silicosis or asbestosis?

[@BloodysChannel]

​@@farizkeren5730 Well I'm not a physician but when I look those two illnesses up the former is caused by inhaling silica and the latter is caused by inhaling asbest. So i guess, no, neither of those two is comparable to inhaling oak saw dust.

[@farizkeren5730]

@@BloodysChannel both of them is basically fine dust wreaking havoc inside lungs, so what I am asking is does oak dust can cause something similar Edit: the general term for those diseases caused by fine dust inhalation is pneumoconiosis

[@victorpapaavp]

I remember reading anecdotes from the Conquistadors telling about the cuts a Macuahuitl was capable of making. I can't blame Kerry for not wanting to go anywhere near it once it was bladed... Obsidian is some scary sh*t when it's been flaked sharp. Brittle, but so sharp it can cut you and you wouldn't even know it til you're bleeding all over the place. Love the video!

[@slavsupreme5129]

victorpapaavp Exactly, I can remember using obsidian for an arrowhead when I was a child and gashing my hand, and I didn’t even realize until I felt the blood running out of my palm

[@spudpud-T67]

They presently use obsidian in eye surgery due to the fineness of edge you can make. Much finer than steel.

[@judahboyd2107]

Flint napping without proper tools is always fun. Thousands of microscopic cuts really itch by the way.

[@havokmusicinc]

"prismatic blades" truly terrifying weapons. The memes we see about katana and their cutting prowess are much better suited to macahuitl

[@yurkentho.o5057]

according to scientist obsidian flakes or properly "sharpened" pieces are capable to cut throught DNA, that´s how terrifying that material could be, I used one of those once to smash a cow torax (cow was already dead, bought the torax from a butcher in order to test it), it literally destroy it even the bones.

[@baakelyeen1767]

My ancestors would have been pleased to see this weapon still being remembered, you guys are amazing.

[@tlatoanivalle3303]

Our ancestors are watching and I’m bringing our beautiful rich and luxurious culture BACK WHERE IT BELONGS..we are THE XOLOITZCUINTLI dog trainers and PULQUE makers 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾🐶🐶🐶🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

[@TheITwister]

Really great that this weapon from my culture has reached to you guys. You did an amazing job with it! Love from México!

[@wolfancap6897]

The whole grinding the wood to make it thinner reminds me of a say: "You go to war with the army you have."

[@Cadrid]

*Fun Fact:* The U.S. Navy owns the land rights to a portion of forest containing white oak, specifically so it can continue to maintain the USS Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides".

[@akiva2112]

Didn’t know that. Pretty neat

[@RageXBlade]

Yes, we have reddit, too.

[@Amaritudine]

The bourbon industry uses a lot of white oak, too. Bourbon has to be matured in a new barrel every time, but a mature tree only provides enough wood for a few barrels.

[@appa609]

I guess they don't trust commercial lumber?

[@aty9446]

So thats what aztec mothers use back then before the chancla.

[@arturoescorcia]

Wrong, the chancla was banned because it was too powerful for aztec warriors to wield, only true aztec moms were worthy (like Mjolnir)

[@Randomdudefromtheinternet]

They used maguey spikes and locked the children inside a building so they will inhale chilli pepper smoke (and that thing is brutal)

[@josiahtheblacksmith467]

Aztec chanclas were woven from narrowleaf yucca.

[@AlexaAXAG]

@@Randomdudefromtheinternet lol... happens everytime they make salsa, its nothing really.

[@sakurashogun]

The chancla was actually the natural evolution of this thing. It is the ICBM to this things blunderbuss.

[@_Matrx]

The weapon my ancestors used. Great video thanks guys 🙏🏽

[@JJ-rn5wm]

Thank you for honoring my ancestors with this beautiful piece of history.

[@ErnestAutist]

That old citadel paint pot making all the old school Ork players nostalgic, I sees yewz a boi O kultur as wew!

[@jrhamilton4448]

Oi we iz!

[@drumrollplease4079]

You gits!

[@Beegrene]

Painting with both hands at once is one hell of a flex.

[@ryuzayuki1997]

The macuahuitl will always be one of my all time weapons, especially when they look as beautiful as this.

[@meepy6702]

me: a mini painter recognizing citadel color paints, nice

[@leevann5592]

Those have been out of production for a few decades. I have one pot left myself.

[@meepy6702]

@@leevann5592 I've only seen them in videos sadly my collection doesn't span that far

[@Ljaysauz]

I came here looking for this exact comment haha. I saw the pot and was like "ahhhh, a man of culture"

[@Archaon44]

This old Citadel colors paint was also a historical piece :')

[@Zimtbart]

was lookin for this comment :)

[@jrhamilton4448]

You got that little Easter egg eh?

[@terriblyspooky9228]

I was looking like "I know that pot shape... is that... IT IS. NOICE. Now they have to base it with Goblin Green."

[@jrhamilton4448]

@@terriblyspooky9228 I had to break out some of my old citadel color stuff just for the hell of it. I'm glad you guys got the other historical reference there 😉

[@randombloke82]

That pot is practically an antique; that line came out in ‘94 …

[@thetruemarkgaming7584]

Them: Historical Build FGO Fans: Hippity Hoppity the comments are now our property

[@-Zagreus-]

Mexican ane san intensifies

[@Sky2042]

She's best girl in one way or another.

[@muzukii]

XIUCOATL!!

[@muzukii]

ara ara intensifies

[@unvergebeneid]

Whose fans?

[@saurophaganax_0]

this is awesome! fun fact: maquahutils were meant to be used more as big razors instead of bats, the mexica empire had a capture ranking system, so when mexica warriors went to war they would slash into the enemies weak spots with this (usually the neck and extremities joints) to bleed unconscious the now made prisoner, so it could be either enslaved or sacrificed in it's respecting rites. Many people often question the durability of it because they think they would swing it like an axe or a sword,but there existed actual maces, spears and axes for that, the maquahuitl was a special weapon and whoever weilded it MUST have the hability and knowledge to use it.

[@partytor11]

13:07 Woah! That's an old citadel paint pot! Lovely stuff :D

[@hiddenghost5903]

YAAS! Another historical build, and it involves wood and stone, a nice break from the usual metal work. :) (Now I shall wait once more for the Infinity Blade, which I’ll probably be a skeleton before then.)

[@ChannelUmptyThree]

Nah dude keep hope alive. I had been requesting it for AGES...and eventually they came through with my requested build, Soul Calibur

[@BawonoSA173]

@@ChannelUmptyThree I also still waiting for crossover/combination weapon, like the early days of "REFORGED", like batarang wolverine gauntlet, katana lightsaber, and TMNT all 4 bros combined weapon Still waiting for them to make dagger of time + Ulaks, a Haladie of 2 versions of dagger of time, Spears of Longinus & Cassius combined into dual headed spear

[@ProtomanButCallMeBlues]

I love these, because it leans heavily on the Smith being a good artist as much as a weapon craftsman. Very much like 19th century pistols or Afghan jezzails. It's supposed to look like a status symbol as much as something you fight with.

[@azurekaberis8013]

Y'all stay putting on the same EPIC ☠💪🔥 vibe since the start of the channel, like you're not just woodworking and metal working... Kerry's like *GRIND* 😤, backlit on a dark room, all high and mighty with a block of oak🤣 Love y'all

[@coletanner3500]

Absolutely mental build. Loved the pace of it and the incredible detail that went into it. Great job yall

[@daithos11]

Imagine the weight of purpose put on the person(s) that were charged with making this thing. This was a weapon of their gods, for feeding them blood and hearts to keep the world turning. These things had to be perfect every time. And they had to be fitted for each warrior. Amazing.

[@rickyp.martin3209]

I figured each warrior made his own.

[@gmsloep]

4:00 "...produces a razor-sharp edge." Sharper than a razor, apparently. Some sources claim that obsidian is one of the few materials that can be used for a true monomolecular edge - an edge only one molecule thick. In a way, the macuahuitl is less of a club and more of a sword because of this.

[@danielstellmon5330]

If the blades chip off you still have a cricket bat.

[@MajoraZ]

It's definetely more of a sword. There are other Mesoamerican weapons which were clearly clubs in utility: Maces with spherical/stone heads (C or Quauhololli) , sharpened wood batons (Cuahuitl) base-ball bat shaped clubs with stone flanges (Huitzauhqui), etc. But the Macuahuiitl is clearly used as and designed as a cutting implement. Both the Spanish and the Aztecs themselves (who wrote a great deal of literature in the decades after Spanish contact) describe and translate it as a "sword", with Spanish swords also described as "metal macuahuitl" in Aztec accounts early on.

[@ufc990]

I dont think anyone argues that it wasn't meant be used as a sword however it was also used as a club, pre columbian mesoamerican warfare was heavily focused on capturing enemy warriors alive, so clubbing was preferrable. Some designs had the blades set in with no space between to form a continuous edge, but in the designs with spaced blades the spacing was done specifically to limit penetration and prevent killing the opponent.

[@heliogonzalez2663]

Always had been

[@melanoc3tusii205]

@Just Jeff How could they not know that obsidian is the best? It's literally used in modern surgery.

[@emperadorromano567]

Awesome work! you really captured the spirit of the weapon. As a fun fact, these weapons are not intended to be deadly. They were used in the "Flower Wars" (Wars agreed between the leaders of the Central Highlands) in order to capture as many prisioners as possible for the ritual sacrifices. Its basically a long maze with very short blades, designed for injuring and weakening enemies, putting them out of combat because of pain or blood loss. That would make their capture afterwards easier.

[@elhercules]

This is EPIC!!! One of the coolest weapons in history!!! You guys are awesome!!!!!

[@ixs_3572]

This is an amazing build. I love the Aztecs and their culture since they're part of my history (I'm from Mexico). And this was truly satisfying to see.

[@siegturtle2335]

Mucho! ~ Mucho! ~ Onee - chan will be so proud!

[@madvillain8386]

Happy Quetzalcoatl noises

[@raphaelcuddy778]

i keep going back and watching this, one of the coolest weapon builds on youtube

[@RaiOuArt]

Never noticed that Ferenc was ambidextrous, that's really cool

[@MURPH10US]

I really enjoyed this build. I liked that you spent more time on the details of the build rather than the forging aspect. I wish that would happen in more of your videos. I've seen enough forging, that I pretty much know what's coming, but the detail work that truly makes the build great often get's skipped over.

[@AsianShadowrunner]

I remember seeing this weapon first on "Deadliest Warrior." It feels more artwork than weapon but, hey, even I know looking through the 20th Century Lense is the *wrong* thing to do. It's still a beautiful masterpiece to begin with and I'm sure you can disable and/or kill a person all the same. It's so weird watching all of you do primarily wood. Watching this channel all through the years, I'm so used to seeing sparks fly from metal as well as glowing hot metal.

[@jesusknight1]

Can you imagine if they made one of metal...

[@AsianShadowrunner]

@@jesusknight1 Sure! It would not be "historically accurate" but I can imagine it!

[@melanoc3tusii205]

@@jesusknight1 The thing is, not only would it look pretty weird, but it would weigh way too much, and would be less effective in general, seeing that obsidian is hundreds of times sharper than metal, while wood is much lighter.

[@Resters52_official]

@Stego not really, it'd still be a bladed club, and it wouldn't be European.

[@zukc3r850]

the fact that you were using the super old citadel paints just makes it so much better. nice build!

[@eddiebraggjr3281]

What beautiful craftsmanship! Well done, very well done guys!

[@MeleeTiger]

"finer than even a surgeons scalpel" I mean, some surgeons swear by obsidian scalpels so...

[@jrhamilton4448]

It's brutally sharp. It cut me good a handful of times while working on this build.

[@spudpud-T67]

Obsidian is used in eye surgery.

[@combatwombat_25]

Last I heard it's not a common practice is they are prone to shattering or chipping.

[@SnowFiresinger]

This was amazing! Thank you for getting historical. Now, all I have to ask is: Another one? If not, that's cool. I was thinking the legendary Martin's sword from Brian Jaques' Redwall books, human-sized. Not much is known save the look and material used (METEORITE METAL and standard steel alloy/Damascus!) That said, the thing in the book titled Mossflower (when it was reforged from Martin's father's, which was broken and rusted) CUT OFF AN ANVIL HORN TIP WITH ONE STRIKE FRESH FROM FORGING AND TEMPERING! Edit for detail: it was also a forgemaster's singularly longest-lasting, best work. It was a pivotal part of (nearly) all of Jaques' now permanently unfinished series. Gauntlet dropped.

[@Tracer_Krieg]

That would be amazing to see.

[@luminalsaturn2]

I wish I could like this a million times!! The Redwall series was my childhood! I would LOVE to see the Sword of Martin the Warrior IRL!

[@proteodna]

Awesome build. You guys are MASTERS. Thanks for the dedication.

[@TammyBundleballs]

Wow guys, loved this project. Very good job. I especially liked the Jaguar side. Awesome job.

[@kaiba3612]

Please do more of these kinds of weapons in the future 🙏

[@FISHOEXE]

You are the best guys, I’m Mexican and I’m proud of my culture, this is an incredible work and an amazing representation of that culture, It would be incredible if you make any weapon of the Aztec gods like Tlaloc or Quetzalcóatl

[@redwa11er]

One of my favourite ancient swords. This thing turned out beautiful!

[@smokingcrusader3998]

I've been flintnapping for a really long time so seeing this video makes me really impressed

[@xCoolguy101x]

The seven-branch sword from Silla dynasty! Out of all the historic and iconic Korean weapons, this is the only thing that I can think of.

[@BlaiseArath]

Ah, the MacPaddle. The best Enmity Sword during the TOAU era. Theres like 3 of you out there who will get this, to you, grats. Spectacular build btw. Not only lethal, but beautiful, just like its namesake.

[@thanhnhan9412]

that's a good idea we you guy made the iconic weapon of history, I hope that I can see this kind of video next time

[@TheRealRomansThirteen]

I've been thinking about this for the past couple of months how many times has an entire team that comes together to build one tool it's kind of amazing.

[@lightspeedvictory]

Requesting Rayla’s transforming blades from Netflix’s The Dragon Prince plz

[@TK-si3nb]

The music in this episode was brilliant and my god that artwork 😍 I would love to see you guys make Saba, the sword from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Keep up the great work 😄

[@daurypaulino7045]

That would be sick

[@zachcollier9175]

I wanna know what that song he was sanding out to is, it reminds the of the night king death song

[@TrylleBanjo]

This was so incredibly cool! Major thumbs up!

[@Vakama95096]

It’s really amazing to see how weapons have evolved through war and history.

[@daurypaulino7045]

This reminds me of Kotal Kahn’s weapon in mk11

[@joshuawoodbridge6267]

It's based on it

[@HavocHounds1988]

Yep, because Kotal wields a Macuahuitl,

[@toranhale7221]

Yep. Dead ringer for Kotal's fav Toy😊

[@kirakelvinart2169]

Interesting...

[@Vampwatch1462]

This weapon seems so simple and straightforward. I love this. Keep up with the awesome videos!

[@itsaneternityinthere]

13:07 I had no idea this had Citadel paints involved. Channel just got a whole lot better for me.

[@heathenfromtexas7264]

Loved the music y'all put into the background of parts of this video. What songs were those?

[@tuliotonheiro]

Awesome historical build! And a great tribute to those amazing American warriors. Would love to see more like it, traditional tribal weapons.

[@LeCrazyChef]

Request idea: Dante’s scythe from Dante’s inferno!

[@cadunkus]

What's the song at 5:23 called? I can't find a link to the music in the description.

[@TheSuperJCN]

I see some comments asking why they didn't slash the watermelon, I'm no expert, but I'm Mexican and you learn this in museums: Obsidian is sharp but brittle, so slashing the watermelon would have ruined some of it. The macuahuitl (as well as most aztec weapons) wasn't exactly designed to kill, but to maim and hinder enemies in order to capture them and use them as sacrifices; the obsidian shards are supposed to break and stay on the wound so the enemy is hurt when trying to run, making capture easier There is also an anecdote of a warrior chopping off a horse head, but that probably wasn't a single slash, but rather the macuahuitl was used as a saw At the end of the day, the macuahuitl is a fearsome weapon, but it's still stone level, not metal

[@roweproductions9424]

Ooo a historical weapon! Very nice, looking forward to seeing how it goes 🙂

[@zakbloodstone2901]

The Headless Horseman's Sword From Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow.🎃🎃🎃🎃

[@jrhamilton4448]

I'd really like to build that particular weapon.

[@thebakk34]

Combo build and do his war axe to go along with the sword!

[@danielcorona2328]

you guys really did an amazing job in your research, a very nice piece!!!

[@aarononeal201]

Nice old school citadel paints! Quite the throw back.

[@NivMrTheFiremind]

I’d love to see The Infinity Blade. Super cool shape and a lot of intricate detail that would definitely be a challenge.

[@dougcarey2233]

Such a cool build. Isn't it interesting how many cultures around the world have stories about feathered/winged snakes?

[@sh3dow524]

As a Mexican I’ll love to have one to represent my ancestors ✊🏼🇲🇽

[@ndoghouse6853]

Awesome graphix! Great build! Im making one of walnut right now. I just got done with the blades but I used a different type of blade that ends up with a cool looking core im sure if your a flint knapper you know what i'm talking about. I don't dare test mine tho. Its just going to be a wall hanger and for show at knap-ins. Did every one have to knap their own blades?

[@danietchart1244]

Legend says that it was so sharp, that during the fall of the Aztec Empire from Hernán Cortez, the sword could chop off the head of a horse.

[@DarkBrutoman]

well thatis totaly fake, cant cut heads but can make some horrible deep cuts

[@danietchart1244]

@@DarkBrutoman I repeat, a legend.

[@OldGreyGryphon]

Turns out, it could do that, Deadliest Warrior made one for Jaguar knight vs Zande warrior. It took three strikes but the horse head model swung free at the end.

[@ufc990]

@@danietchart1244 I mean I personally find it hard to believe myself, but there are mutliple indepent recorded contemporary accounts of that happening so makes you wonder.

[@ufc990]

@@OldGreyGryphon Did they use a model with spaced or continuously placed blades? If they used one with spaced blades, did they use a sawing motion? Cuz that's not what seemed to have been described in the historical accounts.

[@DonaldFromKingdomHearts]

I remember when I had to do a power point presentation about the aztecs in Spanish class back in high school.

[@ericktellez7632]

And how did you do?

[@DonaldFromKingdomHearts]

@@ericktellez7632 Totally aced it! I was very uninterested throughout high-school and didn't have good grades. Because it was the last Spanish assignment at the end of high-school, I thought I'd put in all the effort as a way to thank my teacher who's always believed in me. He hated seeing me never use my potential. It took me a while to understand he was always upset and strict with me because he believed in me. Other lazy kids he just ignored.

[@DjRjSolarStar]

Glad to see you guys finally back

[@severalkorveks138]

I freaking love aztec history (even though beeing born and still living in europe). Thanks for doing that, wanted to do it myself once, but hadn't had the tools

[@kevinvazquez8707]

I’ve been waiting for this episode

[@jrhamilton4448]

You're very welcome!

[@jerrieyum]

This is very impressive I’ve seen museum pieces that are very similar to this. I’ve also seen these weapons made with shark teeth As well as obsidian.

[@a4k00]

Nice to have you back guys

[@_Eltoto93]

Such a gorgeous build. Being Central American this really made me happy y’all made this. You guys are great and such amazing workers.

[@tupapi1665]

This is a Mexican weapon 😂😂😂

[@_Eltoto93]

@@tupapi1665 I am aware the comment I made is in the sense of I am proud to be Hispanic. To see a Hispanic cultured build on this channel is what made me happy.