Best SELF DEFENCE DAGGER Against Swords in HISTORY

What are the best features in a self defence dagger historically used against swords? Previous sparring video: • Rapier Vs Dagger: Hope...
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#knife #medieval #selfdefence

[@nowthenzen]

"Weird like walking around town with a 50 cal barrett slung over your shoulder" Clearly Matt has never been to Arizona.

[@vinceblasco]

Coat or cloak wrapped around the left arm with a long dagger in the right hand is a formidable combination.

[@benjaminb505]

Baratero-style 🗡

[@ScrubDaddy265]

Makes me think of the small sword duel in The Duelists where Carradine’s character had what looks like an oven mitt on his off hand.

[@Leftyotism]

Or beach towel.

[@taylor_green_9]

A nice and thick poncho is a good option too

[@freestatefellow]

If you’re up for doing more testing, I would like to see cloak and dagger vs rapier!

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

This feels like a lead in to pithy comment that cloak and dagger always defeats the honest opponent

[@radivojevasiljevic3145]

@@dogmaticpyrrhonist543 why? One (minus) long (plus) versus two (plus) short (minus) weapons, one offensive and one defensive.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@@radivojevasiljevic3145 no, I will not explain in detail my dumb play on words.

[@PalleRasmussen]

The dagger that allows you to run like hell.

[@titanscerw]

"... tell her how the IRA made you run like hell away from the green and lovely lanes of Kileshandra!"

[@PalleRasmussen]

@@titanscerw Pardon? I might be uncultured (I am Danish after all), but I have no idea what you mean.

[@titanscerw]

@@PalleRasmussen no worries, mate, just random associations at the end of long work week, on the phrase: 'run like hell away' :) That is all.

[@user-tv4lz5ie5u]

​@@PalleRasmussenLook up "Come out ye black and tans"

[@BOTCOMM]

Everyone runs faster with a knife

[@fridrekr7510]

It's interesting to see all the Medieval dagger fighting manuscripts and techniques, when most modern martial artists seem to think every knife fight will end up with two dead combatants. I wonder whether it's due to differences in historical vs. modern knives and daggers, the loss of tradition, or just because the circumstances on the battle field have changed too much.

[@DoctorWhoBlue]

I think this largely comes down to the difference between something like a knife duel and a knife attack, which is what modern martial artists are mainly concerned with. If one participant doesn't have the skill or desire for caution, your options become very limited and low-percentage

[@nevisysbryd7450]

That is hardly modern. Achilles Marozzo specifically taught dagger for dagger vs dagger fighting because it was especially bloody, liable to doubles, and consequently rare, such that anyone challenged to a duel could choose the weapons as daggers and get the other person to back off.

[@fredericosanchez9000]

Modern knifes usually have no handguard so you have no way of parrying the opponent's weapon with them. Daggers usually do have have handguards.

[@runakovacs4759]

@@fredericosanchez9000 they're also WAY longer than a modern knife. Like, fore-arm length is not uncommon.

[@fredericosanchez9000]

Most knife fighter today also have zero training in terms if parrying.

[@kimashitawa8113]

The gauntlet dagger combo reminds me of the Scottish Highlanders with a Targe + Dirk in one hand.

[@darraghchapman]

Good shout! I didn't think about it, but that's very true.

[@BCSchmerker]

@kimashitawa8113 *Some targes have spikes on their bosses.* Useful for parries when the wielder has a half-basket-hilted broadsword.

[@lalli8152]

Its so cool how Matt uses the saber at 2:45

[@Sssaaatttuuurrrnnn]

It's really fun to watch Matt swing things around. The videos he's done with shamshirs and zweihanders are great for it.

[@lalli8152]

​@@SssaaatttuuurrrnnnYeah. Although the movements are simple experienced people just do it so fluidly its cool to watch. Its bit similar in something like boxing if you see experienced boxer do something like shadow boxing compared to novice

[@JanetStarChild]

To balance the weight, wearing the gauntlet on your free hand could be a compelling "dual wield" combo with a dagger.

[@carloparisi9945]

Hi Matt, in my experience a cloak helps you a lot against a thrusting sword, if you only have a dagger. Against a backsword, you should try to cover your retreat and run out of the fight; however, being a country fellow my question would be: if the only steel weapon you're allowed to wear or can efford is a dagger, what's your excuse for not having a good walking stick along with the dagger? I'm not aware of any law of the past that forbade sticks where daggers were allowed and if it is solid, a stick is better for parrying and riposting against a cutting sword, until it snaps, but by that time you could have put the swordsman KO or stabbed him with the dagger.

[@kimashitawa8113]

Interesting, using a stick to parry reminds me of those Zulu shields with the sticks sticking out or pictures of KNIL-soldiers i've seen that use a Klewang sword and parry with their rifle. I think just pairing it with a stick in the other hand would be kind of effective, at least maybe better than an empty hand, although i do think i would prefer the cloak like you mentioned.

[@carloparisi9945]

@@kimashitawa8113 I'm thinking about parrying and riposting sound blows with the stick, like they did in the 1800. It was not a new idea and I think it would work to some extent, if the stick is also assisted by a dagger.

[@b.h.abbott-motley2427]

Alehouse daggers do appear to have briefly been popular in England, perhaps 1580-1630. A few references are earlier or later. For that place & period, wearing an alehouse dagger wouldn't have been weird. They were primarily civilian weapons. Sir John Smythe considered them unsuited to war.

[@gayforbrae5693]

another thing to think about in a realistic setting is how is an injury itself going to affect someone in that situation a thrust might be very deadly but it's not going to be instant whereas a big slice might be more survivable but would a large gaping wound affect someones abilities to keep fighting more immediately than a lethal thrust would

[@williamromine5715]

I don't know anything about swords , but the other thing about a real duel is that the point system of fencing makes a slight hit on the hand equal to a full deep stab into the chest. Of course, I understand why they have to use a non leathyl(sp) point system of fencing, but I noticed the minor stab to the hand and major stab to the chest were scored the same, which isn't very realistic.

[@ericmitchell985]

My choice would be the PSA Dagger, obviously.

[@rumplefourskin6775]

U cheeky bugger 😂

[@dr.victorvs]

This swordfighting business seems dangerous with this proximity thing. What if instead of delivering the blade itself directly we took the blade and delivered it either with some support from a sturdy material or under a flight trajectory, from a distance?

[@demoths]

I feel like putting a hefty dagger on a ten foot pole would be a good move.

[@vedymin1]

A sword catcher/breaker, that could work on its own i think.

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the information ⚔️

[@stephengarrett8076]

Look forward to your testing 👍

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

I like the same solution as for a Fluorine Metal fire. A good pair of running shoes

[@jasonhughes1035]

I'd love to see a video testing the possible utility of using a gauntlet instead of a side arm.

[@jonnycroft7428]

Great video as always, we need NEED a reaction to the Shogun pistol scenes in Episode 9. All i could think was Matt’s gonna have a field day.😂

[@frogurtand]

Great channel! I love how you test and investigate things with a critical mind! But one question: In your previous video, you tested rapier v. dagger in sparring. Here you say saber would do better against dagger, but have you tested that in sparring as well?

[@kyuken893]

Thanks for the video, Matt. Question: Do the forward curved quillions have a defense cost from not being in line with the blade (as with a straight cross guard)?

[@EriktheRed2023]

Ah, the theoretical side of the practical last last time. Looking forward to this!

[@jowaru5545]

In my club we sometimes put on hove gloves and use only those against swords, as if they where steel mittel gauntlets. The most usefull thing with that is, in my experience, getting into a bind with the back of the hand/hands, run in and grab at the hilt. I especially like holding my hands over each other, like a cross, because that way you can kinda lock the blade in and restrict the ability, of the enemy, to disengage.

[@harjutapa]

I'd honestly want something as big and robust as feasible with a complex hilt of some sort to protect against hand sniping.

[@WilliamKeloren]

A someone who has tested Merelo system and advice with dagger vs sabre i would say that there seems to be points you are missing when comparing to rapier. Sabre allows better use of free hand from the dagger wielding guy. While it is easy to be nimble with the cuts, there is always one side of the blade which is dull... and you can put your hand / forehand there even from longer reach. This allows the hand to go more into play. Not by much, but still an possibility that as a "sabre man" you should take into account, making rising cuts better option than if facing other sabre. Very short sabres allow also use of legs and kicks more due to range. And you can be pushed into situation where you need to know how to adress them with the weapon combination you wield. Generarly lower range of the weapon, the more limbs become problem.

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thanks

[@shotgunridersweden]

Having spent a lot of time on daggers, if you can have two daggers you have a moderate chance of survival against a cut and thrust sword. Ive even done double dagger vs sword and buckler

[@WhatIfBrigade]

With gauntlet and dagger would it be better to have the gauntlet on your off hand and the dagger in your dominent hand? You could bind the rapier then punch.

[@leppeppel]

Like a coathook you say? There's a question: you're in a medieval tavern when someone pulls a weapon to attack you; what mundane nearby object would you grab to defend yourself?

[@CDKohmy]

On gauntlet, it is likely some used a maille paryying gauntlet with a dagger. I've also heard in some LVD (or vulgar) sources about wrapping the cloak on the dagger hand.

[@Mythicalmage]

I'd also be curious to see if offhand gauntlet + dagger fares as well or better than main hand.

[@dashcammer4322]

When dagger blades get long enough, they basically become Hobbit swords.

[@lifigrugru6396]

If you have gauntlet and dagger ther you can try out having in idefferent hands, like dagger + buckler stíle. you got protetction and speed.

[@101Mant]

When someone says dagger what comes to mind for me is something small. The sort of daggers from something like rapier and dagger fighting are practically short swords.

[@TheRealRomansThirteen]

Modern day overseas travel in poverse countries. You might run into an individual with like a machete and perhaps all you'll have for defense is a kitchen paring knife from the supermarket. Narcos in Mexico or gangs in Haiti. Both Somalian and Hootie Pirates. It's all so extraordinarily common in Africa.

[@taylor_green_9]

How about dagger & buckler? Was that combo in any historical manuals?

[@RobG001]

Great content as usual, now to watch it. :)

[@texasbeast239]

We need to see you walk around and sit down with such a dagger sheathed for storage. How much does such a handguard get in the way? Add a basket hilted saber/sabre to the other side, and test the same.

[@obeastness]

Is there any historical references to bare hand Vs. Sword, specifically redirecting the blade by pressing against the flat with your palm like a parry? Have you ever tried this is sparring, it seems like it would be really hard, I wonder if it would be practical to grab onto the tip of a missed rapier thrust with your bare hand, or perhaps while wearing some leather gloves.

[@GraveFiller613]

Thoughts on the Bruewahr(sp) it think it is a dagger with a nagel in this case?

[@dansharpe2364]

Any opinions on using a large Bowie knife of the type sometimes described as a "Civil War Bowie" with a "D" guard instead of the large dagger?

[@Eckister]

if you were at a tournament and had two plate gauntlets, would that mean that hits to your hands would not count towards the opponents points (meaning you could parry their weapon with your hand, maybe even control it)?

[@daemonharper3928]

Very interesting - I suppose if you're out with a tavern dagger and a gauntlet, you're pretty much asking for trouble.

[@some_humvee8466]

Whats the biggest dagger you would carry in the modern era Ive tried carrying a commando dagger but its quite long.

[@lukeman9851]

I wonder how a katar would compare. It seems less suited to wear and not as ideal for binding, but Im still curious

[@barbarosaa87]

ok. so I've read that Irish preferred a dagger/gauntlet instead of a buckler. there's even art that shows it. for dagger, it supposed to go along your elbow in an icepick grip and I imagine that you would do a round motion to displace the incoming attack. so... how viable is it? have anyone tested it in sparring?

[@thebobbytytesvarrietyhour4168]

So I know this wasn't quite where the video went, but I do think ease of wear and ease of draw are bigger factors for a self defense dagger than the shape and weight of the guard and blade. I find a little 6-8 inch bollocks dagger worn at my side when sparring spear and longsword is much easier to deploy then the longer daggers that my other sparring partners have.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

Swept and basket hilts, especially, are unreliable to draw under pressure.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@@nevisysbryd7450 the forward swept guard on Matt's parrying dagger would be easy enough to draw. The thing is a monster though. The size of the blade and the guard is a bit hefty for a daily carry.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

@@dogmaticpyrrhonist543 It has a risk of getting snagged on something, though it is not that big an issue, yeah. Things like knuckle bows are the real risk. Yeah, though, that thing would be really obnoxious to carry around on a daily basis.

[@elijahoconnell]

are there contemporaneous accounts of alehouse daggers being seen as a bit odd

[@mastathrash5609]

Honestly it's a weird reference but there's a scene that I remember watching The Animated Peter Pan as a kid. And Pete's just fighting Captain Hook with a dagger and Captain Hook's got this big old honking Rapier looking thing. 😅 For some reason I had a flashback of that scene.

[@daveburklund2295]

How about a dagger in the on hand and a gauntlet over the off hand?

[@Berengier817]

3:58 bought this as my first cold Steel product in 2020...i now have probably 30 products...

[@AdlerMow]

It's a good idea to use riding gloves, the will protect the hand and forearm and allow for grabbing the blade, without getting looks!

[@markkodryk829]

Would katar be a good choice? It has protective sides. Kind of.

[@readable95]

Would you be willing to try cloak and dagger v rapier I have to imagine that would give you a bigger advantage than just dagger

[@darraghchapman]

If you're doing follow-up tests, I'd love to see two daggers vs. single rapier. I'm sure you'd have two daggers laying around, so it's easy to test. Having two offensive hands to close with, plus being able to bolster the defensive capacity of either with the other while only really losing the ability to fully control the rapier/sword arm (rapier cutting edges are still ouchy with bare or gloved hands) seems like a net benefit. Maybe time to crack out your Wing Chun skills, Matt ;)

[@KlausBeckEwerhardy]

Funnily enough I once went with two Japanese sai against a bihander. It worked quite decently - but my partner did try to stab too often. He mostly went for the cuts.

[@robo5013]

What would the point of that be? The purpose of the test was not that you would be bringing a dagger to a sword fight but what your chances would be if you were attacked with a sword and all you had was a dagger. If you were going to be carrying two weapons to begin with one of them would have been a sword.

[@darraghchapman]

@@robo5013 I quote myself: "If you're doing follow-up tests"

[@darraghchapman]

@@KlausBeckEwerhardy I did consider sai and tbh knowing butterfly knives were something he was trained in just left it open; they fulfil much the same purpose but we're splitting the same hairs. Against a zweihander introduces other interesting options. If I had a dagger I would freak out and back off against a huge blade doing moulinet GTFO sweeps... I'd just have to close if I saw an opening, but eeehhhh.... ;/

[@robo5013]

Why would he do a test on such an unlikely scenario? So, like you, I will also quote myself here: "If you were going to be carrying two weapons to begin with one of them would have been a sword." That would be the most likely thing to happen, not carrying two daggers.

[@maybrittwilkens6149]

The rapier guy makes himself vulnerable when his swordhand is lifted and/or overextended. And you want a crossguard that has a realistic chance of "catching" the enemy blade, and not to break or trap the blade as stated, but for enough control (your winden will be strong, his will be weak) for you to run in and close distance. Any other way you cant fucking win unless you use a dirty trick.

[@SkepticalCaveman]

I think a dagger in one hand and a buckler in the other is quite portable and a decent option against a rapier.

[@Primalintent]

I want that dagger so bad

[@drewwood2941]

This almost sounds like a paper rock scissors game. Against a dark alley strong arm with a dagger, the hanger is the best weapon. against the hanger, a rapier is the best weapon. against the rapier, the dagger and surprise/speed is the best weapon (vs a hanger). Seems like the individual chose the armament based on what he expected to encounter, and I imagine most people expected the strong arm unless you expected your honor to be insulted.

[@guyplachy9688]

The best self-defence dagger against swords in history is the one you have with you when attacked by someone wielding a sword.

[@stuarthughes3747]

how about sai or butterfly knives

[@shinjiikari1021]

What about gauntlet plus dagger

[@garywheeley5108]

What about the sword breaker matt🤔

[@jackrice2770]

Answer: the biggest dagger you can get...say about 30"....Oh, you mean that's a sword?

[@jameslightfoot1872]

I dueled double dagger vs double rapier. Superior skill and speed can overcome the reach advantage.

[@LilyBlossom1337]

I think two of those daggers would be petty potent, lol. I wanna design a basket hilt with quillons

[@Redeye308350]

Keep in mind if you're carrying only a dagger for self defence, it's likely you are in a fairly safe place and not expecting a fight. Like less than 1% chance of trouble. So convenience and comfort is a high priority. If you actually thought you could be in real danger you'd arm yourself better or avoid the situation.

[@WilliamKeloren]

There existed laws in some regions prohibiting people to wear anything other than dagger in certain towns after dark.

[@argonianale5716]

How effective would sticks and canes be against swords? I'd assume swords having the upperhand for sure, just interesting to me because of how much fiction shows the villain with any particular sort of "gentlemanly" sword and the hero only has a stick or cane and they fence.

[@OldieBugger]

I bought me a dagger with a 14 inch blade and a standard crossguard from a seller in a middle-age fair. It was called something, but I forget what. Any help?

[@dashcammer4322]

Parrying dagger?

[@LouseGrouse]

1:10 “or something like this” (said while gesturing towards own nose) Next fencing video could be interesting.

[@tigdogsbody]

Why not treat your rapier like a cut-and-thrust sword in defence and, when given the chance, end the duel with a proper thrust?

[@LuxisAlukard]

What about swordbreaker?

[@familieverduin4467]

I had the same idea

[@DenshaOtoko2]

I thought you said Hema was dead Scholagladiatoria?

[@henrymach]

And you CAN half-sword a rapier (or any sword for that matter)

[@OhioCruffler]

Seems like the ultimate would be a gauntlet on your off hand and the dagger you were showing. Many of his hits were to your hand.

[@DrMakak]

I was 100 percent sure something flew off of that sabre at 2:43

[@Myomer104]

It was a glint rolling up the blade.

[@DavidCollinsRivera]

Sword and buckler are famously effective. How about testing dagger and buckler vs. a cut-and-thrust opponent?

[@charlottesimonin2551]

What about the Japanese Police Sword Breakers?

[@Greenmahn333]

👍

[@domenigo97]

Maybe Dagger in one hand and gauntlet on the other?

[@Sir-Cyr_Rill-Nil-Mill]

@5:23~~further proof that *Unicorns* were carnivores. That's why cattle horns are shaped to defend from _rapier horned ponies._ ;^} & what does Matt Easton look like with a proper twirly mustache?

[@Braindazzled]

I might disagree with the concept. A parrying dagger is a great accompaniment to a rapier, but it seems historically, if one is using a dagger against a sword of other big weapon, defense is done more with body displacement, and the dagger is used more aggressively for striking, not as a parrying weapon. You just never saw depictions of quillion daggers worn without the sword, while a lot of long Rondels, poigniards, baselards and whatnot exist that were carried singly. And the more the blade hand moves around, the less important hand protections are.

[@James77721]

Thundercats!

[@aznpholyfe6693]

have you seen vinland saga ?i think you may like that anime

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

How about a Katar?

[@seangough5228]

Everyone knows the best dagger to defend against a sword, is the KH-47M2 'dagger' hypersonic ballistic missile. It gives you the extra range needed to really cinch those close, melee sword fights.

[@tiltskillet7085]

F-102 Delta Dagger would be decent, I think. PITA to carry around though.

[@starkparker16]

Sounds like the Spyderco Emerson wave opener isn't gonna work.

[@rule3036]

The optimum dagger against a rapier is a.......rapier!

[@chrisjones6002]

Wouldn't it be better to have the gauntlet in your opposite hand? So dagger in one hand and gauntlet on the other.

[@gerry343]

0:25 You ARE very offensive, Mr Easton! 😏

[@thezieg]

Cinquedea!

[@GonzoTehGreat]

A question and a comment. Instead of gauntlets, why not wear mail mittens or even reinforced (with plates, mail or hide) gloves? I don't see why carrying a basket hilted dagger on your person would be frowned upon if basket hilted swords were socially acceptable...

[@tykjpelk]

The best sidearm to defend against swords would obviously be the pistol.

[@rene_falk]

A Sai or Hachiwari, mayby a Jitte.

[@PXCharon]

Best dagger for facing a sword? Several throwing knives....

[@lifigrugru6396]

I just grab a.... hey i have all kind weapon to hand... :)

[@TheSaneHatter]

Sadly, it has NO hand protection whatsoever, but my 18-inch, 2-pound camp kukri is at least long enough for the job....and more likely to be on hand than a dagger I don't own. Oh well, it's one more reason to invest in some heavy gloves.....

[@RonJohn63]

If a basket-hilted dagger is socially unacceptable, then a gauntlet + dagger is 10x worse.

[@InSanic13]

Now I'm curious what the intended use was for the alehouse dagger, if not for carrying around as a self-defense weapon.

[@RonJohn63]

@@InSanic13 *to me,* the word "alehouse" in "alehouse dagger" screams "not every gentlemanly". Rough and tumble, as it were. Wikipedia gives an alternate name as "bum dagger", and says "short enough to be used easily in the confines of a crowded pub".

[@Grey_Wulfe]

The pistol in your pocket?