Halberd in 3 Minutes - Showcasing HEMA

[@HEMASimian]

Hi everyone! Hope you enjoyed some Halberd. *Some obvious things not talked about in this video:* 1. Striking to the hands 2. More uses of the cuts 3. Why the butt strike was downwards on the head instead of the "normal" sweep to the side 4. That "flying thrust" where the staff was pushed with the back hand, and released with the front hand 4.5. How easy it is to push that kind of thrust off to the side 5. Why there was such a higher focus on thrusts instead of cuts There's a whole lot more to halberd combat compared to what I showed. I just wanted to whip up a quick 3 minute episode that laid out the real basics of the weapon. I'll be getting into the nitty gritty another time :) If there's any aspect of the halberd you'd like for me to cover, I'll definitely be keeping an eye of this post to get ideas for a future episode.

[@Sebastian_Gecko]

The Halberd is a group fighting weapon, right? Can you talk a little bit group fighting techniques and good weapon combinations? Love the video.

[@ZegohsOfZegCrew]

For the use of the hook at around 2:34 in the video, I'd recommend retracting the hook at a larger angle to pull it up against the back of the knee. It's particularly useful if the calf is protected, as it can also unbalance and destabilize the opponent's footwork, while also apply a tearing motion on the muscle and tendons at the knee. It may be a little harder, as the opponent's blade is pressing down, but in full motion combat I find that it becomes less of a problem.

[@HEMASimian]

The book doesn't really say where specifically, but generally speaking the lower the better as a illustration implies this might go to the achilles. But you're completely correct, damage to tendons and ligaments would have much greater effect than the muscle of the calf. This might be a case where I oversimplified a concept to get the point across.

[@HEMASimian]

Not always. In the book it's all depicted as 1v1. Though that's also a leading argument as to why you don't see too many cuts with the halberd, is if you're all in formation you will cause your allies a bad day.

[@ZegohsOfZegCrew]

It's more or less equally valid, I think the precise details vary depending on the situation. I haven't read much from this specific manuscript, but the principles remain the same. And, a hook along the achilles can hurt as much as the knee, while also ruining one's opponent's footwork, and probably their life.

[@Laughing_Individual]

Finally. My favourite weapon. Polearms don't get enough love.

[@ICaImI]

yea, i agree!

[@bearling477]

Its probably because the manuals on them are short, The complexities of longsword and rapier make them extremely popular for learning and take time to train, but especially for us meyer guys, polearms and dagger/ringen tend to take back seats because they are easier to work on, and ive noticed tend to be the "for fun" weapons. The quarterstaff is also a special case because its much more dangerous to spar with. While im not a big polearm guy, I know the feeling, Because I absolutely love montante, which gets about the same, and for the same reasons. I hope we can eventually figure out weapon and protection alternatives, because intent sparring with quarterstaff and montante would be great.

[@bearling477]

...what in the world are you responding to?

[@bearling477]

....Am extremely well trained knight would be trained in polearms regardless. A poorer unit would be armed with spears first and foremost, not only is it the cheapest and most easily procured weapon, but its also highly effective with minimal training. The messer is the only time we see mass sword usage among peasantry. It should also be noted that a woodcutter's axe would be less effective in battle than a spear, even if youre a woodcutter in profession, a mace would be less likely than a cudgel, but probably more likely than an axe, and definitely more likely than a sword. Spears are THE go-to weapon for all classes of people, and is easy to train.

[@bearling477]

Most axes a person would own, just as it is today, are utility axes, battle axes are a little more difficult to make (quite like making a blade) and so are more expensive, there were some cultures that used them commonly (battle axes are a common symbol of nordics) but for the middle ages youre going to be buying a polearm first and foremost (well actually, those premedieval nordics would also have spears) and an axe would likely be a third purchase (after a spear and shield) if ever, and even then youve got perhaps better, cheaper options and can save your axes for the trees. The main thing I think that stops me from considering the battle axe a peasant friendly weapon is that every time we have records of it, its either displaying or speaking of someone in a hauberk (expensive), on a horse (expensive), or using it in the migration period (when it was the flavor of the day). Its just alot easier to make a woodcutting axe in the forge than a battle axe, and i dont see how it would be any different back then, and since difficulty = money, Im compelled to consider the depictions as being the reality. I just dont see the logic in it, and ive never found evidence against that logic, spears are objectively the most common weapon in history.

[@travisbussey1611]

I always wondered why so many Chinese sword forms have you lift your lead leg when deflecting pole arms. I bet that hooking trick is why.

[@calebdaldin1845]

interesting

[@juandelata]

that kinda makes sense

[@Reginaldesq]

Partly its because the lead leg and arm are primary targets. So, an opponent armed with a pole can strike our lead leg (often the thing that's closets to them) without coming in range of our sword.

[@Shin_Lona]

Nice insight

[@An0niem4]

One might add to that that the chinese had a lot more bladed pole arms, so that makes sense

[@Matt_The_Hugenot]

Let's hear it for the halberdiers.

[@gaborfabian1239]

Sing tow row row row row for the HEMA Halberdiers!

[@bearling477]

Landsknecht reporting in.

[@Buzzy_Bland]

Matthew Doye *_MEN OF THE EMPIRE! WE ARE SIGMAR’S HEIRS!_*

[@MangroveLord]

@@gaborfabian1239 tow!

[@Author_Paluthor]

The Swiss Mercenaries here!

[@ulf___]

Halberds and poleaxes are my favorites. Swords are just like sidearms. These weapons are the actual M16/AK of medieval era.

[@MrChickennugget360]

i think the best comparison is these are the M1 Garands and Enfields, the work horse of the battlefield, while the swords are the Tommy guns. sexy and good in close combat but expensive and impractical at range.

[@Edimonde]

Spears, being easy to produce and requiring very little training compared to halberds/poleaxes: "Are we a joke to you??"

[@Ocker3]

@@Edimonde AK47?

[@koalawithchaingun53]

@@Edimondenot to mention usually longer, and easier to handle if same length. But poleaxe is ideal for a knight and having some trained halberdiers among your pikemen would’ve been deadly.

[@giftzwerg7345]

@@MrChickennugget360 that is true sor spear and shield, however with pole arms, assaultrifles are a mutch better combarison, bc th bole arm is allways better, you only use your sword bc you cant use your pole arm, pretty mutch

[@friedcabinet.1485]

So versatile...

[@RemyAlbarosa]

Fried Cabinet. Is this a lawbringer reference?

[@darthalex3]

@@RemyAlbarosa ad mortem inimicus

[@dmshampton]

Julian always has no nonsense information that is top notch! Keep it up man!

[@HEMASimian]

I appreciate that! I definitely try my best. HEMA is my passion so any way that I can try and share that is a fantastic opportunity for me.

[@brokenursa9986]

See? This is why you always carry a dagger.

[@Ocker3]

You misspelled Seax ;)

[@b19931228]

I honestly didn't expect him to pull out a roundel out of no where. Where'd he hid it?

[@lordandrak]

Or do the old norse spear trick and have the dagger hanging from wrist with a cord

[@HEMASimian]

I Have a bag of holding. Shhh. On another note, I would not recommend holding both a dagger and the polearm. This weakens my grip near the back, so if they strike the front of my weapon, due to the fulcrum I would have a much harder time controlling the weapon.

[@MrAlexH1991]

UP....... his ASS.

[@tastypoptard7282]

Tell me, rival, is that a roundel in your pants or are you just happy to- oh wait, that is a roundel!

[@ThatElephantSeal]

One of the other moves you can try that worked for me when a person knocks your pollarm away, is a little more complex than hooking the calf, but essentially you let them knock it towards the ground, and use the energy of their movement against them, swinging the butt end of the pullarm up and towards them, closing the distance. I tried it once in sparring and its actually a deceptively cool trick. I love pole-arms and spears. Theres a reason they were the most used weapon in history. Very versatile and dangerous if your skilled and creative.

[@HEMASimian]

So just to confirm, as they strike down you pull up to create a covering angle, to close in to strike with the butt?

[@ThatElephantSeal]

Yes, the way Iv'e tried it you have to pull it off quickly and while stepping in closer. Its risky but if pulled off correctly its a fairly good move.

[@ThatElephantSeal]

Oh, and one thing to add on that just popped into my head, I suppose the length of the polearm also plays a huge role in the effectiveness of this maneuver. In my case I was using a fairly short spear, while I can see there being a problem if it was something longer.

[@HEMASimian]

ah for sure. I think both are definitely applicable, if I'm fighting with a polearm that doesn't have something I can hook with (the hook, or the base of the axe) then that's definitely the way to go if you feel you can't back out in time.

[@HoangNguyen-jc8jo]

Greetings from Vietnam! Really love this art and here i am finger crossing someday someone will open a HEMA class in my country!

[@MichaelGThomas]

Hi. Where in Vietnam are you? I know a few guys doing this now.

[@BeedrillYanyan]

Polearms seem to be easier to handle while historically being more effective against armour than swords. Why don't we see them in HEMA more?

[@ikksksknsk4720]

Can't affordably engineer gear to make them safe to spar with

[@BloodandIronHEMA]

Friendly Nail Safety. So far there isn't a solution that allows to spar with intensity, while being safe.

[@BeedrillYanyan]

Blood and Iron HEMA ahhh that makes sense!

[@b19931228]

Much like harnishfechten, hard to practice fully without danger.

[@gabriel300010]

Too effective against armour

[@himbe23]

Halberd is by far my favorite weapon! You get the range and versatility! One of the best weapons imo!

[@annoyingkraken]

I can now do practice some moves with my rake when I get bored of cleaning the yard! thanks

[@thatoneothergamer6158]

2:52 his face is just so perfect ,you can just hear him say "big brain moves over here"

[@LautaroArino]

Very impressive! Looks simple enough to be realistic. Thank you!

[@lorebooks5230]

_And so begins me teaching myself who to write about fighting with weaponry. Thanks for information, I appreciate it._

[@updog9567]

Thank you so much! Im having a main character in my yet-to-be-published novel use halberd. I had this idea ever since I saw this weapon on Forge Lab's 100days video. I think its cooler than making her use a scythe or sword ^^ I will come here every now and then to make sure my MC makes the most of her weapon!

[@iancoheekelsey]

There's a reason polearms of all shapes and sizes were used for literally thousands of years in one fashion or another. Cheap, easy to make and train a levy, effective and dynamic.

[@martinogold]

They may be one of the best videos on The Internet, awesome!!!

[@StarBoundFables]

I was wondering about halberd sparring, & obviously y’all got a halberd tutorial 😄👍🏽 That was pretty cool to see, thanks 🙏🏽

[@fordguyfordguy]

Wow - this was fun to watch!

[@kozmo7]

awesome I’m late to the party I REALLY hope there are longer more in-depth videos on your channel to find! Great content! Subbed.

[@paulwilkinson4523]

Awesome!! I would love to see more halberd and pollaxe techniques! There's not enough on KZbin. Love the channel and big fan! Keep up the good work 👍😎

[@DavidAkhter]

That was surprisingly good, fast and to the point. I like it.

[@john_mystery]

Something I have wondered as a casual observer interested in HEMA is the difference in techniques between a halberd and a glaive as well as their use on the battlefield. Hopefully you guys can make a video on this or I can be directed to one already made. Thanks.

[@ivandrago3621]

In the instance of sword jamming a weapon, wouldn't said sword just cut the halberds head clean off if the strike was powerful enough? Just curious, i know nothing and have wanted to train in HEMA for about 5 years but have no place to practice or people to learn from hands on

[@Wristonfire]

AD MORTEN INIMICUS

[@BloodandIronHEMA]

Edu M. NO SUPERSTES

[@KilerMansters]

ah i see you are men of culture as well

[@austinpundit6321]

Nice work guys! A nice littelltaste of halberd work.

[@bearling477]

I wish you guys made this sooner. I had some joker online insisting that the halberd is the most complex medieval weapon to use, my immediate response was to scoff, and simply compare the number of pages meyer dedicates to longsword or rapier to those for ALL staff weapons, but he just played it off like meyer knew very little about pole arms weapons, it would have been nice to reference this instead of write out a massive essay on the complexities of weapons, still very cool, I think this video perfectly covers all the halberd precepts, and will definitely use it to introduce people to the weapon!

[@Cassie-Nova-]

Amazing video. Always had a soft spot for the halberd

[@chrisborgnaes227]

I've been thinking about the shape of the blade on most common halberds. Clearly it's primarily a thrust/piercing weapon. But, with the blade angled closer to the shaft at the bottom can you conceive of a pull/cutting maneuver as you bring the weapon back home? Wasn't some armor of the period more bolstered at the front? It would seem that a side rear contact could be intended to damage the connecting bits of such armor.

[@moonstruckstarlet6607]

Very cool, thanks very much.

[@ironknight2824]

That was pretty impressive. Thanks to you!

[@SoarswithSwords]

Fantastic video.

[@nikolausklinger489]

Very cool! Thanks

[@nowdead4573]

The halberd is one of my favorite medieval weapon.

[@p3nguinish]

As an age of empires veteran, I greatly appreciate this video

[@mikeshoults4155]

Have you studied any formation fighting? The Halberd was used by guards and they would work together to fend off large groups of people, or work together to take down criminals or aggressors. How do halberd guards work together?

[@cocolahoff4292]

This was so cool! I even put an exclamation mark in my sentence, which I never do.

[@lawrencejohnson81]

Great video

[@hotsteamypudding]

This was a really good video thanks.

[@AKlover]

Does it take a long time to adapt to not having balance or a counter weight? I guess the stance and the footwork adapt to this?

[@HEMASimian]

I'd say the weapon definitely takes some getting used to, but not because of a lack of counterweight. Mainly that it's just so different from everything else. Some things definitely are similar though! People who are versed in rapier will understand the disengage and constrainment methods. The stance and footwork is basically the same as everything else you'd see in Meyer, though I'm not sure of the Gathering Step's role in the weapon yet.

[@AKlover]

The use of the ax would seem to leave openings. Seems a wide movement would be needed to generate necessary momentum to cut someone down.

[@SpecArch96]

AKlover Meyer use of a wide stance with a low centre of gravity really comes in the polearm section of his book. I recommend Roger Norling's video, because as Meyer himself said, fencing can explained far better by the living body than by words :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGTMl5VugLqHh9U

[@harrymoyer866]

Nice! Secondary weapon use is a great saving grace and surprise. However, there are sound techniques to counter a shaft grab. This does require brutal inclose maneuvering, yet applicable to war and single combat.

[@O_Ryodan]

nice trick with the dagger

[@juggy666]

The second dagger counter attack was awesome. Nice. I'm guessing the swordsman should be on a horse with grouped cavalry waiting to flank the pike line, if dismounted then they really need to be getting away from the pike line. As there be dragons. Great video ty.

[@remiseri]

2:23 BONK

[@fredferd965]

In the 1950's I saw a movie (I can't remember the name now) where two people fought each with halberds. Both of them were swinging them in continuous circles over their heads, moving forwards and backwards. It looked like two helicopters trying to mate. I've always wondered if this was all theater or if there was any reality to it at all.

[@Psiberzerker]

"The butt of my weapon, which I conveniently left a little space for." It also gives you a little balance, and wiggle room. It's hard to see here, because this is training, and they don't want to hurt each other, but that's a really short one with a light head. With a real halberd head, Balance and control is preferable to a little more reach, unless you're going for full extension. In which case, you can just move your hand down to the butt-cap. (Also, a butt-cap. Just walking around with it, you can really beat up, and even split it if you don't have one.) It's not a pommel, but serves basically all the same purposes: Balance, Control, a little more reach at full extension, and an alternate striking surface on a weapon made of alternate striking surfaces. (I prefer Lucerne Hammer, but it's basically the same, only slightly different. You have a hammer head, instead of an ax blade, all the techniques are otherwise identical.)

[@sukekiyo6]

Nice demo!

[@sabretooth7691]

Glad I found your channel

[@andresantoniovalencia1257]

Are there vídeos about pollaxe? Good work guys, ver y informativo channel

[@HEMASimian]

pollaxe would have been used in an extremely similar manner. The big difference is that it's obviously a hammer instead of a hook, which makes some techniques more effective against armour, and some less effective against unarmoured.

[@wesleyfilms]

Halberds never get enough love.

[@Shugenjya]

Very nice!

[@SomeWheats]

I find it interesting to see that despite various weapons being different you'll find similar techniques in them, if not the same.

[@HEMASimian]

Yep, we just did a video on similar techniques across multiple weapons, where we showed the Halberd disengage vs Rapier. Lots of people wanted more polearms, so here we are :)

[@linuxva]

Very nice ! I want to ask you guys if you know some move made on horse with a halberd ? I read exist some difficult moves made on horse and was the risk to kill the horse if not executed correctly ...

[@juanpablogonzalezs.v.8319]

That was really awesome! Another video with the pool arm please

[@BarisPalabiyik]

There was a footage of poleaxe armored sparring where the poleaxes are facing back and mainly used like quarterstaff it was a nice technique it would be cool to see it here aswell. Cheers

[@TheLord0Ice0Wind]

That is some clever work

[@justiceneveling3373]

I really enjoyed this thank you I’ll subscribe and watch more on my free time

[@OfficialMINIm]

Short and sweet!

[@ffffffff963]

2:33 checkmate. Great video.

[@RandomAllen]

What is the head made of? Rubber like the purple heart spears?

[@BloodandIronHEMA]

Redman A It's hard plastic.

[@bearling477]

Did you guys cut it out from a sheet? Im considering that to create some blackfencer sharp sim knockoffs, but I havent figured out a good plastic for that, Immediate thought went to kydex, but they dont make that in thick enough sheets.

[@MarcioLiao]

A dream coming true!

[@joecoonan3931]

Fully sick brah

[@madhatter12347]

pole arms are my favorite weapon group id love it if you guys did more videos on them

[@jackenglish5777]

Yeah, swords get too much love and polearms too little Axes are my personal favorite though XD

[@adams4332]

I’m dying to get into medieval combat! How can I get involved??????

[@JurAAlexander]

It would be great to see it in a line formation

[@githreepi136]

AWESOME

[@krossco]

more halberd

[@HEMASimian]

haha, with this response I'll definitely have to do some more :)

[@krossco]

plz more halberd

[@andskyryu]

Thanks a lot! Now i know how to wield my halberd in incoming war :D

[@edi9892]

The axe head could be used for a whole lot more. You can hook or push with it. Thus, you could displace the enemies weapon or shield for a thrust. Moreover, hitting with the flat (top, not the side) of the axe can still break a leg or crush a throat...

[@1234kalmar]

So the Axe part is more of a "Can use this sometimes in a pinch, but basically this is a spear" thing?

[@microwavedcheetos]

Remember, switching to your dagger is faster than repositioning for a strike

[@Xill-rpg]

Hello! When you fight with a sword, you perform a lot of feints. Were the feints performed using a halberd, spear, axe, mace, dagger?

[@HEMASimian]

Harder to do since the size of the weapon is obviously larger. But you could feign some disengages to make them react and then counter react. They just wouldn't be nearly as cool or flashy as with a longsword.

[@gabrielpottebaum5249]

Doesn't Meyer also show Halberd vs Dussack (/one handed sword)?

[@wasymatic4155]

Make one with Halbs vs War elephant please

[@paladinleeroy7394]

You won me over with the dagger

[@Anthropomorph]

Obviously.... WHERE WERE YOU HIDING THE DAGGER!? I never even NOTICED IT! See, nope, If I see someone coming at me with one of those, I will practice kiting with a semi-automatic/fully Automatic weapon that is now mandatory for the horror 2020 and T-Rump has unleashed. I like my calves right where they are, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! You two get a like.

[@Solinarius]

So left hand forward was common in Europe?

[@wasymatic4155]

What if they are using a Halb too?

[@ДмитрийАлексеев-й6э8г]

Лайк, ребята. Заслуженный честный лайк за качественную работу. Спасибо вам.

[@Helltanz98]

On the back up 'A man without his knife is soon deprived of his life'.

[@somebody787]

I like this. They just talk like some causal cooking tutorial with serious fencing skill. See? Slice the onion in this angle with your Halberd and you can bleed it out to death. Use side arm asap if it split juice to attack your eyes.

[@brandorgraccus6653]

Simple and efficient! I LOVE ! :D I was looking for a style to give to my polarm wielder soldier, No need to look further

[@HEMASimian]

I'm fairly convinced the Halberd is the absolute king of melee weapons, so I'd agree. Something you may also want to consider is the pollax, which features a hammer instead of a hook. Works better for dealing with armour, and injuring your opponent instead of straight killing (useful to make some money via hostages)

[@ThorgalsWalhalla]

nice video :) greetings from Switzerland

[@randelldarky3920]

The Swiss kicked some ass, with Their Halberds.

[@rpgdream9700]

educational, thank u

[@Sunny-ld4nn]

I'm intrigued by the hook on the halberd, how you could use it to pull down a shielded enemy and stab them in the face.

[@HEMASimian]

You wouldn't do that with the back hook. You'd use the bottom of the axe blade. Much higher trapping ability.

[@Sunny-ld4nn]

Well perhaps not the halberds you guys have but glaive or a spear with a perpendicular hook on the back, I really want to indulge the idea of using the distance you get with a polearm and use it to your advantage against a shielded enemy. If your hook isn't used for that then what is its exact purpose?

[@ibrahimshokry4084]

i lllllove your work and your channel

[@hieuphungminh6690]

ahh the emergency dagger. It's just silly not having it on you all the time.

[@emceha]

I think it's worth mentioning that almost all pole arms are meant to be used in a formation 1vs1 scenario is NOT pole arm traditional use.

[@hermitcard4494]

Underappreciated weapon.

[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate]

I wander if slices with pole weapons are viable attacks...

[@Romanov117]

Halberd were dangerous individual weapons. They were even more devastating towards decently armored infantry and cavalry in well organized and tighter formations in Frontal combat. These things is what brought up to the evolutions of Warfare of anti-Cavalry and Infantry alike.

[@KilerMansters]

epic video :D

[@gutocardoso1977]

Damn cool nerdy sport. I'd love to do HEMA if they only had it in my city in Brazil. They have it in São Paulo. Not sure if any other city, though.

[@BatDeckard1138]

I'm still trying to figure out what the elusive Forest Bill might look like.

[@jeremieherard2166]

2:50 WOW ! That was a move !

[@mr31337]

Would these techniques be any good against a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range? Or is it just what I see, pal?