How FLEXIBLE are Real Antique RAPIERS? From Renaissance to Industrial Revolution

[@Binidj]

Matt: "I'm going to keep this short." Me: _Gets drinks, food, blanket._

[@keirfarnum6811]

Don’t forget the tent, sleeping bag, portable camp stove, water filter, and everything else necessary to truly enjoy a Scholar Gladitoria video. Sasquatch approved! 👍🏻

[@jesseshort8]

An old school "concise" nearly 30 minute Matt Easton video. Just the kind I like.

[@robertelm1163]

Seconded. In fact, you read my mind lol.

[@JMD501]

Ya it's shades of lindybeige

[@captainnyet9855]

It's never quite the same without Matt telling me to "subscribe now"

[@jonasbarka]

We also got some classic "stiff weapon for deep penetration" 😅

[@willo7734]

Gotta love the classics.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

It's worth noting that rigidity scales *cubically* with changes in thickness resisting the vector of force, which means that a small change in thickness makes a *drastic* change in rigidity. It's why I-beams are so effective at providing high rigidity with low weight. This was also the real reason for triangular bayonets, small swords, yari, and the like. They maximize rigidity for a solid form while minimizing weight.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Thanks!

[@radivojevasiljevic3145]

Approximately, three time, at least according to Taylor series.

[@coopercummings8370]

Triangular doesn't quite maximize it, you can see some examples of blades with a T cross section that get an even better ratio of rigidity to weight, but they aren't common, because rigidity isn't the only factor that matters. If you cut deep enough, the wide part of the T will stop the blade from cutting any deeper because the thing being cut will meed a completely flat section, with a triangular cross section the sides push material out of the way more gradually so it can cut effectively to a depth greater than the width of the blade.

[@FortyTwoBlades]

@@coopercummings8370 you overlooked where I said "while minimizing weight". Triangular flanges are the most minimalistic way to create a form that is stiffened against flexion in 360°. A cruciform section is stiffer, yes, but also heavier. A solid rod of equal diameter would be even stiffer, but heavier still. When trying to maintain 360° rigidity for the greatest reduction in weight, a triangular form hollowed to the greatest allowable extent for the context will be optimum.

[@chrishowe2935]

It’s not the length of your weapon, it’s the stiffness! Great video Matt - informative, and a feast of double entendres too! 😊

[@Na_Picta_Irskr]

@24:23 Matt resisting the intrusive thought to put the small sword point through his hand. 👀😅🤣

[@arpioisme]

"the longer they are, the floppier they get" thanks, this boost my convidence

[@Blahajlover3079]

That's crazy 😭

[@mikesummers-smith4091]

"If you want deep penetration, you need a stiff weapon." Oh here we go again...

[@beepboop204]

😉

[@titanscerw]

Was looking for wxactly this type of comment ...

[@keirfarnum6811]

Fifth grade boys (aka: grown men) licking their lips lasciviously. 😆

[@Blutroth]

Wisdom handed down since the first male roamed planet earth.

[@kailashblades]

Some great commentary. I think a key point is that the stiffness of the sword is not controlled by the amount of material in the cross section but rather the overall shape and dimensions of the cross section. Stiffness increases linearly with width and cubic with thickness. Which dimension is width and which is thickness depends on the direction the bending is occurring in. Imagine you have a flexible metal ruler- it bends quite easily with the flat part horizontal, but is intensely rigid when aligned vertically. Same amount of material in the cross section, but aligned differently during bending. Let's now imagine we have 2 metal rulers. If we lay them side by side flat next to each other and bend them it takes twice as much force than bending just one. Now if we stack them on top of each other and solder them together the ruler is twice as thick and it is much stiffer- 8 times stiffer than a single ruler in fact. With this in mind for the Waloon Broadsword to have similar lateral flex characteristics small changes in distal taper (thickness) need to compensated for with larger changes in profile width (width). The Waloon Broadsword will meet these characteristics at a higher overall weight though- as more metal is needed. This is the main driving force behind these stubbier square and diamond cross sections on rapiers. Take care, Andrew and the team at Kailash

[@catsplay1658]

Please also note that stiffer or more flexible blades can affect the way you fence. Rigider blades "close the lines" better are better for parrying cuts and (for me) it is much easier to aim with them. The curse of our HEMA rapiers is that they are too flexible which creates some weird deviations during the practice. But hey! Safety first!

[@kingmasterlord]

Safety Third!

[@vicnighthorse]

You mean you don't use fighting weapons and then go all out in training like in the movies? Kingdom of Heaven wasn't realistic?

[@srenmogensen7965]

The comment about sewing machine, reminded me that a leather needle for sewing is not round. I cant remember if it's triangular like the last example, but I do remember that they hurt way more when stabbing the fingers, than a regular needle does.

[@bobrobinson1576]

They are indeed triangular.

[@TheHyde8875]

The larger diameter might have something to do with that as well.

[@srenmogensen7965]

Probably, and the fact it cuts deep very easy

[@tomfetter4011]

Sailmaker's needles are triangular too, but with dull edges so they don't cut sailcloth fibers, but push them aside (leather working needles are often sharp on the triangular corners)

[@dlatrexswords]

Oh this is the data that gets me up in the morning!

[@TheGoldenBear79]

Thank you Matt! Your knowledge & experience makes you a resource to all of us interested in knowing more about history! You have the same qualities that everyone’s favorite “cool teacher” has; passion for the subject, and the ability to make learning even more fun and enjoyable! I greatly appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us! I find it interesting, informative, entertaining, & just great fun! Greetings from across the pond, (and continent) here in California! Thanks again! Best wishes to you and your family. ✌️

[@carlcramer9269]

Showing us visually how much flex a blade has is very difficult - we can't feel how much strength you use. It did get thru to me when you explained it, but it is tricky to show.

[@Notmyname1593]

Maybe he hanged a weight on them.

[@arnijulian6241]

Triangular blades are older then the small sword Matt. The late Middle ages had triangular cross section dagger that were hollow ground which some even had twists for some reason which I suspect aesthetics. Venice has some notable examples.

[@colbunkmust]

A lot of Yari points from Japan have a similar triangular hollow ground head, as do some blowpipe "bayonets".

[@1000jutsu]

Love how concise you are with explaining all the details to understand "flexibility in a rapier blade"

[@TheFencingFox]

Another rapier video! Thanks Matt💚🦊

[@scholagladiatoria]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@davidgreen7392]

No.

[@neilwilson5785]

Well this is actually very interesting. Those Neal Stephenson Baroque novels were full of small swords, rapiers, and spadroons, but at the time I didn't always get it. This video bridges the gap quite well.

[@IceniBrave]

Love those books

[@AmbientFire]

I’ll be honest, hellish quart brought me here but I find this fascinating.

[@christopherfassett9973]

Just one additional note on the colichemarde, I know Matt knows this and (unlike me) he probably knows if this was actually done or not, but w/e, lol. Another thing that affects penetration is the taper. With the square profile your taper isn't going to have the assistance of any sharpened edge to make the hole wider to accommodate a thicker portion of blade below the tip, so flaring out suddenly to add stiffness isn't an option until you're beyond the point of maximum desirable penetration. This is kind of a non-issue with with the earlier blades, they just made them very narrow, but sacrificed a little bit of stiffness to do so. With the triangular blade there, you can still sharpen the edges of the blade, allowing it to cut a progressively wider channel to accommodate the wider blade profile and thus decreasing the resistance of the delivered thrust (which, in turn, results in more damage to the target compared to the square cross-section). I don't know how much people actually did sharpen them, but I feel like people always discuss smallsword/colichemarde sharpening only in terms of delivering cuts, but the sharpened edges near the tip certainly provide a benefit to thrusts as well. Just all-around a significant step forward in terms of thrusting potential balanced with low weight.

[@ariochiv]

I don't think blade width (in a flat blade) has anything at all to do with how flexible it is in the plane of the thickness of the blade. If it did, it wouldn't be possible to roll up wide sheet steel, which _is_ possible.

[@matthewmckinney5387]

Me just staring at the colichmadre for 22 minutes, while also taking in what youre saying. Love that colichmadre Matt!

[@TheUncleRuckus]

With the sword @11:40 I agree to a point, while yes a square blade aren't made for cutting they still can cut under the right circumstances, for instance a strike to part of the body like the fingers, wrist, clavicle/collarbone, back of the forearm etc where the bone is close to the skin. Granted it won't be a debilitating cut unless it broke a bone in the case of a finger but it can still cut/break the skin.

[@althesmith]

In my experience, flexibility is pretty much exclusively a matter of thickness. Now, whether they spring, take a set or snap at a certain point is down to steel and heat-treat.

[@afdalfadfasdfasf]

That's because I=bh^3/12 in the flexure formula if you approximate a blade cross section as a rectangle

[@jakobekdahl3093]

I imagine shape also plays a part, right? Like a square stock or an H-beam of the same weight have very different flexibilities, right?

[@althesmith]

@@jakobekdahl3093 This is when you get into deeply fullered blades and the pros and cons. They preserve most of the rigidity of an unfullered piece with the same thickness at less weight- but they still have that thickness and this is going to make cutting a bit more of an issue, as the resistence will be a factor. Square/rectangular stock of the same weight per inch will be less rigid, of course, than channel/tubing as the channel/I-beam etc. will be far thicker. Everything in swordmaking is a tradeoff and this is a guy with over a quarter-century banging away at metal telling you.

[@ihaphleas9433]

​@@jakobekdahl3093yes. H beams are shaped that way to increase stiffness. Square and round tubing are also stiffer than bars of the same weight. This has to do with the second moment of area. You'll notice car hoods also have curvature and creases to increase stiffness... same as the crease on a cuirass. The shape of a blade can increase stiffness, with both fullers and ribs adding stiffness for a given cross sectional area

[@jakobekdahl3093]

@@ihaphleas9433so a rapier shaped like an H-beam or a pipe gradually becoming a little spearpoint would be a theroetical good idea then?

[@mateuszQRDL]

Perfect deadpan delivery of those double entendres!

[@farkasmactavish]

I noticed that the English rapier is actually so flexible that you can see it flexing simply by being sideways!

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

Not a useful weapon

[@b.h.abbott-motley2427]

@@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367 It might be fine for unarmored fighting, it's presumed intended purpose.

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

@@b.h.abbott-motley2427 no in any fight you would be screwed, it cannot cut and is to flexable to push thrpugh a man. It looks badly pitted and is probably ground down somewhat... But also there is many nonswords from the time too renessence and late medoeval.. And well right up to the present day europeans loved to buy trinkets that were not always functional.. Eitherbway, in that condition that is not a sword but a whip

[@marvindavid1276]

Might be a dueling weapon for 1st blood. Not all duel are fought till death, also there are pictures of men dueling naked. I own a hanwei rapier with a super floppy blade and it will penetrate through a layer of cloth and 4in into a watermelon while being an extremely agile blade

[@c-w-h]

hmmm... feeling like a fisherman. Medium action or heavy action. Would let me understand what the flex feels like.

[@Willie-tf7zr]

The smallsword is basically the . 22lr of swords. ☺️

[@gentlemanzackp6591]

still shreds

[@kanaric]

If the sword is a large needle and it pokes you that's all that's needed.

[@dlatrexswords]

This is a great *cross section* of swords Matt. Glad to see so many represented and love that the Colichemarde makes a reappearance showing everyone exactly what a forte really is! I'm curious if you feel comfortable performing the Black Fencer flex test with any of your blades? It would be nice to have a number as an empirical reference for some of these examples. I really need a better scale to re-do some of my own swords...

[@gwynbleidd1917]

I doubt he'll do that with expensive antiques lol. He sells and buys them as a business so accidentally destroying them with stress tests would be kinda stupid

[@dlatrexswords]

@@gwynbleidd1917 fortunately the Black Fencer testing is non destructive. I perform it on some of my own antiques as does other collectors such as Nick Thomas. It only requires enough force be applied that the sword just begin to bend, just like Matt was showing in the video. Now I wouldn’t do this with every antique I own, since some are more delicate than others, but if I’m willing to bend the blade with my hand, the same test done with a scale to measure force should be fine.

[@leemday5731]

Smith s making flexibility in swords is an incredible skill to master and understanding of matalogy some one once told me there is a sword in the Madrid armoury museum? Its a Tolado rapia that sits in a wooden block that's in a figer of 8 its some times lifted out gently and springs back straight to the amazement of onlookers! If? Its true that would be some thing to see.

[@jvilkka]

I assume the scabbards for smallswords have to be significantly different from the older types of sword scabbards as well, so could you make a video about them, or different types of scabbards in general?

[@ihaphleas9433]

Keep in mind that I beams are shaped that way to increase stiffness for a given mass. Ribs, grooves, etc provide more stiffness for a given mass

[@DonMeaker]

Interesting to consider a hollow cone to gain greater stiffness, great length, with lighter weight, for the largest moment of inertia cross section at least until you get to the foible.

[@crux85]

Thank you for the concise video, Matt! 😅😂

[@mylesdobinson1534]

Hi Matt, I was touring through the Graz Armoury the other day and came across a hollow ground triangular sword bot it had a blade of about 40 inches with a rapier type hilt. Is that what you'd call an Estock? Very curious on what it is. I do have photos if you'd like. Cheers.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes, that sounds like an estoc.

[@mylesdobinson1534]

@@scholagladiatoria 😊

[@sirwi11iam]

Matt, did I see a little wry smile when you said, "For deep penetration, you need a stiff weapon"??

[@owenli7180]

Tickles me that these are basically single-handed, fully metallic spears.

[@dizzt19]

When it comes to lighter, point-centric rapiers, in Czech I'd call it "kord", which doesn't even have a wiktionary entry x)

[@scholagladiatoria]

I'm envious of other languages that have specific terms that would be really useful in English! I know the Swedish have extra words for different rapiers.

[@dizzt19]

@@scholagladiatoria Well, I've seen it translated as epee, so there is the usual confused overlap :D I'm not sure what I would call a smallsword, probably "kord", or a diminutive like "rapírek" or "kordík".

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Great discussion. Thank you. Cheers!

[@raphlvlogs271]

were Rapier blades made in Europe ever applied on non European swords considering that they were often used in colonial conflicts and a similar sword design might have been adopted by other cultures

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes, rapier blades were exported to India and mounted on Indian hilts in the 17th century.

[@lutzderlurch7877]

@@scholagladiatoria Interesting! Thank you.

[@vicnighthorse]

Doing machine work I have cut myself pretty good on some square edges. They will cut enough to bleed you good if they draw or push against you. They can even cut through leather gloves in some circumstances.

[@rix3333]

It has been 5 years I'm following you, watching all your videos and it's always interesting.

[@justinlewis2969]

This is a great channel. Take all the time you like. 😁

[@LoganMPierce]

Matt, I am wondering why you don't use ratios to describe a swords cutting vs thrusting effectiveness. Love the content.

[@toddellner5283]

There's also another dimension to stiffness and flexibility - metallurgy. A blade can be stiffer or more flexible than one of similar geometry depending on the composition of the steel and how it is heat treated. The technology has advanced since Medieval times, but smiths then had a wealth of practical knowledge

[@toolthoughts]

my small sword is not stiff enough, any tips?

[@ditzydoo4378]

Ah yes, the Spadroon. I did like your take on the US model of 1840 made by Ames which I remember you did seem to like. (Oh, the heresy of it all) but still a lovely presentation. ^~^

[@Benjanuva]

Once again, the Smallsword lives up to the moniker of "Death Needle."

[@scottmacgregor3444]

It took me up until now to watch this video. Seeing pieces of history/art being bent makes my stomach clench.

[@dembro27]

That triangular blade is cool. Did anyone ever stick it on the end of a pole? Perhaps pollaxe/halberd spikes are more or less the same (but I think they have a square base).

[@slafleche]

Hi Matt, can you make a dedicated video on Estoc swords.

[@jellekastelein7316]

I got dehydrated from all the drooling I did during this video.

[@patio87]

If you had to pick one of those swords off your wall to defend yourself with which one would you grab?

[@Blutroth]

Depends what weapon the enemy uses.

[@ariochiv]

That first (English) sword has to be the prettiest rapier I've ever seen.

[@tiltskillet7085]

Cool video, Mat. Finally I understand why flicks to the back aren't in any of the treatises. More seriously: any reason to think these blades might have gotten more flexible over time, either from use or metallurgically? Very different thing, I know, but I can't help but think of my sport fencing foils, and how they do become more flexible as I accumulate and straighten bends in them.

[@MichaelMcQuown]

I did't see the thumb ring on the Walloom hilt, which I had seen on the other versions that I have seen online. Is that common? How widely used were these swords and what else is there to know about them?

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the video

[@insanogeddon]

Unless at war, just like nowadays, weapons were for hobbyists or criminals and posers (who tend to mimic criminals). Just like nowadays piercing weapons are less bloody and less obviously lethal giving a better chance for criminals to escape. Slashing weapons spatter the attacker and surrounds which causes a faster URGENT response and readily observeable proof. I believe Matt has spoken about this before. In any age w/o widespread belief in divine overwatch, or cameras filling in, it is a simple thing to stab and bolt. Unless there is/was a crowd that's willing to help, posers never help, once round a corner walk normally and before any urgent serious responce is/was enacted you're sitting having a pint, no blood on you, with a pack of posers also sporting the same weapon and dress. With mass production weapons are discarded without a second thought making it even easier but even now if you have the option piercing in better if you intend to ghost authorities as even entitled kids with excuses work out a short time after they decide, or are told, hurting others is excuseable and their right. Slashing weapons, and bludgeons, have always done more obvious damage but this relegates them to theatres where you want, or don't care, if everyone knows the damage done as it happens.

[@normandbujold6677]

Thanks for this video. I like your channel a lot. I am building a kopis and would like to have your take on the blade geometry. I already did a mild steel prototype to get a feel of what to aim for. It end up being 2-2.6 oz and too heavy. It is around 0.240” at the spine so I will be aiming for some 0.200” spine at the gard and target about 1.8 lb overall. The difficulty is figuring out the distill taper taking into account the blade profile. This is a 22” blade. Any insight would be appreciated. If I make two kopis and send one to you, would you be interested in commenting?

[@emarsk77]

I was hoping to see a couple of sparring blunts as well, for comparison.

[@CRIS.V1891]

The innuendo's tho ! 😂👍

[@andrewsock1608]

It’s kinda like the question how hard is bread? The answer is , there are many types of bread.

[@TheHyde8875]

No, it's like asking "how hard is rye bread". Lots of different kinds of breads just like the variety of swords, but we're talking about a specific type here.

[@andrewsock1608]

@@TheHyde8875 well there is lots of types of rye bread. Even stale rye bread.

[@m80wulf]

growing up i had a sword (still have it) in my living room like the 2ed to last sword. when people would pick on it for being useless i would take it down and stab it all the way through the couch and its pillows and show them the tip sticking out the back. That was 30 years ago i'm smarter now lol

[@peterjaimez1619]

Did you ever heard about the Spanish rapier that was so flexible that the point could touch the guard and come back to true? Cheers

[@raphlvlogs271]

that thrust only square rapier can make half swording in tight spaces much easier

[@keirfarnum6811]

Rob Roy showed just how dangerous a small sword/rapier type weapon was compared to a broad sword. The first guy to fight the dandy character with the rapier was utterly destroyed by him. Rob Roy barely survived his duel with the dandy character. It showed how the skillful use of a smaller, lighter sword could outfight a heavier weapon that’s employed crudely and unskillfully.

[@allengordon6929]

Is it possible fore blades to have variable flexibility? Differential hardness in europe was achieved through tempering. Tempering is predominantly used to affect ductility.

[@izzygarcialionibabaloipici6293]

Were rapiers ever used by cavalry?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes they were, though many forces chose forms of pallasch, broadsword or backsword instead.

[@puliturchannel7225]

One famous cavalry rapier is a pappenheimer, it was used during the 30 year war by the count Gottfried Pappenheim's mounted cuirassiers.

[@izzygarcialionibabaloipici6293]

@@scholagladiatoria Were their ever duels fought on horseback with a rapier?

[@scholagladiatoria]

@@izzygarcialionibabaloipici6293 I don't think so, but it's not something I have tried looking for yet

[@PedroCarvalho-bk4yn]

""If you want deep penetration, you need a stiff weapon." - Matt Easton, 2023 13:11 if you're wondering

[@genghisgalahad8465]

So flexible, they can do nights and weekends! And holidays! I like the balance between flexibility and rigidity! En garde!! 🎉🗡⚔️

[@KrisZ-i2q]

You are partly incorrect about 'mass' and 'flex', you can make a lighter less flexible blade no problem. It depends on type of steel, methods of forging and ofc blade shape, but there is no problem today making sharp, light and stiff blades. Not sure if 15-16th century smiths have access to whats avilable today tho. OK comment edited as u mentioned what i said about type of steel, etc. Just gave a wrong impression in the beggining.

[@carloparisi9945]

Hi Matt, it seems to me that, after 300 years, that colichemarde is still the combat-ready sword, in the set you've shown.

[@poxknot]

Pretty interesting video

[@danielquest8644]

Matt, you can make a blade that’s lighter and thicker if you change materials…. Of course not a option in historical examples, but a modern blade could be made of a modern alloy, titanium, aluminum, etc.

[@braddbradd5671]

I was watching Adam Savage at a museum and he was flexing some European medieval swords and he couldn't believe how light and flexible they were the curator nearly bent it in half but it still sprung back and he said a lot of reproduction swords are not as flexible as the real thing for some reason

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yeah, I made a video about this about a month ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpq3paqflpmhpaM

[@braddbradd5671]

Thanks and you actually got the Adam Savage vid in there as well and yes that curator did give that very historical weapon a bit of welly @@scholagladiatoria

[@TheUncleRuckus]

I remember cringing super hard when he bent it, normally not something a curator of a museum would do to a historical 400 to 500 year old artifact. 😂

[@braddbradd5671]

It proves its not the first time hes don that just think what hed do when no one is watching 🤣.But fare play to him it did prove how flexible and light they are compared to replicas .Id much prefer a light and flexible sword not so much one that bends under its own weight tho The medieval swords are my favorite after seeing that @@TheUncleRuckus

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Having accidentally broken numerous (sport) fencing sabre blades just by flexing them like that, I was cringing all the way through this video, waiting for the *snap*.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Having been a fencer for just over 30 years, I don't think I have ever personally snapped a sword just by flexing it. But then I suppose there is flexing and over-flexing, and modern FIE blades get flexed ALOT and are more likely to get to a point of failure. I only flex antiques on rare occasions and very carefully - this video was a special occasion.

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

@@scholagladiatoria - ah, well, here in the states we don't have to use FIE blades. It's the non-maraging ones that do break a lot.

[@lutzderlurch7877]

Ever since owning original small swords, The first and only term that comes to mind thinking about or describing the point of the blade is "brutal".

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

I heard that this sudden change in the thickness of the sabers was detrimental and caused cracking. Is it true?

[@scholagladiatoria]

No not at all. When sabres break, it is not normally at that place.

[@tjfinger3421]

It is perfectly fine to watch this at x1.75 speed. JFYI

[@aspitofmud6257]

So are the blades made today for modern fencing of the triangular type?

[@Blutroth]

They have a triangular cross section but not a hollow ground, which makes them really flexible. Also they are longer than smallsword blades were, which also adds to that.

[@alias1719]

To add to @Blutroth's answer - Epees have the triangular cross sections, foils are rectangular, and sabres start as Isosceles triangles and transition to rectangular at the foible.

[@SethTaggart-nt5zf]

A shorter weapon is stiffer.....exactly what I keep telling the Mrs....

[@frankharr9466]

Hm. Good point. Thank you.

[@stoatystoat174]

I would be a bit worried about people grabbing the blade if it didn't have edges

[@Starless85]

Old school and no Raid Shadow Legends bullshit! It’s Christmas.

[@MK-ji5ri]

Flexes an original renaissance blade 30°. My neck hair got perfect thrust potential at that point.

[@thomasskinner240]

Is anyone else saying "oooo eeeerrr" in a rik mayall style every 30 seconds? Turns out talking about swords is just a minefield of double entendres.

[@illmade2]

Can you talk about a pillow sword at some point.

[@tsafa]

I suspect that a lot of Rapier blades were broken in combat from over-flexing in unpredictable circumstances.

[@The-Mad-Taoist]

Love it

[@morriganmhor5078]

Colichemards + smallswords = wonderful weapons. Thus, those were replaced by sabres.

[@Lost_Hwasal]

Lots of truth in this episode, for rapiers and…. Other things…..

[@seanmiz6539]

“We don’t have super human strength” Oh but you could. Give Eddie Hall a buzz

[@rileyernst9086]

The good landrovers had coil springs. RIP landrover.

[@davidroetzel5500]

Maybe the reason President George Washington carried a colichemarde was because he could use it's stiffness on foot and horse. He was built like an (American) football linebacker.

[@IceniBrave]

Remember, ladies, the longer they are the floppier they get. So be careful what you wish for.

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

Thats a classic: "if you want deep penetration you need a stiff blade" will nuggets of wisdom! :)

[@Blake_Stone]

"What a great topic for a small video"... 28 minutes later...

[@incitatusrecordings473]

26:04 lol

[@vapormissile]

Dungeons and Dragons will never be the same.😅☠️👍

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

Three things I always want Matt to talk about that he does not ever do are edge isolation, scabbard use, and edges causing internal damage. A razor sharp edge would have to be kept isolated from contact with the scabbard and I think this is likely the overlooked main purpose of fuller grooves and matching scabbards. Second is the use of the scabbard as a parrying device, which I have only seen in one 1970's kung fu movie (The Sword Mates). It makes such good sense I wonder if that was a thing. And last the damage edges on rapiers and other weapons that seem mostly useless do to internal organs. It seems to me that keeping bare hands from grabbing blades and this internal cutting are the reasons for edges on poor cutting designs.

[@atom8248]

kenjutsu and iaido use the scabbard sometimes

[@robertprovan9374]

A number of smallsword fencing treatises mention using the scabbard in the off hand as a parrying device. McBane, for example, mentions it specifically for use when facing a man armed with rapier and dagger.

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

Thanks atom@@atom8248

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

Thanks robert@@robertprovan9374

[@jonharker9028]

One of the rapier (or sidesword, depending who you ask) treatises - a text by Camillo Palladini that was never published in period but survived to the present - actually mentions partially drawing the blade from its scabbard and then intentionally breaking the end of the scabbard on the ground. This was for emergencies when seated in crowded spaces, or otherwise unable to fully draw the blade, so that you could still bring the point to bear and defend yourself. It thus suggests that many rapier scabbards were quite thin wood - as many reproductions are today - and not as well suited to parrying as a katana’s typically thicker scabbard (the saya) or an all-metal scabbard like later blades (especially trooper sabres) had. Similarly, many different sheaths and scabbards throughout history that were worn constantly at one’s side were attached to belts, with some fixtures more permanent or restrictive against the hip than others. Removing the scabbard from the belt to meaningfully defend or offend may prove more hassle than it’s worth in those stitched or other well-bound cases, and several treatises would rather you engage with an empty off hand for grappling at the arms or parrying thrusts with your palm. Hope this helps!