How powerful is Sting?

[@rdbury507]

3:45 - "... and although there is a lot of very nerdy detail I could go into here ..." I'm pretty sure going into a lot of very nerdy detail is the whole point of this channel.

[@samuelvimes5770]

7:05 here is my video about the range of the blade´s orc radar

[@morfea123]

...and thus it was, that 100k viewers, they knew not whence it had come...

[@bennett420316]

​@@morfea1239k

[@justincranford1]

I am thumbs up 315. I hesitated because keeping this count at 314 was also nerdy.

[@rdbury507]

@@justincranford1 Lol. I'm usually happy to get one or two likes on a comment, so triple digits is unexpected. Planetary alignment I guess.

[@enoughothis]

What I find interesting is that as the heir of Turgon, the King of Gondolin, these blades are something of a family heirloom for Elrond, and thus when he bids Gandalf and Thorin to keep them well it is no mere saying but rather a blessing coming from the only person in Middle Earth who could grant it.

[@anthonywatkins462]

Valid. Elrond the goat.

[@Matthew10950]

​@@anthonywatkins462....Mr. Anderson!

[@thomasrinschler6783]

I was about to come here to say this. As Turgon's great-grandson, Elrond very much had a claim to Glamdring at least. It was very generous of him to let Gandalf have it (but then again, Elrond was one of the few who knew Gandalf's true mission).

[@blackc1479]

Did not know this. But to spitball, it wouldn't surprise me if Elrond also had a rough feel for what was to come, and knew where they would be best used. Maybe after consulting Galadriel. Plus the added bonus of baby steps to reforming relations with the dwarves, and helping them reestablish themselves as a force in middle earth.

[@nordvestgaming1238]

@@thomasrinschler6783 Yea I think Elrond knew that possessing Glamdring wouldn't be of any real benefit to him, compared to Gandalf he was in relative safety as far as we know for most of the time between the events of the Hobbit and the end of the war of the ring assuming he stayed in the general vicinity of Rivendell and its people for much of that time, compared to Gandalf who spent that time traversing all across Middle Earth, often times solo.

[@belliott538]

Sam’s Sword was a Blade of Westerness… FAR from Normal… and yet it failed against Shelob’s webs… Sting Did Not…

[@dhorn4005]

The blades of the Hobbits, where forged by the numenorians; and they where VERY powerfull... but maybe not as powerfull as the elven blades. In Tolkien; elven is allways better... and if older even better XDD Man-made... meh. Numernorian?....mmm, better. Numenorian from the 2nd Age?... oooh, that's good... Elven from the First Age??? WOAH that's the best!!! (Although I would argue that Narsil; forged by dwarves was even better... buuuut who knows XDD) Now seriouslly; the blades of Westernesse held by the hobbits, where made by people from Arnor in their figth aggainst Angmar; and they held pwerfull enchantments dessigne to hurt the Ringwraiths; as the With King was the commander of that fawl nation. In theory, while holding the Rings the Nine could not be trully killed (that's what Glorfinder ment when he fougth him and said 'no mortal man can kill him'... later the Witch King would use that statement as a prophecy to inspire even moore fear) but thoose daggers where specifically designed and enchanted to sever the connection of Ringwraith to his Ring of Power... ...that's why, when Merry wounded the Witch King in Pelennor; this lowered his 'magical defenses' so Eowyn's blow could kill him... that's f***** powerfull; it's basically dispelling the effects of a Ring of Power... No elven sword (not even from the 1st Age) could do the same... if that where so; Glorfindel would have killed the Nazghul when he had the chance... but he apparentlly did not posses the tools to severe the connection of the Wraith to his RIng... ...and yet this daggers appear to pale in comparison to Sting... why?? I think it's clear from the context: the intention. The Daggers of Westernesse where made with powerfull spells that targeted the Ringwraiths. Probably required quite advanced techniques and magic to be made... in fact Arnor fell before the daggers could be propperlly used. Sting and the other Elven Swords where made instead with the intent of killing orcs....so, the wearer not only could detect orcs with it; but also the glow would inspire deep magical fear into the heart of this beast... So a blade is for undead-killig... and the other is for gobling slaying... ...then... spiders??? XDDD My theory falls here a little bit... my guess is that while Sting and the other elven blades where made SPECIFICALLY to slay orcs and goblins; their magic was overally supperior; and actually where quite effective aggainst any servant of drakness; an where overall more effective than the Westernesse Blades against most fawl beast or their defenses (hence why it can pierce a troll or pider webs) EXCEPT Ringwraiths. The spells of the Daggers of Weternesse whe made to kill them, and in that situation, the blades of the hobbits where simply at 'full power'...against any other foe, they would simply be well made blades... ...also unafected by corrosion obiouslly... ...and now that I think of it; Pippin killed a troll in the batte for the Morannor with one of thoose; so they still may have enhance penetration after all XDD (...but not as great as to cut the webs or skin of She-Lob; who was after all a major fiend)

[@KorithStoneheart]

Sting is far older than the knives of Numenor, it's believed to be the dagger of the Turgon, king of Gondolin. Glamdring was his sword, so it follows that Sting was his dagger

[@marvthedog1972]

@@dhorn4005 might also stand to reason that Sting was effective against spiders and their webs because of the history of Shelob's mother poisoning the two trees. I'm sure that the Elves would include in their enchantments any effective spells that would kill the spiders too.

[@AxeMan808]

'Magical' is different from 'of quality'. You can have a +20 Hi Steel sword and swing all day at something "only affected by Magic Weapons" But a +1 Magic Dagger does damage everytime it hits (would ordinarily be +5 lowest plus, but you know, player innovation). There are magical materials (Mithril, Laen, Eog, Kregora (technically an ANTI-magical material), and there are enchantments (runes of that sort are technically enchantments) to make them 'magical'.

[@jdeshetler01]

While Sting was powerful, i was always under the impression from the text that it was not Sting that killed Shelob, but rather Shelob impaled herself. That, ironically, she herself provided the necessary force that neither Sam nor any other warrior, no matter how strong or what weapon they had carried, could have provided. Because of course, timeless theme that it is, evil always eventually causes its own undoing.

[@Acerelado]

Pretty sure any other dagger would just bent or something, Sting being able not only to withstand the weight but pierce right through.

[@spacemissing]

Tolkien said that Shelob may have healed herself from within after her episode with Sam.

[@kwest9747]

Using the opponent’s strength and weight against them? I see Sam knows his judo well.

[@NickThorbjørnsen2207]

​@kwest9747 did he enjoy a succulent Chinese meal afterwards?

[@AlanSmitheeman]

@@NickThorbjørnsen2207 Judo is Japanese.

[@drewlovs]

This is very much a Chekhov's gun, in regards to when Elrond identified the two swords, Bilbo did not show his short sword for the same identification. Tolkien went out of his way to explain why the two elves did not see the weapon, which means it’s important. In other words, I think Tolkien taking the time to explain why no one even noticed the weapon in Rivendale tells me why the two elves didn’t recognize it-because they never saw it, and they never saw it because Tolkien did not want them to see it. This is a drawn out way of saying, I think you’re right - I think that’s Glorfindel’s dagger, and if it was identified as such, Bilbo would’ve felt obligated to give it back to him.

[@ceejay0137]

In that case, Elrond would probably have returned it to him, knowing the dangers he was likely to face on his journey. After all, he didn't ask for the other two swords, which he was surely entitled to as well.

[@thefracturedbutwhole5475]

@@ceejay0137 Glorfindel was there, but Glorfindel would also likely tell Bilbo to keep it.

[@drewlovs]

@@thefracturedbutwhole5475 See, I would think that too! The problem is, Tolkien twists himself in all sorts of knots so that the dagger isn’t even seen by him. The fact that Tolkien completely avoids the situation tells me that he himself wasn’t sure what Glorfindel would do.

[@GaiusCassius-t2d]

The problem is that the Glorfindel at Rivendell is probably not the same Glorfindel from the 1st Age. Tolkien obviously loved the name and wanted to use it in the LoTR. The link between the two characters is pretty weak and is based on speculative essay written a couple of months before he died.

[@HighPriestFuneral]

@@GaiusCassius-t2d Return of the Shadow notes that Glorfindel was from Gondolin and was originally going to tell his tale at the Council of Elrond. What this tale was, is never actually written, Tolkien scrapped that particular discussion from the Council of Elrond, but Glorfindel coming from Gondolin was always the idea. Whether "sent back" or not, well that's up to interpretation.

[@richardb4665]

"If you want to get extra geeky about that..." I'm not here for the 101 course Robert! Deep geeky! Please!

[@MCAPrince]

It could also be a dagger forged for Eärendil, who dropped it while fleeing Gondolin. That would add a lot of symbolism to the use of the Phial of Galadriel, which of course has the light of Eärendil.

[@joelspaulding5964]

Being that all three were found together, it is most likely, though not definite, that they were all acquired together. Though the same folk who pilfered the more exotic weapons could have wandered upon Sting shortly after.

[@astrotter]

This has long been my pet theory

[@TachyonKing]

Robert would love to see a ‘LOTR from Pippin’s POV’ especially on the bigger role his character plays than initially lets on

[@HalfDayHero]

Everything would be visions of where to cook breakfast and how to sabotage the mission at every turn 😂

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

I would accept nothing less than mentions of a meal of some kind every other sentence.

[@cyrilmeynier5688]

Her : He looks absent. i'm sur he is thinking about another woman Me : How powerful is Sting ?

[@KorithStoneheart]

😂

[@ZebraActual]

lol!

[@SlideRulePirate]

" ... undoubtedly the least competent fighter in the whole fellowship." On the other hand: No one can call Sam reckless yet he takes the fight to Shelob. Lowliest of station yet none shows a nobler spirit. Bearing a burden or in a fight, he will not stop. Appears he's being underestimated still. The man that wagers against Sam perils his money.

[@davidseligman6445]

We'd all be watching this video in orcish if not for Sam so that was a little uncalled for. I still pick Sam even after Merry and Pippin grow to giant Hobbits. And Sam would whoop on Frodo if he truly wanted to. Imo.

[@windhelmguard5295]

@@davidseligman6445 yea the whole point behind frodo needing to bear the ring (and why sam could not or at least wasn't supposed to) was that frodo had no power to corrupt. also frodo was a wealthy individual, whereas sam was a labourer so he'd naturally be stronger.

[@marieroberts5664]

@@windhelmguard5295 um about being stronger, yes as a laborer, Sam does have greater strength, but don't forget he is also younger than Frodo, by about fifteen or twenty years. Even though the Ring arrested Frodo's aging process, he would have only just come of age, and mortals of all stripes get stronger after maturity. Frodo would have just missed out on that boost to his prime years. Sam did not.

[@jjs5191]

I love to think that sting is the dirk that Glorifindel fought with during the fall of gondolin but he never mentioned it because the memory of being pulled over a precipice by a balrog was too painful for him.

[@anthonywatkins462]

From what we know, a Balrog encounter either ends your life or completely changes it lol

[@HG-tz5ed]

No it just ends your life. You might end it's life as well though. Him and gandalf were just remade by Eru.

[@thefracturedbutwhole5475]

@@anthonywatkins462 Nobody has ever killed a Balrog without dying in the process.

[@DMBlade4]

I always liked this explanation as well. It's the only reference to a small sword from Gondolin in all of the texts so it is reasonable. It is odd that Glorfindel didn't appear to recognize it in Rivendell but Elrond also didn't bother to mention that Glamdring was his grandfather's sword. Glorfindel is a rather enigmatic character to begin with so I don't think we should disqualify this explanation.

[@jjs5191]

@ I agree. Also, wonderful observation regarding Elrond not mentioning his lineage as it relates to glamdring

[@Starsoul_TV]

"Stings doesn't it?" Slashes goblin king "Look at goblin junior... Gonna Cry?"

[@Seven_Leaf]

Bully Baggins

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

🤣🤣🤣

[@edopronk1303]

Great video. Almost a "lord of the rings from Stings perspective" and indeed how important it was! Great insight I hadn't thought about.

[@lmr4403]

I like the idea of providence, that Balin stopped Bilbo from showing Glorfindel's mighty dagger to Elrond and Glorfindel. Surely a dagger of that level would be better served by a mighty warrior like Glorfindel, or Bilbo showing it to Elrond (and Glorfindel) could be interpreted as providence that Bilbo brought the dagger back for Glorfindel to use. But it was best served by the elves and Bilbo not knowing, just like the mithril shirt and passing it on to Frodo. (just like Gandalf never told Bilbo how much his shirt was worth)

[@edopronk1303]

I really like this. This seems very fitting. Good thought!

[@Cashdummy]

yes that was Eru Illuvatar directly intervening. or at least making sure. as sting played a major part in his plans and sting was not meant for glorfindel anymore.

[@Seven_Leaf]

@@Cashdummy That seems to be what Illuvatar likes, doing more with what would be considered less. A well made weapon for sure, but not the mightiest.

[@Cashdummy]

@@Seven_Leaf exactly. if bilbo was meant to find the ring, he was also meant to find sting. Illuvatar planned this right to the point were he gave gollum the little toss in mount doom. interference by god in a very subtle, underhand way. barely noticeable.

[@dandiehm8414]

I'm missing something - what did Balin have to do with it?

[@jaredwalley5692]

I do remember that he slays not a few spiders in Mirkwoood. Shelob's children. Not nearly as powerful as their grandmother, but still formidable.

[@justthinkingoutloud2538]

Well, as far as I'm concerned, it is now official canon that sting, weapon of the hobbit that brought about the destruction of the last dark lord, was originally the weapon of possibly the most powerful elf to ever live and was used to kill one of the most powerful Maiar in the service of Morgoth. Tolkien's lore never ceases to get more and more awesome with every new detail I learn about it!

[@michaelallen1432]

It would seem plausible that it was the blade that slew a Balrog. That's just too convenient that a dirk slays a Balrog. Then a dagger shows up thousands of years later that's used by the hero, a hobbit, like a sword, and is shown to possess similar features as the blades of that long gone era, and is shown to possess great power, cutting things that ordinary swords cannot and slaying foes impervious swords and axes welded might warriors.

[@jamesford2192]

I mean he’s a good singer and I love the police but I wouldn’t say he’s powerful

[@pjcassidy1]

Agreed.

[@encyclopediaofelizabeth]

I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read this, because I would have e spit it everywhere. Well done.

[@coyotedelamancha]

I dunno, man, all those years of yoga... not to mention glowing blue in the presense of orcs.

[@berennicholas5003]

some say "the edge" is incredibly sharp too but I think he's a bit overrated

[@xina968]

🤣 nice!

[@Redipstick]

Well 26 American Music Awards, 16 Grammies, 2 MTV awards - just to name a few plus he’s in the Rocking Roll Hall of Fame and he can act. And he does yoga everyday so I’m thinking he’s pretty powerful

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

Roxanne!

[@Redipstick]

@ everything little thing he does is magic

[@JamesStorey09]

@@Redipstick it’s all in the yoga.

[@DevonCL101]

And he tips we'll at the Waffle House.

[@funkyjbass7762]

Don't forget the almighty power of tantra.

[@npsit1]

"I'm not so sure it is a sword. It's more of a letter opener, really."

[@Phillisophical]

Gandalf… the comedian.

[@orionsteel5921]

​@@Phillisophical I think that is said by one of the dwarves in the movie (Balin I think) not Gandalf.

[@cody2teach277]

Reminds me of my favorite conceits of LotR, which is that the third age is so much "lesser" to the power levels of the first age. Anything from the first age that makes it through to the 3rd is OP

[@austinwilburn1772]

The oldest perfectly preserved sword we’ve ever found is the Octagonal Sword. It’s from 1000 bc from modern day southern Germany. The archeologists said the sword was so well preserved that it still could be safely removed from its sheath by hand and the handle still had a slight shimmer to it.

[@KenS1267]

If Ecthelion carried Orcrist it would likely be the blade that slew Gothmog Lord of the Balrogs as Ecthelion slew him, and was slain by him, during the fall of Gondolin. If Sting was Glorfindel's dagger that slew the balrog then those three blades each killed a balrog. The smiths of Gondolin would be very pleased.

[@crowbar_the_rogue]

What is it with Balrogs and everyone dying while killing them? Ha ano one ever just straight up killed a Balrog without dying in the attempt?

[@KenS1267]

@@crowbar_the_rogue Tuor kills three balrogs during the fall of Gondolin and survives. There's a few others in the Silmarillion IIRC. But balrogs are corrupted maiar so slaying one is like taking out Gandalf or Sauron.

[@gabrieljohns8161]

Balrogs are beings of awesome destructive power. Even seeing one is despair and horror, they are corrupted Maiar, effectively fallen lesser angels. Fighting one is the closest thing to battling a god hand to hand. That's why fighting them was almost universally fatal.

[@VictorLiso]

Sam uses Sting! against Shelob! IT`s super effective!

[@EmoBearRights]

It put her on a red light.

[@errantwinds-up8uu]

I think one thing we can all agree on is that the elves of Gondolin sure knew how to make things.

[@beaker_guy]

I've always liked that line: "There were webs of horror in the dark ravines of Beleriand where it [Sting] was forged...." so, yeah, Sting's power against spiders is pretty understandable. (though, to my mind, it still would make more sense if it had been forged in Doriath... 🤔🙂)

[@jonbeck6889]

What if it was a prototype? They made a Itty bitty precursor to test the spells and techniques and once it proved effective they went into full size models like glamdring and orchrist. Or maybe they made the later two and had some magic metal left over and were like "what do we do with this? Not enough here for a whole sword..."

[@MandalorV7]

I was thinking along those lines too.

[@RoboSteave]

This is long overdue as I have been enjoying your videos for a long time now. The combination of subject matter, art work, and your voice are a real delight! Thanks.

[@IdleDrifter]

A humble dagger can kill as effectively as a sword or lance. Even Conan the Cimmerian appreciated a good dagger or poniard in his hand. Sting as the hidden blade served its masters well. Like the Hobbits, it went unnoticed until it was drawn into combat.

[@garrettlowell7637]

One of my favorite passages was when Frodo advanced on Shelob, Galadriel’s phial in one hand, Sting in the other.

[@grandlotus1]

I have loved Tolkien since I first read The Hobbit in Middle School, some many decades ago. Your knowledge and the poetry and reverence of your work touches my heart. Thank You!

[@clive3490]

I was surprised that Elrond so casualy allowed Gandalf and Thorin to keep two such historicaly important and powerful swords. He never batted an eyelid or offered to trade them for something else

[@Acerelado]

Well, maybe allowing Thorin to keep it was as a sign of goodwill to the Dwarves. As for Gandalf, Elrond knew that it would aid him in his quest. So better they get use than just gather dust in some wall mount.

[@marieroberts5664]

I'd like to think that Elrond, being foresighted, knew that his great-grandfather's sword could not be in better hands than Gandalf...while in the book and the movie, Orcrist had come to rest in the hands of one of the greatest Dwarven warriors ever, Thorin Oakenshield. Moreso in the book than film, Thorin and Co. were made extremely welcome, and a rich gift by the host to the King of Erebor in Exile might almost be expected...maybe not that rich, but again, Elrond's foresight would have clued him in that such a blade would be better in the hands of fighter who would need it sorely and who could wield it with skill against the foes of all, instead of hanging over Elrond's mantelpiece, an Elvish mathom, if you will. Which brings me to Sting. These three swords could not have been just grabbed off the battlefield; they all came with their matching scabbards. At the very least, the King and the others that didn't make it out of the siege of the City, would have had to have been stripped of their weapons and other valuables and all the best loot would have been sent to Utumno for Morgoth himself.... but a bit of creative diversions in the baggage train, and sloth off a section of a King's ransom...of course, that seldom works, as the plunderers get plundered in their turn.

[@Twiska]

I think it was because they recovered them from the trolls, like them being recovered at all required a reward, which was getting to keep them as long as they respected and took care of them. If they didn't, I imagine he would want them back in elvish hands.

[@ScottHess]

Gondolin wasn’t very far from the Ered Gorgoroth, so having weaponry specifically attuned towards dealing with giant spiders seems reasonable.

[@christianablattner4482]

Please do one video on the mysterious stone giants!

[@StygianNightmare]

Went to the ren fair when I was a youngster and my little brother thought I was so lame for being more excited to see Sting than anduril. Even at 11 or 12 I knew I had a much better chance of welding Sting, Im still kinda proud of that

[@brauliob]

Jeez... I love all your videos, it's the combination of your images, your in depth research and knowledge, and your calm voice explaining everything. Thanks for making all these!

[@Poppyshop]

Biter, Beater, Sting. Funny the hobbit gives it a similar name goblins would have.

[@davidioanhedges]

Dagger of Glorfindel, that he used to help defeat, and made the killing blow against Gothmog Lord of Balrogs and High Captain of Angband ... ..... It is demeaned as "only" a dagger... and perhaps only a paper knife ... But it's still a Gondolin blade, forged with magic ...

[@-JazzHands-]

Gothmog died fighting Ecthellion.

[@Peter-wc7dg]

Interesting to think about this in the context of the themes surrounding humility. Features such as hobbits, the nature of Sam's character, Farmer Maggot and the ringwraiths and even sting being humble and ordinary (all perhaps with hidden characteristics), each playing their part to overcome impossible odds to destroy even the manifestation of the will to order and control the world in the form of the ring. Even in the Scouring of the Shire the humble hobbits, away from powerful allies, and grown from their adventures, manage to overcome the former head of the Istari, who had abandoned humility for pride. I liked this video, thank you for making it, teaching new things and prodding some new thoughts about the storyline. I hadn't really thought qbout the role of Sting very much, but it is a clear echo of the other themes. I like your idea about it being Glorfindel's dagger, and the explanation that no one thought it worth asking about despite its outsized impact (a bit like the dagger that hit the Witch King as well).

[@louisegogel7973]

What a lovely journey through Sting’s history and impact!

[@KorithStoneheart]

It's the most powerful knife/shortsword in the entire legendarium, save maybe Angrist which was the knife that cut the Silmaril from Morgoth's crown.

[@JamesStorey09]

Robert makes amazing videos, that are always informative and a lovely give description of the topic every time. But the comment section is always just as rewarding to read! You guys have taught me so much 😂❤️

[@eagle_and_the_dragon]

I like to think that Sting is meant to be another form of providence. A humble tool found by the humblest of the civilised races. Intended perhaps to be nothing more than a letter opener, yet it was forged to an equal standard of Glamdring and Orcist. Through war and neglect, it survived long just so that Bilbo could obtain it. More than mere chance me thinks.

[@shpankey]

Thanks, Robert! 🙂

[@gettingby365]

Disclosure: I'm old. In the late 70s-early 80s we were stationed in England. In '81 (I think?) BBC radio put on a incredible 26 week, half hour radio play (re-released later as 13 1-hr episodes). It came on Wednesdays with a repeat on Sundays if you missed it. It starred Ian Holm as Frodo and Michael Horden as Gandolf and Bill Nighy as Sam. Your voice reminds me of the narrator. His was a little deeper, but the cadence, tone, and particular accent are really transporting me in time. Love the content.

[@siobhanaustin4330]

I'm not sure if you take topic suggestions but I'd love to see a video on the stone giants mentioned in The Hobbit!

[@PiraticalBob]

Since the goblins of Goblin-Town all recognized the swords Orcrist and Glamdring by sight, it indicated that they had seen them before - - so it's likely that they were hung on a wall somewhere as war trophies and visible to the orcs on a regular basis. This would have continued until the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, during which the Dwarves systematically attacked and sacked all of the orc-fortresses of the Misty Mountains. The swords (and Sting) were probably still hanging on a wall somewhere after these battles concluded, and were looted by the three trolls along with other loot from the orc-fortress and taken to their troll-hole in the Ettenmoors.

[@Trex955]

Sting as, or more, pivotal than the blades the other hobbits had. The Smith who forged Sting would be content that so trivial a blade made such a huge difference.

[@ceejay0137]

I wonder what effect Sting would have had if Merry had been carrying it, and stabbed the Witch-King in the knee as he did with the Barrow-sword. Would it have been as effective, or more, or less? Idle speculation, I know, but that's partly what this channel is about!! Sting would probably have withered away afterwards, which would be a shame.

[@jonathanpeterson1984]

I preferred him pre NWO, but yeah, Sting was pretty cool. Loved his makeup. Great wrastler.

[@TheVampireAzriel]

Surfer Sting was GOATed before he ever became the Crow, but Crow Sting just extended the greatness. 😂

[@mikemiken1963]

Wolfpac Sting made 0 sense, but at the time it was dope.

[@chamuuemura5314]

The scorpion deathlock looks better in black and red than black and white but for everything else black and white had more impact. Surfer Sting was before my time but looking back is my favorite.

[@rock_and-or_roll]

Sting is so powerful I wouldn’t stand so close to it. It helped Bilbo win fields of gold. But when Frodo needed it, even though he loved it, he set it free.

[@gunslinger2566]

Well, Frodo did have the one ring wrapped around his finger, and Aragorn did call on spirits in the material world to take on the king of pain.

[@bmschlossberg]

Lovely video. I really enjoy your way of storytelling. Would love to listen to you read a whole book on your channel.

[@NisGaarde]

I always preferred Sting's work with The Police

[@JamesStorey09]

Didn’t we all

[@Xiroi87]

If he sends an SOS to the world, will Rohan answer?

[@jackbexhell]

I liked him in WCW

[@exyou-fd7eu]

thank you for the deep dive - the open history behind Sting is something that always grabbed my imagination. i also like to think that it had a rich history before it fell into bilbo's hands.

[@Cashdummy]

how can the goblins immediately recognise these blades on a glimpse after thousands of years?

[@derekofbaltimore]

that was my question

[@edstringer1138]

Art? Goblin magna ?

[@benjnorris57]

This seemingly simple video was very profound. Much like Sting itself. Thank you, Robert!!

[@mcspiffy5843]

I hope the significance of Bilbo’s spoons will be covered next, and they played a part in saving the shire!

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

Powerful enough to rhyme "cough" with "Nabukov"

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

Pure genius!!!😝

[@marktyler3381]

I despise that song

[@Abefroman-lq3md]

@@marktyler3381 Don’t stand so close then.

[@Matthew10950]

Ah! That's a Lowlita blow!!

[@marktyler3381]

@@Abefroman-lq3md I've been a teacher. You are not allowed. It's wrong.

[@ChrisShUK]

Robert I absolutely bloody love your narrative. Thank you for your videos

[@paulhiggins6024]

When In the Police, he was for sure a strong part of that group. His solo career has had some high points, but his album of medieval lute music wasn’t all that. 10 summoners tails probably my personal favourite.

[@helikos1]

Hi, I don't know if it's already been discussed but I would love to see videos detailing the Valar and Maiar. All their names and what their powers were and stories that involve them

[@Fire4616]

6 time WCW World Heavyweight champion, 3 time WCW World Tag-Team champion, master of the Stinger Splash and Scorpion Death Drop. The Icon Sting is powerful. 😊❤

[@RichTBiscuit101]

Love your videos Robert!

[@davepowder4020]

I absolutely LOVE the analysis in this video.

[@joanmilton9986]

The thought that Samwise Gamgee defended Frodo from Shelob, in the process doing what no one else had been able to do in 7,000 plus years, which is injure her, while very likely wielding the dagger that Glorfindel, one of the most bad ass warriors the elves ever produced, used to kill a balrog legitimately gives me chills.

[@calorion]

2:40 How old are these goblins to remember these swords?? Or do they have pictures of them that they show goblin children?

[@anaussie213]

They tell tales of beater and biter.

[@calorion]

@ Right, but how did they recognize them on sight?

[@ulflonegren4870]

@@calorionKZbin was especially popular across most of middle earth after all

[@AnarexicSumo]

​@@calorion They described them to each other by word of mouth.

[@calorion]

@ Yeah, maybe. Those would have to be good descriptions!

[@beaker_guy]

When I was young I had a theory that maybe Sting was made for a prince of Doriath... after all it was small, maybe a kind of "baby's first sword" for the heir of Beren and Luthien?... Certainly it was very effective against spiders. 🙂 (ok, no, but it was a fun idea 😁)

[@georgefranklin8513]

This was a great video. I never heard this or thought about it before. I enjoyed learning it. Thank you

[@ZOB4]

Ten Summoner's Tales is a great album, and of course Message in a Bottle and Roxanne are classics.

[@TomMJH]

fascinating video on this little sword!

[@charlescox290]

7:35 I'm sure it had runes on it like the swords, and this is probably already had a name. Just because you don't know how many fingers i still have doesn't mean i don't have fingers. There is a difference between not having a name and just not knowing the name.

[@tinymahuta]

Would love to see a few videos on the life and adventures of Drizzt Do'urden. There is a huge amount of lore there to delve into for a decade or more.

[@AdrianMendoza23]

Great video! Thank you

Sting and the Hobbits were oft overlooked and underestimated and look what they managed. Way, way back when I played D&D this blade gave me the idea for a sword that became more and more effective against a type of foe the more you used it against their kind. It was a slow progression and got slower as it leveled up (max +5) and could eventually grant the bearer some measure of protections or immunities if the enemy type had any special attacks. There was also a limit of three as to how enemy types it could grow more effective against, so maybe fell the Kobold hoards with another weapon.

[@orrointhewise87]

I love how it's the swords the goblins hate and fear not the wielder. Seems backwards to us but the weapons, including Sting, take in a life of their own it would seem Makes me wonder if the swords themselves have a soul or some small portion of the flame imperishable Fun to think about 🗡

[@Music-AsLife]

Another great video.

[@daverichards3921]

New to the channel Robert. Lately I’ve been getting back into the world of LotR via the movies and video games, and stumbled upon your channel while looking for info. It’s my go to now for anything LotR on KZbin - love the depth of knowledge and narration. Keep up the great work! 👍

[@anthonyintexas]

Just joined after watching for about 6 months..Good Work !!

[@ChrisAnderson-ez4yk]

That was an absolutely wonderful close.

[@WiIhelmScream]

To be honest I forgot the name of the Sword but after this Video it showed how amazing it was and more important than the Ring itself. Great Vid.

[@justin1730]

Sting is described as leaf-shaped. A dirk is not leaf-shaped. Sting is called a sword, dagger, and knife at different times. This suggests that it blurs the lines between the three, depending on who is carrying it. We also know that Bilbo smuggled Sting in his trousers, which would limit the blade length to the length of a Hobbit thigh. I think that Sting would have been something between a Roman pugio and a Spartan xiphos. I think that a 13-14 inch Spartan xiphos would fit the bill best, but a 9-12 inch pugio would also meet the criteria. Legolas's blade is refered to as a 'long knife'. This could mean a dirk, a lange messer(full-tang falchion), or a shortsword/dagger like Sting.

[@Cosper79]

Best Tolkien KZbinr!

[@EvilSSP]

My only issue with the "humble" idea is why would it be made the way it's made if it was just a humble dagger? Was it just a warning light trinket for someone? Seems more likely that someone at the time wielded a dagger in such an expert way that it may have been their primary weapon. I don't see why else they'd need to make it glow if not.

[@richardfarrer5616]

Sting is Glorfindel's dagger! I've not come across the idea but it makes so much sense. It was made to fight the enemies of the Elves, which certainly included Ungoliant and her brood. It's interesting to wonder if it would be effective against the Witch King, since he was not an Elven enemy. I think Merry;s barrow dagger and "no other blade" would have been so effective. But I would be delighted to hear a more studied analysis (hint, hint).

[@ericswain70]

Well done.

[@tomnaumann2104]

Imagine the conversations we would have if Frodo’s dagger was named Stuart Copeland!

[@Critter145]

Once again, you take a topic that sounds minor, and make breathtaking Tolkien Content. Nicely done, if I may say so.

[@TraviRationalist]

nice, thank you for the video

[@bookmouse2719]

Tiny but mighty. Also Merry's blade had a tale to tell.

[@turtuhl]

I agree

[@marckrieger3277]

Great video. Keep them well, said elrond upon discovering an elven blade of the best quality in the hands of a dwarf. While Thranduil took orcrist away of thorin that shows how much wiser elrond is. Probaly this explains why elrond was in the withe council and thranduil was not. I love your theory about sting beeing a weapon which once belonged to glorfindel. I like to imagine that glorfindel saw bilbo having it but chosed not to say something. Sting belonged to him in an other live (he died and came back) a long time ago and he feelt like bilbo needed it more. I have to hard disagree about sam having an ordinary sword, that was a Blade of Westerness one of the very few weapons that could kill a nazgûl, thats everything but ordinary! Maybe you could make a video about these weapons in the future?

[@ChrisM541]

Very, very powerful. He commands massive crowds through the power of musical notes.

[@bennett420316]

His scorpion death drop is legendary and the stinger splash is great too! 😅

[@mateuszslawinski1990]

On the one hand, simple, unadorned craft would suggest something as trivial as kitchen knife of sorts. On the other, it's anti-spider utility might be parallel to later Numenorean weapons devised to combat wraiths.

[@michaelmurdock4607]

It dices, it slices, it chops up giant spiders with no problem and STILL SLICES A TOMATO THIS THIN! But if you order now....

[@Joe-h4i1939]

What ever happened to sting at the end of Lord of the rings? About the sound of it sting was a lot more powerful than a lot of other swords 🗡

[@danoconnell1833]

Damn you're a good storyteller, Robert. And, yes, geeky detail is most welcome!

[@DistendedPerinium]

Sting belonging to Glorfindel makes sense when you keep in mind how Tolkien wrote. He wrote about legacies, not just for family lines, but objects and heirlooms too. Sting in Glorfindel's hands, killing a balrog, makes perfect sense when taking later feats the blade was involved with in Lord of the Rings. Now I doubt Tolkien thought very much on who owned Sting prior to the trolls, but given how he writes certain entities (objects and people) having certain places or roles in history, Sting being Glorfindel's dagger seems really plausible.

[@AlanW]

I like the idea that perhaps it didn't start out as powerful as the others, but with each era defining event it was pivotal in, it grew in power, enabling the next epic feat of history.

[@omarbinno4390]

One thing that Bilbo mentioned to Frodo when he gave him Sting was that "it was broken." As silly as it may sound, I've always wondered how Bilbo could have broken the blade? For one thing you'd think it would have some sort of durability because of the magic in it. For another thing, as far as we know, Bilbo never stabbed any sort of impenetrable armor with it. So it was a really baffling comment for Tolkien to include when Bilbo was giving it to Frodo. LOL Just an observation I've always had about Sting.

[@vernmorris8898]

Frodos barrow blade was broken not sting.

[@jaykaramales3087]

Damn, Robert, that is your best sleuthing and analysis yet!

[@philliplamoureux9489]

Well Done

[@nostromoglasseye8340]

Sting played the young Harkonnen and sang many classic numbers, including Windmills of your mind. Extremely powerful.