Is the Bat'Leth from Star Trek a Good Weapon?

[@MammothMorals]

this is the type of content I'd like to see more of, even with normal weapons. sparring with explanations of what's happening. rather than just sparring with music.

[@SellswordArts]

We have multiple playlists of this kind of video 😁

[@bangmasse3644]

​@@SellswordArts samurai got wrecked by high school hema kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYjTqJmlp7aHo7ssi=p8bYs_A7o7zfTiSP

[@XathexX]

The idea that you may take a wound to get the hit makes sense for a Klingon. Cannon they have redundant organs. high pain tolerance & endurance. It makes sense that the weapon they make would leverage those advantages. If you have NO fear of injury then you can get in with a decisive blow. I could see specifically taking a stab just to get in close. MORE danger = MORE glory Another thing that occurs to me from a martial arts background is that this is a weapon specifically to augment unarmed & other fighting techniques. I think one without the separate hand holds (one continuous grip) would be more useful. That would allow sliding hands to different positions. This is used in Jo staff (short staff).

[@kestradavis5372]

Fun fact: The Sword of Kahless is actually designed with one continuous grip instead of the separate holes, possibly for that exact reason.

[@kevinmorrice]

yeah, they live for battle, so a quick victory is boring to them, makes sense that the bat'leth would be a clunky weapon, they want to draw out the fight as long as possible

[@Maxiius]

Seems like a classic case of range being king. The interesting point is that the Bat'leth was designed for the small confines of a ship boarding action. In that context, range is less of an advantage compared to manuverability where the playing field would be more even.

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Yeah, but probably not as king as HEMA protrays, a important of self defense that isn't protrayed well, drawing your weapon. scabbarded the reach of weapon becomes a downside cus it takes longer to draw. Grappling could also op cus anyone that afford a sword could afford and small blade are great anti grappling devices.

[@Maxiius]

@PJDAltamirus0425 Good point but the idea and portrayal of Bat'leths have overwhelming been as hand carried items and no sheath.

[@dylanbontempo2708]

For an example of a weapon designed for a similar purpose, we can see the boarding dagger. Many privateers, and, later, pirates, found that there cutlasses were unwieldy in the confines of a ship’s lower decks. So, they basically commissioned a shorter sword that was closer to a dagger that could be used with greater effectiveness.

[@dylanbontempo2708]

For an example of a weapon designed for a similar purpose, we can see the boarding dagger. Many privateers, and, later, pirates, found that there cutlasses were unwieldy in the confines of a ship’s lower decks. So, they basically commissioned a shorter sword that was closer to a dagger that could be used with greater effectiveness.

[@Maxiius]

@dylanbontempo2708 That sounds like a perfect explanation for the invention of the Mek'leth

[@joaofonseca2012]

It reminds me of bucks fighting.

[@ceedubelu]

That's a solid observation. I think that should be a key figure when any weapons operability is brought up: Is there an analogous connection to this weapon that could inform its use

[@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight]

Oh deer!

[@dylanbontempo2708]

@@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlightget out. Take my like and leave.

[@JefCollier]

​@@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight well played! But I sincerely can't unsee the buck-fighting aspect of it now.

[@kooolainebulger8117]

the noise implanted that idea

[@TimeKitt]

What I've seen of other people trying the bat'leth was they didn't try to close, just kept out of measure til they were poked. Good to see a braver tryout!

[@Mischievous_Moth]

This is definitely closer to how I would imagine the highly aggressive Klingons fighting.

[@FuzzyTrekkie]

As a life-long fan of the bat'leth, this makes me so happy to see. Though it also frustrates me to see all the wasted potential for this weapon in the show. So many combat scenes with the bat'leth look down-right corny. I would personally love to see combat done with different Klingon weapons. Maybe bat'leth vs mek'leth. Basically sword vs dagger

[@thekaxmax]

of course they're corny. It's actors with minimal training and practice, not actual trains fighters, so they do what moves and sequences can be taught in a few days.

[@robert-joshuamcfaddin7041]

Give me a few hours and I'll get a video for you based on what I've seen for it. I apologize in advance for being grotesquely overweight.

[@thekaxmax]

that's been covered by these guys

[@FuzzyTrekkie]

@@thekaxmax I mean yeah I'm aware of the typical Hollywood tendencies when it comes to combat. But it's more than that. There's little things in here that I don't recall them ever showing in the series. Like that little reverse-grip stab. Most of Hollywood combat is meant to also tell a story. I can think of plenty they could have used for narrative shorthand while also requiring very little training on the actor's part. It just shows a disappointing lack of creativity

[@TheRedshirt93]

I loved this video, and not just because I'm a Star Trek fan! One thing I would like to point out, in addition to being used as ceremonial or dueling weapons, they were most often used by armored Warriors. The typical Klingon outfit (during The Next Generation and onward) appeared to be some type of Chainmail-like Armor. So its possible that the double-hits were something Klingon Warriors understood and prepared for by armoring themselves. I do find it rather amusing that the Bat'Leth is good when you're on the offense, as we almost never see a Klingon parry with one, usually they just charge at the enemy screaming. Either this was designed deliberately to reflect the Klingon's natural aggression, or its a happy coincidence! Either way, I would love to see you guys take another shot at this, perhaps with different sparring partners or even a slight redesign based on your observations here.

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

Exactly what I was thinking: that a weapon that seems to favor both aggressive fighting; cheeky, guile-filled trick shots; and sneaky angles of attack, is SO on-brand for Klingon culture! 🤭😛

[@Mischievous_Moth]

I would love to see a series (Not necessarily by them) around taking weapons from fantasy and sci-fi and trying to refine them into something more practical, like your idea of redesigning the Bat'Leth based on their experiences sparring with it.

[@Adurnis]

They only parry if they’re an important character who needs to live longer.

[@adcyuumi]

Of note -- even within the canon of Star Trek, the Bat'Leth is observed even by Klingons as a clumsy and awkward weapon. That is on purpose; it is designed by Klingons to be hard to use, requiring a lot of skill. It is not meant to be an efficient practical weapon. But Klingons do HAVE a more efficient practical weapon -- the Daqtagh, which is basically their version of the shortsword or long dagger. It is known by Klingons that the Daqtagh, although much smaller than the Bat'Leth, is actually the superior weapon between the two. Carrying a Bat'Leth instead is a matter of honor and pride -- they are choosing the harder to use weapon, as a boast of their hand to hand combat skill.

[@stove5035]

@@adcyuumi the Daqtagh is more for bar brawls. The weapon Worf favored for real battles was the Mek'leth, which is kinda like one third of a Bat'leth. Also way easier to have in a holster

[@lcb1250]

@@stove5035 Yup! Mek'leth is way more efficient and I'm more familiar with the kind of strategies and tactics of what amounts to a machete, ax and hook sword combo.

[@nick_QA0]

11:30 this whole section of the conversation makes me think the Skallagrim alteration where the whole hand area is open so you can slide your grip would resolve some of this. Instead of having to let go and re-grip, you slide that hand from one end to the other.

[@SymbioteMullet]

It's interesting to note, David doesn't have anywhere near as much space to retreat due to the limits of the area they're training in, so that's affecting how they're both fighting. I'd be intersted to see how the trials went if they changed ends, and in a full size area. Also, this is delightfully cool! Dan Curry, the designer of the Bat'Leth, apparently had some significant knowledge of tai chi chuan, and the Klingon fighting style Mok'Bara is based on that. It might be worth a look in that direction if a follow up video is ever in the works. Maybe he'd be up for a discussion on his design process? It's worth a thought.

[@ceedubelu]

Oooo, I like this connection

[@macavitythemysterycat]

I mean, they're fighting in David's living room essentially! Truly the close-quarters shipboard fighting the batleth would be used in.

[@SymbioteMullet]

​@@macavitythemysterycati know, i saw the house tour video he did! Cool digs!

[@robert-joshuamcfaddin7041]

The Bat'Leth was designed based on the Cicada Wing Sword, it's the most recent weapon to be recognized by some Korean Karate organizations as a practical weapon.

[@35milesoflead]

I would be up for seeing that. It does feel like David is approaching the weapon like a European medieval weapon.

[@jacobgillispie1175]

I love the theory that the batleth is a defensive weapon because it is said that Klingons do not use shields because they are cowardly so having a sword that could also defend and trap other weapons makes it useful

[@heresjonny666]

Doubling machine? Well, Klingons DO have redundant organs! :D I'd love to see this with a slightly larger bat'leth that the gloves can fit in better, and also with more practice. The shape of it is clearly something you're not used to as well, I'd love to see this once someone trained with it for a significant amount of time!

[@1981bdt]

Sorry I slept on this video. It rocks. . There's interviews with TNG creators were they say historians praised them for making the first new and functional sword design in 200 years.

[@BMikeAD]

The commentary from the sparring session but it's the first two klingons to goto battle with the batleth. "Ha that's so cool"

[@MC-yt1uv]

Great video! I think it is interesting that it fits so well with Klingon mindsets. It seems like the Bat'Leth resulted in a lot of cases where both fighters would take a hit, which makes sense for Klingons who pride themselves on enduring pain and are more durable than humans. Getting cut yourself is probably seen as an acceptable trade if you can defeat your opponent. I would be curious to see it go up against a rapier, I feel like that would be fairly one-sided.

[@Mischievous_Moth]

Not sure why exactly, but your comment made me really want to watch a Klingon fight against a Krogan from Mass Effect. That would be one hell of a fight.

[@mikeumm]

This pleases Gowron, greatly. Glory to your channel. Qapla!

[@corbinwilliams7429]

I watched an interview of the person who designed the Bat'Leth where he claimed he had loosely based it off of his experience using fencing sabers.

[@thekaxmax]

and the weapon itself is based on the Heaven and Earth, Sun and Moon Sword (Qian Kun Ri Yue Dao)

[@macavitythemysterycat]

Dan Curry!

[@vivalafiaga]

they need to make the kahless bat'leth, it has a single continuous hole in the back instead of the 2 holes. seems a lot more...savage, as well

[@joanignasi91]

And it would be easier to adjust and change grip

[@vivalafiaga]

@@joanignasi91 oh for sure, it feels like the difference between a weapon of war and a ritual weapon eh

[@Master1Xander]

Almost feels like a German judicial dueling weapon.

[@thekaxmax]

true. But the origin is Chinese: Heaven and Earth, Sun and Moon Sword (Qian Kun Ri Yue Dao)

[@macavitythemysterycat]

@@thekaxmax or a pair of Deer Horn knives (Lùjiǎodāo)

[@AmazingMrMe123]

I was going to say it reminds me of judicial weapons. Very interesting but not necessarily optimal. It definitely feels like something that could remain a culturally iconic weapon. When so much of the use is battling other batleths in duels or fighting people not prepared to enter melee with a Klingon at all the unoptimal aspects of it don't really matter that much.

[@thekaxmax]

@@macavitythemysterycat them joined with a stick gives the one I noted. Which is the actual weapon used to base the bat'leth on. The one with points the other way in the recent series is closer to the original Qian Kun Ri Yui Dao.

[@henrykkeszenowicz4664]

You know, they have energy projectile weapons and FtL technology. Almost as if melee weapons are reserved for traditional duels. And yes, Klingons in Star Trek also have pretty normal swords and polearms with Chinese vibes. They just don't use them in the age of space exploration, with Bat'leth being this dueling traditional weapon.

[@ScienceRules118]

It's worth noting that, in universe, many experienced warriors prefer the smaller, one-handed mek'leth (or the compact-compared-to-a-bat'leth kur'leth that debuted in ST: Picard Season 3) for reasons similar to why the saber seems to do as well - with the mek'leth also being useful for blade trapping and outright snapping the blades of opponents.

[@ScienceRules118]

Also, as noted in terms of off-hand use, another option that would make sense in the Star Trek universe is pairing a bat'leth with a disruptor pistol - some Klingon disruptors even have blades on the end, which could imply a use case similar to what's described. Disruptors as off-hand pairings also help a bit with the range problem. Sure, a longsword or saber might beat you on range - but defensively a bat'leth is still fairly good, and if they're far enough away for range to be an issue, they might be far enough away for you to just shoot them.

[@boxtank5288]

It makes sense. The reason I feel a Bat'leth works in it's length (outside the Watsonian view of 'propmakers aren't the authority of blades') is that Klingons are STRONG. They work best as you mentioned but also a death or glory weapon; I could see in a few duels that the theoretical Klingon would have ensured their killer joined them in death.

[@Preach202]

Fun fact the Bat'leth was designed with corridor combat in mind. A two handed melee weapon that could feasibly be used in the tight halls of a klingon ship.

[@rubaiyat300]

IRL or in universe? Cause in universe they are ancient weapons that precede the existence of the Klingon Empire and thus any space travel.

[@Preach202]

@@rubaiyat300 IRL

[@philjones3824]

Nice to see you guys enjoying yourselves testing the mighty batleth. Shad spent an entire video extolling its shortcomings. Matt Easton was more forgiving.

[@SellswordArts]

Did he actually test it? With sparring?

[@celas1959]

Against armor, getting those hooks into gaps could be pretty effective as well.

[@nsr-ints]

The fact that you made it shorter and lighter actually makes sense, as Klingons, in lore, have a slightly larger stature than humans, so scaling it down isn't entirely wrong.

[@andomrtoob7338]

this was really interesting to watch. I feel like a weapon like this would need some modifications to work well, but I would need changed significantly to be practical. The real problem is that swords have been being refined for hundreds of years, but the Bat'Leth hasnt got that kind of time.

[@farkasmactavish]

Another problem with the bat'leth is that the bars are in the way of easily shifting your grip. You have to ket go to move to another hole, rather than freely sliding your hands up and down.

[@Snarlacc]

The problem with many replicas is that they are basically just sharpened flat bars of steel with spikes, making them unwieldy. Also the orginal Klingon grip designs aren't that well suited for fragile human hands. Either way would be a fierce weapon wiitth some redesign. I heard people bemoaning that the spikes would be too easy to get stuck on armour and between bones, personally I don't see that being that big of a problem.

[@RadicalTrivia]

10:08 - This is the essence of jiujitsu. As a grappler, the bat'leth makes total sense. Use it to close distance, tie up, grapple, etc. Qapla'! 💪🏽😠

[@macavitythemysterycat]

They found that the batleths made grappling more difficult.

[@EvilWeiRamirez]

I always thought people from a shillelagh background should be consulted. They do a lot of things using the handle to parry. They hold the weapon higher up, similar to where the handle is on the batleth. In shillelagh technique, they use it like you were using it as a shield. The bottom of the cane is used to parry. I would grip it on the top side of the lower grip with my primary hand. I think the lower hooks should be used like a fencing parry 4, but instead of catching with the top of the guard, you catch with the bottom. That is difficult because it isn't as reliable as having the weapon slide down your blade. So i think the training has to be different from the start. You have to be trained to do handle parries. The constant thrusts from a longer weapon would be terrible to deal with. In this sense, it is like spear vs sword, but you can't grab the sword like you can the spear. I would love to know what a backhand top to bottom strike is like to transfer hands mid combat. Stick fighters are very accustomed to this kind of thing. I think the problem is that it is looked at from a sword user's perspective.

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

This really is amazing. I'm rabidly curious now: if a swordmaker skilled at HEMA took on the challenge of recreating the Bat'leth to be more functional and less about the false narrative vibes (no sword really needs to be 12 pounds), then how low could they get the weight of a longer, five foot version? Anywhere from 3 - 5 pounds maybe? And would that help to neutralize the range issues: perhaps giving even the longsword's thrusting abilities a run for the money? (Or, would the new spacing for the grips become comically unuseable at the full length? xP )

[@Mischievous_Moth]

Ah, but what if they also removed the separation between the grips and turned it into one long grip? I feel like at that point it's almost like a combination greatsword/polearm.

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

@@Mischievous_Moth I agree that that could be extremely useful! I'm only wondering if it would simultaneously remove an amount of the weapon's maneuverability as provided by leverage against the sides of the hands? There are likely pros and cons to each option

[@vidyajamesu]

@@Mischievous_Moth At that point, it becomes a Kahless-pattern Bat'leth. Would love to see that, also a bat'leth designed for a human wielder rather than a Klingon one (12 pounds is nothing to them, a problem to us) and see just how well it works then. Thrusting weapons are hard to deal with for a weapon like this, so I'd be curious to see how well it holds up.

[@Jailbreak49]

Check out the sword of Kahless design. It removes the dividers between the hand holds, making transitions much easier.

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

Seconded!

[@wenofu477]

im only at 4:44, but at full size (just yaknow not TWELVE POUNDS, just more so at the 5-6 feet) this weapon could be amazing, cause it would kinda get over the range problem this one has against a regular sword

[@wenofu477]

i also feel like it would be great is if one of the outer blades was only sharp near the end, to act as a mini handle for more range while still keeping some stabbing pottential

[@rossorat2306]

The problem with the Bat'leth is how it's used on screen. To quote a comment on another video "Klingons wield it like a Gorilla with a Sledgehammer."

[@NotYurAverageJoe]

One of your coolest videos. Ppl sleeping on this one

[@sirxarounthefrenchy7773]

What you did sparring wise was not so different from staff fighting, I wonder if you had more experience with staff weapons you wouldn't be able to find some more thing to do.

[@EvilWeiRamirez]

I always wonder what shillelagh fighters would do with it. The cane is similar in length with a curved end. They also grip it higher and leave a bottom end to parry with. When the one guy was using it as a shield, that is similar to the idea of how the shillelagh is used.

[@seadawg93]

Yes yes yes! Love me some bat’leth! Haven’t watched the whole thing yet, but it did better against the longsword in slow play than I would have thought. Because of the bird of prey situation I think of them as being sort of like a space cutlass (ie shorter range).

[@lcb1250]

Excellent! Exactly what I discovered as well while playing around with and sparring with the Bat'leth! At first I too was skeptical about it and relegated it to a purely fictional prop. Then I made my own and experimented and was pleasantly surprised by what I was able to discover in terms of strategy and tactics.

[@pyritefoolsgold3521]

Its a swashbuckling weapon, best used in close quarters, like the corridors of a starship...

[@arnesieper8332]

if i were to offer a "critiscm" about this kind of weapon: while the max reach is similar to a longsword, its specific shape and grip options give it more flexibility. it excells at very close quarters, but is vulnerable on the approach. requiring two handed wield is a problem because you cant easily pair it with a shield. unlike a poleweapon you cant slide your hand for a grip transition, which basically forces you to suffer small moments of vulnerability whenever you want to make use of its flexibility. its probably gonna hold up well in the confines of space ship boarding actions, and the high skill ceiling is amazing for stuff like honor duels. however, almost all the options for close quarters could be achieved by using something like a shorter hellbard, maces, daggers or axes. they can be paired with shields, which i think to be a good idea in a setting with readily available GUNS. they also would presumably cost less to produce and are easier to learn. as a result, i probably wouldnt issue this the Bat'Leth to any troops, but i also wouldnt forbid veteran troops to use it if they feel comfortable with it.

[@WhenYouveGoneGuru]

It's too bad you can't make them full size since range is such a factor. Another reason it's impressive that the bat'leth was so effective is that you were both using it with no prior training against weapons that, I assume, you've been practicing with for years.

[@hamstermk4]

I tried foam Bat'leth and my first though was "there is no way I have this little range for for this much weight." Since the Bat'leth isn't a side arm, it's competition is not a single sword, but the sword & shield, or two handed pole arms.

[@michaels9595]

Awesome idea for a video! Enjoyed your approach and teamwork communication.

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

I still think it would be better with one long hole for the grip rather that three separate ones.

[@bbaintemaa]

3:36 - Proof that Reverse Grip works!!!! 😁

[@s.owl9]

I think the batleth handle would be best separated in two parts not 3. Have more area at the back for two hands, and the same amount at the front, with the metal bracing in the middle

[@35milesoflead]

Thank you, David! I have been waiting ages for this video. I would be interested to see a practitioner of Tai Chi sword form using the Bat'Leth. I appreciate the testing and delve into the weapon. Nice one guys!

[@nosir9960]

A note on the trading blows thing, even without all the crazy durability and pain tolerance of the Klingon, humans do that too. While I can't recall where, there's a historical fencing manual somewhere that says if your opponent is cutting towards your legs, throw the point out and stab them (I think specifically in the face). Without proper structure and force behind a cut, it won't get far, even just a form of cloth or padding can be enough to make the damage from an improper cut superficial. It's very hard to maintain proper structure and follow through when you're getting skewered. Therefore, your opponent will either abandon the attack to defend themselves (either your stab lands and you win or they block in time and the fight continues) or commit to their attack (they get stabbed and you win with either negligible damage or, if you're too slow or unlucky, a limp). When you're in a fight to the death, sometimes a strong offense is a strong defense. The faster your opponent is dead, the less time they have to hurt you. So if you find yourself in a scenario where your opponent is offering to trade their life for a leg, you may want to take that deal.

[@andreweaston1779]

Klingons generally fight in armor. Against an armored opponent, you have said swords are basically useless unless half sworded. What about this weapon? Perhaps it shines as an armored generalist weapon?

[@Seriously_Unserious]

After seeing the sparing, the thing that I noticed is how little lateral space the bat'leth user needed to create effective strikes and parries, while the traditional swords needed more lateral space around the user to make effective strikes, unless they were doing more thrusting centric moves.

[@Xzelian]

This solves as a counter to the confirmation bias I've seen run crazy. You've accounted for the fact that the original weapon was not designed for humans. By lowering the weight 8t suddenly becomes far more versatile. If the original aspect ration could have been maintained I think you'd find even better results. Final adaptation would be to round the handles to allow for better human indexing. Would it tear through a long sword? Not sure but would it stand better than a foil? I think it would. Application is everything.

[@CalebS1330]

I wonder if klingon physiology comes into play here, can't remember which episode it was said in, but I seem to remember that klingons are very durable and have redundant organs so maybe quick thrust type piercing blows are less dangerous to them than slashing when compared to humans so they developed a weapon with a lot of structure behind the cut and which concentrated a lot of firce behind the point of that hook for increased lethality against other klingons. Just a hypothesis anyways.

[@mnk9073]

Pretty sure the Bat'Leth dates from ye olden days where space suits were bulky and armour like, space ship hallways narrow and crowded and hulls so thin that nobody would have dared to fire a projectile or energy weapon inside a ship. With that it makes perfect sense. That it got ritualised over the centuries since is a given, the sports-fencingfication if you want.

[@theendersmirk5851]

Thought they also had a tendency during some earlier parts of their civilization to do combat in caverns, and in the narrow parts the Bat'Leth was one of their better tools back then as well, or at least some variation, and then they took that concept to ships when they achieved space travel.

[@Xariann]

You did shorten the blade. I understand why you did, but given that range seems to be the main problem maybe a slightly longer one might help a little bit?

[@MikeHawke_187]

Would love to see you guys test the mek'leth next lol

[@Seriously_Unserious]

I'd love to see this tested while simulating the kind of environment we mostly see the Star Trek TNG and beyond era Bat'leths used under, cramped Starship corridors and see how the half swordiing grip affects being able to fight in those confines vs a normal long sword.

[@nightshade7240]

I have to say that any sabre with the pioro (false edge) is going to have far more flexibility because of the edge on both sides of the curve. You guys should check out the weapon that inspired the creation of the bat'leth, the deerhorn knives. They are super interesting because they have options that most other weapons don't, especially at close and mid range and as they are paired, rather than joined into one weapon, it gives far more versatility than the bat'leth.

[@iansabrewolfe]

It would be an exceptional zombie apocalypse weapon with a little bit of tweaking, I think. And it would definitely be nastier if it was the full 5 feet in length.

[@TreeHairedGingerAle]

😮 Oooh, good point! As long as your back is up against something, no zombie is gonna be able to bite you with a bat'leth between you!

[@iansabrewolfe]

@TreeHairedGingerAle not just that. The base design is going to be extremely sturdy and hard to break, which is ideal for a post-apo world. Also, the points will have little difficulty penetrating skulls even without good sharpening, while the grip configuration ensures you have the leverage to get it back out if it gets stuck.

[@michaelconnor1542]

Also, in Deep Space 9 where there is more lore building of Klingons and more combat. The entire weapon is used. Often the backside(hand holds) is used to block. Leaving the bladeside free to cut, or the backside is used to strike. Think of it as a big heavy wedge with hand holds cut out.

[@vtmarik]

I wonder if you could find usable technique and grip if you use the same strikes and technique that you would use with a Chinese hooksword. Edit: All the double hits make sense when you think of Klingon combat doctrine which is very fierce in close quarters

[@deanwilliamson20]

You should look into the martial art the klingons had around this weapon

[@jasonhughes1035]

this longer video format is fun, keep it up.

[@kujoujima7303]

19:29 dang broke a piece of your weapon on that hit , brutal.

[@meanwileinthedesert..2320]

There is a similar parallel in a Chinese combat system. The butterfly swords used through the wing chun system. And the deer horn knives. Very short weapons used against long weapons to very high successful concepts of closing the range. If you repeat this experience with someone trained in one of those weapons this would could be quite enlightening.

[@justinsanchez6626]

What if the batleth was modified to have a straight blade or spike coming out from the top and bottom for better piercing?

[@Crash_Of_Waves]

@@justinsanchez6626 I was thinking you could have one side the usual for catching and the other side just a straight spike for thrusting.

[@foolwise4703]

Maybe these things need a hand basket. Also, looking forward to the off-hand BatLeth video ;-)

[@alexrobinet7576]

If someone had the str for a bigger version and didn't care about being minorly injured it might do even better turning trades into kill wound trades.

[@JamesJackson-y5r]

This is a fun video, I've definitely underrated the Bat'Leth. Another thing is a lot of the hits you took it Bat'Leth sparring didn't look very substantial. A big, tough Klingon would possibly take the hit and keep going, especially since they usually wore armour.

[@DimiLeventis]

TBH, if you think about the position/role of someone like a "Policeman" of sorts, who most times doesn't necessarily need/must/should use lethal force, and is always wearing some kind of armor, or protective gear, that could be the perfect weapon. Imagine hooking up your target suspect, and just being in the perfect position to handcuff them.

[@AquarianSoulTimeTraveler]

I would like to see a weapon of the same structure but instead of both of the hooks hooking in the same direction have one hook in the opposite direction... Kind of like an s-curve

[@Archomedes]

Its really interesting that so many lines of attack ended in a double cause it total fits with Klingon culture. A good death is a death in battle and any day is a good day to die. That the bat’leth versus another weapon would facilitate a glorious death in battle is poetry.

[@bissyballistic]

it seems like this would fill the niche of an axe better than a sword, but with the added benefit of some pokey bits for when you get close. I think it would do well as an armored combatants’ weapon, allowing them to chop up less equipped footsoldiers with relative ease, but with the ability to use as the pointed bits to get underneath an adversaries armor for when you can’t chop them past their armor. culturally, this would do very well in the context of feudal warfare, I feel.

[@illmade2]

Great video. It's nice to see someone not mocking it. As another youtube says, it is all about context. Klingons were chest to chest fighters, not long-range snipers. All the other weapons shown in the show are shorter cutting/chopping weapons so a longsword would have never been a issue. As far as the weight in the show I've always assumed that was a error on the writers part.

[@savagesauzage2256]

Finally some respect on this weapon love this thing

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

The fact that it is three grips instead of one long one is kinda dumb. The fighting can much dynamic with one long gripe

[@SellswordArts]

Structurally that wouldn't make a strong weapon

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

@@SellswordArts ....... Ummm... explain.. spaced hand guards on long weapons aren't exactly common... if kinda big advantage of pole weapons compared to sword, ya can shift and slips grip quickly. How would having a long grip make it weaker.

[@Tarnfalk]

@@PJDAltamirus0425Keep in mind this is being used by Klingons who are at a minimum double normal human strength. Those separators for the grip act more like support pillars so a big hit doesn’t push the blade of the weapon down onto your fingers. Dax in the show I remember holding the grips with the inside of her thumbs and the fingers outwards on the top. This should allow you to pretty rapidly move your hands and then just clamp down for a stronger grip

[@SellswordArts]

Yes, but having a big hole in the middle of your sword does tent to make it a bit weaker. The reason it's segmented is for structural integrity

[@tendracalrissian8820]

The posts also allow you to leverage more force into a blow with a variety of grips by locking your hand down (or up) into a post.

[@dennispoley6005]

Very honorable weapon, Q'pla !

[@SinApex]

It definitely looks awkward to get the hang of at first. It's a really weird shape for people used to using regular swords. The grip of it sort of leaves you with no frame of reference for how to use it, since it's not QUITE like any real existing weapons. There are some aspects it shares with real weapons but it's not entirely like using them, like the hooks near the hand at the bottom of it being sort of similar to real hook swords, but the rest of it isn't necessarily too similar so even if you were familiar with hook swords, it doesn't translate to this 1:1. Definitely the kind of weapon you'd have to train specifically to use before you can translate other sword techniques comfortably.

[@somerandomminecraftkid]

look at what these guys can do with out proper training. Imagine what a Klingon Warrior who has trained with this his entire life would be able to do

[@robert-joshuamcfaddin7041]

Thank you so much for apporaching it with a neutral perspective man

[@Jay123hollis]

As a Star Trek geek I love this.

[@TheKartana]

Great video, though I will point out that you made a smaller down version and then complained about the range.

[@mjb7015]

It's based on an existing Chinese weapon that has better range and flexibility of use

[@catoenbancarrot3930]

I believe that if the weapon had another spike right when it starts to curve (from both of the sides), the thrusting would improve, as well as the ability to catch other weapons; and it would be less prone to the curved attacks from the one hand sword

[@junkahoolik]

at 14:30 wouldn't locking the sword with the same lock you'd use with a jitte be better?

[@bfastje]

This is the coolest thing you've done.

[@Adurnis]

I wonder how much it would impede your hand movement to add hand guards on the inside of the weapon. Like if there’s a curved shield going horizontally through each hand hole. Not sure if I’m explaining it very well, but it occurs to me that if you add some form of hand protection that doesn’t impair the movement of your hands, you could be even more aggressive with it.

[@jahames586]

Something to note about the weight is that Klingons are usually depicted as stronger than humans.

[@jonathancastillo6433]

They’ve done it; a use for reverse grip. Reverse grip a Shotel to pick the hand of a weakly guarded opponent

[@jonathancastillo6433]

3:40

[@timbarth7850]

This looks like a lot of fun^^

[@TheNuclearGeek]

Since it is mainly a weapon used to raid in close quarters (like ship's corridors) where a long sword would be much less effective, it makes a lot more sense.

[@skeleleleton]

7:08 "it doesn't thrust well" next exchange: pow right in the kisser LOL that thrust had me dying actually

[@SellswordArts]

It doesn't thrust well through somebody else's guard. We address that. If you can get an uncontested thrust it's pretty good, but with swords you can usually thrust from the bind, and you can't do that with these.

[@skeleleleton]

@@SellswordArts Oh I understand how different it is/would be in an actual scenario, it's just the timing that had me laughing.

[@NewGuyFour]

Klingons in the show would often prefer a ranged weapon + mek'leth or kur'leth in actual war. Would be curious to see what you think of those. One is basically one end of a bat'leth and the other is the extended version with an additional forward grip in the blade for half swording.

[@curseofgladstone4981]

To what extent do you think the batleth being an unusual weapon limits how effective it is vs sword or other weapons? What I mean is nobody trains to use a batleth, so despite having some skills you learn from other weapons to apply to it, you are still trying to adapt to using it as you go along. same goes for fighting against it. Additionally, how good do you think it would be in an armoured combat scenario? The batleth seems like it's weight distribution makes it better for anti armour if a hit manages to land, but thats just my intuition.

[@luckyjak117]

No way!...Yes, way...

[@honganhvu48]

A comment that didn’t say first? That a rare one

[@andreweaston1779]

Do you think that if you 'trained' in this weapon, you might find ways to counter some of its flaws? For example, in star trek they would do downward, and outwards one handed spins. Right hand twists down left hand loose. To redirect thrusts. ?

[@SwankyKitteh82]

To be fair, in lore Klingons were physically stronger and more robust than humans, so a 12 lb weapons tracks (at least in-universe). In theory, the best part about the Bat'leth would be the ability to shift your stance and grip on the go. I could see suddenly going high grip after a feint and sweeping upward into the thigh and groin area of an opponent being devastating, lol.

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Oh, this reminding, their is good sound example of a double ended cutting and thrusting "sword" it is called a jagerstock. Just that the handle is and the blades only get to about spear head length to short sword length.

[@Triplestorms]

Awesome video! Please do more sci fi swords!

[@dongeonmaster8547]

Now try these in a corridor. Like something you might find on a starship. Do all these findings still hold true when you have restricted space?

[@ScottGrow117]

So, what about if you focus on orienting the edge of your bat'leth toward the direction of your opponent's strike? It might be what you have to do to protect your hands. That said, i think this would be a great qeapon for harnischfechten. If i haven't already said that here.