Names of sword parts and components

[@MikaelKKarlsson]

Aw hell that sounds complicated. - Squire, hand me the axe!

[@pyrojinn]

But can you end Him rightly?

[@ashtreylil1]

top notch graphics presentation

[@gieljanfrancke8575]

I am pretty sure (as someone who has only recently started practicing German medieval swordsmanship) that the true (or long) edge of the sword isn't always the edge facing your opponent. It is the edge that is on the same side of the sword that your knuckles are on. This side WILL generally face your opponent, except when standing in the 'Alber' guard or when doing a false / short edged strike for example. Also, not positive on this but I think the fencing master Hans Talhoffer distinguished between the left and right flats of the blade. If memory serves me well, he did this while describing langesmesser techniques. That is kinda logical because of only ONE of the flats having additional hand protection in the form of a nail. Just to point out some insignificant details ;). Great video overall though!

[@samael71ful]

In early sources the tip is always referred to as the point. The edges are more commonly called the Long edge which faces the opponent and the short edge which faces you. A false edge is literally a false edge like the short clipped section on the back of sabre blade on a sabre or basket hilt. When your talking of cruciform swords the guard is always the cross. that little drop on the center of the cross is an eccussion. Quillion is a term that shouldn't be used wish cruciform swords. Yeah the pommel is the pommel. The Hilt is the area between the top of the pommel to the front of the cross and the bit in between that you actually hold is the grip.

[@walz1986]

+samael71ful I also prefer long and short edge, mainly because you have a sligthly higher reach with your long edge and can cut better with it then with the short edge. This is also the reason why in most cases you attack with the long edge. Also I think it is not good to define them by the side in which they are facing, long towards enemy and short towards you. Because that is only the case for a oberhau (the simple top down strike) or in i33 hit from the second guard, from your main side (for right handers right side). When you strike from your off hand side you can easily hit with long and short edge, but in either case the edge that attacks is always pointing towards the enemy before you strike. So I think a better definiton is long edge is the edge where your fingers are and short edge is the edge where your carpus is.

[@Glimmlampe1982]

as mentioned before: the true edge is better defined by the edge thats facing in the direction of your fingers when normally held, while the false edge is the one facing in the direction of your arm, when normally held. because you use the false edge to attack sometimes, and then it has to face in the direction of the opponent ;) (for example with the schielhau -> squinting strike) in german the whole handle part is called "Gehilz" (including pommel, handle and crossguard), kind of means "wodden thingy". and the tip is the "Ort", like in "a place"

[@brokenursa9986]

Even though it may not necessarily be correct, i prefer to use front edge/fore edge and back edge when talking about double-edged swords, and true edge and false edge for single-edged swords. This is because, as you pointed out, the fore edge and back edge on a double-edged sword are interchangeable, so either edge could be the fore edge or back edge at any given time. However, on a single-edged sword, you always have a dedicated front-facing edge, the true edge, and a blunt back or spine of the sword. However, many single-edged swords, like messers and sabres, have the top part of the spine sharpened to form a false edge, which can facilitate thrusting, or it can allow for unexpected cuts with the false edge. That is why i make a distinction. Otherwise, good video.

[@numinorian]

Great video Shad, I think its important to go over these basics because it is easy to miss a key term and be confused when having historical conversations. I also like to refer to the handle as a grip. Keep the videos coming!

[@SirSmurfalot]

Tang: The unsharpened portion of the blade material that continues through the crossguard and beneath the handle. If it goes the full length of the handle to the pommel the weapon is said to have a "full-tang". If it only goes partway through the handle (as seen on cheap blades) it is called a "partial or half-tang"-- there are other variations. Rain-guard or chappe: The little leather bit that wraps around the base of the blade just above the crossguard to keep rain out of the scabbard and keep a snug fit when the weapon is sheathed.

[@JTM1809]

The strong of the sword is the part between the guard and the sword's center of balance. The middle of the sword is between the center of balance and the center of percussion. And the weak of the sword is between the center of percussion and the point.

[@ammonallred9014]

Shadiversity, I would greatly appreciate it if you would make a video on all the parts of armour, I know most terms of the pieces of armour but I don't know If my knowledge is 100% correct.

[@kleinjahr]

For swords, forte =strong and foible = weak.

[@p_serdiuk]

You forgot to talk about the tang.

[@wotwott2319]

+Serdiuk Paul doesn't really need to be mentioned since the tang is always covered by the handle.

[@Gakulon]

Harith Azmi Not always. The German Kriegamesser (may be spelled wrong) or Warknife does have the tang showing. This was done for legal reasons; among other reasons it would be classified as a knife rather than a sword, making it legal to carry.

[@wotwott2319]

Creature Plays Games technically, the Kriegsmesser isn't a sword then. lul

[@Gakulon]

Harith Azmi Practically, it's a sword. It was an awesome loophole

[@Kisamaism]

You have to agree with Paul here. The title isn't "Names of VISIBLE sword parts and components" after all. Semantics is a bitch.

[@Roland3ld]

Here is a full watch, like, and comment for engagement.

[@gregg4]

Nice video You could have added that the "tang" is the part of the blade which is inside the handle. I don't think you used the word "hilt" either being the guard, handle and pommel together. Handle can be called "grip".

[@JimGiant]

I sometimes hear the flats being refereed to as inside or outside flat, it matters with certain flat parry techniques.

[@rockyblacksmith]

It's worth mentioning that these terms largely come out of the handling of the sword. They describe the sword in use, thus the true/false edge distinction, which only makes sense as long as someone is wielding the sword. It's also the reason why there is the strong/weak distinction. You might say you are not describing areas on the sword, but rather assign reference points for it's handling.

[@joaomarcalves]

Gread video Shad. Perhaps you could consider include training swords as well, such as the federschwert. So you can talk about the shilt and other elements. Great work. Cheers!

[@Leo.23232]

You missed the 'Hilt' which is all but the blade, so the crossguard, the handle and the pommel together.

[@stalker1983]

Hi Shad, love the channel. I may have missed it but on a sword that is just lying there, how do you determine true and false edge? Arbitrary?

[@TheBeardedDwarf]

Very good to the point video thanks for that

[@matthewsteele5229]

Could you do a follow up video that breaks down various pieces of guards, tips, etc? I’ve heard Matt Easton mention thumb rings, hatchet tips, basket hilts, etc. but I don’t understand exactly what they are/aren’t..

[@icspps]

Hey Shad, since you have an eye for both history and fantasy, I was wondering if you could take time to talk about the great axe. Not the pole axe. The one which is commonly used by barbarians and orcs in most fantasy games. A two handed axe measuring about as long as a longsword, with a large, sometimes double bitted head. I don't believe it ever really existed, as you could just as practically build a polearm and be effective at a farther range. Think you can shed some light on it? Was it just conjured up for fantasy? Or is there some lesser known real life equivalent?

[@shadiversity]

+icspps Thanks mate. This is a good idea, who knows, There might be a video on it coming soon. To my knowledge the closest equivalent to the fantasy great axe is the dane axe. If you google it you'll get some very fun pictures.

[@icspps]

+I am Shad Thanks for the tip. This is the closest thing I've seen to the fantasy greataxe! I always enjoy your videos. Fantasy and History are so beautiful to study together... as long as you actually know the difference.

[@josephburton2656]

+icspps Check out the sparth axe. I don't know much about it, but I think from I've seen it looks like what you are looking for. I haven't found much info on it, just a small Wikipedia article, so I don't it's historical place, but it pretty big and barbarian-ish lol

[@shrekas2966]

9:02 tactical arming sword

[@The1Helleri]

I've seen nails sometimes called a tongue or clam dependent on their shape. Not a necessary distinction. But it can be helpful to describe the shape of a nail I guess. I have heard a handle called a grip. But when I think of a grip I think of everything that helps me maintain my grip and edge alignment. Including the shape of the handle. A groove in it or rib on it. Any winding there may be. And even the part of the pommel that butts against the knife of might hand. And I think of the handle as the piece of material that makes it so I am not grabbing bare tang. Once in a while I have also seen reference to a middle of the blade. From what I've seen it's something of a venn diagram-like, shared area between the weak and the strong. But I have only ever seen this when someone is specifically talking about a blades center of percussion. So it's a nebulous thing as to where that is. I have found it to be useful though. When I have found the center of percussion (the sweet spot that causes the least reverberation) along the edge of my blades, and made a conscious effort to begin my cuts from those areas, my cuts are significantly better.

[@ARR0WMANC3R]

There's also the peen at the back of the pommel - I'd consider that a term to describe part of the sword, albeit a very small and not very noticeable part.

[@samael71ful]

Yeah that pein is often reinforced with a a small washer or pommel nut.

[@yomauser]

+ARR0WMANC3R I believe that's considered part of the pommel

[@tsoliot5913]

+yomauser it is the end of the tang.

[@tsoliot5913]

True and false edges are sometimes called long and short. Quillon is actually pronounced "key-yawn", though it is often mispronounced.

[@tsoliot5913]

Also, the knuckle guard was called the "knucklebow", and the nail is sometimes known as a "nagel", which is just nail in German.

[@tsoliot5913]

finally, the upper lateral rings protecting the ricasso while fingering the blade are called the pas-d'àne, and the swept part of the swept hilt, commonly the "three bar sweep" is often called the counter guard or inner guard. the center of the crossguard is called the quillon block.

[@dlgshadowwalker]

Hey, Shad, I make a traditional Chinese subtitle for your video, can I upload it to KZbin in order to let more Chinese know about medieval sword?

[@shadiversity]

+Lico Deng Sorry mate, I can't let people re-upload my work. I can always add foreign language subtitles to my videos through google translate. If you're truly enthusiastic about getting this info to china you can always make your own video, but make it your own, don't just repeat other's videos word for word. If you particularly want my work translated, meaning dubbed, I'd be interested in seeing what could be done and in that case you can email me through the email provided on the 'about' tap on my front page.

[@dlgshadowwalker]

+I am Shad yeah…I mean I can upload Chinese subtitle on your video…But I want to ask you first

[@dlgshadowwalker]

+I am Shad I didn't mean to upload “ this video with Chinese subtitle” but I just want to “ add Chinese subtitle on your video”

[@shadiversity]

+Lico Deng Well in that case I would be honoured. Go right ahead and thank you ^_^

[@dlgshadowwalker]

+I am Shad Thanks for your kindness. I will let you know as soon as I finished

[@Talthanias]

You forgot to mention that the pommel handle and guard together comprise the Hilt. But hey. I am a fellow sword nut and learned something. Though there is another name for the Lugs as well, which is a katsblanger... I think I spelled that right, which is German for Cat gutter.

[@alexoliver3282]

Heads, shoulder, knees, crossguard! Knees and crossguard!

[@sephyrias883]

I think we need more infomations about handprotection and why there is so much variation on it and when you'd want which type of guard.

[@p7outdoors297]

This was "very interesting", because I know; "swords!" But you keep forgetting the most important question. "What about dragons?!"

[@gargoyleex]

Excellent video shad, as someone who very recently got into this topic I can say it was of great use for me. However, I got one question about the horns on that greatsword. Wouldn't with this particular design the opponent's blade most likely slide down the horns and then possibly hurt you anyway? With this smooth downwoard sloping it seems to me it may be a bit ineffective at stopping another blade from hurting you. I'm guessing it would be of much better use if you just turned it upside down.

[@DaUsher]

Yes, most examples of the parierhaken (parrying hooks) are longer and form a crescent moon shape with the tips pointing towards the tip of the sword.

[@gargoyleex]

DaUsher Yeah, they do. So "Parierhaken" is a term found in german sources? Anyway, my impression is that the lugs on german Zweihänder often has the shape of a crescent moon, while on Montantes their shape usually is horizontal, or almost horizontal (I'm not sure about the Spadone). My actual question was whether or not the Horns shad put onto the model of a greatsword he made are a real historical thing and if they'd be practical, as it seems to me unlike Horns of (almost) horizontal or crescent moon shape these would't be very efficient at catching an opposing blade.

[@DaUsher]

+gargoyleex I think those on montantes were never meant to catch or stop a blade, but to simply redirect it away with how it gradually sweeps away.

[@gargoyleex]

DaUsher Perhaps "catch" was the wrong term. I looked up some more pictures of Montantes (respectively reproductions as I couldn't find any historical examples after a brief research) and there were some which got horizontal horns and some which got horns that gradually sweep away, but frankly all of them still looked to me like they would be able to stop a blade. Regardless of this I'm not an expert by any means, so that's just speculation from my side.

[@DaUsher]

+gargoyleex I've always personally preferred the german style. They looked like mini quillons.

[@danciortea2278]

Hey Shad, was wondering if you could include a written version of the terms. I couldn't understand what the dull part of the blade was called due to the accent.

[@MadNumForce]

Well, though it's very clear, I find that making such an emphasis on true and false edge on a purely symetrical cruciform sword is misleading. They are no true or false edge until the sword is actually held. As soon as it leaves the hand, both edge become completely and perfectly undifferentiable, and you should not mention it. It becomes legitimate to differentiate the true and false edge on a sword which is oriented and asymetrical, because the shape of the hilt or blade makes that one edge naturally becomes the front edge (either on the convex curve of the blade, or the knuckle bow/main branch guard side), and the other is the back edge.

[@madmeddik]

is there any reason you keep referring to the back part of the hilt as the 'pummel' (verb: strike repeatedly with the fists) rather than the 'pommel' (noun: a rounded knob on the end of the handle of a sword, dagger, or old-fashioned gun) ?

[@joebird8305]

And thank you

[@jakubhanak4223]

To be honest and this is really my humble opinion, I do not think the medieval people had names for everything like the nail and so on. I think it was simply just a guard. It came much later and now I am refering more to art history rather than military history when all the things that had been used for centuries were named and every single thing got a specific name so we had just more to learn. I don´t know this just doesn´t make any sense to me but of course this is my very humble opinion. So, I don´t think the medieval people had names for everything, I think it came much later.

[@francisarsenic9371]

thanks

[@JamesMcCloskey]

curved swords and armour next plz

[@danieltaylor5542]

+James Mccloskey Curved swords!? You must be from Hammerfeld.

[@dablop1]

Well, they are all really a type of sabre. The primary difference to, my understanding, between cavalry sabres and infantry sabres was mostly the weight and balance (infantry sabres were generally not as wide or thick), although they did tend to be longer. They also varied in their hilts, I believe that in general Cavalry sabres had less protective hilts (could be opposite lol).

[@tummywubs5071]

Hey shad, that response vid is comming! just... my laptop broke and well... eh went to paris for a bit XD its comming i promise :D

[@ledzep369]

please Shad, tell me what a hilt is...I thought it was the guard?

[@velkewemaster]

to be fair, early basket hilts were basically swept hilts without finger rings and usually have an additional "thumb ring" at the inside of the hilt. take a look at the mary rose broadword arms-n-armor.com/images/custom945d_s.jpg s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/dc/31/38/dc313820193af36ffa4487303e2eccdc.jpg

[@nicholasking6066]

SGT: the general's not going to like this. General : report SGT: their baylies have baylies, their towers have towers, their tower turets have turets, their gatehouses have gatehouses and their machicolations have machicolations! honestly Sir after seeing that half the men deserted on the spot and the other half need quality time with a therapyst to get them to stop babbeling and drooling

[@genesisSOC]

What's the point of the tiny ricasso on top of the arming sword?

[@theglasslionstreams5183]

The only thing I think you've forgotten is the tang. Unless I'm mistaken and didn't hear it, of course.

[@assassincatstail2294]

In fencing we have the strong of the blade he middle of the blade and the weak of the blade we don’t just have 2

[@ieuanhunt552]

Could I have the illustration in this video as a PowerPoint?

[@the_rha]

You forgot the rain-guard or chappe.

[@khodexus4963]

You didn't mention the tang, and while you mentioned hilt in a few places, you didn't specifically address what it defines or refers to. Just a few observations.

[@thewoodworkingmetalhead2712]

forgot to mention the shoulders and the tang

[@carlosincredible5157]

did medieval knights use the quillon to stab through the eye holes of a helmet ?

[@wanderingstranger8944]

I'm too lazy to look in the comments but what do you call the rings ( or if they are just called a ring) or nail on the sword. it's on the flat of the cross guard or some what close to that.

[@ryanbolin1858]

Coconut Scrubs they're just called side rings or ring gaurds, and the nail is just called that a nail.

[@ampeyro]

That moment when you know more than you should know about swords but it's all in english and you can't talk about it in your native tongue...

[@mattsmith2247]

So what is the full definition of a hilt then

[@n484l3iehugtil]

I feel like I'm learning a new language. ABCDEFG

[@TheBlackFish]

2019 ?

[@joanmasdeu4600]

Horns= false guard

[@fenrirblaze9350]

So European swords come with their own apartments then because flat = apartment.

[@MuradBeybalaev]

Can you not also call the whole non-blade assembly a "hilt"?

[@РоманГогешвили]

Missed "hilt", no good

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

Hilt, tang and peen.

[@manlyadvice1789]

Inside flat, outside flat. The inside flat would be on the same side as the inside of your arm, likewise for outside.