One Way That Axes Are Better Weapons Than Swords

I normally point out that in most practical scenarios, a sword is a better sidearm weapon than an axe. However, lots of people are under the impression that an axe is an easier weapon to use. In one way they are correct.
Thor's Forge: / thorsforge

[@loganfong2911]

"Just like me a lot of you are going to be stuck in the house at the moment." *Standing in his backyard holding an axe.*

[@neilwilson5785]

Gardens are Ok. Fresh air is better than being inside.

[@horvathbenedek3596]

@Golden Eagle Because that's not how food works. A regular garden is wholely unfit to feed a family, and vegetables grow at specific periods of the year.

[@joniskates]

@Golden Eagle the people could simply stop buying food like crazy. The supply lines are not in danger, there is no need to prepare for the end of the world, we won't starve

[@KuK137]

@@horvathbenedek3596 That's exactly how the food works - buy bulk, cheap stuff like rice or potatoes from store, grow the stuff you need less of like herbs or specific veggies, can save you a lot of time and cash. Who says you need complete autarky?

[@horvathbenedek3596]

@@KuK137 1) You can't grow enough spices that it becomes worth it. They are cheaper and easier to acquire in stores. 2) You'd need a greenhouse for it to be worth it at all. 3) Vegetables don't exactly work that way. Anyone who has tried agriculture knows that it's difficult as fuck to produce proper sized, edible vegetables. You have absolutely no.idea what you are talking about. My family tried doing this for a while - we have a pretty large garden. I can tell you that keeping a garden with 2-3 ingredients that are enough to feed a family is a full time job. And it's seasonal. You can garden as a hobby. But understand that unless you go big, it will never turn a profit.

[@mattutt2888]

If you are a peasant that has chopped firewood since a child, I could see the axe being more comfortable and familiar.

[@gabzdark07]

Not really. A battle axe is used very differently from the tool. It's still easy to learn, but hard to master.

[@warrenokuma7264]

True, but I think it's easier to teach someone who has been cutting wood for cooking and heating all his or her life. They already know how to aim and know how an axe handles.

[@rasmasyean]

Exactly what I thought too. Come up with all these hypetheses that kinda makes sense, and it's just a simple reason that would make the most sense.

[@rasmasyean]

@@warrenokuma7264 It's also muscle memory throughout their lives. If you're going to conscript a bunch of people in time of war, most of them aren't going to have the training to do effective "angle techniques" with a sword as much as just hammering down opponents with an ax with the arms they developed for it...after they lose their spears of course.

[@soarinpenguinlive6372]

Also there more confidence when you know the weapon or tool. Confidence can win you a fight never doubt it.

[@aldor9357]

Who doesn't like contemplating his shafted weapon early in the morning?

[@joanignasi91]

This comment lacks some much needed context.

[@mikefule330]

In the shower, thinking about his chopper.

[@pilgrim42]

Don't forget about penetration capability.

[@Leman.Russ.6thLegion]

I think about my AKs in the shower. But usually, my wife distracts me.

[@omegabulldog5001]

Out of context, you're thinking of a lance.....

[@Tepid24]

"I was standing in the shower this morning; contemplating my axe!" -Gimli, 2020

[@noldorwarrior7791]

Dat Axe

[@JeffBilkins]

Idea for video: recruitment, training and equipment sourcing for non-professional soldiers and how this changes over time. Pick your age and locales. Eg: local lord has to equip and available x,y,z soldiers for the kings fighting season, how?

[@Jeremiah90526]

Yeah, I went over this in my head, many times. Answer, Shield, Spear, Gambeson, Cheap Helmet, sling. This is what you get for your troops (with a hand axe as a backup weapon if you have extra cash). You can train a bunch of conscripts to use these effectively in a week, and they are the cheapest thing that you can use to effect.

[@PobortzaPl]

@@Jeremiah90526 With more cash on hand: better helmets, some metal armor and maybe long knives/short swords with chopping and thrusting abilities (kukri, machaira, kopis, gladius, yatagan, seax, long seax, messer, karabela, artillery sabre), upgrade spears either towards pikes or pole arms.

[@victorwaddell6530]

Goedendags and pikes. A goedendg is an iron headed club with an armor piercing spike . Flemish militias with goedendags mixed with pikemen made mincemeat of French knights at Courtray .

[@Caradepato]

@@victorwaddell6530 Sure, but they lost the war. Had to cede territory to France. EDIT: clarification, territories from the county of Flanders became part of the crown lands. Flanders was already and remained a French fief, it was just a very autonomous one in practice.

[@Caradepato]

@Bart van der Schoor When?

[@elijahoconnell]

“I was sitting in the shower” Oh thank god im not the only one “Wait standing, sitting in the shower would be weird” Oh

[@bigredwolf6]

I sit in the shower because I don’t have a bath tub. Sometimes you just gotta relax after working your ass off

[@Primalintent]

I like to sit in dramatic Greek statue poses with the water running down me so I can imagine I'm in some moody art film.

[@nathans.3618]

As long as you have a shower beer it's fine to sit. Especially if you have more than one.

[@user-mw2vn7pv8n]

@@bigredwolf6 Yeah but not in the morning

[@edsaunders1897]

I like how this has become one of the major lessons from the video.

[@camilstoenescu]

One of the few positive effects of the social isolation due to coronavirus: more videos from Matt.

[@tiihtu2507]

With that kind of arsenal he probably could upload even after a zombie apocalypse hit the UK.

[@shawn6860]

Indeed a good idea.

[@SepticFuddy]

@Jon Goat "Zombie" is often used as a euphemism

[@MisterIvyMike]

More important: he has the experience and the equipment at home to defend himself against the satanic hordes of Covid-19 infected brain dead folks! ☝️🤔

[@SuperFunkmachine]

One thing to remember is everywhere has access to blacksmith that makes axes and billhooks, and makeing a smaller axe or a bill with point is easy. Swords not as widely made.

[@thepope2412]

SuperFunkmachine not only that, swords need higher quality metal. Axes and bills not so much.

[@warrenokuma7264]

Yup and the majority of people know how to use and axe due to needing wood to cook or heat your home.

[@Entiox]

"How often do you see someone messing up the edge alignment with an axe?" While swinging it? Not that often. While sharpening one and making the edge uneven so it pulls to one side while chopping? Unfortunately frequently.

[@dustinsmith2021]

You want an axe that has a one sided bevel for certain jobs. Google it.

[@Entiox]

@@dustinsmith2021 oh absolutely. I was referring to a general use axe. I managed a cutlery store for a decade and we offered professional sharpening services. I became known as the best person for sharpening in the entire chain so I used to be sent almost all of the weird, or really messed up, things. The things I saw people do to good knives, axes and swords when they tried to sharpen them without knowing how would make you shudder.

[@markfergerson2145]

0:55 "My beautiful, beautiful axe" me: narrows eyes Was that a Hägar the Horrible reference? Well played, sir.

[@markusjack9208]

Fighter: I swear I will have my revenge for the death of my brother. Elf: You have my bow. Dwarf: And my axe. Necromancer: And your brother.

[@nooneofinterest234]

Ayy lmao

[@darkart7176]

And you can practice all that weaponry on him, he wouldn't mind, really.

[@Outside85]

Everyone: This is why you don't have any friends.

[@UnbeltedSundew]

Lol, this is golden.

[@BimpytheWimpyShrimpy]

Wait, so the dwarf is half-assing by only promising his secondary weapon??? :O

[@Endelin]

Clubs, Maces, and Goedendags: "What is edge alignment?"

[@laperrablanca1]

Well, Robert de Bruce was probably a superbly trained warrior and yet he preferred an axe as his favorite side arm

[@trancamortal]

As a knigth in War, he used to fight armored foes.

[@WastelandSeven]

That is true. But, as I understand it he had a shield on his left arm. This was before wide spread plate armor came along. An ax by itself is a bit of a disadvantage unless you are very good indeed.

[@Userius1]

@@WastelandSeven Any one-handed weapon without a shield is a bit of a disadvantage.

[@jorgen-ingmarcastell2864]

Good point! Although I presume that his second sidearm was a sword. He might also have a mace with him.

[@kevinthepilgrim5441]

I would be inclined to have a spear or halberd type weapon as my primary defence/attack. Keeping distance but still being lethal = survival.

[@euansmith3699]

If you have access to axes, you can use them to excess for great success.

[@dace48]

Yes.

[@aaajjworm]

I see what u did there..

[@BimpytheWimpyShrimpy]

You really turned that one around. Kinda turned it on its axis

[@johnhanley9946]

Lol

[@jorgejohnson875]

@@BimpytheWimpyShrimpy RUINS OF AN ARMY, AXIS REST IN HELL!

[@LuxisAlukard]

Axes have easier edge alignment than swords? Try using maces and clubs: no edge - no problem!

[@a-blivvy-yus]

And this is why lightsabers are good too... all the useful blade length of a sword, with all of the edge alignment freedom of a club. Well, you know, other than the whole "not a real technology" bit, but when did that stop anyone?

[@LuxisAlukard]

@@a-blivvy-yus And you can poke with it

[@gameoflife9576]

@@LuxisAlukard but lightsabers don't have pommels

[@LuxisAlukard]

@@gameoflife9576 They didn't had cross guards either for 6 movies... So, maybe in next trilogy we'll see some pommels on them?

[@gameoflife9576]

@@LuxisAlukard we can only hope that they don't screw it up like this trilogy.

[@DGFTardin]

I have suggested this in the past, but reiterating: I would enjoy a video about cut-and-thrust polearms, (other than the pollaxe. The weapons that would be used in formation most of the time)

[@slafleche]

Can you make videos on less common polearms? Like Partisans, Spontoon, Voulge, Bardiche? Etc. We always hear about Pikes, Bills and Halberds. Others need some love too.

[@Lakikano]

It'd be very interesting to see just how big of an advantage a sword is over a knife, and in what contexts a knife would be more effective.

[@patrickardagh-walter6609]

In an open space with no obstacles, reach is everything. A swordsman can easily kite a knife wielding person backwards and be at little risk. It's also better at parrying. In a cramped space though, the knife will be much freer to swing than the sword. This is also true in grapples, hence why knights would sometimes grapple their opponents to shove a dagger through their visor. A knife is also easier to conceal, so for a surprise attack in a public place a knife has its uses...

[@Turgz]

Against plate armor in a duel. Reach won't matter when the weapon is not so effective, so you need to be in close to get to the gaps in the armor. That's why so many daggers, like the rondell, are great for stabbing. Fighting in full plate will often end in grappling, so you need a small and handy weapon, whereas a large weapon is too cumbersome and you can't move it around so easily. Like Patrick said, in an open field and maybe with less armor the dagger is not so great.

[@bigredwolf6]

A knife is better for human sacrifice. Just ask the Druids. Oh wait... Rome killed them all.

[@calamusgladiofortior2814]

Topic suggestion: speaking of weapons for the untrained commoner, how about a video on wooden clubs. Specifically clubs on the medieval period. There is plenty of pictorial evidence showing clubs being used in the medieval period, either with a shield or larger two-handed examples. And of course clubs were widely in use before and after the medieval period all around the world.

[@junichiroyamashita]

Video suggestion: Different types of maces and maceheads,ranging from the more traditional ones to the more unusual like the bar mace.

[@0bzen22]

Confined at home, why bother shaving. Bet he's not wearing any pants either!

[@neilwilson5785]

I shaved today. The people who keep discipline are more likely to survive. Have a routine! Eat lots of veg and fruit.

[@jedi77palmer]

@@neilwilson5785 cardio

[@Userius1]

Cardio is gay. I didn't buy powerlifting equipment for the home gym to do cardio.

[@tarquiniussuperbus21]

@@Userius1 Weight training can be cardio as well.

[@markfergerson2145]

@@neilwilson5785 I disciplined myself not to shave five years ago and am maintaining that discipline. I should be good. ;>) Seriously, you're right. Use the Seal Trick To Success- make your damn bed first thing every day and do everything else right when it needs doing- no procrastination!

[@joshuastearns5894]

The ability to turn one sentence into ten is one of the reasons I love this channel so much.

[@heinrich4208]

You always seem concerned about the length of your videos. However, personally I don't mind longer videos as they lend themselves better to listening to when working or doing shores around the house. Since many of your videos are as long as they are I think most of your audience are comfortable with longer videos.

[@hermansplace9242]

Matt makes long videos worth watching

[@verrufen2642]

Eh personally I feel he tends to waffle in the longer videos. Keeping it concise is generally better (unless you're Lindybeige)

[@johanmetreus1268]

@@verrufen2642 Short and concise aren't the same. Generally blabbering like Shadiversity is definitely could use some trimming down, but as long as one stays on topic (or related topic, or in Lindybeige's case any topic he comes to think of associated with the topic he actually was talking about), length is of no concern. Thing Lindybeige, GunJesus and the other great lecturers have is that they *fill the time with content*.

[@hansjohannsen6722]

How many times do we need to repeat " it's not about the length, it's how you use it"

[@nelumbonucifera7537]

Not just a matter of feeling the edge alignment, but maintaining it in the impact. The greater moment of inertia keeps the edge from twisting when it meets resistance.

[@DemetriosLevi]

Edge alignment is something that never even crossed my mind. Thanks for letting me know, Matt or else I'd be screwed during the apocalypse!

[@MIKE-se8ye]

thank you for the more frequent input Mr. Easton. Much appreciated!

[@gwheeler233]

I started watching your videos when researching my great grandfather’s military history who was a yeoman in the south Irish horse. And I’m still watching them. They’re fascinating. Thanks for putting your research out there.

[@John_NJDM]

Thanks for keeping the videos coming, Matt!

[@cadmaniak]

Talking about axe/sword type weapons - I would be interested in a quick video on Aztec weapons like the maquahuitl if you fancied a crack!

[@bigredwolf6]

cadmaniak I think Skallagrim made a video about that. Weapons without metal, far from primitive

[@MarioXcore1]

I wish thors forge has a website 😭😭 great video as always

[@andreweden9405]

It might be one degree of separation away from an ACTUAL website(then again, perhaps not), but I'm pretty sure this is functionally Thor's website. alexoutdoors.com/pages/tord-bergelin-thors-forge

[@CarnalKid]

I've suggested this before, but I would love to see a video on Swiss sabers.

[@natetaylor9002]

Glad to see you are healthy Matt! Be Safe! .....and keep those awesome videos coming! :)

[@1hatep1ck1ngnames]

This really is such a key point, having done a live cutting session recently with swords!

[@hetzijzo5601]

I appreciate the short videos

[@Na_Picta_Irskr]

A few questions/topics I would like to hear you explore: -in regards to using shorter blades and dueling normal or longer blades (particularly in HEMA) what strategies would you promote for being successful? -taking more about blade width and edge alignment, where do you see the balance between width and weight? -definitely interested in videos about side swords, and Schiavonas -discussion on the use of how to use the offhand weapons successfully or at least effectively (offhand dagger, buckler, etc) -cinquedea, just looking to hear your thoughts about them, why they didn't catch on -your opinion on the ideal offhand dagger, any specific design or considerations You rock Matt, thanks for making the content that you make

[@Max_Flashheart]

I would love to see a series on your favourite weapons vs your best counter weapons for example Sword and Shield vs Polearm

[@sleazy1drache]

And thanks for keeping us entertained in this dire times

[@BH-rx3ue]

Could you doooooo a video on unusual weapons? I like your interpretation of the CONTEXT in which weapons are used so it would be a nice, fresh take on the more obscure

[@darlingimscared]

Video on large war hammers or weapon concepts used in battle that were ditched would be cool

[@barrysingh2872]

Thanks Matt. Keep calm and carry on.

[@LaughinginDisbelief]

Never thought of axes like that before. Good video.

[@charlesreed5839]

Thanks, Matt! Idea for discussion: left-handed fighters, being one and/or dealing with one.

[@AL4RC0NR4MO5]

I would love to see a video about sossun pata swords. I've always wondered what longer recurve, yatagan or falcata style blades would be like one more of a tulwar or even sabre style hilt, and then I discovered those swords existed and where pretty close to that. I don't hear people talking about them so much, I'm guessing they weren't so popular or common? I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights on them :)

[@soulisthegoal96]

Please do videos on the English civil wars era arms and armour. It's a period I'm very interested in and you're the best person to explain it!

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

I'd like if you could look into the concept of availability (in theory) of weapons, maybe some theory behind manufacture, material requirements and equipping a given body of troops. (In particular, plate maille vs chain or scale vs chain etc etc)

[@suljupera]

I would like side by side comparison with early 1800 cavalry swords. Like french, english, german, and austro-hungarian/ russian.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Great looking axe and Matt and it brought up the thought if a two bladed axe with parallel blades would provide a better weapon....

[@mtodd4723]

IDEA________PLEASE TALK ABOUT GETTING MEASURED & FITTED FOR YOUR ARMOUR .THANK YOU FOR SHARING . _NOT YELLING GOING BLIND .

[@a-blivvy-yus]

HOLD THE CTRL KEY AND PRESS + IT MAKES TEXT (AND EVERYTHING ELSE) BIGGER. I HOPE THIS HELPS. Also assuming that did help, it's weird that most people find all caps harder to read, but when people have vision trouble it's easier. I know when I have a mgiraine affecting my vision it's easier to read all caps than normal text, but normally it's the other way around. Very odd.

[@mtodd4723]

THANKS , I HAVE EVERTHING AS LARGE AS I CAN GET IT . CAPS STILL MAKES THE LETTERS LARGER & CRISPER .!

[@reloader2267]

I've been looking for a review of this boarding axe. Would love to hear more about how it was used

[@dimitrizaitsew1988]

Video suggestion: WW2 era fighting treatises like "get tough" by Faibairn William.

[@piotrnogas8448]

just type 'Carl Cestari'

[@capuchinseven]

Thanks for the videos Matt, working from home and can't leave home so the cabin fever is really digging in.

[@via_domus]

Thanks bro..love ur work

[@anthonycoffey816]

As much as I love all my swords if stuck in a battle royal right now I'd take the axe. I have a Dane & a few hand axes, they're so useful for all kinds of tricks & tasks 😊

[@apeine]

Thanks for another video in lockdown times. One of the things in videogames is usually that the programmer, or game creator, may be favorable towards a weapon against another (most game see sword as best weapons), But war axes and large bladed axes are great.

[@gregghelmberger]

Personally I'd love to see more videos on shields -- different types of shields, their construction, their use, how and why they changed over time. I've always been particularly curious about the keeled shields -- the portable ones, not the big pavises used in siege warfare.

[@MrIsitnotmate]

Hey man! Just found your content, looks awesome and i cant wait to delve into it :) Do you have any favorite books on the subject of medieval weapons?

[@yurisc4633]

Would you agree that swords are "easier" to hit with because it has more effective surface area(the whole blade) and it is also balanced? And axes have heavy "impact damage" due to its shape? Also, the longer and balanced the weapon is, the easier it is to defend with it?

[@a-blivvy-yus]

1. He has in fact pointed out in past videos that the entire length of the blade being a cutting surface is a major advantage to swords. 2. "Impact damage" isn't really the right phrasing from a fighting perspective but that *FOCUSED* weight at the head of an axe is a significant part of why it's more effective against armour. 3. Not so much "easier to defend" (and in some ways, it's easier to defend with a more blade-heavy sword than a well balanced one), but the closer to the hilt the baland-point is, the more *AGILE* the blade is, which means faster attacks and faster transitions between attack and defense (in both directions). And about point 3... a blade-heavy sword, or a heavy "head" on an axe or polearm, will give your swings more momentum and make them harder to stop. Having a heavier head or blade end on your own weapon means you've got more weight in that part of the weapon to act against that momentum. This means that "hold weapon in the path of attack" blocks are less likely for the opponent to just smash aside - or smash your own weapon into your face with. With a more agile weapon, you need to put your guard further out, or be pushing into the attack, or use the weapon to redirect the attack around you instead of "hard" blocking the strike. The loss of agility results in both heavier swings that are harder to stop, AND heavier blocks that are harder to break through, but costs you in your ability to shift back and forth from one action to the other rapidly.

[@yurisc4633]

@@a-blivvy-yus thanks man, I will study your response.

[@gabzdark07]

@@a-blivvy-yus The increased cutting surface is not as big of an advantage as you might think. The majority of the cutting power of a sword is concentrated on the second half of the blade. The closer you get to the hilt, the weaker the cut, and this is exacerbated by the tendency to leave the first half relatively unsharpened. Meanwhile, holding an axe closer to it's head and striking at close range will still make a competent bludgeon, and the horn and beard of the axe head will tear through someone's throat or be thrust into the eyeball.

[@a-blivvy-yus]

@@gabzdark07 It is still - to a point - an advantage. And a related advantage is that the entire striking surface is metal rather than wood which is easier to damage (which is similarly not as big an advantage as many people think because it's still strong wood so it'll probably take a couple of hits and be fine). And my point was that Matt has cited it as one of the advantages of a sword over an axe in previous videos. Because he has. And he's addressed the things you mentioned when doing so, too, because while it is still an advantage, it's not as big as some people might proclaim it to be.

[@edwardgrylls01]

Thanks Matt. Keeping us sane....

[@mitchellline3398]

could you talk about sword fighting in confined places, such as within a doorway?

[@joker56281]

Hey Matt, love your videos. I'd love to see a video talking about the different bascinet visors and when/where they were used. Specifically what i think is called the plow faced bascinet. I see it a lot in manuscripts but it seems to get a lot of flak in groups im in.

[@texasbeast239]

Well, axes are also Dwarvish, so that automatically makes them better. As the saying goes, "If it's not Dwarvish, it's crrrap!"

[@Esponer]

Video suggestion: Jeddart/Jedburgh staff/axe! Favourite weapon. Was so happy to find one in Leeds Armoury, albeit listed as a guisarme. Say things about it? Or cut-and-thrust polearms in general.

[@junichiroyamashita]

I second this

[@benway23]

Thank you!

[@fleurdelispens]

Hey Matt I was wondering if you've seen Ilya's videos on sexy armor and sword steel/tech around the world and across history. Figured you'd have some interesting things to add or disagree with

[@ManneSegerlund]

Don't mind me just trying to get this comment further up.

[@vyr01]

2 video ideas -- hafting the spear you did last video, how the axe was carried mounted and on foot

[@bbninc287]

Are you aware of a video game called Battle Brothers, Matt? Most of the medieval small unit tactics and weapon (dis)advantages you always mention are represented rather realistically in it.

[@mjsuarez79]

Topic suggestion: Use if force/self-defense ethics. I’m not sure if I’ve suggested this to you already, but I’ve suggested it as a topic to other martial arts channels.

[@bigredwolf6]

Mark Suarez Usually you break it down into distances and if they’re verbally assaulting you (name calling basically) or actually threatening you. If they’re more than 15 meters away and all they’re doing is yelling at you, you can’t go beat the crap out of them. If they’re more than 15m away and they threaten to harm you, you leave or call the police. If they’re 10m or closer and yelling at you, cant hit them, but be prepared to. Tell them to back up and go away. Really you only engage them if they’re 15m or closer with a weapon coming at you or if they’re really up in your personal space yelling at you. Guns obviously change the engagement distances. If they’re 100m away and pointing a pistol at you, chances are you can run away and call the cops. If where you’re at has a stand your ground law, then you can shoot them if you felt you needed to, but a 100m shot with a handgun is gunna be hard. If they’ve got a rifle however you find cover and return fire, or run away

[@a-blivvy-yus]

@@bigredwolf6 It's also *VERY* dependent on locale, so any advice you get from any martial artist is going to be filtered, to some degree, through the amount of law enforcement present in the areas they frequent as well as what the applicable laws are regarding such things. In some places, it's much harder to get into a fight and come out without prison time, even if you did everything "right" to try and defuse and avoid the situation before being forced to defend yourself.

[@bigredwolf6]

blivvy I’m from Louisiana, so our self defense laws are pretty good. We don’t have a duty to retreat. We have castle doctrine and stand your ground laws so if someone breaks into your home, you’re pretty much in the clear if you defend yourself. Unless of course you go nuts on them. You’re only supposed to use enough force to stop the threat. Stay safe.

[@Parsley-pr9sv]

Thank you thank you my friend

[@breembo]

Matt can you please do a video talking about early non firearm gunpowder weapons like the fire lance

[@googlesword9209]

Hey Matt, I was really curious if you could talk about military saber construction? The backstrap, nut assembly, etc. I Honestly have a hard time finding any info on how they were made or how the components work together.

[@kroy7881]

"Grand those swords, but I prefer my trusty axe" Iykyk

[@one-of-us9939]

Thanks my brother

[@natetully287]

"You know I can make 10 sentences out of one" Haha! We love that about you, Matt! Keep the videos coming, and Cheers!

[@messylaura]

a vid on which type of edge grinds/sword cross section shape you have used for test cutting and which types are the best

[@Muritaipet]

I'm going to add my call to the chorus. Explaining the Mere / Wahaika you have on the wall would be a good self isolation video. Especially how you came by it please.

[@chris3034]

Hi Matt, I've been a huge fan of yours for several years now. And there is one question that I would like to ask you for quite a while now: Why are Katzbalgers often considered to have a rounded tip? Are there any real benefits to this or is this maybe just a modern misconception? And are there more examples of weapons like this? Keep up the great work!

[@somerando1073]

I'd like to see some tests of that back spike, and maybe some of your hammers and other stuff, against a patch of good mail on a patch of gambeson on a nice piece of meat.

[@Beyondzworld]

Would love to hear your thoughts on medieval towns. How they were laid out, how they were protected, how they differed from large cities. Especially in dark ages or before, where castles werent as common

[@rubbers3]

Video ideas? Since you recently did a video on a WZ.34 sabre, how about a fight review of the Deluge duel? Skallagrim made a video about it, almost exactly a year ago (on March 8th), but he did it more on the choreography aspects and overall realism, but I'd love to see your take, from a military sabre fencer.

[@slaughterhouse5585]

Would like to see a video about the use of war spatulas in combat.

[@smilodnfatalis55]

Axe: is better against shields, armor, mail; Also easier edge alignment and manufacture Sword: can be carried

[@Furniture121]

You carry your weapon far more than you use it... That's why most police use pistols rather than rifles. The reality if soldiering is you spend far more time doing everything but fighting. Even in yesteryear it's not inconceivable that a soldier could serve for many years, and never use a weapon in anger.

[@jonc8074]

swords are capable deep penetration and also sport the deadly pommel

[@Furniture121]

@@jonc8074 and who isn't a fan of stiff, deep penetration...

[@texasbeast239]

An axe haft can be carried in a circle or loop hanging from the belt, just like a sword blade in a scabbard hanging from the belt. You do have the added step of an edge guard that must be removed from the ax edge, but it can be dangled on a cord or chain from the loop or the belt, just like a scabbard peace tie. Hell, I don't see why you couldn't have an actual scabbard created for your axe haft. As long as the head sticks out far enough above the top of the scabbard then you should be golden.

[@jonc8074]

@@Furniture121... or a vigorous pommeling

[@Shozb0t]

Can you analyze any of the fights or battles from Kurosawa films? Especially interested in the spear duel from The Hidden Fortress.

[@bonesshakin2543]

Blade profiles. That’s something you should cover in a video. Or perhaps a series of videos. Compare different blade profiles, threir strengths, weaknesses and when and why a certain profile is preferable. That ought to be good.

[@barrettus]

Half expected you to have a video on the new mount and blade.

[@DmSereb]

A missed edge alignment turns an axe hit into a club hit, which is also nice

[@docshelley1969]

I'd like you to read more stories like the accounts in the "Swordsman of the British Empire" book. Thx

[@robertireland61]

It is gorgeous!

[@Fuksias]

@scholagladiatoria do you think it would be possible to make a guard on a rapier or thin straight bladed sword in such a way that the guard helps your alignment? for example: give the bottom of the guard more weight than the top part, so that it would theoretically mimic the self centering characteristic of a curved sword.

[@chrissermoon4156]

So.. A suggestion for at video on a topic, that I have been wondering about for some time. How effective were rondel daggers actually? Given that they are most likely used, when you are wrestling up close, and the fighting parties know where thier weak spots are for daggers of this sort, and probably are wearing mail and or thick fabrick in those places, it seems to me that it must have been very difficult to actually get it to penetrate.

[@adotare9180]

Hey Matt. Thank you for doing more videos whilst we’re all locked up. Could you do some more videos with accounts from Victorian colonial conflicts? Particularly the Zulu War.

[@lastEvergreen]

Is it feasible to use two handed weapons ( poleaxes, swords, spears, etc ) on horseback?

[@allenthrasher4883]

What about: The Polish "winged cavalry" and their outfit The Cossacks and theirs The Crim Tatars and theirs How these worked out in steppe combat with other players in the region, like the Russians, the Turks, and the Swedes ?

[@gabrielgfsilva9875]

Hi Matt, first, is lucy better?? second could you do some vids talking about iberian weapons (spain/portugal) of any time?? or I don't know just some vids swinging your weapons around ?? anyways thanks for the great conent

[@blakebailey22]

Can you talk about the experimental weapons drawn by Fiore dei Liberi? Thanks!

[@williamheinbuch]

I love tomahawks, lol. I have 4. What are your thoughts on the CRKT Woods hawks?

[@hubert_c]

Has the popularity of wheel pommels on longswords any link with edge alignment?

[@hanstorehindrum6436]

Question(and maybe topic for another vid?): if edge alignment is a serious problem with choppers - why not make the handles of swords and military axes more ergonomically ‘assisting’ with the alignment, like a (modern) woodcutting axe, which often have a curving handle so alignment comes even more natural. Is this done without me realizing it? Or does it have a draw back that I can’t think of?

[@WalrusWinking]

I have a question, what were naval battles like in medieval times? I personally only know of a few naval battles during that time and that's toward the end when everyone seems to have cannons.

[@The_J485]

How does a crossguard give you the feeling for the edge alignment?

[@esbendit]

What are the major differences in thehandles of war and tool axes? For instance, is the common curving flared at the end axe handle ever seen in war axes?