Rapier vs Longsword: mechanics

[@SellswordArts]

A lot of people commenting at the Rapier was in fact used on the battlefield. I've looked into these claims, and I found that there is actually a lot of disagreement about this. So, I've decided to make a video on it! Should be fun!

[@Interrobang212]

One observation I've had is it's sometimes very difficult to block very powerful two-handed strikes with a single handed weapon. You have to rely on the strong of the blade more.

[@lukesalamanca5503]

True. Two handed swords are usually the most versatile weapons. While one handed one's are more on dexterity and agility atleast that's what the media usually tell you. In reality it all depends completely on the person using it cause if the wielder is not as dangerous as the weapon then the only thing you need to worry about is not giving them a chance for a fatal strike.

[@joshuadouglass8225]

I’d say the cuts on a rapier are just as effective as the thrusts, if you’re fingering the guard you have incredible point control so quick cuts of you whiff a thrust is good at making connections. Source: I fenced and held my blade weird to put it more in line with my arm to try mimicking fingering the blade and those quick cuts at the end of a thrust hit often, easily and consistently.

[@gwynbleidd1917]

in a sport setting, I fully agree, but in a faithful combat/dueling/self defense scenario I have to disagree at least to some extent. The cuts being generated by rapiers, especially later versions, simply don't come anywhere close to longswords in terms of cutting power. and if you cut with the tip of the blade, it wouldn't have likely been a disabling blow in most cases. There's a reason rapiers weren't battlefield weapons. partly because their construction makes them easily breakable against any more robust bladed weapons, and partly because not having the ability to deliver devastating cuts and slashes severely limits their versatility. Not to say rapiers are bad weapons, they're just more niche than broaded bladed swords, especially longswords/hand n half.

[@joshuadouglass8225]

@@gwynbleidd1917 I’m assuming a duel scenario, rapiers are useless against armor so consistently getting light cuts will add up in a duel. Should have put the duel only disclaimer.

[@gwynbleidd1917]

@@joshuadouglass8225 even in an unarmored duel, rapiers (most types over the years they were popular at least) are not very good for cuts. At the very least, they're nowhere near as good at cuts as longswords. However, I think it should be obvious that rapiers are probably better at thrusts in many scenarios. but that's not always good. George Silver talks about how he thinks they're bad dueling weapons because they're mainly thrusting weapons, and stab wounds are more likely to be fatal or get infected and harder to heal than cuts. It's easier to disarm an opponent with a cut in a non fatal way, than with a thrust, but since they're usually suboptimal for cuts, the fight would more likely continue than if cut in the same place/way with a longsword or other more cut centric weapon. It's always a matter of context, and I'm not trying to argue with you, I just enjoy these types of discussions

[@joshuadouglass8225]

@@gwynbleidd1917 I love these discussions too! I was thinking a lethal duel kinda like the Norse holmgang to settle something, missing a stab but still getting in a easy cut will throw off you opponent and being able to nearly always land a hit will stress a defense IMO

[@BehindYou1231]

Gay

[@gwynbleidd1917]

great video but not entirely accurtate in one point. You CAN both block and attack at the same time with a longsword too. In Lichtenauers school of thought, the meisterhau are single time parry and attacks and there's 5 of them, depending o the source treatises being interpreted. Also I'd argue that another main reason longswords fell out of common use was more because of the advancement and more and more common use of firearms on the battlefield. and longswords weren't commonly used as a main weapon but a sidearm, or backup for when your polearm, mace, lance or whatever wasn't as effective or lost.

[@SellswordArts]

Thanks for your comment! This video is an introduction to the two weapons. Talking about specific combat maneuvers such as the pris de fer and the Meisterhaus would make this video very long and very pedantic. Additionally, those movements are not the bread and butter of sword combat. They are situational, and generally you are going to be parrying and then attacking with one weapon. I specifically state that the main weapons of war were polearms and archers.

[@gwynbleidd1917]

@@SellswordArts all very true. Anyways, your hema content is top notch!

[@dragonchild300]

Loving this new content! Very much looking forward to getting to learn from you in person!

[@yourlocalpredator9828]

I'm sure reverse grip would make the Rapier absolutely phenomenal

[@gwynbleidd1917]

i hope for the sake of humanity that you're being sarcastic lol

[@godspeed7000]

Bruh

[@rallyl7053]

So funny

[@LeviticusMoriarty]

Also lots of spinning

[@megabladechronicles962]

Rapiers have always been my favorite type of sword. It’s a great dueling weapon

[@siegva4607]

One of the first people here, very cool! Thank you for the knowledge :)

[@aaronpeta]

I've always wanted to know the differences, great tutorial.

[@godspeed7000]

I am a huge fan of the rapier sword so when I saw the title of this video I instantly clicked it

[@SchildwachePotsdam]

From which sources do you pull that Longswords were a thing from the 11th century onward? I am only aware of sources from the late 14th century and mainly the 15th up till 16th century.

[@SellswordArts]

I'm talking about 1100. Which is the 10th century. What you're talking about are the fight manuals. Mostly the German ones. We have the semi mythical figure of Lichtenauer, and then tolhoffer is one of the other early ones. Longswords (2 handed swords) were around for centuries before manuals are made describing their use. Sure, the sword morphed over the years. What I'm holding is more like what they would have been using in a later period, but it's the same principle. Much of the writing being done in Europe in the early parts of the Millennium where in Latin and for the church. We see some vernacular writings coming around this time, but also most of them are for the church. For instance, Dante's Inferno was written in the vernacular, which was extraordinarily uncommon. And he was writing in 1300, well after the 1100s

[@LeviticusMoriarty]

Rapier vs longsword…but for the apocalypse

[@freestatefellow]

Enjoying the content as always! I had (for a while) the Windlass Munich town guard sword, which was a wonderful sword. It had a wider and shorter cut-and-thrust blade which certainly would have lent itself to military use. Also, a point of feedback. I’d suggest less side to side camera movement. It’s personal preference, but the constantly shifting camera is (for me) distracting from your excellent content.

[@Tejpek]

I think its not about the sword, but about the swordsman

[@maceyuzumaki7527]

its depedning on the the swordsman who makes gret use of the longsword or the rapier

[@J.F.R]

You can use the long sword yeah but because you are supposed to use the rapier with one hand you can punch with the other hand.

[@nowayjosedaniel]

You can also punch with the longsword.

[@J.F.R]

@@nowayjosedaniel but you have less control of the long sword with one hand.

[@Prismatic_Pixie]

Very informative!

[@ibanheadhunter8317]

I wanna see something about some flamberg weapons.

[@lars6120]

Sabor vs katana

[@radbrad4678]

Thanks for the video

[@Schmidtactular]

What the handle on the rapier was extended to allow two-hand use?

[@brokenblackbird]

Curious how sword and lantern would work? Presumably it would be a cut & thrust rapier and a lantern. Would the lantern just be for illumination in night time duel or would the lantern be used to parry cuts or occasionally smash the opponent. Sword and cloak is well known, but sword and lantern seems fascinating, either musketeers or pirates.

[@johnwotek3816]

Stab and wack. Stab and wack. With optional burn and flash blindness.

[@diverdowndo3817]

Love your tiktoks that’s why I’m here

[@Rebelcommander6]

If you haven't already, I'd be curious if you had any insight for Katana vs Rapier. I primarily make use of Japanese Weapons in my HEMA group and regularly spar with a fella who uses a Rapier in our armored combat class

[@williammclyr3330]

You are spreading misinformation, longsword were actually worn as civillian self defense weapons and rapiers were used in war. They are both sidearms, one is better by itself, other allows to use tool in free hand

[@leehilborn8118]

what about medium levels of armor: sidesword and something in the offhand vs longsword?

[@articusramos808]

What can you tell me about sabers?

[@hohnmagna6903]

Sorry if this is inexperience talking, but I always thought rapier had the smallest of an edge over longsword. Due to reach either way. It all comes down to skill

[@Hadras7094]

Anyone know what rapier is he holding?

[@thomasgallegos4466]

Could you do one about the m1685 sword used by the Swedish during the carolean rule in the 1700th century.

[@anakin2489]

Now which is better, a long sword, or a short sword? Edit #1: oh and I also shared this video with a friend of mine, and he says you’re great and so did I.

[@SellswordArts]

That depends again. If it was a single short sword versus a single long sword, I'm going to give it to the long sword. Double short sword versus a long sword (depending on what type of short sword) is a little bit more even, but I'm still going to say longsword. Sword and shield versus a long sword, that one's really tough. I might give that one to sword and shield. At that point the longest going to have to get tricky

[@anakin2489]

Thx, I’ve always been wondering that because I always thought short and long swords where cool. (I still do) but now I know which ones better. Thanks.

[@gwynbleidd1917]

@@anakin2489 I want to add to what Sellsword was saying. I don't think either sword type is necessarily better or worse than the other. It's a matter of context, and circumstances, like most things in regards to hema/history or any martial arts really. The British master George Silver would've probably said the shortsword was better, but in his lifetime it was more common on battlefields than the longsword. Lichtenauer or other early masters would've probably argued for the longsword because of how common it was used in their region and time. Both were great weapons in their own right in their place in time.

[@anakin2489]

@@gwynbleidd1917 ohh so no sword is better or worse than each other, just the long sword might be more useful in some types areas of battle than the short sword.

[@gwynbleidd1917]

@@anakin2489 yes, and the short sword would be more useful than the longsword in other situations. That being said, the longsword is one of the most versatile swords of European history, in both construction and uses.

[@ajithsidhu7183]

Please do talwar and khanda

[@redLoki88]

hi, could you also make a video about the difference between degen and rapier? would be awsome

[@kojitada361]

Where did you buy that sword?

[@ennard6190]

I NEED MEMES!

[@leehilborn8118]

What about post apocalyptic scenario

[@Prime_G1]

do longsword vs Zweihänder please

[@elshebactm6769]

👍🏿🤠👍🏿

[@bananaboye3759]

Why not halfsword a rapier?

[@_thog]

Berserk be like

[@jazermano]

One of the lines describes the "sword" as something like "a hulking mass of steel, rather than a blade." Also, anime logic. But yes, the strength stat on Guts is ludicrous, and I kind of love it. (But his highest stat has to be badassery I mean, it's *Guts*)

[@_thog]

@@jazermano I'm making a wooden dragonslayer and can't imagine how a metal one would be able to be even picked up

[@jazermano]

@@_thog Even a hard foam one is impressive to me. 'Buster-type swords' (as I call them) are just so bulky, it's hard not to throw off your center of mass. Rather, it's hard to throw off your center of mass in a purposeful way. I'm sure some greatsword techniques might help... or maybe you'd have to treat it more like some kind of warhammer or giant sword-shaped club?

[@_thog]

@@jazermano just big sword. I'm putting final touches this week

[@alirezaasgharzadeh4923]

VG