Why were STRAIGHT SWORDS chosen in places where CURVED SWORDS were more normal?

[@danm7298]

The machine gun settled the age old debate between curved and straight swords -anonymous german lancer

[@jon-f7u]

until the bullets ran out.

[@Pixel3]

@@jon-f7u Yes right until there is no more bullets.

[@vidarodinson5246]

Straight Lightsaber will be the answer

[@Mydumbselfsays]

​@@jon-f7u By the time a machine gun's bullets run out, you're already dead lol.

[@JAR98]

​@@jon-f7u - Jokes aside a US Marine killed a Korean soldier with a US Navy cutlass during the battle of Incheon in the Korean War and a US Navy SEAL used a sword (a self supplied functional kopis sword) during the withdrawal from the Kabul airport just a few years ago. Having a long bladed weapon to be used in case of emergency never really fell out of favor even though in 99.9% of cases it would be a fixed bayonet instead of a sword

[@blandedgear9704]

"The context runs deep with this one" - classic Matt

[@hraefn1821]

Darth Matt? lol that just sounds like a star wars quote for some reason.

[@jpraise6771]

Folks! today is a new day, let it be a new start for you with the Almighty Jesus Christ. God awaits you✝️

[@toddellner5283]

"It's what people were selling them." This is such an underrated insight. Swords don't pop out of the air. They are consumer goods, and people apply the the same standards to them as they do to toasters, cars, or shovels

[@Annielee825]

It's hilarious how often we overinterpret history. Every pattern, colour etc. always needs to have a deeper meaning. Yet in reality I'd bet the answer is more often than not "because people liked it" or "because it was available"...

[@Toxoplasma13]

@toddellner5283 a lot of elements of pre-industrial (and some newer ones!) follow a fashion paradigm rather than an arms-race, optimised performance paradigm- which means a combination of usefulness, availability, and changes in taste, prestige, and manner of use.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

​@@Annielee825 Madder red for British uniforms. Because it was available at the time of the New Model Army, and it was cheap.

[@toddellner5283]

@@Toxoplasma13 Precisely. And even today a lot of weapons choice from individuals to governments is for reasons like "everyone is buying this one. it's the latest and greatest" etc.

[@jeremywilliams5107]

That blue for the RAF uniforms because the Russians had ordered a load but were out of the war before delivery.

[@LuxisAlukard]

I like that comparison between swords and cars! A curator in local museum made a similar one. He said that swords were like cars because most people could afford one if need be, but most of them were old or bad or just plain. But if you wanted really good and expensive one - it's probably made in Germany or north Italy. :)

[@mattjack3983]

Ha! Damn thats a good analogy. That's dead on accurate too!

[@sameerthakur720]

.... Or Spain.

[@jenHry-ng3pw]

Yeah, like a Fiat 😀

[@LuxisAlukard]

@@jenHry-ng3pw I said "probably" :)

[@ravikumarpillay8419]

The problem is white a$$ wholes like you never heard of Indian Talwar or Dhar swords. what arrogance u display ... When Alexander tried to invade india he was given a gift of 5 pounds of indian steel as a gift in 925BCE

[@GreaterAfghanistanMovement]

Fun fact; "Firangi" means "stranger" and the straight bladed swords that Matt is holding were called that because the blades were from foreign lands like Europe!

[@briseboy]

Ferenghi, an Arabic word coming from the fact of a high proportion of crusaders being French (England's upper class were Normans, prizing their language, which reshaped the old Frisian English language into today)

[@briseboy]

Think "Franks" and Frankish, to get a handle

[@Waldemarvonanhalt]

It's also a linguistic corruption of the word "Frank(ish)".

[@chetan.gondaliya]

Word Firang = foreiner / stranger. Absolutely Correct. We indians call all foreigners - a firangi .

[@brs802]

​@@chetan.gondaliyabut the word originated from crusaders in the middle east who identified themselves as Franks and locals called them Firangis.

[@Intranetusa]

Rare and exotic items were often used as symbols of wealth and status. Ancient China widely used lamellar armor, but was fascinated with chainmail because it was considered rare and exotic (as chainmail was mostly used in the Middle East, a few parts of Central Asia, and in Europe). On the flip side, Europe widely used chainmail armor, but was fascinated with lamellar because it was considered rare and exotic. So you see upper class people in ancient China using chainmail as a display of wealth, and upper class people in European states such as the Eastern Roman Empire using lamellar as a display of wealth as well.

[@toddellner5283]

There's a country which grows some of the best coffee in the world and where you can get beautiful tailored suits inexpensively. It's a sign of status to buy instant coffee and suits off the rack.

[@FT-xe2xo]

@@toddellner5283 what country is that?

[@hypothalapotamus5293]

In Sengoku period Japan, having a European breastplate was a huge warlord flex.

[@toddellner5283]

@@FT-xe2xo I should have used the past tense. It was something a Malaysian friend remarked on about how things changed. When he was growing up those things were foreign and therefore cool and exotic. It changed over the decades

[@FT-xe2xo]

@@toddellner5283 unfortunately transition occured which brings also good things but at the same time loss of something good already

[@PraetexDesign]

Curved. Swords.

[@tipchaser1341]

You see those warriors from hammerfel?

[@swagdaddy8298]

They've got curved swords. Curved. Swords

[@AlexisB-gv1tk]

How original

[@surgeonsergio6839]

What about curved women?

[@tipchaser1341]

@@surgeonsergio6839 the way the men of hammerfel treat the women, you'd think to see less of those.

[@Gandalf-The-Green]

Algerian talking about Tuareg warriors: "They got straight swords.... straight.... swords!"

[@sondrehimmelrikbarstad3414]

"Hey, Ranjit! look at this exotic straight european sword! looks exotic" 🤣

[@sameerthakur720]

@@sondrehimmelrikbarstad3414 Have you seen those warriors from Europe? They have straight swords.... Straight Swords.

[@steveholmes11]

And have you tried their food. Incredibly bland...

[@ThexXxXxOLOxXxXx]

@@sameerthakur720 Have you seen those warriors from hamerfell they have curved swords cURRRVED SWORDS!!

[@vidarodinson5246]

​​@@steveholmes11I kniw this is just a joke but fyi you couldn't called Pizza, Gelato, pasta, yoghurt and many Italian, Greek and Spanish food as bland

[@pankajjoshi1209]

The cavalry of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj compulsorily used the straight blade in the 17 th century called 'Dhop' which was a 4 ft long blade.. As rightly mentioned for its better reach.. and better reach is improved survivability..

[@akshaymishra3674]

Using a curved blade on cavalry is bad because you can't really move your body. Foot soldiers can use curved blade because it is a sword of the movement.

[@kapilkumar-br8ig]

छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज ने यूरोपीय कारीगरों से ही dhop बनवाई थी।

[@chetan.gondaliya]

In ancient times, traders from Western India ( my ancestors too) used to trade "wuttu steel billets, finished curved Tulwars, daggers, Spears and knives of wuttu steel to Arabs. Arabs used to call those wuttu blades a "Jawab-e-Hind " . Eventually wuttu became "wootz " . Ancient Russians call it " bulat hind" . In return trade Arabs used to sell us European blades maximum straight blades, & sometimes Saber blades too...

[@ofyanapcaz]

I dont know that egyptians used khopesh swords and even greeks had swords shape like sickle.

[@thaddeusgigachaddeus2954]

The antique khanda I got recently made me think about this and I personally think it's to allow reach on the cut while also creating a wider and heavier blade. Mine is quite top heavy and while it's different to the way I fence, which is HEMA, its easy to get used to and the way of fighting feels like using a one handed zweihander almost. A straight blade like a khanda also allows swipes from bottom to up with the false edge. On top of that its a religious symbol for the Sikhs so it makes sense they continued to use it

[@hellomoto2084]

It's an ancient sword tbh, has been depicted in hindu iconography centuries before sikh Nishan sahib or the symbol you say . It was a sacred symbol of rajputs , tbh in india no one thinks it's a religious symbol of Sikhs alone , rather the rajputs and kshatriya class before them.

[@sankettodmal255]

It's Marathas sword khanda.

[@xomox5316]

khanda is just a cool looking sword, first seen it on forged in fire

[@farkasmactavish]

Oh, my god, Matt, you can't just ask swords why they're straight!

[@wolfgangkranek376]

Not on Starmers watch. 😅

[@JJVin4476]

You're killing me! haha

[@bencoomer2000]

Someone going, "They have straight blades. STRAIGHT BLADES."

[@tipchaser1341]

@@bencoomer2000 you see those warriors from hammerfel?

[@EriktheRed2023]

Maybe something a bit like a southpaw in boxing, there is an advantage to being a slightly unusual element. You're used to fighting people with curved swords, but they will be less used to dealing with your straight blade, sort of thing.

[@mattjack3983]

There actually does happen to be some merit in that line of thought. If you are an orthodox fighter, everyone you train with is an orthodox fighter, and most of your opponents have been orthodox fighters..then all of a sudden fighting a southpaw (especially if you weren't expecting to fight a southpaw) is going to be a bit awkward. And that IS true for swords as well.

[@RijuChatterjee]

I was thinking the same.

[@normtrooper4392]

Might just come down to "you like the look of them"

[@kazikek2674]

Yeah. Exotic is cool, and to them, straight was exotic.

[@jupe2001]

Maratha empire preferred stright Khandas and Pata over curved talwars, ig it was more than just looks

[@frosty3693]

If I remember from some of Matt's videos, the curved sword is easier to carry and is more usable in very close quarters. Some British infantry officers, esp the ones on foot liked the curved swords to defend against bayonets. (having a bad day when that happens) And Matt mentioned in a video that the curved sword can reach over or around to make a thrust.

[@charlesbruggmann7909]

I would be fascinated to learn more about the the transcontinental sword blade business.

[@pasinduakalanka1174]

curved sword is used by usually armies with high cavalry where usually slashing is done than stabbing, if use a straight sword it will stuck in the victims body but curved sword will not

[@Eckister]

my two cents - the previous user would possibly try to sell the old item, likely at a discount and that would appeal to people, who cannot afford a new weapon but still need one.

[@bobrobinson1576]

You've already said most of what I would have liked to say but you could have emphasized just how much the reach advantage of straight swords was. The Middle Eastern style of fighting with curved swords was VERY close up. Often as little as a foot/30cm. This gives devastating slices but crap reach.

[@jupe2001]

They used shields so it sort of reduced the reach advantage straight swords gave.

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

@@jupe2001 Depends on size. In general, the larger the shield, the smaller weapon needed just like the larger the shield, the less armor is needed. The Zulus could fight effectively extremely up close and basically naked because shield basically almost as big as they were.

[@tihomirrasperic]

the curvature type is more practical in nature a sword with a straight blade is more practical for a foot soldier but a curved blade is more practical for a horseman a galloping horse goes 30 km/h or even faster, and the curved blade is like a razor, as it is curved, it gets less stuck on obstacles (arms, body, neck) at that high speed and cuts *** but also a curved blade can be good for an infantry warrior, because when it comes to shields, a straight sword cannot "bypass" the shield, but must break or remove it, while a curved sword "bypasses" the shield

[@richardvaleron2572]

@@tihomirrasperic "but also a curved blade can be good for an infantry warrior, because when it comes to shields, a straight sword cannot "bypass" the shield, but must break or remove it, while a curved sword "bypasses" the shield" Makes you wonder why Falx type inward curved blades werent more popular. maybe kopis/falcata types struck a balance?

[@vidarodinson5246]

What makes interesting that straight sword are better weapon against armored foe, and most curve sword cannot bypass that armor. That is why backsword and rapier are made to stabbed foe with armor, or you just simply use greatsword and smash your armored enemy.

[@thechroniclesofthegnostic7107]

One thing to add re: the reach issue is that the difference is like that between a jab and a cross in boxing. The curved blade is less likely to make contact at that end of its reach, but will cut more deeply when cutting all the way to the tip. "Going for the KO." The straight blade will cut farther out when cutting at the tip, but sacrifice both torque and edge angle for a shallower cut, though it still might be sufficient.

[@jvin248]

Curved are best for plain-clothed lightly armored enemies, straight for poking those wearing mail and medium armor.

[@thechroniclesofthegnostic7107]

@@jvin248 True. But already talked about commonly, and not really relevant to what I said above, which is solely about the tradeoffs for cutting regarding both. (And the "poking" still works best for gaps, mail and medium armor still often resists it.)

[@vidarodinson5246]

Torque haha How many horsepower your sword have?

[@thechroniclesofthegnostic7107]

@@vidarodinson5246 Less when it's longer. That's kinda how lever arms in circular motion work. :p

[@noble_sword64]

I’m generally a fan of old stuff but in particular, swords are so SO cool! There are so many varieties and such exquisite craftsmanship.

[@lukewilliams8548]

I find that point about cars especially interestesting. I often forget how common importing/exporting is, especially when talking about pre industrial revolution and swords.

[@carlcramer9269]

Swords said to have been wielded by the prophet Muhammed are on display in the Topkapi palace in Turkey - and they are straight swords.

[@DieNibelungenliad]

Some of the swords there have very fat blades and may have been held in both hands as opposed to one

[@Erm-pm2pc]

I know my sword needs two hands to handle.. he he he. No Im being serious. I have very large broad swords. Break your wrist hitting anything with one hand.

[@mohannadali9662]

​@@Erm-pm2pc"your poor wife!"

[@amaduck2132]

Ayoo

[@vidarodinson5246]

​@@Erm-pm2pcliar, without picture we would not believe it

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the information ⚔️

[@AnujGupta-ro9xc]

Agreed that straight swords would always predate straight swords, but to say that in older, much older civilizations such as Persia, India and China curved swords arrived in the 16th century is... glossing over large swathes of history.

[@guharup]

There are very old engravings on the stupas with both males and females wielding curved swords

[@AnujGupta-ro9xc]

@@guharup IKR!

[@vidarodinson5246]

The older weapon of persia, india and china is straight just like any other country, the curve swords born in the form of proto chinese dao, then the steppe people spread it with new design and even affected chinese themselves followed by Japanese and Koreans.

[@guharup]

@@vidarodinson5246 curved swords came from the agricultural sickle. Since every civilisation had something like a sickle its hard to guess who made the transformation first. but consensus is with egyptian khopesh not proto chinese dao.

[@mistersingh6470]

Awesome knowledge! I didn't know anybody would know about Khanda outside punjab👌

[@animistchannel]

Thank you for reminding us again of the contexts of real life. As to this one, historically, it seems that curved blades came from highly mobile combat styles that were largely cavalry intensive. Curved makes sense there for all the reasons of physics. Straight blades seem to be either because that makes sense in manufacturing efficiency, or from infantry cultures. Once established, though, styles and applications become a matter of fashion above subtleties of function; or else market forces of what it takes to get a good blade take over. Those german blades that spanned the world were relaible and available for reasonable prices, for example, so if a swordmaker (or kingdom) needed to outfit an army, it was an easy predictable budget item to buy blades in bulk and hilt them up to the local style. Q.E.D. there you go, and the outcome of the war was not much based on the subtleties of individual blade/style performance so much as on logistics and weather, etc. What a soldier needs is kit that works day to day.

[@reaperwithnoname]

Could you talk about the straight swords that came before curved swords in the middle east and india?

[@ahmedkeremsayar]

Turks and nomads specifically used curved swords for mounted warfare. They used less curved swords like yatagan for infantry warfare

[@AR-fr8br]

You have more knowledge than anyone on KZbin on such topics.

[@charlesgeringer8489]

Any chance we get a video on Forward-curved indian Swords?

[@Uruz2012]

In terms of shipping, more straight blades could be packed into a given space. Entire industries have been built around furniture designed to save on shipping costs, fitting a few more items in a given shipment has a lot of value to the seller.

[@Kathiarwari]

Very nice video Matt-Bhai - thank you for it. One reason could be straight blades were better for two-handed swinging after being unhorsed - a weapon of last resort - I always thought that was what the Khanda was for - it has a spike for the second handgrip coming out of the disc-pommel in some cases.

[@kazikek2674]

Exotic tends to be cool. To them, straight swords were exotic, I imagine. It's sort of like the western fascination with katana!

[@mladensosic2280]

Naah, im in to 4th century Roman spathas.

[@Intranetusa]

Yep. Ancient China widely used lamellar armor, but was fascinated with chainmail because it was considered rare and exotic (as chainmail was mostly used in the Middle East, a few parts of Central Asia, and in Europe). On the flip side, Europe widely used chainmail armor, but was fascinated with lamellar because it was considered rare and exotic. So you see upper class people in ancient China using chainmail as a display of wealth, and upper class people in European states such as the Eastern Roman Empire using lamellar as a display of wealth as well.

[@ZS-rw4qq]

Turks are know for their curved swords (kiliç and yatağan), but they also had straight ones called meç! Why this name? Well the word meč/mač is actually general Slavic word for a sword - which was usually straight at the time of their first contact. What seemed exotic and oddly specific for one was the standard for the other - hence when borrowing the concept they also borrowed the name

[@ChromeMan04]

@@ZS-rw4qq yatagan isn’t a Turkic knife but a Greek one.

[@ZS-rw4qq]

@@ChromeMan04 really?

[@paxonite-7bd5]

Do you have more Straight indian swords. I would love to see it. Edit: do you know about asi, its a mythical indian sword.

[@markkodryk829]

Any chance you make a video on other indian swords, like urumi, khanda or sosun pattah?

[@titanscerw]

Represent! 2 min in now, so far no bots on this horizon of context! :)

[@glennpbooth]

Can you do an episode on the weapons of Sharpe? The straight sword he uses rather than the light curved sword, a Baker rifle, Brown Bess Musket, Harper's Nock gun etc. That would be fantastic!

[@jamescrouchet1283]

When you're making a blade by forging it and shaping it with a hammer -- rather than cutting it from plate and grinding it as most replicas are made now -- it's actually tricky to make a long strait blade as they tend to curve. So those strait blades were harder to make, which tell us it was intentional, not just taking the easy path.

[@kerwynn9494]

1796 heavy cavalry sword and 1796 light cavalry sword which I imagine being a reach concern for larger horses.

[@BiswajitSingh636]

🙏🏻 Really enjoy your video ✌🏻

[@randomdude4505]

Video idea. All of the sword types that the name just means sword.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

Nearly all of them mean sword or knife, sometimes with a modifier.

[@InternetMameluq]

0:39: Except Egypt, where they evolved the axe into the Khopesh, which was coincidently close to the sabre and the best form for a sword.

[@briseboy]

Think indirect parry and counter, to find a very good use of straight following a single edged curved blade slash. The need to poke reshaped modern sabres. Maybe it even caused increased eyepatch sales among those of the "arrrr, mate, hand me that cutlass" persuasion.

[@DM-cy7hy]

Many ancient Indian temples where Gods are holding Swords they all featured Long swords🗡️ However, some temples in Southern India like Pallawa Dynasty temples shows curved swords with same hilt shape like Talwar. These are temples from 6th century AD. Older temples only mostly shows bows and arrows and daggers and some ancient weapons.

[@TheSamuraiGoomba]

Haven't seen the video yet but my first thought was "they were selling sword blades imported from places where steel was cheap and of high quality." Solingen steel blades were everywhere. People buy stuff that's cheap, available and relatively high-quality. If it doesn't match their traditions then they modify it to fit into their traditions. That's the way of people the world over. Buy a german straight blade and mount it on a tulwar hilt.

[@vanivinayak1092]

In Hindu religious text predating history , Ramayan , there is mention of a sword used by the demon king Ravan gifted to him by lord shiv , Ravan used this sword to attack the giant eagle Jatayu , the sword was called 'Chandra haas' meaning 'moon smile' and so by the description it seems the sword must be curved because the smile is often curved.

[@o-DEATHLESS-o]

Fascinating. I have always thought Indian curved swords predates straight swords because all in our Mythology dramas on TV they use curved sword and I am talking about wars that were fought around 300 BC inside Indian sub continent.

[@johnaldjgrump4603]

Those warriors from Hammerfell… Had straight swords? STRAIGHT SWORDS?

[@Jim58223]

Have you owned any Sri Lankan swords Matt? Thanks

[@RonOhio]

Perceived advantage I would think. If everyone else is using one technology, do you want to use the same thing, or try something else in the hope that it will give you an advantage.

[@riverraven7359]

a note on the issue of reach, you point out the straight blade will hit before the curved one doing the same swing but what about FORWARDS curved blades like rhomphaia and yataghan? would a puncturing tip or forwards slicing edge help at all?

[@anmolsingh9025]

khanda used by many Sikhs warriors gave double cutting action whereas traditional curved Indian swords had single cutting blade partly due to style of fighting resulting from curvature. Traditional Sikh religious warriors (Akalis i.e. immortals) used all types of weapons- chakram(Frisbee like cutting disc) worn on tower style turban, khanda, curved sword, pistol and typically a musket style gun later in history. this weaponry would get loaded on horse. most of the force was cavalry. I have seen original weaponry in Sikh museum, Amritsar 4 decades ago. Khanda felt super heavy- i suppose old guys didnt have computer man muscles. -:)

[@senselocke]

I imagine part of the usefulenss is the same as trying to box or spar with someone left-handed: since right-handed stances and people are far more common, a person who is left-handed has both a ton ov experience fighting right-handed people, and those people have very little experience fighting left-handed people. Well, people fighting against Indian forces are probably used to curved blades, but a straight-blade user on the Indian side is an anomoly, and maybe harder to fight, making the straight blade more useful than it would otherwise be. Or, I'm totally wrong. Plus, you can never overlook the fact that just like now (and always), tastes differ. Some folks just like different things, and liked the feel or look of the striaght blade better.

[@coppertopv365]

One slight difference i see with a straight blade VS a curved blade, is a straight blade seems to do a little bit more a chop than a curved slice. Think machetes for instance that chop more than slices. And another difference is "Environment".. the straight blade is hindered on ships or in some cqb areas.

[@edi9892]

What do you think are the advantages of slightly curved swords? Does the curve even matter? Where does it come into play? I could imagine that it can make unsheathing a bit more ergonomic and that it does affect point work and false edge cuts.

[@DieNibelungenliad]

There's no big advantage that either straight or curved swords have over each other. It's a matter of how a man likes to fight.

[@guharup]

Very advantageous for cavalry charges. Much more compared to straight sword

[@SpacePatrollerLaser]

You mention spring tempered. What would their HRC be. I have a long downcurved knife that is said to be spring stempered. It is 420 stainless. As I understand it 420 is said to be on the soft end" of knife steel with an HRC of 50. Are 'spring tempered" and HRC of about 50 pretty much the same. 420 and cr13 are said to be good for hunting and chef's knives and many persons complain about stainless steel blades say they are "hard to sharpen" which I could understand about 440 as that has HRC between 58 - 60. I would think that a 420 or spring tempered blaide, stainless or not, with an HRC of 50 would be easoer to sharpen

[@vpvm5081]

Try kalari payattu swords in south india.

[@lukasr.5839]

3:00 "Straight swords were used on both sides during the crusades": I know a German KZbinr that would be very happy to hear someone saying this! He's always so frustrated when he hears the "legend" about Muslims always using curved swords :D... while contemporary pictures tell a different story! @Geschichtsfenster

[@tn1881]

In Asia, trade with Japan began in the 10th century, and poems praising the katana were written.

[@srampal123]

Sir Indian or Persian s physical status is sturdy, short, and curved swords are easily withdraw by extending arm, moreover it's carried on a dress side tied with sword case. However European fighters were tall nd could easily remove swords from cases which were loosely hanging from side dress.

[@jonathanh4443]

I'll add two things. Every time I look to the 'oldest' examples of curved blades, they seem to originate from Cavalry 'cultures', think eastern Europe to Mongolia. The forests of Europe, you just fought differently. Armor and usage. You must consider armor when thinking which works better, a curved cutting blade or a straight blade. Chain armor, well good luck cutting through that. Some Persian cavalry would use the straight blade for the charge and then pull a curved blade for the melee. Each blade is optimized for different situations.

[@DieNibelungenliad]

I'm gonna say fashion trends and personal preferences

[@ThexXxXxOLOxXxXx]

Firangi's in near east languages word which equates to foreign in English 👍 In the times before it used to mean the things which came from the lands of the Franks, ie frankish coin, goods etc

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

I think straight swords are better as double-edged swords. And some people value fighting techniques that require two-edged weapons. Yes, sabers also often have a sharp false edge, but only on a short part of the blade and it is rather used for slightly different, specific techniques.

[@stormfoam]

38 seconds ago is in Context!

[@windwind3170]

You see those warriors from Hammerfell? They've got curved swords. BIG curved swords.

[@LiviaReaper]

That’s what I’ve been wondering all my life “why striaght?”

[@alphaomega154]

i thinkits due to learning through use in real conflicts, that fencing techniques that emphasis more on thrust/stabs compare to slash found to be MORE effective in combat. due to have shorter time of motion and shorter range of motions too. leads to more rapid effort and bigger chances to score a hit than doing wide long motion of slashings which if those slashing gets deflected could render you vulnerable for a moment. like i have mentioned it somewhere, that western fencing techniques evolves like how MMA is, by FUNCTIONALITY in real world use. so when those western fencing evolve as such, so thus the tools accordingly. and swords becomes thinner, and pointier and of course STRAIGHT. and since the very beginning of the europeans warfare in the BC time, they already found that straight sword will have more chances to hit the opponent. the other part of the world focus more on TRADITIONS, on IDENTITY. the japanese sees it as an "art". thats why they stick to what they have already and only maybe making it "sharper'. the western part always develops through tech and scientific assessment. and this opinion comes from an ASIAN.

[@Toxoplasma13]

Europeans heavily moved towards the use of curved sabres inspired by Turkish and Indo-Persian swords. Why?

[@atvanael]

The cut vs thrust debate went on for centuries and people pretty much just kept concluding that a thrust is more likely to kill, but cutting is a more natural action under stress and better in a melee. Which was more important depended on who you asked. Western fencing never really moved towards thrusting as a whole - thrust-fencing with rapiers and smallswords always existed alongside cut-fencing with broadswords and sabres, with varying amounts of crossover between the two, right up until swords fell out of use.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

MMA has not evolved according to functionality in real world use. MMA evolved around sport pugilism and grappling in extremely safe controlled environments. It does not resemble real world violence all that much. Western fencing began to favor thrusts because it was oriented around ritualized, unarmored civilian dueling. Self-defense, police, and the various types of military action are very different and favored different tools for compromises between practical, logistical, and efficacy motivations.

[@TheWampam]

@@atvanael Also, cuts seem to be better at stopping opponents. While a thrust to the body can be very deadly, if its not the opponent might still be able to attack you before he is out of order. On the other hand survivable cuts to the extremities take people out of fights extremly quickly. I think Matt has some video about this.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

I know some Indian styles like Odishan do prefer the straight double edged Khanda over curved swords. I think it's mostly due to tradition. However sometimes it can be b/c some of the techniques in the art cant be done correctly with the other sword type.

[@TobyBedford-x6t]

I wish I could show a picture I have a question about Wilkinson's trademark or brand

[@Mayhamsdead]

The second one from the thumbnail literally looks like a Paradoxica (PoE).

[@GluciaLorah]

Even before start of the video I'm already guessing because straight sword can be used for slashing as well as stabbing and piercing

[@FoodforThought-Plus]

Curved swords were used in the Middle East by horse rider because it makes sense to cut downward when you are on a horse vs. on foot/

[@raicattivo]

A question I’ve had which I’ve been considering Why were civilian rapiers broadened for military purposes (or were just straight up sideswords)

[@Toxoplasma13]

A rapier may or may not be an optimal battlefield tool, but if a lot of people are confident and natural rapier users, it becomes a practical choice.

[@GrandDungeonDad]

Whats better curved or straight in a fight? If there are no advantages why did blade shape change?

[@Confused_surprise]

Like always, it depends of the context. If you are fighting footsoldiers while on horseback, a long curved saber can deal devastating blows. If it is a duel between two armoured knights, take a longsword and stab in the gaps of the armor. There are countless examples of different swords being used in different ways, and culture also has something to do with it. So pick a precise context, add as many details as possible, and the answer will come naturally depending on how you plan to counter your opponents.

[@DieNibelungenliad]

Neither is better than the other. What matters is who wields the weapon

[@inregionecaecorum]

What about curved daggers? I would love to know more about the prevalence of curved vs straight daggers. I have a pair of X handled Sudanese curved daggers inherited from my dad.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

Regarding your statement about straight swords pre-dating curved swords in parts of Asia, would this also be true of the katana?

[@frankharr9466]

Also, someone always have do be different. Thank you.

[@omarnadeem33]

@scholagladiatoria..dunno if you covered this before but why did curved swords replace straight swords In the first place? And shouldn't the manufacturing of curved be harder than straight ?

[@ahmedkeremsayar]

Turks and other nomads revolutionized warfare in many ways . İn atillas time they introduced horse archers to europe which Byzantines used turkic (cuman/khazar) mercenaries as bucellari to dominate western powers. Curved swords came to india with turkic mughals and to europe and middle east by turkic people. Muskets and cannons were popularized in europe by ottomans. Howitzers , gatling gun , mortars were all ottoman inventions. But with ottoman decline due to janisarry influence western powers exceeded ottomans and truely mastered gunpowder

[@EsfandiarNokhodaki]

The first Horse Archers were Scythians and Parthians The mortar was first invented in Korea and the first howitzer was invented in Netherlands and Gatling Gun is American invention the curved sword existed in India before Islam and the first curved swords were invented in Egypt.

[@ahmedkeremsayar]

@@EsfandiarNokhodaki recurved bow is turkic invention Mortars, as weapons, have a long history and were developed independently in several cultures over time. The concept of a mortar-a short, portable, muzzle-loading cannon capable of firing projectiles at a high angle-was invented to launch explosive shells in an arc to reach targets behind fortifications or in trenches. ### Early Developments: - **Medieval China**: The earliest form of the mortar can be traced back to China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). Chinese engineers developed early gunpowder weapons, including the "huo pào," which was a form of a cannon with a relatively short barrel, used to launch explosive bombs at enemy fortifications. - **Ottoman Empire**: The first true mortars resembling the modern concept were likely developed by the Ottomans. The earliest recorded use of mortars in Europe dates back to the **Siege of Constantinople in 1453**. During this siege, the Ottoman Empire, under Sultan Mehmed II, used large, short-barreled cannons to lob explosive shells over the walls of the city. These were effectively large mortars and played a crucial role in breaching the city's defenses. ### Modern Mortars: - **European Innovations**: In the 17th century, European engineers refined the mortar design, making it more portable and practical for use in various military operations. One of the most famous early European mortars was the "Coehorn mortar," named after the Dutch military engineer **Menno van Coehoorn** in the late 17th century. Coehoorn's mortar was small, portable, and could be used by infantry to deliver explosive shells over walls or into enemy positions. In summary, the development of mortars involved contributions from multiple cultures over time, with early forms appearing in China and more

[@LoganKaval]

Could you do another video on the Turkish Yatağan

[@r0derick439]

The Indian swords you have are beautiful ⚔️👍

[@troyhavok8605]

I'm going to guess before watching the video or looking at comments: if everyone is most used to fighting against curved swords, using a straight sword might throw them off, much like a right handed boxer can be thrown off by a southpaw if they haven't trained against them.

[@ODonnchadhaBrian]

Those hilts do a similar thing to the hand to what a "viking" hilt does.

[@cspahn3221]

I'd love to see you talk about "women's weapons" in history, as in poison rings, single shot flintlock pistols, and small knives. I am very interested in how other women in history fought off, well, men.

[@gaoth88]

Poison rings for combat? With a poisoned stinger/needle is very dangerous for day to day use, chances to stab yourself or your dog is big :/

[@jamie-ox8sg]

Whats the oldest sword you have ever had in your possession Egyptian kopesh im hoping but would be awesome to know what the oldest one you have had for sale or in possession or even seen

[@braddbradd5671]

Hey Ranjit do you want a European sword to go with your European handbag ?

[@miracleyang3048]

Nothing ever happen Dalit

[@braddbradd5671]

@@miracleyang3048 Stop being classicist

[@TobyBedford-x6t]

Can anyone tell me what is a definitive test for sharpness I've been using water bottles of all different thickness

[@rogerlafrance6355]

The change probably follows the change from Muslin Rule to English Rule.

[@jupe2001]

English officers themselves preferred Sabres and Tulwars than straight swords in India

[@JamieW-o7b]

Easier to open a tin of beans with a straight sword?

[@dillonbuford]

Sorry what was that sword called, a ferangi?

[@jupe2001]

Firangi, it comes from the word 'Frankish'. It means foreign.

[@dillonbuford]

@@jupe2001 but like the big eared guys from star trek

[@themajesticman2424]

Hey ranjeet look at this exotic sword from europe😂😂 Love from india! There is very long history about weaponaries about india Fun fact - the land you know as persia was also a part of great india( ancient name BHARAT ) also today’s pakistan afghanistan land or turkey to the whole south east asia like indonesia was all one single country named (BHARAT) today 🇮🇳 india

[@QasqaZhol]

Sabres are must have ones where you fight with mass cavalry. Because asian continent was mostly dominated by nomadic invaders up to induatrial age. And the appearance of curved swords in india is mostly related with moghol invaders who found there Mughal empire.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

A curved blade, any chance of maneuvering it, interception of another sword, something specific to skills of the swordsman using them????

[@baltasartranconywidemann5129]

Basket-hilted BMWs from Germany still sell well in India.

[@basantitanga3631]

Shield = curved sword Body armour = straight sword

[@twistit4844]

being the devils advocate I could ask: if hitting the opponent earlier is an advantage, why not a curved blade that is curved towards the enemy?

[@stefthorman8548]

Isn't it thought provoking, that pretty much every culture that had straight blades, then switched to curved blades? Yea, the conquering nomads had a part, but the fact that the conquered didn't get rid of them, and revert back, when they had independence speaks volumes on the effectiveness of curved blades, here's an few examples, Europe, from straight sword to sabers, middle east/north afica, from straight sword to sabers, China, Japan, from jian, to dao/katana, India, from khanda(straight), to talwar(curved), i dunno much about Sub-Saharan Africa, and I'm pretty sure their sword designs weren't developed enouth to become curved, since they don't have much history as powerful countries, just large tribes, and they dont make alot of iron/steel weapons, so they make swords that look like clubs, and if it doesn't look like clubs, then the straight sword design looks middleeastern/north afican, or european, anyways, I'm pretty sure they switched to sabers after getting colonized. And for the americas, they were using sharp rocks, so they kinda have to be straight, since it's mounted on wood, anyways, they get an pass, since they don't have much metal(not that they were dumb, since they developed the best crops, knew about fertilizers, build huge wonders, and did all that without large beasts of burden like the rest of the world).