Armor saves lives, except when it doesn't

[@Kernwadi]

“Swords are just sharp metal sticks.” -Bilbo Baggins

[@sulphurous2656]

What does that make spears/lances then?

[@Kernwadi]

@@sulphurous2656 Long metal sticks, also somewhat sharp.

[@laurence_lookmyr]

@@sulphurous2656pointy metal sticks

[@themr_wilson]

@@sulphurous2656 longer sticks with a pointy metal end

[@lanesmith1465]

Technically, they're sharp metal paddles.

[@someoneindeed]

Wow I'm surprised how well it did especially against the axe but damn the way spear goes straight through is scary

[@TGPDrunknHick]

tests pretty much always show exactly why a long pointy stick was dominant for so many years.

[@themr_wilson]

Cutting = Pressure + Surface Area Smashing = Pressure + Surface Area

[@Scuzzlebutt142]

The primary military weapon for most of human history did well? Shocking. It will be because the force concentration, the spear concentrates it on a single point, and they used two hands, so it will part the fibres of the gambeson more easily than a single handed axe along an edge, but it did do percussive damage that the spear didn't. A better direct comparison for the spear would be something like a Dane Axe, two handed.

[@mnk9073]

It keeps the axe from cutting you, it does very little to stop the percussive force shattering whatever bones are behind it and intruducing muscles and organs to blunt trauma, rupture and internal bleeding.

[@AlphaGarg]

@@themr_wilson And Stabbing = Pressure / Surface Area

[@RedneckGodKing]

It's incredible to see how much stress is off of Shad now, his health is better, he's got a vibrance to him now, and the quality of the videos is phenomenal!

[@AmentiVZ]

Gambeson strikes me as sort of a medieval flak jacket. It's not designed to protect you from direct fire, just frags, but it can protect you from some light and glancing shots.

[@fancyincubus]

Flak jackets typically only protect against smaller rounds at certain distances Unless your talking about video games

[@norrecvizharan1177]

@@fancyincubus Precisely the point, I think. They're pretty weak and specialized (flak jackets being better against explosions/shrapnel than actual bullets, and gambesons being plain better at shock absorption from blunt hits than they are against sharp stuff), but are also pretty popular and common on the battlefield because sometimes that little bit extra can lessen incoming damage just enough to allow for survival (provided there's still a fast medical response, of course).

[@another3997]

​@@fancyincubus Originally, Flak jackets were only ever designed to stop injuries to aircrew being shot at by German anti-aircraft shells in WW2. "Flak" is a shortening of the German words for Anti Aircraft guns. Only later were lighter weight Flak jackets designed as body armour for ground troops, and only to protect from shrapnel, not bullets.

[@DanielMWJ]

More pointy than sharp. They showed good effectiveness against sharpness, poor effectiveness against bluntness, and minimal effectiveness against pointyness.

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

That’s a great comparison.

[@maxrobe]

Bikini armor saves lifes. If not demonstrations with suitable hired test subjects should be shown.

[@poilboiler]

Are you asking to see Shad's crew in bikinis?

[@Some_Really_Random_Dude.]

@@poilboiler I would not be opposed to this.

[@liamrobinson2084]

Excellent suggestion! Let's just make sure the models aren't named Ty-mouranth or Ms Inbetween, and don't look like Shad's charming assistants in this video!

[@pyeitme508]

Ha 😂

[@walkir2662]

I would have been like 70, so sorry pal.

[@Zero-oh8vm]

Is it just me or does Shad look more healthy than before?

[@Space_Drifter0621]

He's quite likely to be.

[@SirStouk]

It always helps to be able to spread the work load. Having long term health problems myself though, your average level of health just continually goes down. You still get the good days, but they become more infrequent, and the bad days get harder and more frequent. It's nice to see he's been able to get Nate and Tyranth so that hopefully he'll be able to continue to have more good days than bad.

[@Ekseth]

Also, It's impressive how stress can mess you up physically. The fact they have been able to successfully reach out to the community to secure some funding must have been a huge relief for him.

[@laisphinto6372]

is it the hair? he looks like lancelot with long hair

[@jeremyrichardson24]

It's all the Hello Fresh

[@JGGR89]

This re-contextualizes battle scenes involving spears for me. I have a new profound respect for this weapon. "Stick em with the pointy end"

[@Ltgaigley]

A spear test, would be amazing from you guys!

[@jacktheomnithere2127]

hopefully they'll test it against material similar to crocodile skin.

[@SirStouk]

The best thing about the spear is, even if someone manages to cut the blade off, you're still left with Shad's favourite weapon... the mighty STICK!

[@mihast3273]

They have tested a fire sword, but imagine a FIRE SPEAR

[@abcdef27669]

Welcome for another episode of "What Physics Classes Should Be".

[@1stCallipostle]

If my combined chemistry and physics class had been all about slapping dummies with weapons and lighting stuff on fire, I would've been an A student.

[@MrPlainsflyer]

Gambesons, highly underrated and useful things. Keeps you warm in the winter as well!

[@Leo.23232]

overated sometimes, i've seen a lot of people think its better than chainmail

[@MrPlainsflyer]

@@Leo.23232 it goes in cycles friend, back 10 years ago most people on the interwebs saw Gambesons and leather as almost useless against weaponry.

[@stephenfarmer3908]

Ref war bows and gambesons and what I’ve seen to get into a gambeson you need the proper arrow heads to penetrate through like long bodkin heads any head that has sharp edges and pointy Not bullet shaped heads these have to travel a lot fast to go through I know I used to do medieval archery demos a few years ago and used a 60 pound long bow and did do it also it’s the technique you use to draw and lose the arrow that makes it all work.

[@Leo.23232]

@@MrPlainsflyer it depends, people who aren't knowledgeable at all on it and dont care will underate it, people with a small amount of knowledge who look at videos of it being tested usually overate it

[@MrPlainsflyer]

@@Leo.23232 oh assuredly so. Its not the be all end all in terms of gear but it has its time and place, especially when backing up mail or when equipping vast amounts of cheap soldiers.

[@IsaacClodfelter]

These things were so effective that we kinda still use them just for non combat rolls. Like the modern anti-dog bite vests are like large fuffy gambesons.

[@Grandwigg]

IT IS RESTORED! The triumphant return of the great Bec de Corbin! This episode was absolutely a joy to watch. And Shad's narration was in point. We need more Narrator/GM Shad in the world. (The community of the sword RP series a while back was great)

[@themr_wilson]

12:09 Yes, spear video, please! Would really enjoy shots of forging, sharpening, general maintenance, too

[@KanjiYasumori]

You Guys always make amazing content, Your hard work will not go unappreciated

[@steffent.6477]

I love these weapon/armor tests the most of all your video topics and formats here.

[@Starsky3022]

17:25 I feel like in these tests there should also be an effort made to specifically see how it stands against poor edge alignment. Cause most of the time you probably wouldn't be able to perfectly align your edge. Also for a proper war bow I'd like to see how it fairs against longer or various engagement ranges

[@unknow11712]

based on observation ,i speculate direct hits are 99.999% penetrating that. side's hits are more likely to bounche , depending on the arrow head .

[@norrecvizharan1177]

@@unknow11712 Regular bows might not be so lucky at times, but I certainly would agree when it comes to war bows. Those things are absolute monsters.

[@another3997]

Not all warbows were 120+ pound draw weights. Tod's Workshop has done several excellent videos showing thorough experiments with arrows versus gambeson, maille and plate armour. Plus thrusts from Rondell daggers and even a Roman Pilum. He also measured how much energy is lost by an arrow over distance.

[@shipmcgree6367]

Testing dummy: "Tis' but a scratch!"

[@liamrobinson2084]

Hahaha! The ballistic dummy is named Boromir!!!!!! Brilliant!

[@eduarddodu1973]

I was so heart broken when the Bec de Cobin broke. Its nice to see the beast back in action. I had a good feeling at the beginning that it was our beloved polearm is back.

[@GrizzneyGames]

A dedicated spear video is definitely overdue at this point, if it hasnt been made already. The historical accuracy of using spears before swords has been brought up a lot on this channel already.

[@liamrobinson2084]

Fantastic video! The most fun medieval science channel!

[@JKDDarthSniper]

the armor would actually work slightly better on a human which moves around during combat and when struck. Could also be worse if the strike is timed perfectly to when the enemy is moving towards the blow. Thus skill in combat enhances or deadens the effectiveness of armor.

[@ChristophBrinkmann]

Yeah that isn't going to amount to much.

[@noblej7897]

Nice testing. Poor gambeson. Retirement was rigged from thee start 😂

[@abyssminiaturestudios6103]

Enjoy the equipment testing and theory testing as always keep up the good content fellas

[@yabadabadoo6942]

"We are professionals" *throws orange on sharp stick with shiny point*

[@lordnul1708]

Gambeson's main protection was cushioning impacts, and it did indeed reduce the depth of cuts as long as you can keep your attacker hitting new areas. But given how soft it is, it makes sense that it can't provide any from stabbing and in some cases shooting. Chain mail has the same vulnerability but for a different reason.

[@1stCallipostle]

Gambeson really is impressive for the standard though. Wearing Mail all day is gonna suck. Especially if you're marching for miles. Meanwhile, you could get away with just y'know Padding instead. Might even be quite pleasant to have with you on a chilly day. And fashionable at that. Pair it with a hooded cloak and you've invented spring hoodie fashion early

[@norrecvizharan1177]

@@1stCallipostle Can't help but wish that medieval attire like gambeson was a bit more common, purely because of it being great fashion that's genuinely protective/useful. I mean heck, chestplates can arguably make an okay-ish substitute in areas where ballistic armor is banned (though obviously it's not nearly as protective by comparison, at least it still majorly reduces the total damage a bullet can do).

[@another3997]

A padded gambeson would have very little effect on modern bullets or the damage done. Even one made from 30-40 layers of linen wouldn't do anything, unless the bullet was exceptionally light and travelling very slowly. Many gangsters like Al Capone and John Dillinger wore "bulletproof" vests made from layered cotton and linen, which is why law enforcement moved to the .38 Special. That would easily penetrate them. Metal plates were the only defence. Years later, even the new "ballistic Nylon" vests wouldn't stop 9mm.

[@lordnul1708]

@@another3997fair, but not everything that shoots is a gun for example the lower bow piundages could be stopped depending on later count, not so much on the higher ones) but okay. Also in my book, ballistic nylon vests are totally modern gambesons just with less coverage.

[@GeekNewz]

How many takes do you make for those "don't do it at home" warnnings? They are so perfect😆

[@someotherworldlybeing3167]

I always like that for people who are enthusiastic for like a singular weapon or kindof armor, they’re always able to admit it’s weaknesses.

[@IPostSwords]

How many takes did that intro require?

[@Tyler.Rude.]

Damn you beat me too it. I'm guessing at least 10 times. I want to see the outtakes on that one, probably hit dude in the bald head at least once or twice.

[@marcogenovesi8570]

the dude in the back is aiming the spear so it's not that bad

[@embee7434]

Very enjoyable! The test videos are awesome, and there is something super entertaining about Nate walking around with 'blood' all staining his hands. 😂

[@karliikaiser3800]

Love the spear, would be great to see more of it.

[@BR-dj1bo]

"So heavy plated armor can save your life?" "Well yes but actually no..."

[@taylorv1097]

Super fun content as always! I’m so happy Nate and Tyranth are sticking around, you all add so much to the community. In that same vein, please just let each other finish their thought before someone else jumps in 😅 The unscripted energy is endlessly entertaining but the clamor of everyone speaking at once feels more argumentative than anything else. Just an observation I had over the past few videos! Keep up the Medieval Mythbusters vibe!

[@MayBeSomething]

Tyranth: I like ya cut, G!

[@B.L.S.]

Armor does save lives, but it's not perfect.

[@krissaunders6418]

Little bit of an expensive video idea: Using modern materials can you make a better Gambeson? Either one that preforms better against medieval weapons or against modern weapons.

[@johan.ohgren]

We already have soft body armor and hard body armor. Like keramic plates etc

[@amelianyoom9545]

Probably not, at least not with commercially available textiles, the quality of textiles has been decreasing for quite a while now, clothes that are worn less than they would’ve been in the 19th century fall apart far quicker under less wear. I’m not sure of the quality of fabrics from earlier periods, however I’d bet they’re likely far better than what we use currently.

[@1stCallipostle]

​@@johan.ohgrenSoft armor nowadays is kinda... Not great. I feel like it's getting broken by the pistol fire much quicker than the gambeson would give out to a Saber or some such. Which I feel is an apt comparison. Not to say it's useless I'd rather have bullet fragments in me and a cracked rib than The entire expanded bullet in my lung

[@tannerwood902]

@@amelianyoom9545 Perhaps if we're talking cheap textiles for every day wear, you may be correct, admittedly I don't know. But we have modern textiles with much better properties than polyester or cotton. Textiles like aramid fibers (e.g. kevlar, twaron, nomex) are commercially available and not even that expensive. I have rolls of the stuff myself. Reinforce that with UHMWPE sheets (also not that expensive, I have some as well) and you're talking a very durable gambeson that is practically cut proof, and for far cheaper than what a quality linen gambeson would have cost 800 years ago.

[@amelianyoom9545]

@@tannerwood902 I haven’t a clue about any types of fabric that aren’t used for everyday clothing, however having looked into the aforementioned fabrics while they would absolutely be far better as armour, they also seem to range from fairly priced to quite a bit more than that and of course one has to take into account how much of each would be needed, it’s definitely more than a metre per layer, method of construction and the costs of those methods (this might be irrelevant depending on how you actually work with these fabrics), I doubt a home sewing machine is up to the task though I may be wrong. I could absolutely see it costing quite a bit more than something I’d be able to afford at least. You definitely aren’t wrong though. I’d have to argue a bit on the part of how difficult it would be to get though, since the construction could be done by a seamstress and fabric was also woven by hand, I would think it unlikely that a village would have only one of or neither of each, there were likely multiple. They’d likely only own one which was basically how it was for most people with clothes until very recently, if it got ripped you’d fix it unless it was too damaged to repair.

[@kadiralperencelebi]

Gambeson: Starter armor Atk: 1 Def: 2 Slash resistance: 3 Piercing resistance: 1 Smashing resistance: 2 Price: 10G Sell: 1G Actually it is tougher than it looks.

[@timeshark8727]

Good cloth armor is great protection... right up until the force overcomes the level of protection. Hacking/slashing through layers of thick fabric is very hard to do. Crushing what's underneath is a little easier. Piercing through it with some very sharp pointy bits is easier still. Its amazing just how much energy per cm you can put into a good spear thrust.

[@1stCallipostle]

Even still, I'd probably rather have half a spearhead in me than the whole thing. Just hope it offers SOME resistance.

[@timeshark8727]

@@1stCallipostle Unless you are ridiculously thick, the difference between 6 and 10 inches isn't all that important. (at least that's what we tell my friend, who is very smol)

[@WJS774]

@@timeshark8727 Still, a spear thrust coming in at an angle will not penetrate _nearly_ as well as one coming in square, and the gambeson might be able to stop even a spear under those circumstances.

[@chazharrison9760]

Great video as always fellas. And to the Man running the camera in the back, can not forget him. Love to see how brigadine would hold up to some of these test.

[@jpakkala]

12:09 Hello hello! Yes, please! I'd love to see a dedicated video about spears! The more the merrier!

[@Trumplican]

i'd love a dedicated video on spears

[@rafadziurka2595]

Dziękujemy.

[@tischot]

I'd love to see more content about spears! maybe a review or piercing tests

[@vincent-antoinesoucy1872]

Thanks!

[@ulthre]

Thanks

[@serioussponge6416]

Gambeson Armor stat ratio + + Slash protection + Blunt protection - Arrow Protection - - Pierce protection

[@anvos658]

At worst it would just be arrow neutral, as it is more effective than not, and as we could see could deflect if the arrow didn't have enough force left to penetrate.

[@curtisbeattie5571]

6:52 It's nice to see that Tyranth now enjoys smashing things. Excellent job Nate.

[@DMingThoughts]

That spear stab was just... Oooof... Dude. That's scary.

[@smileywarhead5178]

Considering you'd shield against arrows, parry against swords, and race to the button with spear vs spear, the gambison neatly absorbs the splash (the splintering arrows and other debris, and bouncing melee attacks)

[@huntergrant2011]

The armor tests from Todd's workshop shows that war Bows with proper arrows go through just about anything

[@vyor8837]

Cept plate.

[@WJS774]

@@vyor8837 Even plate under the right circumstances. Not all plate is equal, and hardened arrowheads will do a number on mild steel.

[@vyor8837]

@@WJS774 If the steel is hardened properly, no, no it will not go through. Ever.

[@WJS774]

@@vyor8837 That's what _I_ said, genius.

[@TheOGWiggle]

ooh ooh ooh! I like this one! I like all of them but this one too!

[@gabrielinostroza4989]

Testing combined armor types would be a great next step, gambeson + mail on top, gambeson + a leather doublet, leather doublet with metal scales, fantasy "ring mail", etc

[@jim7217]

Exactly right - good idea here!

[@ozsteamer2755]

*I never thought I would say this... **_but I love the advertisement_* Especially the stuff going on in the background.

[@SomeOne-wl6wp]

I never understood why I watch so much of your movies now I know ,you guys are carring the legacy of the Mythbusters guys and I love educational stuff with childlike joy of seeing deadly weapons :D

[@its_dey_mate]

And the most important thing to remember is that a gambeson could and very often was worn with other types of protection. A gambeson, a hauberk and a brigandine. This would combine all types of protection (bludgeoning, piercing, slashing and hacking) to a very high degree.

[@jim7217]

"Do you want to keep hitting it?" "YES!" of course - love the work guys, and it seemed like it was a lot of fun. Thanks for this video, and at least for me, a video on Spears would be great

[@bradbrandon2506]

WOW that surprised me! I knew a gambison was good, but that's really nice. Your sacrifice was not in vain, Shad!

[@TheOGWiggle]

Nate's fingers getting progressively green as the video continues. xD

[@barebius]

Yes, I would like more videos about spears/polearms.

[@AlexanderVRadev]

Props to the dude in the tree branches handling the apple juggling. :D

[@deatho0ne587]

6:22 depends if it breaks or bruises the rib. One you will not like for several days, the other ends the fight normally. Adrenalin though can do some odd things during a fight for your life. Have at least bruised a rib and I did not have decent sleep for a week plus, but did not feel it during the event that caused it. Just some ringing in my ears is what I noticed and about an hour later someone took me to the ER.

[@m.vondrake5534]

Gambesons I saw in Germany had metal coin-like sinkers in the quilting at strategic areas like the back, chest and front of the legs.

[@TheAlison1456]

8:50 I like that comically small arming sword 12:11 I would actually be interested in a spear video

[@everythingisinfinite4602]

You guys are awesome. Thank you

[@TheOGWiggle]

DEDICATED SPEAR VIDEO, SPEAR IS BEST WEAPON!

[@BigChicken-eg4bg]

The thumbnail of this video shows Shad proudly presenting his shafts.

[@TheWillieA]

That poor gambizan! It served its purpose well, even to the end...

[@malango255]

Ricky Shay is a crazy dude. Watch out for him.

[@Velkairiwyth]

As someone who frequently does medieval reenactment battles, i can say the majority of my bruises and injuries come from spears. I often have Swords glance off the corners (elbows and knees) and leave bruises, but i still have a semi dead leg from a moderate thigh jab three days ago with a blunted end of a spear, through gambeson, as well as some stomach and a chest bruise. Glad i had the gambeson :D

[@glorytoukraine5524]

For aspiring medieval fantasy writers and artists, who favor realism, channels like this are a gold mine

[@alexbogle2871]

i appreciate youre concern for safety. anytime an idiot cuts himself or friends.. it ruins blades for everyoe

[@lacasa3514]

I'm sorry to hear about the ad revenue blues. I think you guys are brilliant, love the content.

[@The_Judge300]

I find it hilarious how you guys at the end talked about how you feel that you wearing your gambesons when doing testing would protect you, when two of you always wear them with a huge gab exposing your most vulnerable area of your body with close to zero protection from your gambeson😂

[@leonrussell9607]

I'm surprised they're able to wear gambesons in Australia without getting heatstroke

[@LadyBirdieBop]

@@leonrussell9607 You realize it’s not 100*F there all year round, right? Even so, linen is an amazing textile that helps regulate your body temperature, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

[@leonrussell9607]

@@LadyBirdieBop can you tell me the temperature in real units, not your Yankee shite

[@darkrai2007]

The Bec de Corbin, Halberd are all longer weapons so you can put so much more force behind the blow that cracking ribs is a given. A full plate armor I would love to see as they are the stereo typical knight getup, the anti slash and pierce kings of medieval armor, but i would like to see what a full force Axe/Mace/Bec de Corbin would do to a full kitted knight (including under padding), would it just brush off the blunt force or would it buckle and cause a knight to be out of commision as well.

[@StressLevel100]

I love the Bec De Corbin!

[@souluss]

Spears primer would be amazing. One handed vs two handed. Spear + shield techniques. Spear tips history. Approaching spear formations with other weapons in battles. So much to talk about.

[@EnsignRedshirtRicky]

'tis just a flesh wound!

[@carboneagle]

Can confirm that even sitting down is a struggle with a broken rib.

[@akram4470]

great video man I like your style

[@nitebox3609]

A dedicated spear analysis would be, dare I say, Legendary!

[@Alpha.Phenix]

A viking funeral for the old gambeson. It is an icon, a legend and it died doing it's duty!

[@jacktheomnithere2127]

0:21 always carry a shield when fighting a dragon, even if it's small.

[@duanebouchard8736]

I love how one of you are wearing authentic (in period) red sneakers

[@johnjacobjingleheimerschmi6655]

I always love it when they smack boromir's head

[@klausroxin4437]

Love your armor testing videos.

[@Demo12345]

It's good to see the old gambeson get a proper sendoff. I wouldn't be surprised if you hold onto it for more testing, but otherwise you might want to give it a viking funeral.

[@billcipher1212]

i love the "we're what you call professionals" intros

[@JustTooDamnHonest]

Boromir knows where you sleep Tyranth.

[@LJCyrus1]

I absolutely would watch a dedicated spear video, even multiple.

[@kleinjahr]

I think that axe strikes on the shoulders should be quite effective. Even if it doesn’t cut through it would likely break the clavicle. Though shoulder pads and epaulets would increase protectiveness.

[@1stCallipostle]

I'd rather have a broken bone and end up in a prisoner trade as opposed to... Having an axe in my shoulder.

[@SeantheBawse]

Loving the vids, guys. I'm glad Shad is getting a break and Tyranth and Nate are an excellent duo. Something, something, review A Knight's Tale! I'm catching up and my quest will never end!

[@isaacowen3295]

with the gambason sharpness is the most important thing, based on my own tests with a nice sharp axe, it should cut striaght through, even a small saxon hand axe, only about 6cm edge on a short handle easily slices through more sturdy gambason, mine is 20 layers of sturdy canvas fabric

[@RavenWolffe77]

11:30 And here we see why the humble spear is the King Of The Battlefield. Spears have probably killed more people than every other weapon in history combined. We've been using them for tens of thousands of years for a reason.

[@stephenmcnair2749]

Spear videos would be awesome! How they were used, tests, polearms vs spears etc.

[@alex-uw4mm]

the return of the beak.BROTHERS! cows of triumphent return! COOOWWWW!!!! one of the few french inventions i love xD

[@roycereinhart-brown2549]

Yes please! 🙏 Dedicated Spear video! Prove how it earned its title as king of the battlefield!

[@Jason-de9mq]

Spears are for thrusting? Who knew, thanks, shadiversity. I learn something new every day. 😂

[@cmpiepho]

Dedicated spear video yes please! Gotta say, I really love the new intro style with the homage to MythBusters. You guys are awesome, keep rocking on!

[@danieljackson561]

God i love these amazing openings. Keep them up.

[@YandreYak]

every time Tyrant is interrupted mid phrase, he looks as if he wished he had a non-broken B-t-C for the sole purpose of punishing those cheeky ones