SWORDBREAKER - IN ACTION

In the spirit of "weird weapons", In the first of two films, I decided to surprise Matt Easton with a 'sword breaker'. They were rare and we don't know much about them - but most importantly how were they used and what were they for?
In this episode we look at two rapier fighters, one armed with the sword breaker and discover a bit more about them.........and get more confused.
Part 1 of 'Weird Medieval Weapons - Sword Breaker" can be found here • SWORD BREAKER
I have looked at this before (without Matt but with Hobb), and my first video can be found here • Sword "Breaker" or Swo...
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Schola Gladiatoria. / scholagladiatoria

[@scholagladiatoria]

I REALLY enjoyed seeing this one tested, and honestly, I would absolutely want one of these if I was kicking around in the 16th century. Perhaps the only change I would make is to add hooked quillons and have those teeth a little wider spaced.

[@ArmouryTerrain]

next video testing it against side swords?

[@lordenkidu1876]

What if the teeth were made to be longer? Would longer teeth throw off the balance?

[@Assdafflabaff]

I think the name sword breaker doesn't necessarily mean that it snaps the blades in half. I think it's old fashioned and it's being used the way you would "break" a horse. It's synonymous with taming. It allows you to tame and control the blade the way you would a horse, therefore you've "broken" the enemy's blade.

[@DevAndVic2022]

Honestly, having a sword breaker is such a powerful move.

[@scholagladiatoria]

@@Assdafflabaff I don't think the name 'sword breaker' was used in period, it's just a modern invention. As far as I know, we have no period accounts talking about these specific daggers, so we don't know what they called them.

[@ParanormalShaqtivity]

Tod, I'm loving this series with Matt. You guys are both a wealth of knowledge and seeing real implementation is fascinating.

[@Thesandchief]

Seconded

[@Tscheche89]

same here absolutly love their colaboration

[@simonrigg8391]

Totally agree.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks Collin and we enjoy it

[@danspragens4935]

I would love to see a follow-up with sidesword/backsword vs. the sword-breaker just to test the hypothesis about more cut-centric styles.

[@silkyz68]

I'm wondering if you use it like a normal perry dagger vs rapiers, but locking for the sideswords.

[@tods_workshop]

I think we will come back for that - it is a great idea

[@danspragens4935]

@@tods_workshop Another thing to look at, given the possibility of teeth breaking off that you mentioned in an earlier video, might be to remove a few (perhaps every other tooth to make the testing easier) and see how it functions that way.

[@zeroclout6306]

There's also the possibility to design two different tooth spacings and test them both against both kinds of blade dimensions at the same time.

[@cheyannei5983]

I love how Matt beams around his students. It's lovely to see a teacher so personally invested in their student's success!

[@AnotherDuck]

It should really be the default for teachers. I had a few such teachers. By far the best classes.

[@Matt_Alaric]

Perfect. This sort of experimental archaeology/re-enactment is worth ten books of theory and for teaching us about how the objects are properly used is the best tool we have.

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you

[@jm9371]

Fun to see actual HEMA pros play with an unfamiliar blade type. They seemed to adapt to its flaws and strengths quite quickly. Fascinating to watch!

[@romgl4513]

We live in a wonderful time, where such an experiment, demanding knowledge, expert weapon creation, weapon use and on-the-spot discussion, is possible. Formal historians should notice, here is history brought to life.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks, that is very generous of you

[@mostlychimp5715]

My gut says you could get a writeup of this published in a scholarly journal. Really great stuff Tod, thanks for educating all of us.

[@Lttlemoi]

This is great practical history research.

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you an dI personally just find it really interesting and I know Matt does too

[@docschro6847]

I think that the sword breaker needs a bit of its own series, akin to the lockdown longbow,, where it's design is tweaked to be a more practice oriented blade and tested against a few different types of blade as mentioned in other comments

[@tods_workshop]

We could always come back

[@ChateauLonLon]

@@tods_workshop That would be very cool! :)

[@tulsatrash]

Just as I'm thinking "I can't understand this guy, I wish there were subtitles" the SUBTITLES AVAILABLE sign appeared on the screen. So I rewound a few seconds, turned on English subtitles and picked right back up. Brilliant. Thank you for the extra time care and attention to make that happen.

[@chaswalker2038]

One of the things I am really enjoying, in this series, is not just the video but the wealth of informed discussion in the comments it generates

[@tods_workshop]

So much. Not just this video, but for some reason the comments section on my vids is mainly free of abuse and is just crammed with fabulous information

[@NevisYsbryd]

@@tods_workshop The content, presentation, and community involvement of a channel tends to attract and promote certain kinds of audiences. Your material is largely educational on a niche topic, presented in a professional manner, and you openly invite (and respond to, thus, in some regard, 'reward') debate, additions, and other such comments.

[@GrimrDirge]

The only thing more fun that watching an expert share his knowledge is watching an expert discover and explore.

[@tods_workshop]

And we do

[@JarrettAlley]

I absolutely love this series! I feel like I'm gaining so much insight into some classic medieval (or thereabout) era weapons that have long been almost entirely theoretical in application. The sword breaker has been so widely debated, it's wonderful to see you two stepping up to test the theories and take on the experimentation. Couldn't have picked a better combination of experts either.

[@jorenbosmans8065]

I love these joint things and the facts that you guys seem to acknowledge the caveats in your knowledge. I get the impression that Matt is no expert in Rapiers so he gets two experts to test the weapon. This is good science. Also, I'm with the cutting logic. When somebody is dedicated to a cut, it would be hard for them to retract before you bind the blade.

[@mikurusagawa6897]

The bind at 5:31 was soooo satisfying to watch! Good point about being (possibly) better against cutting blades - it makes complete sense - if you cut it's much easier to match the angle, and despite that I also never thought about it.

[@R0ary]

Honestly, I think that the sword breaker is almost an aggressive defense weapon, where you're almost trying to actively catch the opponent's weapon before either of you start to commit to an attack. If that's the case, having it designed to optimize catching nearer the tip of the blade makes sense to me. But that's just what my absolutely in experienced impression is, after watching just a bit of their use.

[@joeerickson516]

"Like the Japanese 🗾 🇯🇵 🏯 ⛩ Katana sword?" ⚔ "Or the Indian 🇮🇳 whip sword ⚔ called 🤙 the Urumi?"

[@Puschit1]

I think if it was supposed to be used offensively, it would be longer

[@_aullik]

I kinda want Tod to make one for one of Matts pupils who will use it for a month or 2 so we can see someone who actually has experience using it. Just from looking at it, i believe you need quite a lot of experience with a weapon like that to actually become effective with it.

[@tods_workshop]

That is a nice idea, but would require some dedication from the student

[@_aullik]

@@tods_workshop I mean you could ask matt to give the offer to his students, maybe one will bite.

[@boartank]

It works better than I thought

[@Greybeard_Theology]

Thank you! I have read and seen much on these but never seen one in action. Awesome job gents.

[@Drewe223]

This is the best thing you guys have done so far.

[@yesterdayschunda1760]

These series are so cool, Amazing to FINALLY see people putting these weapons to the test

[@calicojack7029]

I had a book as a young child with a huge picture of a very nice swordbreaker. One of my early favourites.

[@svensorensen7693]

Absolutely fantastic! Just having the teeth slows down the blade enough to get an advantage, who would have thought? I would love to see the side sword theory tested (and other types of sword as well) or even just a sword breaker with wider gaps between the teeth. Lantern Shields? Oh, you tease!

[@tods_workshop]

That surprised me too

[@weaponizedemoticon1131]

This tool seems like it would require more practice time to really pay off. It seems to require a change in angling of the blade to increase contact and percussion to "break" an opponent's attacks and flow rather than deflect them. I imagine holding it ninety degrees to the arm and making a sweeping motion would be effective, and would make some sense with the side ring, but I am no fencer. Fascinating videos.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Tod . Thanks Matt and guys .

[@Tommiart]

Loving this kind of experimental archeology ❤️ The joy of not knowing stuff and allowing the research to come forward .... brilliant.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and it is a mine of information for us too

[@DSlyde]

Really enjoying this series, and I hope you investigate the sidesword/wider teeth paths. I know others have said exactly this but this deserves the extra engagement from the algorithm.

[@sam_barris]

This is one of those oddball weapons that I've always been really curious about. If a newer version comes along incorporating the lessons discussed in the video, it'll be a hard thing to resist. Hats off to the maker and the fencers for going the extra mile! :-)

[@Lohgoss]

On the "breaker" being a misnomer, I would suspect the name to be metaphorical for a modern perspective but literal for contemporaries. In german treatises breaking something is used synonymous with defeating or countering something for example several iterations of "widerpruch" (the break towards) from Andre Lignitzer or "Bruch auff den Bogen" (the break for the guard position "Bogen") or simply "Bruch." indicating the start of a paragraph concerning a way to defeat something in Joachim Meyer. Loved the video, great content as always.

[@motagrad2836]

Great that you two are discovering new stuff during the tests. Love it!

[@hamasathecold7842]

That was significantly more useful than I was expecting it to be

[@mezzanoon]

Real martial fighting is so amazing to see on this channel!

[@Pleasestoptalkingthanks]

This channel’s awesome. I’m always looking for informational content, and I really needed something to help me focus on drawing.

[@Liam-B]

That blade catching is really satisfying to watch.

[@danielmihaylov69]

Really enjoying the series, please do the lantern shield.

[@stoopingfalcon891]

I remember back in my navy days, an officer that taught me about fencing, starting with a foil, leading up to epee, and then to rapier. Rapier turned into my favourite, simply because it sharpened my reflexes so much. Never came across anyone that used a blade breaker.

[@burzum2649]

Probably against the rules of formal fencing, you'd only see it in a casual or open setting?

[@Psychoveliatonet]

Great feedback and insight from Matt Easton on this one!

[@ushuyayageppeto4225]

Great experimental research guys! This type of work and video is definitely more than the mere addition of you two, and the best of your videos. Long life to your enlightened collaboration. (and thank for the subtitles, that definitely help non native speaking like me ;D)

[@CalebS1330]

Con: video has someone speaking in a mask that is hard to hear Pro: video lets viewers know that subtitles are available Con: subtitles for the sentence in question is about 2 frames long

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

One thing that came to mind while you two were speaking - maybe it is really less about catching, and more about controlling. More specifically - directing the trajectory of the blade in a different way than jus a deflection from a flat surface.

[@tods_workshop]

Possibly, but the serrations on the opponents dagger do that; this is more than that

[@bpfrocket]

As always, fascinating to watch y’all work these thing out 👍👍

[@DevAndVic2022]

Beautiful video. When the world devolves into chaos and guns are useless we need more people like you 🧡, keep up the amazing videography, and swordsmanship.

[@picaro85]

That was a fantastic example of a cross disciplinary case study. Well done everyone involved.

[@northernironforge]

Awesome to see one actually in use

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Thank you so much for the subtitles for the masked fighters! Kudos to those fighters, by the way. Such an interesting demonstration.

[@tods_workshop]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

Looking forward to seeing the sword breaker against a more cut based weapon.

[@joeerickson516]

"Like the Muslim, 🕌 Ottoman ☪ Turkish, 🇹🇷 scimitar called 🤙 the Kilij?" "Or the Persian, 🇮🇷 ☫ Shamshir?" "Or the Indian 🇮🇳 Talwar or the Urumi whip sword?" ⚔ "Or the Afghan,🇦🇫 Pulwar?"

[@joeerickson516]

"Like the Kampilan and the Kalis of the Philippines?" 🇵🇭 "Or the Indonesian 🇮🇩 Moro sword ⚔ of Indonesia?" 🇮🇩

[@joeerickson516]

"Like the primitive stone 🪨 age obsidian rock 🪨 bladed 🔪 edge wooden sword ⚔ club ♧ of the primitive stone 🪨 age Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs, Mixtecs, Olmecs, and Zapotecs of Mexico,🇲🇽 and Panama, 🇵🇦 called 🤙 the Macuahuitl?"

[@joeerickson516]

"Like the Japanese 🇯🇵 🗾 🏯 ⛩ Katana sword ⚔ of Tokyo Japan?" 🗾 🇯🇵 🏯 ⛩

[@joeerickson516]

"Like the English,🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Scottish,🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Irish,🇮🇪 Welsh, 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 French, 🇫🇷 and Dutch, 🇳🇱 cutlass and broadsword?" ⚔

[@mikeneave18]

So cool seeing your tools in action

[@davidelkins9894]

Need to investigate this one more fellas. Great video.

[@samcavallaro]

Towards the end of the video Matt mentions using the catchy bit on the inside. That got me thinking: perhaps the catchy bit is for when the sword is inside your guard. You can always use the outside edge to block blows, whereas if the blade gets inside, the comb will help you catch it.

[@QuentinStephens]

Great video! I sense a visit to Jason Kingsley in the near future.

[@brotherandythesage]

I'm impressed. Now to try with wider spaces and vs broadswords!

[@GuySwords]

Nice Analysis on the Matter. I really want to See the Handling of the sword breaker against broadswords or sideswords as the Matter. I think matt is right there that the teeth of the Blade actually are meant to Catch a Cut rather than a thrust. It was funny to See how the Fencers learned in the Go. At First there wasn't really Binding at all but after time there came a Lot of halfly binds die to the friction and the adjusted angel of the breaker. Love the series with both of you analysing medival "wierdos" such as the breaker or the flail.

[@dddube12]

Very cool series!!! Good work by all!! Merry Christmas!!!

[@byronlee8745]

Its always great to see a demonstration of how something is used. Keep it up! New subscriber here!

[@gdk7704]

You should definitely test it with some side swords, I think that's a really interesting idea!

[@PonyusTheWolfdude]

This is so cool. I would love to try a blunt "swordbreaker" with a rolled tip for sparring. (I think it wouldn't be safe enough though with the built in weak spots that can turn sharp for general sparring.) Looking forward to more if possible!

[@Honeyguts88]

Good job on the dagger Tod. Very well done sir 👏

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks 👍

[@leoprzytuac3660]

I was thinking about a more functional version of batman's armor based on late medieval/renaissance examples, and I realized how useful a swordbraker would be to him. By doing a few modifications to his classic (and useless) forearm blades, and of course, making them retractable, he could easily block, catch and disarm an opponent. The longer the blade, the easier it would be.

[@-----REDACTED-----]

I wonder about the academic value beyond entertainment of this video series… I hope you publish the findings of your experiments

[@robertsunde7973]

Awesome workshop!

[@hansvonmannschaft9062]

Awesome video. I'm with Mr. Easton on this one, it'd definitely work on chops instead of thrusts, so, yes arming swords/broadswords... that'd be the next thing to try. Thanks again, cheers!

[@beowulfshaeffer8444]

Yes! I would love to see more about lantern shields! (and sword gauntlets and spiked pavises)

[@euansmith3699]

Matt, "That's my rapier..." [Matt's rapier bends alarmingly in the Swordbreaker] 😱

[@-Kailinn-]

I was just thinking about the sword breaker the other day and here we are.

[@ThisHandleIsDefinatelyTaken]

These videos are frankly amazing.

[@AdrianKramarzyk]

that was soo fantastic to watch

[@ronnyweinreich]

Love your collaboration 👍

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and we enjoy it too

[@EnkaMexi]

Swordbreakers are great weaopns, nice to see them in action :D

[@wompa70]

This is a great series of videos.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks - appreciated

[@BigZ7337]

Thanks for the video.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@deviousnate7238]

I'd like to see more sword breaker content and investigations.

[@oscaranderson5719]

idea for another weapon test: the shield! specifically the 1100-1300 European shield, with a strap on the far corner and a sling to brace it with your shoulder. from my understanding it’s pretty cool, and will shed more light on the eternal boss vs. strap debate! 😜

[@geothack7538]

I would love to see an analysis of spiked shields

[@stav1369]

Amazing vid once again boys!

[@Martyr217]

I like these colabs especially when it's KZbinrs I'm already subscribed to, gives me a good feeling of I've clearly been watching the right people on this subject.

[@pa1adin111]

Yes please do lantern shields!

[@drz0b]

It's hard to read the subtitles at 4:14 because the first sentence only appears for a second. Should be easy to fix the timings. Great video as always.

[@Jamesnebula]

I wonder about the zigzag blade if we're talking about slowing down. Or maybe something like spikes at a 45degree pointing up. Like a pine cone. Basically different designs to show which one trap the sword best.

[@knate44]

That's really interesting, I'd like love to see if a flameberge blade had a similar increase in binding as the serrations.

[@oneshotme]

Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@FeedMeMister]

It was interesting to watch how each fighter adapted to a new technology. I think with some practise to put into muscle memory the "catch and pull" technique, this weapon would demonstrate some of its full potential. Also, Matt's suggestion of the type of opponent sword might be important. Training to use it less like a more conventional duelling dagger would definitely show its usefulness. An inexperienced swordsman might be better placed to exploit it from a naive position. Perhaps giving it to inexperienced fighters would be more useful, than to experts in a particular style?

[@TheLord0Ice0Wind]

This is brilliant

[@carlredbird3054]

Really like the "Detective Dee" film series. The main character Dee uses a sword breaker, they call it the dragon taming "Mace", but it is infact a tri-blade sword breaker

[@romgl4513]

Imaginary weapon, looks like a mace, did not see the tri-blade function, but Imaginary, so it can do anything. Here is real world, real weapons.

[@carlredbird3054]

@@romgl4513 it's basically a Chinese sword breaker, very similar to a Portuguese left hand guard dagger. Both used in history, basically a heavy rod that could bend or brake a normal sword. The one in this video looks way too fancy and large, like a videogame weapon

[@tods_workshop]

I agree, it looks like that; but it isn't. Its all real

[@legitgibbo3225]

Would be interesting to see the control from using a ice pick position

[@tulsatrash]

One issue though. The timing for the first part of the first answer in the subtitles is a bit messed up. That is to say the subtitle that ends "is it a learning curve?" hangs around for so long that the subtitle that ends with "slows it down a little is just" only appears on screen for a very brief moment before being replaced by the subtitle that ends with "rather than having and edge"

[@Mista_Notice]

Hello Tod and Matt based on your analysis I would agree this would be best for cutting swords. My guess would be this would be used against a better cutting sword to help trap it due to its superior stopping power compared to a rapier for example even if run through an opponent still may be alive to deliver a cut that cleaves parts the body off this might be to help in case a mortally wounded opponent further runs themselves through to try to take their opponent out with them and keep the rapier trapped inside unable to cause any more further stopping force.

[@garvisx6393]

Good stuff as always!

[@berner]

It's like a parrying daggar but with a twist.

[@kylermoore9079]

Nice work

[@boartank]

Hey it works! I wonder if it would work better with teeth on both sides

[@xNiDrOx]

So where's the subtitle of the masked guy. All I get is the subs from you two that we can hear. Interesting though

[@shaidrim]

Seeing how much the thinner rapier flexed, the idea the dagger could have snapped some lower quality blade is not to be thrown out of the window. And, maybe, opposed against better steel were the dagger teeth to break off (and this will match some of the specimens in museums)

[@enkerzan3755]

I think another thing to consider with the the swordbreaker is that it could also be meant to be used as a pair instead of just one, which may be where the name really comes from.

[@MoarCheeseBirb]

Fantastic content.

[@duckterdoland3881]

Pretty cool, thanks

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

I always thought this knife catcher.. would be amazing in a fight

[@funnylittlecreature]

THAT'S SO COOOOOOLLL

[@pablocamargo8744]

These two 🙌🙌♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@dantherpghero2885]

Right at the end Tod says 'Lantern Shield'. Which means hopefully he's working on one.

[@tods_workshop]

not yet......