The Greatest Swords in Middle-earth | Tolkien Explained

Today, we cover the most famous swords in Middle-earth! From the great blades of Gondolin - Glamdring, Orcrist, and Sting, to the black sword Anglachel forged by Eol the Dark Elf. From the swords of Rohan, to the re-forged sword of Aragorn, Anduril. We will highlight the most well known named swords and daggers from throughout the the pages of The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion!
Hit subscribe - and the bell - so you never miss a video from Nerd of the Rings!
Nerd of the Rings on PATREON: / nerdoftherings
--------------
All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner. If your artwork appears and you are not listed here, please let me know! I want to make sure all artists are credited for their amazing work.
To purchase artist work, I highly recommend checking out these amazing artists online!
Ted Nasmith - www.tednasmith.com/shop/
Jenny Dolfen - goldseven.wordpress.com/
Jerry Vanderstelt - store.vandersteltstudio.com/m...
Elven Smith - Tolman Cotton
Dwarven Smith - Turner Mohan
Turin Turambar - Alan Lee
The High King of the Noldor, Fingolfin - Natalie Chen
Orcrist, the Goblin Cleaver - Ted Nasmith
Maeglin Lomion and the Black Sword - Sara M Morello
Artifacts of Middle-earth, Gurthang - Pyrrhic
Eol's Swords - Maria Lombide Ezpeleta
Eol - Yi Jong
Beleriand Map - Lamaarcana
Thingol - Filat
Melian - Kimberly80
Beren and Luthien in the Court of Thingol and Melian - Donato Giancola
Beleg - Anthony VanArsdale
Turin - Merlkir
The Reforging of Anglachel - Alan Lee
The Mormegil - Peet
The Death of Glaurung - John Howe
Mormegil - Peet
The Death of Turin - Alan Lee
Death of Thingol - Steamey
The Oath Has Been Awakened - Jenny Dolfen
The Ships of the Faithful - Ted Nasmith
Gondolin - Ted Nasmith
Turgon, King of Gondolin - Natalie Chen
Gondolin - Spartank42
Angband Unleashed - Kenneth Sofia
The Fall of Gondolin - Mysilvergreen
Trollshaws - Denis Gordeev
Gandalf the White - John Howe
Bilbo and Thorin - Dwalinroxxx
Glamdring - Paul Raymond Gregory
Flies and Spiders - Ted Nasmith
The Death of Thorin - John Howe
Captured by the Spiders - Alan Lee
Bilbo and Spiders - Marc Daniel Goecke
Sting - Wes Talbott
Bilbo and Frodo - Anke Eissmann
Gray Havens - Francesco Amadio
King of the Dead and Aragorn - Jerry Vanderstelt
Fingolfin Challenges Morgoth at the Gate of Angband - Pete Amachree
Fingolfin's Challenge - John Howe
The Death of Fingolfin - Mysilvergreen
Eomer and Aragorn Ride to the Lands of the East - Kip Rasmussen
Frodo and the Witch King - John Howe
Frodo in Rivendell - Anke Eissmann
Witch King of Angmar - Infesth6
Leaving the Barrow Downs - Anke Eissmann
Flight to the Ford - M Hugo
Pippin - JB Casacop
Merry - Fantasy Flight
Aragorn - David Auden Nash
Telchar - Donato Giancola
Beren Recovers a Silmaril - Anke Eissmann
Turin and the Dragon Helm of Dor-Lomin - Klaus Wittmann
Sauron vs Elendil and Gil-galad on Orodruin - Kip Rasmussen
Out of the Sea I Am Come - Turner Mohan
Isildur Cuts the Ring - Denis Gordeev
Shards of Narsil - Robitokun
The Reforging of the Sword - Darrell Sweet
Renewed Shall Be Sword That Was Broken - Abe Papakhian
The Lord of the Rings Cover - Donato Giancola
Aragorn - Adam Middleton
Turin Turambar - Alan Lee
#lordoftherings #tolkien #swords

[@NerdoftheRings]

What is your favorite sword of Middle-earth? Could be a design from the films, qualities from the books, whatever you want. Let me know your favorite and why!

[@wrestlebro69]

Bro I need to contact you but how

[@williamshakespheredork6363]

Orcrist or thranduils sword

[@naurielseagle7120]

Definetely Gurthang- because of its badass kills, fate, colour. It finally slained Morgoth himself

[@olleselin]

Orcrist

[@cbalan777]

In terms of the movies I liked the broken pieces of Narsil as it symbolized Sauron's strength, but also his defeat at the hand of a mortal.

[@lucasball5336]

The genius of Anduril is that it was forges originally by Dwarves, then re-forged by Elves, and wielded by the King of Men; making it a symbol of the combined might of the free peoples of Middle Earth

[@allanmartin6519]

Such an amazing observation!! Thank you.

[@etcetc3800]

But they were all white western folks

[@benrichardson3031]

@@etcetc3800 Your point?

[@1526andrews]

@@etcetc3800 it's a fictional history of Europe. They were going to be. The whole point of LOTR (as Tolkien saw it) was to give the English a mythos of their origin.

[@bloodangel19]

@@etcetc3800 as they should.

[@HPetch]

In hindsight, the rediscovery of Glamdring and Orcrist is probably one of the most hilarious moments in the whole saga when you consider the context. I can only imagine how physically painful it was for noted loremaster Elrond to discover that these two legendary blades, lost for six thousand years and change, were found entirely by accident - in a cave about fifty miles west of his house, where they had likely been for hundreds if not thousands of years, and probably within reasonable day-trip range for Elven horses. One would assume that Tolkien left the ensuing scream of anguished nerd-rage, that would no doubt have echoed through the hills and glades of Rivendell, out of The Hobbit to avoid spoiling the mood.

[@andreaniccoli8669]

Elrond nerd-raging is my new headcanon.

[@ThreeBlindMiceFilms]

@@andreaniccoli8669 Likewise 😂 this comment was what I didn’t know I was looking for.

[@AvB.83]

To be fair, the Elves from The Hobbit were probably too busy singing silly songs and writing poems to be bothered. Some probably had found them and were rather angry at Gandalf for "finding" them as they deemed it more fitting for such legendary weapons to be lost in the mist of time. They knew they were there, they just needed the right time to rediscover them so their rediscovery would be worthy of a song epic enough to put even Gandalf to sleep.

[@Schugger1]

Sometimes even trashmobs spwn purple loot, I guess ;)

[@jakealter5504]

Especially since Glamdring belonged to Elrond’s great grandfather Turgon

[@zoltanposfai3451]

And that's how, nearly seven decades into the Fourth Age, Sting ended up as a bread-cutter in the Sackville-Baggins household.

[@SvenTviking]

It went into the West with Sam.

[@lordheklsmosh9490]

And sting would betray them to their deaths!

[@hahaha00000]

Maegnas became a bread cutter

[@HylianFox3]

@@SvenTviking That's what the Sackville-Bagginses want you to think...

[@TheDannyschoofs]

Still glowing blue everytime someone brought a bread baked by orcs or goblins :p

[@justanothervoice2538]

The glowing feature of the blades of Gondolin isn’t well understood, and most think it is simply meant to warn their wielders. But when I read the books, the visible shine seemed to me just a reflection of the blade’s excitement at killing orcs. Elven blades, like all elven crafts, are imbued with the desires and drives of their makers, and these blades were made to kill creatures of Morgoth, and so they emanate a palpable vengeance toward orcs whenever they draw near, the physical glow just being a side affect of the intense strength of these particular blade’s drive to kill.

[@eriksgasins9086]

my theory is that the glow is used to intimidate orcs by showing you have a magical sword made specifically for killing orcs, so you better run.

[@sambo416]

Also doesnt light hurt orcs

[@samcavanagh7993]

maybe the glow is an echo of the light of the trees, which burned morgoth and lived on in the elves

[@wolffriendinus]

I like this idea, it actually makes sense to me.

[@anishkumariyer3613]

blue light +30% damage

[@Daggerfall40]

The names for those black blades are metal af. Also, "Flame of the West" might be THE coolest name for a sword in all of fiction.

[@maxkronader5225]

"Stormbringer", while of a different mythos entirely, is still my number one choice for most badass sword name.

[@deanbartolo6199]

Gurthang "Iron of Death" is fucking brutal. Funnily enough a Black/Funeral Doom Metal band has this name \m/

[@laurelelasselin]

Swords tend to have badass names. Ringil, I think means 'Cold Star' which is pretty epic but 'Flame of the West' is definitely the coolest

[@jacobadam6804]

@@maxkronader5225 My favorite sword name in all of fiction has gotta be "The Ice Blade of the Monarch"

[@nueva681]

Ringil basically being translated as Icy Flame or Cold Flame is also tough

[@untruelie2640]

Ultimate nerd fact: Narsil is actually broken in two pieces, not in many shards like depicted in the movies. (This becomes apparent when Aragorn reveals his broken sword to the Hobbits in Bree).

[@Juiceboxdan72]

Yeah, Aragorn actually carried Narsil in a scabbard until it was repaired, rather than coming across it in Rivendell. I remember being confused when I first saw the movie! "Why isn't his sword broken?" I thought the movie did a fair job of introducing his character, though.

[@untruelie2640]

@@Juiceboxdan72 The fact that his sword is broken in two only makes him look more badass. :D Think about it: He survived decades of dangerous, lonely travels, he killed many orcs, wild animals, etc. without a usable sword. I suppose he has a dagger or something, but it's still quite impressive.

[@Juiceboxdan72]

@@untruelie2640 Yeah, as I recall he had been wandering for years with that thing! As a kid, I always wanted a knife like he used in the movie. The movie series really should have shown something about the adventures of Aragorn and Gandalf, like how they captured Gollum and stuff. I always liked the line in the Fellowship book when Aragorn drew the broken sword and said something like "it looks rather useless, don't you think?" I don't recall the exact words...Can you imagine a reboot movie about those two? That would be so cool. Apparently Gandalf and Aragorn were friends and collaborated on several important adventures. I suspect Aragorn was unusually intelligent, to be a wizard's ally like that.

[@OGKaz]

@@Juiceboxdan72In the books didnt Aragon already have the sword reforged (when he and the hobbit made it to Rivendell) and was using it when the fellowship set out?

[@Juiceboxdan72]

@@OGKaz I don't remember! Maybe someone can weigh in? It was definitely broken in Bree

[@nickpalazzo6585]

I find it interesting that no Balrog has been slain except by bearers of swords made in Gondolin. Similarly both Smaug and Glaurung are slain with weapons described specifically as "black".

[@ellie.starsky]

in a sudden bout of inspiration i made up a headcanon that, since the only weapon known to kill a dragon was made of meteorite iron, the smiths of the later days would make weapons to fight dragons out of it, trying to recreate eol's technique, so they all came out black in color, including girion's black arrows

[@SantomPh]

I would wager that Smaug was actually killed by gravity

[@nickpalazzo6585]

@@SantomPh Like all three described Balrog deaths.

[@tharunsrinivasans4279]

@@nickpalazzo6585 Imagine being a being of pure terryfing cosmic power and evil. Cloaked in shadow and flame, whose very sight fills all beings of Arda even the Ainur with terror, AND YET getting killed by gravity, has to be dissapointing in some regard

[@explosivediarrhoea4336]

@@tharunsrinivasans4279 they also have those non functional wings to add to that pain

[@MenoftheWest]

Great video brother! I must say, I am partial to Andúril 😏

[@NerdoftheRings]

Haha! I’m not surprised! Thanks so much, mellon!

[@countchocula6596]

Hey I know this guy!

[@sanjaynayal1410]

@@NerdoftheRings Who were those dead people who came to help Aragon and then Aragon freed them from curse. Plz make a video about them.

[@markus-hermannkoch1740]

@@sanjaynayal1410 the men of Dunharrow. Labeled by Isildur as the Oathbreakers, for not aiding him against Sauron like they had sworn. He cursed them, never to find rest until they fulfilled their oath loyally. That they did for Aragorn, who was Isildur's heir to the throne of Gondor.

[@anthonyhess6872]

@@sanjaynayal1410 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jairnparrNeZea8

[@owengreig1088]

I know it's not canonical, but I've always imagined that the elf-knife from Gondolin that Hurin gave to Turin and Turin in turn gave to Sador somehow found its way into a certain troll-hoard.

[@keiscoronado6735]

Wow. That would be something wouldn’t it. I like that theory

[@luketrusheim]

Forget about binging the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Trilogy movies, I went on a Nerd of the Rings binge. I’m so freaking obsessed with this world and everything there is to know about it. Thank you for providing an amazing resource to quench my insatiable thirst!! 😆😆

[@jaapuitroepteke2750]

If you like gaming you should try lord of the rings online, there is a lot of book lore in there as well. And just great for immersion purposes

[@luketrusheim]

@@jaapuitroepteke2750 I’ll give it a look, thanks 😊

[@Luuute]

Every time I see theoden draw his sword again it feels epic af. You can feel the weight of the steel in the sound

[@roberthrodebert9263]

Then his eyes turn to Wormtongue. Badass.

[@davidkinney8506]

That's because those props were real forged steel, not cheap aluminum or plastic.

[@zeusnitch]

Just finished a LOTR/Hobbit extended version marathon. Super happy to find a freshly uploaded vid!

[@NerdoftheRings]

That's a fun way to cap off an epic marathon!

[@VladTheInhaler1]

I'm sorry you had to sit through the extended version of an extended version of the Hobbit

[@alvuigi_07]

I am thinking about doing that, but with only lotr theatrical

[@Thisisit69420]

Duuuude, same!!!

[@buckwildsrq]

I'm on the 2 towers of the same marathon

[@Mars33172]

I was in 5th grade, 39 years ago, that I started reading Fellowship of the Ring. Want a joy to see so many people passionate about what he created. It was a wonderful place to think about through a difficult adolescence. Thanks for filing in all the blanks Matt.

[@ganggreen9012]

When I was in 7th grade in 1978 my English class had to do oral book reports. One of my friends did his on The Fellowship of the Ring, it had taken him a year to read it. I bought the trilogy on the Friday after his report and read all three books over that weekend.

[@firehotdog278]

My favorite is Narsil because the sword was forged by a dwarf, and dwarfs are my favorite species. And it's the sword that cut of sourons finger.

[@SlimDwarfPavelIronfoot]

Yes, this sword is forged by the dwarf, by me 🤗

[@gargoyles9999]

It sure was a SWEET sword to do that

[@richardminchin5415]

These vids are indispensable guides to an in depth understanding of Tolkien. The range of sources that are drawn upon are wide - nay I'd go as far to say comprehensive. I've read so much of the 'edited by Christopher Tolkien' material, but the focus of each of these vids consolidates and clarifies this material. Also, there are numerous inconsistencies in the unpublished material - these are dealt with, for the most part, in agreement with Christopher Tolkien and therefore what generally seems most plausible. I'm so glad this channel was recommended to me. I've loved every vid so far. Love the focus on these swords.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thank you so, so much! Comments like this truly mean the world to me. My hope is that my love for the world and my attempts to get my facts straight are coming through in these vids. 😊

[@tommymakem2611]

I concur. Been an avid fan of Tolkien since reading the hobbit in the third grade. His work definitely helped shape who I am as a person. I'm twenty years past my first reading it, and I'm STILL learning new information from your videos. It's nice to have it broken down in such easy terms and illustrated. I didn't retain alot of the silmarilion, it was a rough read for me. I sincerely appreciate your videos, hell I burned my last off day up binging them. No regrets.

[@NoName-ce4we]

I second your comment. I started watching these mid-way through my reading of the Fellowship to try to get a grasp of the magnitude of the legendarium, which, let’s be honest, was almost bigger than Tolkien. I’m into the Two Towers now, and continuing to watch. These videos have been a great help.

[@purplebondsaiyan2987]

@@NerdoftheRings by Far One of my Favorite Videos all The Weapons you cover made me Love Tolkien and Middle Earth Lore even More

[@pettytyrant2720]

Small difference but Bilbo did not use Sting to cut his way out a spider cocoon save in the films, in the book the spider only got as far as starting to bind him up, mainly his legs and Bilbo at first tries to beat it off with his fists before remembering he has a sword. This explains how he could draw his sword at all, unlike in the film where he shouldnt have been able to move enough as he was completely encased in the cocoon.

[@NerdoftheRings]

You are correct - he wasn't all the way up, but he did cut himself out of a cocoon. As you said, he was only partially bound. :)

[@DaemonJerky]

Haha you said beat it off

[@pettytyrant2720]

@@NerdoftheRings It wasnt intended as any critism, I enjoy your content a great deal, so much as I felt it might be open to folk thinking you were referencing the film scene, rather than book. So more just a small clarification.

[@BeastbladeTV]

Also a correction the shards of narcil didn't stay in rivendell aragorn was carrying the broken blade when he met the hobbits in brie.

[@paulraines9635]

Eol was always my favorite character in Tolkien's work. The creation of Anglachel, a sentient object, is fascinating.

[@kellswitch]

I haven't done any research into it yet, but I wonder if this was the inspiration for Michael Moorcock's Stormbringer?

[@cIronman]

Meanwhile in Roshar certain black sword asks: Hello, would you like to slay some evil today?

[@joshjames582]

@@kellswitch Doubtful. The Silmarillion wasn't published until years after the first Elric story. More than likely they shared a similar root in mythology.

[@kellswitch]

@@joshjames582 Thank you!

[@TheAidanvr]

@@kellswitchthe story of the talking sword is from the Finnish folk epic of Kalevala according to Tolkien’s letter I think but not 100% sure

[@scubadope]

Ringil is the GOAT sword.

[@michaelbalance98]

No. That honor goes to Anduril.

[@goodputin4324]

Ringil's name got a ring to it. Hehehe. I'll make myself out now.

[@mynameismynameyourname6197]

Ringil is the GOAT and always will be. Can't think of any other named sword that has done anything to top giving morgoth a permanent injury

[@michaelbalance98]

@@mynameismynameyourname6197 Anduril, formerly known as Narsil cut the One Ring From Sauron's hand and killed his physical body, after engaging with him in single combat. After the sword was remade, Aragorn wielded it and with it played a role in defeating Sauron's final army at the Morrannon. Since Sauron's Eye was fixed most of the time on the battle, the Ring was able to be destroyed in time. So, in a manner of speaking, the sword was victorious against Sauron again. Plus, it's unbreakable, thanks to a special scabbard made for it in Lothlorien.

[@OGKaz]

@@mynameismynameyourname6197 was it the sword or fingolfin who made it possible to wound Morgoth?

[@ididaboomandahalf1170]

How about Haleth's, son of Hama sword? It's just a good sword, y'know?

[@brentsilvey2288]

Lol

[@Enerdhil]

Maybethey will give it a name when they make the WotR anime movie.

[@masonchamberlain4690]

I always hated the part of the movie. That sword looked like a piece of cardboard wrapped in tin foil

[@nueva681]

The name should be Manmagol, meaning literally “the good sword” in Sindarin

[@ididaboomandahalf1170]

@@nueva681 That would be a cool name. "Manmagol" has a nice ring to it

[@HorrorGameFan]

You know. Learning the differences of the adaptations and the story changes between the Tolkien books and the Jackson trilogy made me love and appreciate both of them even more. The movies got me into the books and the books got me interested in world building story telling.

[@darreng745]

Other way around for me I started with the books and then progressed to the films which is why the adaption The Rings of Power was so bad, it became apparent that the writers had not actually read the source material but created their own and without the sensibilities of language that Tolkien espoused. There is a sequence in the Morgul Tower where Tolkein says he knifed me the dung, instead of a modern writer who would have used the S word, that is what makes the books so good in that the way the language works with the reader to draw them in.

[@themightylog2169]

​@@darreng745My story was one familiar to our predecessor here.. although yeah nah even Jackson's work had nothing on 99% of Tolkiens work.

[@luciano.magalhaes]

Great vid! Another curious fact about Anglachel is that is said in the Second Prophecy of Mandos that " (...) and the black sword of Túrin shall deal unto Morgoth his death and final end; and so shall the children of Húrin and all Men be avenged." You could interpret that as if it is saying that the final doom of Melkor will come from Eru himself, since the metal from the sword came of outside Arda.

[@NerdoftheRings]

This is a really cool point. I know Tolkien kind of went back and forth on the Dagor Dagorath, but it's a really cool sounding ending with revenge for Turin and his family!

[@richardminchin5415]

That is a really good theory. That Gurthang was made of stuff beyond middle earth, and that it is said that Turin would finally get revenge for the torment of the Hurin fam in the final days... Yeah that's pretty deep. Like the final act of Eru in the revelation style final battle.

[@Enerdhil]

Great insight! Of course Turin would use Anglachel. Turin and Anglachel are buried on Tol Morwen. That will be so cool seeing the resurrection of Morgoth victim and sword for the ultimate revenge.

[@holymolythejabroni9040]

The story of Hurin and Morwen and their children is so tragic. A lot of people have a strong case for wanting to personally kill Morgoth, but Turin is absolutely the best choice.

[@HowlinWilf13]

@@holymolythejabroni9040 I found the entire Silmarillion to be almost unbearably tragic. I felt utterly wrung out and emotionally exhausted by the end of it. I found that even the brighter moments had been so bitterly paid for that there was very little joy to be had from them. Nonetheless, a necessary read for a better understanding of the backdrop to LOTR.

[@Juiceboxdan72]

Dude, I completely forgot that I once read that story about Turin Turambar and the "cold voice" of the space-sword. This brought back so many memories. This story is cool because it happens within a fantasy universe, so it seems believable; and yet, within that universe itself, it would likely be regarded as myth. At least in Middle Earth and beyond, myth tends to have a lot of truth behind it.

[@AnnaMarianne]

Túrin is based on Kullervo (Kullerwoinen in Crawford's translation) son of Kalervo, who is a character of the Finnish mythology, as recorded in the book Kalevala, a collection of Finnish folk poetry. In the real story, Kullervo is given a magic sword by the high god Ukko, the god of thunder and weather, to slay his enemies and be avenged. At the end of the tale, Kullervo too has a short dialogue with the sword before killing himself with it: Kullerwoinen, wicked wizard, Grasps the handle of his broadsword, Asks the blade this simple question: "Tell me, O my blade of honor, Dost thou wish to drink my life-blood, Drink the blood of Kullerwoinen?" Thus his trusty sword makes answer, Well divining his intentions: Why should I not drink thy life-blood, Blood of guilty Kullerwoinen, Since I feast upon the worthy, Drink the life-blood of the righteous?"

[@TarMody]

Fragments of Gurthang are still buried in Túrin's tomb on the island of Tol Morwen. It can be exhumed and re-forged like Narsil if desired.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Was just thinking about this earlier today actually. Crazy to think about!

[@brilicusgaming6922]

@@NerdoftheRings sorry I'm late for this but if you could pick a character who would you pick to wield Gurthang?

[@ArrivaAzazello]

Anglachel was a bad sword. One of melkor's tools. Much better to keep it buried forever with his last master

[@jagaloon14]

I love that it’s so easy to lose yourself in this world that we talk about it as if something will happen in Middle Earth without the stroke of a pen. It is amazing what Tolkien left for us.

[@TarMody]

I think the reason for what you say is a mythological history narrative and transfer of information suitable for speculation.@@jagaloon14

[@mikemckenzie1397]

This channel has deepened my love for all things Tolkien so much. From the artwork to the lore and thoroughly enjoyable narration it's just class all round, great video!

[@NerdoftheRings]

So glad you are enjoying the channel! Thanks so much for watching/subscribing!

[@DarthCalculus]

The name "foe-hammer" is such a great name

[@marionbaggins]

When I went to Comic Con, to meet David Wenham I held Sting and Thranduil's Daggers...they were not cheap!!!

[@dwarflord420]

I've always wondered if Sting is the same dagger Glorfindel used to stab The Blarog with when fleeing Gondolin while leading a party of survivors of Morgoths siege upon the city.

[@LightingbladeShen]

Alternative title: "collectable Tolkien stuff that would cost an "Erebor" of treasures"

[@FineMyAbs]

Maybe 3 Mithril coat would be enough for the cost 😂😭

[@LightingbladeShen]

@@FineMyAbs I apprechiate your optimism!

[@jaapuitroepteke2750]

I love your use of quotes and maps. It really helps with understanding how everything is tied together and gives a better view of scale

[@j_laf9575]

I discovered your channel roughly a week ago. In that time I have watched maybe 95% of all your content. Love the stuff you do! Thank you for all of it!

[@NerdoftheRings]

That's impressive! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. Truly appreciate it!!

[@ragnar1841]

❤

[@narsil1984]

Narsil is the first sword I owned for real, it hangs on my wall to this day. It's also been my gaming nick for as long as I can remember... I love that sword :)

[@daltondee5666]

Part of what drew me into the movies as a kid were the swords!

[@NerdoftheRings]

They're pretty awesome. Always really enjoyed Theoden's in the films.

[@kamranshahid4123]

Same. I love swords. Too bad I'm too poor to buy them

[@shadowofchaos8932]

I was unable to purchase full scale replicas. So I got the Nobel collection letter openers. Glaumdring, Narsil, Sting and Arwen's elvish sword.

[@NerdoftheRings]

The letter openers are pretty awesome! Much lighter to wield as well! 😁

[@shadowofchaos8932]

@@NerdoftheRings Yes! They came in nice cases and Nobel collection paperwork. I twirled them in my hands for weeks after they showed up.

[@KyleJordanGaming]

Black bladed sword imbued with pure *malice* that thirsts for blood- “Gurthang”, approx. translation: “Death Metal”. That’s... pretty metal...🤘 Edit: It also “slew ‘the father of dragons’”. Now that’s a Blind Guardian song waiting to happen. Actually, that may already be a Blind Guardian song. Must listen to “Nightfall on Middle-Earth” again...

[@NastyCupid]

Anglachel or Gurthang, has the most intense story around it, the tragedy always gets to me :(

[@michaelphillips8960]

I had it tattooed on me a couple months ago and it got deeply infected (it was my 10th tattoo, never had an infection before). Feels like I was kind of asking for it tho haha

[@DeeMorrison818]

I am-once again reading the Simarillion and after three previous tries, I am finally able to understand what the heck I am reading. This is in no small part due to your many videos. I am forever grateful. 🙏🏾😁

[@JustinLaFleur1990]

My absolute favorite blade is Andúril it is simply a beautiful weapon (At least as portrayed in LOTR) the power it held to command the oathbreakers, to never stain or be broken even if it's wielder was defeated and the symbolism it invoked. Being forged by Dwarves, reforged by Elves and being wielded by not just Men but kings of the Men of Númenor, men blessed with long life due to their Elven heritage and the noblest of the houses of men. Thus showing the combined strength of all the children of Eru Illuvatar to fight against the twisted creations of Morgoth.

[@grandadmiraldanno2145]

Gurthang is my favorite... the story of turin turambar is a fantastic tragedy.. and the sword is at the center of it all

[@marleyjr00]

I think Ringil is my fave. I mean it's a blade that wounded Satan. Other than Ringil I love Sting. Just a simple dagger used by a brave Hobbit.

[@diegojaen8566]

Well it is prophesied that Gurthang will deliver the killing blow on Morgoth, so I like that one more, for the same reason though :)

[@sophiejones3554]

Glórfindel was disarmed in his fight with the balrog, and drew his dagger. It was with this that he actually killed the evil spirit. Sting is found six thousand years later next to the sword of Turgon and the sword of a noble from Gondolin. When brought to Elrond, he identifies the blades in a strangely curt manner: as if he knows more than he wants to let on about them. It’s not just any weapon which would be able to slay a giant spider, even swords of elven make would mostly be useless against them: especially against one as great as Shelob. These are creatures of primordial darkness, daughters of Ungoliant. They are mightier than the average orc or even troll, so not just any weapon would be effective against them. Finally, there is the hilariously extreme reaction of the goblins to Sting. These are battle-hardened soldiers, normally quite unafraid of combat. The fact that they run away from Orcrist and Sting is quite strange. Unless of course, these are balrog slayers.

[@fangornthewise]

You could argue that Glamdring KILLED *a* Satan.

[@masonsudderth]

Hearing the history and deeds of these makes me cry. I don’t know why I just love swords.

[@jamescallaghan270]

I love your voice, it is just so majestic and wonderful telling the stories of Tolkien. Fantastic work my friend!

[@NerdoftheRings]

You flatter me! Thanks so much for watching/subscribing!

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

Thank you for the content! The swords even are so cool to learn about. Always am I being drawn deeper into Tolkien’s universe I wonder if I’ll ever get out. Drew Narsil from memory for the first time three days ago or so (I love drawing swords and other oddities from Middle-Earth)

[@Fukei_Mono]

Love how Tolkien has an extensive story for almost all of these fantastical blades, but is just like "Ah, this one is cool, I guess?" to the blade that injured Morgoth himself EIGHT TIMES. Well, I guess if we're talking about the personal weapon of one of the, if not the chaddest Elf in all of Arda, then it'll need no further introduction than that.

[@MotiviqueStudio]

Just finished the Silmarillion. Perfect video for today.

[@brentsilvey2288]

Last time I was this early, Melkor was showing discord in the creation of the world.

[@jacobva9993]

I love J.R.R Tolkien work so much

[@markusrobinson3858]

Nice job! As someone relatively informed about the history and middle earth, a video devoted to important swords was both new and fascinating. Thanks!

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

Man what a video, one of the best on the channel, dont know why maybe Im just felling well today, but one of my favorite on the channel, when is the next Tolkien 101 video?

[@NerdoftheRings]

Great question! Got a couple ideas, but I'm not 100% sure which I'll do next. Any requests?!

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

@@NerdoftheRings Ahhh, maybe do the Tolkien elves have pointed ears, or how Sauron look like and explain a little bit all of his forms, and explain maybe if you know why he was portrayted as an eye in the movies? Maybe?

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

Or something about Smaug, Trolls, Dragons size comparisons...??? Only you know what to do with the time that is given to us...

[@Enerdhil]

@@NerdoftheRings What is the difference between what you usually do and the Tolkien 101 videos, or is it just the naming of the video. Corey Olsen has actual Tolkien 101 classes at his Signum University online.

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

@@Enerdhil If I understand right Tolkien 101 series is about some questions that we cant find answers, like it was a video about Balrog's wings...and many more confusing tophic's.

[@Jenacide]

Next week, 100th video whoo! Congrats!

[@PNNYWZEPRODUCTIONS]

I cant get enough of these videos

[@-johnny-deep-]

Your videos are amazing and show so much care and information it's breathtaking. It only makes me appreciate Tolkien's world so much more due to its scope, complexity and beauty.

[@Enerdhil]

Wow! I absolutely loved this video. It is so cool that Tolkien gave names to so many swords and daggers.

[@makoyoverfelt3320]

I am absolutely HOOKED on your channel! I've been just binging for days now! Absolutely incredible in every aspect.

[@thegregitto]

100th video dropping soon! :D We love you Nerd of The Rings!

[@andreasderycke42]

Good work, you deserve way more then 250k subs

[@Blong243]

Looking forward to the next video as I recently finished the children of hurin, but it's neat to learn about these famous swords. Keep it up!!!

[@gregorykollarus8190]

All this information about middle earth is incredible!!! Ty ty love ur vids

[@pedrosuperhero3]

Wow great history on the swords of Middle Earth it is just amazing to hear about swords as it is to see who wields it.

[@TurboJohn74]

Huzzah! Fantastic lore sir!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks! Plenty more on the way!

[@d4fm4n]

Honestly bro, your videos are my favourite to watch. Thank you for every one.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Congratulations on crossing 250k subscribers! You certainly have earned it.

[@mrjay4178]

Congratulations on your 100th video I enjoy your channel.

[@jamiegregg9211]

cool vid Matt enjoyed it

[@aceofspades4948]

Your knowledge is literally out of this world excellent vid yet again

[@roberthubbard9189]

Hello, I have only just come by your videos, and I must say, they are brilliant. So well written and so well put together, thank you for bringing me joy.

[@ktm450sx]

These swords are so cool

[@michaeldearth6327]

I love how middle earth was given so much depth and lore by Tolkien, and followed through by his son. I heard that Christopher didn’t care for the movies and am wondering what he would’ve done if he were in the directors chair.

[@bobo577]

Closer to his father’s vision with minor tweaks of his own I think.

[@ThatDayV]

Honestly the best channel on KZbin

[@amccann99]

Amazing information and love the artwork supporting it.

[@Rob-lq2ny]

Tolkien, a true genius storyteller!

[@maximiliansnukat6717]

Awesome, I waited for this one

[@NerdoftheRings]

Glad you're here to see it nice and early. :)

[@folkenhellfang9468]

Nice work. You got all of my favorite moments I sometimes think I will die alone with. Thanks.

[@xerxes0095]

This was very nice. Great work

[@claytonhosty9876]

The flaming sword of the Balrog is interesting too. Perhaps little is known about it. Only the Balrog himself may have known it's history & where he received it from. No doubt back in the 1st age.🗡️

[@andrewames247]

Anduril may be the Blade of Men, but personally, I hold Ringil in higher esteem. For a being, even an immortal elf, to be able to put a god to task and wound him evermore? That is something that will NEVER be forgotten!

[@Sionnach1601]

Was Morgoth a Valar? Or was he a Maia? Still an amazing feat of course to be sure.

[@tommymakem2611]

He was, in fact, a Valar.

[@alexanderofrhodes9622]

@@Sionnach1601 Morgoth was Valar, and Sauron was Maiar

[@Sionnach1601]

@@tommymakem2611 Was he, in fact, a Valar? 🤔🤣

[@Sionnach1601]

@@alexanderofrhodes9622 Thanks 👍

[@raymondmcarthur6769]

I did truly enjoy learning something new today.. Thanx for that..

[@diras2010]

“The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths, and on its blade was traced a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and rayed Sun, and about them was written many runes; for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor. Very bright was that sword when it was made whole again; the light of the sun shone redly in it, and the light of the moon shone cold, its edge was hard and keen. And Aragorn gave it a new name and called it Andúril, Flame of the West.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

[@Don-jh4fp]

Man Turin had it rough, poor guy.

[@goodputin4324]

The most tragic story of Man.

[@Don-jh4fp]

@@goodputin4324 you've got that right.

[@setsunaes]

That's the most tragic, sad, hearth-crushing history. The most mature book from Tolkien and my favorite history of him AFTER the Hobbit which has a pretty special place in everyone hearth.

[@kevinneighbour3458]

I have a sharp longsword with a blackened 'gunmetal' blade. I've decided to call it Mormegil. Why not..

[@NerdoftheRings]

Nice!

[@atmastand3485]

Excellent taste

[@yodaistcool7088]

You made with "only" 100 videos 250.000 subscribers. That shows the quality of your content

[@barbe00brune]

as always, great video and it is such a pleasure to watch

[@thetravdawg]

Great video. Sting has some of the greatest plot clout of all the blades, without it Bilbo would have likely been unable to rescue the dwarves from the spiders and Sam would most likely not have been able to wound Shelob so grievously and later ultimately rescue Frodo. Calling the blade a "knife" brings to mind Galadriel's line "your Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while all the Company is true." I doubt she was in any way directly referring to Sting but Sting's "edge" did directly influence the positive outcome of the destruction of the One Ring (along with innumerable other occurrences).

[@kahekilimaui450]

Great video Matt! I really must say however: Narsil did not stay in Imladris until it was reforged. Aragorn carried it with him always until it was reforged in Rivendell. While I appreciate some of what Jackson did, And indeed own them all in their extended editions, still, I found it excruciatingly painful to watch Many Many parts of it. This...is one of those parts!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Apologies. I think I should have phrased that better. I meant to convey that it stayed there until Aragorn claimed it.

[@toncek9981]

I actually like this change in the movie. Broken sword being kept in Rivendell as the memento and heirloom of Arnor's royal bloodline makes more sense than Aragorn carrying it around for no reason.

[@SantomPh]

Jackson said it made no sense to carry a broken sword around, so he made that change. No need to get an aneurysm over it. That small mindedness ruins fandoms.

[@kahekilimaui450]

@@SantomPh Aneurysm? 🤔 Small mindedness?🤔 LOL!😁 Thank you for the soft approach! 😳 I guess the web just does that to people.😈 Nonetheless, there is an awful lot of "Anti-Tolkien" in the film's character portrayals, and plot surrounding those major reversals in character motivation. Those changes, as extreme as they are, Tend to be rather; "In Your Face" so to speak. Even So, As I said: I own all of Jackson's LOTR films in their extended editions. The backgrounds and visible world of "Middle Earth" that his production staff created, Are indeed, "Middle Earth" To the extraordinary point of matching Almost E-V-E-R-Y readers ideal form!!! That in and of itself, is an absolutely astounding accomplishment!😮 But...😏 One needn't be small minded to be annoyed at the Positively GLARING REVERSALS.😬 Being absolutely 'Steeped' in the written Mythology for over 44 years, (Or really for any amount of time, pre film) Is all it takes for those Extraordinary changes and REVERSALS, to become a kind of Slap in the face, as each one appears. It doesn't take "Small Mindedness" to be put off by a motion picture. All it takes, is a director who thinks that he can tell the story..."Better" (Quote Jackson) than the writer who outsold both the Bible and the Quran for some 7 years. There is absolutely zero need to "re-work" (To the Degree that Jackson did) A Classic of this magnitude. Shakespeare has been done time and time again on film, without character Reversals or plot Reversals but only some omissions. Turning the plot and characters on their head did not occur to the directors of those nor should it have. Mell Gibson's "Hamlet" Is an astonishingly beautiful example of Hamlet as Shakespeare wrote it. (Omissions and all) What do I Love about Jackson's films? I love, That others love them! AND That the films have inspired people to read the books and thereby come to know the Actual characters who participated in the building of the story. "Small Mindedness", is possessed only by those who don't understand this, and stoop to 'disparage' and then 'lable' those who do. 😉👌

[@wacojones8062]

Very good short presentation.

[@kevinkeegan4817]

You just keep coming with the awesome content. Keep up the good work!

[@ShadowThemeFFVI]

This was a great idea for a video! I have a sweet spot for Theoden’s sword. And the blades that the hobbits get from the barrow are pretty cool, especially considering how important they become later in the story. A seemingly minor detail in the first book becomes the end of the second most powerful villain, now that’s some good writing!

[@dragonkingdom95]

great vid i have a great love 4 swords i have a small collection. idk y but i found this on FB b4 YT

[@NerdoftheRings]

I recently bought Herugrim in celebration of 250k. Can't wait to hang it on the wall...and maybe yell some Rohan lines while holding it in the air.

[@billberndtson]

Great video as always :)

[@markaruski]

Great video! If there are any legendary Dwarf swords or weapons, please make a video and tell their story!

[@soapmctavish5653]

I so wish for mankind to find that all those legends of middle earth to be a part of our actual history......

[@-johnny-deep-]

'Twould be cool indeed. See the Silurian Hypothesis - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silurian_hypothesis. Though it - if it could be proven to have existed - would be so much more ancient than Middle Earth.

[@soapmctavish5653]

@@-johnny-deep- the article was great.... I just wanted "Arda" to be our very own planet 😄.....only thing is "Arda" is depicted as a flat planet......and that's a substantial fact that hinders my imagination that somehow middle earth was true

[@johan.ohgren]

@@soapmctavish5653 it was only flat for a time and became round.

[@soapmctavish5653]

@@johan.ohgren oh! didn't know that.....

[@-johnny-deep-]

@@soapmctavish5653 Yeah, the original flat earth and the "world made round" in the second age are a bit disturbing. But I think the flat earth is just part of Tolkien's "imagined prehistory", much like even in our real world, everyone originally believed the earth was flat.

[@DarthArachnious]

In the books Aragorn carries the shards of Narsil with him as proof of his lineage. I remember thinking that would have been really annoying. They're reforged into Anduril before he leaves as part of the fellowship.

[@thelewis2898]

Your videos are amazing! Keep it up friend.

[@nightelf4860]

I LOVE your channel !! Thank you for such amazing and interesting content :) Greetings from Mount Juliet, Tennessee USA

[@ratneshpandey7733]

Looks like NOTR is back on the menu boisss..no more maggotty stinky bread for the weekend.

[@cinematicplays2644]

Love the sword from the lord of the rings movie series definitely excited for that anime lord of lord the rings movie

[@Abysalss]

Thank you so much for these vids, I’m getting ready to co dm a merp game and it’s got a lot of interesting elaboration on lotr that does do a little bit of creative liberty with tolkiens work but it’s really interesting and exciting

[@gfx2943]

Omg I love your channel! So glad I found it.

[@principledpsychopath8461]

You forgot to add that in the Dagor Dagoroth, it is said ,that it is turin, with the black sword ,who will possibly slay morgoth .

[@patrickfersigan2736]

I finished the hobbit and lord of the rings lego game. It's so cool!

[@NerdoftheRings]

I LOVE the Lego games. I wish they would've finished making The Hobbit game though.

[@laurelelasselin]

Lego Legolas XD (sorry)

[@frodolives6021]

Hey thanks for your knowledge brother