The Hidden Blade (Assassin's Creed) Deserves More Credit!

[@vorpalsmithandforge4664]

You've given me a few ideas for constructing my own, been toying with the idea for a while but had issues with design. Some of your points make alot of sense and I may have to try and design my own. if anyone can give me an idea of what kind of mechanisms I need to look for in regards to the dual spring and lock that would help immensely

[@LordDragox412]

Just use an oversized click pen mechanism. Hell, make the whole thing a big pen. Pen is mightier than a sword, as long as you stab people in the eye. /s

[@correctorer]

@@LordDragox412 As long as you kill them with bureaucracy

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

The design in the game isn't very realistic, but that doesn't mean you can't make it real

[@icarusswitkes6833]

Oh. I have an idea that I know I'm probably never gonna get around to so it would be cool if someone else did it. You have a very powerful spring for pushing the blade on the way out. It's strong enough to puncture through stuff which means you have to wind it for a long time before using it. But there's a second, much weaker spring which pulls it back out. It's always connected to the weak spring, but it's not connected to the strong one it's just pushed by it. There's two slots for the blade to get pushed through. One for when it's extending and one for when it's retracting. When the blade is in, it's being pushed on by the strong spring and being pulled in by the weak spring at the same time, but the strong spring still pushes it out because it's stronger. Then, when the blade gets to its full extension, it disengages with the strong spring and is able to go into the second slot. Now the only force on it is from the weaker spring, pulling it back in. I hope I explained that well. The goal is to have a hidden blade which you wind up every time before use, and when you use it it extends and retracts in one motion, with enough force to penetrate flesh.

[@vorpalsmithandforge4664]

@@SergioLeonardoCornejo I was referring more to the mechanism like whats in the versions he has, because I don't even know what the mechanism is called to know where to start looking lol, thank you, I wasn't sure if what I said made any sense

[@TheKayech]

The ring finger thing was a loyalty thing to prove you were dedicated to the cause. Altair redesigns the blade to what the Renaissance brotherhood used because it was a stupid idea to have a singular identifying wound on a group trying to move in secret

[@TheDeadTheories]

You hit on every topic I was going to cover. Well, done!

[@lbonts]

“wedded” to the cause one might say

[@PleaseHoldy]

Wasn't it Da Vinci in the second game that changed them?

[@dylanblack8714]

@@PleaseHoldy nah he said the blade had been modified before so you don’t have to lose a finger anymore

[@DarkScyX]

Well i mean… missing the ring finger yes, but having hoods and utility belts with big “A” on them was also very stupid too.. lol Although it was Leonardo da Vinci who modified the hidden blade, when he studied the schematics and realized about the finger issue but that it was redesigned to solve it, where he even makes a joke to Ezio with a cleaver where he told Ezio that he have to cut his finger off.

[@mastergecko1178]

I think skal changed his mind on the hidden blade just because he got to play and fidget around with one by popping it in and out over and over lol

[@Skallagrim]

Uh... no comment.

[@weswolever7477]

Now that’s my idea of a fidget spinner

[@Foreign_consultant]

@@Skallagrim please stab something next time to see how it holds on to the arm with those strips. Not SOMEONE, let me stress that.

[@Emil_Stoltz]

​@@Skallagrim For some reason, that makes me think of when you go to change your hair in Kingdom Come and then exit out of the menu and Henry just says "Uh... No deal."

[@Just_a_Piano_]

@@weswolever7477You can't lie we all forgot fidget spinners were even a thing after about a year

[@jagylakl789]

These would be worse than a pen for me. I can resist clicking a pen, but these however would overwhelm my primitive brain's willpower to not be a nuisance to everyone around me. They look so fun!

[@Nota-Skaven]

hell I already do this in games where I'm allowed, just running around with the blades visible in AC3, nothing suspicious here soldier

[@Skallagrim]

Yup, it's like the Wolverine SNIKT!, except it doesn't hurt.

[@jamisondean2029]

@@Nota-Skaven In the menus spaming them too

[@josephcirrincone9596]

Facts

[@digivagrant]

Sometimes, you just need a bouquet of flowers to stab a person.

[@giggityguy]

The game design of the very first Assassin's Creed game shows off the design philosophy behind the hidden blade best, in my opinion. Altair says: "I am the blade in the crowd." So much of the game design was about remaining unobtrusive, just another face in the masses. Blending in with scholars, relaxing on a full bench, eavesdropping and pickpocketing. Most of the action of the game takes place on crowded city streets, with bystanders all around. There are lots of animations for Altair pushing his way through a crowd, or bumping into someone accidentally. I think it's no coincidence that the animation for a low profile assassination with the hidden blade looks very similar to that same animation, as if you just bumped into someone by accident. The idea is that in a dense, crowded, loud city street, you could inconspicuously slide it into a soft spot and already be gone before they hit the ground, without having to take a swing or even break your stride.

[@dark3031]

After Skall's explanation, yes it seem to make sense. But there were so many scenes or cutscenes where the Assassin were fighting head on with enemies, it's cringy to see that the hidden blade still made to look like the superior weapon in these situations.

[@benjaminwoodman]

@@dark3031 I don’t think anyone really is saying that’s why the games were pushing. There’s a reason assassins had swords and short swords etc. as well as the hidden blade.

[@Yorick257]

​@@dark3031 oh no, the hidden blade was the worst open combat weapon in probably all games. The block is bad, the reach is bad, and the damage is very low. Any dagger was much better, and a sword was op compared to the blade

[@digivagrant]

@@dark3031 From Black Flag to the earlier AC games, yeah. Hidden Blade got nerfed real hard in the ACRPGs

[@yigitorhan7654]

​​@@Yorick257n AC1, the hidden blade can only be used to counter-attack. The reaction window for doing so is extremely small compared to other weapons but if you get it right it's the only attack that enemies can't dodge. Fun but dangerous, since it can't block either.

[@cynder7949]

The thing about wearing both of those at once... There's no way anyone is going to expect a SECOND hidden blade! xD

[@alexconn7473]

It's like the Spanish inquisition nobody expects those guys

[@jonathanperez7663]

Time to add hidden blades to your feet. No one will expect 4 hidden blades.

[@ddeimos]

how about a third?😏

[@kyraptor2521]

@@jonathanperez7663 canonically the Chinese assassins did do that

[@clothar23]

​@@kyraptor2521 Of course the Chinese would be the ones to buy into that gimmicky stuff. It's not enough their soldiers are equipped with oddball and subpar wargear. Their Assassins have to be as well. Can China chill with that for one century.

[@ArifRWinandar]

I can't help but smile a little whenever you flick the blades out.

[@ebonslayer3321]

This is actually how older models of hidden blades work in the novels; Ezio's blade was activated by a string tied to his ring finger, same with assassins before him. Sometime later, however, due to Altair apple shenanigans, the activation was instead switched to flexing a specific muscle in the forearm/wrist, which created a fun scene in the Black Flag novel where Edward was losing his fucking mind after being told to try out his new hidden blade. On another note, Ezio's blades did overcome an issue you pointed out, that with the straps being the only thing stopping the blade from being pushed back. His primary blade (the one on his left arm, though in Brotherhood both blades got this enhancement) was fitted into a gauntlet that appeared either as large, metallic bracers or full hand protection including fingers. Something like that is not moving for shit.

[@qq13563817153]

they expanded on it a little in the Syndicate novel too, two novice Assassins got captured and their hidden blades taken, the Templars that wore them could not activate the blades due to how they're calibrated to each Assassin's specific muscle twitch. It's also used to show how the Frye twins' father has really good control over his body, he'd constantly rest his chin on his fist wearing the blade, which is not exactly safe for obvious reasons

[@1v966]

How does Altair come after Ezio in this

[@qq13563817153]

@@1v966 Ezio was originally using his father's hidden blade, which was made normally. after getting the codex page, Leonardo was able to create a second, right handed blade based on Altair's design which he got from using the Apple of Eden acquired at the end of AC1

[@ebonslayer3321]

@@1v966 Schematics he made that were found later.

[@ebonslayer3321]

@@qq13563817153 Giovanni's hidden blade actually was a modified design as well, more of Altair's bullshit. Though it's merely one of many models of the blade he created.

[@RiderOftheNorth1968]

Skall: "It is difficult to hurt yourself with it" *Continiues to rest his head in the hand with elbow on the table*

[@cardboardbox191]

You probably still wouldn't hurt yourself but I'm not that much of a betting man.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

Facepalming certainly does become a risky manoeuvre while wearing one of these...

[@Exxt3R]

@@ApothecaryTerry not really, the design is made so you'd have to pull your wrist almost 90 degrees back.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

@@Exxt3R As someone who essentially facepalms for a living, that's normal.

[@JoylessBurrito]

I have a few of the replicas from the video, they actually take a good bit of force to extend. You'd be pretty safe

[@Alpha_Synergy]

As for the inconspicuous dress, in the original game they were dressed inconspicously. The Assassins in the first game dressed as scholars, who were largely thought of as harmless. It may not hold up well to closer inspection, but most of the blending in was done in a crowd anyway, where you have your attention divided. That also assumes you know to look for the Assassin in the first place.

[@fearedjames]

Plus, when walking around normally, the game is set during a crusade, so you just look like one of the many many mercenaries.

[@Slender_Man_186]

To add to this, Ezio in AC2 and Brotherhood just wears Noble’s clothes, the AC2 suit specifically was just his father’s tunic and cape worn over his normal clothes, and in Revelations he’s just dressed like a traveler. Connor and Edward both just wear military coats (although Eddy throws some leather armor on his), Shay wears more of a generic frontier explorer’s coat, and Arno has a bunch of outfits that blend perfectly in with crowds.

[@catpurrito5586]

@@Slender_Man_186 Arno may have a bunch of outfits but they are all video game outfit kind of gaudy

[@Slender_Man_186]

@@catpurrito5586 there’s period appropriate soldier armor, noble clothes with some embroidery work, my go-to the Prowler set is just a leather jacket, the Phantom set is definitely gaudy but is meant to be what you would wear to an aristocratic party, and there’s also just literal peasant clothes if you wanna go for that look.

[@NiCoNiCoNiCola]

@@Slender_Man_186 Shay actually wears full on templar coat specifically so british soldiers recognise him as "Master Cormac, the loyal servant of the crown", and regarding Connor's outfit: he literally has a lot of mohawk acessories and an entire bow and it's quiver hanging on his back.

[@the_senate8050]

The outside hidden blade being retractable makes it a really good backup weapon. If you lose (or perhaps throw in the case of a spear or one handed axe) your main weapon, you still have something halfway decent without needing to draw a dagger. Plus if you were already wearing a gauntlet, it might not add any noticeable bulk.

[@KuarenWindcatcher]

Also I would prefer it that way, since if I am not in a fight currently, there is not a need to have a fixed blade, which I cannot put away, extending from my forearm. it might even make it harder for things like riding a horse. It could also act like a self defence weapon which you can hide and use easily. however, I am not sure if you can hide it without making it obvious, and also I am not sure if you would just go around with steel gauntlets in your daily life

[@biglc034]

Even if using a two-handed weapon being retractable would be useful. If it was just strapped to your wrist it would get in the way, but being extendable/retractable you can keep it out of the way then spring it out as a nasty surprise on your enemies. Well, possibly.

[@TheDMind]

I could see it being a good weapon for a bodyguard or something similar: Someone who isn't trying to hide that they're armed, but needs to be able to move around normally without issue most of the time - while having their weapon instantly at the ready if they need it.

[@aurtosebaelheim5942]

This was how the melee worked in Star Wars: Republic Commando. You need your hands free most of the time for holding guns and a fixed hands-free blade would severely limit wrist mobility. It's a sci-fi universe full of nasties that may want to get in your face on short notice, so you need a quick-response melee weapon. Punch with added knife is a pretty sensible solution given those requirements. I can also see it being really useful for special-property weapons. Things you probably won't need, but when you do you need them now. Poison is probably the only real-world use-case, but if we stray into fantasy territory then there are all sorts of creatures that can only be harmed by special material X (silver, cold iron, wooden stakes, adamantine, etc.) that are either prohibitively expensive for a full-size primary weapon or are too fragile/generally ineffective. If you're fighting a vampire and his army of skeletons you could do a lot worse than a mace, shield and hidden-blade-style wooden stake.

[@mrkiky]

Yep, and in the cinematic, the fact that it's retractable is an advantage because the guy doesn't see it and doesn't know to be careful with regards to it so he's taken by surprise. If it was always out, he would have been more ready for it.

[@blackvial]

The Ring finger was removed because the founder accidentally lost his in a fight because it was his first time using the hidden blade. His disciples just thought it was how things were done and started removing their own ring fingers as a sign of commitment to the cause.

[@uggachugga760]

IIRC In-universe the practice of removing your fingers is also discouraged by assassin leaders later down in the timeline

[@BobisOnlyBob]

They still continued to use finger _branding_ for a time, to create the same symbolic commitment of loyalty. Given they typically wear gloves, it's less identifying, but still creates a permanently identifying mark.

[@giftzwerg7345]

Its pretty stupid tho bc you can identirfy them

[@Skallagrim]

Wow... that sounds... hilariously dumb. :D

[@handel1111]

@@uggachugga760 Spanish Assassins still cut their ring finger even during at the time of Ezio

[@StealthPants1]

i think a major under-appreciated aspect of the hidden blade is that if you're wearing it, you literally always have a weapon in your hand. there's a bit in AC3 where a templar is grappling with connor, holding his arm in place, but connor is able to extend his hidden blade and use it to stab his enemy in the neck. if he had some other kind of dagger, it could be out of reach on his body or knocked out of his hand; the hidden blade is just there. the ability to go from empty-handed to wielding a bladed weapon with literally a tiny flick of the wrist is INCREDIBLY useful for surprise attacks, or for situations like grappling (imagine going from having a hand against an enemy's stomach to immediately having a blade against their stomach). also? connor's hidden blade (with the ability to rotate into an ice pick grip or theoretically an upwards grip) is CRIMINALLY underrated in my opinion. like yes it deviates from the iconic design, but it makes it a MUCH more viable weapon; instead of suddenly having a blade sticking out of your wrist, you have a knife in your hand. like if you need to, treat it less as a traditional hidden blade and more of a knife-delivery system; empty-handed to holding a knife with the smallest movement.

[@greenrooster9274]

Ezio did something similar during ac2 before meeting uncle mario

[@briannadesrochers679]

Pretty sure there is also a time this happens with Ezio and one of his blades actually does fail but he still has the other that he is able to use. Maybe in brotherhood or ac2, but I can't remember.

[@StealthPants1]

@@briannadesrochers679 i mean, in the opening cutscene/cinematic trailer for AC Revelations, Ezio fights through an army of templars but is eventually defeated when they break one of his hidden blades (although he still uses the other one to escape because of course)

[@gamerdomain6618]

You can also use it as an irregular parry to gain ground on an unexpecting foe. You might risk your wrist every time you do it, but suddenly having something that can at least partially withstand a bastard or longsword swing with a compact design, light weight, and wieldy design could turn a duel around in an instant.

[@julianmcmillan2867]

Same thing happened in AC2. Ezio was tailing Jacopo De Pazzi from San Gimignano to a Templar meeting. Whilst ease-dropping, Ezio is seen and two guards grab him from either side, each holding an arm. Ezio let's Rodrigo finish his villain monologue and then proceeds to flick his hidden blade, stabbing one guard in the throat and then the other in the stomach. This means that he stood there that whole time, knowing he could get free, but he wanted to see if he could get information out of Rodrigo. What a chad.

[@X-SPONGED]

Fun Fact: The hidden blades are almost always redesigned in each game to highlight the changing landscape. For example, the pivot blade of Connor addresses your point of "why not just bring a dagger?" by making the blade multifunction as a wrist strapped dagger. There's also the ottoman standard hookblade that Ezio adopted in his later years. There's the two pronged blade which helps with parrying enemy blades and the design is later adapted by the nerd in the modern day storyline into a functional wrist-strapped stabby tazer. There's also the trident blade worn by the master assassin of the india branch that greatly helps in parrying enemy blades. There's the foot blade worn by the chinese assassin which paired with her background as the emperor's special concubine dancer (which means she doesn't have to have her feet binded) and being a fully trained martial artist from youth proved lethal to her enemies. There are also other significant redesigns such as the hollow/poison blade made by Altair himself, the phantom blade worn by Arno, the hidden gun and bolt commissioned by Ezio to Da Vinci. The answer to "why don't the asssasins just bring a knife?" is all of these points combined. Sure, it's flashy but it's also much more practical than carrying a knife everywhere. You have a free hand and a reliable backup if you so happen to get disarmed of your primary melee. The original hidden blade was meant for a snake in the grass style killing. You bump (stab) into your target in the middle of a busy street and the moment he falls from blood loss, you're already a few meters away and can make a quick exit when all attention is paid to the body and not everyone fleeing from the scene. Much easier to do the walk-by stabbing with a wrist-strapped blade than a knife in your hands.

[@NoobPTFO]

I felt absolute joy from each time you extended and retracted the blade. God it looks so fun!

[@jmgonzales7701]

is it possible to make a good hidden blade the way the series portrays it? like without a ring and string attached and just activates with pulse of your arm or wrist

[@friccle_]

@@jmgonzales7701probably not one that works as well

[@ysmaliwr]

Wow those hidden blades and this video is cool and incredible. Fantastic job Skallagrim and Rawice Creations.

[@RAWICE511]

Thankyou brother appreciate it!

[@VeylmanTheRock]

Rawice is such a cool dude. Been following him for years ever since I played AC 1 and wondered "but what if real life".

[@RAWICE511]

Thanks brother, that means a lot!🥹 ❤ I’ve got some wicked stuff coming ;)

[@maszkalman3676]

I just bought from him a phantom blade since he finally sell those :D i can't wait for the package to arrive.

[@fiiv3s]

@@RAWICE511 love my blade i got from ya

[@RAWICE511]

@@fiiv3s Thankyou my bro 🙏

[@JoylessBurrito]

@@RAWICE511 Your hidden blades are literally the coolest toys I've ever bought myself.

[@tiaxanderson9725]

Honestly, that first scene of the camera getting stabbed, falling down, and live just long enough to see the assassin cloaked, and retracting a hidden blade, was quite well done.

[@WanderingKnightSports]

In terms of fencing, a potential benefit could be concealing the measure of the hidden blade. I'm imagining a scenario where you are in a bind or grapple with your opponent using a longsword or sidesword, and are able to use the blade to even just intimidate your opponent. It's hard to focus on the bind when sudenly there is a blade poined at your face. I'd be very interested to try it out in a HEMA duel to see how it works!

[@ssu7653]

Would also work for surprise close-range. Fighting with a longer weapon where you want to keep some distance, enemy goes in for grapple and a nice stab to the throat ;)

[@NiCoNiCoNiCola]

in Brotherhood, Revelations and 3 the main characters do use the blade in close quarters to either stab or slash the opponent, mainly on the face

[@andreasmuller4666]

Not only was this a really nice, nerdy and informative video, you also mellowed a bit with time skall. Even when you critik things these days, it comes over with a lot more patience and constructive, informed comments than those from a couple years ago. Well done on this one ofc and how very nice of you to give one of the more iconic "blades" of video game lore a second look and "upgraded" review.

[@rohit_parashar]

You're having a lot of fun ejecting the blade 😂

[@wardvos7925]

Be honest, we all would

[@rohit_parashar]

@@wardvos7925 fair enough

[@clothar23]

It's like a click pen on steroids.

[@Jackraiden500]

one could say he's having an "ejectulation"... I'll leave.

[@rohit_parashar]

@@clothar23 exactly right?

[@ronakrajput2738]

I INSTANTLY LIKED WHEN HE SAID "LET'S TAKE A STAB AT IT"

[@gratefulguy4130]

I always knew Skall would end up being an assassin one day. This was the natural course of his path in life.

[@mrkiky]

The way he assassinated the camera tripod was absolutely ruthless 😂

[@assassinviii6477]

I just my third blade from Rawice. Dude is an amazing engineer! I cannot give him enough praise for the quality of his blades. If you’re an AC fan, you need a Rawice blade and yes, it’s soooooo satisfying, you will be playing with it lol

[@RAWICE511]

Thankyou so much brother that means more than you know ❤

[@monke3659]

@@RAWICE511are the blades real man ? U know for some gardening

[@themonsterunderyourbed9408]

​@@monke3659No. They're all plastic and come with plastic tabs that square the blade off. So you have to shape the blade yourself.

[@FireBowProductions]

One thing I thought of with the AC: Valhalla version. If you modified it to look more like a buckler, the hidden aspect becomes a bit more reasonable. Because your opponent may just see it as a buckler then as you're fighting you pull the blade suddenly and punch with it. Similar to Porthos in the 93 The Three Musketeers when he flicked the small blade from his pistol and stabbed the guy in the arm.

[@bramvanduijn8086]

It was quite common to strap a small weapon on the inside of your shield.

[@lordomacron3719]

Or have in fully integrated with a vambrace.

[@yiklongtay6029]

I don't see how this works. You need to shift the buckler out of the way so the blade could pop out if your wrists. This delay defeats any advantage you have to simply strapping an extra dagger on the insides of the buckler like a normal person

[@FireBowProductions]

@@yiklongtay6029 The buckler is not held in your hand with this design. It is integrated into the bracer the same way the blade is, with the exception of a gap between your buckler and forearm for the blade to extend, so it's on your arm and not held.

[@yiklongtay6029]

@@FireBowProductions Oh I see. I was thinking of standard bucklers, handles and all

[@THEonlyAEON]

Always love when skall comes back to an earlier video topic when discussing things outside the norm.

[@leocheung8860]

I think one important aspect of the hidden blade is that it's a weapon you can never really lose. Considering that assassins are expected to do lots of freerunning and combat, there's a pretty high chance that a more traditional weapon could get lost when things get messy meanwhile the hidden blade can never fall off the sheathe accidentally, gets hit out of your hand in combat, etc. which means you always have a backup weapon up your sleeves (literally lol), no matter how dire the situation is.

[@JB-kr5rk]

One of the things I find interesting are the animations where the blade’s edge is used to slice a throat rather then stab, shifting the focus from something strong enough to stab to something sharp enough to slice

[@Swordsman1425]

I do like the idea of using it as a punch dagger. Definitely good for a more aggressive style of fighting, less for assassination. Great breakdown though, and glad you could find one that works like it does in the game. I used to have the "official" thing that came with one of the special editions of the game but it was button activated so... not much like the game at all, haha.

[@Folbak]

I also had the official thing and used to press the button with my hip bone. Was functional, but not really comfortable

[@ThePerceptor555]

Actually, the issue of limiting the amount of usable blade length (when using it with a clenched fist) is kind of a moot point, since most hidden blade designs are split into 2 sections, the actual blade and the blunt, hollow "ricasso" that extends outward to increase the overall length. Both Altair and Ezio's blades are like this, and their fists do not extend past the end of the ricasso.

[@stefanluna]

You should check my hidden blades out. I'm the only person that makes a true extended one like Ezio's. It's also the sleek and smallest/ easiest to conceal. As well as the safest due to it being gravity or motion driven.

[@yiklongtay6029]

Just to chime in that makes the whole blade incredibly flimsy and easy to break. But AC covered their asses by saying Altair used the apple's sci-fi knowledge to discover a strong alloy that can withstand blows and is really durable.

[@TheHammerGuy94]

1. the hidden blade is only intended as a stealth weapon. Notice Eivor's Hidden blade attack in combat is slow AF? So Altair had the idea to ALSO use it for self defense, because it's free real estate. Like, are you really defenseless if you lose your primary weapon? So he added bracers to defend against swords and bigger weapons, then during his time as mentor, developed proper hidden blade combat. 2. Steel's number 1 enemy is rust. If you know your chemistry right, oxygen is needed to make rust on iron. and what is the number 1 source of rusting that isn't water? BLOOD. this thing is made to kill, spill lots of blood, and blood is one of the things that can destroy a blade. so just like how Jedi are required to know how to make their own lightsabers, The hidden ones, and later assassins, are required to know how to make their own blade mechanisms, and disassemble them for maintenance. We never see one disassembled, but we know Aveline from Liberation made a 2nd set of hidden blades when she infiltrated a slave camp in mexico. she made the set because she went there unarmed to avoid detection on the ship.

[@DeLittleRebel]

​@stefanluna I Hate to break it to you but you most certainly aren't the only one... 🤨

[@QuatarTarandir]

​@@stefanlunaYa, Rawice Creations (the person who made the hidden blade in this video) made really good dual extention hidden blades that also are dual action, soooo....

[@chdini1036]

The second hidden blade could be turned into a vambrace... Even wear 2 of them at the same time on each arm. This way i think you would have more stability in the weapon itself. When it comes to concealment you could make the vambraces look really nice with engravings, exotic stones etc. By doing this you could potentially claim to be wearing them for decorative purposes only. No one would know you have a hidden blade in them without closer inspection.

[@clothar23]

The one advantage the wannabe viking has and they squandered it by making it look like an obvious weapon.

[@Slender_Man_186]

@@clothar23 to be fair, he’s a Viking, they’re not exactly know for subtlety.

[@Copperkaiju]

I liked the idea of Templars using overhand blades since they tend not to need as much anonymity as the Assassin's.

[@gamercore5216]

The star wars republic commando knuckle plate vibro blade is very similar but comes from the back of the hand and is used in a punch motion so i'd imagine similar to a push dagger or katar, and as shown the valhalla version, still would love if you could look it over as well skall.

[@ROBOHOLIC1]

Yo, vibro blade enthusiast!

[@lukemcatee5527]

I feel like the sword and medieval weapons community on KZbin has really turned their opinions around on the practicality of fantasy weapons!

[@fritzthelibrarygoblin]

I guess it helps when you (rhetorically speaking) realize you're actually a huge nerd. 😁

[@jintsuubest9331]

It really depends on who you are trying to speak to. The purest of the purist will chase you down in their full suite of 16th century Milanese armor with poleaxe to rid of those unholy creation. And then there is people that decided why not have fun, because we are just fucking nerds anyways. And anything in between. I'm personally really interested about non human size humanoid, what type of arms and armor they might develop.

[@Folbak]

I still don't think you'll find anyone that likes keyblades lol

[@Zephyr01]

i think they also realise the point of "its not practical!!!" isn't really valid, like yeah.. its not, but not all weapons have been practical lol. theres been a lot of horrendous weapon designs through out history, a fantasy blade being odd doesn't mean it isn't a valid design.

[@Modighen]

I still have a preference for a free dagger/knife, but I can appreciate how much more plausible the design is. I could bring up an additional tidbit that there is probably a provision for the knife to be taken apart so you could clean it when you have the time to do so.

[@SKy_the_Thunder]

You could still use a thumb strap with the inner-arm design to give you a better hold, or even connect the whole glove to it. That way you'd accomplish something similar to holding on to the strap on the outer-arm version. At that point it would _require_ wearing a glove with it, but that's a good idea either way, even with only the string. Plus, on the right kind/color of glove blood stains won't stand out as much as on skin.

[@AnalystPrime]

This reminds me of an old fantasy RPG campaign. The enchantments for magic weapons included an option for shapechanging weapons like a dagger that can become a sword or shield, so one character had magic vambraces that worked as armor but would sprout sword(right) and dagger(left) blades on command. However, as blocking the palm or back of hand was considered too likely to restrict hand movement they actually extended below the arm, next to the little finger. This was inspired by another character who had a tonfa that could extend a blade from the handgrip and the shorter end while the longer end could reshape into a cutting edge. The problem with a wrist blade that is not retractable is that you can't really sheathe it easily either and it is in the way the 99.9% of time when you are not fighting. That makes it more a weapon for gladiators and ceremonial guards who want to look impressive than a weapon of war, and obviously it is unsuited for assassination. There are few cases where holding an object in that hand or enemies not being able to make you drop the blade might be useful, but those are countered by the numerous things you can't do properly because there is a foot long potential for self mutilation and getting in the way sticking out of your arm and also when, not if, the blade is caught in something you and your whole arm are stuck with it.

[@AbyssViber1028]

Eivor along with one of the very first assassins in Odyssey has this overhand hidden blade design. I always found it cool mainly due to the fact that depending on how thick/durable the case for the blade or the blade it’s self was, it can also act as a last ditch version of a buckler mainly used for deflecting an oncoming attack while also acting as a dagger.

[@AzraelThanatos]

For the Valhalla version, having it hidden as part of an armored bracer or strap on bucket type shield, meaning that even in a fight, the "hidden blade" part could come into play by forcing your opponent to pay a lot more attention there with if it's in or out in how it's used. Uncertainty on if the wielder is attacking or blocking for example

[@ethanbrandt8617]

It all fun and games until people in crowds start "mysteriously" dying of neck wounds.

[@Imperiused]

I tried to go to the link of the generous donator to this video Rawice Creations, and the page was down due to too many requests! So happy it seems you've sent a lot of people their way!

[@RAWICE511]

Hopefully the Etsy is up and running now brother!

[@icarusgaming6269]

The Hidden Ones who gift Eivor her hidden blade instruct her to use it in the underhand carry position. She refuses for philosophical reasons, making the appropriate grip rather ironic Ezio's bracer, and others from its era, include a smooth, armored surface above the wrist for blocking

[@nicktb1999]

It's funny cauce aya gives darius is blade to bayek. (She says it came from cleopatra but in odyssey we see darius use the blade to kill that king that aya also mentions) But aya unerhand mounts it to bayek, caucing bayek to loose a finger when using it. However darius used didnt use it underhanded. Eivor actually uses the blade how it's original creator darius intended. Not that eivor or the assassins/hidden ones they were with realised this but still

[@icarusgaming6269]

@@nicktb1999 I need to play LOTFB

[@nicholascrooks8465]

Loved this, thanks for making and sharing it Skall!

[@ComradeMeow]

Speaking of the straps, you can modify the attachment system to have an integral glove/gauntlet, so that it attaches to your fist as well. Its not how its done in the games, but its one way to somewhat improve how securely it is attached to your arm and thus increase how much power you can put into a thrust. As for the lock itself, its called OTF and there are real knives which use that system (look it up on KZbin). It can be made quite strong (though it will never be as strong as a fixed blade like a dagger).

[@clothar23]

It doesn't have to be as rock solid as a fixed blade. You're not using it in combat after all. That being said anything that increases the thrusting power is always good.

[@GSuniversum]

I still really like the outro.. It feels so welcoming and familiar/close. .. Old but gold (classy)

[@malacostracus3663]

You could make a test of combining the second (more combative) design with another typical held weapon and see what additional advantages might come from the hidden (or already extended) blade in a fight

[@thetrickster23]

This idea was pop out in my head when i was teenage (2013-2015) i didnt know how to do it, so i give up, and you make it happen, im so happy mate

[@ezrafaulk3076]

About the blood running down into the mechanisms thing; maybe the blade could be shaped in such a way as to *fill* the gap as it comes out to prevent blood from dripping in while extended, and when it *retracts* , it rubs against some sort of *cloth* thing to wipe any blood that didn't drain off while it was extended off of it.

[@noelportillo8633]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Great work, Skallagrim.

[@PANCAKEMINEZZ]

The only issues you'd run into practically with the traditional hidden blade (not the dumb over the wrist one added in the Odyssey DLC and used in Valhalla) is mostly just cleaning at this point. Cleaning the hidden blade could be an issue with how mechanical the blade is. Blood wouldn't just coat the blade but it'd get all in the "sheathe" section and would require some disassembly to clean thoroughly. This can be handwaved as rule of cool, as most people don't pay attention to weapon maintenance, but it would be cool to see a practical way of cleaning the weapon often addressed. Perhaps Assassins are mandated to know their hidden blade inside and out, like a soldier knows how to field strip their weapons blindfolded. Perhaps the Assassin has special tools that can help disassemble a blade for cleaning after a kill, and more... Religious/spiritual/traditionaist sects of Assassins (like the Al Mualim brotherhood sort of is) could treat it like a ceremony of reverence, much like the cutting off of the ring finger and taking blood via an eagle feather are all symbolic as well as practical means for the job.

[@dandragonmc]

Literally one of the two videos that introduce me to the channel

[@Lavenderlore1043]

Also depending on how fitting the straps are, on Eivors variant one could possibly use a mail glove, giving added hand protection. Also Connors hidden blade has always been my favorite design. It just seems to be the most practical, perhaps followed by the turkish hook-blade Ezio gets in Revelations, and Eivors(not for stealth obviously, but for ease of use in terms of carrying a ready to use combat tool).

[@M6nst6r6]

Great video! The only thing is missing is "YOU DIED" message in the end for meme sake.

[@dearcastiel4667]

- About the blade from the first game: the original idea is that the blade was activated by rings passed on the small finger and you needed to CLOSE the hand to activate it. From the second game onward they figured out it made more sense to have a single ring and have the hand opening. -About solidity: mostly a matter of how tight the pieces fit together. All the versions made by people are plastic or aluminium, my guess is that hardened steel pieces made to the exact dimentions would probably be hard enough to stab flesh. -About it moving up the arm: my guess is that's only a problem once you hit bone, if you're going through the throat it'll probably go right through without puching back much.

[@ssu7653]

How far up your arm can you push a wristwatch? How much force does it require to push it up the arm even with a band made of elastic materials? It moves, but not far enough to make a practical difference

[@DragonKnightX12]

@@ssu7653 Two wildly different things. Punching a blade into a human body that is gonna offer resistance, is quite a bit different from Gen just moving a watch.

[@ssu7653]

@@DragonKnightX12 Sure its not exactly the same, but with a single "loose" elastic strap my watch moves about 1inch at most. 2-3 leather straps and you can put ALOT more force into it with less moving.

[@DragonKnightX12]

@@ssu7653 I don't think the equivalent force. The plus the weapon is already loose, where as properly strapped watch isn't.

[@ssu7653]

@@DragonKnightX12 If you strap a blade to your hand with the intent of stabbing with it, im pretty sure you dont want it to be loose from the start. Watch is tightened for comfort, tight enough to not move around to much but loose enough to not really notice its there.

[@tonyxzimma808]

I appreciate how many aspects of something you cover and how honest the reviews are been subscribed for years and will continue to be🤙🏽

[@KenwayTheWanderer]

I actually recommend the assassin's creed 4 book the life of Edward Kenway. In the book, it goes over the fact that the blade isn't activated by a string and ring like real hidden blades. It is activated by the flexing of certain muscles in your arm.This is, of course, 100% fiction. The book, however, is a very good read, and you can actually find the 10-hour audio book here on KZbin. It is a point that you haven't made Skal because you don't have a metal example. If the hidden blade is made of steel, they are quite heavy to keep on your forearm all day. Combine that with a more accurate representation of parkour they do in the games, "which I think the most accurate representation is actually slab rock climbing with some dynamic moves" this weapon is just impractical. I know this opinion might be shocking to hear from an assassins creed fan like myself. But I have a full assassins creed costume, I have climbed in my full costume with all my props and metal hidden blades, and it was so difficult I personally think it would take a super human to do that all day like they do in the games.

[@andyocto25]

at the time the games take place whichever you choose warriors were trained while they wore their armor so they would be use to the weight

[@ThatOtherGamer]

That's the best design I've seen of the hidden blade so far.

[@RAWICE511]

Appreciate that brother!

[@Smeelio]

I was actually thinking about commenting about a "puts a regular dagger in your hand" design right before you showed it! I don't know if it'll take another 8 years for you to get your hands on one of those, but I'd be interested in a video about the pros and cons of that style versus this "traditional" one, and of course versus other alternatives and weapons too One big thing I can see in the image you showed is that the dagger has no guard or anything, so it'd be a little harder to defend yourself than with a "loose" dagger of your choice without a mechanism, but then again does that matter if you are an assassin? But then again AGAIN, why use the version that puts a dagger in your hand if you don't want some benefit from having an actual dagger? But of course a dagger with a crossguard or something is going to be bulkier and harder to hide in a sleeve and harder to match to the silhouette of your arm, and the mechanism would likely be bulkier on this style of hidden blade than on the Assassin's Creed one already, compounding the issue

[@SteelSaint23]

I have always loved the design of Altair's blade! The blade that he wears incorporates a secondary track that extends outward, as well as the blade that is housed within it. Not only does this allow for much further extension, allowing the blade to protrude quite a ways further out from the wrist than the model of blade you're using, for example, but that track spans about half of the total extension length, putting the TRACK at your knuckles rather than the BLADE. This allows Altair (and other Assassins that removed a finger for this style) to extend the blade and ball their fists, rather than having to actively keep their fingers away from the blade after deployment. You can see in the photo of Altair that you included at 6:41, that his fist is balled up and the dull extension track is in line with his knuckles, essentially turning it into a pushblade, which I've always thought was really cool and intimidating! Love your content, Skal! Keep up the amazing work! ❤

[@timogul]

I would think that if you wanted to improve the "impact strength" of the weapon, what you would want to do is build it into a solid glove, so that rather than pushing back against wrist straps, it would be pulling against your entire hand. That should slip much less significantly. In the most minimalist form, you could just have a vertical strap running up the forearm, across the knuckles, and encircling a few fingers, similar to an archer grip.

[@Dian_Borisov_SW]

Damn I remember when I was 12 and just got into AC in 2014 and saw your video about the hidden blade. Awesome redemption arc there

[@EnraiChannel]

I think the Valhalla one would be even better as a full gauntlet of sorts. If the top part is bulky enough, maybe you could even block with it. Not realistic, but could look cool in a game.

[@_idk_18]

Hey skal, I am 16 years old rn and I remember watching ur original video on the hidden blade, I’ve been a supporter ever since, I love every video you make. have a great day

[@Zedigan]

I always imagined the hidden blade would be next to useless in an actually fight, being extra fragile with all the working parts. But they're not designed for fighting, only for killing. Which makes sense, assassin's arent trying to start a fight, they're trying to eliminate a target. I always loved the idea of an assassin "pushing" someone out of the way only for them to fall over dead moments later. And by the time anyone had noticed the body the assassin has already vanished.

[@paulomr445]

Hidden blade video was actually how I first found you and about the world of hema so this should be fun

[@WJS774]

I think the issue with accidentally hurting yourself with it is not really about hurting the hand that it is strapped to, but accidentally stabbing yourself somewhere else before you get used to wearing it. Like, I can see how if you put your hands on your hips without thinking about it, that might activate the blade. If you put a hand on someone's chest to stop him, oops you've accidentally _stabbed_ him, etc. Of course with enough training you could learn to avoid doing these things instinctively just like you instinctively avoid pointing guns at people when you've spent a lot of time with them, but it would take some getting used to, I imagine the safety would be pretty analogous there too, you don't really want to be relying on it too much...

[@CarpetBanana]

Your video from 8 years ago was always the one that I would scroll past

[@Predator20357]

I think my favorite game trilogy (2,brotherhood, revelations) had my favorite hidden blades accessories at least for the cool factor. With how I see it, the Assassin Hidden Blade is essentially a niche weapon that is useful for Assassins but start losing its effectiveness the moment you start going away from its original purpose (an example in game is how a heavy armored guard just decimated the hidden blade when Ezio tries using it to block)

[@ioanbugheanu6836]

I'm glad Skal has come around on the concept of a hidden blade. One thing I'd point out is that various assassins throughout the games have worn their blade with the brace attached to a glove of some sort, limiting it's ability to wobble or slide back.

[@ShadowGhost0117]

You make really good points about the second option. Heck, when I think of my theoretical RWBY universe loadout I tend to include those kind of blades as a backup option. I keep imagining that if I had to decide on concealable blades to have on me, I’d rather choose the outer wrist vambrace option since it’s way more convenient.

[@andidimarco3820]

Such a satisfying video. Thank you!! 🙏

[@Adam-xd9tr]

Wow, that's actually a pretty cool way to design the hidden blades. They upgraded from 'rule of cool' to 'plausible' in my eyes. I really like the second weapons utility as a push dagger. The only other time I've seen them used like that was Star Wars: Republic Commando (awesome game, seriously check it out). I'm surprised they haven't appeared in more games or movies. It's a cool design for a backup weapon if someone was stuck fighting hand to hand, and yet it doesn't look bulky or cumbersome.

[@lacplesis6832]

Man i just love your videos. I have been watching them for a while and always entertain me.

[@riandillwow4286]

Hey cool I actually got a notification for once

[@ericvulgate]

Same

[@Skallagrim]

Whoa...

[@adamtyniec9154]

Thank you for making this video. This is (pun intended) the point of this complex problem and set rational pros and cons and that's nice shift from standard destructing the hidden blade. I hope Shad will watch your video.

[@animeproblem1070]

Yeah the hidden blade is designed for a walk by kill not full blown combat it's why Ezio has a sword

[@branharak1331]

That blade shunking noise is so satisfying xD

[@aniyahfrazier2918]

About the missing ring finger. In the lore of the series the hidden blade has no string attachment. Its deployed by using certain muscles in the forearm and its implied that the version Altair used was either only able to be deployed by making a fist in that way, thus causing the ring finger to be severed, or that at some point one of the master assassin's accidently removed his own and everyone went along with it as a continued show of commitment to the order. The assassin's also used this to show that they were loyal to the cause. Later the hidden blade would be redesigned so that it could be deployed through other means and the assassin's moved away from removing the ring finger as it was an obvious tell that someone was an assassin. (edit) there's also lore about the material that the assassin's originally used for the hidden blades. The original hidden blades were extremely durable (virtually unbreakable) due to them being made out of some fantasy metal, but as the order grew to recruit more and more assassin's, the material became to expensive to use.

[@orionwashburn2202]

I think the utility of the blades on the outside of the arm is: 1) always having a knife while grappling. Many wrestling moves would involve pinning the arm that reaches for a knife 2) being able to quickly switch from wielding a sword and shield, to grappling, to knife finish without fumbling for belt 3) stowing knife for actions such as climbing or catching a thrown object It removes some of the knife’s utility as a tool for a more efficient and convenient close quarters weapon.

[@josephlane1614]

Just a thought for a modern setting. You could have the blade push past a rubber seal to keep blood and innards from gumming the mechanism. However there is one thing you haven't addressed thats far more problematic when using this as a hidden weapon in relation to blood. People bleed a lot. Especially from the neck. You can't take someone out in a crowd without getting a decent amount of blood on you. This is more so with multiple people. And now everyone can ID you as a killer before you even get close. I work night shift at a fast food place, and frankly it's easy to spot things like blood quick. A less serious thing that proves my point, local bars put x's on the hands of underage people so they can't purchase alchohol. It's litterally the first thing you notice about a drunk person when they come in. Because our eyes attract to things that are out of place on someone. My point is, that i don't think there is a good stealthy weapon for killing someone in close quarters in front of a crowd that people won't notice immediately. However, a hidden gun on the other hand. . . Not a drop of blood on you.

[@johnnivek9653]

Think about it this way. Blood sprays. Meaning anyone standing within touching distance in the direction of the wound will have a good amount of blood on them. A few of those people probably won't even notice meaning you aren't the only person walking away casually with blood on them.

[@larachaplauske8818]

Do you have any idea how loud even a small pistol is?

[@Phwonk]

​@@larachaplauske8818 subsonic ammunition with a good suppressor can reach Hollywood levels of silence

[@yiklongtay6029]

That is where the GTFO parkour skill comes in handy. You just gotta social stealth long enough to get in close. Then all hell breaks loose

[@yiklongtay6029]

I'm curious if there are anti-coagulant chemicals that could slow down the process of gumming up the blade. At least for a few hours post kill so it's usable for a one and done mission. You could flee to base for maintenance

[@ScootaGray]

The clicks very satisfying, even over the Internet.

[@joffrey9514]

I think in the original serie of AC, hidden blades are activated not by a string on a ring, but by a muscle movement in your forearm, hence the necessity of removing your ring finger (before AC2) because an accidental release of the blade, or like in AC Origins where the main character is strugulling with his target, the blade is in the way of the finger when your fist is closed, thus became a proof of loyalty in the creed, but the accident of chopping your willy off can definitly happen for an untrained person with a "real" hidden blade (meaning one game accurate)

[@AHSValor]

I can picture that you're still capable of concealing Eivor's under a coat sleeve that's tailored to not interrupt the deployment of the blade, or it is attached to the bracer body in some way. It just feels so much more reliable having the ability to strike with force, even punching your target, as the blade plunges into them. It leaves so many more ways to approach the situation to pull off a clean kill

[@thanhnguyenphu4042]

The original hidden blade was deployed by some kind of muscle in your forearm, they had to remove the ring finger because that same muscle is used when you clench your fist. They removed it so when you use it you won't cut yourself in the middle of a mission I guess. We haven't made anything with that mechanism so we use a string because it resembles the motion when you stab your target. (English is my second language so sorry if I made some mistakes)

[@ChristophBrinkmann]

A simple dagger is far superior

[@thanhnguyenphu4042]

@@ChristophBrinkmann I mean yeah obviously but it's cooler lol

[@tylerwilliams6326]

I do appreciate all the points he made in this video, as for sacrificing the ring finger I think that serves as more of a symbolic pledge to the brotherhood than anything else.

[@FinalFantasyIXIIII]

Small detail about the ring finger getting removed: it wasn't for a practical purpose, it was a show of dedication to the creed. It stems from the creator if the Assassins, Bayhek, accidentally cutting his ring finger off while using the hidden blade for the first time.

[@emperorfaiz]

And Altair changed the design that doesn't require ring finger sacrifice which Ezio eventually use.

[@dima_keller]

​@@emperorfaizyou agreed with this guy and contradicted what he said in one sentence 😂

[@Xandros999]

"I totally meant to do that you guys!"

[@lada8744]

That was a total retcon. Not until the series lost it's way by turning into a RPG.

[@FinalFantasyIXIIII]

@@lada8744 Now I will defend Origins here. It's very lite on the fantasy, iirc the only fantasy elements are in a DLC and they're explictly due to an apple of eden. And the story is one of the best in AC. Odyssey and Valhalla can get fucked tho.

[@ProblematicHuman]

It's great to see how much fun he was having with those

[@ryannichols3101]

Cutting the ring finger was more a commitment thing than utility I think, like a ring in a wedding but more permanent

[@ChristophBrinkmann]

But still dumb. You don't want an assassin to have an easily identifiable wound

[@ryannichols3101]

@@ChristophBrinkmann true, though at the time of Altaïr, the Assassins weren’t as secretive and were more militant. Much like the Templar’s at that time during the Crusades

[@filipmajewski8382]

That's only after the Origins retcon. Leonardo says that the blade was modified to not require the sacrifice, meaning there had to be a reason for the modification other than pure ideology

[@Mobysimo]

@@filipmajewski8382Well the original Hidden Blade was more like Eivor’s, meant to be worn on top of the hand, not under. Since Bayek lost his finger using it, its likely future Hidden Ones thought it easier to cut it off earlier and treat it right away instead of losing a finger in the middle of a fight like he did, and it gained religious significance as time went on

[@filipmajewski8382]

@@Mobysimo Yes, that's why I said retcon. The scene in AC2 suggests otherwise

[@The14james]

Keep doing what you do Skall.

[@AncestorEmpire1]

Controversial take: John Wick chapters 1-4 are Assassin Creed movies

[@isaacm1929]

Controversial answer: Assassin Creed is just the history of the family of John Wick.

[@FinalFantasyIXIIII]

If you go by classic assassins creed, then yes. But if you go by modern assassins creed, Highlander is closer than John Wick

[@zakncooper]

I appreciate the, "I'm wrong" when you find a "thing" that makes you feel wrong.

[@ivymike2691]

That outside the wrist design is very Hooded Katar like. Which is a phenomenal weapon.

[@fireeaglefitnessmartialart935]

......i want both of those. Lol. Id have too much fun just with the trigger function. 🔥🔥

[@MrFiremagnet]

Which pointy puns would you like to use? Skall: *yes*

[@HenriqueHCA14]

Talking in regards of the lore of the hidden blade: The first know usage of the blade was shown in Odyssey: Legacy of the First Blade, when Darius killed King Xerxes with it. It was never clear if he was the one that build it, but he surely knew the right way to use it, he wore on his right arm(he was left-handed) and over his arm. So the first blade and every blade after was designed not to wear it under the arm, that happened after generations when Aya gave the same blade as a gift for Bayek(both founders of the Creed) and she taught him the wrong way of using it, because even her didn't knew. Bayek in a desperate moment activated the blade with his fist closed, cutting his left ring finger in the process. After that, this accident became a form of commitment to the Creed, and because eventually the blade would end up cutting off your finger. Years later, Altair came in possession of an artifact that granted him knowledge, allowing him the create a design that could properly be used under the arm without cutting this finger. He passed down this knowledge through Codex Pages that were only codified years later by Da Vinci. So ironically, Eivor was using the old hidden blade the right way.

[@井雯暄]

holy hell i might have to buy myself one of those… that looks like so much fun to fiddle with

[@Kane.JimLahey.]

Clip of you shanking yourself in the wang with a hidden blade gave me a good laugh i desperately needed! Terrific video! Thank you for creating it

[@Kozmokast]

"This is irresistible" as he proceeds to just extend and contract it, not only did I do that in the old games while walking around, if I had one or two of these I'd be doing the *same exact thing*

[@Everardosworldofofactionfiguer]

Thank you for explaining it because I’m thinking of getting one so thanks 👍

[@tygranharrock9044]

So not only did I thoroughly enjoy this video but I have now finally found a good place to get myself a set of hidden blades

[@maccurtis730]

About time someone shows what the blade can do on the outside of the wrist.