Tiger Claws as a SECRET WEAPON! - Bichuwa Bagh Nakh (Historical Mall Ninja?!)

[@farkasmactavish]

so if you struck someone across the face with this, would that be a bichuwa slap?

[@forteandblues]

Yes. You win. Plus 10 points.

[@ThatGuy182545]

The pimp claw. Always keep it strong.

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

Well, that's one way of making sure I'll never forget the name of that weapon 😂

[@Starless85]

Get out.

[@TheUncleRuckus]

🤣😆🤣😆 Pinned comment worthy!

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

At first I thought this was a mall ninja special. After hearing the history, I have a new respect for this cool looking dagger.

[@yamiyomizuki]

now the one with a second blade that protrudes out directly into the palm of the hand is definitely a historical mall ninja weapon, and yes, that exists.

[@mps9649]

Afzal Khan was also supposedly a giant of a man and tried to stab Shivaji after he leant in to embrace him in a friendly gesture. Shiva's being shorter took the opportunity to disembowel Afzal Khan with his Baghnaak.

[@ArrowsInTheMoon]

If you ever get your hands on a bichuwa without the claws itd be interesting to see how those were worn and used given the unique shape! I adore Indian weapons

[@scholagladiatoria]

I have had and sold one before, but I can't remember whether I ever featured it in a video...

[@jellekastelein7316]

@@scholagladiatoria You must have, as I'm 99% sure I learned about these from your channel! EDIT: Search for "Indian Daggers - Katar, Bichwa and Khanjar. With Matt Easton at Chiswick Auctions."

[@jupe2001]

@@scholagladiatoria You actually did present it once.

[@sameerthakur720]

There are various types of bicchhwa grips: Just a simple bar A bar with holes for fingers The steel used for the blade is extended to create a grip and a guard which goes round the side covering the opposite side of the palm and not in front as most guards on swords/knives do.

[@hectorthedraconian1310]

Bichwa literally means scorpion. While it may just be called that due to its shape resembling a scorpion's stinger, I wouldn't be surprised if the dagger was often meant to poisoned as well.

[@robinmarks4771]

Would love to see a video on the bhuj (aka axe-knife, aka elephant knife). One of my favorite obscure weapons of the Indian subcontinent.

[@NemanjaNislija]

From what I've heard, the claws were more of an aid for grappling, as they would allow you to latch onto someone's arm/neck even in hot weather where people get sweaty and slippery. The hand with the claws would grab, and on the other hand, they would have a form of knuckles dusters made of stone or metal for punching or a dagger if things were more serious.

[@sameerthakur720]

Yes. Wrestlers used it to win, bouts where they were allowed to cheat (if they were favoured by the local Raja). Thieves used it to grab someone's hand so the hand opened, giving the opportunity to grab what the person was carrying. Interrogators used it to threaten people with disfigurement in order to get information. Shivaji used it only once in a very special situation against the Adilshahi General, Afzal Khan.

[@dkeith45]

Menards used to sell, maybe still does? In the BBQ grill section, a set of what appears to be 'Wolverine claws' that are for grabbing hot meat off the grill. One is grasped in each hand and looks like, with some small modification, could be made into a formidable weapon along the lines of this Tiger claw weapon.

[@shadowbrookroad1844]

I first heard about the bagh nakh from a novel where an assassin uses one as her weapon of choice. It's fascinating how weapons are so different throughout the world.

[@williambreazeal387]

I believe its most common use of the claw was to increase the effectiveness of grappling, esp control of the limbs and neck/head. I would be curious to know if it was prone to getting entangled in chain mail.

[@scholagladiatoria]

That's a great point about mail armour - I think it would get caught, and it certainly could not go through. And yes the grabbing approach is what I have seen described in demonstrations.

[@QuentinStephens]

@@scholagladiatoria How about lamellar armour? This could tear the cords holding the lamellae in place.

[@formlessone8246]

I can imagine that in an unarmed fight or one with small weapons like knives, the claws would be a very good weapon for trapping and pulling actions. Even if the claws don't penetrate clothes and armor, they would give you traction and additional control over the limb; and if they did penetrate, the damage done to the opponent's arm and possibly tendons would be gruesome.

[@sillygreatjaggi7946]

I think it's intended to get tangled in clothing specifically for grappling

[@atom8248]

@@QuentinStephens unlikely, theres a lot of cords and overlapping plates and they're usually pretty tight together. You won't really have time to try this and create an opening in the armor anyway, better to aim for neck, face, thighs, armpits etc.

[@edi9892]

I'd rather have a regular push dagger, but for grappling, this could be a huge force multiplier in terms of pain compliance... The one thing I'm sceptical of is how hard you can slap with them without the rings injuring your fingers. Even brass knuckles which are built in a way that is meant to absorb impact, can injure you and even less powerful hits will hurt the wielder!

[@formlessone8246]

I would guess based on the mentions of wrestlers using them is that they are most useful for trapping and pulling actions. An attack on the neck would be the most lethal, but doing an arm drag with one of these on would leave nasty cuts on the arm and help you get to positions where you are set up for more deadly attacks. Even if it fails to go through clothes it would help you get control of the limb.

[@ThatGuy182545]

This type of thing would probably be carried and used most commonly by people who couldn’t be seen carrying other weapons for whatever reason. Given the design it would even be possible to carry the claws in a readied state without anyone noticing.

[@CrimeVid]

I have been told that the best knucks are made and fitted by the user !

[@jayd89]

@scholagladiatoria Afzal Khan wasn't the Ruler... He was a famous & formidable commander under the Bijapur Sultanate(kingdom).

[@waderutherford9083]

The haladie knife would be interesting considering it's symbolic significance and that there is indian and Indonesian varieties

[@Lurklen]

So interesting, I always assumed the idea was for the fingers to go between the "claws". But actually, the concealment factor, and the injuries it would inflict while *grappling* really come into play with the under the fingers hold. If you were to "grab" or slap aside a hand reaching for you, you might not have the right angle for the blade, but anywhere you can rest a palm and pull might get a nasty slice, with the hooks and the force of a slap you might get through material too (I feel like poison so near where your own fingers might be seems a big risk, but what do I know of the mindset of someone wanting to place poison on their hidden claws). I can see tangling with someone wielding that being very dicey in close quarters.

[@andreweden9405]

I was JUST thinking about that particular weapon yesterday when I was looking at a photo of a particular Sikh "Weapons Rosary" that I have saved in my phone's photos! Matt, could you please do a video about the Sikh movement, and its religious reverence for weapons in general? Thank you!

[@scholagladiatoria]

Funny coincidence! It would be good to get more Sikh content on here yes, and I have a bunch of Sikh friends and martial arts practitioners.

[@andreweden9405]

@@scholagladiatoria , Thanks for getting back! And btw, I may be applying the term "Weapons Rosary" incorrectly here. However, I do know that there is a Sikh text/treatise by one of the more famous gurus (Gobind Singh?) with a title that translates roughly into "The Rosary of the Name of Weapons". Additionally, there seems to be a Sikh practice of placing various different weapons into a decorative arrangement as a sort of religious display. What I DON'T know is whether this arrangement can also be referred to as a "rosary", or if it's called something else altogether. If you Google something like "Sikh weapons display", you'll get a whole slew of photos of the aforementioned arrangements/displays. If a Sikh person can tell me what these are called, I would appreciate it greatly! As it is, I'm calling them "Weapons Rosaries".😊

[@DoctorXProducer]

​@andreweden9405 The hymn you are referring to is 'Shastar Naam Mala' (Shastar = weapons, Naam = name, Mala = beads/rosary). The display itself is called 'Shastar prakash' and there are various specific code/rules (rehat) on how to display them, for example, the 'gul shastar' arrangement in which the weapons are laid out to resemble a lotus flower. The worship or veneration of the weapons, as would happen at the larger historical gurdwaras (temples) where the weapons of Gurus or Maharaja Ranjit Singh are brought out is called 'shastar darshan' or 'shastar puja'.

[@crazypetec-130fe7]

If you're doing exotic weapons from India, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the madu. I made one for offhand use in SCA rapier fighting, and I found it an excellent defense, but awkward in offense.

[@davidjordan697]

Most mall ninja looking historical weapon.

[@Seallussus]

This is amazing. I never knew such a weapon existed. I mean it looks a bit goofy but it works. Please more of those little known weapons.

[@ThatGuy182545]

Weapons often do look stupid or goofy without the context of how they were used.

[@adreabrooks11]

Props to Palladium Books for including this weapon in their RPGs way back in the 1980s (my first encounter with the bagh nakh, and pictured in their games with an included bichuwa). Their extensive weapon lists were one of the early inspirations that got me interested in historical weaponry. When I see a bagh nakh, I still think of Heroes Unlimited.

[@KMANIGOPAL23BCE746]

this comes the class of most bizarre and yet powerful strategic weapons from india which also includes the legendary urumi sword, katar and kukri.....

[@waltermacpherson3648]

I really enjoyed this video, I have a Bagh Nagh I purchased years ago that I have had a hard time finding finding information on. Thank you so much for doing a show on this.❤️😁👍

[@Tata-Jooma]

I see it is named partly after what you say when you see someone running at you with it. "Bitch what?!"

[@twanzai2218]

The claw are primarily for grab and control rather than to injure, according to a sikh shastar vidya master that I saw a video of, here in the KZbin

[@mathewrobinett6463]

possibly held with the index and pinky through the holes and the claws against the outside of the knuckles

[@jjp7216]

I love the unique & rare! Thank you

[@johnnemo6509]

You can see where Robbins also snd Clements got there ideas for the knuckle knives used in WWI. Ike like your comment about using the thumb in one of the rings. While this may not appear natural at first glance it is ergonomically stronger and would make indexing the weapon from concealment much easier using the thumb to find the ring. Also this way of holding causes the palm to cup , the preferred shape in martial arts that use slapping as a technique.

[@anantasheshanaga3666]

Wagh nakhs were also excellent grappling tools depending on the region and styles of martial arts. They were also rather widespread as self defence weapons for women, children and old men. IMO, the addition of the bichua kind of takes away from the stealth/hidden aspect of the weapon. The Marathi Bagh Nakhs have straighter blades that are good for tearing, whereas the Punjabi/Rajasthani versions are more curved, more suitable for the grappling I mentioned.

[@rileyernst9086]

I love Indian weapons. Combat in India must have been bloody hectic.

[@ThatGuy182545]

Keep in mind that a lot of weapons you see from cultures that seem weird are actually intended for very specific purposes. This weapon was probably mostly a concealable self defense tool more than anything. Something concealable you carry in situations where you can’t carry something more obvious for whatever reasons. You’d be unlikely to find something like this on a battlefield or in a duel. Instead you would see spears, katars, patas and talwars.

[@bobrobinson1576]

I've seen a photo of one with a bichwa blade at both ends, one curving up, the other down.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes, there are a bunch of different variations. Very cool things.

[@WritingFighter]

I can't stop hearing "bitch whack" in reference to the blade of the weapon.

[@Hudde68]

Interesting, and much smaller than I expected. I always thought the claws were spaced widely enough to fit fingers between them.

[@vinayakkothari6162]

Wolverine ass MF. No, the Bagh Nakh was notorious as court weapon, with poisoned blades (Bichuwas and Bagh Nakh both) being used in assassinations. For example... the assassination of General Afzal Khan.

[@necrogenesis1981]

I’ve always wondered, aren’t those rings dangerous for the wielder? I’d be worried about breaking my finger if the leverage is wrong.

[@scholagladiatoria]

They can be, certainly. Though overall I'd say the weapon is more dangerous to the enemy, and if the weapon is made to fit you well, then it should be less of a worry.

[@johnnemo6509]

Just don't forget you're wearing it and scratch your balls 😂but😫@@scholagladiatoria

[@deadhorse1391]

Imagine these are illegal in the UK, eh? I used to be a professional blacksmith specializing in mostly 18th century axes and knives doing lots of custom work Had a customer Order one of these …no trouble I made the body and blade then attached the claws using square tenon tangs going through the body then peening it tight. Sharpened everything He wanted a sheath that was attached to inside his jacket using a button which I also made him Was kind of fun to make

[@scholagladiatoria]

Antiques are not thankfully, they're exempt

[@steevemartial4084]

So what appears like a bear hand can actually be a tiger hand. Good to know

[@ScorchedEarthTactician]

You use the bichwa to create an opening put your hand inside your opponent’s abdomen then the claws hook onto his guts and then you simply pull them out offals everywhere ❤

[@jettaphillips5023]

Could you give measurements for that blade? I’d like to make a knife with that blade shape.

[@Rihito990]

Mr Matt Easton, I have a question. "Why swords pommel shrink and look almost disappear in modern day military swords (1800s+) compared to ancient/old age swords? Is big pommel bad?" Thank You and sorry for my bad english.

[@harrykouwen1426]

Blades got a lot thinner due to better steel qualities being able to make stronger thinner flex steel, therefor the weight of counterbalance could go down to still have a light nimble sword, also swordfighting styles changed, les armour protection, thus not necessary for heavy steel armor piercing swords or daggers.

[@ThatGuy182545]

Modern day military swords are presentation/ceremonial items. Most were never intended to be used as weapons. They were however intended to be carried for long periods of time during parades, so saving weight and comfortable carrying are the priority above functionality. Also a lot of modern military swords are based on historical or cultural events or personalities significant to the government or military service issuing the sword. The United States Marines officers corps and their Mamluk Sword for instance.

[@Archeoexplorer_Akhil]

Well explained, you actually covered all the points about the wagh/bagh-nakh.. these were mainly used as stealth weapons many a times, the upper part looks likes some precious ring, and that's the reason, the claws in the fist goes unnoticed, it was mainly used with a combination of bichwa, (as rightfully said, it's shape is like a scorpion tail, sometimes it's tip too was poisoned) for max effect. The weapon you presented here is also called wagh-bichwa (as both of them are connected) and some variations also have a folding bichwa to conceal it. The brief explanation, about the legend of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his rival Afzalkhan -commander of Bijapur court , was well explained too.. but please don't call Marathas as rebels, they are regarded the same as freedom fighters... Would like more on Indian weapons... Cheers 👍

[@johnnemo6509]

The Bichuwa Bagh Nahk has a lot of points to cover😄

[@TannerGr8rix]

How does somebody carry the wagh/bagh-nakh? I understand it's a concealable weapon, but I can't figure out how a person would hide it on their person AND also be able to quickly pull it out and attack. Please enlighten me!

[@surgeonsergio6839]

Translation: Scorpion Tiger Claw!

[@MikkellTheImmortal]

I know I've seen a Bagh Nakh in a movie before but I can't remember the movie.

[@scholagladiatoria]

There were various Indian weapons in Octopussy, and there is a similar weapon to this in the final fight of Enter the Dragon :-)

[@ganeshmane8953]

Used by our king chatrapati shivaji maharaj ❤️❤️🚩🚩🥰🥰🔥🔥

[@Lardfist0]

Cool! Could you do a video on the Irish Sparth, please?

[@D-Pocalypse]

The original karambit....

[@atom8248]

the original karambit is the the kerambit from indonesia i think

[@anantasheshanaga3666]

That would be the bank sickle.

[@Kaiyanwang82]

I genuinely enjoyed this one.

[@JonathanGerkin]

It seems like the metal claw might allow for a parry and grab. Is this included in the related martial arts? When trying to control an opponent's single-edged sword (like a tulwar) it seems that the claws would allow the user to safely grasp the blade.

[@harrykouwen1426]

reminds me of those ladies silk gloves with catlike steel nails on the fingertips from victorian england, as thought for self defence when having to walk the more dangerous streets and ally's , cant recall the museum I saw those

[@AmryL]

Wouldn't your fingers get in the way of the Bagh Nakh 'claws' if you tried a slap? Or how do you maintain a good grip if you straighten your fingers for an open hand slap? Is there any way to protect your own palms from the claw tips when you grip it too tightly? (save experience and martial discipline)

[@jupe2001]

Forged in fire did an episode on this, its on youtube

[@johnnemo6509]

Thats why I like Matt's suggestion to put the thumb through one of the rings the compression of the cupping motion aligns the backs of the claws gives a better grip and avoids this issue when you are using the Buchuwa....think of holding a thick cylinder rather than bending your fingers over. Respect to all.

[@ramibairi5562]

Off topic question : Is there any chance of seeing non regulation officers swords again ?

[@scholagladiatoria]

Of course, but they're not hugely popular unfortunately. Fringe interest of a fringe interest. But I do have some new pieces to show...

[@ramibairi5562]

@@scholagladiatoria Thanks a lot Matt I'd be so happy to see such amazing swords again :)

[@remo1366]

Great design!

[@andreasmuller4666]

In the most simple word, cool.

[@keving5300]

Sneaky ne'erdo-wells? Love the designation.

[@ironpirate8]

Just remember not to clap while holding them. (That would be a round of acclaws)

[@aleccrombie7923]

When I first saw this weapon ,I thought it a bit of a joke as the claws would be nothing more than a distraction/shock. But combined with a blade that's a very different story or a hidden dagger. I recommend you to watch Doug Marcaida using a karambit, frightening!

[@aleccrombie7923]

As always a great interesting video.

[@shakescan]

A different version of the claw part is believed to have been used by Ninjas (both hands) as a climbing device (like climbing spikes) also for combat. It's different though, more in palm I think. It's like a cat's claw.

[@digitaljanus]

Look up tekagi shuko. Though I don't know if they were actually historical or if they were invented later as part of ninja legends.

[@shakescan]

I hear you. I've studied Ninjitsu and there is some debate as to true history and later made up or improvised versions of systems. Perhaps that would be a good future project for this channel, Matt would be great at going to museums and dojos to learn about that. It's a rich history. Some of it was real. We think they improvised. Perhaps the secrecy presents some barriers to our understanding now. What beats exploding walnuts though? Or throwing a trained cat into an enemies face? It's fun to think about. A lot of it is straight Karate. Imo.

[@Alorand]

You even said the "Let me show you it's features" quote. I wonder if there is an elegant way to combine this weapon with that snake style grip that Joerg Sprave of the Slingshot channel showed off recently.

[@aulukut]

I would like to hear your opinions on Karambit very much...

[@jvilkka]

Excellent video, as always! I don't think you've ever made a video (I've seen almost all of your videos) about poisons used in blades, so that might be an interesting topic for a future video, don't you think? I for one would be interested in how they have been used, how effective they have been, and so on.

[@b-tzup8533]

Being Maratha, I'd like to give some information that we have been hearing about in different ballads. So basically bichwa and waghnakh were actually supposed to separate otherwise they won't serve their only purpose which is concealing. Now coming to Afzal Khan's killing. Shivaji Maharaj being shorter than Afzal Khan, he tried to grab his head into his arm and stab him in the back with the katyar (important thing to notice here is he used Katyar and not Katar, which is kind of normal dagger and not a push dagger but often confused because of the similar name) which was deflected because Shivaji Maharaj's armour. In that moment Shivaji Maharaj grabbed bichwa concealed in his sleeves and stabbed Afzal Khan and then quickly waghnakh was used to widen that wound. It is said that some part of his intestine came out with the waghnakhs. Being an absolute tank Afzal Khan somehow handled himself and ran out of the place but was immediately followed by one of the Maratha guard and was beheaded. I hope it'll make some clarities about waghnakh and I'm sorry for my English, it's not my first language. Thank you

[@fangselite1627]

Shambhaji Kavji was the guard who beheaded Afzal Khan

[@TannerGr8rix]

I'm curious to know how someone carries or conceals the claws - you mentioned inside his sleeves, how would someone hide them in their sleeves but also safely grab them in an emergency? They seem like you'd need to have a special means of carrying them so you wouldn't risk cutting yourself grabbing them out of a pouch.

[@MichToJoshya]

From what I know, he used vagh nakhs to first weaken Afzalkhans' chainmail, and then struck him with Bichwa in that weak spot. your other points appear correct.

[@factshistory3193]

@@TannerGr8rixHe carried waghnakh which had gems on the rings which made it look like rings in the left hand. In the same hand’s forearm, he tied a bichwa hidden in sleeves.

[@daemonredfield3211]

Doesn't Riddick use knives that accomplish the same thing? They have blades that curve over the knuckles to protect your hand.

[@keanudupont]

Thanks Gav

[@raphlvlogs271]

this weapon can be used together with a buckler/ small shield on the same hand while having a sword on the other hand

[@George_M_]

In the UK, its clearly for cutting vegetables.

[@Oldtanktapper]

Tactical veggie peeler.

[@sameerthakur720]

Bicchhwa blades are similar to those of other daggers like Chillanum and Khanjarli. The difference is in the grip/handle. Wagh Nakh were not normally used in war. They were originally used by wrestlers, thieves and interrogators. An illegal tool which could ensure your win in any wrestling bout where you were allowed to cheat (being the son or brother or favoured wrestler of the local Raja). Grip someone's hand and he automatically releases whatever he is carrying. Good for thieves. Threaten a detainee with disfiguring his face and he spills the beans. Shivaji Maharaj used it in a very specific situation which required a concealed weapon which could be carried in the hand during a meeting (where both were secretly trying to kill each other).

[@hraefn1821]

Interesting convergent evolution of sorts and parallel with the Japanese Shinobi Shuko. Those are more tool than weapon, designed to aid in climbing walls, but are also noted as having offensive function as perhaps a surprise weapon.

[@johnnemo6509]

It's been said rhe Shuko were developed from farm tools to help grabbing bundles or reeds or hay. Rather than blades they tended use hooks that resemble nails bend at a near 90 deg angle. I think you right that the Shuko was a tool with a secondary weapon application. While I think that I could make the Bagh nakh work as a left hand parrying weapon I think anyone trying that with a Shuko would end up only being about to count to six or two if they tried using a pair.

[@hraefn1821]

@@johnnemo6509 Very true. I think in a pinch at best is the only scenario for the shuko XD

[@johnnemo6509]

@@hraefn1821 True indeed though I believe the shuko technique of "temporary blinding you opponent by slapping them in the groin then pulling the scrotum over the top of their head" AKA "no underpants required frontal atomic wedgie" was particularly feared by the Samurai.😆

[@hraefn1821]

@@johnnemo6509 LMFAO the most brutal of techniques to be sure. Even more feared than "the ol' d!cktwist" technique.

[@ElizabethMoon-n8m]

Fascinating! Thanks.

[@askoseppanen3779]

Hi Matt I have a suggestion maybe not so exotic and you might know of this or even made a video of it. There's this Lion killer knife and it has amazing story behind. Thanks for sharing these videos👍🏻😎

[@shotgunridersweden]

Bichuwa in this combination is not dissimilar to the kerambit or lawi ayam (the latter meaning cocks claw, but i have heard them called tiger claw as well) The kerambit originates with the maningkabau people and was historicly far less common that it seems in south east asian martial arts today

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Cool weapon. Thank you. Cheers!

[@joeyvanhaperen7715]

Okey now I'm curieus. What would be the closest europeen equivalent to these in practical use. Like a smalle weapon that you keep conceld during the fight and then take out to strike someon down. Or something you can just keep in your hand and just strike someon down swiftly. I don't mean the reguler old dagger cause like the katar you can't full concel those in your hand. The first things that come to my mind are pocketpistols and stilleto's but you probably know more about the subject sow I really like your thaughts. The idea of having a hidden off hand weapon is just amazing to me and I would like to try something like that in sparing.

[@ThatGuy182545]

Probably something like a stiletto.

[@joeyvanhaperen7715]

@@ThatGuy182545 that would be the first gues of most right, but what do periode sources say?

[@factshistory3193]

@@joeyvanhaperen7715 There are none except neck knives or shoe daggers.

[@sputnikjones6838]

If i see one at the mall ,I'll be sure to grab it .

[@ThatGuy182545]

Remember to bring your black pajamas and balaclavas for that authentic mall ninja look and feel!

[@geo-fury]

What about the Tabar-Shishpar?

[@sharmsph]

0.53 Bagh means Tiger in Hindi. As in Shere Khan in Jungle book.

[@nickdavis5420]

I’d love too see it tested

[@xklocu1812]

Seems interesting to me but it looks like it could make a lot of damage to your hand especially fingers upon hard impact of the blade

[@gundanium3126]

Have these been x ray anaylised to see if there are diffrent metals to attach them? i ask becasue it would be much easier cheaper, and faster to just inset the claw then cold rivet and grind flush to create a flat rivet, something I do on all the knives i make. as even modern epoxies can let go but a rivet is forever. the way to do that is to punch your hole then take a slightly larger punch and make a divot. i do it with a slightly larger drillbit...actually this might work better reversing it and first making your big divit then punch with the smaller hole.

[@K3nji_S]

That would sting like a Bichuwa

[@Super_D36]

Can you stab comfortably with this? From the looks of it, having a Bagh nakh on your hand with no solid handle doesn't really appear to allow for forceful stabs.

[@chloehennessey6813]

Mr Easton, I recently acquired a Miller Brothers Blades Wakizashi and M-21 from my grandfather. They are a US brother duo who makes swords and knives. The Wakizashi and M-21 are both made from Z-Wear steel. Can you tell me anything about these sir?

[@Leftyotism]

Great stuff! Coming back to this video, after having seen it before, I am wondering if maybe we could get a Karambit video? 🥺👉👈

[@zsoltbocsi7546]

I would like to see a video about morningstars, they arent obscure but they quite ovelooked in swordtuber videos

[@jeremiahkindel9301]

I wonder well it would work to hook the edge of a shield. Or into loose clothing. Giving you a opening to to deliver a blow in a melee.

[@Crypt4l]

I for one welcome this great opportunity to get rid of my two useless fingers.

[@Aconitum_napellus]

I'd love a reproduction of this.

[@zaldrizerme7015]

Bagh isn't always "tiger" it is sometimes "leopard". It might ultimately be cognate with Old Norse Varg -- Crawford has a recent video on the ON term kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqrVZ3SVpdmrY9E

[@anantasheshanaga3666]

It's unlikely to be a cognate.

[@holycow666]

So this is basically a mall ninja weapon from 16th century India

[@scholagladiatoria]

Pretty much, but it actually worked and was used.

[@dougsinthailand7176]

This weapon could have been used for murder, expecting people would assume it was a tiger or panther had done the deed.

[@johnnemo6509]

nice analysis! I"ve not handled one of these, is the in palm shape asymmetric? I was wondering about your comment about being a left hand version, depending on the shape it could be worn blade down in the left hand or blade up in the right if it was symmetric?. To me a left hand version would make sense, and when combined with a sword or dagger in the right hand, the Bagh nakh could be used as a parrying weapon to slap or hook with the claws. Similar the the alleged use of Shuko in Japan. Use as a woman's self defense weapon make a lot of sense, its relatively simple and instinctive to claw the face, hands or arms and even if this does not fight off the attacker they would leave very distinctive marks that would be hard to explain, and would be highly noticeable in small communities. More weapons from around the world especially those the subscribe to my family motto "sneaky is best!"

[@terrydavis5924]

The japanese ninja used a very similar tool for climbing and as an emergency weapon, I wonder if it managed to travel that far

[@danilonascimento9866]

Have you heard about Buddhism in Japan?

[@ao1778]

Weren't ninjas historically just farmers and spies..? Not the superhero-esque assassins that Hollywood portrays... It's hard to imagine them having some kind of "claw weapon" to aid climbing, not to mention the fact that that wouldn't even help with climbing... Do you have any source for this claim?

[@redfist2988]

Though they both look similar, the Bagh Nakh was not inspired by the Ninja weapon. Bagh nakh was not used for climbing or emergency weapon. It was designed to be concealed in hand and used during negotiations with an enemy who was not trusted to be peaceful during the negotiations, and so the enemy thinks we are unarmed to drop his guard. Marathas were famous for Guerrilla warfare tactics and this weapon fitted that style. Plus it was inspired by Tigers as mentioned in the video. So I'd rather call it convergent evolution of weapons.

[@yamiyomizuki]

​@@redfist2988 I believe that the original comment was suggesting that the bagg nakh might have inspired the Japanese weapon, not that the Japanese inspired the bagh nak.

[@yamiyomizuki]

​@@ao1778 this is a case of myth and counter myth. the ninja weren't superheroe esque, but they weren't just farmers with sharp objects either. they were spies and assassins with professional training. keep in mind that historically the skills required by a spy and an assassin were by nature pretty closely related and as such being both kinda made sense.

[@Nerdnumberone]

If I had seen that specific combination in a fictional context, I might have dismissed it as impractical fantasy rubbish. Granted, he said this was a rare version combining 2 common weapons. Individually, they seem fine.

[@yamiyomizuki]

this particular combination is fairly common actually, and it would be perfectly functional. I did once see ine with a second blade that protruded towards the hand and would have been impossible to hold let alone use, so there were certainly bs versions as well.

[@markusmencke8059]

Wasn’t Bagheera to be a black Panther? 😉 (At least according to Disney, not sure about Kipling…)

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes, see the image - a strange choice by Kipling :-) Bagh means tiger generally, but I looked into the etymology and apparently in some parts of India the word was used for other big cats as well.

[@markusmencke8059]

@@scholagladiatorianice to know. Thank you. 🙂

[@anantasheshanaga3666]

​@@scholagladiatoriaBagh/Vagh comes from Sanskrit Vyaghra, which means tiger. Singh comes from Simha, which means lion. But apparently in the Punjab Vagh means leopard and Singh means tiger. Atleast in the past. I don't know how it's now.

[@GrnChli]

I’ve been trying to buy one for a while now.

[@marcinsikocinski4661]

It looks very delicate. Wouldn't it break where the blade meets the finger hole if you happened to stab something hard like a bone?

[@azathoth3700]

Is there any thought that the claws (and the grip to which they are attached) might be useful in deflecting and/or binding a blade with one's offhand?

[@ThatGuy182545]

I doubt you would want to even try block or bind a moving weapon with something like this. Maybe grabbing at the blade when it’s stationary might work, but your margins for error between success and losing pieces of your hand are quite small.

[@joec20]

I really like to see u do a video about that mercury filled sword i read about in swordsmen of the British empire. If they did exist I wonder how they would feel to a trained swordsman like you?😊

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the video but I would rather have them separate in 2 different weapons

[@pyotrpustota1053]

India has the weirdest weapons.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Yes I think India and the Philippines probably share the crown for greatest number of unusual weapon types.

[@redfist2988]

Happy to see a Maratha weapon featured on your channel.

[@The3Rich3]

Would a straight blade not be more effective?

[@danguillou713]

When I was a teenager there was nothing in my world as cool as claw weapons. (Guess my favorite superhero?) But nowadays I have no idea how these weapons are supposed to be used. Were they ever practical, or were they just the tacticool novelty items of the mogul age? Can someone get Hard2Hurt to make a vido on them? Cheers

[@Zbigniew_Nowak]

Interesting. Europeans combined a knife with a brass knuckle, and here we have a knife combined with such claws. I think this would be extremely effective when combined with the type of hand punching style used by the British Commandos.