Top 10 Most Effective WEAPON BASED Martial Arts

Hi there and welcome to my channel! On this list we will talk about the 10 most effective weapon based martial arts in my humble opinion, but feel free to tell me what you think, your own list or if you think I've missed any in the comments below and thank you so much for watching!
Here are some links to some of the video footage I've used and I'll be updating this list every so often whenever I find the original videos as originally I made this video a long time ago.
Have fun and go check the original full videos out!
Link to the Iaido section
• Video
• 2013 All Japan Iaido C...
More links to come! Work in progress :D
The words "martial arts" have become associated more and more with the fighting disciplines of eastern Asia, but it originally referred to the European combat systems since the 1550s. The term comes from the Latin language, and means "arts of Mars"; Mars was the god of war in the Roman pantheon. Some authors argue that other terms like fighting arts or fighting systems would be more appropriate because some martial arts were never really "martial", meaning that they were never used or created by professional warriors.
Training in martial arts can have several benefits to trainees, such as improving their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Some of the traditional martial concepts have been used in new ways in modern military training. Maybe the most recent example that comes in mind of this is point shooting which relies on muscle memory to utilize firearms in a more efficient way in a wild array of difefrent situations, almost the same way as an iaidoka would master movements with their sword.
Many different martial arts are even used in Law Enforcement for hand to hand combat training. For example, the Tokyo Riot Police's use of aikido.
Follow me on my social networks:
/ themetatron
Check out my Metatron merch online shop!
teespring.com/shop/metatron-c...
/ metatron_youtube
Metatron-153...
/ puremetatron
/ realmetatron
Royalty free music by Epidemic Sound:
intro ES_Knights Templar 1 - Johannes Bornlöf
intro 2 ES_Medieval Adventure 01 - Johannes Bornlöf
outro ES_Knights Templar 2 - Johannes Bornlöf
Check out the facebook page of the photographer who works with me, he has lots of fantastic pictures
amedeo.capor...
and his instagram
amedeo.capor...
Check out my friend Salvo's channel
/ @littlesalvo000

[@Zlx1]

"Top 10 Most Effective WEAPON BASED Martial Arts" Number 1: Gunjutsu...

[@ThePsychoguy]

Hojutsu? He mentioned Japanese Kobudo, so...

[@Necroxion]

Foolishness Guns don't have pommels

[@user-im5gi4yr5q]

@@Necroxion gun do have pommels, moreover, they can throw it themselves

[@Necroxion]

@@user-im5gi4yr5q but not rightly

[@vikingraven4758]

Guns effectively do throw pommels, but they do not throw them rightly, and is not allowed in a judicial duel. In any other situations they are very handy though, as pommels are rightfully OP.

[@JoshuaCairns]

I remember hearing a Kali master, after watching a HEMA sparring match, say Kali needs to train like this so we can improve on what works and teach people to fight in a realistic way.

[@zagan31a]

@Michael Terrell II you've got to admit though that the way we do tournament fighting in kali is very unrealistic and wrong, since it ends up being a contest of hitting as much as you can without paying any attention to defense, so both fighters end up receiving lots of hits, other than that kali is a great martial art to defend yourself in a real scenario

[@JoshuaCairns]

@28geam k30l Hey, I'm glad. I don't remember the Master's name but it happened over a decade ago. Maybe it got people looking into the past or maybe things were already starting to change and it just hadn't come around to him yet.

[@Glimmlampe1982]

@Michael Terrell II but when someone is wearing armor that renders your attacks useless, you need to change your attacks I guess

[@michaeljosephdimaano2802]

@@zagan31a it's really sad that Filipino Martial Arts is turning into a sport rather than what it was meant to be.

[@sentaukrai]

@@michaeljosephdimaano2802 It's still pretty damn effective for police and security forces that use batons.

[@FedericoMalagutti]

I have to admit I have rushed toward the end, then I said “Oh yeah” and then I watched it from the beginning XD

[@ahmadhindawi3610]

Pop

[@FedericoMalagutti]

@Antonio Cardelli :-)

[@fgg4136]

This is a weird list man. By effective I take it to mean in a modern self defense situation but I fail to see how any of these martial arts would be effective specifically because they focus on swords. The modern version of Kali that militaries and police forces implement makes sense but that's not the version that was mentioned.

[@Akasakadan2356]

@@fgg4136 guns are illegal

[@fgg4136]

@@Akasakadan2356 Yeah but Olympic Fencing and HEMA. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think alot of people carry rapiers for self defence or too much assaults being committed using a Halberd.

[@TJ11692]

What about the famous German martial art MG42jutsu?

[@hailhydreigon2700]

That Uranium-Split-Jitsu though.

[@SkywalkerWroc]

Reminds me of Gun-kata ;)

[@eoagr1780]

Ak47do is better

[@GuitarsRockForever]

No ICBM jutsu?

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@@GuitarsRockForever I'll see your icbm-jutsu and raise you a doomsday orion jitsu.

[@assassain0425]

We are forgetting the ultimate art. The art of ending them rightly.

[@hailhydreigon2700]

That's covered in HEMA ;P

[@bradolfpittler2875]

Skalagrim would be very proud.

[@thomastucker7317]

Please God let this meme die

[@jathalan]

Good memes never die, they just date the users.

[@cynthiabauer5763]

@@thomastucker7317 Try hitting it with a pommel.

[@camrendavis6650]

I'm currently practicing Jianfa (Chinese swordsmanship) with a two-handed Jian. I wish there were more Chinese sword schools around.

[@mykulpierce]

I've been looking at the history of two edge swords found on China made in bronze. Crazy how old we see two edge blades and not much in terms of original sources in how they were used.

[@camrendavis6650]

@@mykulpierce I'm sort of teaching myself based off of different videos I find.

[@mykulpierce]

@@camrendavis6650 that's basically the way to do it for lack of direct sources. I'm a huge fan of this combat range. And in terms of history I hope one day we find the direct sources, you never know when some tomb may pop up with a mural. Bronze age and older of wrestling has been found throughout Mediterranean. Like Beni Hassan tomb murals dated to the middle kingdom of Egypt (2000 to 1650 BCE). There is hope we've yet found all the missing pieces to our world heritage in combat arms.

[@chanjiayang9595]

Chinese martial art has too much of kata like Japanese martial art and probably metatron doesn't have chance to learn about the chinese martial arts

[@lynzg1392]

@@chanjiayang9595 Jianfa from what I remember is kinda like Hema but with ancient chinese manuscripts instead Also In terms of Chinese Martial Arts it would be Taolu not Kata

[@matertua2272]

The one dislike is from the Emu that flagged your video.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

Emus are nasty. We lost a war vs those arseholes.

[@Efishrocket102]

@@dogmaticpyrrhonist543 dude, what if an emu reads your comment!

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@@Efishrocket102 that's why I use a fake name. Through a vpn, to tor, to a hacked aws server, to another vpn, to post comments. You can't be too careful

[@rustyengines4222]

That was an ostrich.... Emu heads are not that broad. The brows are too big and it’s white....

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@Canyons Liveries and Limousine Service Transports WTF are you talking about? An IP address is usually dynamically assigned by your ISP, who will have records of who had which when. And using a VPN gives you the VPN's IP. And the only people who can explain who had which IPIP traffic are the people running the VPN. It's a 32 bit address, not a fucking fingerprint. What sort of gibberish have you been listening to?

[@mykulpierce]

It's a very difficult subject. Glad you reposted. Even among Asia and Europe there existed degrees of variations between the armed combat associated with warfare but many years have separated us from those eras of practical use. In Europe there were variations between the English, Italian, and German schools which spanned hundreds of years before slowly declining with rise of ranged weapons and fencing as a form of dueling (see Paradoxes of Defense by George Silver). Meanwhile in Japan, there existed many opinions about warfare and there were those that challenged these traditional schools (see Book of the Five Rings). Great video overall for a top 10 modern reconstruction of armed combat arts.

[@zzirjukez2899]

My brothers been practicing hema while I’ve been practicing iado and I really agree with your list. We’ve been sparring a lot and I see the flaws in iado and I want to start diving into kenjutsu

[@joshuahogan3475]

What's your location? I know it's a long shot but if you are close to the Arkansas River Valley/Ft. Smith area I know a Kenjutsu Black Belt who has a school. Full disclosure, he will require you to earn a yellow belt in Kempo before he will teach Kenjutsu. (He also teaches Kempo so it's not like you'll need to find a seperate Kempo school though.)

[@charlesfalcone6507]

The Kenjutsu heiho of school Niten Ichi Ryu comes above any style of HEMA due to its adaptability, and it also it is explicitly taught in Niten Ichi Ryu that sticking to rituals and traditional customs will bog you down, eliminating the reason given by @Metatron for HEMA coming above Niten Ichi Ryu which is a kenjutsu. HEMA does come above all other forms of Kenjutsu because of the time-wasting rituals and unecessary traditional customs.

[@Lasanga95]

What flaws have you noticed?

[@SunFyyre]

​@@charlesfalcone6507 "time wasting rituals", "unnecessary traditional customs" most japanese martial arts are ritual based without the customs and rituals it loses its meaning, and I don't think the customs and rituals detract from the overall effectiveness of the art

[@custer3176]

As a fencer, i'm surprised fencing even made it to this list

[@umartdagnir]

Olympic fencing is superb in terms of training athletes and teaching the concepts of tempo and distance. Top HEMA fighters use methods from olympic fencing for their physical preparation.

[@computerinsurgent1204]

@@umartdagnir My HEMA club doesn't really do olympic fencing methods. They focus more on historical methods. However for me who does both HEMA and olympic fencing, I have an advantage.

[@theoneaboveall4533]

@Yin Lin did you not watch the video?

[@MrHodoAstartes]

HEMA also tops the list for "Excuses to Dress Up as a Landsknecht".

[@Coffeehouse_Latte]

I'd prance around in a flamboyant costume and giant swords any day.

[@MCBosmans]

I would like to add on the subject of Filipino Martial Arts, that it also uses a wide variety of weapons (traditionally), although I admit it is hard to find a school which would still teach all those weapons. I think it's because sticks make easy tools for competition. Apart from the knife stuff, and double stick, they also dabble in single stick, espada y daga, sword / machete (albeit shorter, often machete length), sarong (a type of traditional clothing which can be used to entangle your opponent and whip), tabak toyok (Nunchaku, Bruce Lee learned this from Dan Inosanto), the bullwhip, long staff, spear, spear and shield, sword and shield. Quite the diverse arsenal

[@jackwells8107]

Most important, and something I can't believe he didn't mention in the video, is that FMA can be used bare handed as well. I don't know how he defines 'effective', but I would consider FMA to be the most effective, simply because you can walk around with your hands or even a pair of sticks without risking arrest.

[@tarlison2k1]

actually, this was originally meant for swords, not sticks

[@dragonmaster9360]

@@tarlison2k1 We practice with sticks because practising with live blades is too dangerous. However, not just swords. FMA includes knives, daggers and machetes as well as pretty much anything with a blade. Which means depending on the length of the weapon at hand fight close, middle, and far. Most commonly, in the Philippines, Bolos (Machete Sugar Cane Cutters), are used as they very common. A practitioner has the ability to use diverse items in a combat situation. These include umbrellas, sticks, piece of 2X4, crowbar, rolled up magazine, etc. because the training allows for great flexibility in application. Coming across a sword in a street combat situation is highly unlikely but a broomstick just might. The ability and transformable skills of FMA provides a very strong base for successful defence since pretty much anything is a weapon if required. IMHO.,

[@tarlison2k1]

@@dragonmaster9360 so does escrima

[@brenndanc1112]

Perfect timing. I needed inspiration for my monk/samurai dnd character and this should help

[@metatronyt]

I'm glad to be of help!

[@assassain0425]

Why don't you just do the kensie monk?

[@brenndanc1112]

@@metatronyt thank you for all of your hard work and dedication into this channel. Because of you and a few other KZbinrs, I have decided to one day travel to Japan and attempt to find the family that rightfully owns the katana that my great grandfather brought home from WWII. Thank you sensei

[@brenndanc1112]

@@assassain0425 I am it is just easier to explain to people who don't play D&D

[@lt.branwulfram4794]

@@brenndanc1112 Remember, if the sword ain't magic, the resistance is tragic, get Ki Empowered Strikes & Magical Kensei Weapons at the 6th Monk lvl. Also, you can use Great Weapon Fighting without Strength, since you multiclassed into Kensei, your longsword will count as a monk weapon so you can use Dexterity instead. Small details, but they're worth talking about.

[@knightslayer6161]

Hard to stay away from a metatron vid

[@metatronyt]

I'm glad to hear

[@bryantherocker]

@@metatronyt PTK SMF is the Most Realistic Kali in my opinion

[@ibrahimsalleh1228]

The FMA KALI is a non standard "combative" art. There are many versions which overlap with the traditional Arnis/Eskrima/Stick fighting. The Kali is an agglomeration of many different techniques and methods designed primarily to Kill and was never intended as a sport. Any weapon system, be it "cold or hot" is absorbed and integrated to the individual Kali technique... "The fastest most lethal and least taxing method in killing or disabling your opponent/enemy using whatever weapon or even empty hands is its" motto"... It has also integrated methods seen in Pencak silat... Just saying... Peace and keep safe.

[@dennisdjy]

Yeah man! Brutal and effective. Can't say I'll carry a claymore to a fight but a blade and stick along with a gun is very possible.

[@Carakali101]

Metatron does not know how sophisticated Kali is. But somehow, kali groups are so inlove with their system, they forgot to practice against longswords and against thrust techniques.

[@benbeckman2262]

True really true now a days Kali is being though only to defend yourself or for protection there are so many variation and technique in Kali now.

[@christopherpavkovich4995]

I train in kali and Escrima. Very effective

[@badfoody]

Lol true Kalis biggest users are soldiers not athletes

[@eoagr1780]

Machete fighting is still alive and in some cases is more than just random slashes, it inherited many aspects of sword dueling from de colonial era.

[@loneronin6813]

I'm glad that your brought up machete fighting styles/methods because it seems they get overlooked in this kind of discussion. I also recently found out that there is an Italian martial art called, "Paranza Cortas," which is basically fighting with a Stiletto. Apparently, it was done with the type of dagger called a Stiletto, and more modern methods replace it with the switchblade, also referred to by the name Stiletto. It looks kind of like foil fencing and emphasizes thrusts over cuts and is often held in a sabre grip as opposed to icepick, hammer, etc. Very much unlike foil fencing however, you can target pretty much anywhere, including the neck for example. I only just learned a bit about it, but it's history is pretty fascinating. Long story short, it was first adapted from the way Knights of that time period would use a dagger should they have no other weapon. However, it began to thrive when practiced by commoners as well as thieves, assassins, and the criminal element in general. Sadly the only schools for it are pretty much narrowed down to a couple in Italy, Sicily, and the occasional practitioner or even the occasional seminar throughout parts of Europe. Sorry I got a bit carried away on the details there, but it's always really cool to me when I learn details about martial arts that I previously didn't know exist or just don't get enough attention, much like the machete fighting you mentioned. I hope you find this kind of thing as interesting as I do, but if not, I apologize again for the novel of a comment I left here lol

[@eoagr1780]

@@loneronin6813 I really enjoyed reading your comment. Learning about unknown martial arts it’s something I always appreciate. The paranza corta sounds intriguing, I have the feeling that it has the same misfortune as many knife and non Asian martial arts, they’re often dismissed as real, having a history behind them or just seen as thugs stuff . When it comes to matchete fights little it’s known, I’ve seen a few channels that talk about them, some in a Kung fu, Krav Maga and many other popular martial arts approach, and few in how it’s use In the places where they do happen. Surprisingly it resembles more often to the uso of the sabre than all the previous approaches I’ve mentioned, except they add freaking plastic chairs as shields or misiles. Look for esgrima criolla/ creole fencing, it’s an Argentinian marital art, specialize in the use of short and long Knives combined with ponchos used as capes were used in rapier duels. Where I live, in the deep rural communities, machetes are used in this manner. I really want to make a documentary on that subject but those regions are usually dangerous for many other things aside crazy farmers demanding satisfaction ( it’s illegal though ) these fights occur out of frustration of these hard working people not having their rights respect. E.g. If some ones neighbor reclaimed a land of someone who had it for generations. Due to lack of support from the authorities and government, he wouldn’t have no other means of protecting himself or his rights. But the most common fights come from gossiping going wrong or drunk disputes, kind of like d&d characters in a tavern.

[@loneronin6813]

@@eoagr1780 Thanks so much for your response and I'm glad that you found my comment interesting. :) I have to say, I'm definitely going to see what I can find on the Argentinian martial art you mentioned and thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and information with me. I hope that you are doing well and that all things are going your way.

[@Goldenleyend]

Awesome work, I like how you can tell it's old because of the shift in style!

[@metatronyt]

That's exactly what I was thinking while I was reviewing it

[@HariOmRadhaKrishna]

As an Eskrima-Kali-Arnis instructor I'd put E-K-A/FMA at #1 (& Kenjutsu at 2), but great list. *No Eskrima does not primarily train with two sticks. Most styles specialize in a specific range of single stick training (the clips that you showed were all corto/short range styles), then at the intermediate level they add double sticks, &/or stick & dagger (called sword & dagger). Advanced classes sometimes focus on dagger, punching, kicking, stick-grappling (Eskrido) & grappling.

[@raymundbalce4550]

Correct but still no system is the best.

[@Xaiff]

I think I managed to watch that video just minutes before it was taken down. 😂😂😂

[@metatronyt]

One of the few :)

[@Mtonazzi]

Aye, I remember watching it and remember a lot of scenes.

[@SkywalkerWroc]

Those HEMA videos are amazing. Daaaamn.... I wish there would be some good A-grade movies showing those short, absurdly brutal HEMA-style fights!

[@dennisdjy]

"Reclaiming the Blade" may be a good place start. Not HEMA exclusively, but a modern sword fighting documentary for sure.

[@umartdagnir]

We will get there. If gaming companies already look at HEMA to copy the techniques (Kingdom Come), movie companies will start doing it too. Although effective techniques are too fast to be truly appreciated by an unexperienced eye.

[@nuclearsimian3281]

I welcome you to Adorea Olomouc's channel then. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqe8d3muadybpac kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ-WZ4OYbd9mr6s

[@ZamWeazle]

The Japanese guy in the Kenjutsu demonstration i believe is Tetsuzan Kuroda. What is fascinating is that the style he teaches is a very old, traditional style which is quite different than what is taught in many Japanese sword art schools today. Kuroda is also quite possibly the finest JSA master on the planet. The guys skill and speed is borderline superhuman.

[@kokovas]

I like How Kuroda sensei displays his skills. I really would like to learn at his dojo one day. His style Komagawa Kaishin Ryu as well as Katori Shinto Ryu as my top 2 choices.

[@darkythecrazyninja5228]

Atomic heart not horror What was Eth watchin on laptop? Elite

[@eugenecaezarresus4305]

As an Eskrima player, I like to mix it up to keep my sparring opponent guessing. I added up some HEMA (ussualy the bindings) and Canne du Combate (minus the spins cause I think it's not worth it). It works sometimes.

[@theamateurelite5915]

What martial art would you recomend if you wanna get good at short blades that is not knife combat. Machete and Messer territory you know

[@masterroshi1015]

​​@@theamateurelite5915 there are probably a bunch of videos on them already but I would in my town go where there's a certified HEMA school or instructor. You may need to buy your gear but the knowledge, enjoyment and friendships you'll make will pay it back 10 fold. Good luck new Blademaster

[@sonofsueraf]

​@@theamateurelite5915you can practice escrima using the weapons you mentioned.

[@johnschmalbach8243]

The reasons you give for #3 and #1 also applies to Filipino Martial Arts. It's not only about sticks, as a matter of fact the style of colleague that I studied use the sticks as a standing for swords. That is actually the original purpose of the stick so you don't end up killing your training partner. There's also the use of shields, not dissimilar to hema's sword and buckler, they also train and flexible *weapons* such as the sarong. Also I believe your dismissal of knife fighting, and knife defense, doesn't take into account what any good martial arts training does, good practical skills taught by a good teacher. The "flashy" knife disarms you are too often see include neither but such does exist. The above all equates to two important things that I think have it so FMA should be higher on the list. FMA explicitly teaches how to use, and defend against, weapons people may try to use against you in real life; knives, clubs, clothing (sarongs) and yes machetes in many places. It also teach these weapons in terms of principles. So I am not learning how to fight with a specific weapon, I am learning the principles so I can use weapons of opportunity. As an example, I learn to fight with a karambit, which can "hook" I can then apply that same principle of "hooking" to the claw end of a claw hammer. I learned how to wrap and control with a sarong, I don't have a sarong but I can do the same thing with the telephone cord, all because I wasn't so much taught how to use a sarong I was taught how to use a flexible item that can wrap and control. It might sound a bit pedantic, but that difference in mind set makes a difference.

[@kosh1969]

There is also the empty hand system to FMA, Panantukan.

[@indigard2747]

You know what is funny here? Every fucking martial art on this earth claim to be effective and useful in self defend against weapon and the only martial art that question their ancient technique in self-defend, refused to teach those technique is HEMA. Very funny.

[@raymundbalce4550]

Shhhhh👀

[@edi9892]

I remember this video. Nice that you restored it. BTW: there's a less fancy, more effective version of Gatka, called Shastarviddya. I've seen amazing techniques, but they spar too little and have overly compliant opponents. They however surprised me in how they close ranges and mislead the opponent to score.

[@crypto66]

A point about Arnis in #4: I've heard the reason people practice with sticks is, much like how Capoeira supposedly got its dance schtick, it was a way for natives to hide martial training from the invaders. I think our ancestors were also forbidden from being armed, so they used the next best thing: walking sticks. Another point about the knife techniques: I don't think it's actually supposed to be _used_ in a "real" situation; it's mainly used to refine your movements and general technique, because there's supposed to be harmony in your ability to handle multiple weapons/methods. It's also something if you have nothing else to use -- I mean, whips and handkerchiefs are included in there, for fuck's sake.

[@larry9187]

I practice Arnis aside from HEMA, I agree with you with the way how Arnis teaches you with the knife. Knife attacks are hard to catch, even a skilled martial artist would be cutted by one in a real fight. In Arnis however, the stick was supposed to be used with the techniques of sword. So there are slashing and cutting techniques that go along with it aside from simple beating. Interesting to note that Arnis encompasses a lot of aggression. Meaning to say that the practitioners are not supposed to fight defensively but more offensively. One of the principles is "My block is my attack and my attack is my block"-a lot of counter attacks and pressuring, and that's what I love about my country's martial art :D Also great vid ♥

[@josecarlossiwa7798]

Dont forget the fact that eskrima can be used with any weapon. It was nit designed to have a different style with each weapon but one. Heck you can fight with a pen then same way you do with a sword or your fists.

[@acyutanandadas1326]

sagung labo labo sagung

[@roninsid5088]

Love the list most of my training has been in 4 thru 2 when if comes to weapons and I have cross trained HEMA and have recently joined. You have some great points on what makes an art effective.

[@adisura9904]

Absolutely loved this video! I wanted you to cover Indian martial arts and even though this was brief it is quite appreciated! Would love it if you could dive a bit deeper in Gatka and Kalari. You could look into Sanatan Shastra vidya. FYI both Gatka and Kalari are stylized for performances and was done so that the art did not die under British anti martial laws and what you'll mostly see is that, just performances. Id suggest looking to Sanatan Shastra Vidya, as it is more Combat oriented.

[@stonesourjim]

Its the attitude to HEMA that makes it so good for practicing today. Massive emphasis on sparring very early on.

[@noname8354]

I joined HEMA club at my school and it's so much fun. After Covid ends, I'll see if I can find an actual place to practice it.

[@fishyfinthing8854]

Also they don't fancy their move like some martial art or movie. Sometime you can see the fighter making very quick and clean hit. Totally no excessive movement like spinning slash, leap slam or raising weapon high then chop at all.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

@@fishyfinthing8854 Yup, most of these other "martial" arts are just training you to die quickly.

[@shaundouglas2057]

And all good HEMA schools will stick with what the masters in their day recommend, because they actual fought in life and death battles and duels, and we have not.

[@h0m3st4r]

Also, complete openness to evolution and improvements in techniques, tactics, and conditioning regiments, from what I've seen.

[@Mista0wl]

This was a really cool list! Though I'm wondering what your thoughts would be on other historical types of martial arts from around the world like Razmafzar (Historical persian martial arts) and HAMA (historical african martial arts), I think certain practitioners from those areas have been bringing those styles to light and it's been really cool checking out the different styles of weapons used there! Awesome video man!

[@markadkins1842]

Thanks for reposting! I remember seeing the old video. This is actually the video where I first learned about HEMA.

[@everythingbodyweight7012]

Great video absolutely love it and totally agree with your awesome list.I specifically like Kali/Escrima/Arnis,Kenjutsu/Kendo, Okinawan Kobudo and HEMA and would love to train with a passion in those arts and be highly proficient in weapons aside from hand to hand combat.

[@nuclearsimian3281]

Okinawan Kobujutsu is one of the most comprehensive martial arts that I've ever encountered, and I've been lucky enough to be exposed to teachers that were experts in it.

[@hailhydreigon2700]

I'd give the Edge to HEMA precisely because they spar hard with a heavy emphasis on grappling. But there's also the issue of quality control. While the top levels of HEMA have truly great martial artists and schools, it's still a growing community and most young HEMA clubs aren't up to par with older, established martial arts styles when it comes to physical training and a solid curriculum. Even Lee Smith from Blood and Iron said he'd recommend an Escrima/FMA school over a bad HEMA club to get solid fundamentals built up. But I suspect with time, HEMA will eventually catch up to these other martial arts. It's a small community (for now) but also tightly knit. The top level fighters and schools love to spread the knowledge and methods to smaller clubs.

[@HanSolo__]

I like HEMA Because just like in real life you have several levels of skills developed. Yet still much can be obtained during duel out of pure luck, strenght and stamina brutal force bravery or stupidity(lack of imagimation) and simply longer arms, longer blade, Even with better overall fittness. Its possible to win, win, win.. with just two or three dozens of techniques mastered to perfection and used with strenght and reach adventages for a great success

[@hailhydreigon2700]

@@HanSolo__ Almost all HEMA arts tend to be great and effective. Weapons, striking, wrestling, submission grappling, etc. The downside is that you can't just show up to class and learn them from a teacher (for most people. Some lucky people have experienced teachers nearby). For most without clubs near them, you need to buy books, read/study and put these moves to practice. Which is a lot harder than just putting on a Gi and going to class. One day though modern HEMA will develop it's own new lineage, then it'll be a lot easier to pass on.

[@chaos_omega]

I would add that MMA is a good option for learning grappling (MMA specifically because it teaches grappling with strikes involved, a little more realistic.) There are also some JKD schools nowadays that are basically MMA gyms with some kali thrown in. Also, shout out to Dog Brothers Martial Arts! Check out a Gathering if you haven't already. It's not for everyone, but you can't say it's not realistic. You have to be able to defend yourself equally from a caveman trying to take your head off with a big stick... and the agile & skilled weapon expert (which I think they display perfectly!)

[@hailhydreigon2700]

@@chaos_omega Any and all prior martial arts experience is a huge help when it comes to HEMA. Being versed in the basics of any type of combat helps massively to understand the concepts in the old treatises.

[@chaos_omega]

@@hailhydreigon2700 Of course. I just wanted to state what I thought would be (possibly) the best replacements, until a good HEMA school became available.

[@TheNanoNinja]

The instructor in the Back Gi doing Kobudo with the Sai is Soke Terou Hayashi, Head instructor for Hayashi-Ha Shito-Ryu Kai Karate-do. I trained under him in 1993 at a long weekend training camp then almost every night for the remainder of the fortnight. he passed away in 2004 I believe.

[@magnum567134]

My MMA coach used to do stickfighting and actually incorporated a lot of footwork from Escrima into our boxing

[@isaacyeon6334]

Sounds awesome

[@krystianpilch956]

There's also Modern Classical Fencing, which takes what's the most practical from all useful sources, and throws away any impractical treatise. It's sort of MMA with epee, sabre or rapier.

[@luckimonster2298]

I wud someday love to do Kendo, Kenjutsu along with Laido! I always find japanese art very elegant. :D

[@antonmayr6412]

i am sad you completely forget about the world ending nuclear pommel technique featured in HEMA. but clearly, HEMA had to be the #1.

[@eoghanmcgregor4043]

The interesting thing about the Filipino arts is the techniques learned with the stick directly translate to any improvised weapon from pens, pencils, screw drivers to blade's.... the fact that the techniques translate in my mind earned a higher rating. :) ~cheers,

[@styrbjornulfhamr9404]

Interesting video, but I think the premise is too vague. “Most Effective” for what? There is a huge difference between fighting in armor or civilian clothes. Japan & Europe share some interesting parallels: techiques for armored combat changed to civilian dueling over the centuries to the modern era. The techniques becoming smaller, quicker, and less effective on the battlefield against armor. You almost touch on this with Kendo vs. Kenjutsu. The quick attacks with a shinai would not cut through Japanese armor, but they would ‘blood’ someone on the streets of Edo (similar to the Fencing concept in an honorable duel). Some kenjutsu teaches bigger motions so as to cut through (or into) armor, while other styles of kenjutsu changed in the Edo period to handle the demands of duels: faster cuts against opponents wearing clothing only. This change happens in Europe as well. The HEMA guys will propbably know the author whose name I am forgetting, an Englishman who writes in his fechtbook’s Introduction about this very problem of young Englishmen spilling their blood with duels using rapiers yet when pressed into military service they can not use a broadsword (his usage of that term as I recall). At the very least this should be two lists of 10 martial arts: armored or unarmored. There should also be some consideration, although I’m unsure how, for the technology of the day: amount of armor and weather it was bronze, iron, or steel will change the techniques. Same for the construction of the weapons. The Maori have a fearsom style, but one on one against a knight in 16th C full plate armed with sword & shield and a mace as secondary...? It is really impossible to say: can the fierce spirit of one overcome the technology of the other? I’d like to see you refine the concept and eventually split this into different videos. I also think HEMA is a broad category, not just one martial art. The main problem of HEMA being that it is a modern reconstruction from fechtbooks, lumping them all in together. They should be divided up into the different historical ‘schools’ and one should consider them from specific periods, not broadly all European martial arts. You can apply techniques to different weapons, but 16th C dueling techniques applied to Spartan weapons & armor is not an accurate recreation of ancient Greek martial arts. This is just a silly example of why HEMA should not be considered one martial art on THIS list any more than you would lump all Asian martial arts into one category. I practice a reconstructed Viking age style, and the techniques I use are against similar style armor, not against a suit of German Gothic armor. One can be more effective striking against an opponent in a chainmail shirt than a full plate harness. So maybe a refinement would be styles of ‘heavy armor’ or styles of ‘light armor’. I hope you find these suggestions useful, and not in the same category of trollish internet ranting.

[@gamingdragon1356]

Hema = European edition of weeb culture . It is a joke .

[@indigard2747]

What do you mean by "The quick attacks with a shinai would not cut through Japanese armor"? I'm sorry, i'm just not sure that i understand correctly what you was saying.

[@styrbjornulfhamr9404]

@@indigard2747 Kendo emphasizes light quick strikes with a shinai instead of the more powerful cutting techniques used by koryu styles during the Sengoku jidai. By analogy, quick jabs in boxing will score points (big fault of sport training) but those jabs are not likely to knock out an attacker in a back alley. The quick cuts work in the Edo period because sword fighting has become just duels off the battlefield (no armor). The bigger more powerful cuts of the older koryu are more suited to combat with armored opponents. Also the swords got thinner and lighter in the Edo jidai to support this quick style of duelling.

[@indigard2747]

@@styrbjornulfhamr9404 That is the part i dont understand. No sword that human ever built can cut through armor and helmet. They just can't no matter how much force you use.

[@nescaumarqueti5793]

@@indigard2747 (i think) his point is, in most martial arts, the objective is to score, and not to damage the enemy, so they use quicker atacks to score more. And about the armor, swords became heavier to do more impact, so the inertia kills the enemy

[@andrewpoellnitz872]

Super useful video. 👌 I was looking up the rules of kendo (I watched a few guys spar at Renfaire). It seemed too sport-like and rule bound, like fencing. I do like that kendo's rules for strikes are based on the physics that would have been required to actually wound an opponent. I only disagree that combat halts or resets after the ippon.

[@TheApocalypticKnight]

Good job mate, I agree with your assessment fully. Just a bit surprised you didn't include buhurt somewhere in there. :)

[@junichiroyamashita]

Buhurt?

[@wotanz3521]

Thats not a martial art. Is just mma with weapons.... That turns into grapling/rugby tackles, etc. Sometimes i wonder why buhurt uses weapons :)). Hate starting in 3...2...1...

[@davidpowell6098]

Thank you Metatron, you took me back a few years when I saw a clip from "Budo,The Art of Killing" I remember watching it on video in the 90's. I was doing ninjutsu then.

[@eduardoherrera4151]

Nice list.. now, if you put Kendo and Kenjutsu together, then Iaido could have been included there too since they are all Katana Arts. Batto Do is also part of the mix. Kendo = sparring, Iaido = sword drawing-focus-concentration, Kenjutsu = all forms of using the sword, Batto do = cutting.

[@thomastucker7317]

As a HEMA practitioner of two years now, I'd say its very difficult to put HEMA in the same basket as the other martial arts as it itself is tens, if not hundreds of different systems for different weapons. When someone says they do HEMA, you have no clue what it actually is they do, be it Roworth's military sabre or Meyer's longsword or Lechukner's messer or Thibault's rapier or MacArthur's smallsword and so on which could all in their own right count as individual martial arts as you would describe the two Indian martial arts you listed. Other than fundamental principles such as distance and timing, or general training tendencies to put sparring as a fundamental pillar in your curriculum, it is difficult to tie all of these different systems together as one martial art. It feels like having a top 10 food dishes list where you have #3: Mongolian beef, #2: Aglio e olio and then having #1 as 'all European food'. Also while I understand you rating more sport focused arts as lower priority, I think their benefits of focus on competition and sparring are underrated. For example olympic fencing, they will teach incredible timing and distance management and you will often have olympic fencers make HEMA practitioners look like children even under HEMA rulesets because of their understanding of those principles as well as their athleticism, even despite their tendency to trust right of way and disregard the double hit. I would be very surprised if a competent olympic epee or sabre fencer didn't give any practitioners of the same skill level of the arts placed above them a good run for their money. tldr: In my opinion HEMA is too broad an umbrella term to be on any individual martial art tier list, and olympic fencing is underrated

[@joebloggs5318]

HEMA is not a style but the ability to fight.

[@thomastucker7317]

@@joebloggs5318 Even that is too broad, as you can have the ability to fight without HEMA, it is what it says on the tin, it is a collection of historical martial arts from Europe. 'It is not a style', true, it is a collection of styles

[@vikingraven4758]

The thing is though, as Metatron argues in this videos, HEMA adapts. Good HEMA instructors use the manuals without limiting their practice too them. It is a style of training, which happens to be very effective. HEMA is more about how you train, than it is about how you fight, which is why it becomes broader. It is currently the MMA of armed martial arts.

[@lyesallouche9010]

I didn't expect this video to be this informative, i really learned a lot 🔥🔥

[@MacobstonProductions]

Thank you for re uploading. Good video !

[@bunnieseatliverspots]

This list isn’t bad. I would just bump Kali/escrima up, and kobudo and kenjutsu down. These latter styles make too much use of forms, prearranged attacks, and telegraphed motions (e.g. thrusts from the hikite) to be totally practical. The sportive component - kendo - is way too limited in its footwork and defense. Furthermore, Kali’s repertoire of weapons is just as extensive as kobudo’s. Escrimadors train in a multitude of weapons, including: - Single and double stick - Single and double dagger - Single and double sword - Stick and dagger - Sword and dagger - Spear - Spear and shield - Staff - Sarong and flexible weapons (belt, chain, rope, etc.) - Projectile weapons (bow, blow gun, throwing knives, etc.) - Other specialized and improvised weapons Based on my experience, Kali knife technique > kobudo’s knife technique. Again, kobudo makes too much use of unrealistic, telegraphed attacks.

[@Arcana437]

The only thing that bumps kali down is the way we spar. There's too many limitations, you can't punch, kick stab, takedown, etc.

[@bunnieseatliverspots]

Paolo Papa we spar full contact in my gym. We wear fencing helmets and hockey gloves to protect the head and hands.

[@weonanegesiscipelibba2973]

@@Arcana437 *modern But yeah, pretty much

[@Arcana437]

@28geam k30l I was referring to the competitions, like im the Sea games and schools. Amd yes my teacher in kali also taught us different techniques in takedowns locks and disarms.

[@RedWolfGG21]

Cali can be used by improvised weapons (deadly) targeting every vulnerable parts of a human body and you can be john wick lol

[@vendettagrazie5653]

Yeah because a guy who has trained with swords insted of sticks cant use anything else than swords. Dummy

[@RedWolfGG21]

@@vendettagrazie5653 not necessarily tho

[@ThePsychoguy]

Glad it was reposted. Was looking for this one a while ago but couldn’t find it.

[@biobomb93]

I have a video idea that you could do with an hema instructor: rating HEMA styles. It could either start an interesting discussion or the biggest flame of the century

[@KenzieScarlett]

Yayyyy! Love this babe! Such a good video! ☺️🥰

[@Runningtail]

Wife her, Raf!

[@emanbarranco1908]

In the Defence of Eckrima (this how it spelt in Filipino) though true that students would start with sticks, The origins of the art itself uses one handed swords but moved to stick due to being more "flexible" to use and Eskrima does have unarmed combat it isn't complete in my opinion. But regardless great video!!!

[@darrylreformina1438]

Kali, Eskrima or Arnis is a weapons based art. It's movements that you learn with weapons directly correlates to empty hand fighting. Same movements whether it be with Espada Y Daga-the sword & dagger, Sticks, Knives and their angles of attack, disarming and locks all translates from weapons to bare hands. It is a beautiful art.

[@emanbarranco1908]

@@darrylreformina1438 True I completely agree and know that, again true that Eckrima can use unarmed techniques it is still in my relative opinion incomplete compared to other arts like Karate and Muay Thai.

[@Gyrodyssey]

Great list!

[@Raynomee]

I really appreciate this video, I agree almost totally with with everything said, especially the fact that kendo alone belongs with olympic fencing because it limits too much where you can strike, and therefore does not prepare your opponent or you for real weapons combat. However, I was surprised that Iaido only placed 5. That makes sense though given your explanation!

[@moriken1234]

Kenjutsu is a general term for sword techniques, and is separated from things like So-jutsu (槍術), Kyudo (弓道), or Naginata-do (薙刀道), just like it is from Iaido. Traditional samurais trained in all of them plus weapon-less techniques. There are still few styles that teach them all under Kobudo or other terms.

[@blsancinet7409]

You actually found the video of Gladiatores. I have to tell my teacher (the long haired blonde guy in the beginning) about this. There is no way you would like to make a collaboration? XD

[@metatronyt]

If you can give me a link go the original video I would gladily put It in the description I Just cant find It anymore :)

[@blsancinet7409]

@@metatronyt kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH2oap9_q9yLeac That is the link. Should you ever need a second opinion or something like that. Or if you need someone to visualize or recreate certain hema techniques I would be happy to help. Of course without taking credit for it :D

[@zdenek2798]

Nice video Thank you

[@eddys.3524]

great vid. Thanks, pal.

[@Niper777]

can you consider to talk about the "verdadera destreza" from spain? thanks

[@wotanz3521]

Destreza is a style of rapier and is part of HEMA

[@Niper777]

@@wotanz3521 I know and because of that i am asking for a video talking deeply about the "verdadera destreza" from a foreinger expert like him ^^

[@wotanz3521]

Alright. Gotcha :)

[@duchi882]

*The Most Effective Weapon Based Martial Arts:* 1. Pommel Throwing

[@lieutenantkettch]

It's always important to them rightly.

[@fishperson5390]

This is the reason HEMA is first on the list

[@VeganJutsu]

I totally agree with everything you said

[@alafosca5724]

As a Kobudo practicioner, student of the school of Kaicho Akamine Sensei, by the hands of my sensei Jose Luis Soto Frutos, I say that by learning the art of Kobudo, my Karate improved deeply, I have a better feeling of movement and body rotation to deliver nasty strikes with whatever part of my body. It's such a great feeling when you handle any object that could potentially be used as a self defense tool and instantly know how to properly handle it to make it efficient when striking... Still, there is no armoured sparring in Kobudo, and therefore, lacks a basic part of training. I wish I could practice HEMA and Muay Thai (Golden Era Muay Thai is my absolute addiction when it comes to martial arts), with some basis of Grappling or Judo, and BJJ... But for now I must keep working with what I can practice where I live. I still think it's amazing that thanks to people like you, Metatron, and many other great channels, we can learn foreign ways and practice them in our free time, like I do applying Muay Thai and Boxing techinques in my unfortunately non-combative Karate. Thanks for sharing your list with us, I have some research to do with Kenjutsu.

[@AJDraws]

I agree with most of what you said. I practice Matayoshi Kobudo, specializing in Bo, Sai, Tonfa and Nunchaku, and also Shotokan Karate and though I'd like to learn the flashy spins, I can concur that the traditional, boring looking training is undoubtedly the most effective. I'd love to also learn Kenjutsu, but the quality of teaching in those disciplines here are questionable. Would absolutely love to study HEMA. But sadly, there are only an extremely tiny group of LARK players that do anything remotely close to it here.

[@mangmiketeamtaiaha7256]

Hi, where is the link about FMA knife beware lies etc? You spoke about it in the video. Can you supply link?

[@gutsgriffith4549]

I watch it and his logic is bull shit, metatron is basically saying that it’s useless because if you got attack without you knowing you’re dead lol it’s like him saying a professional boxer can be K.O. By a random guy on a street if the boxer got sucker punched lol and a train navy seal died because an untrained guy just out of nowhere just shot him in the head lol my point is anyone can be killed it doesn’t matter how train you are if you get attack out of nowhere you’re dead

[@AlexanderGent]

Interesting video although I would have put Jogo Du Pau in there, unless you are putting it under the HEMA umbrella? I would have included probably put Iaido with Kendo and Kenjutsu. Also there is Jojutsu to consider too. Thats both still trained in Jodo and Aikido. Lastly it would have been nice to see Krabi Krabong in there. 😊

[@marksanfelipe5859]

hello kendo practitioner here though still kohai due to COVID, admittedly yes my senpai told that kendo alone will not be effective in real life scenario because we have a lot of formalities and limitations though if you really learn kendo and practice in a dojo you will learn that the basic hit points are aim to kill or incapacitate your opponent if were using real sword. personally i think because it is to keep the hundred years of culture alive.

[@radomnic]

the knife fighting in FMA, based on what I know is not designed to fend off assassins on the streets but rather they are designed for dueling, unlike in Europe dueling in the Philippines persisted unto more recent times. Filipinos didn't just dueled with sticks and knives but with bolos and swords. The main reason why Doce Pares was formed was to unify all the eskrimadors (FMA practitioners) in Cebu, Philippines and to put an end to death matches. Doce Pares HQ was established in the 1930's but there is a possibility that dueling persisted way past the 1930's. Even to this day I still here of stories of people dueling with blades in remote provinces but I'm not sure if FMA is involved.

[@CDKohmy]

I disagree with the sport fencing : foil specifically. I side with Matt Easton and Jay Maas in that it prioritizes targets and encourages defence. Epeeists are suicidal. Sabre is good if one could have heavier swords. Yes I still acknowledge right-of-way can be abused, but still.

[@metatronyt]

That's a solid take on It and I respect It, but having practiced Olympic fencing too I must Say that I still feel the fact that you cannot score point on the limbs creates openings you are not aware of which Will be very detrimental and Kind of messes up your muscle Memory.

[@CDKohmy]

For those who can't attend HEMA cross training between foil and epee will blend the mindset of defense and target and generate mediocre smallsword. Sabre is its own thing , and with its target, while claiming to be cavalry, is more akin to cutlass (think close fighting on ships, legs are out).

[@MandalorV7]

It by far not an end all be all, but could be a great starting point for a novice for the reasons you mentioned.

[@Odwolf2]

@@CDKohmy I practice highland broadsword, and modern saber techniques just leave me baffled. But at least it teaches some sense of attack and defense to the minimum. As far as foil goes, I think the methodology could use some tune up to make it more viable, but I don't have much against the target area. If I had to use a smallsword, I'd focus on the torso, and avoid embedding my point in the arm. Matt Easton even read how that was a tactic used against smallsworders to bring their blade off point and land their own blow ending the fight. My main issue with fencing is how light the hits are. But I think the rules could be bent enough to insert a few useful old skills to liven up free play.

[@Carakali101]

What?! Epeéist are suicidal? Since when? This is the most strategic discipline of the 3. If there would be a suicidal that would be saber. Foil sucks because of its too many rules.

[@darthrevan2410]

Im back two years later to say ive trained more and find your list infearior!!!! After training under him i can only say all these styles are Bxxxsxxx Master ken said so......

[@larbremord]

You are clearly my favorite Italian KZbin channel

[@saminsaqlain9099]

You should react to Martial Arts anime like Hajime no ippo, Baki, Kenichi, Kengan Asura etc

[@SNinjaQK]

I hate Baki the destroyer

[@lumiliyabnaapoy4283]

@@SNinjaQK yeah the second animation is very pleasing but the first 3rd and 4rth animation not at all

[@salvadorcarinan1054]

Filipino Arnis Kali Escrima the most effective weapon.

[@maxtyson9035]

Nice video bro.

[@MaxSluiman]

Good video! And as a ken jutsu instructor myself, I agree completely with your observations. Especially since I let the students spar a lot with bokuto and also mandatorily have them trained in aiki-jutsu, so it becomes a complete fight. And we use the tradition as something that must be 'reinvented' by every student. Tradition either has a purpose or it is to be discarded. So my ken jutsu perhaps looks a bit like Japanese HEMA. I did not suspect you had these opinions. Hoped for, yes. And I like the way you have a very nice English pronunciation, but sometimes some very charming Italian slips in. Like: "weedio" for video. Never lose it.

[@Arcana437]

You're teaching style of letting them experience all of those aspects are really good. It's a good lesson for them to not be biased on that specific arts and to let them know that they have their own weaknesses. Respect.

[@prismaticc_abyss]

Maybe you should have touched on chinese martial arts. They are Definetely more effective than the first few on the list

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

It's kinda really hard to find convincing footage tho. Chinese martial art is already in a very bad position. When it comes to weapon art, i can only find Wushu or Taichi-jian, but there's no sparring footage

[@blakexu4943]

Ah u must mean the theatre arts of wushu.

[@powergaminggg8730]

Chinese did use a lot of armed martial arts during history and as any society with a lot of war - were good at them and developed it. Yet nowadays it's hard to find any manuscripts, masters (not fake ones) or video of a decent performance I guess this is the reason Metatron skipped it. Even HEMA doesn't have a lot of history as a modern art, they search for more information and there is plenty, just not easily available - but the practitioners become more and more and the movement get more popularity. Yet they train daily and discover themselves what works and what not. Same cannot be said for Chinese armed arts, never heard of it being practiced by a big enough group of people - and popularity is the way to develop (or even search for the roots).

[@BeardDaddyGrimm]

thank you for giving HEMA the recognition it deserves

[@gamingdragon1356]

It sucks though outside of the weebish stuff .

[@BeardDaddyGrimm]

its a real world, battlefield tested combat system. it may not look cool but it works in a real fight. end of story.

[@gamingdragon1356]

@@BeardDaddyGrimm So other martial arts aren't "battlefield tested" ? Also how does a "battlefield tested" martial art helps you in a real world situation ? Do you carry your trusted claymore with you ?

[@BeardDaddyGrimm]

no I don't, but considering where I live open carry is illegal so I don't get much chance. as far as other martial arts go, very rarely were full fighting technics other than HEMA ever truly tested on a battlefield. most martial arts are for self defense not war, with exception to things like MMA and BJJ which would have use to some extent on an actual field of battle. As far as " real world applications" I have beaten the absolute shit out of people who were trying to do me harm using big sticks and HEMA technics, it has saved my life many times. having said this and ignoring the obvious fact of probable distance, do you wanna pick up a claymore and fight me to test my words?

[@gamingdragon1356]

@@BeardDaddyGrimm "Open carry is illegal so i dont get much chance " Yes it is illegal to carry a sword or any such weapon openly in most of the world . So training with an actual sword is quite useless . "Most martial art are for self defence not war with exceptions to things like BJJ or MMA " Really ? In fact most martial art were for war time use with the exception of BJJ or MMA which were always just sport. Kenjutsu = sword style of samurai Karate = fighting style of peasants vs samurai Kalari = war time use Jujitsu = derived from jin jutsu used by the samurai to kill unarmed Now the actual point , a useful martial art is one which can be applied to current scenario . An easily accessible weapon = staff , knife , gun Or good conditioning = kyokushin , wrestling , kalari , traditional karate etc Yes staff fighting from HEMA could be decent But better arts = gunfu , kendo , kalari , kobudo

[@subsonic9854]

Fencing should be in the top 3 or even top 2 if you consider results from training. If you had an average kendo guy, iaido guy, kenjutsu guy, la canne guy, Indian martial arts guy, etc, fight a fencer one on one with sharp versions of their pointy weapons, the fencer would dominate easily due to his attributes, experience, and available talent pool. Kenjutsu techniques might be more lethal and varied than kendo, and iaido might be realistic, but like fencing, kendo has a huge talent pool of great athletes who compete to be the fastest and strongest all the time. Obviously this wouldn't always be the case, but I've seen fencers easily dominate knife sparring competitions despite never having touched a sparring knife, and kendo guys would just have to adjust their targeting and habits a little. We have already seen this play out historically: Jigoro Kano laid the smack down on more violent jujutsu styles by focusing on practicing techniques that can be used often and safely in all-out sparring. I love watching la canne for its beauty but it really looks useless in a fight, akin to capoeira. Finally, Eskrima in the west seems to be dominated by WEKAF style domination sparring, whereas in the Philippines, point sparring (first touch) is just as popular, if not more. Also, Eskrima is not a monolith. Like HEMA, there are many variations. Some are martial arts, some are sports. Some are traditional, others are modern or mixed. Some focus on long range and literally have no blocking techniques, instead angling the body and using footwork, while others focus on short range and employ punches, sweeps, and grabs. Some use sticks, others swords, some knives only, others knife defense only, some double stick, some long stick or long sword. Some are comprehensive and focus on principles applicable to all weapons, possibly fueling the belief that Eskrima is influenced by Destreza. Certainly, Eskrima in the Philippines is not the apparently uniform system that thinks only of "angles" which is marketed in the western world through seminars and the ahistorical neologism "kali". Edit: I think the "best" conversation should separately consider techniques and training methodology. Personally I find sport fencing to be rubbish, but their training and talent pool and the rules of their sport grant them attributes of such high quality that their techniques are almost irrelevant when facing most other weapon users - they're just faster, judge distance better, and are more experienced. Kendo might be as effective as fencing with real swords if their competition rules allowed more targets. Eskrima is in an odd place as its players who seek greater practical application tend to do so by stripping off their protective gear and smashing each other more, which is good pressure testing but also alienating to some practitioners, as it looks like mere brawling (which it actually is in many cases, because if the objective is to win rather than rediscover lost arts, then brawling is totally legitimate and applicable).

[@zakaryoneal9621]

Hello Metatron. I have been thinking about Centurion in for honor recently after watching some of your Roman videos and I couldn’t help but think a bout if centurion in the game would be effective. He wears almost complete armor and wields his gladiolus and it reminded me of how knights would grapple and use daggers. Is it feasible for a fully armored man. To fight armored and unarmored opponents with a gladius to slip between plates or cracks in armor

[@zoro7648]

*KALI* is proven to be effective on close combat and *KALI* is used for killing and defending yourself. *KALI* use stick as a practice tool then it will be replaced a *knife* or *Sundang* in actual combat or duel.

[@nuclearsimian3281]

Presuming in actual combat, your opponent is armored, the stick is actually every single bit as good as the knife because you can't stab through armor, but if you can beat your opponent until they've given up or are too broken to continue with the sticks, you win the fight.

[@assassain0425]

Hema, yes grabs kriegsmesser. Than sadness hits because we don't have classics manuals from the ancients.

[@darthplagueis13]

Well, to be fair, I don't think combat was that much more interesting in the classical period. I mean, for spears and polearms you've basically got the same and for swords it's probably more limited if anything because early swords were rather short, one-handed stabbing implements.

[@louisvictor3473]

@@darthplagueis13 You say that as if there weren't many ways to stab a cat, and no, you can't ask how I know that.

[@solarflarestudios719]

Thank you!

[@tornad8063]

#1 this martial art was used by american troops in vietnam to find, if his enemy is soldier of civil. The key is minigun on chopper. If they're running away, they're soldiers. If no, they're good trained soldiers.

[@kevinnorwood8782]

When I came into this video, I was hoping and praying HEMA was going to be on this list, but I was utterly AMAZED that you put it at Number 1.

[@jabler5112]

Escrima is a safe and training version like kendo but still how would the practitioners train safely. These Filipino arts came from blade use such as the Japanese with actual katana use. I Agree with you on the way they train with knives.

[@toyo7836]

the only thing metatron got wrong is that we used sticks for escrima. we actually started with blades. the sticks only appeared for training or traditional sparring.

[@gutsgriffith4549]

Pikiti tirsia kali is blade focus not stick it is used by special forces

[@makisonoda7925]

Love the list Metatron! I agree completely with your list. I believe the aim of any martial art should be to disable opponent if possible, kill when needed. Sadly it was most often killing, but without the development of martial arts a good portion of sports (Olympic or martial based) such as fencing, Iiado, etc wouldn’t exist.

[@budisutanto5987]

Good list. This list makes man start thinking. And helps makes his/her list according to his/her opinion.

[@stevetierney2630]

I'd say IPSC and IDPA are more effective training tools in the modern world.

[@fabianlieret2077]

can you make a video about the top 10 japanese martial arts?

[@metatronyt]

That's a very good Idea so yes totally, but after a few normal videos. I like making top 10 lists, but I don't want my channel to become a list channel so what I usually do is that I space top tens between regular uploads

[@maddog_majima9553]

@@metatronyt won't spear be no1 or naginata bcoz I so yari was most effective Japanese weapon in the other video.( I do watch your videos whenever possible). I also have a doubt is naginata close to something like a halberd with only the axe thingy?

[@fabianlieret577]

@@metatronyt Of course btw you make amazing videos and you were one of the reasons why I started learning Japanese (I'm am 15 right know) Keep up the good work Thank you

[@controllhvc]

Maybe look into Dog Brother Martial Arts (DBMA) or Pekiti Tirsia Kali (PTK). DBMA is like weapon based mma. Striking and grappling with emphasis on reality. Full contact with minimun protection (gloves and fencing masks). Its hybrid between kali styles, krabi krabong, bjj etc. PKT (official filipino military style) also does full contact stick fighting with minimum protection and heavy sticks. Not the kali/eskrima sport version, with heavy protection snd light sicks.

[@husariatowarzysz4924]

If I ever go to New Zealand it's on my bucket list to try Mau Rakau since Polynesian martial arts are very deadly and it would be cool to handle some exotic weapons.

[@darrylreformina1438]

In the Hawaiian Islands they have their ancient martial art called Lua.

[@randomuser5443]

Gun Fu. It is perfectly designed for using the most powerful weapon, the gun

[@spencerryan4359]

That's bold of you Random User, For there is another... NuKata. Some say one Master of this Deadly Art beat an Entire Island of Kenjutsu Masters.

[@kennantjessavi7648]

@@spencerryan4359 No that's misinformation. That day Nukata practitioner from the whole Enola Gay Dojo did it, not just one man. Respect their team effort Bro.

[@spencerryan4359]

@@kennantjessavi7648 Oh you're right, My bad bro.

[@rurouniyoshi6118]

Um...all Filipino martial arts are taught with sticks. All techniques learned with the stick can be applied to almost all other martial weapons. Your assessment of kali is very incorrect.

[@siamsasean]

My understanding is that eskrima was developed by the Filipinos because the Spanish colonizers forbade them swords. I've seen how eskrima can be used effectively against either a sword or a spear. My first JKD teacher, a second generation student of Bruce's, is a great proponent of what he calls "hit for hit." When your opponent strikes, instead of blocking the stick, you strike the hand holding the stick. For practice you need soft plastic sticks. If you use the regular rattan you'll break your sparring partner's hand. Which is what you want in combat.

[@thomasholte1828]

Thank you for this. Good to see HEMA on this list.

[@macacofrito]

Kobudo over Kali? Really? Sticks and Knives over Sai and Nunchaku? i´ve practiced Kobudo for 6 months, it´s not a lot of time but i´ve seen zero sparring whatsoever. It´s just kata. The closest thing to real practice is that old karate routine, i strike, you block, now you strike and i block.

[@sasageyo5674]

I just want to add there its not sticks and knives, stick or the kamagong(ironwood sticks) is only there to represent the sword and make the sparring much safer nowadays they used padded sticks there are also shield training however most of the practicioners says only few spar with those however i had attended demostration and trainings with Kalasag at Sibat (Shield and Spear) even Axes and others swords like Pinuti..or great swords like the Kampilan. The military uses Ginunting and bolos or even Pinuti. In knife training always accept that you will be stab even your a great master the number of stab of would be lesser though its not a knife fight if you re not stab its demosntration.

[@sasageyo5674]

Anyway japenese warriors had clashes with early Filipinos although i dont know if they are samurai or ashigarus that turned to waku pirates or just pirates with whatsoever training. Many times they were repelled.

[@Carakali101]

My words exactly!

[@gamingdragon1356]

Where are you going to fight a sai or a nunchaku in a real fight . Unless you have summoning jutsu .

[@kevingray4980]

Not all weapons scale equally to live sparring. For instance, you don't see much mace sparring in HEMA. Impact weapons are effective, but they need to focus on generating the power with good technique and Kali does a lousy job of it in my opinion. You see a lot of wrist flicking, which, I mean yeah it might sting a little, but no game changer. Kobudo actually has some of the best personal impact weapons. The Kubaton. LOL, JK, I mean the Tonfa and Nunchaku (assuming sufficient weight). They take some time to build proficiency which can be done solo and against a dummy/heavy bag, but they have the potential to really end a fight.

[@soul2419]

What about shaolin or choy li fut kungfu they use weapons a lot

[@takeshimizuho6680]

nice list what do you think about krabi krabong the thai style sword and speer fighting, i did it now for 5 years also good with a lot of sparing and traditionelle muay thai technics

[@windhelmguard5295]

i think another huge advantage of kali and okinawa kobudo and hema to some extent, is accessibility, to apply any weapon based martial art, one must first actually possess an appropriate weapon. kali has the sticks which shouldn't be difficult to find, just take a walk in the woods and you can probably arm an entire household. okinawa kobudo has a bit more complex weapons, but making a tonfa or nunchaku out of stuff you can get at the hardware store shouldn't be an issue. HEMA has a lot of more complex weapons, but it shouldn't be too difficult for a dedicated practitioner, to rig up a quarter staff, spear, mace or shield from things you can find at the hardware store.

[@joebloggs5318]

Or you can just buy them off the internet.....