Underappreciated Historical Weapons: the Bec De Corbin / Crow's beak / Raven's beak

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In this episode of Underappreciated historical weapons we look at the bec de corbin or crow's beak / Raven's beak.
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[@daklr2501]

"This side kills poor people, and this other side is for rich people!"

[@Drejzer]

Actually, both are for people. Its just that some of them are less vulnerable to one than the other.

[@zeusadolphus1638]

@@Drejzer No, poor people and rich people is better

[@akaniotevanos9861]

Fekkin' legend XD

[@eduardopipinel]

So, does it make this weapon a "Death distribution tool", which makes death more fairly accessible to people? 🤔

[@cumunist2120]

and the front is for when you want to kill poor peoples horses i imagine

[@koalawithchaingun53]

Honestly every polearm is criminally underappreciated. Imagine if in every modern war movie all the soldiers only carried handguns and smgs.

[@metro2673]

I don't think most people understand just how much more power something like a polearm will generate. Not something you want to get hit by even with advanced armor.

[@Kowalski089]

That is a remarkably good way to put it.

[@fan9775]

So like WW2 movies?

[@Santisima_Trinidad]

@@fan9775 in fairness, a lot of those do have people carrying standard rifle's. And you get the occasion sniper.

[@Kowalski089]

@@Santisima_Trinidad What's really missing from WW2 movies is the high prevalence of grenades and mortars

[@AposineYT]

"I wield the legendary katana, a mighty blade forged only by the most masterful of weaponsmiths using skills perfected over centuries." "Well I have a really long stick with a bunch of sharp shit on one end."

[@splitsong7368]

Stick with pointy shit wins.

[@splitsong7368]

@@jellomaster5629 I will do you one better. European sword staff.

[@ethancollins4593]

You must be new to Shadiversity

[@regalblade8171]

"Takes out saw with big holes"(IRL Swordbreaker, no it's not a FE Axe it's a dagger with a side meant to catch blades and break their poor quality metal like sticks)

[@kielbasamage]

Both of these spark joy.

[@ItsDaKoolaidDude]

"everywhere is death!" Medieval blacksmith: "exactly how I designed it to be!"

[@Blackferret66]

"Do you want a spear, a hammer, or a horseman's pick?" "Yes."

[@MagnusMoerkoereJohannesen]

*slaps stick* "This bad boy can fit so many weapons on it"

[@lightnaught6638]

@@MagnusMoerkoereJohannesen its Modular only downside is that you can only add more.

[@Drag7on]

I want all that. 🤣

[@roberthill5549]

*"Let me show you it's features!!! Hahahaha!"*

[@cronoz-sensei4259]

More like "que".

[@zvonimirtomac7896]

How this weapon came about Noble: Blacksmith, I need a spear, a warhammer, a scythe, and mace. *Some time later* Noble: I DIDN'T SAY AT THE SAME TIME!

[@SeismicHammer]

After a few minutes: Noble: You know what? This actually might just work!

[@seamonster7081]

Blacksmith: yeah but isn’t this better

[@BHuang92]

Blacksmith: What do you want sir? A spear, a warhammer, a scythe or a mace? Noble: *Yes*

[@afinoxi]

"You know what ? I kinda like it."

[@zvonimirtomac7896]

Come on guys, even if the noble saw the weapon's value he would be like Noble: Well... since I already paid for it, might as well keep it. But I still want my proper order.

[@Javlin95]

Shad just confirmed that Dracula's castle teleport from Castlevania is just him changing his VPN settings.

[@The_Rising_Dragon]

It isn't?

[@Gacho39]

@@The_Rising_Dragon i think you missed the joke mate

[@KrazyKyle-ij9vb]

"Time to watch The Office US" *teleports*

[@MinhNguyen-yo7wi]

@@Gacho39 i think you missed the joke mate

[@IHateUniqueUsernames]

That moment when the French dude says "come at me with your bec de corbin" and Google auto-translates it as "come at me with your practical bear". Surely, Shad, that is a far, far more terrifying weapon.

[@personman8734]

Brothers we no longer poke the bear with the stick . The bear is the stick

[@lordofshades9852]

*the actual bear that loaded artillery with Polish soldiers in ww2*

[@jamesmerkel1932]

So we've upgraded our trebuchet to launch bears instead of cows? I approve!

[@spxzzo]

@@jamesmerkel1932 just wait until you find out about hedgehogs…

[@user-te7rf8ik7z]

Oh, those russians...

[@afinoxi]

"My armour can hold up against any blade !" *"Block this you filthy casual."*

[@AxxLAfriku]

I am the most famous man on YouTub! This is not bragging! This is the truth! The truth will set you free, dear shi

[@cesarcamacho6742]

@@AxxLAfriku YOU!!!!!!!

[@seamonster7081]

“I will continue to block your attack hahaha” BLOCK THIS YOU FILTHY CASUAL

[@afinoxi]

@@AxxLAfriku "I'm the most famous man on KZbin" lmao you're saying this with 31.5k subs on the comment section of a channel with *1.15 million* subs

[@photosyntheticzee9915]

@@afinoxi he is the most famous

[@jasonphillips8933]

Armour: "No blade can penetrate me!" Bec De Corbin: "I am no blade!"

[@vaughnjohnson8767]

The announcer to the boxing match: woah! Woah! I’m sure that’s not what he meant,

[@Dragon1813]

Despair thy charm and let the angel whom thou still hast served tell thee, Bec De Corbin is a hammer and spike!

[@codiserville593]

Good one

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

Eowyn vs Witchking?

[@jasonphillips8933]

@@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681 That's the one. Tho there's a similar line in Macbeth iirc

[@robinsonkaspar3395]

It seems like the bill would be great to pull a shield out of the way, and the spike would immediately make a fellow wish his shield was still there. Swing past the shield, pull the shield down, thrust into a stranger’s sternum, repeat, and the shield line is gradually broken by a line of pikemen with crow’s beaks. What an unholy meat grinder the battlefield has always been.

[@LTPottenger]

And pulling people off a horse with the hook. I would think it was like a billhook for rich people where it was mostly used like a hammer but could also set against a charge if you are on foot or pull down a horseman. Useful for basically everything.

[@emeraldeyez5975]

Imagine breaking into Shad’s house, ready to rob him, only to see him standing in his living room armed with that in a set of armor. Terrifying sight.

[@galadballcrusher8182]

that isn't the funny part.The funny part is looking at his weapon rack behind him and see allthe swords maces, his BIG STICK and the bec de corbin resting on arms reach while he is armored and looks at you down his heavy crossbow's front end ;)

[@misterfox7210]

@@galadballcrusher8182 " and that's when he realised, that he f#$%ed up."

[@Urbaninjaq]

"Your princess is in another castle. Too bad you wont be leaving this one."

[@VimyGlide]

"Greetings, I'm Shad. And in this episode of Underappreciated Historical Weapons, we're going to demonstrate why you should never bring a knife to a crow's beak fight."

[@Procrastian]

Nah he'd just be in the middle of his living room looking at all his weapons yelling "Hold on, I don't know what to kill you with!"

[@sergeysmirnov1062]

Historians trying to define the differences between a bec de corbin, warhammer, poleaxe, halberd, Lucerne hammer, etc.: Medieval soldiers: Haha, enemy skull go crack

[@MrDmitriRavenoff]

Smashy smashy!

[@Ishlacorrin]

Hulk: Smash!

[@jordanrodrigues1279]

They've brought sticks! Sticks? Yeah, sticks. But, with with nasty metal bits on the ends.

[@Ontarianmm]

The interesting part is all the ways we tried to improve smashing each other's skulls.

[@wwyd4akb]

I'm a simple man. I see Lucerne hammer, I think Margarine Mallet.

[@davepowers3194]

Birth of the crow’s beak according to historians (no citations): Medieval knight: “Blacksmith, I would like you to transform the concept of “f*** you!” into a weapon.” Blacksmith; “I got you, fam.”

[@vaughnjohnson8767]

Pretty much

[@Kremit_the_Forg]

Customer: "Sooo.... I want to stab that guy..." Smith: "Alright, okey, we can do that. So a dagger? You know, get in the gaps and-" C: "Nonono noooo... I want to stab him through(!) his armour.." S: "Uhm.. okey.. but.." C: "You know those knights, with their shiny armour, feeling soooo invincible?" S: "Well yes, thats kinda the thing about ar-" C: "I want a big ass spike on top of a pole, a hammer on one side and another spike on the other side of the hammer! Oh and little spikes on the sides left and right! I want to swing at them with my big 'f**k-you-stick' and laugh, while they piss their armour!" S: "..." C: "Oh and... say... can you make one spike look like a middlefinger?"

[@vaughnjohnson8767]

@@Kremit_the_Forg glorious

[@osprey4730]

@@Kremit_the_Forg a PM seymour disciple, I presume?

[@tylerdurden5122]

The Australian translation of bec-de-Corbin is roughly “get this up ya princess!!” Citation needed….

[@TheVleckChannel]

Striding up to a duel with that: “I’ve come to ‘pick’ a fight.”

[@Mazekial]

I think that enemy got “the point”.

[@leonidasthunderlatte4800]

Dad stop!

[@rageauto1291]

You don't make the best point. But if you hammer on it im sure you will get a break through

[@Nen_niN]

@@Mazekial Gee, Archibald, do you think that enemy did or did not get the point?

[@RaichuWizDom]

Kind of surprising this isn't more popular, too. A crow's beak is iconic, easily recognisable. You get a whole squad of knights named 'The Crow's Guard' and you have a strong image of them holding up that weapon like a flag. Also, the scene writes itself. "My liege, they're wearing plate armour. Our blades won't penetrate that." -"Lads! Let the crows watch the sky." And then they turn it to hammer instead, using the beaks as finishing blows... kinda like how crows or ravens eat corpses...

[@bodyno3158]

Simply because most artists know zero shit about nearly everything besides "looking good", and the arrogance they extracted from the ability of "looking good" can be cancerous, for them, mostly. When they scratch their head for "inspiration" for hours and days, the inspiration they need is actually laying everywhere, they just never ever bat an eye on it since it's not in the "looking good" segment of this world. The pursue on visual arts turned them blind.

[@kamicaxd3216]

I WILL steal that for my next worldbuilding project, thank you cery much good sir and/or madame

[@teathesilkwing7616]

Anything weapon allows a cool ass battle cry like “let the crows watch the sky” is automatically an amazing weapon

[@ianharrison5758]

A character I really wish used a weapon like this is Corvus Corax from Warhammer 40,000. His name literally translates to Raven Raven. His legion, the Raven Guard, literally have helmets that look beaked. Too be fair in the setting he exists in. Corax is like 12 feet tall, wears armor that can shrug off tank rounds and uses a jet pack and lightning claws to fight so it’s not like he doesn’t have a badass loadout but still

[@blackjacktrial]

Or y'know, GRRMs Nights Watch are called crows for their black armor. Fighting wildlings, bladed weapons make sense. Fighting the walkers? Something that can crush bone and pierce deep into enemies to kill at a weak point? A Bec de Corbin is designed for that job.

[@scratchy996]

Since Shad built himself a castle he suddenly has friends. I guess it pays off to ally yourself with the most powerful man in the land.

[@jamestipton7872]

reminds me of the dudes that eat at the denny's before evey LARP battle in role models.

[@bayoubilly5176]

@@jamestipton7872 A wonderfully beautiful woman who I would never have thought even enjoyed larping let alone fantasy novels dragged me to a couple , that every time I see that scene I get flashbacks...(I knew she was special when I told her she reminded me of an elf (long b4 lotr was a movie). She responded ... Kebler? With a death stare ... ."no , no more silvanesti" she responds to that" well better than kagonesti" asked her out right there in the middle of class... Teacher was not pleased... She said yes... I was... Than she dragged me to thoooose!

[@morrigankasa570]

LOL, hilarious comment.

[@odiumspariah1469]

It is because he is Ta'veren.

[@ShidenByakko]

If you build it, they will come! I was wondering if anyone would've thought of that!;):D

[@jacobbreakerofsky8974]

The holy grail reference going into a VPN sponsor is amazing

[@IHateUniqueUsernames]

This is how you do sponsor!

[@randomguyontheinternet4368]

"Virtual Private" Castle wow

[@chsbob9]

It is truly the pinnacle of advertising

[@jankriz9199]

Praise the sun bro, time for crab

[@j.jimenez7545]

I like how shad unintentionally, shows how you can use a VPN to bully people without any consequences

[@HiddenEvilStudios]

Based.

[@arthas640]

I like VPN's but it pisses me off knowing that it's already become yet another tool for spammers and scammers to use on people and escape any repercussions.

[@franciosdeaeruiu7555]

I mean if this isn't the primary reason you're getting a VPN, what exactly are you doing with your life?

[@derrickstorm6976]

​@@franciosdeaeruiu7555 not being completely pathetic lol

[@_Morph1ne_]

Historians: “Nooooo. I can’t decide if this weapon is a halberd, poleaxe, crow’s beak, 2 handed war pick, a long war hammer or a battle axe!!!!” Medieval soldiers: “killy stick”

[@robertwildschwein7207]

Sledgy🔨

[@capitannerevar7792]

Polearm in france, halberd in spain, warpick in england

[@Gronkadonk]

Lucerne

[@wombat4191]

Yeah probably. Swords were not really falchions, longswords, shortswords, messers, etc either. They were just swords. Some were big, some small, some one-handed, some two-handed, some straight, some curved, and so on, but they were swords. The classifications came later.

[@stormmchill1397]

That virtual castle skit was HILARIOUS

[@bass-dc9175]

I was THIS sure that he would start to rant about how his mother was a hamster and his father smelled of elderberries.

[@rosswalenciak3739]

Yes, the smoothest sponsor transition I've ever seen.

[@valhar2000]

That was really good!

[@Immopimmo]

I usually skip sponsor segments but the skit made me watch the whole thing. 👍

[@vaughnjohnson8767]

And that segway tho

[@Merilirem]

Ah yes, the Murder Stick. Definitely better than nun-chucks.

[@carsonrush3352]

I was drinking water when I saw your comment, and you almost shot that out of my nose. Well done.

[@seanheath4492]

Idunno. What if you're chucking the nun from Blues Brothers?

[@vaughnjohnson8767]

Yes. Absolutely murdering someone with that weapon from hell is definitely better than the ‘stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself’ weapon any day.

[@russiancheems2275]

Shad explains why bonk is good for 30 mins

[@libertyprime2013]

How many nuns could a nun Chuck if it could Chuck would Chuck nuns?

[@johnquiett1085]

Ages ago, when I was in college I had a professor who said this was his favorite weapon. He posited that the hammer was the only intended striking end. The 'beak' and spike where just tools. Use the beak to take down horsemen. The spike for mercy when you had an opponent on the ground. Or tearing up doors and such with the beak and spike.

[@stealthbrawler]

To be fair a soldier would see the killing potential this weapon has overall and its very likely a lot of people woulf get stabbed, hooked amd hammered whether they were horseman, soldier, door, or other. Armored individuals would probably get hammered or maybe spiked through a opening if it exists. Though shad discussed that already

[@TheStarMachine2000]

Shad: *Waves pointy whacking portion at own face* Also Shad: "Everything is Death!"

[@Heylon1313]

You know the transition to the sponsor read is expertly made when the viewer can clearly tell what is coming but doesn't want to miss a second of it.

[@konstellashon1364]

Tried my best to keep my serious, bored face, but broke when he finally said vpn.

[@ledlebrgr5380]

Honestly, I didn't see it coming and I'm ashamed of myself for it

[@Amonimus]

I didn't know

[@codiserville593]

Oh yes

[@rambofan334]

You have officially made the most clever lead up to a sponsor I've ever seen.

[@ablethreefourbravo]

I wasn't even mad!

[@chyguy3776]

Not trying to advertise or talk down Shad here, but Atun-shei films has a video titled “My opinion on the Confederate flag” and the ad lead up he had there was HYSTERICAL

[@alexanderarmageddon1467]

Not gonna lie, I was impressed with that buildup.

[@the_furry_inside_your_walls639]

Note to self: Virtual Private Castles absolutely, totally existed back then because Shad said so.

[@andrewking6178]

I could feel the moment when Shad smashed glass in his garden into a million pieces. Thought it makes me old but then I realised I´m watching guys messing about with swords in medival costumes and I feel 10 years younger again.

[@afinoxi]

"Thats just unfair !" -English soldier before getting his head split open , Battle of Agincourt , colourised.

[@josiahricafrente585]

Agincourt was an English win, though.

[@afinoxi]

@@josiahricafrente585 I mean the weapon's name is French and the battle that my mind defaults to when someone says French vs English is Agincourt lol Though , then again , both sides lost soldiers. English didn't walk off without casualties.

[@archlorddestin]

Considering how few English died at Agincourt, probably not.

[@josiahricafrente585]

@@afinoxi that’s very true.

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

A lot of people are sore losers when they are in a battle.

[@salara2748]

That is by far the greatest NordVPN AD I’ve ever seen!

[@markallen6433]

How is this not getting more attention? Fucking epic. Liked and subscribed as soon as I realized what was going on at the first "virtual private castle." What a fucking Shad.

[@BobT36]

You need to go watch Internet Historian's :D

[@salara2748]

@@BobT36 which video is it?

[@BobT36]

@@salara2748 Ah m8 I linked them to you but it either got eaten by KZbin, or the channel. Poss too many links. Either ways yeah both IH and Flashgits are using the new style of "ad" (basically a funny skit rather than reading from the script). Glad to see Shad doing it too. Although goofy they can be pretty funny, and much more interesting than the old wannabe standard promo method. It actually makes you want to watch them. And heh, I bet the Frenchman will be turning up more often.

[@TelsMaviston]

You haven't heard of the Nordverse over on Critical Role then. They have an entire, ongoing storyline involving a bunch of hackers fighting over control of the Ultra Codex, including dramatic betrayals, romance, and sudden twists. Also a guest appearance by Matthew Lillard.

[@ModifyBankai]

I've never seen Shad so happy to talk about a pickaxe.

[@mRibbons]

Corbin is my first name. The name itself means "a raven" and derives from the Latin word "corvus". I didn't know about it's usage in French or it being a badass weapon. Pretty cool. Thanks Shad!

[@teathesilkwing7616]

I thought you said “goblin” and was really confused why your parents would hate you so much

[@shivam_k09]

These Monty Python and the holy grail style skits in between are just wonderful mate

[@uberXserial]

A very fine segue into the ad.

[@brentbourgoine5893]

Absolutely. Saw the ad coming a mile away, but the skit beforehand was definitely fun.

[@HrHaakon]

Isn't the first one from the three musketeers?

[@Elementaro17]

Agreed, could use a few more lapel mic's though or a good boom mic lol

[@bryanthardin8481]

@@uberXserial hau hau hau

[@natehammar7353]

The look on Shad’s face after hitting the printer and realizing his kids might run through the debris field barefoot... 😳🥺😖😣😔

[@natehammar7353]

“Crap!”

[@earlofbroadst]

Boi's gonna be out vacuuming the backyard!

[@s8theninjawarrior916]

"Ah... shit... my wife's gonna kill me..." is probably what was going on in his head 😂

[@WhimsyCourier]

@@earlofbroadst LOL Yes!

[@KairuHakubi]

He's gonna have a bigger cleanup on his hands after the big match against CGNU.

[@loma-ep7ne]

Men, I'm French, and that's fucking fun to hear you told "bec de Corbin" I love the way that you say it

[@feekygucker2678]

I’m a little amazed you haven’t covered this one until now. It’s a gruesomely effective tool of war.

[@LadyBirdieBop]

“EVERYTHING IS DEATH!” needs to be a new Shad t-shirt

[@styxspeedrun]

With a bec du corbin with 1 metric ton of arrows pointing to parts with text saying: death, heres death, also death, did i say this part is death too?, death here too, did i hear death?... And so on

[@trixibankos8118]

YES PLS I WANT THIS SHIRT

[@Drag7on]

And somewhere with crows beak.

[@DeusEversor]

@tsukinohime3 with a picture of Shads face when he speaks those words :D

[@michagruzewski5592]

Thats basicly Warhammer. Both weapon and universe.

[@sternis1]

Shads neighbours: "Honey, there's two of them now. And they're having a go at some old drawers"

[@KnightofLondor]

"This is getting out of hand. Now there are two of them!"

[@serlusacan3880]

@@KnightofLondor what do we do

[@danny_decheeto8300]

@@serlusacan3880 call the cavalry

[@serlusacan3880]

@@danny_decheeto8300 muster the rohirrim we ride for the shadlands

[@SimuLord]

@@danny_decheeto8300 Cavalry ain't gonna do you no good with a spiked polearm convincing the horse to bugger off.

[@WolfMimirMori]

Thank you for making a funny sponsor bit. So few actually bother to make a skit out of it and just read out what they need from said sponsor. Kudos!

[@nerrickk9024]

I thought a rondel was a dagger, so imagine my surprise when I realized it was called that because of its circular crossguard / pommel.

[@epicrotfl7017]

I never knew the name of this weapon, but I always thought it was pretty cool. What’s even cooler is that the Frenchman plot line is still going, and the virtual private castle thing is the best promo I’ve ever seen.

[@haillobster7154]

Especially when you recognise the castle in the distant background.

[@epicrotfl7017]

@@haillobster7154 yeah, I saw it the first time he did it. The Shadiverity lore is really getting fleshed out.

[@grantpflum6844]

"That's just not fair!" The reaction every spearman gets when he shows up to a swordfight!

[@LordArchadeas]

The Bec De Corbin was a sort of precursor to the Lucerne hammer(Which I personally love). Yes, the spike was more widely used, but it was used against lighter armored targets(gambeson, mail, even some segmented armors) as well as mounted soldiers, to drag them down, similar to the bill hook, where the hammer section was used against plate, shields, and skulls. The top spike is obvious in its use as a thrusting weapon and sometimes for bracing against cavalry if the shaft was long enough, though spears and pikes were far better for this, primarily winged or partisan spears(bracing had a high chance of breaking the shaft). The main benefit of the Lucerne hammer over the Crows beak is that the lucerne's pronged hammer head was primarily for defeating helmets, catching and damaging plate armor, and to lighten the head to make a more agile pole weapon. I am no expert, but I appreciate the great historical pole hammers.

[@aham2903]

The epitome of an "I want my cake and eat it too" weapon.

[@lennertvanherk7926]

"You can call it whatever you want" Then I call it Jack, it will be my Jack hammer.

[@jjkthebest]

Zis is not a Jack hammer. Zis is un Jaque hammeur

[@Asertix357]

@@jjkthebest I don't know which one of you to boo harder right now.

[@dinamosflams]

@@jjkthebest ohn-honhonhonhonhonhonhon…

[@darkskyinwinter]

Oh no! Medieval ages how could you miss this awesome name? The Crowberd! Noooo oh why isn't this historically accurate yet?!?

[@jannemerilainen6988]

@@darkskyinwinter i'm yoinking this. 😁 Thank you kindly, good man.

[@akaviral5476]

The internet has given me a video about a medieval weapons called the Crow's Beak along with an international dispute between the Australians and the French. I love the Internet.

[@azarty4179]

Doing a research essay on the khopesh, would be curious to hear your take on the weapon and it's effectiveness.

[@concept5631]

How'd the essay go?

[@valanshard2105]

Also thank you for the smash tests, that really brightened my day

[@luzfire7523]

The Billhook is just Baby's first Polearm, while the professionals order One of THESE

[@maeton-gaming]

Ahh yes the My Little Squire starting pack

[@luzfire7523]

@@maeton-gaming The Premium edition includes a Billhook, a Shortsword and a pony, for your young Knights-to-be

[@kamikaze5528]

"You can call it whatever you like!" Ok, I'll call it George.

[@JasonCummer]

Out of the newer videos this format is WAY better then the cut out still image ones. Thanks. I think I need to model that weapon for a game now

[@chonconnor6144]

Your theory of armor attack relating to layout of weapons on the head is very intriguing. Putting the narrow spike on top is the best placement as its equally good against all softer armours with a narrow profile to pierce and yet not get stuck in plate.

[@connerhuntington6094]

“I brought the katana” “Are you a weeb?” Brilliant

[@Snowfireblues]

I don't really understand this culture of shitting on the katana, but waxing poetic about the other single-edged swords, such as the Sabre (be they straight or curved), the Scimitar, the Cleaver Falchion, the Messer and its variants (Lange Messer, Große Messer, etc...), the Chinese Dao, etc.... Many of these, as single-edged swords, either do effectively the same as the katana but look different (looking at the Messers), or sacrifice one or more aspects of the single-edged sword design to enhance other aspects (sacrificed length or cutting capacity to improve maneuverability, in the case of the curved sabres and scimitars. Sacrificed lightness/maneuverability, or thrusting capacity, to gain cutting capacity in the case of Cleaver Falchions and Dao). Yes, Katanas get insane praise, and in the same vein get insane hate. It's all a matter of trade-offs, but also availability of material and technology of the time when the weapon was designed. Why is the Katana still soo popular today despite there being supposedly objectively better options for a cutting sword? 1.It does it's job as a cutting sword well enough (yes there are better in raw cutting ability) 2. User Friendliness: It's design is conducive to the technique you're supposed to use, reason why you see soo many inexperienced users do surprisingly well with a katana as opposed other swords. 3.Ease of carry/living: its small handguard and relatively slim design makes it surprisingly easy to carry around when compared to similar swords. To give you an idea of just how much you were supposed to live with your sword, Iaido has a few katas that go over cases where you are drinking tea and have to draw your sword (which you don't have at hand) to defend yourself quickly. It is supposed to be a sword you take with you EVERYWHERE. 4.Ease of access: People are aware of them and their legend, as such it is easier to find sellers for them. 5. Looks: They look fantastic IMO. Is it the best? Depends on what you're looking for, but for raw battlefield viability, no. Modern viability? No. If anything the viability of any and all melee weapons as a whole in modern times is,rather moot. But if you were to ask me what would be the most viable single-bladed sword-like weapon in modern times is; I'd probably say that the common machete is up there (chainsaws don't count). Despite lacking a handguard and in most cases any and all thrusting capabilities; it more than makes up for it in toughness, ease of use, ease of repair, ease of purchase and cutting ability (thanks to it's weight distribution, reason why it is often used to chop wood when an axe is unavailable). The lack of handguard and otherwise defensive design choices are less relevant when most people don't carry swords nor know how to fight with them, therefore the ease of maintenance and cutting ability are more important, as you'll likely use it for chopping grass, branches, and wood, when not in the extremely rare case of fighting people to the death with it (and with it's cutting ability, any hit on an unarmored target is likely to result in a fatal wound if not a severed limb altogether). Is it the worst? It depends on what you're looking for, but again... no. It does everything well enough to be a serviceable weapon, but on that same vein it doesn't quite excel at anything in particular. End of the day, it comes down to preference, bc no one is dueling to the death with swords anymore.

[@user-wr6tc4tw2t]

@Albert Fels katanas cut through machinegun barrels? People that make these claim watched too many anime

[@RannonSi]

@@user-wr6tc4tw2t Dunno, pretty sure I saw it happen on TMNT back in the days! ;)

[@user-wr6tc4tw2t]

@@RannonSi TMNT is cartoon right, same as anime, fiction

[@RannonSi]

@@user-wr6tc4tw2t Not at all, it's American fiction, big difference! ;) Which I actually think might (depending on when it was done) be even more predisposed towards viewing Katanas as some kind of otherworldly weapon.

[@angryginger791]

I'm pretty sure we argue about these names and definitions much more today than they ever did back when these weapons were used.

[@Riceball01]

Which makes me wonder what they were called back in their day. We know that various kinds of swords were commonly just called a sword but what did they call these various pole arms since (I'm assuming) many of these were used at the same time.

[@VoresD]

@@Riceball01 Considering now days most use "Gun" or if they are feeling particularly specific "Rifle" and "Pistol" I'm not holding my breath for anything fancy

[@MrPepepe666]

@@VoresD Yea. exactly. Like "give me the gun, Tommy!" -"Oh, you mean the Revolver?" *Gunshot in the head

[@seineemilenz2677]

I like to imagine they orderd: "a long shaft, spike on top, hammer on one side, beak on the other." "Like the one Tommy has?" "Yeah... plus a rondellguard."

[@Zand3rParkour]

Also, while we're talking about under appreciated polearms, can we get a video on the Bardiche? Don't recall you ever covering it.

[@maxmouse713]

I think I can say, without any reservation, that I have at last found what is definitely my favorite medieval battlefield weapon of all time. That thing is super awesome. Actual crows (& ravens) are adaptive, tool using birds; so the idea of adapting to enemies with the correct part of the weapon is quite fitting.

[@trogdor8764]

Shad: "This thing is so dangerous! Every side of it is death!" Also Shad: *Swings it around and gesticulates around the pointy ends constantly throughout the video*

[@ClarkKulper]

Shad laughs at danger

[@somerandomidiot9064]

@@ClarkKulper nah, shad IS danger

[@minecraft2895]

"Everywhere is death!" Will be the warcry of my Bec-De-Corbin wielding fighter in Pathfinder now, thanks Shad XD

[@Scum8ag]

Can I just say, I love the way Shad says “Okay”?

[@en-men-lu-ana6870]

Literally one of my favourite weapons of all time, so I'm glad to see it talked about.

[@spook233]

My reenactment group trained with halberds, our main safety lesson was to NOT use the hook to pull behind the opponent's knee. It's super-effective for pulling a person down

[@rainsmith4460]

Seems also like hooking an opponents hands helmet or weapons would be very effective

[@johanrunfeldt7174]

This is exactly how Viking era Scandinavian children were taught to wrestle. They were told all the dirty tricks, and then the adult said: Never use these tricks, when you are wrestilng for sport. On the other hand, if you're grappling for life and death, you better use every one of them.

[@sfriedrice4445]

These intros are just getting better and better. Im lovin then

[@markbyrd7710]

More like a dweeb...

[@sanstheskeleton5806]

Up top

[@henrypaleveda7760]

I've liked this weapon for a long time, and similar weapons, but never knew it's name until watching this; thank you Shad for being informative on such a consistent basis!

[@plixeon]

This has always been my favorite weapon, along with the lochaber axe. Thank you.

[@pater6028]

I love the whole “virtual private castle” story just for an sponsorship.

[@hatalmas]

Best executed vpn sponsor spot i've seen so far :)

[@pater6028]

@@hatalmas tru

[@grzegorzdomagala9929]

i bet somebody will call his product that shortly - the phrase is too good to ignore...

[@biblequotesdaily6618]

every self respecting medieval history buff laughs at a good monty python bit

[@josephradley3160]

And even those with no self respect

[@1mag1nat1vename]

That shill, tho... Perfection

[@gwendolynerosehand54]

@@1mag1nat1vename Agreed, haha-- That is how I want to see commercials: RELEVANCY TO OUR LIFESTYLE!

[@TheWhiskyDelta]

Random commentary: Shorter hafts seem to be associated with more armour and vice versa. The biggest halberd users, the swiss, often lacked significant armour likely resulting in longer haft length, while poleaxes would be used more by fully armoured man-at-arms favouring the more controllable shorter handle. By and large most accounts I can find seem to suggest that hooks on weapons (even when simply straight spikes) tended be used as exactly that first as a way to either get enemies to ground or pull riders from horses etc. rather then to actually injure or kill. It's worth noting they seem to have become very popular on weapons only really after plate started to become common (despite not being a great choice to injure plate), likely because such knights were sufficiently durable that getting them to ground was needed before killing was really viable (or at least was a better choice). In a similar vein the end spikes seem to originate for the sake of driving into an opponent on the ground moreso then for use as a spear, before polearms were popular many infantry carried a small club with a spike on the end which would be used specifically for this purpose. As with a hook the poor effectivness vs plate makes direct spear-usage a sub-par choice.

[@DavidGuild]

I mean it does seem that the less armor I have, the more I want to keep enemies away from me. So that checks out. Very good points about hooks and spikes. Honestly with how easily Shad's weapon got stuck in things, I have to wonder if it was ever used like that, or if it was just a flatter version of hook.

[@meeb_consumer]

Spikes are extremely underrated weapons

[@aristotlespupil136]

Shad's neighbour: there's a weird bee keeper... oh wait... he's armed and smashing furniture... while talking to himself

[@deogthepoeg7872]

Mud Crab you know they can film their parts separately and edit them together right?

[@Cru128]

Literally everyone: Has swords Shad: Has a Bec De Corbin Shad again: "Parry this you filthy casual!"

[@afinoxi]

Me , pulling out my caestus : *Bring it*

[@josephburchanowski4636]

No need to parry when you can fly and breath fire. Behold the infamous question: *But what about Dragons?*

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

Why parry when you can shield bash?

[@danny_decheeto8300]

@@TheKing-qz9wd a fellow conqueror main

[@TheKing-qz9wd]

@@josephburchanowski4636 All dragons get a spear to the nape

[@kelvaxmiller8963]

Finally, some respect for the bec. This is my absolute favorite weapon of all time, thank you for this.

[@sunnydustwood252]

The Bec De Corbin is truly my favorite weapon right next to the Rapier. Beautifully made and definitely on my list to obtain in the future

[@semperadiuvans]

That is the best ad integration I've ever seen Shad, you're not a sellout, you're an artist

[@brainfat1]

Linus Tech Tips has entered the chat

[@tavasp]

Like his brother jazza

[@LaggyKar]

And then there is Terrible Writing Advice

[@jean-sebastienmatte2358]

Shad seems to want to compete with Internet historian for that NordVPN cash.

[@ryanbagley3293]

This has the best VPN commercial skit I’ve ever seen holy crap

[@edwhite7078]

Oh check out the internet historian. Apparently those southern sea content creators really make great ad reads

[@damavlog1983]

Love your rants informative and entertaining.

[@Terratops474]

I'm not in a position to watch this right now, but I love the idea of taking a stick and strapping every pointy thing within reach to it. 10/10.

[@connerhuntington6094]

I would love to see a “Medieval Myth Busters” where Shad just breaks things with various medieval weaponry

[@captainmaim]

Historical European Furniture Busters?

[@Robert_Rankin]

YEESSS!!!!

[@Zazu1337]

I am German and I still shivered every time he said "Corbin". If there is a language called Antifrench I'm sure Shad is fluent in it.

[@rizzaiilecheum9655]

I'm french and it's super effective against me

[@kmech3rd]

Bec de Corbyn is what I kept hearing... A left wing MP's weaponized nose.

[@azchris1979]

Care to enlighten us?

[@thossi09]

@@azchris1979 "corbin" in French sounds more like "corban". I think. What do I know, though, I'm not French and only had French for two years at school I graduated from in 1999, and haven't used since. Also, since I'm not a native English speaker/writer either, my attempt to write it phonetically could be even further off for any native English speakers/readers.

[@TheRockyRacoon92]

@@thossi09 It's old French ( in morden french we say "corbeau"), but if it's supposed to sound like it is written it should be corb-[ɛ̃] , no english words with that sound come to my mind, but in french, it's the same sound as in "un","pain","main","chien".

[@derrulor]

Algorithm works again, I've subscribed to this channel for a long time and now I've been suggested this 3 year old video. All the best and don't give up

[@danielsurvivor1372]

This weapon is op. It has Slash, Smash and Stab type of damage

[@Solidfact42]

"Everywhere is death!" My current favorite Shad quote.

[@shadfacts6465]

Shad Fact: Shad recently broke a world record by catching 30 arrows and two bullets fired at him.

[@fearofworlds2527]

What a guy

[@afinoxi]

Shad the chad

[@asz3337]

The record was shortly after put to irrelevance after the same amount of projectiles were fired on Jörg Sprave where they just bounced off! 🤣

[@Guderian2]

In under a minute?

[@halbkuppe4895]

@@asz3337 the arrows were fired by jörg in the first place

[@ablethreefourbravo]

I've seen these, but never knew what they were called! Thank you for this video, Shad!

[@abdul-qadirjabaar6721]

This sponsor is the product of giving a creative writer free reign. Bloody brilliant

[@saurianwatcher4437]

This is honestly the BEST VPN ad I have EVER seen, nicely done Shad.

[@Ganliard]

One of the best I have seen indeed, almost as good as Jay Foreman's ads

[@robertlewis6915]

It's up there with Internet Historian, and equally on- brand.

[@user-pj1ec5om5g]

“What if I ask a blacksmith to make the murder stroke into a weapon?”

[@SpeargrassForge]

We would ask WHICH murder stroke weapon.?

[@user-pj1ec5om5g]

@@SpeargrassForge Knight: Yes.

[@wellhello1575]

Thanks Shad. added the Bec de Corbin to my home-brew rules.

[@charleslyonii9672]

I really appreciate your analysis and not wanting to misinform people, Shad.

[@cerabraladventures]

Shad Fact: Shad round house kicked the Evergreen ship to get it moving again. #facts

[@spyrofrost9158]

Wouldn't have happened if they had machicolations on the ship

[@cerabraladventures]

@@spyrofrost9158 very true... MACHICOLAAAAAAAATTTIIIIOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNSSAH

[@jarkkopolicarpio2965]

Having something like a Virtual Private Castle just sounds like a cool concept for fantasy magic haha

[@nroke1684]

Mordenkainen’s magnificent mansion.

[@immortaliron2475]

Ok, I’m using one of these in a game I’m working on. Thanks for introducing this to me.

[@SerialChiller1000]

The concept of a pole hammer is brilliant to me. The blunt, yet concentrated, force of a hammer, and the piercing capability of a spear with hook or spike on the back for getting around worn or wielded armor.

[@wolframschoninger3953]

Shad: "EVERYWHERE IS DEATH!" Me: Hm sounds a lot like Australia...

[@EliteWarrior1026]

Me, who's obsessed with fantasy Dwarves: "Write that Down! Write that Down!" Seriously though. Dwarves and war hammers are iconic, plus it's got a good bit of reach to make up for their shorter limbs! I feel Dwarves would appreciate a versatile weapon with so many options when it comes to killing their foes. Same for poleaxes.

[@forlornfoe352]

I would absolutely love to see dwarves depicted with hammers like this instead of the stupid stubby mallets and oversized sledgehammers. Being master smiths I'm sure they would make different tools for war.

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

@@forlornfoe352 A lot of depictions are made into miniatures and there has to be a certain look to them a small but round dwarf would look comical with a realistic size weapon and one with bec de corbin would look like a man-at-arms rather than the viking style expected of them. I think you would feel conflicted or even disappointed especially with the nonmatching weapons and armor.

[@forlornfoe352]

@@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681 Disagreed on dwarves looking comical with proper polearms, of course the weapons should be made to fit their shorter height but pretty sure a dwarf pike wall or halberdiers would be scary as hell. Their short stature but heavy build might actually help with polearm handling, low point of balance and plenty of arm strength. Viking-style dwarves? Never thought of them that way, vikings used a lot of spears and bows, but no heavy armour or warhammers. I always considered dwarves late medieval - early renaissance since they have metal shields, advanced armour and crossbows (plus gunpowder). Sure they got the slayer/berserker trope of half-naked all offensive maniacs but those were rare even amongst vikings.

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

@@forlornfoe352 Yes, thats why I referred to you thinking that way if you saw an actual model or picture. Your arguments are valid, just not hitting the nail here.

[@forlornfoe352]

@@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681 I suppose we have very different sense of aesthetics then, but would not be the first time I miss all the nails. I have actually drawn dwarves with polearms and played games like Dragon's Dogma & Dragon Age as a zweihander dwarf.

[@OBXDewey]

What a blast! I think the large falchion (demonstrated on Modern History TV) and the bec de corbin are my favorites. I gained a new respect for this weapon. What a hoot. Thank you.

[@guardsman-against-the-chaos]

KZbinr actually recommend an old shad video :)

[@slimee8841]

Random medieval warrior: hahahaha nothing can damage me through this armour! Crow's beak: *bonjour*

[@corazzinatanner498]

French = Bec De Corbin English = Crows Beak American = Spikey Hammer on a stick

[@rockbottom2822]

Oh no. Americans would call it the "Fubar".

[@blackjacktrial]

Australian = snake poking stick

[@JimmyStiffFingers]

Quality content, Shad.

[@kwmcgreal]

This would be my weapon of choice. Good to see you guys having some good old destructive fun out there!