We made swords for THE WITCHER by NETFLIX

Witcher by Netflix, starring Henry Cavill was a stand out series for 2019/20. Nick Jeffries as HOD of the Armoury Department / Weapons Designer and myself, as maker of many of the hero props, are two guys heavily involved in the show, and in this film, we have a ‘show and tell’ about Geralt’s weapons.
As we both have an intimate knowledge of the thinking, design and manufacture of the weapons, we know more about these pieces than anyone, and here we share our thoughts over a table full of original props.
With many thanks to Netflix for allowing us to make and share this video. www.netflix.com
Henry Cavill explains about the Witcher swords in this official Netflix video here • Henry Cavill Explains ...
Henry Cavill breaks down the Blaviken fight scene and discusses visual effects in this official Netflix video here • Henry Cavill Breaks Do...
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[@ineffect121]

I actually didn't know Tod did the witcher swords. Awesome show and tell.

[@Raz0rking]

He did say it once in a earlier video

[@l0rdkiwi]

Me neither 🤯

[@LoganKaneRhodesCSMR]

Yeah same here- I love the witcher series though- games and the show. it's all great. and I think they have done a great job on the show

[@joejoelesh1197]

Ya, I was this old when I found out

[@kamilszadkowski8864]

The Netflix tv-series is absolutely terrible in general but at least some of the fighting scenes are really good.

[@richardmmckinstry7490]

"A Witcher may forget to eat to drink to breathe even, but a Witcher never forgets to care for his sword". Especially as Tod made such a beauty. Edited to the correct quote

[@rinflame44]

Amazing work! I am hoping for a Shad response to the back scabbard.

[@gallaros9]

There better be a Tod Cameo in the next witcher. Working a forge in the background or something like that

[@Trollvolk]

Some crossbow man in the Background XD or a smith in the rear of a scene doing his business.

[@RaphYkun]

@@Trollvolk credit him as a longbowman, but he has a cross bow

[@justacomment1657]

Someone should write a mail to cdpr

[@DarthBop]

With a lockdown longbow!

[@angrypotato_fz]

@@RaphYkun Brilliant! :D

[@scholagladiatoria]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing.

[@benholroyd5221]

In what context?

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks Matt; appreciated and hopefully more to come

[@Demoliri]

Always great to get an inside view into what happens behind the scene's. Also, love your work Matt!

[@mariobenedicto3582]

@@tods_workshop About the backscabbard, Tod... have you seen already seen Shad's backscabbard? What do you think of it? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zna6mmV6o6mil6s

[@MrMartinSchou]

​@@mariobenedicto3582 You could probably make Geralt's back scabbard more functional (for the steel sword at least), if you stole the magnet idea from Shad's design. If it's strong enough you'd also avoid the need for the band it has, which would make it easier to sheathe into.

[@smilodnfatalis55]

It's always nice to hear people explicitly say without any prompting that a bigshot actor like Henry is a polite person. It's just heartwarming to know a person who could very easily be a scumbag is actually a sweetheart.

[@fattiger6957]

Based off everything I've seen of him, Henry Cavil just seems like a nice, down to earth guy.

[@thomastheisman1751]

I've never seen anything bad about him.

[@Sk0lzky]

Being a sweetheart and being polite are two different things, you can be very rude sweetheart and a polite peace of shit ;)

[@Sk0lzky]

@@thomastheisman1751 the good old school of fame, be polite, careful and unintrusive, you're an actor not an omniscient being around which world revolves with a mission to fix everything and everyone. It's a real shame that nowadays this approach is so rare, that we feel the need to endlessly praise people who represent it

[@JjackVideo]

I don't doubt them, but if you want future gigs, it's pretty much the only way forward.

[@froschnmaximus9108]

As an interrested person in cinema and history. this is the 'behind the scene' content i want to watch. Awesome work and thanks for sharing this!

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and check this out as well kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3eUh3mieNN_h5Y

[@froschnmaximus9108]

@@tods_workshop Have seen when it came out, subscribed since your 1000lbs crossbow-vids. I had worked in in a (big) theater, at a short film projekt and also done some medival/viking-reenactment as hobby, so there is a lot i can relate.

[@AUTOBOTGJB1997]

I had a suspicion Tod made these props as I'm pretty sure I saw one of his folding knives in the show

[@tods_workshop]

You did

[@grumples1517]

What episode?

[@Visitingwombat]

I'll be damned props for recognising

[@grumples1517]

@@Visitingwombat lol...props

[@andrewrobinson4019]

Now, I fully understand what they mean when they say “the real sword” or “the real chain” (being opposed to the rubber versions), but each time they said it, I had to stifle the thought, ‘oh! that’s the *real* chain that the *real* Geralt of Rivia used!’ Like I’m watching Forgotten Weapons or something.

[@Isambardify]

This guy has a fantastic accent to be talking about witcher-ing with.

[@davethepants]

witchow worwd

[@TurinTuramber]

I saw the daggers, I instantly thought *bottle opener*

[@Seelenschmiede]

Blade stopper at day, bottle opener at night! It is daggerman!

[@Wormweed]

I really liked how realistic the swords were in Witcher, makes sense now that i know you made them. I hope more movies and shows start using realistic swords like this.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and so do I - its good for business

[@mishmashmedley]

Absolutely Amazing, Tod! I really want to see Tod in a bit part as a village smith....

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and that would be fun, but no one knocking down my door yet

[@raics101]

Hey, if there was a petition to put Ian McCallum in a bond movie I'm sure we can do one to put Tod in the witcher :)

[@Seelenschmiede]

@@raics101 it was about Ian in a Wick movie

[@raics101]

@@Seelenschmiede So it was, thanks.

[@Jacob-W-5570]

I didn't know Tod made the swords for the Witcher, that is so cool. and did I hear that season two is being filmed! You can clearly see the difference with the silver, Tod you almost blinded us there :P

[@lukeorlando4814]

Yes Tod accidentally slipped and told us some time ago that he was making the weapons for season 2 before season 2 had been announced.

[@tods_workshop]

Actually I thought I had and had to check, but the news was already out there but it had me worried for a moment

[@clayclymer]

@@tods_workshop the detail on the swords is amazing. And I whole heatedly agree with using actual silver plating for the silver sword. Some people may look at it as an unnecessary expense but for show with as much CGI as the witcher has in it. Having a legitimate prop to properly do light reflection and color tones is a godsend for any visual effects artist. You're helping those poor overworked souls more than you'll ever know I guarantee!

[@averyshaw2142]

I thought the title meant you recreated swords from the Witcher, I didn’t know you were the guy who actually did them. Congrats and well done!

[@_aullik]

I would really like a "collab" with you and Henry Cavill, I would not be surprised if he does that.

[@hansvonmannschaft9062]

There's certainly a match there. Other than Henry's most likely overloaded agenda getting in the way, we'd have two (three) extremely talented and humble-hearted fellows here.

[@JanPospisilArt]

"The Youth of Rivia" I can't help but imagine an early 90s tv show in the vein of Beverly Hills, 92010. :))

[@kristjanbrezovnik6485]

Waiting for Shad to compare this back scabbard design to his own ...

[@leadpaintchips9461]

Ya, that would be cool to see!

[@SneakyBadAssOG]

This seems like a really good scabbard for pulling out the blade thanks to the hinge mechanism, but awful at putting it back, which is probably why we didn't see it in a show.

[@stephen9894]

@@SneakyBadAssOG yeah. Whilst it is doable it would look incredibly clumsy, which is fine from a practical point but not a production point - you don't really care how long it can take to put your weapon away as you're probably safe when doing it.

[@Straightfromthehorsesmouth]

@@stephen9894 i guess even if you were in safe situation, like anything that takes a long time to do; putting it away in real life would eventually become a pain in the arse. I expect eventually once the novelty had worn off you would be thinking why am I bothering when I could just use a normal one.

[@stephen9894]

@@Straightfromthehorsesmouth Oh yeah. I just mean if it takes like 20 seconds to do instead of the regular 5 but the rest of it is more convenient then you would consider it. If it is taking around 5 minutes to put your sword away then you're just not going to carry it like that except on rare occasions.

[@ericpraline]

I‘ll be honest this kind of blew my mind

[@KT-ur7pi]

Nick was really interesting, to hear another side of how weapons are deployed in film making opened my eyes to how much thought and skill goes into a convincing chop chop. Many thanks guys

[@houserootie]

I would very much like to see more of this behind the scenes prop talk. Please keep going, very interesting!

[@tods_workshop]

There may be more coming.....

[@andrewmartin3671]

Nick Jeffries: If you chop enough pieces off I'm sure it will get close to killing it. King Arthur: Who are you, who are so knowledge in the ways of science?

[@meanmr.mustard1606]

I had no idea you were the smith that made those swords Tod, fantastic work as always.

[@tl8211]

About the weapons being similar, I imagine it would be the case in real life too: you would probably always want to have your next weapon as similar as possible in balance and profile to the old one. A very interesting point.

[@KateVeeoh]

Wonderful stuff, Tod! Tremendously interesting to hear the what and why explained behind film props, and the masses of research that go into this. It's very easy for the public to criticize the look of a prop, but it isn't at all easy for a prop to fit the bill on all accounts. Excellent work!

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you and very well said.

[@gcvrsa]

As someone who studied Theatre Design at uni, I truly appreciate the level of effort you have put into balancing all requirements of realism and the practical needs of filming, staging, and safety. I think I will watch the series now, just because of this video. Knowing the amount of care that went into the production makes the show much more interesting to me.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and I hope you enjoy it - stick with it, it can be construing to get into but once you are at about episode 4 it all starts to fall into place

[@m.s.79]

If only they had also put you to work on the nilfgaard armors

[@clukskin]

what you dont think recycled tires make good armor?

[@HellYeahCorp]

The Nilfgaard armour has started to make a modicum of sense to me seeing it up close the second time around. It looks like leather was hastily wrapped over ¿steel? armour (probably as to make the armour black, not for armour value). With how rapidly Nilfgaard's army is expanding during the show, this would make sense. *Except for how much leather is needed for such an endeavour.* A bit of pre-industrial mass production.

[@janmikule582]

@@HellYeahCorp And it looks like a p*nis...

[@HellYeahCorp]

@@janmikule582 That's pareidolia.

[@quintoblanco8746]

@@HellYeahCorp The leather armor sort of exists in history. The crumpled ridges provide extra protection. The amount of leather wasn't a problem. Armies need to eat and armies would often travel with live stock since live stock can make food out of grass and a living cow doesn't spoil... Eat the cow, make armor from the skin. The armor looked bad though and really didn't make all that sense given the context, so I'm glad it's gone in season 2.

[@captainpuffinpuffinson4769]

Both swords are for monsters The silver and the steel

[@LednacekZ]

So, when are we getting Henry on the show?

[@Dreoni_]

Awesome insight! Would have liked to see the backscabbard in action though...

[@bastiancook4821]

Yes please!

[@tods_workshop]

That one was too beaten up and not sure any of them survived season 1 intact , but we will try

[@arthanor9631]

@@tods_workshop Demo with the man himself? Henry would probably make a few of your followers faint just by showing up. Would be amazing!

[@derstoffausdemderjoghurtis]

@@arthanor9631 let's take it slowly at first. What happens on this channel is a revolution and she is unfolding just right.

[@erykczajkowski8226]

@@tods_workshop Well, doesn't this mean this design is not functionally practical? If it's not usable after a few uses by actors with rubber and blunt swords how short would it serve a soldier let alone a witcher?

[@RyanRyzzo]

Tod has the permission to say Jerald's name any way he likes.

[@graceamstrong5875]

RyanRyzzo lol

[@p4radigm989]

Geralt is correct as he says it. You have been saying it wrongly, the setting of this show is like Eastern European, and that's how we say it.

[@yarugatyger1603]

He pronounces it correctly, it's just not as you'd say it in English but it's pretty accurate for the region that Geralt actually comes from.

[@RyanRyzzo]

@@yarugatyger1603 Betcha a surprise, that Geralt's name is inspired by a Soviet-era translation of an Irish legend about Gearóid Iarla (Earl Gerald mac Geralt).

[@DjDolHaus86]

His friends call him Geraldo. Behind his back. Quietly. When he's a long way away.

[@samcoote9653]

These swords are masterpieces Tod as always, you can definitely see why they look so perfect in the show!

[@watchonjar]

you can really tell how much these guys where dedicated to making the props both as high quality as possible but in making them as workable for film as possible.

[@StergiosMekras]

Geralt only kills monsters with his swords, it's just that some of them come in human form. Also, kinda surprised that Tod did the show's swords. Pleasantly so.

[@Jaeler9]

Well this answers a few things that Shadiversity brought up in his Witcher armor/weapon review. Can’t wait to see more!

[@yourgoodliness]

This was an interesting watch. I thank you both for the presentation (and Netflix, for allowing its production)

[@ahikernamedgq]

Todd, you have such interesting content normally. This view to your work on props, really just adds to how enjoyable your content is. Thanks so much for all your content, and for sharing visibility to the the props you made for The Witcher.

[@TheUncleRuckus]

This is why I love this channel!! Great video as always Tod 👍👍

[@biteme263]

Its nice to hear Henry treats the crew well. He seems like a pleasant man but you never really know.

[@SuperIperMegaTriper]

The best Geralt's power is putting out a sword from a back scabbard.

[@nick_steele9790]

I love this channel so much, it always brightens my day!

[@dropkick79]

Appreciate ALL your videos Tod, but this one was a pleasant surprise!

[@Kanner111]

This channel continues to be pretty much the first thing I will click on whenever anything new is up. *checks date* Or whenever the algorithm gets around to it. Regardless, always something interesting to see.

[@AllanMacMillan]

Great video, wonderful creations. I love the philosophy of making them real weapons. just like your other reproductions. "This is just from a history that never existed" Brilliant.

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you and that is genuinely what we try on do.

[@Yippidiyippida]

Amazing! I'm a huge fan of the show and to see the attention to detail that you put in is stunning. Also nice to see that historical armourer was in charge of creating the weapons rather than someone with absolutely no idea of their uses.

[@BjornFriborg]

Of course they had such a talented artist like yourself on such a great show. Thank you for these videos but also on the work you do on all these great shows

[@RyzawaVT]

I am genuinely surprised and simultaneously proud as the effort had clearly paid off!

[@TheManyManyMore]

This is some incredible content Tod. It’s a dream come true to hear more about thinking behind the scenes of the Witcher series. Can’t wait to learn more!

[@wea69420]

I KNEW IT! I had a hunch you had a hand in those pieces.

[@graceamstrong5875]

Fabián Riquelme liar, liar pants on fire! How could you just "know", eh?

[@tobin9575]

It was really clear that they gave a good second thought to all the props and damn it payed of. The Aesthetic was great, the only thing to question was the casting but who cares really, great outfits and swords are a big +

[@andrewnawarycz3026]

A lovely show and tell of previous work done by your hands, very well done!

[@TannithVQ]

Fascinating. I can't wait for series 2. I'll be looking out for your hand work.

[@mattchappell8086]

A genuinely interesting insight into the world of film/TV production. Thanks for sharing!

[@havekarworkshop]

Holy sh*t i had no idea! Lets watch Edit: yea, I just watched it and I must say that the backscabbard design is pretty genius with this hinge attached to it. Great work gentlemen

[@Omidion]

Thank you both, this was very interesting. I love seeing the craft side of the film production, the focus is always on the actors and the directors but there is a whole industry supporting them which is usually not even shown in "behind the scenes". Thank you for this cool glimpse.

Very cool that Tod is part of this very good production. Looking forward to see more of his work on the show.

[@keithallardice6139]

Wonderful content, a great peek behind the curtain ... I didn't know Tod had made the swords for The Witcher and am delighted to have the chance to see all this. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@bruceainsley8927]

I’m sure I saw some Tod Cutler daggers in the Witcher as well

[@NorfolkTears]

Really great video, lots of interesting insight into behind the camera stuff.

[@asheswright]

I really like the discussion going on here. You can hear the passion in their work.

[@Lurklen]

The collapsible rod method is good for another reason, it gives resistance and feed back to the actor doing the stabbing. The less the actor has to work on imagining the physical aspects of their work, the more they can concentrate on character work. Todd any chance you can get them to stop cutting through plate like it was cheese? (I kid) Glad to see more of the world is seeing the quality in your work we've all come to enjoy.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks for the comment and yes that is another reason

[@leelundkim4069]

Loving the left-right audio mix!

[@emknight84]

Fantastic work ....no wonder why the swords in the show look so good.

[@susanmaggiora4800]

So cool. Thank you for this awesome video, Tod!

[@justarandomname420]

Todd, you keep getting better and better! Greatful you share your work.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks-appreciated

[@Benzy670]

Oh man, I had no idea you were responsible for the show’s swords. That’s so awesome! Fantastic work and fantastic video.

[@DarkValorWolf]

Oh hell yes! this is absolutely amazing. And damn that dudes voice

[@blackenedragon23]

Mr. Panthro, you're my favourite Thundercat already, but now my admiration increases by knowing you created the Witcher's weapons.

[@NobleTreizeN13]

Fantasic work (and video)! I can't wait to see more of your creations in Season 2!!

[@adamberry3160]

Cheers tod, really enjoyed that, very interesting to learn how things are done on sets, and how problems are solved

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks

[@pRahvi0]

This is the best Witcher adverticement I've seen so far. Great stuff!

[@nokta7373]

Fantastic. Super interesting stuff. Would love more of these Tod. Thanks for sharing

[@tods_workshop]

More to come hopefully!

[@cameron5802]

Tod, I have been watching for sometime and was always a major fan of The Witcher series. To find out those two things have been connected all of the sudden was such a great surprise, no wonder all the weaponry in the show was so practical and realistic.

[@makanidemoulin7591]

Great video! Also got my Dirk I ordered from you today and it is spectacular! Keep it up

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you

[@jm9371]

WOW.... Love this inside look into what goes on behind the scenes in a major production like the Witcher series.. I am a HUGE Witcher fan!..

[@Incentiv]

Looks like I'll be watching the whole series again. Thanks for the informative video!

[@vechmaster]

I think this is possibly one of my favourite videos in the genre of "discussion of fantasy weapons". Because there's simply no "scoffing at the designs". I know in part it's because you designed them, but it's also the line (that I'll have to paraphrase) "these are designs from a different history". The effort put in to make these weapons feel realistic or at least fitting within a setting is admirable. Fantastic video, thank you!

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you and that is very kind and I really do feel that to be 'real' they need to be considered as real items and then something good comes out

[@vechmaster]

​@@tods_workshop I agree with that wholeheartedly

[@GandalfsHorse84]

Toss a coin to your Witcher sword maker

[@paddyhinton9665]

Late to catching this, amazed at the amount of work behind scenes. Fascinating.

[@Gynormus00]

Brilliant work and great show! Well done all around.

[@hackcult3738]

Tod looked so excited taking about this. Very good. Ty

[@jamessickmore236]

The witcher is gonna visit Tod's workshop to buy a sword in season 2 episode 3

[@BloodAsp]

NO WAY I did not realize you made that equipment, I actually just watched series 1 last month!!! I'm listening through the 105 hours of audio books right now too.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

Bravo Tod!! Take a (lockdown) bow for the work. Now I am inspired to go back and re-watch the show knowing you created Geralt's tools of the trade. Thanks also to Nick for his insights into the movie making world.

[@provenelk]

Anytime a KZbinr unjustly complains about movie swords I will link this video

[@tods_workshop]

And this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3eUh3mieNN_h5Y

[@ISellSigals]

Great video - had no idea you made these :) Great work.

[@Etherman7]

When I noticed that the blades in the witcher series looked more grounded in reality (and had neat unmentioned world building like the amulet from blaviken being worked into the crossguard) I wondered if Tod had something to do with it

[@regreegg]

This is awesome stuff. Thanks for the video, gents!

[@smilingmrj2019]

Great little expo, they looked great in the end production, and there

[@sidewindr5]

Absolutely loved hearing about this! Astounding Vid!

[@patrickmancini798]

Love the series, love your work, loved this video !!!

[@RRSmurf]

Great video and well spoken and explained!

[@ZarlanTheGreen]

I like the bit about the chopped off swords, and how they are used. Quite clever. Very sensible.

[@Elvirth24]

Even just within the world of the Witcher, it makes perfect sense to have your two swords as physically similar as possible to make your technique consistent with both. A nice and very logical touch.

[@mangalores-x_x]

Congrats and kudos for the work!

[@decode.666]

Damn! I didn't know you've made the props. That's really awesome! Amazing work. I remember telling my wife while watching, that the swords look functional, good blend of fantasy and realism. And also that back scabbard. I still remember writing to Lauren on Twitter, asking her to make the scabbard functional. She replied that it will be, but you know ... things may change. But DAMN!

[@astrobusa]

Excellent content. That was riveting. More please !

[@Shogun996]

I wondered if you had a hand in the swords back when I watched the show! You did great work Tod

[@ptonpc]

Really liked this video, seeing the 'behind the scenes'.

[@terkalameth]

Great designed swords! Loved it! I loved the fact that you addressed the reason behind the sword tips and length. It makes so much sense. My only complaint is that the scabbards function and look (with the fact that there is only 1 scabbard hanging from his back). At the end of the scabbard I can see a belt attachment to hold it in place. That is the thing I don’t like. I remember there is a scene where Geralt get down on his knee and we can see the scabbard bends with his arch and exposes the swords blade. It looks not good. There is a functional backscabbard design which Shadiversity came up with and I think that can be appliabled effectively for Geralts iconic TWO SWORDS ON HIS BACK look. Also based on that idea maybe there is a functional design for not one but two scabbards together. (I just think that one scabbard can be used to guide the sword to the other scabbard. Maybe?) Sorry for the long comment. Again I loved the designs.

[@FinjeFuchsherz]

I like the Design of the silversword. Especially the Blade Design its very nice! The sleek part near the Crossguard is really cool!

[@WolfSoulZell]

This is really cool! Didn't know Tod made all that! I gotta say though, whenever someone mentions back scabbards, I just think of Shad's design :)

[@Bloodline2009]

Just started watching the TV series and wondered if it was you who made their swords and stuff. Amazing work Tod.