Were Medieval Scabbards often BROKEN?

History has seen many types of scabbard designed for strength, but medieval scabbards were quite prone to damage. So did that matter?
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[@marting1056]

I´ve seen celtic scabbards in museums made of iron. constructed as two shells held together with a ringband which was part of the belt fixture, so they could easily opened for cleaning

[@AlexisB-gv1tk]

Indeed I wonder why this wasn't as common later on

[@nevisysbryd7450]

And other metals. The Kirkburn sword scabbard was some kind of copper alloy, I think?

[@nevisysbryd7450]

​@@AlexisB-gv1tk Cost, damage to the sword, and humidity levels. Metal is more expensive than most wood and leather/textile, especially prior to industrialized mining, refineries, water-powered smithing facilities, etc. With the decline of the Roman empire, especially, the trade networks and thus cost of certain goods and services were drastically altered. The relative cost of high quality pottery and glass increased immensely, for example. Metal scabbards are rougher on sword blades. Drawing and sheathing against metal tends to dull it faster than in scabbards made from other materials. Metal scabbards are terrible for trapping moisture, which is especially bad for iron and steel blades (as opposed to bronze). The scabbards themselves may react to the moisture as well, depending on the specific metal used. We often see some material changes in equipment in the UK as compared to continental Europe due to this (among other factors). I imagine metal scabbards largely made less economic sense with the economy and logistics of the Middle Ages as compared to Late Antiquity.

[@marting1056]

@@nevisysbryd7450 you are right, especially in great britain technologie was set back way back after the roman period. there were of course luxury goods still exchanged throughout europe, but everyday pottery fell back even behind the late celtic period. those iron scabbards i´ve seen were very easy to open and clean,, without tools, so i dont think they are more a danger than neglected wooden scabbards. and i´m guilty to neglect the latter, sword in the scabbard, and somehow moisture within and a start of rusting, it was only a blunt training sword, so not a big deal.

[@squarewheels2491]

@@nevisysbryd7450 I think the idea of climate can highlight more reasons. If your unarmored/ungloved in the cold and rain; nobody wants to grab a fully metal scabbard. Heat cycling, Ice and other things can really change how weapons survive in the field. Europe as a whole is a colder climate than Asia/Middle East. In the later Victorian era there's more indoors socializing so maybe drawbacks of metal scabbards might have become less pronounced. It's an interesting thread to tug.

[@kyuken893]

This is a public service announcement: Sheath your sword in a protective covering and practice safe swordplay.

[@l0rf]

Maximum penetration is only possible through maximum consideration.

[@kevinmorrice]

especially if you are using your sword with a partner or partners

[@TheSaneHatter]

You DO know what the Latin word for a sheath is, don’t you…? 😈

[@baltasartranconywidemann5129]

Do not let the tip get caught in a doorway or trodden on.

[@burnthemap]

Always respect Matt's willingness to admit what we DON'T know about history before sharing possible explanations. Too many are too sure they have all the answers. As another scabbard anecdote, I once picked up a basket-hilt broadsword from an old prop house that was clearing out inventory. It was fairly old, but between rough use and storage neglect the wood-and-leather scabbard had basically disintegrated. Easy to see how these objects would easily be damaged and destroyed in a campaign environment, or even hanging on a wall somewhere without modern climate controls.

[@bruceelliott4433]

Making a metal sheath without access to sheet metal is a very difficult and time consuming thing. It was probably just easier to make them from wood and leather then replace them when needed.

[@DinizCabreira]

This. Matt is over thinking this one.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

That doesn't really answer why they didn't do what the Mongolians did. You can still use iron to reinforce the scabbard without using sheet metal. But yes, I think it's pretty obvious why they didn't use the 19thC style full metal scabbard. Even though it's probably more about the welding the sheet closed over having access to sheet metal.

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

@@dogmaticpyrrhonist543 Yeah, but they knew to weld things, chain links, the flanges on mace needs, hand cannon. They could brazed the sheet metal together.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@@PJDAltamirus0425 Brazing would work. There's welding and welding though.They *could* do sheet metal, and they could do welding, but that construction would be a nightmare until more modern manufacturing comes along. But something like a brazed brass scabbard would be totally doable.

[@ArykSapien]

I really want a kydex scabbard wrapped in leather just because it’s so much more durable.

[@sawyere2496]

Good idea

[@kevincriswell4941]

I recently built one for my longsword. It is excellent for edge retention. I highly recommend if you have the means to make one

[@mattjack3983]

​@@kevincriswell4941that is such a good idea. I have 2 that I would really like something like that for.

[@b.h.abbott-motley2427]

Cheng Zongyou noted one advantage of leather sheaths/scabbards in 17th century: "Usually Long-Sabers [Japanese swords] all have wooden sheath. Though the Saber is held in the hand, the 3-feet sheath is still sashed horizontally at the waist. In the midst of a crowd, one will not be able to jump, to turn and move in all directions conveniently. The sheath will become a hindrance. How can one kill the enemy effectively? Here, we make the sheath using cowhide. The Long-Saber is in hand, while the leather sheath is soft. Jump and move around as one wishes in the midst of a crowd with convenience and no hindrance using the Long-Saber." Sheath/scabbard design involves a number of tradeoffs. A rigid one protects the blade better but can get in the way in massed combat or in any sufficiently limited space.

[@brianhowe201]

A hard scabbard can also be used as a parrying device.

[@mattjack3983]

Yeah, but typically, when someone swings a sword in a crowd, the crowd opens up a bit lol. A stiff scabbard wasn't as much of a hindrance as one might think. I don't think fighters in other parts of the world had that problem when fighting in tight battle spaces.

[@Sheepdog1314]

I practiced Iaido for years and never walked around with a horizontally sashed scabbard

[@patrickdix772]

Well, consider that for pretty much every soldier the sword was the backup weapon to their polarm. So even if you had a non-lined leather scabbard it would be stiff due to the sword being in it during most military combat. If you're talking about day to day wear when you might need to draw a sword at a moments notice a stiff vs floppy scabbard might matter.

[@Evirthewarrior]

Spend 1000 dollars on a pistol, buy a 20 dollar floppy nylon holster. Spend 2000 dollars on a sword, use the fake leather and foam scabbard from the mall. People have been cheaping out on holders for their weapons since forever, dudes have good quality swords and are putting them in a one piece leather thin scabbard that is folded sewn on one side.

[@Pavlos_Charalambous]

People in the 19th century was often tie their revolvers with cords instead of using proper holsters... Ppl indeed cheaping out since for ever

[@kevinfogle7929]

I did that for too long with pistol belts. I'd buy a nice holster and put it on a cheap belt. Once I bought a proper pistol belt I realized what I had been missing.

[@emmanueleustache4715]

About steel sabre scabbards, it's interesting to see that Augustin Chambon in his sabre treaty of 1911 teaches a system in which the scabbard is used as an off hand weapon... I don't know if it that use is an exception, but you certainly wouldn't want a wooden scabbard for that !

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

That is awesome...do you have a source for that? Many years ago I saw a kung fu movie where they used the sword scabbards to parry and I thought it made so much sense. I wondered if anyone actually did it outside of the movies. Do a video on this Matt!

[@emmanueleustache4715]

Here's the source : www.ffamhe.fr/collectionpalas/sabre-a-pied-chambon.pdf

[@emmanueleustache4715]

Here's the source : www.ffamhe.fr/collectionpalas/sabre-a-pied-chambon.pdf

[@emmanueleustache4715]

@@GaryChurch-hi8kb The book is called "Du Sabre à pied, conseils pratiques sur son emploi en campagne", and it's available for free on the website of the french HEMA federation... it's in French though.

[@b.h.abbott-motley2427]

@@emmanueleustache4715 Just search for "augustin chambon sabre" on Google to find an English translation by Philip T. Crawley.

[@inregionecaecorum]

Varnished cardboard makes a very good liner for a scabbard.

[@TheSaneHatter]

My great-grandfather's dress sword from WW1 has a steel scabbard . . . but it IS a dress sword, without a cutting edge. By contrast, my Arms & Armor Venetian Rapier (vintage 1999) from my days at the Bristol Renaissance Faire came with a leather scabbard.

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Never experienced a broken scabbard. But just at 1 medieval reenactment I took part in, we walked to the battlefield and saw an archer tripped over the three bows he carried and broke 2 of them!😂

[@johnracine4589]

Good thing he had backups lol

[@thomaswilkinson3241]

I am dabbling in making my own wood and leather scabbards in diy as a Hobby. They seldom turn out as slim as professionally made ones, but I totally agree that the lighter the wood gets the easier it will break in everyday wear and tear situations.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

I've dabbled in this as well. I recommend finding a wood supplier who sells wood for musical instruments. You can often get very nice thin sheets. And there's the obvious cheaty plywood option. I haven't done plywood though, the edges on plywood always seem a horrid mess and I'm not sure that would work with a scabbard

[@Glimmlampe1982]

If historical accuracy isn't important, get thin balsa wood sheets from your local hardware store. That's not much more than cardboard, but depending on the construction that's enough. I normally line the scabbards inside, for mine I use fur (sheep is cheap and good) for my son's wooden swords I used some leftover fabric, and then cover the outside in glue soaked linen. That way you can basically mould the wood around the sword (don't forget to cover it in grease and plastic, otherwise rust is inevitable), it's quite low profile and super light. And also quite durable, even when the wood breaks, the layered construction still holds everything together

[@edi9892]

I've seen a painting from the 16th century of a guy with a messer in a broken scabbard. It was in a restaurant you can visit, which used to be a grannary. It's surprisingly heavily decorated. Sadly, the wall paintings have been damaged by a flood recently.

[@haakoflo]

On average, campaign seasons were much shorter in Medieval Europe than for the Mongols or professional English soldiers during the empire era. A feudal vassal typically was only obliged to contribute knights for a 40 day season. Often during Medieval times, wars were something that happened between neighbors and was over after 1-2 battles, for which wooden scabbards were quite sufficient While there were many exceptions, such as during the 100 year war or crusades, where armies stayed in the field for much longer (at least on the English side), it takes time for such changes to make an impact on equipment. And even many of these exceptions only saw armies being kept in the field for one year or so, not like the decades of service that English imperial cavalry or Mongols might see.

[@brandonhughes179]

Can I just say: that Longsword is a lovely thing! It's so simple in its layout, but there's great beauty in it

[@GaryChurch-hi8kb]

An infamous Confederate cavalry commander recommended using only revolvers after he shot a union cavalryman that struck him with a saber that was dull from rattling in it's scabbard, which was common.

[@theeddorian]

Georgius Agricola, in "De Re Metallica" Book II shows an illustration of prospecters using dowsing rods ("twigs"), and trenching methods to try to locate ore bodies. The point though is that leaned against a tree is a messer or hanger, identifiable by the riveted scales on the hilt, and the clipped point of the blade revealed _ because the end of the scabbard is missing _. The book dates to the 1550s.

[@python27au]

5:00 they should have put a ceramic wedge in there. Like a stay sharp knife😁

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Any examples of bone scabbards? Like cow or whale bone? Essentially bone can very durable but also very light and doesn't hurt the edge that much. Infact, plastic organically was than could be molded by heat.. Townsend has a video on how to make wooded spoons.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

Bone is not a plastic. You may be thinking of horn. Horn is a bit fragile to the stresses a scabbard would be subjected to.

[@SuperFunkmachine]

A horn scabbard could be done but yod need multiple horns given the shape..

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

@@SuperFunkmachine ....Rhino horn, Elephant Tusk, cow ribs if the blade is short enough, whale bones.

[@SuperFunkmachine]

@@PJDAltamirus0425 If you have such bone economialy then yes

[@If-ish]

Kind of off topic and a bit pedantic to be honest, but it's worth noting that nickel silver is not particularly similar to pewter. It's composition and properties are much closer to a bronze or brass.

[@AlexisB-gv1tk]

I also imagine a metal scabbard could double as a impact weapon

[@b.h.abbott-motley2427]

Yes. Augustin Chambon's sabre style used the steel scabbard in left hand to parry & sometimes to strike.

[@thomasfisk2467]

I wonder if there's some logistical elements that come up with things like state procurement. Anyone familiar with pre-modern places that stored big arsenals, was there a trend for them to have more durable scabbards?

[@aspiringmarauder666]

I hope Kingdom Come 2 doesn’t feature the need for scabbard upkeep

[@lady_draguliana784]

6:00 also, if wrapped or bound in a bundle, or strapped down, wherever it's cinched could bend the blade if not braced by a stiff scabbard (with steel being able to hander a tighter bundle, o/c) and also bind the blade in that bend, so it couldn't be drawn.

[@2bingtim]

I thought I'd read somewhere that leather covered scabbards, at least for ancient/early medieval scabbards were rare & just wood or linen covered wood was most common?

[@damienschneider9963]

Hi, what you said about shoes was interesting, may you elaborate a bit more in an other video? Informations about maintenance and durability may be fun, but talking about influence on stances and other should be too. Thanks for all the work!

[@hectorthedraconian1310]

The typical dual edged European blades probably could fit easier into a mass produced scabbard (less complex geometry imho). Though It might be simply that the more armored one is the less convenient metal scabbards become. Imagine the non stop clanking of a metal scabbard against armour as one went about ones day. Not to mention scratches on armor + scratches on scabbard = 2 pieces to get fixed up come any ceremonial occasion.

[@kaoskronostyche9939]

Another great discussion. Thank you.

[@williamarthur4801]

A bit like bowden cables, you can use something more sophisticated but why? they're cheap easy to check , easy to replace. as you said, a durable scabbard would not be worth the effort / time / expense.

[@brovold72]

I recall that Galadriel gives Aragorn a new sheath for Andúril. The previous one was probably worn out.

[@HypocriticYT]

That Italian 1860 scabbard is surprisingly similar to the British 1853p except for the ring band spacing. An 1853 fits easily into the 1860 Italian scabbard.

[@DGFTardin]

I know steel wasn't exactly scarce by the time knights are encasing themselves head to foot with it, but intuitively I always thought that it would be a waste of metal in medieval times to have a steel scabbard when wood, leather and labour are cheap. By the Victorian times I always assumed steel to be proportionally cheaper in relation wood, leather, and artisan labour, therefore it made economic sense.

[@SuperFunkmachine]

Theres not a lot of labour in a leather sheath,

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@timc3257]

very cool deep dive, thanks!

[@-RONNIE]

This was a good video for people that do not know the information of that particular time period weapons

[@sharpandstabby2690]

Thoughtful video as always. Even in todays world, those of us whom carry fixed blades often a well thought out sheath is a must. Thanks Matt!

[@bobrobinson1576]

The real reason they used steel scabbards is so that they'd go SCHWING!!!

[@sebastianwlodarczyk]

Interesting to hear shoes mentioned as comparison: granted, haven't done the research myself, but from what I've heard, they were sometimes made symmetrical (no distinction of left and right, you're just getting 2 shoes in the same size and that's it), because it was faster and easier to produce "a shoe" than a matching pair. I wonder if that was the similar case with scabbards- you're not getting a "tailor made" one for your sword, you just buy whatever the sword fits in. Guess that analogy can be boiled down to "the scabbard is not a sword's suit- it's a T-shirt":D

[@SuperFunkmachine]

If it too long then cut it down. Sure a cheap scabbard will wear out in a year or five but then you can buy a new one. After all the scabbard is the fashoin part of wearing a sword, evey one see the scabbard, the hilt is less seen and we know thery where replaced from time to time.

[@VoidVagabond]

Any plans on making one of them videos where you read through historical accounts, this time about wooden scabbards breaking?

[@arbalest747]

From tod's videos I've been left under the impression that the blades and accessories were made by different artisans

[@fedecano7362]

Put a grinding stone surface inside the scabbard, now you are sharpening the blade and protecting it!

[@WhatIfBrigade]

In the context of a military that service sharpens swords when soldiers go on campaign, but otherwise leaves them dull, a steel scabbard makes a lot of sense. Particularly during training when people are getting used to wearing swords, riding with swords, loading artillery while wearing swords, etc.

[@WalkerLarson497]

Hey Matt, love the video. Would you please consider doing a video on the war hammer, or bludgeon evolution through the early medieval era to the late medieval era. Or their strengths and weaknesses. I am really struggling to find good information regarding why and how they evolved the way they did. Thank you.

[@keithmower921]

Excellent video as always. One question if I may. You have discussed before about 'campaign lists' where the numbers of arrows etc. are detailed. Do such lists mention replacement scabbards? Corollary question, were replacement scabbards found on The Mary Rose?

[@septemberforajedi7701]

Like everything in life, there are pros and cons to different types of scabbards

[@texasbeast239]

(Never got a notification from YT. Grrr.) 8:00 Love that Mongol hybrid wood/leather/metal scabbard.

[@Philistine47]

Could it be as simple as "anything that wasn't made of metal (or stone) was fully disposable"?

[@bradward7576]

Enjoy watching these videos. Not only for content and educational reasons but also for the comments. Matt doesn't pretend to be the expert and nevers states his view is the be all and end all. Instead he offers opinions, usually several, allowing the comments to offer opinions and logical solutions.

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

Very Nice! 😎👍

[@sushanalone]

You can always throw the Metal Scabbard at the opponnent if the Pommel does not End Them rightly!

[@Michael-jx9bh]

Interesting, mass production pre-industrial age. Probably not assembly line production, but maybe groups of apprentices doing scutwork.

[@peterbarron6150]

I wonder if the dominance of straight blades in medieval Europe allowed for 'mass produced' or at least interchangeable and replaceable scabbards, in ways that the curved saber blades of other times and cultures did not.

[@MrJakedog104]

Damn, nowadays you see handmade scabbards going for like $600. Definitely a massive difference from how they were seen in history

[@yungmustofaiwan1599]

just make whetstone liner inside scabbard so you're sharpening your blade whenever you draw your sword

[@thechroniclesofthegnostic7107]

"Amateurs study tactics and strategy; professionals study logistics." 😉 When one is in charge of logistics for a large, standardized group, concerns are going to be different than each relatively elite warrior being responsible for their own kit. (And even where more working class soldiers exist, the societal norms set by upper class warriors will still have momentum.) Don't forget that "only leather" has proven itself fine and functional too. There's of course how langseax sheaths were done, and even more prevalent norms of North American indigenous peoples often using leather and rawhide. In the end (no landsknecht puns intended) there's many ways to skin a cat--and in the end it isn't just what might work... it's what will have folks around you not thinking you too weird. Until one gets extra status *from* being a little audaciously weird. Aaaaand we get a new, also functional fashion. 😁

[@thinusconradie4297]

What sabre is that? The blade looks like the 1845 Wilkinson type, but I do not recognise the guard or grip (not really surprising since I'm no expert, but I'd love to know).

[@gabrielsquall]

Take note Warhorse studio for the upcoming KC:D II lol

[@MrLigonater]

Boy, my shoes are sometimes one of the most expensive part of my kit. I want to reenact some medieval shoe prices.

[@Eckister]

does anyone happen to have any idea about how commonly scabbards break in martial arts which actively use them, such as Krabi-krabong?

[@SingularityOrbit]

Has anyone looked into how rust might have factored into this question? Wood can absorb moisture, which can cause swelling, but would remove a lot of moisture from the area around a sheathed blade. A steel scabbard wouldn't, and in a wet environment like England in particular I could see that leading to promoting rust. Sure, you can line a steel scabbard in cloth, but that wouldn't necessarily wick away moisture as well as bare wood. I assume, anyway; I don't know much about the properties of medieval blade treatments versus industrial products.

[@GilgameshEthics]

If anyone is curious the patreon is a great value. I have been paying a dollar a video for the extra content and I am happy to help support the research and community that this channel provides.,

[@KTo288]

did any of the 19th century armies go to the expense of iron parade and armoury scabbards for peacetime, and wood and leather field scabbards for wartime?

[@hjorturerlend]

8:00 Gallic swords tended to have all iron scabbards. And ofc the iron/bronze reinforced Iberian scabbards, but those were the ones adopted by the Romans so you already mentioned them.

[@BreakChannelZero]

What I'm wondering about is who a Medieval swordsman would see to get their scabbard replaced (especially while travelling).

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Here is something to think about? If you doing long campaigns in lots of armor, riding on horse back, would a metal scabbard survive without denting. Cus if your wood and leather breaks in that your can’t pull your sword, you could just flipping break the sccabard and free the sword, if the metal scabbard dents super hard pinching the sword shut in the scabbard, than would be harder to handle. As anyone down renacting with metal scabbards in medieval armor. Also, ultra noisy. Imagine the metal on metal banging as your are running or galloping on horseback

[@tillonogg9389]

Weird question: were the scabbards this blackish leather? I thought that was a modern thing - dying deep black leather.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

That is not a modern thing. They had black eyes throughout most of the Middle Ages. It was often corrosive to organic materials, though, and thus often had a shorter lifespan, so were effectively more expensive. It was also not that popular until later in the Middle Ages, and new dyes were invented over the course of the period.

[@tillonogg9389]

@@nevisysbryd7450 Thanks for that! Heard some other people lamenting the chrome-dying of leather in tv shows, had no idea that they were able to achieve good blacks. Thanks for the info.

[@nevisysbryd7450]

@@tillonogg9389 The complaint is not entirely without merit. A lot of stuff dyed dark would often technically be a very dark shade of some color (eg very dark grey or blue), or may not necessarily be a very saturated black. Chrome-tanned also differs from vegetable-tanned in other ways (veg-tanned is often stiffer, rougher, etc), and pop-culture media often presents people wearing far more leather than is historically representative. We can certainly get a wider array of more saturated colors in leather today (with natural dyes, let alone modern chemical dyes)-it is rarely accurate to say a color was entirely absent in period, though.

[@tillonogg9389]

@@nevisysbryd7450 Are you a history-enthusiast or do you work in dying industry that you have all this knowledge about the dyeing process?

[@nevisysbryd7450]

@@tillonogg9389 Much more the former. I do some reenactment stuff and I also roleplayed a tailor character in some ttrpg stuff for which I did some additional study on the processes for creating apparel.

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Keepnthe edge super sharp also makes to cut or pierce extremely thick padded armor. Also, this is kinda wierd argument, a curved saber on hordeback in a way doesn't to be super sharp, the horse can provides so much extra force even if it is dulled, in cut through parts of people. For the chinese, it could between armory issued equipment and private purchase equipment.

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

Now I'm going to have to have wrecked versions of my game scabbards

[@larsbkurin1740]

Have often wondered if scabbards or simpler edge guards were used for polearms, when transporting on foot or on horseback? Anyone who has walked with a sharp ax in the forest understands what I mean, one wrong step is enough. There are two problems, one to protect the edge and the other to protect oneself, others and horses and pack animals.

[@JamesHillman-sirzethio]

Could weight be an issue? As a retired soldier I know that ounces equal pounds and medieval armor was not light. So maybe they went with a lighter scabbard for that reason?

[@Leftyotism]

Huh, I've never thought of that.

[@MrTlmason]

Are there examples of using scabbards for defensive purposes? I would think an off hand could use a metal scabbard for defensive use.

[@daemonharper3928]

Very interesting - it's weird to think of throw away society beginning in medieval times.....but hey if it's cheap to produce and sell - and people get through them regularly.

[@whitephosphorus15]

Is it easier to mass produce wood and leather scabbards for straight swords than curved swords?

[@rylie8989]

Maybe this is a dumb question but with the wood lined metal scabbards, why couldn't they just have the wood go all the way up instead of using softer metal?

[@tonybennett638]

The man ...👍

[@chainsawchanselour5452]

I know people say the scabbard is better than the sword, but the scabbard serves no purpose without the sword If the sword breaks, I have to draw a new weapon If a scabbard breans, Ill just buy a new one after wards

[@nickdavis5420]

I mean to say nothing of being on a boat the rot that happen to a scabbard I think that’s why the shelved weapons .

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

Here is a question. Why was armor blackened in period but swords weren’t?

[@williamromine5715]

I always get a kick out of people like reenactors(sp), who make fun of warriors in the past for doing things differently than the modern people. I think that a guy in the middle ages probably knew more about fighting with shields and swords, because his battles were life and death situations.

[@stubrane]

So now that I'm wondering who would make the scabbard? Is it something a professional solider, or retainer would be expected to do; would you go to the blacksmith, even if it is just wood and leather; or was there a specialised wright for this work?

[@SuperFunkmachine]

There was a trade around them, the vaginari .

[@wompa70]

Interesting topic as always. I know, that sounds like a bot. I don't have any insight to add but still want KZbin to see engagement.

[@SuperFunkmachine]

on the shoes comment, theirs a trade gap in the period, we have cobblers who are like the people that sell new tires today and we have shoe makers A.K.A wheel sellers/ You need new tires/shoe outsoles every few years but wheels and shoes mid sole last for ever, decades.

[@rogerlafrance6355]

Consider weaarin a metal scabbard with armor, you would clank like a Churchill tank!

[@lifigrugru6396]

(TT)RPG-s dont care to much abaut scabard, or travelling after a year of playing normaly you dont change close, but look carefull what extra you can have on your weapon, or armor.

[@2bingtim]

LK Chen Mongol sabre-Drool!!!!

[@PJDAltamirus0425]

A large dent could seal the blade inside the scabbard, if the scabbard on a wood and leather blade failed and the sword couldn't be drawn, you could break the thing open. Outside, curious about the abuse of a steel scabbard banging against plate armor. Also, the level of care of items which you purchase instead of being issued along the cost of blades dropping drastically in late medieval europe. If swords are status symbols for economic reasons, if you going to buy one, you might are well bling in the most expensive way you can to show how high society you are... if it isn't, there more cost benefit analysis less showy consumption thought.

[@dougsinthailand7176]

Do you think scabbard makers were very busy after a medieval battle?

[@AlexisB-gv1tk]

I love medieval swords but if i had to carry a sword id probably choose a victorian sabre cause they often have very durable metal scabbards

[@frankharr9466]

Yeah that makes sense.

[@caracoldeleche]

Is it not posible to sheath the sword avoiding the friction of the edge as the Japanese do?

[@jessecunningham9924]

I imagine wood and leather scabbards were cheap and easy to replace, and something that an apprentice would make. Pure speculation though.

[@Spielkalb-von-Sparta]

Wouldn't rust be a problem for metal scabbards, especially in humid climates like India?

[@Stroggoii]

I'd assume it was a class issue. Sure rajputs and army officers were high caste, but they were not nobles with cash to spare, or at least the expectation of looking like they had cash to spare, in broken equipment.

[@fr3nk-01]

Could it be that, in medieval times, they preferred to use metal in armour rather than on scabbards? In that period of time, armour was far more useful. Mongols and Arab knights used more light cavalry and light armoured troops for faster attacks, movements ect so they preferred sturdier and resilient scabbards than heavy and """""cumbersome"""" (I used the "" for a reason) armour

[@krzysztofkolodziejczyk4335]

I don't think you would get clear answer (why wooden scabbards) even if you travel in time and asked medieval people about it. it was just the way they rolled.

[@fredericosanchez9000]

Why not wear scabbards made from some High-tech composite plastic covered in leather during reenactment? Or maybe carbon covered in leather? Seems like such scavbards would look like the wood/leather ones from medieval times but be lighter and sturdier.

[@lcrow3104]

Not my enchanted scabbard though

[@jodycarter7308]

I'm surprised there were no self sharpening scabbards. They had sharkskin, glue, emery powder. They had springs. Probably all kinds of abbrasives that could be glued into a v notch, or springs that push small sharpening stones or wheels (like modern ones)

[@Uruz2012]

Those things make a garbage edge. Sharpening done well is done perpendicular to the edge so as to make a clean leading edge. Seen under a microscope, those sharpeners you referenced will leave lots of tiny burrs that rip and tear rether than slice.

[@captlionpants]

i think i tried ONE time to give my D&D party a sword with no scabbard and make them deal with it and they did noooooooooooot want to screw around with that problem lmao