Which (non-steel) practice swords I recommend for historical martial arts

Where to find the Purpleheart Armory synthetic practice swords that I talk about in the video (as well as wooden wasters, quarterstaffs, protective gear, etc):
www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
Where to find the Black Fencer synthetic swords:
In Europe: www.blackfencer.com/en/
In the US: www.southcoastswords.com/
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My favorite online store for buying swords (worldwide shipping):
ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kult...
Channel-related shirts and stuff:
skallagrim.spreadshirt.com/
Some recommended knife makers on Amazon:
amzn.to/1qjwMNL
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/ skallagrim
My Facebook page:
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[@hakuorowitsuarunemitea8708]

The synthetic ones are generally more slippery. - Skallagrim 2016

[@ConnorJaneu]

+Hakuoro Witsuarunemitea Damn synths.

[@aliesavvo3600]

+ConnorJaneu ad victorium brother

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

Very good one

[@Plankensen]

Never trust a synth. But don't trust a brother of steel longer then you can throw 'em

[@creature3628]

"if the style is more thrusting oriented then you don't want a very stiff one."

[@AlexanderRingler]

You can crack a skull with the pommel, but you can't crack skallagrim.

[@eliluscesforo2120]

skullagrim*

[@TheHortoman]

skallagrim, as sole inventor of advanced pommel techniques is inmune and cant be cracked by pommels

[@SoulOfTheReaver]

+TheHortoman No matter how much you try, you can't end him rightly.

[@AlexanderRingler]

Chuck Norris must be his uncle :-D

[@fenryrgreyback1298]

+Alexander Ringler (13 Geister) Oh. So badass beard is hereditary...

[@JustGrowingUp84]

11:48 When you realized what you just said... :D

[@breaden4381]

+TheFilthyCasual Filthy mind ;)

[@NotEvenDeathCanSaveU]

+TheFilthyCasual thats right.. i have a very stiff one and it has its flaws :(/ :D

[@GrimFaceHunter]

+TheFilthyCasual 9:12 Also, that look.

[@Asiangamer114]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@RegurgitatedNews]

+TheFilthyCasual "Sparring"? Is that what they call it nowadays?

[@xDXPxJOEx456x1]

LORD SKALLAGRIM THE MASTER OF TOPPLING THINGS!!!

[@Skallagrim]

+xDXPxJOEx456x1 I will topple your hopes and dreams.

[@jimbrown6709]

+Skallagrim that escalated quickly

[@account2871]

+Skallagrim My dad beat you to it :(

[@vargrleague]

+bob LMFAOO

[@bobcromo3279]

+bob Get back in your cage, junior.

[@Ulrican414]

Wait wait wait... So you're saying I should not impale my sparing partner? OOoooh so that is way I'm running out of people to train with all the time.

[@trinut3760]

Training, what's that?

[@deusvult6900]

a serial killer's testimony.

[@jasondoe2596]

"You could easily crack a Skall with this." - Skall, 2016

[@ChillGamerBlue]

Skallagrim?! Of all the people to make me die laughing, he did it with his follow up just after that line!

[@Thomi92]

Hey Skallagrim, I have a serious question. Ive been training with my swords for a while now and its been working fine, but ive stepped into this problem way too many times. Even in full protective gear and with proper training swords i do not know how to approach this. My training partner got seriously injured because of this, and it isn't certain if he ever recovers. Enough beating about the bush now, so here we go: Can you use your Pommel multiple times or should I get a new sword after I've unscrewed it?

[@emilwestgaardhenriksen1715]

well played... well played *slow clap*

[@Plankensen]

What you did: I see it

[@michaelortiz1732]

Thomi you watch skallagrim!? I didn't know you were intrested in this stuff!

[@RetroManiac84]

You need to chill out, man. Sparring is meant to be friendly and yur using the ultimate technique for ending someone rightly. Of course he's injured. Pommels are no joke...

[@kirroxij8729]

@@RetroManiac84 you must be fun at parties

[@salmjak]

@6:20 Go figure that the pommel is the most dangerous part.

[@garret1930]

"I have see a fencing mask dented by this.... in fact, I think I did it myself." that was funny

[@MandalorV7]

+Garret Jacobs Yep. Funny for everyone but the guy or gal who got their mask dented.

[@markfisher3063]

Just an FYI, I own a Rawlings practice longsword, and mine is not nearly as “flexible” as the one you showed. I think that they may have improved their practice swords since the time that you made this video. Just thought you might want to know. 👍🏻

[@Csarci]

I was going to say the same, mine is very stiff, doesn't flop at all.

[@bozrahct]

I am looking into purchasing some sparing weapons to learn with my eldest kids 17 and 19. I appreciated your humor and honesty this was a great review!

[@manfallsoffchair]

You got your Rawlings a long time ago. Newer "pro-line" ones are stiffer than the older floppy ones floating outside of Europe.

[@Skallagrim]

+BurroDeLasTinieblas Good to know.

[@manfallsoffchair]

+Ian Hollier The older ones are still stocked in a lot of places. They're not as stiff as purpleheart or blackfencer, but they're not as floppy as they used to be. The shorter arming sword or backsword blades are significantly less floppy than the longsword blades too. Frankly I think they're good sparring tools (though by no means the best). I think blackfencer wasters hit so hard and are so stiff that you might as well just use a feder, you'll need similar levels of protection. They're not that cheap either. Rawlings allow you to spar in t-shirts with just a mask and gloves on, and are much more affordable. They make more sense to me for beginners, but I agree that blackfencer and purpleheart wasters are closer to steel.

[@Tempo6132]

+BurroDeLasTinieblas Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this of the Rawlings. I like mine just fine for the reasons you mentioned (safer, and such) and also for the fact you can make them into pretty much any other weapon you want. I want to try all kinds of stuff, longsword, messer, sword/buckler, and the Rawlings lets me do that without going into significant amounts of debt. Also, I'm not entirely sure, but I think as far as stiffness goes, silver may be better. Mine's silver, and neither my one-handed or two-handed blades (especially the one-handed one) seemed all that floppy, and not at all as floppy as Skall's here, but I've seen someone who had a white one and I swear that thing was flaccid.

[@viniciussbenz4301]

Here in my region we use spikes for barbecueing. They are pretty much a aluminum bar with a wooden handle. (We just stab the meat and hang that over the coals). Anyways, Some are rather flexible and i found that if you bend a large metal spoon to use as a guard it gets reasonably well balanced and can be used as a rapier-ish kinda thing to practice So yeah, diy for the win

[@MrZEPHRIUM]

SKALL THAT WAS SUPER HELPFUL! I literally had just left a comment on your previous video asking this question:) thanks

[@littleolghostly]

That messer looks soooo beautiful Edit: that practice messer looks so beautiful, and the fact that they made it based on the Albion’s Kriegsmesser makes me want it even more

[@danielbeekhuizen1511]

amazing channel, clear and honest. you just earned a subscriber!

[@PoweRaGER]

Good I ordered a BlackFencer one recently, estimated delivery time 2 months... Very informative video! Keep up the good work!

[@jupitersscourge]

I recently got the Cold Steel hand and a half sword and I think they've since improved their formula. There's more weight in the hilt so the balance is closer to you rather than evenly spread along this huge plastic lever.

[@anderwmarcell9503]

Thank you for a well thought out presentation.I have been involved in fencing and various weapons related martial arts from grammer school until I fell ill a few years back. It seems that wooden swords with blunt edges were used for centuries. I was involved with a group trying to start up a "single stick" club. We followed modern safety practices and modern safety gear but used the recommended ash plant stick. The intent of single stick is to give the practitioner skill with both a walking stick / cane/ cudgel and a cutlass or short sword. Well we all seemed to get beaten silly during sparring. Wood is safe if pads are used. We tried a commercial brand of training cutlass. They were as you said they are ill balanced and generally useless. Whatever one chooses as a training weapon safety must come first. It's hard enough to find people to train with so try not to hurt them....;)

[@austintucker7264]

That’s a awesome shirt dude and I love all your videos keep up the good work man

[@blakewinter1657]

'You don't want to impale your training partner.' Don't make assumptions about me!

[@fallencrusader2975]

Can't wait until the Kriegsmesser goes back in stock. I am so glad that you requested a training version of the Albion Kriegsmesser.

[@beowulfshaeffer8444]

Still useful 5 years later 👍 Thanks, Skal!

[@Arkion]

Thanks so much Skall! Very informative. I almost bought the Red Dragons, but now I'm definitely going to check out the Black Fencers. THEY HAVE A FLAMBERGE NOW!!!

[@Mantinae]

Good video! Thank you for posting this :).

[@Vanerrad]

Thank you!!!!!! This is what I needed to know.

[@adamlay7317]

thank you for making this video I have been looking for good sparing swords and was having trouble finding anything but the polypropylene ones

[@vidensodoacer]

I had the idea that the Purpleheart and Blackfencer wasters were absolutely identical. Thanks!

[@Slaave]

Third! (Great video, glad to see some more HEMA equipment videos, still waiting on those protective gear reviews)

[@bobcromo3279]

Can you throw the pommel in a sparring match or is that overkill?

[@markmoore4079]

Are you trying to kill your opponent?!!?

[@chralexNET]

I think you could solve the problem with the swords not binding when their edges collide by putting magnets inside of the material. It could probably be made in a way that would work pretty well.

[@alvarofuertescasa9235]

Hey, Skall! Greetings from a Spanish fan. I just wanted to tell you that I love your channel and admire your work. Your videos are an incredible source of amusement and knowledge, and even have helped me in bad times. I really hope you get well soon. Keep up the good work! PD: When you are back on your feet, it would be really cool to see more of you sparring and giving tips. And it would be very awesome if you could show some Montante training as well ;)

[@johnsmithe4656]

Not a single Like in 6 years..... What happened here??

[@rubengroet2999]

every time you bend one of those swords i was afraid it was gonna break. and with your shirt and the fact you topple things over you ar now a master of topples

[@muselessmusician]

Hey Skall! long time fan here, glad to see that you're healing up. I have used a lot of different types of synthetic sparring blades over the years, and I came up with a trick to deal with the binding issue inherent in synthetic weapons. You mentioned that you tried grip tape, but have you thought about gaffing/gaffers tape? I use gaffing/ gaffers tape because it has a heat activated adhesive that forms a pretty solid bond with plastic/ nylon blades. It has a decently grippy surface that simulates the bind . If you take a lighter to the tape after applying it to the blade it causes a fairly strong bond.

[@mattmanbrownbro]

I got a pretty good Rawlings from KOA last year. Then I got a second one that was WAY more flexible than the first. Anyway, I'm sharing with my own club. Very good video, Skall.

[@olajohannessonborge3418]

I've done full contact fencing with steel, a good mask, some thick fencing jacket, and protection on knees, elbows and good gloves is all you need.

[@AJKecsk]

What you said about the Cold Steel polypropylene swords is very true. I made the mistake of buying the polypropylene bokken. It is heavy enough to hurt your wrists sharply when performing standard techniques, and the point of balance (I measured) on mine is a full EIGHT INCHES from the guard.

[@ChimeraeBF]

Your beard is looking excellent sir!

[@mikailkhan4299]

Two seconds into the video and I HAD to pause just so I could comment on your absolutely epic shirt XD

[@lilykunoichi8097]

thanks for the recommendation I've been looking for a good training saber for a while and couldn't find one.

[@flamezombie1]

I've never had an issue with Purpleheart's synthetic swords being too flexible unless they've been left in a very hot car for a long time. The slippery bit though I do agree with entirely. It makes binding very difficult.

[@pal3479]

Hi Skallagrim. Your video are always very informative ! Could you consider doing this for protective gear ? From light cheap gear to full steel plate. The places to find the best stuff for all budget would be nice. :)

[@gagerunyan304]

I love your shirt!!

[@GIWE2024]

what about Nerf

[@HonestFaraday]

it's nerf or nothing

[@Gr3nadgr3gory]

If you put more force than a child would put into them they will break.

[@americancheese9103]

Gr3nadgr3gory If you put more thought into a joke than a child would they lose their humor

[@gavinclark6891]

NERF OR NOTHING

[@woodyrascel]

i love that back ground!!!

[@BrokenMasks]

A cool thing is the Black Fencer line came to Canada under my local arms & armour store, which is pretty sweet

[@JTWilliams74]

I have recently bought some rawlings synthetic longswords and the whippiness seems to be fixed. I bought a pair for my group to fence with and they certainly are flexible but they haven't acted whippy in any of our sparring and we've had positive experiences practicing binds so far. I think knightshop might have fixed this perhaps.

[@eddieblazek9692]

Thanks for the info.

[@oskarileikos]

Could you please do a video on greatswords? Your videos are awesome!

[@MysteryFaceX]

Watching your videos makes me want to join some club teaching these martial arts stuff. D:

[@jort93z]

that pomel is shaped for optimised aerodynamics for pomel throwing practice. they did that because it was especially made for your needs.

[@RAM3NOV3RLORD]

Finally you make a video on this....

[@nicholasferraro6910]

I know it's off topic, but I love your shirt, Death Magnetic is a great album

[@grog2027]

That pommel is the same on their sabers, but makes more sense there as it connects to the D-guard.

[@hartfartpoptart]

Idk about the Cold Steel one's, but I've had great luck with polyurethane swords. I picked up some off brand ones from a knife store, and they are durable, well balanced, and generally fantastic.

[@akaiappears]

Thx! Really interestin :3

[@khaorix2667]

I own a Langmesser by Black Fencer, so the 1-handed version of the Kriegsmesser that Skall shows. They have rounded the pommel down for safety. Also, the guards are nicer now. Overall they're really good quality items and they're quite durable too. They do tend to take a slight set after a while, though. Not a big deal, but it's there.

[@khaorix2667]

Oh, and since you mentionned the rapier, they have finished that too!

[@donmadlung3642]

The black fencer stuff is lighter, very durable. We've used blackfencer and purpleheart extensively and they are effectively equivalent. Depends on what you want!

[@williampoindexter7090]

At my school we only use (aside from steel) the cold steel trainers. I asked my teacher why and he said it was good that they're a bit off balance as it helps build up our wrist muscles.

[@kortetzu]

I've only seen one synthetic sword break. Granted I've only been doing HEMA for like 18 months, but I've seen and participated in a lot of sparring with synthetics during that time. It was a Blackfencer longsword that broke, and the guy who was using it was 6'6" and swinging it like a baseball bat. It broke just below the guard as he struck his opponent in the head.

[@happyhotdog4342]

Skallagrim please make a video about the new game "Mordhau" (Which is basically chivalry with better fighting) it also includes half-swording. Or "Kingdom Come" which is also a super-realistic medieval fighting game.

[@Fumwum]

That beard tie is top knotch.

[@mrredeef]

sandpaper or grip-tape textured edges sounds like a good idea for the manufacturers with the technology to make it a durable as possible

[@lighthawk2626]

Hey Skall, if you look at sabres from blackfencer you'll notice they have the exact same pommel that then smoothly goes into the handguard. Maybe it's easier to massproduce that pommel and weld on the handguard later on swords that need it.

[@zenopssmdk]

I was so happy when I got my Coldsteel trainers... regretted it while practicing with a friend, simple pokes or bops hurt like hell and when trying to control the swing like to fake out the opponent its hard to pull it back.

[@banthablasterprime1111]

I will pray for you to heal.

[@PottymouthStudios]

I like my Cold Steel Gladius trainers I got, but I admit I do not spar with people at the moment. It's been some time since I've sparred with someone, so I basically use them to build strength and speed for swinging since I prefer a short sword dual wield style. They get the job done pretty much. Although, when I start sparring again, I will take this advice to heart.

[@ktoth29]

I have the blackfencers. I can't speak to functionality or durability since I just use them to hit a leather punching bag in my home gym. I do prefer the aesthetics of the blackfencer over purpleheart, but they required a lot of work to grind down sharp edges and make "pretty", although I would rather do the finishing work myself than have it included in the cost.

[@jamespettit1792]

Looking at the other swords in the Blackfencer lineup, I think that hooked pummel in intended to have a handguard attached to it.

[@fvux5393]

Hey Skall! Bit offtopic of this video, but in a video a year ago you talked about maces and warhammers. I found that to be a really amazing video. I personally am really interested in "oddly and brutal" weapons. And yes ofcourse, as we all know, maces and warhammer are quite brutal looking. So my question is: Could you do a testing video, maces vs warhammer, or whatever? I want to see them in action :) I am doubting about buying one :) Keep the amazing videos going!:D

[@nathangedamke2041]

Where did you get that BlackFencer Sidesword, the one with the swept hilt? The only versions I've seen have had just the cross, knuckle bow and a simple nagel like loop on the hilts. Nothing that pretty/protective.

[@Komaru.89]

Always have to recommend New Stirling Arms over Purple Heart for wooden wasters. The weight distribution is as different as night and day.

[@scaramouchesealion5602]

In Italian Sala d'arme Achille Marozzo association we usually use Black Fencer nylon swords for sparring and techniques' study. I personally think they are very similar to steel swords but (ofc) safer. About durability: I've had a BF rapier for 3 years now using it twice a week and I can tell that with a little light sanding once in a while they are nearly undestructible.

[@isherlock7128]

Hey, Skall. Could you make a vid about your favourite steel practice-swords? Would be awesome^^

[@IndigoXYZ18]

No idea if you'll read this but on the off chance you do, you should look into prolotherapy, it works miracles on joints.

[@simonafflerbach3388]

Nice shirt man :D

[@swordpanda7panda795]

Gread video skall! and thanks to it i am now waiting for a kriegsmesser sparring weapon fromBlackfencer.com xD they have a HUGE!!! stock!!!! i was blown away

[@anthoselongstride8309]

I got a rawlings longsword 2 years ago and the blade is pretty floppy, but this year I purchased their arming sword and it is way stiffer. It is only about 4 inches shorter so i don't think that the length is what made it stiffer. The material seems to have been changed to a better one. It is also a little lighter in colour.

[@DeyLyon]

good video and you hair and beard look good in this video

[@poloniumfist6059]

8:08 hahha exactly what I was thinking, but exactly NOT what I was expecting to hear lol

[@dasschadenfreude7333]

I feel like the Black Fencer Messer you have there with the pointy pommel could be fixed by a few seconds on a belt grinder or using an angle grinder with a flap wheel. Just round it off a bit more.

[@JohnDoe-qx3zs]

Since that plastic messer was made specifically for you, have you checked if they made the pommel unscrewable as a joke? Or maybe that pommel hook is really a quarter turn thread intended to hold a throwable plastic pommel?

[@therealr0bert]

Have you ever tried to undercoat the blade to add grip? It'd basically be like a rubber edge, and that stuff is pretty durable when applied correctly.

[@masterofpuppets4771]

T-shirt Is JUST AWESOME AHHH. Where did you find it?

[@petrino]

looking forward the Black Fencer rapier :)

[@MickeyCuervo36]

I'd like to find a waster made in one of the Bronze Age designs. Are there any HEMA branches that do any Bronze Age stuff? I would think not so much, due to lack of documentation as to how they would have been used.

[@captwetbeard8524]

i agree with you on the cold steel being rubbish love you videos always helpful

[@johnwzimmer405]

I had the nylon blackfencer side sword and some sharps that I practice alone - but I also have the cold steel, arming sword, long sword, and katana. I use the cold steel swords on my back yard table so every time I take the dog out - I go through some moves while I'm waiting for the mutt.

[@poloniumfist6059]

oh my god that wood claymore is sick

[@JG19709]

Have you tried skateboard tape on the edges to simulate biting? It should hold up long that other grip tapes.

[@Alefiend]

Skall, may I assume you only mentioned the wooden practice weapon as a favorable comparison to cold steel? When wood breaks or splinters, it tends to become sharp. Wood also can crack without warning. Wooden wasters were fine when they were the only alternative but bated steel, but not today.

[@CreeperKiller666]

+Alefiend The cold steel wasters can seriously hurt you. Wood is far safer than anything else you can get at that price level.

[@garychynne1377]

THANK YOU GARE

[@celtictemplar]

How many lairs of clothing would you need in order to protect yourself from thrusting attacks, but not with a gambeson, this has to be with just regular t-shirts or long sleeve shirts and tunics.

[@chabis]

Nice video (or noice? :-P ). Maybe I'll get one to do some drill (or better some crazy flailing around) in my attic without breaking too much. Prices seem reasonable, even though I'll probably have to pay another 50% for shipping and customs since Switzerland isn't part of the EU and the price exceeds the limit where no tax has to be paid. What do you think - would it be an option to look for a HEMA club somewhere in my country and buy one of their used sparring swords? Domestic shipping is so much cheaper - it may be worth a try.

[@huntersmith8586]

Hey Skall. What do you think about taking some 1" PVC. cutting it to length. and putting lead shots in the handles. with caps on the ends of quilons, pommel, and tip. That's what iv'e done and the only problem iv'e had is that they're relatively easy to break if you have an idiot over swing thinking he's Thor. Note: they are pretty heavy, not sure if it's un-historically heavy though.

[@fiercedietyfan]

Love the Death Magnetic t-shirt bro! /,,/

[@GothicStraw39]

Any training weapons suggestions for someone (me) who doesn't use any armor? I've made my own wooden swords (bruises abounded), foam covered PVC pipe swords (partner with hand a half sword broke my thumb, we didn't have quillons), and now we're using Cold Steel polypropylene trainers (have since acquired impact gloves, but I did receive a nice cut to my head that took off some of my eyebrow). Also, if anyone has some fighting techniques for someone (me again) who fights with daggers, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[@alkosh7901]

Skall, I may start practicing kenjutsu in the future because there's no hema next to my home. I know I would buy a katana to practice when I'm home but what if I also buy a longsword, are the kenjutsu techniques totally different from the hema ones? I like katanas, it's just I prefer longswords, specially claymores.

[@dreadrath]

Even on training swords, Pommels are LETHAL. Is it unscrewable?

[@jwepurchase]

Ever tried violin bow rosin one the edges to make them bind? Or maybe XC ski kick wax?