I Tried Sickle Fighting... It's Wild.

Ойын-сауық

Part 2 (sickle vs. sword): • SICKLE vs. SWORD... It...
Whether you're interested in historical martial arts or like make your fantasy characters more realistic (assassins like curved blades, don't they?), I'm sure you'll find this interesting.
We're exploring various techniques with this exotic weapon and trying them out in practice fights, based on Paulus Hector Mair's manuscript from the Renaissance (1540s). Some seem rather odd (like the entire concept to begin with), but it turns out they make more sense than you might think at first glance.
You can find the synthetic sickles (and various other HEMA gear) at Purpleheart Armoury (affiliate link):
www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
The shirt I'm wearing in this video is available at my merch store:
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Other relevant videos:
How Practical is This Fantasy Tonfa Sickle Really?
• How Practical is This ...
Scythes! -- Tool vs. Weapon? -- History -- Fantasy -- Functionality
• Scythes! -- Tool vs. W...
Turned the Reaper Scythe Into a War Scythe...
• Turned the Reaper Scyt...
Review: M48 Tactical Kama by United Cutlery
• Review: M48 Tactical K...
Horror Movie Weapons Ranked by Effectiveness
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** Time stamps **
00:00 - 01:38 Intro / Why sickles?
01:38 - 04:40 Learning some of Mair's techniques
04:40 - 10:53 Sparring with non-compliant opponent
10:53 - 12:45 How well does it work?
12:45 - 14:17 Problems we encountered
14:17 Conclusion / potential modifications
** Music credits **
"Tiptoe Army" by Alexandr Zhelanov
opengameart.org/content/tipto...
Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0)
"MonsterVania - Ghost Land" by HydroGene
opengameart.org/content/monst...
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain
"The Plot Thickens" by El Corleo
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Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)
"Medieval: Battle" by Random Mind
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CC0 1.0
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
theslantedroom.github.io/stev...
Used with artist's permission
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Пікірлер: 2 900

  • @brunoks6951
    @brunoks6951 Жыл бұрын

    Here in Brazil we have a saying: "More ugly than a Sickle Fight", referring to someone or something really ugly. At first I tough it was about the fight itself. But it's referring about the outcome.

  • @seriousmaran9414

    @seriousmaran9414

    Жыл бұрын

    The roman word Falx means sickle so the Dacian sword was probably the development of one.

  • @bendover9813

    @bendover9813

    Жыл бұрын

    @@seriousmaran9414 it was more analogous to “scythe” in both meaning and appearance.

  • @lukelblitz3627

    @lukelblitz3627

    Жыл бұрын

    ...aonde você ouviu isso?

  • @VNdoug

    @VNdoug

    Жыл бұрын

    @@lukelblitz3627 "Mais feio que briga de foice", já ouvi várias vezes no sul

  • @lukelblitz3627

    @lukelblitz3627

    Жыл бұрын

    @@VNdoug eu moro pelo rio e nunca ouvi isso Estranho

  • @thesexybatman263
    @thesexybatman263 Жыл бұрын

    Canadian viking embraces his inner edgelord.

  • @oigliyj

    @oigliyj

    Жыл бұрын

    Inner curved-edgelord**

  • @giulyanoviniciussanssilva2947

    @giulyanoviniciussanssilva2947

    Жыл бұрын

    But an accurate Edgelord 😉☠️

  • @arjunramakanth4370

    @arjunramakanth4370

    Жыл бұрын

    Inner druid

  • @somberyu

    @somberyu

    Жыл бұрын

    @@oigliyj I think "inner-edge lord" works better

  • @MandoArtsudios

    @MandoArtsudios

    Жыл бұрын

    @@oigliyj not gonna lie curvy edgelords are my thing XD

  • @kitsnap1228
    @kitsnap1228 Жыл бұрын

    Sickle vs sickle is nice, I would've like to see a sickle vs dagger fight also because I think it was not very common that two ppl carrying this same exotic weapon to bump into a fight lol.

  • @jimbeam7636

    @jimbeam7636

    Жыл бұрын

    Depends on where you are I suppose. An agriculture heavy area, with little farm equipment and relying on physical labor? Maybe more likely, but I see your point.

  • @Earthenfist

    @Earthenfist

    Жыл бұрын

    I think a lot of these 'odd weapon' treatises are for duelling competitions, where both opponents would be required to use the same weapon, and one might choose something strange to try and catch your opponent off guard.

  • @hewkiiCZ

    @hewkiiCZ

    Жыл бұрын

    Exotic weapon? Here in lands of Bohemia and Moravia (central Europe) they were far more normal than a dagger for example. Every household had at least one sickle and scythe. So a sickle vs sickle fight was far more real than a sickle vs dagger/knife/sword/anything Okay, maybe axe vs sickle would be very real, since we Czechs were best know for fighting with axes due to our forestry industry back in the day

  • @dimasakbar7668

    @dimasakbar7668

    Жыл бұрын

    I think considering the nature of the tool, sickle vs machete combat would be interesting to explore, heck it may even still happening to this day between fellow field / agriculture workers.

  • @Korosivv

    @Korosivv

    Жыл бұрын

    I'd say it's not an "exotic weapon" but a tool being repurposed as a weapon.

  • @ObservantPiratePlus
    @ObservantPiratePlus Жыл бұрын

    It seems like "Sickle and Buckler" would still yield the same efficacy as the bare hand, but protecting the hand. And yes, a series on the sickle would be awesome.

  • @isaacgraff8288

    @isaacgraff8288

    Жыл бұрын

    I can see having some serious bracers would do worlds of good.

  • @rorythompson1993

    @rorythompson1993

    Жыл бұрын

    Or some sort of blade-catching gauntlet protecting the forearm.

  • @martinkafka9510

    @martinkafka9510

    Жыл бұрын

    I believe Sickle and Hammer is the history tested combination :)

  • @a-blivvy-yus

    @a-blivvy-yus

    Жыл бұрын

    "Cloak and dagger" fights were a duelling style where a cloak was used primarily as a defensive tool. Folding the cloak on itself to add a couple of layers of fabric over even a light glove would be sufficient to avoid the worst of the damage, and the same could be done against a sickle. I'd be more woried doing this against a sickle than a dagger, but I think it would still be workable.

  • @DefaultString

    @DefaultString

    Жыл бұрын

    a lower arm schield, which leave the hand free could also be interesting

  • @tttITA10
    @tttITA10 Жыл бұрын

    In Brazilian portuguese, when something is really ugly or gets really serious we can say it is "uglier than a sickle fight" ("uglier" meaning "more horrible" or "more terrifying", rather than "unappealing").

  • @amayasasaki2848

    @amayasasaki2848

    Жыл бұрын

    Yep, English has that connotation for ugly as well in some cases.

  • @DGFTardin

    @DGFTardin

    Жыл бұрын

    The whole sentence would be "uglier than a sickle fight in the dark"

  • @gdxnsk

    @gdxnsk

    Жыл бұрын

    Quem fala isso mano?

  • @TMMarquez

    @TMMarquez

    Жыл бұрын

    @@gdxnsk Interior de SP é bem comum

  • @gdxnsk

    @gdxnsk

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TMMarquez exatamente onde eu moro e nunca ouvi na vida

  • @lucaballarati9694
    @lucaballarati9694 Жыл бұрын

    Rather than a rogue or assassin, the sickle seems like a personal defese weapon for the everyday paesant: if you work in the fields, you have a sickle, so it makes sense to learn to fight with it.

  • @kamilszadkowski8864

    @kamilszadkowski8864

    Жыл бұрын

    I think so too. Branches/clubs, scythes, and flails seem to be objects that are readily available when traveling through the countryside or found at a market fair. It also seems to correspond with self-defense emergency techniques found in other treatises like using sticks/branches in "Flos Duellatorum".

  • @kireta21

    @kireta21

    Жыл бұрын

    Spies, assassins, ninjas, and other shadowy figures would use repurposed farming equippment because it lets them keep low profile. Even if it's not very good weapon, it's a weapon you can hide in plain sight. Visible weapons draw attention, looking like you're carrying concealed weapon makes you look outright suspicious. Lowly commoners with bags and tools, not much. You see them everywhere, all the time, and because they're clearly of lower caste than you, you'd rather not talk to them anyway if it can be helped. Also, depending on time and place, commoners could be only allowed to openly carry blunt weapons, making "proper" blades possibly detrimental to disguise.

  • @kamilszadkowski8864

    @kamilszadkowski8864

    Жыл бұрын

    @@kireta21 It all sounds logical but can you name any actual examples of such practices occurring? Especially in Europe? If you really want to kill someone in a "stealthy" way then poison is the way to go. Otherwise, most murders during the Middle Ages and Early Modder era that I am aware of were done with regular weaponry. I think if someone was assassinated with a sickle it would be unusual enough to be noted down in chronicles or diaries. Besides, we are speaking of a time when almost everyone was openly carrying a weapon.

  • @Amy_the_Lizard

    @Amy_the_Lizard

    Жыл бұрын

    Would also be cool for someone who's both - like a peasant who wound up having to delve into sketchier work, or an assassin who does farm work between hit jobs

  • @nevisysbryd7450

    @nevisysbryd7450

    Жыл бұрын

    This is basically the same premise behind the machete martial arts from the Americas. There are better designs for combative purposes-however, they were already carrying them as tools, and they work well enough.

  • @liangjun24
    @liangjun24 Жыл бұрын

    In real life, this sickle fight would have resulted in multiple disembowelments. The way the sickles are constructed made it hard to predict where the blows are coming from. Defences against sickles are generally futile. It won't surprise me that the aftermath will be very close to that of an abattoir.

  • @PerSon-xg3zr

    @PerSon-xg3zr

    Жыл бұрын

    The best counter is obviously to prevent them from getting close. Polearms.

  • @Kualinar
    @Kualinar Жыл бұрын

    One of my brothers did some scythe fighting. According to him, it was quite interesting. Great to reach around a shield or to attack the legs of your opponent, the back of the legs that are usually less protected. Why attack the foot ? If the opponent have a solid helmet and chain mail on his harm, his foot me be much less protected. A distinct advantage of the sickle : It's also, and primarily, a tool. Carrying one don't immediately tell others that you are armed. You may be just another farmer carrying one of his tools.

  • @jessl1934

    @jessl1934

    7 ай бұрын

    Regarding attacking feet or the legs: even if you don't manage to get through armor on a foot or a leg, with a big hooked weapon like a scythe and a sweeping blow, your opponent risks becoming unbalanced or even falling to the ground. Being unbalanced hampers your next attacks and exposes you to follow-up blows by hampering your defence, and falling is just about the worst situation to be in when you're in a fight. There was a video of a riot, probably in South America, where the rioters were attacking using strong walking canes against riot police holding riot shields. The police were backed into a corner and had raised their shields high to deflect incoming blows and all I could think about was how one cane looped around the exposed ankle of a police officer would be enough to bring them to the ground and it would have been game over.

  • @InvalidationX145
    @InvalidationX145 Жыл бұрын

    As someone who did about twenty minutes of sickle sparring at a get-together of sword and medieval armament buffs, I can safely say that fighting with and against a sickle, whether with the same or a different weapon like a dagger, is a completely different and fascinating beast. It would be interesting to explore more of this fighting style, and if there are manuscripts on fighting against other weapons such as daggers, axes, swords, etc. I absolutely LOVED this format of video as well, half sparring and half explanation of text and usage. Would love to see more like this again.

  • @foldionepapyrus3441

    @foldionepapyrus3441

    Жыл бұрын

    Did you try against anything with a little reach? Seems like the hooking action is good but anybody with a short sword or larger length weapon is at a higher advantage against sickle than a shorter dagger or buckler to me. Though how it would really play out when the sickle user really isn't as unpracticed and clumsy with it as they clearly were - they look like they really need more time to get the feel for such a strong curved hook. Where when you watch dagger vs sword it seems with like the sparing partners tend to get much more use out of the daggers short blade reach.

  • @InvalidationX145

    @InvalidationX145

    Жыл бұрын

    @@foldionepapyrus3441 I unfortunately did not, and now wish I had. Hence my heightened interest in what you and everyone else has recommended - trying sickle against other weapons such as daggers and longswords.

  • @TheOnlyToblin
    @TheOnlyToblin Жыл бұрын

    Definitely a fascinating dive into "exotic" weaponry. I always did feel that hand-sickles had some merit as weapons, as opposed to more ludicrous claims of other weapon types.

  • @littlekong7685

    @littlekong7685

    Жыл бұрын

    Makes sense for workers taking up arms to defeat bandits or enemy army scouts while waiting for the lords men to arrive. The techniques seem to imply they have no other weapon at hand, and are fighting men whose chest, upper arms, and head are protected, hence why so much seems to focus on neck, wrist, leg attacks. Or are fighting similarly armed workers (likely a self defence technique then).

  • @SUB0SCORION

    @SUB0SCORION

    Жыл бұрын

    The peasant were wilding back than. Too high taxes and they were coming for you with their sickles and sythes.

  • @yammoto148

    @yammoto148

    Жыл бұрын

    And most couldn't afford conventional weapons and it would be unlikely that a town would have a strong militia in those times. Meant that anyone able with anything sharp could do something.

  • @whyuhatan

    @whyuhatan

    Жыл бұрын

    @@yammoto148 On top of that in many places such as Asia owning a legal weapon like a sword was flat out banned Most weapons you see in today's martial arts were originally farming tools

  • @vidard9863

    @vidard9863

    Жыл бұрын

    @@littlekong7685 not necessarily, with a sycle the weapon has many weaknesses, but near the joints you have tendons and veins near the surface, and the curve means you can cut behind a joint. getting the tendons behind someones knee is probably more effective and less likely to result in loosing control of your cycle than hitting his thigh, even if he only has pants.

  • @mattialonghin_mr.l857
    @mattialonghin_mr.l857 Жыл бұрын

    "this is gonna be fun" Big Bad Wolf

  • @ckennedy9356

    @ckennedy9356

    2 ай бұрын

    PUSS IN BOOTS!!!!!!

  • @deminumenera1758
    @deminumenera1758 Жыл бұрын

    Playing D&D, I had a druid that dual wielded sickles. I loved the aesthetic, even if sickles were "sub-optimal" weapons in the game system.

  • @mohandasjung

    @mohandasjung

    Жыл бұрын

    Flair&RolePlay > High numbers

  • @spikem5950

    @spikem5950

    Жыл бұрын

    I really wish they hadn't nerfed the sickle. In 3.5e it ran a 1d6 damage die. The way 5e redid the weapon system really messed up weapon variety.

  • @planexshifter

    @planexshifter

    Жыл бұрын

    @@spikem5950 Yeah but everything else in 5e is pretty solid. As a D&D player since 2nd edition, I much prefer 5e to 3 or 4

  • @planexshifter

    @planexshifter

    Жыл бұрын

    Just house rules the weapons damage.

  • @spikem5950

    @spikem5950

    Жыл бұрын

    @@planexshifter Agree to disagree, 5e has really degraded my enjoyment of the hobby and I've moved on over to WFRP 2e as a result. "Just house rules it" yeah that would be great, if it wasn't like pulling teeth to bring anything even slightly outside of the norm to the RAW purists who see it as more of a tabletop game instead of an RPG that heavily oversaturate 5e's playerbase.

  • @wojciechjaworski9304
    @wojciechjaworski9304 Жыл бұрын

    Hello Skal! I've been learning sickle fencing from this treaty for quite some time now, teaching classes from it. I even got a chance to host a workshop on the subject. First of all - great thing that you brought it to light! It's a very obscure piece of fencing, but it's a lot of fun. A couple of notes: 1) When you spar with a sickle, don't stop when you're hit in the arm. In Mair's techniques it's quite obvious that he expects you to get hit from time to time (it's unavoidable that sometimes you get hurt in a duel). Check sequences number 5 and 15 for proof - they straight up tell you what to do AFTER you're already hit. Also, he always tells you to get away from your opponent after you hit them - even if they're hit and wounded, they can always hit back. 2) In each techniques that involves blocking opponent's sickle with yours, Mair always points to first control opponents arm, and only then untangle your weapon. Otherwise you will get stuck - just as you did and observed yourself :) 3) Hitting legs/feet of your opponent with a sickle is not only for the direct harm from the blow, it's also a hook that you can use to throw your opponent to the ground - something that curved, short blade is especially good at. Try it - it's a lot of fun! If you have any questions or would like to compare notes, please shoot, maybe I'll be able to save you some time :) . And again - great content!

  • @solidcell6568

    @solidcell6568

    Жыл бұрын

    I would love to see what some body control with the sickle could be like, more wrestling with it to hook the joins, or as a defense tool vs firearm or knife. Would have loved to see this against a practical common weapon and various things to pair the weapon with as well as optimal size vs certain weapons.

  • @andrewroberts8959

    @andrewroberts8959

    Жыл бұрын

    If you have ever used a sickle you know that you have to slide the blade across the grass to cut it. It's only the inside edge of the top part of the sickle that is really sharp. The motion of the strike and the weight of the thing mean that you aren't getting the same perpendicular cut you get with a sword. Basically, as you say, you would expect to get a cut but to be able to keep going if you get struck with a sickle.

  • @TheGamingDroid9000

    @TheGamingDroid9000

    Жыл бұрын

    How do you feel as well about the guarded strikes being counted, from my experience because of how the weapon is shaped, if you guard a strike robbing it of power, penetration with the point is very weak, instead you need to draw a cut if you manage to push past a guard.

  • @wojciechjaworski9304

    @wojciechjaworski9304

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TheGamingDroid9000 I would count guarded strikes. First, if you blocked a strike and still got hit, it means your guard was poor and it shouldn't be considered effective. Secondly, when you swing a sickle, the most energy is on the very end of it, on the point. If that point reaches you and hits something soft, it's going to make damage. In fact, Mair's lethal techniques aim to stick the point of the sickle into the neck, face, armpit.

  • @crenfick7750

    @crenfick7750

    Жыл бұрын

    Skallagrim, reach out to this guy!

  • @shix13
    @shix13 Жыл бұрын

    i found this very interesting. It would have been nice to see how the sickle wielder faired against some different common opponents like a dagger, long blade or club. Like "i'm just hanging out on my farm and this bandit shows up and the only thing close i can grab is this sickle." I know kind of contrived, but if sickle is "exotic" you running into another sickle wielder would be rather unlikely. :)

  • @BigGayIncorporated

    @BigGayIncorporated

    Жыл бұрын

    Are you sure? I could've sworn sickle fighting was a thing in Africa...?

  • @kasadeya3754

    @kasadeya3754

    Жыл бұрын

    So I do have a few minor clarifications from my understanding, one thing is, in part this is an instructional manual on not just what these techniques look like, but to learn them. In which case two people practicing with the same weapon makes sense. Second as my understanding often Peasant duels(not quite the right word) would be resolved in this way, at least up to first blood. Their is multiple references to this at least in my homeland, where people of the lower class would have numerous forarm or surface leg scars from first blood with sickles. Third is my own curiosity if the writer was at least passingly Familiar with Eastern Europe, where I know these techniques were used semi frequently, as carrying a sharpened sickle, outer and usually inner edge with a Modifed pick esc tip. Was a semi common affair for certian social classes, and used as a side arm, or for in building combat. (My family is from Moldovia, Ah Romania now. Where I know this was done, right down to our version of the Robin Hood story using a sickle as one of his signature weapons.)

  • @leobuana7430

    @leobuana7430

    Жыл бұрын

    @@BigGayIncorporated Indonesian Madura ethnic is infamous for using sickle in fight and duel

  • @Ragnarok6664

    @Ragnarok6664

    Жыл бұрын

    @Cannon Fighter how can a sickle be exotic when its abundant everywhere?

  • @monikafaber3356

    @monikafaber3356

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Ragnarok6664 Exotic as a weapon. Sickle was mostly used as a tool. If somebody would make a manual about fighting with a shovel (and somehow make it work) it would be similiar.

  • @d33b33
    @d33b33 Жыл бұрын

    11:51 Perhaps this was a weakness in translation, perhaps Paulus meant you to go for a specific part of the foot: the heel, the Achilles heel. The head is a such a default target, and the sickle seems tailor made to take out soft stuff like a tendon, but not hard stuff like a neck. It looks a lot like filipino karambit fighting, which also focuses on crippling the opponent by cutting through the tendons in the wrists, armpits, or the aorta in the groin. Nasty. These fighting sickles, were they double edged like a karambit (sharpened both inside and outside curve)?

  • @seanandrews5329

    @seanandrews5329

    Жыл бұрын

    I like men. You are a man.

  • @dimasakbar7668

    @dimasakbar7668

    Жыл бұрын

    Personally i wasn't aware of traditionally double edged karambit, since it is mostly slashing hooking, picking self-defense weapon. AFAIK even in pencak silat,they traditionally use single edged karambit. But hey, i only knew what i knew decades ago, things may have changed

  • @madogmedic
    @madogmedic Жыл бұрын

    I find the concept of using the sicle as a weapon interesting, especially when thinking of how it's used day to day. Like you showed, it can't be used the same way as a straight edged blade. However, if you pay attention to human anatomy, it's perfect when in a counter, you attack the inside aspect of the knee, elbow, arm-pit and neck. The simple act of pulling through will pull the blade deeper into your opponent as it comes out, severing anything in it's way.like a karambit. I'm a Surgical Technician, and retired Army Combat Medic. I couldn't see using it as a primary weapon at all.

  • @mercerholt8299

    @mercerholt8299

    Жыл бұрын

    But as a peasant weapon I could see it being a decent substitute for say a short sword.

  • @a-blivvy-yus

    @a-blivvy-yus

    Жыл бұрын

    As an improvised weapon, or an off-hand alternative to a dagger when fighting with two weapons, it's definitely a workable option, but it's not an ideal weapon - but that wasn't the intent behind its design, so it's not surprising. Even comparing knives designed for combat with those designed for the kitchen, you see notable differences in how they're shaped.

  • @peppermintpig974

    @peppermintpig974

    Жыл бұрын

    You're right about the pulling injury approach. Side hits also where you can stab into flesh and wrench the opponent closer to their center of gravity. If your enemy is medieval in nature there is often this approach of upper strikes and stabs and with sicles you are predominantly focused on countering and anticipation to close the gap against longer weapons. You probably don't want to catch your enemy's weapon if you had the choice because of the disparity in power (most likely facing off against a larger weapon). The sicle relies on speed and surprise and faster movements with the legs.

  • @justas423
    @justas423 Жыл бұрын

    It's interesting how good the Sickle is as a "Catch and Deflect" style of weapon, especially when compared with other weapons that supposedly perform the same function.

  • @pifilixxiv3192

    @pifilixxiv3192

    Жыл бұрын

    Reminds me of how sai got a similiar way of control

  • @Adierit

    @Adierit

    Жыл бұрын

    The best part is a Sickle isn't even a weapon, it's a farming tool.

  • @gratefulguy4130

    @gratefulguy4130

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Adierit Ever seen Japanese gardening tools?

  • @smugglercat6638

    @smugglercat6638

    Жыл бұрын

    @@gratefulguy4130 their farming tools are katana, pull out cut quickly and scream Japanese words

  • @julietfischer5056

    @julietfischer5056

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Adierit- So was the flail, originally. Some pole arms were derived from tools used to trim trees.

  • @unnamedenemy9
    @unnamedenemy9 Жыл бұрын

    this was really cool. Delving into the historical techniques, the advantages and challenges, and seeing it all in action is pretty awesome. I'd love seeing more videos like this and/or ones where you experiment with different weapons and combinations. Using this video as a springboard for seeing what kind of weapons/shields would work particularly well when paired with a sickle, for instance.

  • @KincadeCeltoSlav

    @KincadeCeltoSlav

    Жыл бұрын

    Heck Yeah! Sickle and Buckler! (Or Spiked Targe)!!!!!!!

  • @keenanlarsen1639

    @keenanlarsen1639

    Жыл бұрын

    Seeing how many times they got hit on the arms, I'm guessing having a shield or buckler would be of great benefit.

  • @Sin_Falimus

    @Sin_Falimus

    Жыл бұрын

    @@keenanlarsen1639 I don't think so, half of the technique is grappling. If there's a shield in your off hand, then you lose that.

  • @normalin1stofhisname

    @normalin1stofhisname

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Sin_Falimus then perhaps something like a targe could work - but then that adds another surface for a weapon to be caught on. Maybe Skal's idea of a broad, flat guard could work, but it would need to be rounded, I'm picturing something akin to a cutlass guard or a leaf shaped guard.

  • @swigmcale7555
    @swigmcale7555 Жыл бұрын

    How realistic is The Wolf's fighting style in "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish"? The Wolf is Death BTW.

  • @waifukiller8827
    @waifukiller8827 Жыл бұрын

    Believe or not, puss in boot 2 drove me to here and if you watched the movies, you will know why

  • @fate3484

    @fate3484

    Жыл бұрын

    Same

  • @1EDSEL3
    @1EDSEL3 Жыл бұрын

    A series on "Skal tries weird weapons" sound fun. This perspective always helps with my Pen and Paper RPG Rule Book writing. Some players just want weird weapons. Like once I had someone using a magical spindle wheel as his main weapon... so

  • @justinbremer2281

    @justinbremer2281

    Жыл бұрын

    I had a player who made a vault door his main weapon. It started when his dwarf managed to rip it off its hinges, dive through a hole in the ceiling, fall two stories, and crit the monster. It ended as being enchanted into a hoverboard and outfitted with blades.

  • @tudoraragornofgreyscot8482

    @tudoraragornofgreyscot8482

    Жыл бұрын

    @@justinbremer2281 kinda like static shock

  • @starchitin
    @starchitin Жыл бұрын

    I found this a lot more interesting and informative than standard reviews that rely solely on conjecture and swinging at stationary targets. That type of review has its place, but the sparing gives a chance to eliminate misconceptions and lessens the weight of any prejudices you might have had going in.

  • @zaferoph

    @zaferoph

    Жыл бұрын

    This... is not a review of a weapon. Not a specific one. You sound a bit confused. This is a test of techniques, not a review of the function or quality of a specified product.

  • @starchitin

    @starchitin

    Жыл бұрын

    @@zaferoph Yes, I'm clear on that. Whether it's a specific product, type of weapon, or technique it's still a review. If it's a specific product than swinging at standard targets is just fine cause it's about the quality of the product.... but when discussing the effectiveness of sickles, katars, etc this type of review is much more informative than what most youTubers do (i.e., look at it, maybe swing it a few times at a target, and speculate)

  • @aaronpearson1744

    @aaronpearson1744

    Жыл бұрын

    @@zaferoph 🤓

  • @TheKulu42
    @TheKulu42 Жыл бұрын

    The Wolf in "Puss & Boots: The Last Wish" uses sickles, and suddenly I see why he might have chosen them--besides being Death. His opponents, usually armed with swords, wouldn't be familiar with sickle fighting and the fighting technique he's developed while, in turn, he's familiar with swords and has learned how to counter such weapons.

  • @deutschesvolk8216
    @deutschesvolk8216 Жыл бұрын

    This makes me think: how often would two sparring opponents just kill each other by trading blows? It's not like you would INSTANTLY die unless you penetrate someone's vital organs, or eyes with a blow, so like how many of those not instant killing hits would prove later to be your doom due to bleeding and just being too hurt to survive very long afterwards? My guess from watching this is: quite a lot. Watching these videos makes me think that the odds of you dying even being a master swordsman are WORRYINGLY high, even if you are fighting against someone marginally good at what they are doing simply by the sheer virtue of being hit accidentally, or by reflex. I'm not even talking about anything secondary like infections, or accidents that happen as a result of being hit btw, loss of balance, etc., i'm speaking solely injuries that render you incapacitated, including injuries that may NOT fully render you incapacitated but that are so severe that you just bleed out and die, even AFTER you successfully killed your opponent. It just looks like hell tbh, since even if you are good you're probably going to die anyway.

  • @thedeviantguy

    @thedeviantguy

    Жыл бұрын

    That danger is why sickles weren’t the primary weapon for pre-firearm soldiers rather than swords. I doubt there was ever an army fielded wielding sickles and shields. The reason to use a sickle is the fact that it wasn’t created to be a weapon. Cheap, readily available, unassuming. A perfect weapon for a field worker or anyone looking to pass as one.

  • @SeathThePawn

    @SeathThePawn

    Жыл бұрын

    Usually, those kinds of sparrings would usually involve things like wooden weapons to minimize exactly that from happening. That way you can learn the techniques, then later you practice with the real thing to get used to the difference in weight.

  • @gratefulguy4130

    @gratefulguy4130

    Жыл бұрын

    Knife fights are notorious for not being able to get through unbitten. Sickle fights just seem like an extension of that.

  • @Skallagrim

    @Skallagrim

    Жыл бұрын

    Fighting with short blades at grappling is always extremely dangerous, so there would be a high risk of both getting injured, possibly badly enough to succumb to their wounds after the fight.

  • @alaljarensi6990

    @alaljarensi6990

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, in real battles it was common for soldiers to come out of it with deep wounds and take months to recover if ever at all. And amputation and infection were much more likely outcomes back then.

  • @sparcnyan
    @sparcnyan Жыл бұрын

    Seems like sickle fighting would pair really well with extensive wrestling skills and knowledge. Lots of wrist manipulation & I imagine follow up take downs could work wonders here

  • @fancyincubus

    @fancyincubus

    Жыл бұрын

    Talk about a grappling hook

  • @dividedbyzero8072

    @dividedbyzero8072

    Жыл бұрын

    I agree. Seems like a weapon that would pair well with some lite judo and heavy aggression.

  • @Lobito-qz9pz
    @Lobito-qz9pz Жыл бұрын

    Personally, I would say this is your best bet for a series, for the channel's sake. I found the part where you digest through Mair's techniques most captivating and couldn't help but wonder if there were any more martial artists who also wrote about the sickle and techniques to use them

  • @CufflinksAndChuckles
    @CufflinksAndChuckles Жыл бұрын

    Your footwork has improved so much over the years. You're also incorporating a lot of feints and you're a lot better at maintaining distance. You really shine in situations where you're back pedaling while still doing your own counter hews.

  • @quicheramene1860
    @quicheramene1860 Жыл бұрын

    Wolf from the new puss in boots: I know right

  • @chadmagnus5850
    @chadmagnus5850 Жыл бұрын

    It is definitely interesting. I originally hated the sickle as a D&D druid's weapon, because I couldn't imagine how t use it. But this video changed the whole view for me. Looking forward to other such videos.👍

  • @joaosturza

    @joaosturza

    Жыл бұрын

    its also a nice asterix and obelix reference as a gilded sickle

  • @KurtAngle89

    @KurtAngle89

    Жыл бұрын

    Sickle was perhaps a ritual item, representing good harvest, that historical druids (supposedly) used also for human sacrifices. That was the "lore idea" behind it, i guess

  • @Zack_Zander

    @Zack_Zander

    Жыл бұрын

    From how I see it, it’s a dagger with extra steps.

  • @thedeviantguy

    @thedeviantguy

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Zack_Zander it’s a dagger that nobody will ever question a peasant about having.

  • @ultimomos5918
    @ultimomos5918 Жыл бұрын

    I've done a bit of sickle sparring with some friends and it really is a lot of fun! Similar to dagger but much more tricky, the hook really sneaks around guards and allows cuts from the wrist to actually be effective. What I found even more interesting was that even when caught the sickle can still be pulled to hook and slice. Nice fighting!

  • @pyramear5414
    @pyramear5414 Жыл бұрын

    I loved seeing how different their fighting styles were. Skall was very active and dynamically moving, while the Sindri was nearly motionless before a clash, like a preying mantis.

  • @MrKarnator
    @MrKarnator Жыл бұрын

    Yes, a Series of Sickle weapons and how to use them in combat would be pretty neat, and what you could potentially add to the sickle to make it work in different ways or such. Like the things you mentioned at the end or such.

  • @JackSparrow-hh2lh
    @JackSparrow-hh2lh Жыл бұрын

    the sickle could also be a secondary weapon, usefull for hooking or close range cutting, while another weapon (axe, sword,...) is used for more traditional fighting. Also, yes please more videos like these!

  • @mdawni6933

    @mdawni6933

    Жыл бұрын

    Dark Souls 3 Abyss Watchers

  • @berzercher

    @berzercher

    Жыл бұрын

    Why use fifty weapons when you can be very good with one?

  • @ididntaskverified3663

    @ididntaskverified3663

    Жыл бұрын

    So you have multiple ranges and styles in response to other weapons

  • @berzercher

    @berzercher

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ididntaskverified3663 Good luck controlling two separate arms with two different weapons with their own separate styles.

  • @ididntaskverified3663

    @ididntaskverified3663

    Жыл бұрын

    @@berzercher you really can’t use two different styles on weapons that don’t complement each other effectively, I meant like halberds and knuckle dusters, lance and shield, curved sword and sickle

  • @riverdelavidawilliams9624
    @riverdelavidawilliams9624 Жыл бұрын

    I won’t lie, even though this video was on the longer end of what I typically can sit down to watch, it was perfect. All of the sparring and talking through the manuscripts was really informative. The history and explanations were concise but full of good takeaways. I would definitely love to see more of this in the future. Everything I hope for in a sword video.

  • @kusakabe3264

    @kusakabe3264

    Жыл бұрын

    16 miniutes... "longer end" oh dear.

  • @noonethatyouknow5555

    @noonethatyouknow5555

    Жыл бұрын

    16 minutes is long for you??? Short-form media has decimated the average attention span.

  • @kusakabe3264

    @kusakabe3264

    Жыл бұрын

    @Nehemek 's because 10 minutes took a crap ton of work, editing software was crap, and animation was the big thing on KZread. and it was a crap ton of work

  • @Easyflux
    @Easyflux Жыл бұрын

    This is so interesting to watch in action, because I've always disregarded this weapon type because, well.. it's niche to say the least. But to some, this would have been all they've had access to. And I've never really given much thought as to how you would look while fighting with this, especially with sickle vs sickle. There's a lot of awkward and self-own situations you could end up in if you don't know what you're doing, for sure. It kind of reminds me of the nunchucks in a way, because of the sheer potential for self-damage or jamming your weapon and opening yourself up to taking damage. Personally I would pick the sickle over a nunchuck any day of the week, just saying :P Great video man, I really enjoyed this. Please do more niche weapon spotlight with Sindri.

  • @spikem5950

    @spikem5950

    Жыл бұрын

    Only, it isn't niche. If anything you probably had less people wield swords than wield sickles in the grand scheme of things. This was an extremely common weapon to see the peasantry use because it was one of the most readily available weapons to them, same with hammers. It's part of why all the worker revolutions symbolized the hammer and sickle.

  • @diegomontoya796

    @diegomontoya796

    Жыл бұрын

    @@spikem5950 the Russian Civil War was fought with firearms. Then what happened?

  • @spikem5950

    @spikem5950

    Жыл бұрын

    @@diegomontoya796 I never said the sickle was the weapon of the Russian Civil War, are you daft? I said its historical use as a weapon of the peasants in earlier times was part of its meaning as a symbol.

  • @zachfranklin6359
    @zachfranklin6359 Жыл бұрын

    I really like watching you full contact spar. I think it really adds to the education part of the videos seeing the weapons in action and it's fun to watch.

  • @Swordsman1425
    @Swordsman1425 Жыл бұрын

    I always found the sickle to be one of the more interesting weapons put there. Great intro to how it would be used in a fight. It does indeed resemble knife fighting more, so it does look like more of an assassin kind of weapon. Though, with regards to the move about cutting at the foot, maybe it was just trying to indicate the direction of the cut? Like rather than aiming for the foot, just cutting across the body in that direction?

  • @HeadCannonPrime

    @HeadCannonPrime

    Жыл бұрын

    I agree, I think he is pointing out that you can break the defense all the way down to the foot if so desired. But anyone reading a fighting manuscript in the day would surely understand all the valid targets in between.

  • @benmoi3390

    @benmoi3390

    Жыл бұрын

    why assassin? peasant you meant? assassin would use dagger because dagger were pretty much the eating implement and everyone has one, and is more easy to conceal in a sleeve or a boot... where are you gonna conceal your sickle unless you disguise yourself as a peasant.

  • @adrianwolter3690

    @adrianwolter3690

    Жыл бұрын

    In some german dialects everything below the knee is called foot. So maybe this is the case here.

  • @Skallagrim

    @Skallagrim

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, it might be implying any target below the waist.

  • @undertakernumberone1

    @undertakernumberone1

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Skallagrim I looked at the german text for it: "so nimbstu Im seinen schnit hinweckh Inndem zuckh dein rechte hannd behend wider an dich vnnd schneid Im nach seinem rechten furgesetzten schennckel"/"an dich, vnd schneid Im nach seinem rechten furgesetzten schenckel" At least in modern german, the "Schenkel" are thighs (Ober-) and lower leg (Unterschenkel). So unless in Middle High German etc. "Schenkel" meant "Fuß"/"Foot", which i kind off doubt due to the fact that, when refering to the foot, the word "fuosz" is used, which clearly shows similiarity to the modern german word, I assume it was a mistranslation. So... i assume it calls for a cut to the thigh, or maybe lower leg, instead of one to the foot.

  • @robertlewis6915
    @robertlewis6915 Жыл бұрын

    What I learned today: When invited to a sickle fight, bring a gun and shoot first. This video is my favorite you've made in a while. It'll be very useful in future, I think, as my interest is in worldbuilding, so knowing about the basics of odd-but-practical weapons is really helpful.

  • @Zack_Zander

    @Zack_Zander

    Жыл бұрын

    “Parry this”

  • @SamChaneyProductions
    @SamChaneyProductions Жыл бұрын

    This was one of my favorite videos of yours in a long while. Seeing those ancient fighting manuals actually acted out in real life and applied in a sparring scenario is super interesting and enlightening. I'd love to see more exotic weapons like scythes, tri-sectional staffs, sai, etc.

  • @hanno_t
    @hanno_t Жыл бұрын

    To see the transition from manuscript to practicing the moves to resistant sparring was really interesting. You really get a feel for how reality (and gear) intrudes on the intended form. Really well done video!

  • @Aftershk
    @Aftershk Жыл бұрын

    I actually made a sickle-fighter character back in the day. He was short-lived due to the campaign length, but he was a Hunter (a Pathfinder class that is a druid/ranger combo that combines the martial focus of the ranger, with a full-level animal companion to fight alongside) who had a giant praying mantis as his animal companion, and to emulate his companion, he fought with dual sickles.

  • @asherroodcreel640

    @asherroodcreel640

    Жыл бұрын

    Disappointingly mantids raptor forlegs are far closer to a vice then a blade, now if you affix a blade to them

  • @asherroodcreel640

    @asherroodcreel640

    Жыл бұрын

    Also some of the funniest animals on earth

  • @michaelwerkov3438

    @michaelwerkov3438

    Жыл бұрын

    Why do dnd people say stuff like this? You imagining a character with a sickle has absolutely nothing to do with understanding how an actual sickle fight works

  • @scollin8096

    @scollin8096

    Жыл бұрын

    Get a load of this nerd (I say as I have like +10 character sheets) Jokes aside, that’s an awesome character concept

  • @mikepette4422

    @mikepette4422

    Жыл бұрын

    @@michaelwerkov3438 i get your point but w/e give him a break we're all nerds in some way

  • @Raptor747
    @Raptor747 Жыл бұрын

    Damn, it feels like a sickle was actually a REALLY dangerous weapon in its day, but it was harder to master, so soldiers/knights favored swords and daggers for the same role. A shame, honestly--I could easily see an off-hand sickle being viable because of its ease in catching and moving an opponent's weapon out of the way, or for getting a tricky strike in around the opponent's defense. The other factor is that a sickle is a downright intimidating weapon to face, even when you have an advantage. It LOOKS tricky, and its appearance pretty well conveys all of the nasty ways in which this weapon could easily hurt you (or kill you). Its curved, circular nature means that it's not going to be easy to defend against it like you would other weapons, since it can both catch a longer weapon easily and get around a defense that would normally work. And while it sacrifices reach, it gains utility. As for carrying it...I imagine a large leather pouch might work? With some modifications to keep it in place (at least well enough). Sure, it's not super practical compared to a knife or short sword, but drawing one of these is probably going to make even an experienced and skilled opponent VERY wary pretty much immediately.

  • @firmanimad

    @firmanimad

    Жыл бұрын

    I imagine it's far less effective against armor, and bulkier and less versatile than knifes. There's a reason this weapon is unpopular outside of makeshift peadant weaponry.

  • @hendrikvanleeuwen9110

    @hendrikvanleeuwen9110

    Жыл бұрын

    An agricultural sickle wouldn't be durable enough for a weapon. As far as I know there aren't any combat sickles from medieval Europe. There is the mambele (sickle sword) from Africa and ofcourse the kami from Japan.

  • @Docktavion

    @Docktavion

    Жыл бұрын

    @@hendrikvanleeuwen9110 I know much earlier but would you say a khopesh counts as a sickle weapon?

  • @hendrikvanleeuwen9110

    @hendrikvanleeuwen9110

    Жыл бұрын

    @@DocktavionThe edge is on the wrong side, so I would say no. But apparently the back of the tip was used to strike around defenses, like a pick.

  • @garry9009

    @garry9009

    Жыл бұрын

    Its still dangerous now…look up “indonesian tawuran” , its an indonesian highschool gang war that still happening till today…and youll see that like 80% of them are using sickle, some of them even are custom made and was as big as 2 meters long. They also use a custom made “sawblade”, home made flails like weapon (made with belt & motorcycle/bicycle gear), katanas, etc

  • @I_love_bread_and_Hungry_Jacks
    @I_love_bread_and_Hungry_Jacks Жыл бұрын

    Wait, why do I see a humanoid cloaked wolf whistling?

  • @mattw.6726
    @mattw.6726 Жыл бұрын

    This was a great vid. I've really been missing the sparring/weapon testing/demonstration type videos, so I'm glad you were able to make this happen. Adding in the info from the fighting manual was the cherry on top.

  • @TheDMind
    @TheDMind Жыл бұрын

    On the attack to the foot: I can see it being a good idea against someone in cheap/scrounged armor. If you assume you're not fighting a knight, but instead are fighting an auxiliary who had to provide their own armor, there's a decent chance they've focused their resources on head and body armor, as that's where most of the attacks will come in. The attack to the foot will still be very quick with this weapon, you'd take your opponent out of the fight, and you're not trying to attack through a helmet or padded gambison or similar.

  • @roryoneill5901

    @roryoneill5901

    Жыл бұрын

    More for fighting a bandit or other criminal rather than military personnel.

  • @Bluecho4

    @Bluecho4

    Жыл бұрын

    Moreover, most people will expect an attack to the head or chest. Thus, be on their guard against it. An attack against the foot is much less obvious, but can easily end a fight on its own.

  • @tropicalvikingcreations

    @tropicalvikingcreations

    Жыл бұрын

    You can actually get sickles in between layer or overlap style armor pieces easily if you're willing to risk breaking the tip off, you can get a good gouge still if they're unaware. Also if you have a more acrobatic style or fighting a heavier set enemy than you, going for the joints at end of the limbs is a good wear down tactic and even with armor you can get in behind the ankle or knee and give them a leg sweep that may leave them open to attack.

  • @sachawilliams7731

    @sachawilliams7731

    Жыл бұрын

    Maybe it's to surprise your opponent. He will be looking to defend his head and body by blocking your arm. A strike to the foot could maybe throw him off.?

  • @DGFTardin
    @DGFTardin Жыл бұрын

    I'd definetly want this to be a series!

  • @UltraBeatZ
    @UltraBeatZ Жыл бұрын

    Thank you sooo much for making this video. I used to practice Pencak Silat and we'd train with sickles as well. It was my favorite weapon. If you're going to do more videos on this topic, I'd suggest you to dig in deeper and explore the different martial art styles that use sickles. The history behind sicklefighting is quite dark but interesting. In Indonesia it was occasional that people would challenge each other to a bloody sickle duel, in the name of honour.

  • @EinTagedieb
    @EinTagedieb Жыл бұрын

    I am a huge fan of your videos! I have eastern martial arts background and I have been practicing with the kama a lot. It is really good to see the HEMA approach to this because eastern forms or demonstration are so watered down and not really preassure tested that this is such a breath of fresh air! The stab to the toe is used a lot in kama forms, but it's done a little bit different - it's either a set up for a stab/cut to the head or upper body or it's used as a draging motion to throw the opponent off balance (but keep in mind that traditional kobudo/eastern practice uses two kama - so you always have one dexterity, either arm or hand, weapon controlled while doing this - much similarity in just grabbing your opponents other arm) There are other techniques which do not stab the front of the foot but dive down and pull beneith the heel to cut through the tendoins as well, so I think, if this technique shows up in the old manuscripts and also in eastern martial arts, there has to be a valid and good application for it! otherwise it would just vanish over the course of time

  • @Mepholar
    @Mepholar Жыл бұрын

    Really liked watching this. The hooking and countering chains kept it dynamic in a way that kept me guessing, and the short reach of it/ dagger fighting really heightened things. Hope to see more!

  • @victorhugoeh974
    @victorhugoeh974 Жыл бұрын

    Wow! Sickle fighting seems even more difficult than I thought it would be. The curved blade introduces some quite strange features into combat and definitely needs a different technique from other kinds of blades. Excellent video 😃👍

  • @westcoastwarriorsarchive7929

    @westcoastwarriorsarchive7929

    Жыл бұрын

    its sort of like fighting those long handled flails, hard to block since the weight swings around and still hits you in the back anyways.

  • @normalin1stofhisname

    @normalin1stofhisname

    Жыл бұрын

    Building on what Skal said about sharpening the other side of the blade, imagine the potential of reversing out of a cut/blade catch and then pressing up/across the arm/neck/head. You cut, the guard, you pull out of guard and catch their fingers with the opposite edge, they drop their weapon, etc.

  • @ShadowedDemise
    @ShadowedDemise Жыл бұрын

    Yes! Please do a series on this. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this video, and would love to see more as you have time for it.

  • @Retribution8
    @Retribution8 Жыл бұрын

    This video, not only was the first video of yours in a long time to show up on my feed, but it was also really fun to watch!

  • @Skallagrim
    @Skallagrim Жыл бұрын

    Here is part 2 (sickle vs. sword): kzread.info/dash/bejne/oJiWtKRph5jIgco.html If you liked this video, I also have one about how practical iconic horror movie weapons would be, and the sickle is among them. kzread.info/dash/bejne/k6Wkrbmep9Waorg.html And here are a few other relevant videos: How Practical is This Fantasy Tonfa Sickle Really? kzread.info/dash/bejne/lqtnz9J8f9HWn7g.html Scythes! -- Tool vs. Weapon? -- History -- Fantasy -- Functionality kzread.info/dash/bejne/a2Fn18myo5CTk7Q.html Turned the Reaper Scythe Into a War Scythe... kzread.info/dash/bejne/iWuCr8-OqcLLorQ.html Review: M48 Tactical Kama by United Cutlery kzread.info/dash/bejne/pXeKxJmipbneZbw.html

  • @Kakaragi

    @Kakaragi

    Жыл бұрын

    Might you try sparring with the kama too?

  • @Skallagrim

    @Skallagrim

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Kakaragi We would, if we had practice kamas.

  • @Kakaragi

    @Kakaragi

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Skallagrim It looks like that wooden kamas are sold on the century martial art website if that helps

  • @Skallagrim

    @Skallagrim

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Kakaragi I don't consider wooden kamas safe for full-contact sparring.

  • @ramondewilde05

    @ramondewilde05

    Жыл бұрын

    @Skallagrim Wouldnt grappling be a big part of sickle fighting considering how often they get stuck to eachother? Like instead of trying to free it just going for a trow or sweep instead? (Dont rlly have any expirience with it but just seems like a good follow up)

  • @shykorustotora
    @shykorustotora Жыл бұрын

    The thing I'm getting from this is it seems like an extremely high risk weapon, but when that blade wraps around the forearm... MAN, I can't imagine the cuts you'd get from that... And the blood loss too, maybe even some severed nerves just for good measure

  • @96dragonhunter

    @96dragonhunter

    Жыл бұрын

    I really think the sickle would be really amazing if we talk about a close quarter situations where you don't wear armor, like just strolling the city. Against an unarmored opponet the damage on the lims when directly struck with a blow will most definately be severed. It's also and extremely tricky weapon that doesnt require big swing, if you "catch" and opponents arm or leg when he strikes, just the catch is going to leave him badly mangled due to inertia. I would generally describe it as tricky and vicious, but I really think a kama would outperform a sickle 7 times out of ten.

  • @spikem5950

    @spikem5950

    Жыл бұрын

    @@96dragonhunter A kama would outperform a sickle yes, but there were a lot more people with sickles readily available than kamas.

  • @quarkraven
    @quarkraven Жыл бұрын

    For me, all your best videos are the ones that were most original, most expressive of your passions, and most energetic with respect to what went into the ideas and production. This one has all those qualities. Very fine work, and super fun.

  • @dakotabrewster2071
    @dakotabrewster2071 Жыл бұрын

    Yo this is amazing! I found these sparing videos to demonstrate techniques extremely fun to watch. Thanks for referencing historic manuscripts as well!

  • Жыл бұрын

    I really liked this "experimental archeology" style to reconstructing weapon techniques. I'd like for it to become a recurring thing on the channel.

  • @zaganim3813

    @zaganim3813

    Жыл бұрын

    thats is basically the whole concept of hema, trying to reconstruct that which was lost

  • @LuxisAlukard

    @LuxisAlukard

    Жыл бұрын

    I think this is "experiential archaeology", as explained in this video kzread.info/dash/bejne/opd4p7WFc8yfe5c.html&ab_channel=AncientCraftUK-Dr.JamesDilley But I agree, those videos are great!

  • @comradezero
    @comradezero Жыл бұрын

    This would make a great series. Would love to see sparring experiments with sickle vs dagger, sickle vs club, etc. Even dual-wield sickle vs... dual-wield buckler? Sickle and halberd vs pavise and net?

  • @Seelenschmiede

    @Seelenschmiede

    Жыл бұрын

    Sickle and halberd? With your 3rd arm?

  • @SonicXRage
    @SonicXRage Жыл бұрын

    I love how sickles present many opportunities for grabs with the offhand and the sickle itself. It's very fun to watch because, unlike swords and a lot of other weapons, sickles don't slide off each other as often since they're so curved, so you get into many intense situations where both fighters' weapons are stuck. It's a "sticky" fight!

  • @bramhorne7048
    @bramhorne7048 Жыл бұрын

    I would love to see more videos in this format! I’ve been doing BJJ/Muay Thai/MMA for a little over five years now and really appreciate well formatted instructional video such as this. You do a really good job introducing new techniques, even those new to you. Your video inspire me to keep learning new things. Thank you!

  • @franktower9006
    @franktower9006 Жыл бұрын

    I found this very interesting! Even though the sickle is not as easy to carry as a knife, it's an interesting thought (and practical) experiment, since the sickle is still a very common tool that wouldn't raise a brow in the hands of somebody working his garden. The original Karambit was a farming or harvesting tool, too and that became a popular edged weapon. I wonder how these techniques would work with a Karambit and how useful they would be against straight weapons of a similar size - what are the advantages or disadvantages? I would like to see more of this!

  • @DJKr15py

    @DJKr15py

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm not saying the sickle techniques wouldn't work at all with a karambit (especially an abnormally large one) but karambits already have some very well developed and proven martial arts.

  • @franktower9006

    @franktower9006

    Жыл бұрын

    @@DJKr15py Absolutely! I'm just curious how it would work because of the similarities of the blades. It wouldn't hurt to add some techniques to the toolbox.

  • @DJTheMetalheadMercenary
    @DJTheMetalheadMercenary Жыл бұрын

    Fascinating stuff. I can imagine the injuries/ wounds caused would be particularly nasty.

  • @MarijuanaPaint
    @MarijuanaPaint Жыл бұрын

    I always enjoy the sparring videos you upload. This was a cool exercise, thank you for sharing!

  • @iantaylor6360
    @iantaylor6360 Жыл бұрын

    First video of yours to hit my recommends in years - so that should be a pretty good indicator that you're onto something with this series. Very interesting would love to see more.

  • @Exile_Sky
    @Exile_Sky Жыл бұрын

    12:10 My first thought about the going to the feet or leg is armor. The feet and legs on a lot of manuscripts appear to be fairly lightly armored. So if you are going against an opponent that has proper arm, core, and head protection, having techniques to immobilize the opponent could be effective in removing them from a fight all together or neutering their effectiveness due to the wound.

  • @TF_NowWithExtraCharacters

    @TF_NowWithExtraCharacters

    Жыл бұрын

    Even factoring in armour, attacking the feet seems like a very weak non-disabling attack... Until you realise that gives you access to the tendons behind the knee and the femoral artery. Suddenly dropping down is changing levels (same way boxers do), flip the sickle and rising cut to the back of the knee or the thigh. It won't end the fight as fast as a good head blow, but pretty darn good too. Or if the enemy is in full armour and your little cutty weapon isn't doing much, that position's just right for a takedown and proceed to grappling.

  • @defeqel6537

    @defeqel6537

    Жыл бұрын

    Also, I imagine it is more difficult to deflect, whether with a shield/buckler or a defending hand. That said, it leaves the attacker quite open as well.

  • @littlekong7685
    @littlekong7685 Жыл бұрын

    Would be interesting to see sickle vs dagger or sickle vs short sword. See the dynamic of curved vs straight blade in the techniques. Same goes for peasant weapons vs knightly/man at arms weapons, can these weapons and techniques keep one alive vs a soldier/brigand of the time? (The technique shown here of going for the neck vs head, wrist vs upper arm, leg vs chest may imply the target is armoured in some way).

  • @Capwi
    @Capwi Жыл бұрын

    Excellent video, was very informative and actually dispelled the doubts I had before about sickles actually being more viable than a "last resort" type weapon. Would definitely look forward to more videos like this!

  • @amaurystengel
    @amaurystengel Жыл бұрын

    Everything can happen so fast in a fight! Thank you for the slo-mo shots!

  • @JedediahCyrus
    @JedediahCyrus Жыл бұрын

    Ever since I was young I was always fascinated by the sickle manuscripts. The lack of actual demonstration made it hard to get a grasp of what was happening, especially with the odd perspectives of the original artwork. Thank you so much for taking a look into these and giving such a wonderful demonstration on how some of these could be interpreted.

  • @UncleRJ
    @UncleRJ Жыл бұрын

    When you take the saying "cut them down like weeds" to the next level.

  • @camillawhatcott4817
    @camillawhatcott4817 Жыл бұрын

    "I'm Skallagrim & you're watching Disney Channel!"

  • @Sirewashington
    @Sirewashington Жыл бұрын

    I gotta say this was one of your most entertaining videos imo. Great work all the way across the board.

  • @BlackFlameMN
    @BlackFlameMN Жыл бұрын

    i would say just as an observer, having a second sickle rather than an empty guard hand would make for a better fighting experience, allowing either hand to block or attack. it might not be that simple in practice, but id love to see dual sickle sparring anyway.

  • @juhoukkola2306

    @juhoukkola2306

    Жыл бұрын

    When focusing on fighting and sparring experience, that might be quite fun actually. But I would imagine one sickle is the most "realistic" self defense scenario for medieval peasant. For realistic dual wielding a knife would work with sickle. Or for entertainment and memes you could have proper Soviet union experience by dual wielding sickle and hammer.

  • @defeqel6537

    @defeqel6537

    Жыл бұрын

    @@juhoukkola2306 sickle and hammer would be really effective and available weapons for a peasant too, a hammer would provide some protection and allow attacking even armored parts to a degree

  • @michelebozza1591

    @michelebozza1591

    Жыл бұрын

    @@defeqel6537 Surely a "revolutionary" technique

  • @patrickkeller2193
    @patrickkeller2193 Жыл бұрын

    The reason for attacking the foot: heads and arms are more likely to be armored, even some civilian clothes had voluminous sleeves and hats. Shoes were generally a lot simpler.

  • @Umbruhh
    @Umbruhh Жыл бұрын

    Pick it up!

  • @mostafahassan40

    @mostafahassan40

    Жыл бұрын

    I'll never stop fighting for this life

  • @shadehimself2542
    @shadehimself2542 Жыл бұрын

    I quite enjoyed the balance between information and action in this one. If you were to make this into a series, i'd be happy to watch it. Keep up the good work!

  • @Raptor747
    @Raptor747 Жыл бұрын

    I'd love to see more about the sickle, or other exotic weapons. Combining the sickle with a small shield, or a short sword, would be really cool. There's also a related exotic weapon in Elden Ring that might be worth looking at: the Godskin Peeler. It's a twinblade (a "blade" on both ends, with the handle/grip in the middle), except that one end is a sword, but the other end is a large sickle. Combining the sickle with extra reach and the ability to switch to a more conventional sword-end could be interesting.

  • @kevincrady2831

    @kevincrady2831

    Жыл бұрын

    People have used all kinds of crazyass weapons in history, so I wouldn't rule a Godskin Peeler out as a plausible weapon, but IMO it has a major downside in that one of its blades is (more or less) pointing back at you when you use the other.

  • @PhonesHQ

    @PhonesHQ

    Жыл бұрын

    @@kevincrady2831 This. In general I find that double bladed swords or daggers (ie “twinblades”) are impractical because it’s just too difficult to keep track of both blades while also trying to keep track of your opponent’s. Too much room for error. I can only imagine that the blades having different shapes would intensify that problem. The amount of movement required to attack effectively is also troublesome. You can’t pass the hilt of the blade over your body the same way you can with a sword, so it becomes much more difficult to respond defensively. It would require a much more skilled mall Ninja then I.

  • @galenmarek2765
    @galenmarek2765 Жыл бұрын

    Really love this format, very informative and draws you in. Always loved Mair’s treatise

  • @HugoSan432
    @HugoSan432 Жыл бұрын

    I definitely can appreciate that you don't of simple start by judging, you examined the text, you practiced and spared. Then you gave a solid opinion on the weapon and method ay the end. Love it.

  • @SurprizedMotherDucker
    @SurprizedMotherDucker Жыл бұрын

    I love these videos about the less common weapons. Especially seing them in practice, it was fun. Keep up with your cool videos my dude !

  • @brandon_crow1291
    @brandon_crow1291 Жыл бұрын

    Something I'm noticing from the sparing is that it seems to be harder to judge the reach of the attack due to the foward curve than it may have been with a typical straight blade. Would that be an accurate statement?

  • @Skallagrim

    @Skallagrim

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes, I'd say the reach can be deceiving.

  • @Rystefn
    @Rystefn Жыл бұрын

    When I first saw something in D&D about druids fighting with sickles way back in the early 90s, I was like "Well, that's clearly a desperation move. Why would you ever plan to use one?" Later on, I got to play with one, and I was like "Oh, that's nasty." I still wouldn't want it as a primary weapon, but I'd 100% pick that up over like a smithing hammer or a butcher's knife as an opportunity weapon, and I can see using one instead of like a shortsword as close-in option even when non-tool choices are available.

  • @bardiel2cc52
    @bardiel2cc52 Жыл бұрын

    well done skall really cool to see it in practice too I have seen you and other talk about the sickle but seeing in use is pretty cool

  • @Easyflux
    @Easyflux Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, definitely please turn this into a series my man. The quality and work really shines though in this.

  • @pay4934
    @pay4934 Жыл бұрын

    I like how the ilustrations somehow have some similiarity with silat, specialy silat Banten or Madura (i forget which one it is, lol) which is using sickle as well but the sickle they use are longer and less curve. I think, you can compare the movement between the manuscript and silat to find out which one is more effective in battle.

  • @juliuscaesar6660
    @juliuscaesar6660 Жыл бұрын

    I remember that in Argentina we had a knife called "alfajor" that was used in a similar way to what's seen here, but also would be used to give short and fast hits with the tip, like the pecking of a bird But eventually the Alfajor became a knife used solely for neck slicing, due to the longer reach of the Facón, which gave it a great adventage in duelling

  • @riograndedosulball248

    @riograndedosulball248

    Жыл бұрын

    And of course, sicles would be used fairly commonly in brawls and duelos de pulpería because they are the kind of thing that is usually at hand there

  • @juliuscaesar6660

    @juliuscaesar6660

    Жыл бұрын

    @@riograndedosulball248 Same reason we'd use whips, boleadoras, espuelas, choping axes and even the caronero, which would generally be a standard arming sword that broke and was shortened and sharpened again

  • @eshel4463

    @eshel4463

    Жыл бұрын

    Alfajores fight? Thats a lot of dolce de leche injuries

  • @tindeddoggz13
    @tindeddoggz13 Жыл бұрын

    Great video if you can make a series like this, about other exotic weapons I'll definitely watch them all.

  • @Unsensitive
    @Unsensitive Жыл бұрын

    Always loved the detailed sparring and sword play videos.

  • @finreszephyr2684
    @finreszephyr2684 Жыл бұрын

    Yes Absolutely turns this into a series! Would love if this kind of stuff was more prevelent.

  • @ArkadiBolschek
    @ArkadiBolschek Жыл бұрын

    I, for one, found this incredibly interesting and would love to see more of it 👀

  • @jeremiahcunkle5938
    @jeremiahcunkle5938 Жыл бұрын

    I've watched a number of your videos over the years, but this one made me subscribe.

  • @Artist_Keena
    @Artist_Keena Жыл бұрын

    This was pretty neat! Thanks for teaching me that the Shotel exists! I think it'd be cool to see more tool-like weapons and techniques. They sure could inspire some pretty cool animations, drawings, or even choreography performances!

  • @prismaticc_abyss
    @prismaticc_abyss Жыл бұрын

    Comment for the algorythm so the series continues, keep up the good work skalla

  • @farmersgrip
    @farmersgrip Жыл бұрын

    sickle fight ... translates to "something to avoid"

  • @lairdcummings9092

    @lairdcummings9092

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah... Looks like a good way to collect nasty wounds.

  • @bug1494

    @bug1494

    Жыл бұрын

    its probably why the first strike is one that if it connects would just end the fight then and there. Dont get into a sickle fight but if you do dont mess around.

  • @admirallister7847
    @admirallister7847 Жыл бұрын

    I really liked this a lot! Really informative, and shows the set up and payoff of learning structured techniques and then applying them to (quasi) realistic scenarios! This looks like it took a lot of time to make like he said, but I'd certainly like to see more exploration of the sickle, and more videos of this style, learning and examining fighting techniques with uncommon weapons in this way. Very nice!

  • @sindarsad
    @sindarsad Жыл бұрын

    Surprisingly interesting and versatile techniques. It would be great to contiue with series about this weapon type. Overall - great job, thanks.

  • @KRIMZONMEKANISM
    @KRIMZONMEKANISM Жыл бұрын

    Hey Skall, I encourage you looking into "Da'Mon Stith" youtube channel (of the same name), he practices African martial arts, and has videos of routine fights with various sickle sword types. I've seen him use the Mambele and the Shotel.

  • @kahlilsalome29

    @kahlilsalome29

    Жыл бұрын

    Da'Mon's Shotel fighting at the short blade symposium gives a really cool view of sparring with Hook or sickle swords

  • @1IGG

    @1IGG

    Жыл бұрын

    You mean the guy skal made a video with? I love the "I seen my first video and want to comment". kzread.info/dash/bejne/l36F2MejkdLLaKw.html

  • @Skallagrim

    @Skallagrim

    Жыл бұрын

    I know, I sent him my khopesh. :)

  • @Gr33n0ni
    @Gr33n0ni Жыл бұрын

    One of the reasons why I think such a manuscript came up is due to the fact that the sickle for many years was used as a farming tool. And for any individual to come across a sickle would be very common. Possibly depending upon the country or Village it might even be more relatively available then anything else for hand to hand fighting.

  • @zacharybond23
    @zacharybond23 Жыл бұрын

    I am amazed at the quality of work you have been putting out, Skallagrim! This style of content is to my mind, top tier.

  • @graemechapman7078
    @graemechapman7078 Жыл бұрын

    this was a sick video! I think all the work paid off. very cool to see a different fighting style

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