WEIRD WEAPONS 2 - Swordhammer? Polesword?

The "Weird Weapons" series continues with Matt Easton and a 'sword axe', pole axe or whatever you want to call it from The British Museum.
What is this thing? The simple answer is 'for hitting people', but there are lots of things we don't know about this very rare weapon type, so Matt (who really knows how to use weapons) and I (who know how to make them) chat about it, use it and hit things with it. We don't even really know when it was from; the British Museum piece is dated 1649-53 - But was it? - Royal Armouries date their version with a 300 year spread from 1400-1700.
We will come back for a second film with sparring versions.
The first 'Weird Weapon' film can be found here • Weird Weapons from His...
If you would like to support this channel, visiting my sites really helps as does signing up to the news letter on the websites, either one is fine
Production replica weapons are available here todcutler.com​​
And T shirts and Merch todsworkshop.creator-spring.com/
Custom pieces are available here todsworkshop.com
Lockdown longbow and brigandines • Arrows Vs Brigandine
Schola Gladiatoria can be found here / scholagladiatoria
Brigandine sample by ASH www.armour-services-historica...

Пікірлер: 1 100

  • @scholagladiatoria
    @scholagladiatoria2 жыл бұрын

    I always have fun when I come around to play Tod, but I had a LOT of fun with this one. Any special requests for things people would like me to explore with this weapon, please comment below.

  • @beepboop204

    @beepboop204

    2 жыл бұрын

    are these things exceedingly rare in collections?

  • @clearmelody6252

    @clearmelody6252

    2 жыл бұрын

    I don't really think I NEED to ask this, but I'm not the expert. How's it handle compared to a longsword? I mean, I'm guessing the handling is really different, but you were both making comments about the point of balance, so I'm just curious.

  • @SeviNG

    @SeviNG

    2 жыл бұрын

    What would be the advantage of something like this vs a pollaxe?

  • @PokeInTheEyeShape

    @PokeInTheEyeShape

    2 жыл бұрын

    This was a fun one, Matt! I'd love to see some exploration of the use of the other end of this weapon. You talked about it early in the video about how you thought both ends were like used in combat. I'm also very intrigued by that prong on the shaft (was it meant to catch swords?); I'd love to see some exploration of that too. Great stuff!

  • @dizzt19

    @dizzt19

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@SeviNG You thought I was carrying a sword but it was a pollaxe all along! xD

  • @ModernKnight
    @ModernKnight2 жыл бұрын

    What an odd and fascinating weapon. Almost certainly a judicial combat weapon, a show piece, or maybe an experimental gadget for a rich patron, as shown by the bend in the shaft after real use.

  • @Illure

    @Illure

    2 жыл бұрын

    Could it be an attempted to turn a damaged sword into a somewhat useful weapon by upcycling it? It could save time and resources to do that

  • @sarchlalaith8836

    @sarchlalaith8836

    2 жыл бұрын

    There's pictures (pictures didn't mean photos, drawings are pictures) of them being used in duelling.

  • @chrisdooley6468

    @chrisdooley6468

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Illure that’s a great thought. Definitely a good explanation

  • @MAXIMILLIONtheGREAT

    @MAXIMILLIONtheGREAT

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@sarchlalaith8836 I defy you to show me a picture of this being used in a duel.

  • @MrPlainsflyer

    @MrPlainsflyer

    2 жыл бұрын

    Would this be a proof of concept for a knight or Lord? No even an "alpha" build just something to show what can be done to armor? Or would this be too expensive for a proof of concept?

  • @chengkuoklee5734
    @chengkuoklee57342 жыл бұрын

    Tod:" Darling! Matt is here to join dinner." Tod's wife:"Would you mind to help to tenderise the meat?" Matt:" My pleasure."

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    And I am indeed having that lamb tonight

  • @chengkuoklee5734

    @chengkuoklee5734

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop I have a crazy idea. This is squire's practice weapon while tenderising meat for lord's cook. Two birds, one stone.

  • @nevisysbryd7450

    @nevisysbryd7450

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop Your dinner was the meat that Matt beat and penetrated up to the shaft? o.o

  • @mattrickard3716

    @mattrickard3716

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@nevisysbryd7450 Just because someone else has tenderised your meat before you is no reason to turn up your nose. Besides, good luck finding some that isn't pre-penetrated these days. Wait, what are we talking about again?

  • @bryanfaulkenburg462
    @bryanfaulkenburg4622 жыл бұрын

    That weapon kinda makes me think of an " apprentice piece " or a practice piece designed to show many aspects of weapons craftsman ship to their master.

  • @portaccio

    @portaccio

    2 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking it looks like an ornamental piece. Your suggestion is a really good shout.

  • @riekivonwielligh6102

    @riekivonwielligh6102

    Жыл бұрын

    Good thinking

  • @ThatFreeWilliam
    @ThatFreeWilliam2 жыл бұрын

    Wow, it has all the leverage and bludgeoning ability of a sword with the agility and thrusting ability of a hammer!

  • @Dumdumshum

    @Dumdumshum

    7 ай бұрын

    nice

  • @joetaylor486
    @joetaylor4862 жыл бұрын

    As a paramedic I find the sustained injuries truly awful. Clearly immediately debilitating, there are however further likely consequences of such injuries. Obviously infection is a concern, but localised muscle death anddestruction of blood and lymphatic vessels are likely, as is necrosis of the skin. Compartment Syndrome might necessitate amputation of the affected limb, and rhabdomyolysis, the breakdown of damaged muscle could lead to kidney failure and death within a few days of sustaining such an injury. Grim.

  • @MrBigCookieCrumble

    @MrBigCookieCrumble

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@mikefule330 "Clearly immediately debilitating" - Joe Taylor

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Joe. It is always very useful to get real information from real people, not just me speculating, so thanks

  • @tidge879

    @tidge879

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@mikefule330 or make someone realise that they aren't willing to get hit like that again for the sake of their lord's honour.

  • @johnladuke6475

    @johnladuke6475

    2 жыл бұрын

    And here we all think it's barbaric when the movie characters are walking the field after the battle stabbing the survivors to death. Turns out they're just being merciful.

  • @Psiberzerker

    @Psiberzerker

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@mikefule330 Just looking at the foam, and the inside of that armor, I'm guessing some broken ribs. Even if it's not instantly incapacitating, he's going to be spending the rest of the fight with some broken ribs. Wounding counts too. Especially in a war of Attrition, the wounded can take 3 guys off the battlefield: The guy you just wounded, and the 2 guys to drag him to safety. Of course it's designed to kill, or instantly incapacitate, but it isn't going to do that with every hit. Realistically, the enemy fights less effectively when they're wounded. Any wound counts, even if they're not struck down as if smitten by the hand of God. Even mortal wounds aren't instantly fatal. (There are very few exceptions on the medieval battlefield) It can take a few seconds to bleed out from an arrow through the heart. That doesn't mean he's still fighting, effectively, with an arrow through his heart.

  • @Leopardosx
    @Leopardosx2 жыл бұрын

    The respect shown by these men is amazing. No talking over, just discussion listening. Brilliant

  • @nealsterling8151

    @nealsterling8151

    2 жыл бұрын

    It's a shame this has become a rare thing these days.

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks - but in the outakes where we got all excited, we must have talked over each other, but only because we get all flustered

  • @metatronyt

    @metatronyt

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's exactly What I was thinking during the whole video, they have a great pace when they talk. Sometimes on YT when a youtuber has a guest or sometimes even on channels that have a double presenter set up, One overwhelms the other, making It a pain to Watch. They worked in perfect balance throught the whole video, which Is a skill on its own.

  • @bobbybologna3029

    @bobbybologna3029

    2 жыл бұрын

    just nerds being nerds trying to learn stuff

  • @AnotherDuck

    @AnotherDuck

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@metatronyt I think Skall is pretty good at that too, in his hangouts and other dialogue videos. I think it's also like in online meetings, in that it gets worse if the meeting is online than in person, so Matt and Tod has a bit of an advantage over digital discussions there.

  • @handgrenadealienpoliorcete3778
    @handgrenadealienpoliorcete37782 жыл бұрын

    One of my neighbours owns something very similar to this, apparently passed down through the family from the English Civil Wars. I will ask him tomorrow if I could take some photos for comparison.

  • @bork2739

    @bork2739

    2 жыл бұрын

    That will be fascinating to see. If you do get photos, where will you post them?

  • @varencilator

    @varencilator

    2 жыл бұрын

    Try and get the point of balance for it if you can as well

  • @nguyentranminhthoi8962

    @nguyentranminhthoi8962

    2 жыл бұрын

    Interesting, i wanna see it as well.

  • @ShinM.

    @ShinM.

    2 жыл бұрын

    Anything come of this?

  • 2 жыл бұрын

    @@ShinM. His neighbour when he saw him coming towards the house with a camera beheaded old Handgrenade.

  • @SungJaeUng3
    @SungJaeUng32 жыл бұрын

    I love these epispdes so much. These are the kind of collaborations that I adore. The combination of designing and forging a weapon, historical context, actually testing it, and discussing doctrine. This is the sort of thing that sets my imagination ablaze.

  • @tommeakin1732
    @tommeakin17322 жыл бұрын

    I just want to leave this thought that applies to all weapons with these kind of hammer heads: I think we're a bit confused by the spike. I think we see it alongside the hammer, and assume it's for *penetrating through* lighter armour. I don't think this is exactly right. I think both the spike and hammer are for transferring blunt force, just in different ways for different targets. The "spread out" head of the hammer is to allow the force to be conveyed to very hard, rigid targets (plate) without it just skidding off. Malleable armours like mail and textile armours aren't going to redirect force like plate, so you don't need to spread the force out, so that's why you have the spike. It allows all of that blunt force to be applied to a tiny area, which is going to do more damage through the armour (not necessarily through penetrating) Though I should say that I'm not referring to the very long, slender, "pick" like spikes that you see. Those definitely look like they're intended to penetrate softer targets. I'm referring to the "stubbier" kind of spikes lol

  • @nanaki-seto

    @nanaki-seto

    2 жыл бұрын

    A war hammers back spike was used to punch holes right through plate armor. All hammers were just brutal weapons. Great hammers heavy mauls etc were often used to cave in the chest plate on plate armor to compress the chest resulting in suffocation. Hammer with long spikes had their spiked used to punch through plate specifically the chest to pernitrate the chest cavity or a helm. Short blunt spiked would be used to cave in a helmet by focusing the force on a small area. This is why you often see hammers with this head design the small spikes on the striking face would dent the armor or Pearce it and the flat of the hammer would continue to crush the damaged helm. With one solid hit those spikes could then enter the skull

  • @tommeakin1732

    @tommeakin1732

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@nanaki-seto What are you basing this on? From what I've seen, the likelihood of a even a spike on a polearm penetrating plate is extremely low. Even given a perfect hit (which is not likely due to it hitting a likely angled, very "slippery" surface), I would not put money on it penetrating. I think it's one of those commonly repeated misconceptions that it can/was intended to do so. We know these weapons "worked" or they wouldn't have been used for so long and so frequently, but we might be making flawed assumptions in how exactly how they worked. Bit of a tangent, but I think there are many things like this actually. Like with bows: it seems pretty clear that even a powerful bow isn't going to penetrate competently made plate; but we know that bows worked, even against well armoured knights and men-at-arms. So how did they work? We don't really know, but it's probably more complicated, nuanced, and frankly, less meme-worthy than "arrow penetrate breastplate".

  • @tasatort9778

    @tasatort9778

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think the hammers were used to: 1. Transfer force through the armor and cause injuries like broken bones and if striking the helm, concussion and/or unconsciousness. 2. Compromise the articulation points to restrict movement and make the individual less combat effective.

  • @tommeakin1732

    @tommeakin1732

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tasatort9778 My main point about the hammerhead is that it's primary job is just getting purchase on the "slippery" plate target, so it can efficiently transfer the force. That's why most hammerheads on weapons have a kind of "splayed out" head. If a spike was able to get the same kind of purchase on plate, there'd be no reason to have the hammerhead

  • @MrBottlecapBill

    @MrBottlecapBill

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tommeakin1732 That's my guess as well and remember, you don't have to kill or seriously injur someone to get them out of the fight. If you simply daze them a bit, or take away their ability to defend themselves effectively they'll most likely back off to preserve their lives. Once you do this to enough enemy soldiers their line starts to break and victory often happens soon after. A breast plate is a pretty solid defense against almost everything, until you focus on the edges of it. Nobody ever does these armour tests properly. The same weak spots you would look to penetrate while half swording, can in many cases also be "crushed" quite easily because the armour is weaker and less substantial in those areas. You don't hammer the enemies chest. You hammer his neck and joints. Even if you don't break bones or cause enough physical trauma, his armour is going to bend and immobilize him. Then he becomes afraid and backs out of the fight. Fear of death on the battle field is just as important as actually killing someone.

  • @smilecat2501
    @smilecat25012 жыл бұрын

    I think it looks more like a common war hammer with enlarge guard because there is really no "blade" in the middle.

  • @thekaxmax

    @thekaxmax

    2 жыл бұрын

    Looks like an estoc with a hammer head added. Swords don't need an edge to be a sword.

  • @memysurname7521

    @memysurname7521

    2 жыл бұрын

    @thekaxmax Nah this thing is no sword, is a hammer with a guard. And in my opinion bladeless swords, like some polish thrusting swords that were triangular or hexagonal pieces of metal with a point, aren't really swords, as much as people call them it. Names work like that. What's the difference between a short sword and a long knife? It can be no other but the names. It's how it is. Now I agree with you that a sword needs no edge to be a sword, but it needs at least a blade. And yeah, the thing in this video is no sword.

  • @memysurname7521

    @memysurname7521

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@thekaxmax Nah this thing is no sword, is a hammer with a guard. And in my opinion bladeless swords, like some polish thrusting swords that were triangular or hexagonal pieces of metal with a point, aren't really swords, as much as people call them it. Names work like that. What's the difference between a short sword and a long knife? It can be no other but the names. It's how it is. Now I agree with you that a sword needs no edge to be a sword, but it needs at least a blade. And yeah, the thing in this video is no sword.

  • @graziano2308

    @graziano2308

    2 жыл бұрын

    i agree that this weapon is mainly an hammer, but it isn't just a war hammer with a guard: it also has a very low point of balance, just like a sword. In my opinion 'sword-hammer' or 'sword-pollaxe' are suitable name

  • @cyrilgigee4630
    @cyrilgigee46302 жыл бұрын

    As a name for this type of weapon I propose: Longhammer! Half longsword, half hammer, all Skyrim reference.

  • @carlosrdgz1385
    @carlosrdgz13852 жыл бұрын

    With the shaft bending at every strike it's probably safe to say that this weapon is unable to transfer as much energy as a traditional polearm in a strong swing. Which is also a factor of why the stab was apparently more effective than the swing.

  • @Buzzcook

    @Buzzcook

    2 жыл бұрын

    But wouldn't the wood of a polearm bend and flex? How much energy is lost in each case?

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Very true

  • @lightwoven5326

    @lightwoven5326

    2 жыл бұрын

    I am wondering if this was indeed a secondary weapon, smash the shield arm with blunt force trauma to drop the guard and then use dagger and/or sword to finish off.

  • @b.h.abbott-motley2427

    @b.h.abbott-motley2427

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Buzzcook The hickory staves I've trained & messed around with are remarkably rigid. I'm sure they flex some on powerful strikes, but I don't recall noticing it. I can't bend the 4.5ft one I have at hand at all by bracing with my knee or against the ground. Now, I'm not a large or muscular person & hickory is stronger than ash or oak, but I suspect the thicker pollaxe shafts stood up well to heavy blows. I once bent an Arms & Armor English bill by accidentally striking a pumpkin with the flat of the top spike. I don't recall the ash shaft flexing enough to notice when hitting pumpkins. With hickory staves, I struck pumpkins as hard as with the bill & don't remember any flex.

  • @Buzzcook

    @Buzzcook

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@b.h.abbott-motley2427 Hickory has a bending strength of 20200. So yes it resists bending very well. But still it does bend.

  • @niklasfischer3915
    @niklasfischer39152 жыл бұрын

    15:15 I actually think that the reason for the deeper penetration with the top-spike is simply that it is much narrower than the big, beefy and thick hammer-spike. In return it delivers a hell lot more of pure concussive force. A swing will always be more powerful than a thrust...at least that's what I have experienced.

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    There is also that - thanks but when we just chat without scripts we do miss the obvious sometimes!

  • @niklasfischer3915

    @niklasfischer3915

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop Yeah, that's very much understandable. In the situation one often overlooks aspects which seem very obvious when looking at it later. Keep up the good content, Tod!

  • @calvingreene90
    @calvingreene902 жыл бұрын

    The point and the hook working together would hold it securely in a harness that is not hung in place but secured at both ends.

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Now that is a good idea

  • @tensense5872
    @tensense58722 жыл бұрын

    Saw Tod as the expert on a scrapheap challenge episode yesterday. Recognised him immediately. He made a golf ball machine gun. I know him from KZread making and exploring old weapons similar to this. But seems like he is a man of many talents and won his team the competition on scrapheap. Love the content Tod new and old! Some real high class stuff!

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Blimey that must have been 20 years ago with a much younger me. That was a fun one and in fact I ended up being a staff engineer on the show for two series. Great fun and an amazing experience.

  • @sbvera13

    @sbvera13

    2 жыл бұрын

    Man I miss that show. It was great stuff.

  • @AnotherDuck

    @AnotherDuck

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@sbvera13 Yeah, one of those fun shows where people get to be creative in solving problems as well as show off their crafting skills.

  • @WalkaCrookedLine

    @WalkaCrookedLine

    8 күн бұрын

    I couldn't find the golf ball machine gun episode on KZread but did find the ballista episode where Tod and teammates built a bizarre hydraulic ballista kzread.info/dash/bejne/oWlo0rizZ7fQpKw.html also there is Tod's "could have been" reminesce about the episode kzread.info/dash/bejne/g5-K1c6Gh9reaMbM.htmlttps://kzread.info/dash/bejne/oWlo0rizZ7fQpKw.html

  • @KT-ur7pi
    @KT-ur7pi2 жыл бұрын

    When Tod said the word 'sword-axe' I fainted. It has to be one of the best words ever.

  • @lightwoven5326

    @lightwoven5326

    2 жыл бұрын

    Did you mean 'feinted' 😉

  • @KT-ur7pi

    @KT-ur7pi

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@lightwoven5326 who else didn't see that joke coming a mile away 🤣

  • @Ranstone
    @Ranstone2 жыл бұрын

    "Hilted pole-hammer" "Hilted pole-axe" "Bluntsword" Those are what I would call it of I was in charge... But as it were...

  • @Juanito_Pecados

    @Juanito_Pecados

    2 жыл бұрын

    I love bluntsword. I would add something like "cross-axe" or "cross-hammer"

  • @isakjohansson112

    @isakjohansson112

    2 жыл бұрын

    What about the greplaxordaker?

  • @suntiger745
    @suntiger7452 жыл бұрын

    Just based on this video this promises to be a very interesting series indeed. Because the weapons are odd, we are basically watching practical science in figuring out how it can be used and what its effects are in... well, not real time, but still following along from the start. Definitely looking forward to the rest. :)

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks and we are enjoying it too

  • @metatronyt
    @metatronyt2 жыл бұрын

    Wow I love these collaboration videos. You both did a great Job. I was also very surpriced with the shaft bending After the impact. I think that gives us a Hint. If It Bends on a duel it's no big deal, but if It Bends on a Battlefield It would be. Matt mentioned the Weapon Is shown in manuscripts, I wonder if it's ever shown used in battle. If It isn't, then perhaps it's Just a "use and ditch" Weapon for duels. A bit like the Shields that would get destroyed. On a Battlefield a poleaxe would definitely outperform this, also because of the range advantage. Sure, the sword hilt gives Better defence but then again, range Is a form of defence in of itself. Could It Just be a curiosity implement like the lantern shield?

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    HI Meta, Thanks for popping by and the compliments. You make some good points and to be honest I suspect that Matts thoughts that it is a judicial duel weapon, could be right.

  • @markmarksson6361

    @markmarksson6361

    2 жыл бұрын

    The multiweapon fancy lantern shield found in museums, presumably? Judging from Sir Kenelm Digby's description of encountering them in a streetfight in Madrid in 1623, bucklers specially constructed for night fighting to hold lanterns and reflect their light forwards were seemingly in real use, and not curiosities. "his enemies having at the top of their bucklers artificial lanterns whose light was cast only forwards by their being made with an iron plate on that side towards the holders, so that their bodies remained in darkness"

  • @fredzoltan784

    @fredzoltan784

    2 жыл бұрын

    really nice collaboration, as usual. But for me it's impossible that the shaft is only mild steel. If I was a knight that have ordered this and pay for it, then it bend on the first mannequin test I would have hanged this blacksmith ;) ! It's a noble weapons certainly made by a top blacksmith for is time. For me, it's a weapon made for closing quickly with a great parriying power, then close simili half-swording style. hence the shaft have to be supple (for an extent) and absolutely not bend on impact or when blocking a similar weapon. I think it's possible to make the hole for the hammer before hardening/casting the all shaft ? A bent weapon is completely unbalanced and make the user really unconfortable and unsecure... Just my point anyway, very fun and entertaining vidéos anyway !

  • @DuncanMcBride
    @DuncanMcBride2 жыл бұрын

    This is one of my favorite crossover series, keep up the brilliant work you two!

  • @kevinshepardson1628
    @kevinshepardson16282 жыл бұрын

    Could it possibly be one of those bits of "creative history" where somebody later on created something to fit their picture of the Middle Ages? Also, the bending of the shaft on the swings might be bleeding off a fair amount of the impact, so a spring-tempered shaft could improve the effectiveness.

  • @lwilton

    @lwilton

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm not sure it would have had to be "later on". Why wouldn't there have been some overly rich and poorly brained Yuppies in the 1400s that wanted cool things hanging on the den wall?

  • @doomking5174

    @doomking5174

    2 жыл бұрын

    Not to mention the tip of the hammer spike gets wider a lot faster which is going to reduce and stop penetration in comparison to the sword/rapier esk end

  • @nirfz

    @nirfz

    2 жыл бұрын

    You mean like the iron maiden, sounds plausible.

  • @davidmessinger2784
    @davidmessinger2784 Жыл бұрын

    I'm 73 y/o and began making oddball weapons since I was a young kid. I love these videos and hope to see many more so I feel obliged to make this suggestion. Matt is smashing a large chunk of metal into a collection of smaller and weaker metal parts. There is a good chance for a small part, or a sliver of metal to bounce back at Matt. He might consider safety glasses. Please keep up the good work.

  • @iamgerg
    @iamgerg2 жыл бұрын

    I wonder if it was a poleaxe for a confined space. Imagine fighting up a spiral stairwell with that... the central pivot seems more useful at that point.

  • @sbvera13

    @sbvera13

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think this is a winner. We know that corridors, doorways, staircases were built specifically at angles and sizes to favor a defender with specialized shortened weapons, such as short hafted maces. This weapon fits perfectly into that archetype. I could easily imagine a single person blocking an entire hallway on their own. The steel shaft also gives it a huge grappling advantage vs swords, which would be a risky tactic on the open field but almost inevitable indoors.

  • @Brian-bn3qp

    @Brian-bn3qp

    2 жыл бұрын

    Just my two cents but going off of form following function.... i don't think this pitticular weapon was ever intended for battle use. Matt easily bent the shaft with a blow starting from a dead stop. Which I personally infer that to mean it was designed to limit force transference. I think this was solely meant to be used in a tournament setting so that it caused... enough... damage to produce a winner. But not so much damage it permanently hurt the person being hit.

  • @HereticalKitsune
    @HereticalKitsune2 жыл бұрын

    I love the energy of you two together, geeking out, discussing, so good!

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @jeremytitus9519
    @jeremytitus95192 жыл бұрын

    This is obviously the legendary Zweihammer Or as I like to call it: the MONTANTRUM

  • @BarokaiRein
    @BarokaiRein2 жыл бұрын

    Can't wait for Swordhammer 40 million to come out,GW needs more competition.

  • @hello7533
    @hello75332 жыл бұрын

    Seems a bit risky to put the "sword breaker" hook at 90° to the crossguard. If you dont catch the sword, it'll slide down the shaft and hit your fingers.

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    just my pet theory, but as someone said in the comments, if that is what it is for then why not both sides?

  • @RoganGunn

    @RoganGunn

    2 жыл бұрын

    Perhaps the hook is for wall-hanging, crossed with a sword perhaps? The crossed sword could rest in the hook, while the sword-axe is mounted with the head pointed up? Just a guess. Perhaps the surviving example in the British Museum is one made to be hung on a wall, as a display piece.

  • @KaizerRemix

    @KaizerRemix

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop well on Messers or other longswords the nagel is sometimes/often only on one side as well.

  • @SuperOtter13

    @SuperOtter13

    2 жыл бұрын

    My thought is that its just to make carrying that beast easier. Reminds me of belt hooks on smaller hammers and axes

  • @robertseaton2212

    @robertseaton2212

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop Really love your work. I wonder if its for hanging on display. Which way do the Cromwellian markings face?

  • @donnyfrantic9180
    @donnyfrantic91802 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting. To me it seems almost ceremonial or as an impressive looking weapon for a VIP guard where the threat of use is more important than actual use.

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    I also wondered if it was a parade weapon or similar, but Matts thinks it was an English judicial duelling weapon

  • @Elcheecho

    @Elcheecho

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop I think so to, and maybe the dingus is to hang a banner or flag

  • @erikjrn4080
    @erikjrn40802 жыл бұрын

    At the start of battle: Hah! Your puny swords stand no chance against my greplaxordaker! (GREatsword, PoLeAXe, swORDbreAKER combo) At the end of battle: - I surrender! - Sorry, I can't accept that. I need another swing to straighten the greplaxordaker.

  • @raics101

    @raics101

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's actually easier to read than it looks.

  • @isakjohansson112

    @isakjohansson112

    2 жыл бұрын

    I totally vote for calling it greplaxordaker from now on. 👍

  • @erikjrn4080

    @erikjrn4080

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@isakjohansson112 Thanks for the support! What I can't figure out, is how that's not a word, already, the way it flows of the tongue!

  • @Bentheriault1
    @Bentheriault12 жыл бұрын

    i think that the thing i love the most about those video is that, in the end, its just a bunch of huge nerd playing with their toys in the backyard

  • @jobdylan5782
    @jobdylan57822 жыл бұрын

    that anvil intro is so kino. Whoever made that deserves credit lol

  • @mattpastell3728
    @mattpastell37282 жыл бұрын

    I was curious by the really over long grip. Until you mentioned it weighed 7 pounds. So you would swing it like an axe to increase the speed of the head! Blunt force trauma indeed!

  • @ericmitchell985
    @ericmitchell9852 жыл бұрын

    Two of my favorite KZreadrs! Love the collab, keep up the great work, both of you!

  • @granitestateman942
    @granitestateman9422 жыл бұрын

    Loved seeing the chickens make an appearance. As an owner of Buff Orpingtons, it was fun to see your hens!

  • @vde1846
    @vde18462 жыл бұрын

    Almost like a longsword version of a horseman's hammer. Would really work well as the famous weapon of Robert Baratheon. Ned thinking that he couldn't even lift the warhammer - which is a bit silly when you know how real weapons work - could be creatively interpreted as referring to Robert using a thing like this one-handed on horseback, and then dropping the rains and two-hand it for the big swings.

  • @superlative7confusticate335
    @superlative7confusticate3352 жыл бұрын

    I could see a a guard using it more for intimidation in a city setting where it is most likely to encounter soft targets. A court house perhaps? Or a rich nobles house or business?

  • @sealpiercing8476
    @sealpiercing84762 жыл бұрын

    Even if that turns out to *also* be a more or less functional weapon, it's very blatantly tacticool.

  • @splynncryth

    @splynncryth

    2 жыл бұрын

    This shows how long tacticool has been around.

  • @mycatistypingthis5450

    @mycatistypingthis5450

    2 жыл бұрын

    It just needs a picatinny rail for the laser pointer and a camo or flat black paintjob.

  • @tamlandipper29

    @tamlandipper29

    2 жыл бұрын

    Exactly the comment I was looking for. I picture some big guy in a floppy hat who likes to talk warhammers but never hits a battlefield and fancies the cachet of a longsword. Has this custom made.

  • @sealpiercing8476

    @sealpiercing8476

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tamlandipper29 Considering the level of bling the upper-crusties carried and fought with, I would guess tacticool was very popular even among those who understood functional weapons.

  • @Pyrela
    @Pyrela2 жыл бұрын

    I think this really highlights the benefit of having one solid shell-like piece of steel, like a breastplate, versus multiple smaller plates when it comes to absorbing impact.

  • @BluJean6692
    @BluJean66922 жыл бұрын

    Gotta love the manners of british youtubers: you absolutely don't have to apologize for the teaser it was tasteful and fun and I got one really good joke out of it...

  • @CaptainBogroll
    @CaptainBogroll2 жыл бұрын

    I was hoping this would be next! Remember seeing this in the British Museum, next to Oliver Cromwells wax death mask!

  • @karolcebulski4472
    @karolcebulski44722 жыл бұрын

    Amazing, just amazing. Great work mates. I think Eastern Romans had simmiliar idea with spathovaklion/sword-mace. Anyway again amazing job.

  • @ProxyResearch
    @ProxyResearch2 жыл бұрын

    The casual chickens in the background, absolutely love it. One of the best channels on YT.

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Much appreciated

  • @Rekaert
    @Rekaert2 жыл бұрын

    It's one of those weapons that just like a contemporary creation, perhaps for a film or roleplaying game, or cheap TV series. That it's actually an historical weapon is pretty mind-blowing.

  • @GallowglassAxe
    @GallowglassAxe2 жыл бұрын

    Oh man this is incredible. I've always liked that weapon and wanted to see that in action. Tbh honest I think you really could break a sword with that. If you got a blade trap in that hook and used the cross guards like tire wrench you could get an insane amount of torque with that.

  • @ondrat9790
    @ondrat97902 жыл бұрын

    Amazing stuff... well-done guys! And Tod, amazing craftsmanship. Want to ask... what blunt sword is that?

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Albion Lichtenauer

  • @ondrat9790

    @ondrat9790

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop thanks, Tod!

  • @knate44
    @knate442 жыл бұрын

    A tip for measuring stuff from a distance: it might be hard with glass in the way, but if you can get a laser distance measure, you can set it up so you are at a set distance away, and measure the length from your spot to the top, then turn the measure, record the angle, and then take a second measurement from the bottom of the feature. Then you can figure out its length based in some basic trigonometry.

  • @user-ii5im7zm2t
    @user-ii5im7zm2t2 жыл бұрын

    I derive existential satisfaction from the chicken wandering through the shot at about 9:02

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    I like them wandering around too - except for the pooing at the back of the house

  • @MadMike32
    @MadMike322 жыл бұрын

    4:29 Do you think it could've been intended to slot into a belt frog of sorts, for carry? It seems like such an odd shape for the feature to be solely for controlling a blade.

  • @lwilton

    @lwilton

    2 жыл бұрын

    The whole machine seems a bit large to me for walking carry. Perhaps it was a mounted weapon, and that hung on some of the horse's trappings?

  • @gmanbo

    @gmanbo

    2 жыл бұрын

    I support this idea but just thinking about putting the hammer and prongs near my legs in a sword carry makes my skin crawl. More likely on horseback or for quick work from carriage back.

  • @earthknight60

    @earthknight60

    2 жыл бұрын

    That doesn't address the balance issue, unless it's also strapped down somewhere around the hilt too.

  • @user-ii5im7zm2t

    @user-ii5im7zm2t

    2 жыл бұрын

    That bit is certainly far too close to the shaft to be intended as a guard or blade trap. My guess is that it's either a storage hook (not for carrying, but for hanging on a wall at the armory), or it could be a lug to attach something else to the shaft.

  • @gmanbo

    @gmanbo

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@earthknight60 that is something that would be a part that is no longer around. I would expect something for the hilt some sort of strapping.

  • @lscibor
    @lscibor2 жыл бұрын

    I probably would call it "balanced crossguarded pollaxe" or something, since it doesn't have any real blade to call it a sword. But that's kinda long name XD.

  • @tommeakin1732

    @tommeakin1732

    2 жыл бұрын

    Crossguarded pollaxe is pretty good

  • @isakjohansson112

    @isakjohansson112

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nope, im sticking with the greplaxordaker.

  • @stcredzero
    @stcredzero2 жыл бұрын

    That is literally, very METAL! As in, THIS is the badass weapon that should be on the covers of heavy metal albums!

  • @Big_Duck_and_Goo_Bear
    @Big_Duck_and_Goo_Bear2 жыл бұрын

    To me, it seems like the kind of thing a foot soldier might use to unseat an armored man at arms or knight on horseback. The force generated when that thing strikes the breastplate at a gallop must be incredible!

  • @TheBlackadder-Edmund
    @TheBlackadder-Edmund2 жыл бұрын

    I can imagine some reasons why, but how come you don't record the "making" process of these weapons? Apologies if this has been commonly asked and thank you for the content.

  • @markfergerson2145

    @markfergerson2145

    2 жыл бұрын

    A lot of such videos would be Tod scratching his head trying to figure out exactly how to make it, like whether to braze or rivet the head on then deciding to do both. I would have no problem watching that though.

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Both Blackadder and Mark make interesting points. Mark I really don't mind showing my exploration because it how we all learn, but the problem with 'Making' videos is that they take a very long time make

  • @markfergerson2145

    @markfergerson2145

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tods_workshop Yeah, I haven't tried to make anything like such a video but I can imagine the amount of background work what with finding someone to hold a camera and all the inevitable editing. So if you don't mind I'll continue to imagine you spending a lot of head-scratching time. I sure would. ;>)

  • @futurerandomness1620
    @futurerandomness16202 жыл бұрын

    The issue you're running into with the swings is that the shaft is bending. Instead of all the energy being transferred to the target some is going into the deformation of the shaft. In regards to their obscurity that might just be the reason why. With the level of steel they had it was probably too much of a pain to make it a full steel tempered shaft. They tried the idea, realized it wasn't going to work as they thought and let the idea drop. Would love to see you try and make a fully tempered version and see if the results are of any difference in performance.

  • @gmanbo

    @gmanbo

    2 жыл бұрын

    It might be possible that they made the tempered shaft set for a couple of patrons who had wealth but people saw them as they tried using them as to much bother and expense for it. These possibly acted as a cautionary tail. +Possible Reason there around today didn't see a lot of use.

  • @Giagantus
    @Giagantus2 жыл бұрын

    I love that Tod pulled a dirty Matt Easton joke at 17:40. I love watching u guys.

  • @justdiceleague
    @justdiceleague2 жыл бұрын

    Incredibly interesting! I especially enjoy what I learn in the general discussion, such as when Tod was talking about the difficulty of hardening the steel. My biggest question: why didn’t the curator open the case for him!?!?? Did they not know who he was!?!!? Grab the keys, give him some gloves and let the man take some proper measurements!!!!! He’s doing incredible things to further our understanding of history!!!!!

  • @Uncle_T
    @Uncle_T2 жыл бұрын

    This weapon is actually called Günther, though its real name is Mannfred. Don't ask. ;)

  • @Subcomandante73
    @Subcomandante732 жыл бұрын

    If it is a 'sword breaker' why not have one on each side?

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    That is a very good point - damn you!

  • @angrypotato_fz

    @angrypotato_fz

    2 жыл бұрын

    I thought so too!

  • @COLTBECK13
    @COLTBECK132 жыл бұрын

    Perhaps it may have been designed as some sort of close quarters weapon used by royal/personal guards in defense of something like narrow hallways or spiral stairs in a manor or castle against lightly armored or peasant mob attacks. Or maybe perhaps by a bailiff or guard in a trial or court room. Possibly by a Tyler/Tiler guarding an outer door to a ceremonial meeting or event. It is visually, very intimidating, to common man like myself ! That's how I would use it!! Great video!

  • @thcdreams654
    @thcdreams6542 жыл бұрын

    Awesome series and collaboration between two great content creators. Thanks.

  • @Adam_okaay
    @Adam_okaay2 жыл бұрын

    00:09:00 nuggies!!!!

  • @robking6975
    @robking69752 жыл бұрын

    Could it have been the weapon of a Churchman? If I remember my religious dogma, Bishops et al went into battle with non cutting weapons. Could it have been a higher status blunt force weapon for a powerful member of the church?

  • @Hannezia

    @Hannezia

    2 жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately false, that is basically DnD

  • @yetanother9127

    @yetanother9127

    2 жыл бұрын

    The whole "clergymen couldn't wield bladed weapons" thing is largely a myth. For one thing, blunt weapons absolutely do cause bleeding injuries. And while Catholic canon law did forbid priests from the "shedding of blood" (Canon 18, Fourth Lateran Council), it was probably meant more in the sense of forbidding them to fight at all, rather than a specific prohibition on bladed weapons.

  • @charlesballiet7074
    @charlesballiet70742 жыл бұрын

    loving this series both educational and very entertaining.

  • @loricho
    @loricho2 жыл бұрын

    I quite enjoyed the chicken ambling through the frame at 9:06

  • @tauceti8341
    @tauceti83412 жыл бұрын

    I love that you have chickens! They just roaming around eating bugs. While Matt has fun with your metal toys!

  • @hvymax
    @hvymax Жыл бұрын

    If the back spike was longer it could more effectively penetrate. The Crenalations would also grab enabling a control effect as well. I'm sure the original would have had a hardened head and spring tempered shaft. It combined control and impact. Not to mention it's meat tenderization qualities. As a retired metalworker my walking cane has a riveting hammer head on a tubular steel shaft.

  • @DJMarcO138
    @DJMarcO1382 жыл бұрын

    I look forward to the upcoming tests!! I really enjoy these collaborations between you two.

  • @F1ghteR41
    @F1ghteR412 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting take on this obscure topic, thanks a lot!

  • @SebastiandR81
    @SebastiandR812 жыл бұрын

    Awesome series! More please.

  • @sleazy1drache
    @sleazy1drache2 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting! Looking forward to the sparring

  • @jaytucker7873
    @jaytucker78732 жыл бұрын

    All I want for Christmas from you Todl is a video of Mount & Blade (warband, bannerlord, Napoleonic wars, whatever!) Where you play against the other community of the sword members! That's what this channel needs, more Mount and Blade!

  • @orbitalvagabond
    @orbitalvagabond Жыл бұрын

    I'm pretty sure I have a better idea of what it is: It's an evolved Horseman's Pick/Horseman's Hammer/Horseman's Axe. It's a cavalry weapon and not meant for infantry use. It's mostly my conjecture but I feel strongly about it. It's longer than the traditional cavalry pick/hammer/axe for better reach, damage, and ability to fence with infantry weapons longer than the horsemans' pick, but not as long and unsuitable for mounted swinging as a full polearm. The cross-guard and hook are uniquely for the mounted soldier's close-in defense if they find themselves unable to get away from the enemy in time. Normally, on the ground, the cross-guard makes it considerably inferior to any other similarly heavy pole weapon, as it prevents you from fluidly choking up on such a heavy weapon (I note this wasn't a huge issue in your part 2 video, but the sparring weapons are by necessity much lighter). However, choking up is not nearly as useful when you're mounted. The hook is just slightly farther out than the cross-guard to give it the better reach you'd need when mounted, but not so far out that it's useless against infantry that have been able to close the distance. Also, if the hook is too close to the cross-guard, because of a height difference of mounted vs infantry, the cross-guard could intercept the enemy sword before the hook could. Finally, unlike most horseman's picks and some axes it doesn't have a long beak/pick for penetrating armor, even though I said it's likely an evolution of them. The absence of the beak is most likely to the complete benefit of the weapon and natural to occur, as penetrating armor, or attempting to, is a fool's errand when such a devastating blunt blow is available. With a beak, if you don't penetrate armor, then you've probably just rolled your weapon, straining your arm and making the energy transfer horribly inefficient. If you have penetrated armor, you've probably then wasted a lot of energy splitting the metal for minimal penetration into flesh, and have gotten your weapon stuck. The only good thing lost with the beak's absence is the ability to dismount other cavalry, which I don't think is a particularly sane thing to want to do if you yourself are mounted. There is the argument that it's a judicial duel weapon, and so they wanted to maximize fencing potential for unarmored defensive capability, while preserving maximum damage with heft. But if you really wanted to maximize fencing potential with a cross-guard, you should make the shaft out of wood and lighten the weapon, because it's too heavy to really capitalize on the cross-guard. Without the weapon being light enough, in an infantry duel the cross-guard is mostly a temporary inconvenience to an enemy that has already compromised you enough to force you to use it. In addition, the extra weight of a metal shaft wouldn't do you any favors in a minimally-armored judicial duel. Returning to the cavalry idea, the metal shaft really only makes sense there, as it maximizes momentum transfer needed to incapacitate an enemy in a single blow. Edit: Also, if my idea is correct, I think a more apt name would be "Horseman's Pole Hammer with Crossguards"

  • @justinbarnhouse4940
    @justinbarnhouse49402 жыл бұрын

    Such great collaborations!

  • @kylebroflovski5333
    @kylebroflovski53332 жыл бұрын

    I love these kinds of videos, well I love all your videos but these are particularly interesting as the two of you clearly have a lot of complimentary knowledge and leads to some great points being made

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @glennmilanowski4060
    @glennmilanowski40602 жыл бұрын

    This weapon is used with gauntlets to protect the hands. The quillons give the user see degree of protection, but they have another purpose. The hook is a sword breaker. If an opponents sword, or a polearm, is caught in the hook, the quillons can be used for additions leverage to twist the weapon and keep it locked up or break it. The shaft might bend, but this would be easy to repair. Keep in mind that there would be a difference between striking a 5'6" man and striking a rigid structure.

  • @WannabeWoodsman
    @WannabeWoodsman2 жыл бұрын

    That is such an ODD weapon but I really dig the design and can see the utility in it.

  • @thalesmoraes1312
    @thalesmoraes13122 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely love the videos of both of you and I would love even more if more practical content like this would be mais. Crazy to watch different weapons against plate armour to know the effects (like great swords, maces, aces, etc) love you guys

  • @jamesw713
    @jamesw7132 жыл бұрын

    There is a lot of force behind the swings, which can be seen by the bent shaft. But, if you want more force, as you're swinging towards the target, allow the front hand to slide to the rear hand. That would allow a lot more of the momentum to be transferred to the spike/hammer-head. That would be similar to using a splitting maul, where you have one hand towards the middle to pick the ax head up but as the maul falls forward your hand moves to the rear. If you did that, changing direction would be impossible, but it would land the most force possible. I'm sure Matt could put a very lovely bend in the shaft that way. Great weapon and it looks like a lot of fun to play with. Not sure how it could ever be made safe enough for sparring.

  • @mikaelpeterson6567
    @mikaelpeterson65672 жыл бұрын

    This is just brilliant - I love this series!

  • @denvermiller5091
    @denvermiller50912 жыл бұрын

    The fact that the shaft bent so readily makes me wonder if it wasn't just a show piece or a bit of an experiment that was interesting enough to hang on to, but was never really used in anger. Seems surprisingly fragile for any sort of battlefield, as is.

  • @louirudy670
    @louirudy6702 жыл бұрын

    Wasnt expecting that but lovely to see. Lots of work mustve went into that weapon

  • @ericmoore9952
    @ericmoore99522 жыл бұрын

    One more possibility for why the thrust penetrated as well/better than the swing is the bending of the shaft. In addition to the plastic deformation, there was presumably some elastic deformation as well, all of that robs energy from the swing. Thrusting, there's probably a lot less energy lost to bending.

  • @robertthebruce-geniusofban647
    @robertthebruce-geniusofban64714 күн бұрын

    Very intriguing, I enjoyed this!

  • @williamp.5253
    @williamp.52532 жыл бұрын

    Loved the video Tod! Thanks for putting in extra effort to make the sparring versions of the weapons happen!

  • @tods_workshop

    @tods_workshop

    2 жыл бұрын

    not yet, but I will - thanks

  • @Nahojishere
    @Nahojishere2 жыл бұрын

    Been waiting for this, thank you Tod!

  • @crabmaster3338
    @crabmaster33382 жыл бұрын

    Great to see this again, great job lads!

  • @hansjohannsen6722
    @hansjohannsen67222 жыл бұрын

    Thanks folks! This is wonderful. Keep up the good work.

  • @BigZ7337
    @BigZ73372 жыл бұрын

    This was great, thanks guys.

  • @devin5201
    @devin52012 жыл бұрын

    "Sort of unimpressive... Separated the flesh from the bone, I'll take it back." I've never laughed so much while also being horrified at the implications of a statement.

  • @Sam-ey1nn
    @Sam-ey1nn2 жыл бұрын

    Would love to see a video of how you make something like this. Beautiful work, as always!

  • @submoto
    @submoto2 жыл бұрын

    I can't have been the only one that had an evil thought when that chicken came into frame 🤣

  • @rustyshackleford1235
    @rustyshackleford12352 жыл бұрын

    Love the collaboration videos.

  • @j.f.fisher5318
    @j.f.fisher53182 жыл бұрын

    Oh wow, I've never seen this discussed, clicked so fast! Thanks to both of you! Having been kicked in the thigh doing kickboxing, with just a shin, those impacts would be crippling.

  • @Hiltok
    @Hiltok2 жыл бұрын

    Loved the video. Especially loved the cameo walk through by the chooks around the 9:00 minute mark.

  • @Sutorenja
    @Sutorenja2 жыл бұрын

    "I'd rather you didn't do that..." "Oh, come on!" Famous last words?

  • @Tomahaukka
    @Tomahaukka2 жыл бұрын

    Crossguard on a poleaxe seems like a fine idea, can't wait to see if they'll actually help or just get in the wya

  • @yellowjeepman
    @yellowjeepman2 жыл бұрын

    I loved the video, but im not sure what im more surprised by the fact of the collaboration or the fact there is so much overlap between the viewer of both channels that the recommended was so apparent. I am one in the group that has watch both channels for quite a while, but would not have guess there where that many. Good old KZread Algorithm.

  • @TheNetsrac
    @TheNetsrac2 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting weapon and video. Thank you very much, guys A great thing to come home to after a long day at work 👍

  • @MattThornton87
    @MattThornton872 жыл бұрын

    Another fascinating video!

  • @knightforlorn6731
    @knightforlorn67312 жыл бұрын

    absolutely amazing. and the coat of plates seems a great value. impressive durability.