What Kind of Damage Can a Medieval War Hammer Do?
Ойын-сауық
A contemporary weapons expert is about to test a medieval war hammer on a steel breastplate from that era. The aim is to find out how much damage this fearsome instrument of death could deal.
From the Series: World of Weapons: Close Combat bitly.com/38K0PEo
Пікірлер: 422
“Gods I was strong then”
@BangablePussc
2 жыл бұрын
i thought i was the only one who thought that
@diagonalelbow887
2 жыл бұрын
Must’ve shattered every rib he had
@gerardjagroo
2 жыл бұрын
That poor fool Rhaegar never stood a chance.
@Scum8ag
2 жыл бұрын
Caved in theough his breastplate!
@sgtmac46
Жыл бұрын
Caved in his breastplate.
"Such blows can break a man's neck, possibly leave him stunned or worse." Ah yes humans are indeed often stunned by having their necks broken
@user-ul5ss2ru5w
2 жыл бұрын
It is truly stunning if you think about it
@harpicep888
Жыл бұрын
Just thinking about it make me stunned
@GiskardRevenlov
Жыл бұрын
I know plenty of guys in BUHURT who have broken their necks and been (relatively) fine. No loss of life or feeling, just permanent neck pain
@SuperSky9
Жыл бұрын
@noahjones9833 The sentence means "Such blows can possibly leave him stunned OR break a man's neck OR worse."
@wbbartlett
8 ай бұрын
That may well be what he meant to say, although we can only make an assumption there because it is absolutely not what he actually said. @@SuperSky9
Maybe I've been spoiled by mythbusters, but shouldn't you put some sort of simulated brain or sensor inside the helmet to characterize the force?
@kingofchivalry5509
4 жыл бұрын
I agree big cantaloupe
@beckyyoung2173
4 жыл бұрын
coconut is close the the strength of a skull... and the fruit inside would show damage maybe?
@atfeldman123
4 жыл бұрын
R Lee Ermey would have recommended watermelon
@Someone-cd7yi
3 жыл бұрын
let's use a death row inmate
@xxxxxx5868
3 жыл бұрын
Do you see that dent on the helmet?
So this is what Robert Baratheon's fighting style actually look like.
@mr.bluefox3511
4 жыл бұрын
Well, not accurately. Cause Robert warhammer was a large, two handle, and unnecessary heavier than the ... normal one in the video. The hammer was so heavy that only a big man like Robert ( at the time he won "the Battle of the Trident" ) can used it in individual Duel, and in the Battlefield.
@architius
4 жыл бұрын
Robert's Warhammer was a much larger two-hander, but he was so strong he could wield it as easily as a normal person would handle a one-handed warhammer.
@GAndreC
4 жыл бұрын
It was pretty big the break your arm through the shield or ribs through armor kind
@RockyTheEater
3 жыл бұрын
@@mr.bluefox3511 but god he was strong back then
@RockyTheEater
3 жыл бұрын
@Junjun but god he was strong back then
What kind of damage can a medieval war hammer do? My brain: probably a lot
@ennui9745
2 жыл бұрын
Probably a lot of damage to your brain too ;)
@gonzalosanchezblanco6598
Жыл бұрын
Your heart,lungs,belly or even joints
In football we had helmet straps that would clip on with metal on the ends. These straps were long enough to hit other helmets. The metal was only a few inches long, but it was enough to make the loudest of sounds vibrating through the helmet. We would dread when it happened. Imagine the sound metal on metal at full force from the warhammer to the helmet. That sound alone could send a man shaken, rattled, and discombobulated.
@MK_ULTRA420
3 жыл бұрын
Full physical recovery: 6 weeks Full psychological recovery: 6 months
@AzngameFreak03
3 жыл бұрын
Even more crazy is, we'd do it for fun! We'd hit each others helmets with these metal straps. It would be the equivalent to tapping someone in the balls(not pain wise, but out of teenage boy humor). But the sound, it was no joke.
@Bauernwher
Жыл бұрын
@@MK_ULTRA420 6 months* 6 years*
@MK_ULTRA420
Жыл бұрын
@@Bauernwher no
@Bauernwher
Жыл бұрын
@@MK_ULTRA420 it's a joke
That test doesn't show the balance of the human body. When someone gets hit with a hammer they will go back and not stay in place like a piece of wood
@GAndreC
4 жыл бұрын
That’s why a hit like that is more likely to break your neck than shatter your skull
@lasttimeitakeshowerwas8618
4 жыл бұрын
@@GAndreC ikr.
@dragoncrown2029
3 жыл бұрын
@@GAndreC which is just as bad of course , the knight will die either way
@tincanmaniac1931
3 жыл бұрын
Not if it's hit from the top, like I'm this demonstration. It would crumple the wearer and destroy his neck.
@gonzalosanchezblanco6598
3 жыл бұрын
Did anyone wonder the horrible damage it may cause a full impact in the middle of the chest ?
I was expecting more self defense from the lifeless armor, really
@aronnemcsik
3 жыл бұрын
Well It seemsed to me that armor skipped the self defense classes...
It's still a formidable weapon today.
@scottouellette9411
4 жыл бұрын
Still prefer my assorted magnums.
@nonna_sof5889
4 жыл бұрын
They actually briefly came back into use as one of a myriad of melee weapons used for trench raiding during WW 1. Though circular designs were more common since they're easier to make on the front.
@podsmpsg1
4 жыл бұрын
Absolutely.
@BlackChad792
4 жыл бұрын
If I remember correctly in WW1 they were called "trench clubs", and were more similar to a medieval mace than a warhammer. Though maces and warhammers are pretty similar themselves
@starsixtyseven195
7 ай бұрын
The pistol wins because of quick draw and distance but 1 shot doesnt always work and you never know when the attack starts
"it can break his neck... or worse"
@crispinjulius5032
3 жыл бұрын
There are some things worse than a broken neck like getting hit with this on a medieval battlefield and waking up in 2021.
@skyknight1281
3 жыл бұрын
Could be struck in the groin with a war hammer. I would say that is worse.
I imagine the horse's speed adds to the impact but what about chaotic battles? If the horse was surrounded, the height difference to the foot soldiers would make for a great game of wack-a-mole
@atheistsgranddaddy5653
3 жыл бұрын
Nah, if a guy is robust, all it takes is one or 2 headblows And the enemy is knocked out easily
@lewishladun241
2 жыл бұрын
Didn’t even use the speed of the horse to add force. Just straight down. What a joke
@samwalker4761
2 жыл бұрын
Speed would no doubt add to the damage done, especially if the strike was delivered using the spike attached to the hammer shown. Though even at a slow pace or just atop the horse at a stop I think the advantage of height would allow strikes with more momentum, as a mounted warrior would have space above their head and around them to swing before crashing down upon their unfortunate victim. I daresay even on foot these would be a frightening piece of kit to come up against, as several reenactors/combat sportsmen have pointed out even a wooden training weapon against padding is enough to stun someone. TL;DR Aye the medieval whack-a-mole certainly seems plausible
Question: "What Kind of Damage Can a Medieval War Hammer Do?" Answer: "A LOT."
@PeregrinTintenfish
Жыл бұрын
hmm, not really an anwser.
You really gotta admit, that was a solid hit.
@lewishladun241
2 жыл бұрын
No? Why wouldn’t you swing sideways so you use the speed of the horse to add power? Why even be on a horse at all if you’re just swinging directly down
@elchupacabra1406
4 күн бұрын
@@lewishladun241 The extra height given by the horse does allow for a better downward strike, but their would be no need to be moving forward for that
It's official, I'd rather just be shot then go through the horror of medieval warfare
@Hmongboi228
3 жыл бұрын
I agree. Just imagine surviving multiple blows to the body and or skull and surviving. It would DEFINITELY have ever lasting after effects where you would most likely be discarded by your family (due to your needs and or mental change) and society. Just left to die out in public or in the wilderness. Same with being hit with a mace or flail or cleaved by a sword/ax and then the infection afterwards. I'd just rather opt for the "courteous" option of being shot by today's standards.
@dragoncrown2029
3 жыл бұрын
@@Hmongboi228 ikr , imagine the headaches you would have after being hit with that war hammer , very scary weapon indeed 😳
@GamelessOne
3 жыл бұрын
@@Hmongboi228 I hope nobody tells you about wounding tactics of modern warfare. The ideal is incapacitating enemies and making them bleed out, rather than killing outright, because one screaming, dying man needs medical attention and could possibly hold up 2-3 other combatants while they are giving medical attention or evacuating. Oops, I told you...
@gonzalosanchezblanco6598
3 жыл бұрын
Me too,put be a bullet to my head or heart and game over quickly that being bashed with a war hammer or a mace
@gonzalosanchezblanco6598
3 жыл бұрын
@@dragoncrown2029 And most people complaining about hangovers headeachs
Robert Baratheon would be proud
I could have done that. I was expecting some scientific quantification of the impact. Instead, “ there is a dent.”
@texasbeast239
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah, it's especially disappointing since this vid was done by the Smithsonian. One would expect them to be more precise and specific than, "Whoah, lookit! Gnarly, dude!" 🙄
@asdfjkli
2 жыл бұрын
@@texasbeast239 From the format, editing, and the disregard for scientific inquiry, I don't really see much difference between this and Ice Road Truckers!
@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo
2 жыл бұрын
Along with some inaccurate information here, such as "the warhammer was developed specifically to defeat plate armor" (or something along those lines) when it showed up many centuries before plate armor was common.
@wbbartlett
8 ай бұрын
It's american, they go for thrills and spills. not facts and knowledge.
They didn’t even use the more effective side
Well, if they didn't work, they wouldn't have used them.
@samwalker4761
2 жыл бұрын
I think that's usually far stronger evidence of something's effectiveness than any modern experiment can prove. No test, however convincing, would compare to a real battle. If it was used consistently, it probably worked wonders.
Thanks, I have a Medieval war coming up soon, and I needed this.
Plate armor: Resistant to slashing damage, weak to bludgeoning damage
@darkmattergamesofficial
3 жыл бұрын
Impervious to slashing... Resistant to bludgeoning... Keep in mind there would be padding and potentially mail underneath the plate too. Only strikes to the head would could cause real damage by way of the sheer impact/concussive force. Plate armor is also designed to glance off blows
@lim7646
3 жыл бұрын
Witcher 3 reference
@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo
3 жыл бұрын
@@darkmattergamesofficial Keeping in mind aswell that plate, long with being impervious to cutting, is the number one best defence against blunt force damage aswell. The padded undergarments would not protect as much as the plate did in that regard either.
@darkmattergamesofficial
3 жыл бұрын
@@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo Yep, exactly. Imagine being struck with a hammer while wearing only a padded garment and mail. It could easily break bones and crush muscle. The plate disperses the impact and the padding cushions it. That's why I said the only exception is the head... where brain damage is the main problem.
@darklanov
3 жыл бұрын
Impervious to cuts and thrusts.
That was a fairly light-weight description, but not bad. Look forward to further investigation of this. That is a very impressive weapon/tool, in its place.
"I am the Warhammer" said the Emperor calmly.
If you guys are wondering where this place is, it's near Nykøbing Falster, it's a city not a village like the narrator says. It's called The Middle Ages Center (Middelaldercentret), and located in Sundby, Denmark.
I'm surprised they didn't mention the jacket they fitted, it looked like a gambeson, and those we're historically very good at absorbing forceful blows. It's essentially a very densely packed padded jacket, and they had hoods like that too. I'm sure the blows would still be damaging, but the jacket surely would help
@kubaGR8
7 ай бұрын
They didn't mention the jacket because full-thickness gambesons typically were not worn underneath plate armour. They'd wear much thinner gambesons that were more like clothing than extra protection. Two layers thick at most. Steel plate already disperses the force of blows really well, there is no need for extra padding.
Must have been a tight budget or crammed for time for this experiment.
Very cool stuff. Love this living history stuff, and with two kids into D & D, this is especially interesting. I'm surprised they didn't mention the damage done by the impact waves through soft tissues.-Henry
What we would call the "one percent" were the only ones who could afford full plate armor. We're talking about the Late Middle Ages here(1300-1500). Many people incorrectly assume that impact weapons such as maces and war hammers were "peasant weapons". However, it turns out that quite the opposite was true. If you possessed a war hammer like that, people would know you were rich, and that you were prepared to fight other wealthy men. Maces and war hammers are specifically armor-defeating weapons, and they were designed for men who could afford armor, and would be fighting armored opponents. They were actually status symbols for the wealthy.
@Hibernicus1968
4 жыл бұрын
During the late middle ages, there were lots of soldiers -- common men at arms -- with quite extensive armor. True, only the knights could afford a full suit of plate, but men at arms wore extensive "munitions grade" armor nonetheless. These might include full or nearly full leg and arm defenses, brigandines to cover the torso, but sometimes proper breastplates too, etc. This wasn't made as well, as tailored to the wearer, or of as high a quality of steel as the best armor the knights could afford, but it was still a lot better than what most ordindary soldiers had had to go into battle with for centuries prior to this, and it gave good protection.
@TheOldBlackShuckyDog
4 жыл бұрын
Yeah but maces were very easy to make/cheap to produce weapons which your average soldier probably would have access to. Obviously not the elaborate flanged ones you sometimes see, but basic bits of hard metal on the end of a stick is something used back in ancient times, let alone the medieval era. Warhammers less so tbf, as they definitely required more skill to make, and so would probably cost more
@winterroadspokenword4681
9 ай бұрын
However a hammer is just as effective no matter how much armour you have. In close combat they are a supremely efficient weapon.
@kubaGR8
7 ай бұрын
@@winterroadspokenword4681 It is important to note that, as displayed in this video, maces and warhammers were primarily used from horseback. We actually do not have evidence that they were used by footmen in any significant capacity.
How about using the pointy end of the warhammer?
if someone can catch that hammer and move as little as that piece of wood did, i reckon their skull is of a stronger material than their helmet.
I have a problem with the line "the warhammer was developed specifically to defeat plate armor" that's just not true. The warhammer has been seen long before plate armor was anywhere near common, back when many people would even go to war with nothing but their shield to protect them.
@PeregrinTintenfish
Жыл бұрын
interesting, I would like to know more about that.
I did Kumdo in Korea for a while and even-in full sparing gear getting hit by a training sword in the head the impact was a stunning reality check for me. Now getting hit with a war hammer would be a Significantly emotional event to say the least.
@danielquintana1353
Жыл бұрын
a samurai with full yoroi armor and better eye vision, and a kanabo/tetsubo could disarm a knight, (due to the great weight of the weapon), hit him on the knees and head and thus leaving him out of action, later, blind him with a dagger and/or cutting his neck. Or just pierce with Tsuruhashi warhammer.
@starsixtyseven195
7 ай бұрын
@@danielquintana1353there is no great weight to the weapon its heavier given because it has to be you cant get something for nothing,. Oyaroi armor is literally the heaviest in history
@danielquintana1353
7 ай бұрын
@@starsixtyseven195 there was a tendency to use hardened leather yorois, could combine that with (frontal) metal parts, could weight 16kilos or less btw i dont understand you english its broken sorry
Cant believe people used to get hit by this in their heads 😩
@jeremyrobs3643
4 жыл бұрын
To be fair, they were only hit once.
@matthewzito6130
4 жыл бұрын
I don't think anyone planned on blocking with their helmet.
@grimarasikan8149
3 жыл бұрын
Cant believe people used to get hit by hot oil on their heads
@IlGonfaloniere
3 жыл бұрын
@@grimarasikan8149 Oil only very, very rarely, if ever, because it was expensive. Mostly boiling water or hot sand.
A lot. Having used them myself and doing period re-enactments. They are a must in a zombie apocalypse 👍
“Now that’s a lot of damage!” -Flex Seal Guy
And this is the reason why the mandalorian would be dead after being beated by the Dark Trooper in the helmet.
I had a Gotrek and Felix joke in here but forgot it lol
Do you really need experts to get to this conclusion?
@GAndreC
4 жыл бұрын
The experts are because they are more likely to treat the weapon with the respect it deserves and less likely to injure themselves or others while using it. Aka someone weak might let go after it lands or some other type of shenanigans
You should watch the video that Jason Kingsley from "Modern History TV" posted about the warhammer !
Whenever you decide to complain about a hangover headache or a cut on your leg, remember that there were people who got hit by war hammers, or got stabbed by a sword and had to continue fighting.
If a l knight wearing plate armor was a medieval tank, then the war hammer was the medieval anti-tank cannon firing a HESH shell.
@nathanielkidd2840
3 жыл бұрын
So what would a pole hammer be? An A10 Warthog?
@Raycheetah
3 жыл бұрын
"Squash head?" How apropos! =^[.]^=
The Devil Of The Trident
My favorite weapon in "Kingdomcome Deliverance" against heavy armored units. The secret to it is always aiming for the head then do a combo. If it's just un armored bandits I use a sword
woohoo finally! I have been looking for this video.
Imagine back in these times where everyone was superstitious of everything, and you're a new guy issued some plate armor with multiple dents in it, and you don't want to wear it because its cursed, because many have died wearing it.
Knight: we are here to collect taxes for our majesty Peasant: stop.. hammer time.
1:18 the ultimate BONK
It would have been interesting to learn how much force did the armour absorb and how much of it hit directly the wearer.
@DanBlabbers
Жыл бұрын
I would guess a lot of force because swords and arrows would deflect off, the war hammer is going to vibrate though without a lot of padding.
I want one of these so bad. I already have three swords, a spear, and a mace
Everybody gansta, until the enemy pulls out a War Hammer
And even without armour having heavy metal coming at you with force would still leave you stunned or worse
it would have been so awesome if they used a tool to measure the exact force of impact. (ie : like what they use on football players to determine force of impact from a tackle)
He showed us what the blunt bit does. What about the pointy bit?
@viktor3869
4 жыл бұрын
It stabs
@dragoncrown2029
3 жыл бұрын
the pointy end can do deadly stab damage , it can puncture all the way in to a knights heart , killing him instantly , the war hammer is a scary weapon , i'm glad i don't live in medieval times 😳
@gelationousskin835
3 жыл бұрын
@@dragoncrown2029 What? A war hammer could pierce a breastplate, but than you have to go through gambeson and potentially chanimail. I think what you mean is that blunt damage could hurt the knight.
@ivebeenironed3times737
3 жыл бұрын
@@gelationousskin835 Even piercing the breastplate is a bit of a stretch, especially if the armour is of good quality.
@gelationousskin835
3 жыл бұрын
@@ivebeenironed3times737 yeah, your best bet against a knight frankly is just ten men holding him down and one stabbing him in the groin.
When you're a builder but your lord has demanded your service in the war to come.
Adding in the momentum of the horse, too. Nice if you can get it. Wonder what gauge steel they're using and how it compares to mercenary vs. knight's armor.
I'd like to own a medieval war hammer
@elasolezito
4 жыл бұрын
I want a poleaxe.
Well thats a lot of damage!
not even steel helmet can protect against the war hammer, but eren yeager does
@BeastlyNerd
3 жыл бұрын
Bruh...🤣
Whoever brought a hammer onto the battlefield.. Probably didn't survive the battle.
🔨 Thank You!
Where did they find my old slate hammer?
what about the other side of that hammer
@lim7646
4 жыл бұрын
The hammer gonna pierce through the helmet killing the wearer
@sonicknuckleswomble8927
4 жыл бұрын
@@lim7646Not necessarily, Medieval knight's plate armour was angled and curved to deflect blows, unless you're dead on, the spike could slide off with very little energy tranferred, that's why the hammer head is shaped the way it is, to grip and ensure the full delivery of force.
@matthewzito6130
4 жыл бұрын
I've heard it said that the back spike was more for use against mail armor or possibly a brigandine. ..... Also, you wouldn't want to get your weapon stuck when you're on horseback.
war hammer needs a 18" metal collar over handle, hand guard & 6" spike on top
How is wearing silk, chainmail, plus plate gonna help? The silk and chain are good for extra cushion or shock absorption against hammers or maces? An axe or polarm would get stuck?
KCD player alteady know its the best weapon.
"A LOTTA" type of damage
Now that's a lot damage!
The done button connected to a stick.
The spike is there for a reason old man
I wanted em to show the spike too
My favorite weapon in Warband
Now to read the comments from the internet historians and experts.
So how many head blows before chronic traumatic encephalopathy?
Answer: a lot! Ow....
best weapon ever can never go wrong with the warhammer
Can I get this on Amazon or eBay?
Under all plate armour shock absorbing cotton layers were worn, this gave a spongy effect, similar to the arrow (bodkin) where the arrow would be trapped by the fibres.
@CATGPlbCapacityPneumaticTireFo
2 жыл бұрын
Under plate armor, thin oftentimes completely unquilted garments were worn. Thick padding would have been unnecessary, restrictive, and very hot and stuffy. Not to mention, linen was preferable as it breathes better. Your main protection would come from the dissipation of the shock throughout a large solid plate.
BONK. no gambisson is gonna save you from that
Roran used to go crazy with a hammer
How you not gonna use the pointy end
Hey, I've got one of those!
I just put a book on my head then punched the book. I now understand.
That was a bullet wound to the helmet LOL!
The flex tape kind.
Was hoping for more comments on Robert Baratheon. Honestly, he got me into warhammers.
The metal *clank* sound sent me
@aclusterofgoats6909
4 күн бұрын
*BONK*
Plz do this with mace and one handed axe
Just ask Charles Martel.
That's like the opposite of a dimple
Imagine you and your friends armed with these things was order to put down a peasant rebellion . Hitting a peasant armed with a stick in the face with this war hammer with all of your strength while charging with a battle horse , His face probably gets smashes , 1 strike and 0% survival chance because the head has been smashes 😮😮😮
How much of the force would the knight's gambison absorb?
It was well struck.
Summon the Elector Counts!
The early-mid medieval era was like Romes post apocalypse
@hollundergiersch8691
3 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂 it was Romes post-apocalypse
Probably the 3rd best melee weapon to learn in modern day behind a knife and a club.
My grandfather got 3 warhammer at his garage now I wonder what did he use to do Jim
Rhaegar Targaryen disliked this video.
And then headache tablets were invented.
The ultimate bonk
very interesting.
Coolest name I've heard in a long time Mike Loads