I'm swiss and I always wanted to own a halberd. It's the very weapon/tool that freed us from foreign rulers and lords and gave us the self government we still have today with our direct democracy and the Landsgemeinde. I own my grandfathers carabine 1911 which is one hell of a rifle and I own the current Stgw 90 assault rifle (sig 550) and a sphinx 3000 sidearm. But a halberd, as useless as it may be nowadays is a large part of swiss history and by that bears a sentimental and historical value. Unfortunatly today these things, if authentic, are rather expensive. Although I would shurely settle for a battleready replica. They're just cool and awesome and proofed highly effective against the Habsburger and their armys which the medevil swiss defeated many times. Plus the Swiss Guard still uses them as ceremonial weapons and emblazonments 😃
Development of European weaponry could be the basis for a university course... It branches into politics, class relationships, etc., and even physics and the science of technology.
Absolutely correct Tomas. It's tough to sometimes do a solid bit of info and make it watchable for the majority of folks. Our videos should be considered data points to add to a broader study of a subject, as you say, one could do a doctorate on.
Halberd is one evolution more improved and versatil than the spear, we can say that halberd is a mixed between war hammer and spear, you can use the halberd of three ways, like a hammer, spike or spear. 1: The Hammer is used for break defense enemies (shields, armors). 2: The Spike is used for grip and disarmed enemies (one handed swords, two handed swords, axes, maces). 3. The Spear is used for empaling enemies. 4 The polearm help you keep your enemies long away from you. Halberds are cool and useful weapons for close combat for protect entrances, but its "shitty" in a battle, because you can have many people around you and attack you in different directions.
I’d say the halberd isn’t shitty in battles at all. The tight formation many halberdiers were in would negate the downside you mentioned making them (and pretty much every other pole arm) very useful
You could use halberds in formation. You would just be limited to thrusts and vertical strikes to avoid hitting your teammates. But that rule applies to all h2h weapons in a tight formation. Also, when compared to spears, I think it's a give and take. The halberd has more mass which means it can generate more force, but the spear is much quicker. All those weapons on the halberd head (axe, spear, spike and/or hook) give you options in offending and defending, but can also potentially get caught on things when you don't want them to. A comparatively slender spearhead can more easily slip through gaps in your opponents guard.
@@VideoMask93 : They are trained with modern weaponry, for being real swiss soldiers. They have assault rifles and pistols and do training with them. But the visible soldiers are usually armed with short sword and halberd / partisane. Perhaps they have a pistol hidden in their rennaisance uniform, but papal soldiers armed with modern firearms, is for Vatikan not really wanted. So the Swiss Guards do some exercise with hallberd, but i don' t know, if this is real combat training. I personally would not do a test.
@@brittakriep2938 Yeah, after seeing what the British Royal Guards do I don't want to piss off the Swiss Guards...plus, violence against the Pope is an automatic excommunication!
The halberd -- my favorite weapon. "God created man. Sam Colt made them equal." - 1836. Well, the halberd was a great equalizer, too -- and 500 years before Sam Colt's. It made being a knight, even in the latest full plate, no longer a sure thing, as Burgundy's Charles the Bold and friends learned several times, though it wasn't until outside the walls of Nancy in Jan 1477 that the message finally "stuck."
What would I call a weapon with a spiked tip, an axe head on one side and hammer head on the other?? As well as a place to buy one. All help would be appreciated, thank you!!
If you’re still searching look up “one handed pollaxe” and you should get exactly what you’re looking for. I don’t think there’s actually a name for a one handed pollaxe but it should be exactly what you want
Thanks for the video and the education on halberd history. I find these fascinating, but if I were able to buy a long arm, I would want to get an espontoon like the one Meriwether Lewis used on the expedition.
Been trying to decide which style of weapon would suit me best. I've been looking at Halberds and Poleaxes more specifically since I feel like a 2 handed weapon would give me the control and utilize my strength the best. Which one would you recommend I get/try?
What weapons would dismounted knights have used at Agincourt, Crecy and Poitiers? Would they have just mucked in and picked up a bill? There are accounts of the Black Prince wielding an axe to great effect
Some would have used what was to hand. I think there is also a statement in one of the chronicles about the English dismounted knight snapping a few feet off their lances and using them as spears for foot combat.
@@armsarmorinc.4153 The Swiss were predominantly halberdiers when they faced the Austrians at Sempach and the Milanese at Arebedo and I've read that both of these armies deployed dismounted knights who had cut down their lances.
@@armsarmorinc.4153 the lance where just shortened (just up the handle, this reduce the effective lenght of the lance) but not "physicaly" cut. It's a misunderstanding from the french usage. The Funcken's explained this briefly when they wrote about swiss at Sempach...
As I recall, the British were still using them (on a very limited basis) during the 18th century. I've seen mention of NCOs being issued hlaberds, but I believe it was mainly meant to be a symbol of their rank and used to help dress the lines.(keeping them straight). I've never seen anything that says wherther or not they were actually trained in their use as a weppon and whether they were actually used in close combat or dropped in favor of a sword.
@@Riceball01 The officers of most 18th century European armies carried a pole arm as symbols of their rank and for dressing the ranks. I presume they'd have been adept at using them, but it's noticeable that the officers in British armies fighting in North America invariably carried firearms, some of which were private purchases. The problem was that they could become involved in the firefight and neglect their other duties. The Americans seem to have issued spontoons to their officers.
Max, That's interesting. I never realized there were lots of knights in Australia. I do suspect halberds could have been quite effective against marauding kangaroos.
This thing would absolutely destroy the Fire Emblem weapon triangle.
Very cool, I liked the distinction between poleaxes and halberds
As a wise man once said "Halberds are like pizza - even if they are bad they are good"
I'm swiss and I always wanted to own a halberd. It's the very weapon/tool that freed us from foreign rulers and lords and gave us the self government we still have today with our direct democracy and the Landsgemeinde.
I own my grandfathers carabine 1911 which is one hell of a rifle and I own the current Stgw 90 assault rifle (sig 550) and a sphinx 3000 sidearm.
But a halberd, as useless as it may be nowadays is a large part of swiss history and by that bears a sentimental and historical value.
Unfortunatly today these things, if authentic, are rather expensive. Although I would shurely settle for a battleready replica.
They're just cool and awesome and proofed highly effective against the Habsburger and their armys which the medevil swiss defeated many times.
Plus the Swiss Guard still uses them as ceremonial weapons and emblazonments 😃
Development of European weaponry could be the basis for a university course... It branches into politics, class relationships, etc., and even physics and the science of technology.
Absolutely correct Tomas. It's tough to sometimes do a solid bit of info and make it watchable for the majority of folks. Our videos should be considered data points to add to a broader study of a subject, as you say, one could do a doctorate on.
Excellent video and great closeups of your inventory. I bought a type L fighting axe after watching your video on it. Great stuff!
Thank you
Halberd is one evolution more improved and versatil than the spear, we can say that halberd is a mixed between war hammer and spear, you can use the halberd of three ways, like a hammer, spike or spear.
1: The Hammer is used for break defense enemies (shields, armors).
2: The Spike is used for grip and disarmed enemies (one handed swords, two handed swords, axes, maces).
3. The Spear is used for empaling enemies.
4 The polearm help you keep your enemies long away from you.
Halberds are cool and useful weapons for close combat for protect entrances, but its "shitty" in a battle, because you can have many people around you and attack you in different directions.
I’d say the halberd isn’t shitty in battles at all. The tight formation many halberdiers were in would negate the downside you mentioned making them (and pretty much every other pole arm) very useful
You could use halberds in formation. You would just be limited to thrusts and vertical strikes to avoid hitting your teammates. But that rule applies to all h2h weapons in a tight formation.
Also, when compared to spears, I think it's a give and take. The halberd has more mass which means it can generate more force, but the spear is much quicker. All those weapons on the halberd head (axe, spear, spike and/or hook) give you options in offending and defending, but can also potentially get caught on things when you don't want them to. A comparatively slender spearhead can more easily slip through gaps in your opponents guard.
they are still in use today, by the Swiss guards.
Albeit more as a ceremonial weapon-for actual guard duty they prefer SIG rifles and pistols if I'm not mistaken.
@@VideoMask93 : They are trained with modern weaponry, for being real swiss soldiers. They have assault rifles and pistols and do training with them. But the visible soldiers are usually armed with short sword and halberd / partisane. Perhaps they have a pistol hidden in their rennaisance uniform, but papal soldiers armed with modern firearms, is for Vatikan not really wanted. So the Swiss Guards do some exercise with hallberd, but i don' t know, if this is real combat training. I personally would not do a test.
@@brittakriep2938 Yeah, after seeing what the British Royal Guards do I don't want to piss off the Swiss Guards...plus, violence against the Pope is an automatic excommunication!
Great video!
Thanks!
Evoked ouch stick!
The halberd -- my favorite weapon. "God created man. Sam Colt made them equal." - 1836. Well, the halberd was a great equalizer, too -- and 500 years before Sam Colt's. It made being a knight, even in the latest full plate, no longer a sure thing, as Burgundy's Charles the Bold and friends learned several times, though it wasn't until outside the walls of Nancy in Jan 1477 that the message finally "stuck."
What would I call a weapon with a spiked tip, an axe head on one side and hammer head on the other?? As well as a place to buy one. All help would be appreciated, thank you!!
(One handed weapon) 👆
Hmm sounds like a single handed war axe with back hammer, there are a few similar pieces used as armored combat weapons.
If you’re still searching look up “one handed pollaxe” and you should get exactly what you’re looking for. I don’t think there’s actually a name for a one handed pollaxe but it should be exactly what you want
@@armsarmorinc.4153 thank you
@@handleonafridge6828 thank you
Thanks for the video and the education on halberd history.
I find these fascinating, but if I were able to buy a long arm, I would want to get an espontoon like the one Meriwether Lewis used on the expedition.
Those are cool!
Been trying to decide which style of weapon would suit me best. I've been looking at Halberds and Poleaxes more specifically since I feel like a 2 handed weapon would give me the control and utilize my strength the best. Which one would you recommend I get/try?
I favor halberds and spears
What is the longest haldberd you can use on a one to one combat?
Hmm, pretty long depending on the head weight. That would be the limiting factor. the farther from you the lighter the head has to be to work.
@@armsarmorinc.4153 With a light head, 3m could work?
What weapons would dismounted knights have used at Agincourt, Crecy and Poitiers? Would they have just mucked in and picked up a bill? There are accounts of the Black Prince wielding an axe to great effect
Some would have used what was to hand. I think there is also a statement in one of the chronicles about the English dismounted knight snapping a few feet off their lances and using them as spears for foot combat.
@@armsarmorinc.4153 The Swiss were predominantly halberdiers when they faced the Austrians at Sempach and the Milanese at Arebedo and I've read that both of these armies deployed dismounted knights who had cut down their lances.
did dismounted knights not typically use things like warhammers and lucernes and pollaxes?
@@armsarmorinc.4153 the lance where just shortened (just up the handle, this reduce the effective lenght of the lance) but not "physicaly" cut. It's a misunderstanding from the french usage. The Funcken's explained this briefly when they wrote about swiss at Sempach...
were Halberds ever combined with firearms?
Oh yes, the swiss pike square was a combo of pikes halberds and firearms. Pretty much a difficult thing to deal with untill you got some artillery.
As I recall, the British were still using them (on a very limited basis) during the 18th century. I've seen mention of NCOs being issued hlaberds, but I believe it was mainly meant to be a symbol of their rank and used to help dress the lines.(keeping them straight). I've never seen anything that says wherther or not they were actually trained in their use as a weppon and whether they were actually used in close combat or dropped in favor of a sword.
@@Riceball01 The officers of most 18th century European armies carried a pole arm as symbols of their rank and for dressing the ranks.
I presume they'd have been adept at using them, but it's noticeable that the officers in British armies fighting in North America invariably carried firearms, some of which were private purchases.
The problem was that they could become involved in the firefight and neglect their other duties. The Americans seem to have issued spontoons to their officers.
I thought OP meant a combination weapon like a gun-axe...
Great Video !
Beautiful reproduction weapons!
Thank you!
The swiss use this against Australian knights they win every battel with this weapon the swiss soldiers just was Farmers
Max, That's interesting. I never realized there were lots of knights in Australia. I do suspect halberds could have been quite effective against marauding kangaroos.
*Austrian :)