Anyone remember that one twitter-meme that went something like: "If you were captured by terrorists yet could tweet something that would inform your followers that you were in mortal danger but would fly over the terrorists heads, what would it be?" Yeah I think this is the youtube version that.
Am I the only 1 out there with streamers glued to the back or my sword? After seeing your dual wield greatsword comment I feel that now my opponents won't be intimidated by my semi cheerleader pom-pom style pommel.
It's the Sherman 75mm cannon. It won't kill a Panther, but will do the job in most circumstances, and doesn't cost the earth. War is about compromise, and cost.
@@louisvictor3473 "Look out! It's a panther!" "For the last time, George, this is 1941. They haven't been... oh, I see what you mean." "Achtung! Panther!" "For the last time, Heinrich, this is 1941. Panthers haven't been... oh, I see what you mean." "Well, ho there pard'ner! Is that a panther I see?" "Skip, it's a darn mountain lion. Just because they're in the same genus doesn't make them the... Oh, I see what you mean..."
Hmmm.... perhaps it was also originally intended to be an easy weapon for someone trained in smallsword fencing to pick up. As smallsword duelling declined in popularity, perhaps so did the popularity of the spadroon. Just a theory.
Except the spadroon and smallsword developed in parallel. This concept of the spadroon being developed for those who were experienced in smallsword is a theory by collectors, based on the fact the first spadroon pattern was created in 1786, and not realizing the spadroon had existed for a hundred years or more by this point. Many infantry sabres that followed the spadroon were not so different in weight and handling, they were just curved (lightly). Even many of those eventually went straight in time.
Academy of Historical Fencing Perhaps more of a co-evolution then, rather than the one being directly inspired by the other. Clearly there was some cross-pollination of ideas about what makes a good sword.
@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing That doesn't really invalidate that point, as smallsword fencing was largely a refinement of rapier systems it isn't that it was developed overnight, so you would still be much more likely to have officers at hand that already had a solid foundation of thrusting sword principles than the sabre. As dueling declined in popularity you would get people with no training most of the time so it wasn't a factor anymore.
@@heretyk_1337 I think it's about time that swords should be allowed to self-identify as they choose and any classifications should be "Oakshott-Fluid".
[Don Lafontaine voiceover] In a world infected by spadroonitis.....he was our only hope.......he took up the sword.......Matt Easton is......THE SPADROONEER![/Don Lafontaine voiceover]
My 'militarized' smallsword has mammoth ivory grips too and I love it. It looks and feels wonderful. I also made mammoth ivory grips for my favorite Cervenka dagger and a superlative Korth revolver. Ivory rocks especially when an elephant was not harmed for it.
Great video! I appreciate the context. As a long time fencer, it's interesting to think about how a sword would square up against various other weapons. Would be interested in more videos on that topic!
This seems a lot like a case where in general it's an okay design, but a lot of the bad reputation comes down to a particular implementation with a way too flexible blade.
I liked the french epee/spadroon featured in one of your videos from a few years ago. The one with the offset fullers. It seemed to be a nice solid weapon, suitable for counterpoint fencing a le Valville.
Given the context of the spadroons (I didn't know, they haven't interested me enough to look up), I think I can almost transport all my comments from the katana video to them. Whilst nowhere as much a status/cultural symbol as in Japan, I'd say military swords were still a relevant cultural symbol then (I mean, we kept it to this day, granted in a purely ceremonial role), which I think the bladed nature and overall aesthetics of it can satisfy the self-image/morale and social roles of it (which are often overlooked, but those people were human too, you should never understimate society and psychology). More importantly on this side of the story, it was still a functional and desirable sidearm. However, with the improvements of gun technology, the introduction of the bayonet on said improved guns, people no longer wearing plate armor, changes in battle strategies enabled by these developments, all of that together made the martial needs of the sidearm different. In a way, the sword was now a side-sidearm - the default sidearm was the bayonet, that is what your sword is complementing, not the gun your bayonet is attached to. There was no real need for something as long as the preceding rapier since for your reach/stabbing needs the bayonet was there for you, which makes it clear why the rapier was replaced. A shorter sword that can still cut and thrust, rather than just thrust like a short sword, makes a lot of sense here as a complement to your bayonet and gun, specially on foot.
*'I am not going to say I was wrong but I would like to qualify a lot of the bad things I said about Spadroons were based upon SOME bad spadroons!'* Now that's what I call a quality dodge by our favorite fencing MASTER, Matt Easton!
i got my 1796 spadroon with a random small sword (not a clue where its from or when etc) in a random auction for £25. I was most pleased though the flappy side guard does not give me much confidence in it
A spadroon is the 18th century equivalent of a pocket pistol, it's not ideal if you actually need to use it though you likely won't need to, but it's light/handy enough to be comfortable enough to wear daily. Still much better than nothing though.
That's not the way expert swordsmen and masters of the 18thc considered them, some of which had to defend their lives. They thought the smallsword was best for the purpose you deacribe, and the spadroon to be far more universal.
I don't think it's a coincidence that they fall out of service as pistols get better after 1815, especially with the rise of the revolver. Spadroons were PDWs and by say the US Civil War revolvers are better for that so swords become more ornate and get other uses like being a pointer or thing to hold over your head to make a rally point. Pole weapons had done the same in the 18th century with halberds and spontoons going from serious weapons in 1700 to examples of American Revolutionary halberds where the axes is totally dull and designed to spell out US with the "blade" because at this point it's not really used as a weapon.
I see a comment about spadroons from Matt, I watch. Neal Stephenson's Baroque cycle of novels were not kind about the spadroon , but the guy was fighting a well-trained rapier user. He lost, and was dumped in the river.
May I recommend Mr. Easton, checking out the earlier 1740 Prussian Infantry Officers Pattern. It's what the British 1796 was based on. The Prussian version has a really sturdy and thick guard. The blade is hexagonal. It's narrow but has a good weight that gives a sufficient cut. Also quite stiff for the thrust. I think it's the ultimate 18th century spadroon.
I will forgive anything since you made your beautiful rant dismissing those who think and say that France had been inept at war. It was the first time you used as many coarse words in such a short time. :-)
I forget which video it was, he was bashing the spadroon and Lucy commented that she liked the spadroon. Maybe she brought him around to her way of thinking. It seems like a good idea, a compromise straight blade that as was pointed out would be familiar to someone using a smallsword but had more "umph" to it.
I find it fascinating how especially noticable in Europe weapons have almost constantly evolved. Some influences from outside Europe can be seen on occations, but mostly it was all within the continent. And to a much higher degree than in Asia or Africa, at least form what i see.
While watching this I had the interesting day dream that, while the victorian period is often the focus of anachronistic fiction such as steam punk, during the period the advent of firearms had made armour useless, thus causing a resurgence of bladed hand weapons such as swords. In my daydream I saw the thematic link between this anachronistic type of combat found in the victorian period, and the anachronistic fictions such as steam punk which are largely based on a victorian theme. To put it simply. The victorian period was somewhat inherently anachronistic. Perhaps this is why fictions such as steam punk work thematically.
As far as the spadroon goes even though spadroons might seem like a bad sword but the important thing to remember was that they were a product of there times and if it werent certian types of changes to the approach to sword fighting that occured during the time the spadroon wouldn't have existed.
Yeah exactly... People don't realize that various weapons over history in retrospect may not have looked all that effective but for what they were made to do they actually performed that job well enough. Fast forward to now there are a few people who are martial artists and aware enough to realize that whatever weapon you have, you are probably going to be more successful with it if you understand it's advantages and limitation rather than trying to fight with that weapon as you would your 'favorite' weapon.
Развлечения
Matt blink twice if you're being held against your will by big spadroon.
Was thinking exactly this.
A big spadroon called Lucy?
@McBlazington
You and I made the same kind of joke at the same time, only you did it better. Congratulations on a job well done, sir.
@@Oversamma great minds, etc.
but he likes the stiff penetration
Anyone remember that one twitter-meme that went something like: "If you were captured by terrorists yet could tweet something that would inform your followers that you were in mortal danger but would fly over the terrorists heads, what would it be?" Yeah I think this is the youtube version that.
' If I just grab a saber at random" because we all have multiple sabers to consider.
You know you have too many sabres when....
Hoarders - Sabre Edition
I could do that with spears... >__>
I like the fact that he does have multiple sabers just lying around-like a nineteenth century regimental armory or something.
So ideally you want a short long light heavy sword to avoid having a compromised blade.
On a strong-side crossdraw back scabbard harness.
Also doing all those aforementioned things while dual wielding greatswords.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I suppose that I should have mentioned the magazine loaded stack of ejector pommels in the grip as well.
Am I the only 1 out there with streamers glued to the back or my sword? After seeing your dual wield greatsword comment I feel that now my opponents won't be intimidated by my semi cheerleader pom-pom style pommel.
ah so thats why hes being nice to the abomination
hes trying to sell it
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! 😂
It's the Sherman 75mm cannon. It won't kill a Panther, but will do the job in most circumstances, and doesn't cost the earth. War is about compromise, and cost.
He gettin dat BREAD
@@neilwilson5785 It would definitely kill a panther if it did hit, but felines are known for being slippery mofos.
@@louisvictor3473
"Look out! It's a panther!"
"For the last time, George, this is 1941. They haven't been... oh, I see what you mean."
"Achtung! Panther!"
"For the last time, Heinrich, this is 1941. Panthers haven't been... oh, I see what you mean."
"Well, ho there pard'ner! Is that a panther I see?"
"Skip, it's a darn mountain lion. Just because they're in the same genus doesn't make them the... Oh, I see what you mean..."
i endorse this message.
He’s been bought out and is in the grasp of “big spadroon.” =)
I think we need a spadroon playlist that covers the transition of Matt’s spadroon opinions
There needs to be a meme like the ancient aliens guy but with Mat going "context".
they've been made already
found one: i.ytimg.com/vi/XWj8J66uZmc/maxresdefault.jpg
@@casualearth-dandavis not to be the I have reddit guy but that looks like it's straight out of surreal memes
love or like the spadroon, can we all agree that meme is an abomination? it looks like a vaporwave album cover.
@@casualearth-dandavis holy crap that meme is weird.
I'm starting to imagine Matt's garage in a scene from Twister
Hahahahahaha you are making me embarrass myself in public
Twister 2 : the british blender!
@@arx3516 "will it blend?"
They're all tools of combat. I don't crap talk one over the other. Each has its place and time.
Great vid Matt.
The sabre vs spadroon decision makes me think of the .45 ACP vs 9 mm change in the US military, that's quite interesting.
Ah, yes the bayonet; at long last allowing rifles to out-distance swords.
Hmmm.... perhaps it was also originally intended to be an easy weapon for someone trained in smallsword fencing to pick up. As smallsword duelling declined in popularity, perhaps so did the popularity of the spadroon. Just a theory.
Yes definitely.
Except the spadroon and smallsword developed in parallel. This concept of the spadroon being developed for those who were experienced in smallsword is a theory by collectors, based on the fact the first spadroon pattern was created in 1786, and not realizing the spadroon had existed for a hundred years or more by this point. Many infantry sabres that followed the spadroon were not so different in weight and handling, they were just curved (lightly). Even many of those eventually went straight in time.
Academy of Historical Fencing Perhaps more of a co-evolution then, rather than the one being directly inspired by the other. Clearly there was some cross-pollination of ideas about what makes a good sword.
@@scholagladiatoria can you test your Theory in Sparing and show Us ?
@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing That doesn't really invalidate that point, as smallsword fencing was largely a refinement of rapier systems it isn't that it was developed overnight, so you would still be much more likely to have officers at hand that already had a solid foundation of thrusting sword principles than the sabre. As dueling declined in popularity you would get people with no training most of the time so it wasn't a factor anymore.
Matt and the Spadroon has been one of the best love stories in modern history
I don’t like the woke Easton, much preferred him when he was spadroonist.
so you say he went SJW? Spadroon Justice Warrior?
@@heretyk_1337 lol
@@heretyk_1337 I think it's about time that swords should be allowed to self-identify as they choose and any classifications should be "Oakshott-Fluid".
It's spadroonalist health and safety gone mad. Why are there so many woke women in his videos now, etc,etc.
That is what the *GAY* sword does to a Man!
We’ve come full circle. Team spadroon lets go
Spadroons are really quite handsome swords! They seem, at least to me, to be the quintessential 18th century infantryman's sword.
Spadroon: "He likes me after all. 😳"
[Don Lafontaine voiceover] In a world infected by spadroonitis.....he was our only hope.......he took up the sword.......Matt Easton is......THE SPADROONEER![/Don Lafontaine voiceover]
Matt Easton - King of "context" and sexual innuendo.
you can only say "thrust" so many times without it sounding dirty
"Maybe spadroons were perfect swords in their time"
me:"well..."
By MATT EASTON
me:" WTF!?
Jack of all trades, master of none. It has its place. Perfect for the vertically challenged warrior
For the time will soon come when spadroons will shape the fortunes of all.....
The most unlikely sword imaginable... A hobb... I mean- a spadroon...
This is my favorite Met Euston video to date!
I don't know what to believe anymore!
I can't stop chuckling. Thank you for your work.
My 'militarized' smallsword has mammoth ivory grips too and I love it. It looks and feels wonderful. I also made mammoth ivory grips for my favorite Cervenka dagger and a superlative Korth revolver. Ivory rocks especially when an elephant was not harmed for it.
Great video!
I appreciate the context. As a long time fencer, it's interesting to think about how a sword would square up against various other weapons.
Would be interested in more videos on that topic!
Yay, my spadroon fandom is vindicated. I'll take my hipster street cred, now.
Said cred can be enjoyed at the corner of pine st & communipaw avenue at your lesiure there might be sandwiches provided you buy em
I thought that it had been a while since Mett Euston last uploaded anything.
MATT LOVES SPADROONS NOW! THEY ARE NOW HIS FAVOURITE SWORD!
I, for one, welcome our new compromise-bladed overlords.
Theres the balance on the subject. Nice.
Historically the spadroon was the favored weapon of the poltroon
7:04 I think he just realized he likes the spadroon more than he lets on
Wait, I just realized: maybe when Matt says something that sounds like innuendo, he's just testing our dedication to ｃｏｎｔｅｘｔ.
It's the end times! RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!!
run for the hills by iron maiden ensues
@@josephdedrick9337 *"Run for your lives.."*
Mett Euston has taken control of the channel!
This seems a lot like a case where in general it's an okay design, but a lot of the bad reputation comes down to a particular implementation with a way too flexible blade.
Like that british bullpup rifle in the '80s?
Don’t apologize for having an opinion Matt! If you think a sword sucks stick to your guns!
8:38 the long lost Matt context
I once thought the Spadroon would be obsolete. But then I saw the light and found the True faith... 🙏🏼
wow ... the " context man " did not look at the context the first time )))
Almost as if the sword is not a primary weapon, and need to be understood in context with what other people were using.
I liked the french epee/spadroon featured in one of your videos from a few years ago. The one with the offset fullers. It seemed to be a nice solid weapon, suitable for counterpoint fencing a le Valville.
I love that 1780 spadroon design.
Hi Matt, I agree with all your points and I'm starting to appreciate also the service epee with a rapier like hilt, for the same reasons.
Stiffer on the thrust, more nimble on the tip. Right, right...
Given the context of the spadroons (I didn't know, they haven't interested me enough to look up), I think I can almost transport all my comments from the katana video to them. Whilst nowhere as much a status/cultural symbol as in Japan, I'd say military swords were still a relevant cultural symbol then (I mean, we kept it to this day, granted in a purely ceremonial role), which I think the bladed nature and overall aesthetics of it can satisfy the self-image/morale and social roles of it (which are often overlooked, but those people were human too, you should never understimate society and psychology).
More importantly on this side of the story, it was still a functional and desirable sidearm. However, with the improvements of gun technology, the introduction of the bayonet on said improved guns, people no longer wearing plate armor, changes in battle strategies enabled by these developments, all of that together made the martial needs of the sidearm different. In a way, the sword was now a side-sidearm - the default sidearm was the bayonet, that is what your sword is complementing, not the gun your bayonet is attached to. There was no real need for something as long as the preceding rapier since for your reach/stabbing needs the bayonet was there for you, which makes it clear why the rapier was replaced. A shorter sword that can still cut and thrust, rather than just thrust like a short sword, makes a lot of sense here as a complement to your bayonet and gun, specially on foot.
Thanks for the late night video Matt!
Hope you’ve had some laughs along the way as well :)
Who is this bald guy and why I'm not seeing Matt in this video?
Yeah I know, this bald guy keeps showing up.
Always acting like they own the channel.
Its Mett Euston, Matt's long lost spadroonist twin
@@penguasakucing8136 the one that locked up in basement?
"You want a quick sword that can both cut and thrust" and parry or block a couple times without breaking
*'I am not going to say I was wrong but I would like to qualify a lot of the bad things I said about Spadroons were based upon SOME bad spadroons!'* Now that's what I call a quality dodge by our favorite fencing MASTER, Matt Easton!
I think that the long awaited duel with Nick Thomas is inevitable at this point...
the best "in context" video. Thank You.
i got my 1796 spadroon with a random small sword (not a clue where its from or when etc) in a random auction for £25. I was most pleased though the flappy side guard does not give me much confidence in it
Wrath/Colonel Bradley used a nice spadroon in FMA and he was a total badass maybe it was the sword lol
Am I in the Twilight Zone?
We should have a drinking game where we take a swig each time he mentions context.
This is why king Bradley chose these
I’m not religious, but AMEN!
I never thought I'd hear the word "spadroon" used 6 times in a sentence.
'Tis a fine blade.
A spadroon is the 18th century equivalent of a pocket pistol, it's not ideal if you actually need to use it though you likely won't need to, but it's light/handy enough to be comfortable enough to wear daily. Still much better than nothing though.
That's not the way expert swordsmen and masters of the 18thc considered them, some of which had to defend their lives. They thought the smallsword was best for the purpose you deacribe, and the spadroon to be far more universal.
Like all swords, it was a side weapon, for when you lost your main one and didnt want to die.
I don't think it's a coincidence that they fall out of service as pistols get better after 1815, especially with the rise of the revolver. Spadroons were PDWs and by say the US Civil War revolvers are better for that so swords become more ornate and get other uses like being a pointer or thing to hold over your head to make a rally point. Pole weapons had done the same in the 18th century with halberds and spontoons going from serious weapons in 1700 to examples of American Revolutionary halberds where the axes is totally dull and designed to spell out US with the "blade" because at this point it's not really used as a weapon.
Watch with the subtitles on. It's quite entertaining hearing Matt Easton talk about "speed runes". 🤣
Spadroons are the Nickelback of the 1810s: everyone hates on them, but everyone was a fan 10 years before.
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!! My inner Michael Scott was going nuts
It looked like it sincerely pained him to say it.. but I guess fair is fair. :D
it'd been a while since a good "penetration" joke
good to know you've still got it in you, so to speak
I see a comment about spadroons from Matt, I watch. Neal Stephenson's Baroque cycle of novels were not kind about the spadroon , but the guy was fighting a well-trained rapier user. He lost, and was dumped in the river.
I would have liked it if the video was about ten seconds long and Matt just said, "Nah, they were crap."
Now I want a spadroon. Perfect for the boogaloo.
I think you may find more value out of considering all possible booby traps rather than melee weapons.
Dont forget to bring a matching dirk.
I had mine enhanced at the blacksmith way above a saber, and a enchanted to steal the soul at the slightest cut!!!!
It's funny, even back when you were criticizing them I wanted one. It is oddly hard to find a good spadroon replica, though.
He said it! Captain Context returns!!! 😜
Yaaaayyy!
First back scabbards and now spadroons. Rowing back a fair bit there. If only you had mentioned that context was important.
very effective counter to cutlass
May I recommend Mr. Easton, checking out the earlier 1740 Prussian Infantry Officers Pattern. It's what the British 1796 was based on. The Prussian version has a really sturdy and thick guard. The blade is hexagonal. It's narrow but has a good weight that gives a sufficient cut. Also quite stiff for the thrust. I think it's the ultimate 18th century spadroon.
Liquidating all my Bitcoin and buying spadroons, thanks Matt!
I will forgive anything since you made your beautiful rant dismissing those who think and say that France had been inept at war. It was the first time you used as many coarse words in such a short time. :-)
Have the spadroonistas finally got to Matt?
Admiral Nelson wants his spadroon back...
Coming in here two years after the fact to laugh at Matt saying “Very stiff penetration, which we all like.”
I forget which video it was, he was bashing the spadroon and Lucy commented that she liked the spadroon. Maybe she brought him around to her way of thinking. It seems like a good idea, a compromise straight blade that as was pointed out would be familiar to someone using a smallsword but had more "umph" to it.
I find it fascinating how especially noticable in Europe weapons have almost constantly evolved.
Some influences from outside Europe can be seen on occations, but mostly it was all within the continent.
And to a much higher degree than in Asia or Africa, at least form what i see.
i'm going to start saying "chizz folks" at the end of my videos too.
While watching this I had the interesting day dream that, while the victorian period is often the focus of anachronistic fiction such as steam punk, during the period the advent of firearms had made armour useless, thus causing a resurgence of bladed hand weapons such as swords. In my daydream I saw the thematic link between this anachronistic type of combat found in the victorian period, and the anachronistic fictions such as steam punk which are largely based on a victorian theme. To put it simply. The victorian period was somewhat inherently anachronistic. Perhaps this is why fictions such as steam punk work thematically.
You won't get away with this Mett Euston , and captain context will reclaim his channel along with his shield-maiden Lucy and ferocious beast Oskar.
Greatest redemption arc in anime history
In practical terms, what is the main difference between a spadroon and a backsword? Were backswords generally heavier?
Yes. Spadroons tend to be lighter and balance closer to the hand, with more minimal hilts.
Wow been a really long time SIR EASTON!
We love to rag on the spadroon... but it's probably the perfect sword for modern use as well.
just like in mount and blade, when the officer with a sword meets an infantry man with a bayonet, the officer is already dead
As far as the spadroon goes even though spadroons might seem like a bad sword but the important thing to remember was that they were a product of there times and if it werent certian types of changes to the approach to sword fighting that occured during the time the spadroon wouldn't have existed.
>Turned on the video.
>Sees the zweihander hanging behind him.
>Realizes it's bigger than Matt.
Me: Ooooh shiiiit! You don't want to mess with him!
"Stiff penetration, which we all like" Damn...
Yeah exactly... People don't realize that various weapons over history in retrospect may not have looked all that effective but for what they were made to do they actually performed that job well enough. Fast forward to now there are a few people who are martial artists and aware enough to realize that whatever weapon you have, you are probably going to be more successful with it if you understand it's advantages and limitation rather than trying to fight with that weapon as you would your 'favorite' weapon.
The Spadroonati got to him.
Matt falling for the floppy spadroon 😂