I am certain that Ross would have loved all the massive knob gags... so to speak. But he would have said that Scottish knobs are bigger than English knobs.
I've made a basket hilted padded sword for my daughter. It's the coolest and heaviest of her swords, and it's not very popular with kids until they realize the protective advantage. They still tire much faster, though, and usually swap between the heavier and other lighter swords when playing. Observing the ways children solve their body mechanics problems is actually a really valuable tool to martial arts study. :)
From what (little) I've read, the proliferation of hand protection on swords may also have had to do with even armoured warriors (such as 30 year war era cuirassiers) starting to eschew gauntlets because they made using and especially loading _firearms_ a real pain in the podex. In essence, transferring the gauntlet to the sword, because if someone is swinging a sword at you(r hand) when you're trying to shoot, it's safe to assume something has gone very wrong.
Yes, this was my thought too. Basket hilts begin to appear when practical firearms - muskets and early pistols - appear. You presumably couldn't load or fire a muzzle-loading firearm with heavy gauntlets on.
Sorry for your loss, Matt. I'm impressed how you somehow manage to make inuendos with that perfectly straight face, looking both innocent and guilty. Marvelous.
"There's obviously something in the English psyche that loves a massive knob." I've actually heard a lot of people make that same observation about Englishmen :D
Firstly, I want to second this as vigorously as I can! Schiavona have been my favorite swords for... ever since I discovered them, so 15 years or so? @@MrVvulf dagnabbit, now so have I...
Yeah totally awesome...backsword or double edge either way I'd take it. Hilt is gorgeous. Wish it was easier to get custom pieces more affordably. I need to start smithing or something
Bravo. The later model Wilkinson basket hilts would also seem to be fully ambidextrous. I have always wondered about the fascination with the Schiavona. I have never seen a video explaining just how they were held and used.
Superb video talk on these swords. One nit pick. Wearing the basket hilt just forward of the hip relieves the awkwardness of on the hip wear. Many baldrics did this as matter of design...also making inserting the hand into the hilt easier in an emergency situation....but as you point out still not as ergonomic as with a sabre. And that was Lucy's sword with the large pommel... what a very natural selection she made.
First of all I’m devastated to hear about Ross I never met him but I heard slot about him over the years. Secondly, the basket hilted broad sword has always enticed me I’m particularly interested in there use along side a dirk I was wondering if you could shine a light on that subject at some point maybe?
You forgot to mention one of probably more important disadvantages of basket hilts, and that is the cost. According to a bladesmith I've watched once, the hilt is usually more difficult to do than the blade itself. He said that just about any blacksmith will be able to make a blade, better or worse, but he will make something, while not everyone will be able to make a decent hilt. Lots of tiny welds, which often require a team of trained specialists to do efficiently. And another disadvantage when used on horseback, and that is the potential of having your hand trapped inside the hilt, while your horse gallops past the target you managed to stab right through. With an open hilt you can simply let go of your sword and it will always free your hand.
the name 'Peter Easton' is quite notorious Pirate on the east coast of canada - he would bounce spanish ships sneaking up , hugging the shore. Loaded with gold. The ships hugged the shoreline and then when they were perpendicular to spain, they did a right turn quick march.
I am of Scottish decent. I have a handed down, 1828 Wilkinson officer's basket hilt. Family lore holds that the blade trap, on top of the basket, was used in conjunction with the dirk, (worn on the weak side). As told, the sword was twisted to hold the opponents blade, while the dirk, hanging from a small flexible chain, was quickly drawn and plunged into the opponent. Or perhaps, the sgian-dubh could also be quickly used, to good effect.
Late to the party as usual, but, you did not mention the reason why I love the highland type basket hilts. I'm a lefty, and they are truly ambidextrous. I'm sure that other models of swords must have had the occasional left-handed model made to special order from a customer but they do seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.
my favorite part of this entire video is when he mentions that there's something about the English psyche the loves of massive knob on the end of their sword.
Since I discovered your channel I've become a big fan of basket-hilted swords, love my HEMA shop nylon one. It's awesome that I can "foil fence" with it while holding it with secure hammer grip plus easily cut at distance. You should do a video about the basket-hilted sword type on back vs. broad.Thanks for opening me up to all this, and I'm truly sorry for the loss of your friend.
As a backsword scholar, this was my primary fencing weapon for many years. I can't disagree with anything Matt said here, well-done, excellent coverage of this weapon and the pros/cons of the various hilts! Personally, I prefer the asymmetrical English style of hilt as it gives a little more rotational flexibility than the symmetrical hilts while still providing a huge amount of hand protection on the critical outside angle. Exactly as Matt said, the vestigial finger-ring type things above the cross do indeed provide extra "buffer" where huge amounts of damage land, keeping it away from your hand, and in some cases do trap a blade - but mostly they keep the enemy's blade away from your fingers.
This is unrelated to this (great as usual) video, but I'm just wondering if you have any plans to review any of the fights/battles or the historical accuracy of arms/armor of the recently released Netflix film Outlaw King about Robert the Bruce, Matt?
I know this is a joke, but since pedantry is what we do here: That would make it pretty much impossible to use the katana in the way it was designed to be used (so would a cross guard for that matter, but less so.)
@@kidthorazine Im not arguing with you, but why do you say that? I can only assume you mean because all the traditional basket and swept hilt swords are single handed? Id still rather have a basket around my top hand than none at all. I guess it would work better with a more rapier-like swept hilt gaurd which forms more of a triangular shape across the back of the hand coming to a point at the bottom.
@@BOBimusRex The hilt would get in the way of a lot of techniques, you'd just barely be able to hold the sword properly and only in certain guards. Also anything that sticks out more than an inch or so from the grip is going to get in the way when doing iai.
@@kidthorazine Yes, its still a joke, but here's a link to a quick photoshop I did of a swept hilt daisho. Looks usable, if not practical. instagram.com/p/BqLVuY5AhTd/?igshid=1e5scv4ul79ch
a other disavatages of the closes hilt is the fact that you cannot change the side your holding it if you damage the edge of the blade but his is not only apply to basket hilt
Awesome video. Thanks also for mentioning Cateran Society instructors Jay Maas of Broadsword Academy Manitoba and myself in this contect :-) I agree with the things pointed out, but have some additions on the described advantages and disadvantages of the typical Basket-Hilted Broadsword. So it was mentioned, that the Basket-Hilt is a bit in the way for comfortable carry on the sword-belt/baldric in allday. And this might be true compared to other weapons like a Sabre or Smallsword. However I think it is only a very small issue and maybe also something, which is about on what is one used and what not. I also like to add, that in battle the Highlanders (and also the Highland Regiments to some extend as long as Privates carried a Broadsword) are often described as carrying as much as possible weapons with them. So this could be a Broadsword, Targe, Dirk, Pistol (or two), Musket (with Bayonet at least in the Regiments) or a bow (which was used pretty long within the Highland Clans compared to other nations). So I assume if they were that heavy armed, they had no troubles in moving on the field and in combat. So thinking of the Highland Charge, fireing your musket and throwing it away, then draw swords and run at the enemy. Of course once the Sword is unsheated, the hilt cannot annoy you while running. But still I think this is only a tiny issue and I would not call it a real "disadvantage" in the sense of a weapon. I would also like to add, what was said about the weight and cutting and here of course Matt is right in saying, that the PoB more forward does a much easier cut in general, when we compare a Sabre with a Broadsword. The weight is no issue in my experience, because the PoB being so far back to the Hilt, makes the weapon well balanced and not "point-heavy" as I personally dislike at some sabres. So being heavier in total weight, but the PoB makes it very well balanced. And yes, this reduces cutting power compared to a Sabre. But the cutting power of the Broadsword in Clan-period is often mentioned in sources, ie the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. It is also still praised in the Highland Regiment era. Also we need to see, if it is a Highland Broadsword of the Clan-period, which were often much broader (heavier) or if it is a Regimental (arsenal) weapon or even a Backsword with a much more narrow blade. So Broadsword is not Broadsword and there are lot of detail differences in how they will be balanced and cut. But in general, the cutting power of the Broadsword did not came by making the Blade thicker/heavier to bring the PoB more forward. From what I know, the blade profile is important. The Highland Broadsword hat a very broad and relatively flat blade, become like a Machete towards the point. This is an excellent meat chopper. Ie the originals we handled in the German Blademuseum in Solingen were well balanced and had for sure cutting power (we could not do test-cutting though). One example hat such a broad and flexible and thin blade, that in our opinion this could not be good to be used as a single-weapon to have solid parrys (especially against a stiffer blade). But together with a Targe for defense, this would make a horrible perfect meat-cutter. So in my opinion, the weight of the Basket-Hilt, the total weight, the changed PoB and the balance within the context of a very broad, thin blade makes the Highland Broadsword a great cutter not far away from the Sabre (and considering historical accounts, this might has be proven even in battle). We also need to keep in mind, that the Regimental Broadsword style, the weapon and the fencing style, were different with the British Army and the Highland Regiments compared to the Clan-period and their weapons. So the context of what we seperate in the Cateran Society as "Regimental Style" and "Old Style". Of course I cannot use the Broadsword of Angelo with a 17th Century Ribbon-hilted monster-Broadsword of a Clan-Chieftain (cutting with moulinets from the whrist and so on). But using it with Equilibrio in the sense of how Thomas Page describes the Use of the Broadsword or even with a Targe, is another kind of animal. Finally a tiny point: Matt mentioned the german Basket-Hilted Broadsword types (which I really love). He mentioned them being used especially in northern Germany, but from the models I know, most of them are described to be southern german, Austrian and Swiss. But this is a minor point I need to check on another time.
I know that Scottish Basket Hilts, and other broadswords like the Schiavona have very distinctive styles of basket. Do the Irish basket hilted swords you refer to have any particular noteworthy traits? It's difficult to find information on Irish Weapons, and the only ones that seem to be well known are the Ring Pommel swords, Shillelagh, and Sparth Axe.
Yeah good point on the rings on the top of the basket. I bent mine down on the black fencer basket hilt as they aren’t great for synthetic sparring as they can case breaks when catching. And soon after my basket around the index finger did take punishment dead on and bend in slightly. And it’s a real pain to bend back out 😂
A quillon poking out of the basket would help in fighting a person in armour because you have a better thing to hit with while doing the murder stroke. It would also explain why they are gone after 1600, since armour became way less common.
Also, with a symmetrical basket hilt, you could use the weapon in either hand. Otherwise if your normal weapon hand/arm were to be wounded you might then have a sword which you couldn't use.
I really enjoyed that film , I feel there is alot for Matt to get his teeth into. The sword fighting although very stage based actually had a few sneaky things thrown in for the pendants as did the the weapons themselves . The film is bloody brutal aswell
@@CAARaeed I watched it and it was good peace to shad but I still want to hear what my man Easton got to say lol... I really liked the movie I just wished it was longer and I got more of it... DOUGLAAAAAAAS!!!!!! :-) the sword fighting was at times the worst but the actors were going hard so it worked.. and the way they showed how you deal with cavalry when you have no horses was dope as fuck!
if I remember correctly you also once pointed out that drawing swords with full basket hilts could be slower for one had to perfectly get his hands inside the basket to hold on to the sword
george silver says something about this which I'll paraphrase heavily since I can't find the page-- "Italians will say they pity the person with a basket hilt when they need to draw it at a desperate moment but I (silver) pity the person without a full basket when the fight moves close because of the press of bodies in battle" he then says basically that all the swords end up above everyone's heads because its the only way to swing/stab in the press and trying to defend your head your hand becomes vulnerable. so basically nothings perfect haha
One small correction, regarding schiavona origins- hope you won't mind.. Schiavona was originally Croatian style weapon, from Dalmatian coast (occupied by Venice). Had nothing to do with Serbia. They had their weapons based around turkish otoman nfluence.
I would be interested in a video on different hilt and pommel types broken down by country. Alongside that, I'd also be interested in a video breaking down the focuses of different country's systems, such as who was cut centric, who focused on the thrust, that sort of thing. I do understand, however, that this could be difficult, as preferences varied by time period and area.
Great video, I have to buy you a present now, I literally left a message yesterday asking for a basket hilt video, then I get home and see this upload. Sorry for the loss, I never knew him, wish I did.
Very Sorry for the loss of Your friend... I offer my condolences. Today is the fourth Anniversary of My Father's death. Loss Reminds You how fragile life is. Take Care My Friend! I Really do like the basket-hilt sword.
there are still some traditional sword dances including Schiavona that go way back, but its not serbian sword, its dalmatian croatian, basically dalmatian Croats were personal guards of dodge of Venice, and this way Schiavona got into italy upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/hr/b/be/Kumpanija.jpg
Pity you did not get a bit more in schiavona which is in my opinion by far the most elegant of all basket hilt swords. And it was not used by Serbs but by Dalmatians in service of la Serenissima. Most Dalmatians in Venice were working in Arsenale and with that they automatically became the guard of the Doge of Venice. Mostly it was produced in Belluno area of Venetian Terraferma. You must for sure know Del Tin Armi Antiche who is still producing schiavone the same way his predecessors were making the. So basically you should get one and it can be called the original when made by Del Tin.
One possibility is the adoption of using pistols, hand protection would prevent fitting the finger into a trigger guard. If you wanted to use both pistol and sword, it may have been easier to migrate your hand protection to the sword hilt instead of a gauntlet.
Could you comment on the development of the Venetian Schiavona basket hilted swords found in Italy in the 16th century? They seem to have more dense protection for the back of the hand, but aren't truly a fully symmetrical basket hilt. Was it a variant of the English/Scottish basket hilt or more of a fashionable issue. Or was it just a weight and balance difference? The wider blade on the schiavona might require a bit more weight in the guard but I'm not an expert. (Liked the way they looked tho.)
I'm not sure why someone would contest your point about basket hilts lacking grip versatility. If you have to contort your hand in such an awkward way to grip it like it's a saber, then it shouldn't be trusted in that grip while fighting with it. Comfort is more than just about feeling good or bad, it's an indicator of how well the grip will function when in use. The fact that later hilts changed the side bar attachments to accommodate different grips is strong evidence in Matt's favor.
If they're the sword I think you're talking about, 19th C Officers swords had threaded pommels and the cross hilt was often used for dress occasions while the full basket for use on campaign.
IMO they were better at thrusts but worse with cuts. The 1828 Officers Broadsword had a relatively narrow, light blade with a spear point. The point of balance on them could be as close as 7cm from the hilt, rather close for a 82cm sword. However they do have better point control than earlier examples, and the narrower blade is just naturally better for thrusts
A bit late and you probably won’t see this But I think I should note that Leeds have swords of this styled which they’ve dated earlier than 1545 Many examples which they’ve dated as 1520-30s. I mean, that’s not to say they can’t get things wrong but this could inform you that basket hilts may have been around for a good bit earlier than the 1530s
I'm prototyping a sort of unholy marriage between a mortuary hilt (because it's easy to work with) and a schiavona hilt (because it looks pretty and is easier to hold as you say) with a gymnasium sabre blade, as a steel training sword for basket hilt systems. I love the Rawling's synthetics, but I like steel swords more, is why I'm doing it, though it's still very early days.
Maybe I'm reaching, but it seems like quillon less basket hilt correspond with the age of the smallsword, which has a blade that can very safely be grabbed and is so light and small that quillon trapping would be next to impossible anyway, where as a rapier is a relatively heavy edged blade.
Why everyone dies recently??? My grandma, my moms friend's mom, stefán Karl Stefánsson Stephen Hopkins Stan Lee and Pepe Mediavilla (a great Spanish voice actor) and now you tell me this man died too. Why everyone had to die in 2018??? This is crazy, what is this the year of death?
I thought that another advantage of a symmetrical guard would be that a left-handed swordsman could use it. Were swordsmen never trained to fight left-handed when these swords were popular? I'm asking because I believe that in earlier ages they often were.
I have encountered german Rapiers/Basket-Hilted swords (maybe sabres) that had an extensive amount of hand protection, which i have never seen anywhere else. (it actually looked quite comical to me.)
I am certain that Ross would have loved all the massive knob gags... so to speak. But he would have said that Scottish knobs are bigger than English knobs.
Thus, the gagging.
I'm amazed you managed to say even one without cracking up.
But the disadvantages to big knobs is their fragility and tendency to shatter in cold weather! 😵
Ross sounds like a great man. I am sorry you lost your friend, Matt. I learned a lot from this video.
So sad to hear about Ross, he'd have been right though. Some of the biggest nobs I've ever encountered have been Scottish.
"Is that an English ball pommel under your cloak, or are you just happy to see me?"
Why not both?
"I'm just gonna talk a little bit about basket hilted swords."
*proceeds to talk about basket hilted swords for 24 minutes.
sorry for your loss Matt
Condolences to his family and close friends
@@scholagladiatoria Agreed😟
I've made a basket hilted padded sword for my daughter. It's the coolest and heaviest of her swords, and it's not very popular with kids until they realize the protective advantage. They still tire much faster, though, and usually swap between the heavier and other lighter swords when playing. Observing the ways children solve their body mechanics problems is actually a really valuable tool to martial arts study. :)
@@ohthreefiftyone Pro tip: bind their blade and punt them. Works like 70% of the time
Seeing little people figure out things like that is adorable.
From what (little) I've read, the proliferation of hand protection on swords may also have had to do with even armoured warriors (such as 30 year war era cuirassiers) starting to eschew gauntlets because they made using and especially loading _firearms_ a real pain in the podex.
In essence, transferring the gauntlet to the sword, because if someone is swinging a sword at you(r hand) when you're trying to shoot, it's safe to assume something has gone very wrong.
Yes, this was my thought too. Basket hilts begin to appear when practical firearms - muskets and early pistols - appear. You presumably couldn't load or fire a muzzle-loading firearm with heavy gauntlets on.
Sorry for your loss, Matt.
I'm impressed how you somehow manage to make inuendos with that perfectly straight face, looking both innocent and guilty. Marvelous.
Like many a true Brit I don't doubt Matt was exposed to Humphrey Lyttelton in his youth. Humph was the master of innocent filth.
"There's obviously something in the English psyche that loves a massive knob." I've actually heard a lot of people make that same observation about Englishmen :D
Yeah, it's pretty obvious when observing who we elect.
Schiavonas are gorgeous! I wouldn't mind a video about them ;)
Agreed. Especially if it's got The Knack's song "My Schiavona" playing in the background.
Firstly, I want to second this as vigorously as I can! Schiavona have been my favorite swords for... ever since I discovered them, so 15 years or so?
@@MrVvulf dagnabbit, now so have I...
I love how nonchalantly there is morning star hanging across beam in the corner..
Terminal knobs, i've known a few people like that
I'm in love with Lucy's sword.
Yeah totally awesome...backsword or double edge either way I'd take it. Hilt is gorgeous. Wish it was easier to get custom pieces more affordably. I need to start smithing or something
It's a fantastic sword. can't believe that the design is as old as it is
Bravo. The later model Wilkinson basket hilts would also seem to be fully ambidextrous. I have always wondered about the fascination with the Schiavona. I have never seen a video explaining just how they were held and used.
Superb video talk on these swords. One nit pick. Wearing the basket hilt just forward of the hip relieves the awkwardness of on the hip wear. Many baldrics did this as matter of design...also making inserting the hand into the hilt easier in an emergency situation....but as you point out still not as ergonomic as with a sabre. And that was Lucy's sword with the large pommel... what a very natural selection she made.
Matt! I love the sweater. Excellent video, as always. I'm so sorry about Ross. May his memory burn bright.
So sad to hear that, Matt. My deepest condolences.
First of all I’m devastated to hear about Ross I never met him but I heard slot about him over the years. Secondly, the basket hilted broad sword has always enticed me I’m particularly interested in there use along side a dirk I was wondering if you could shine a light on that subject at some point maybe?
You forgot to mention one of probably more important disadvantages of basket hilts, and that is the cost.
According to a bladesmith I've watched once, the hilt is usually more difficult to do than the blade itself. He said that just about any blacksmith will be able to make a blade, better or worse, but he will make something, while not everyone will be able to make a decent hilt. Lots of tiny welds, which often require a team of trained specialists to do efficiently.
And another disadvantage when used on horseback, and that is the potential of having your hand trapped inside the hilt, while your horse gallops past the target you managed to stab right through. With an open hilt you can simply let go of your sword and it will always free your hand.
Not to be confused with basset-hilted swords, which may be cute but which offer little protection.
Except against rabbits.
@@AnimeSunglasses And skunks, I'm sad to say.
RIP Ross! Big fan of the channel
I love my Scottish Baskethilt. I traded a 9mm for it.
I read that as you shooting a scottish with a Luger to retrieve his sword 🤣
Condolences sir. I can see the loss in your expression at the beginning of the video and feel for you and your friends.
I am sorry you lost your friend.
Got to love the whiny, fopish voice Matt uses when pretending to be a smallsword enthusiast.
big men love basket hilt swords
@@johnapple6646 Basket is a sissy thing. Big men don't care about protection (so much) :D
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
@@konstantin.v I'm a "big" man who prefers protection when attempting to penetrate a hostile target! :-P
@@GonzoTehGreat/videos Especially important if you're attacking from the rear.
the name 'Peter Easton' is quite notorious Pirate on the east coast of canada - he would bounce spanish ships sneaking up , hugging the shore. Loaded with gold. The ships hugged the shoreline and then when they were perpendicular to spain, they did a right turn quick march.
I am of Scottish decent. I have a handed down, 1828 Wilkinson officer's basket hilt. Family lore holds that the blade trap, on top of the basket, was used in conjunction with the dirk, (worn on the weak side). As told, the sword was twisted to hold the opponents blade, while the dirk, hanging from a small flexible chain, was quickly drawn and plunged into the opponent. Or perhaps, the sgian-dubh could also be quickly used, to good effect.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Late to the party as usual, but, you did not mention the reason why I love the highland type basket hilts. I'm a lefty, and they are truly ambidextrous. I'm sure that other models of swords must have had the occasional left-handed model made to special order from a customer but they do seem to be as rare as hen's teeth.
RIP Ross, we shall mourne you with Knobs and swords in our hearts.
Is there any evidence that the Mary Rose sword (and other basket-hilted swords of the time) had a lining like later basket-hilted swords?
No, that's probably an addition of the mid-17th century.
"Something in the English psyche that liked MASSIVE KNOBS"
my favorite part of this entire video is when he mentions that there's something about the English psyche the loves of massive knob on the end of their sword.
"Oh, A Wizard's Staffe has a Knobbe on the End"....
I love Pratchett
Great fascinating video mate. Educated cool people like you are the reason I get out of bed every morning! Sorry about your friend.
Since I discovered your channel I've become a big fan of basket-hilted swords, love my HEMA shop nylon one. It's awesome that I can "foil fence" with it while holding it with secure hammer grip plus easily cut at distance. You should do a video about the basket-hilted sword type on back vs. broad.Thanks for opening me up to all this, and I'm truly sorry for the loss of your friend.
My condolences Matt. Ross’ legacy will live on with you and Scholagladiatoria.
As a backsword scholar, this was my primary fencing weapon for many years. I can't disagree with anything Matt said here, well-done, excellent coverage of this weapon and the pros/cons of the various hilts! Personally, I prefer the asymmetrical English style of hilt as it gives a little more rotational flexibility than the symmetrical hilts while still providing a huge amount of hand protection on the critical outside angle. Exactly as Matt said, the vestigial finger-ring type things above the cross do indeed provide extra "buffer" where huge amounts of damage land, keeping it away from your hand, and in some cases do trap a blade - but mostly they keep the enemy's blade away from your fingers.
This is unrelated to this (great as usual) video, but I'm just wondering if you have any plans to review any of the fights/battles or the historical accuracy of arms/armor of the recently released Netflix film Outlaw King about Robert the Bruce, Matt?
"There was something in the English psycke that loved a massive knob. . . on the end of their swords."
great video, as always - can we hope for a more in-depth look at schiavonas? maybe in a future video?
I second this! I absolutely love the schiavona basket.
@@Avuneon Yes, me too I would love to see a video on those !
Condolences, man.
The history of complex hilts is really informative, thank you.
BTW... you have far too many cool swords!
Ultimate sword design: Basket hilted Katana. Lol
Abomination!
I know this is a joke, but since pedantry is what we do here: That would make it pretty much impossible to use the katana in the way it was designed to be used (so would a cross guard for that matter, but less so.)
@@kidthorazine Im not arguing with you, but why do you say that? I can only assume you mean because all the traditional basket and swept hilt swords are single handed? Id still rather have a basket around my top hand than none at all. I guess it would work better with a more rapier-like swept hilt gaurd which forms more of a triangular shape across the back of the hand coming to a point at the bottom.
@@BOBimusRex The hilt would get in the way of a lot of techniques, you'd just barely be able to hold the sword properly and only in certain guards. Also anything that sticks out more than an inch or so from the grip is going to get in the way when doing iai.
@@kidthorazine Yes, its still a joke, but here's a link to a quick photoshop I did of a swept hilt daisho. Looks usable, if not practical. instagram.com/p/BqLVuY5AhTd/?igshid=1e5scv4ul79ch
a other disavatages of the closes hilt is the fact that you cannot change the side your holding it if you damage the edge of the blade but his is not only apply to basket hilt
As for wearing. Asymmetrical baskets are also more convenient to grab when those are in scabbards. Just a little bit faster.
Dear Matt.
Good thing HEMA has people like you to keep the tradition.
I'm sure young people will follow in your footsteps.
26 minutes of Matt. What a lovely day!
Rest in Peace, Ross.
Yaaaass! a 26 minute Matt Easton video! its like christmas came early! ^_^
"it may be uncomfortable but you can get your thumb up"
The basket hilt is also very time and energy consuming to build.
Awesome video. Thanks also for mentioning Cateran Society instructors Jay Maas of Broadsword Academy Manitoba and myself in this contect :-)
I agree with the things pointed out, but have some additions on the described advantages and disadvantages of the typical Basket-Hilted Broadsword.
So it was mentioned, that the Basket-Hilt is a bit in the way for comfortable carry on the sword-belt/baldric in allday. And this might be true compared to other weapons like a Sabre or Smallsword. However I think it is only a very small issue and maybe also something, which is about on what is one used and what not. I also like to add, that in battle the Highlanders (and also the Highland Regiments to some extend as long as Privates carried a Broadsword) are often described as carrying as much as possible weapons with them. So this could be a Broadsword, Targe, Dirk, Pistol (or two), Musket (with Bayonet at least in the Regiments) or a bow (which was used pretty long within the Highland Clans compared to other nations). So I assume if they were that heavy armed, they had no troubles in moving on the field and in combat. So thinking of the Highland Charge, fireing your musket and throwing it away, then draw swords and run at the enemy. Of course once the Sword is unsheated, the hilt cannot annoy you while running. But still I think this is only a tiny issue and I would not call it a real "disadvantage" in the sense of a weapon.
I would also like to add, what was said about the weight and cutting and here of course Matt is right in saying, that the PoB more forward does a much easier cut in general, when we compare a Sabre with a Broadsword. The weight is no issue in my experience, because the PoB being so far back to the Hilt, makes the weapon well balanced and not "point-heavy" as I personally dislike at some sabres. So being heavier in total weight, but the PoB makes it very well balanced.
And yes, this reduces cutting power compared to a Sabre. But the cutting power of the Broadsword in Clan-period is often mentioned in sources, ie the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. It is also still praised in the Highland Regiment era. Also we need to see, if it is a Highland Broadsword of the Clan-period, which were often much broader (heavier) or if it is a Regimental (arsenal) weapon or even a Backsword with a much more narrow blade. So Broadsword is not Broadsword and there are lot of detail differences in how they will be balanced and cut.
But in general, the cutting power of the Broadsword did not came by making the Blade thicker/heavier to bring the PoB more forward. From what I know, the blade profile is important. The Highland Broadsword hat a very broad and relatively flat blade, become like a Machete towards the point. This is an excellent meat chopper. Ie the originals we handled in the German Blademuseum in Solingen were well balanced and had for sure cutting power (we could not do test-cutting though). One example hat such a broad and flexible and thin blade, that in our opinion this could not be good to be used as a single-weapon to have solid parrys (especially against a stiffer blade). But together with a Targe for defense, this would make a horrible perfect meat-cutter.
So in my opinion, the weight of the Basket-Hilt, the total weight, the changed PoB and the balance within the context of a very broad, thin blade makes the Highland Broadsword a great cutter not far away from the Sabre (and considering historical accounts, this might has be proven even in battle).
We also need to keep in mind, that the Regimental Broadsword style, the weapon and the fencing style, were different with the British Army and the Highland Regiments compared to the Clan-period and their weapons. So the context of what we seperate in the Cateran Society as "Regimental Style" and "Old Style". Of course I cannot use the Broadsword of Angelo with a 17th Century Ribbon-hilted monster-Broadsword of a Clan-Chieftain (cutting with moulinets from the whrist and so on). But using it with Equilibrio in the sense of how Thomas Page describes the Use of the Broadsword or even with a Targe, is another kind of animal.
Finally a tiny point: Matt mentioned the german Basket-Hilted Broadsword types (which I really love). He mentioned them being used especially in northern Germany, but from the models I know, most of them are described to be southern german, Austrian and Swiss. But this is a minor point I need to check on another time.
I know that Scottish Basket Hilts, and other broadswords like the Schiavona have very distinctive styles of basket. Do the Irish basket hilted swords you refer to have any particular noteworthy traits? It's difficult to find information on Irish Weapons, and the only ones that seem to be well known are the Ring Pommel swords, Shillelagh, and Sparth Axe.
Yeah good point on the rings on the top of the basket.
I bent mine down on the black fencer basket hilt as they aren’t great for synthetic sparring as they can case breaks when catching.
And soon after my basket around the index finger did take punishment dead on and bend in slightly. And it’s a real pain to bend back out 😂
I know it's been a bit, but I'm still sorry for your loss.
Lindybeige has a video showing a very smart use for those two lugs on top of the basket where you can leverage an opponents targe out of the way!
5:14
Sorry, just had to
You're doing God's work
There's the context we were waiting for.
A quillon poking out of the basket would help in fighting a person in armour because you have a better thing to hit with while doing the murder stroke. It would also explain why they are gone after 1600, since armour became way less common.
Also, with a symmetrical basket hilt, you could use the weapon in either hand. Otherwise if your normal weapon hand/arm were to be wounded you might then have a sword which you couldn't use.
15:03 Ahhh, so clearly the ultimate protection is to have hilts around your entire body! Goes well with the ultimate weapon: a bag of pommels.
An advantage (not stated) for a full basket hilt is that it can be used in either hand equally with the same level of protection.
My condolences. I didn't know the man, but I do know the feeling. Really good video. Bye.
Will you be doing a video on the netflix movie OUTLAW / KING ?
I really enjoyed that film , I feel there is alot for Matt to get his teeth into.
The sword fighting although very stage based actually had a few sneaky things thrown in for the pendants as did the the weapons themselves .
The film is bloody brutal aswell
Shadiversity did one already (wasn't really about the fighting but arms/armour/historical events)
I think Shad did a review only of the teaser.
Both. He did a full review later
@@CAARaeed I watched it and it was good peace to shad but I still want to hear what my man Easton got to say lol... I really liked the movie I just wished it was longer and I got more of it... DOUGLAAAAAAAS!!!!!! :-) the sword fighting was at times the worst but the actors were going hard so it worked.. and the way they showed how you deal with cavalry when you have no horses was dope as fuck!
Well basket hilts make great knuckle-dusters which is what i use them for in sparring since i have a boxing background
if I remember correctly you also once pointed out that drawing swords with full basket hilts could be slower for one had to perfectly get his hands inside the basket to hold on to the sword
Well remembered, he did indeed!
Yes, I was expecting him to bring this up
@@taylor_green_9 well I suppose there are quite a nulber of details regarding swords can't remember them all
george silver says something about this which I'll paraphrase heavily since I can't find the page-- "Italians will say they pity the person with a basket hilt when they need to draw it at a desperate moment but I (silver) pity the person without a full basket when the fight moves close because of the press of bodies in battle" he then says basically that all the swords end up above everyone's heads because its the only way to swing/stab in the press and trying to defend your head your hand becomes vulnerable.
so basically nothings perfect haha
My condolences.
Great video; you are anglocentric and we love you for that.
One small correction, regarding schiavona origins- hope you won't mind.. Schiavona was originally Croatian style weapon, from Dalmatian coast (occupied by Venice). Had nothing to do with Serbia. They had their weapons based around turkish otoman nfluence.
I have wanted a copy of that Marry Rose sword ever since I saw it in a book when I was a child. Definitely love the english style pommels.
It is a gorgeous, very well-designed sword!
So what you are saying is that you like them big nobs ?
I would be interested in a video on different hilt and pommel types broken down by country. Alongside that, I'd also be interested in a video breaking down the focuses of different country's systems, such as who was cut centric, who focused on the thrust, that sort of thing. I do understand, however, that this could be difficult, as preferences varied by time period and area.
"There are some gaps I can stick my smallsword in"
5:09 I was rather disappointed when I realized I misheard and we weren't about to be shown a *comical* pommel...
No mention of the "thumb ring" sometimes found on these swords?
Great video, I have to buy you a present now, I literally left a message yesterday asking for a basket hilt video, then I get home and see this upload.
Sorry for the loss, I never knew him, wish I did.
Rip Ross 🌹
that sure is a healthy english knob
I like the Sir Francis Drake historical sword, I do like the large pommels as well.
Very Sorry for the loss of Your friend... I offer my condolences. Today is the fourth Anniversary of My Father's death. Loss Reminds You how fragile life is. Take Care My Friend! I Really do like the basket-hilt sword.
there are still some traditional sword dances including Schiavona that go way back, but its not serbian sword, its dalmatian croatian, basically dalmatian Croats were personal guards of dodge of Venice, and this way Schiavona got into italy upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/hr/b/be/Kumpanija.jpg
Pity you did not get a bit more in schiavona which is in my opinion by far the most elegant of all basket hilt swords. And it was not used by Serbs but by Dalmatians in service of la Serenissima. Most Dalmatians in Venice were working in Arsenale and with that they automatically became the guard of the Doge of Venice. Mostly it was produced in Belluno area of Venetian Terraferma. You must for sure know Del Tin Armi Antiche who is still producing schiavone the same way his predecessors were making the. So basically you should get one and it can be called the original when made by Del Tin.
"So long as you have enough space inside, it might not be terribly comfortable, but you can get your thumb up."
One possibility is the adoption of using pistols, hand protection would prevent fitting the finger into a trigger guard. If you wanted to use both pistol and sword, it may have been easier to migrate your hand protection to the sword hilt instead of a gauntlet.
Or a long gun for that matter, would also likely have a trigger guard.
Could you comment on the development of the Venetian Schiavona basket hilted swords found in Italy in the 16th century? They seem to have more dense protection for the back of the hand, but aren't truly a fully symmetrical basket hilt. Was it a variant of the English/Scottish basket hilt or more of a fashionable issue. Or was it just a weight and balance difference? The wider blade on the schiavona might require a bit more weight in the guard but I'm not an expert. (Liked the way they looked tho.)
RIP Ross.
I'm not sure why someone would contest your point about basket hilts lacking grip versatility. If you have to contort your hand in such an awkward way to grip it like it's a saber, then it shouldn't be trusted in that grip while fighting with it. Comfort is more than just about feeling good or bad, it's an indicator of how well the grip will function when in use. The fact that later hilts changed the side bar attachments to accommodate different grips is strong evidence in Matt's favor.
What about the cross hilted sword carried by Highlanders in the 19th century ? Were they ever carried in action ?
They most sertanly were! Read about the battle of Culloden just one example of the top of my head.
If they're the sword I think you're talking about, 19th C Officers swords had threaded pommels and the cross hilt was often used for dress occasions while the full basket for use on campaign.
Were the 19th century Wilkinson produced blades similair to earlier examples in terms of cutting and thrusting power ?
Earlier ones vary hugely, some having bigger blades, some having smaller blades.
IMO they were better at thrusts but worse with cuts. The 1828 Officers Broadsword had a relatively narrow, light blade with a spear point. The point of balance on them could be as close as 7cm from the hilt, rather close for a 82cm sword. However they do have better point control than earlier examples, and the narrower blade is just naturally better for thrusts
A bit late and you probably won’t see this
But I think I should note that Leeds have swords of this styled which they’ve dated earlier than 1545
Many examples which they’ve dated as 1520-30s. I mean, that’s not to say they can’t get things wrong but this could inform you that basket hilts may have been around for a good bit earlier than the 1530s
I'm prototyping a sort of unholy marriage between a mortuary hilt (because it's easy to work with) and a schiavona hilt (because it looks pretty and is easier to hold as you say) with a gymnasium sabre blade, as a steel training sword for basket hilt systems. I love the Rawling's synthetics, but I like steel swords more, is why I'm doing it, though it's still very early days.
i had 2 baskethilts and sold them because oiling the baskethilt is a royal pain in the ass.
Can we get more of Lucy, please? I've always liked her cute, awkward appearances.
Maybe I'm reaching, but it seems like quillon less basket hilt correspond with the age of the smallsword, which has a blade that can very safely be grabbed and is so light and small that quillon trapping would be next to impossible anyway, where as a rapier is a relatively heavy edged blade.
Don't know about the lot of you, but I, for one, could listen to Matt talk about massive knobs all day.
im from portsmouth i watch on tv the raising of the mary rose as a kid
RIP Ross
And sorry for the loss
Why everyone dies recently???
My grandma, my moms friend's mom, stefán Karl Stefánsson Stephen Hopkins Stan Lee and Pepe Mediavilla (a great Spanish voice actor) and now you tell me this man died too. Why everyone had to die in 2018??? This is crazy, what is this the year of death?
:-(
I thought that another advantage of a symmetrical guard would be that a left-handed swordsman could use it. Were swordsmen never trained to fight left-handed when these swords were popular? I'm asking because I believe that in earlier ages they often were.
Also, It seems like Stocatta school of defense loves them as well.
I have encountered german Rapiers/Basket-Hilted swords (maybe sabres) that had an extensive amount of hand protection, which i have never seen anywhere else.
(it actually looked quite comical to me.)
That German basket-hilt looks _brutal_ .
If I’ve learned anything in English politics, it is, indeed, that they do go for a massive knob.