How did people carry large two-handed swords?
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- One of those recurring questions - how to wear / carry something like a claymore or two-handed greatsword? The Hollywood Fantasy style back sheath is popular but not practical, so how did they do it in history?
The answer is pretty simple actually. Historical depictions of Landsknecht as well as Gallowglass mercenaries show the sword in hand and resting on the shoulder. They may also have transported them on carts or horses, which makes sense as those are primarily battlefield weapons.
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I thought that they just unequip the sword and put it in their inventory
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!
tefras14 Fucking hell dude XD
tefras14 Yeah, Yeah. Funny.
Runescape?
Jeremy Whitfield mount and blade
I had a dream where I had a sword on my back. When I got into trouble, I took the sword out and ended up cutting my neck and dying. I can't even be cool in my dreams...
sounds like fake news. dead people can't write comments
@@FifinatorKlon That's what the Lizard People want you to think.
And the Funeral Lobby
@@taco4451 big funeral wants you to think people cant be revived
@@itzreaps yeah
Red woman
Huh, and here I thought that your character in Dark Souls carrying two-handed swords by resting them on their shoulder was one of the more fantasy-like aspects... I thought it was to look cool, but apparently it was actually a practical thing people did.
*The more you know*
Totally ours shoulder can handle far more than our arms that why when he carry heavy objects like bags or whatever we try to put them on out shoulder just makes it a bit easier.
Carrying swords is not exactly fashionable now a days you say? I heavily disagree sir!
What do you mean I always carry my ultra great sword+10 with me when I roam the streets
Arsenio Ortiz Gladius for sabers are better for carrying
If you live in a very rural area like me, it's not much of a problem. Carry anything you like.
@@stopsign1626 if you live in Czech Republic you can carry anything even firearms if you have E license (wich is shall issue)
@@Cipkanikolaj nemyslím si, že bude veľmi praktické, pri sebe nosiť môj +5 chaos Zweihänder po ulicy.. :DD
1:50 is that a chaos +5 zweihander though?
+Zeke Lance Is a divine +10
He's wearing mask of the father
EDIT: I just checked the Dark Souls wiki; OP is correct. The most you can improve a chaos weapon to is +5.
LEGEND NEVER DIES
HE'S BACK
1:50
Giantdad confirmed for historical accuracy.
Owning scrubs and casuls since 500AD
Knight Artorias I'm so glad to see this comment. I thought I was going nuts.
+Knight Artorias Even the Zweihander and right face... omg...
+Knight Artorias I can't stop laughing what the fuck
+Knight Artorias The legend truly never died
Skallagrim: "Carrying a sword on your back is a very bad idea and is impractical."
Shadiversity: "Hold mah beer, m8."
To be honest Shad did a great design. I remember making something similar for my katana as a boy. Gotta hand it to him.. the wooden part fixes many issues I had haha
@@lafleurstudios now he has also leather one :P
So dark soul is realistic in how the main character carry his sword. Cool.
1:56 giant dad confirmed
THE LEGEND NEVER DIES
+D Dbrake POWER UP THE BASS CANNON
FIRE
SHIVA OF THE EAST, MORE LIKE SHIVA OF THE DECEASED
THE LEGEND NEVER DIES!!!
now i can carry my big ass sword the right way.
Guts?
Magnus Raith nah
Cloud?
+Magnus Raith what do you mean by guts and clouds
+fiery shendu Guts is an anime character that uses and carries around a sword that is almost if not as big as him and Cloud is a videogame character that also uses and carries around an oversized sword.
That depiction of the German mercenary...the zweihander...the way he carries it...it all makes sense now...
THE LEGEND NEVER DIES
You got the middle image wrong. It's Mask of the Father, Chaos Zweihander +5 and GIANTS, GIANTS, GIANTS
BECOME UNSTOPPABLE!
Wut rings u got bich
1:52
Giantdad in the middle.
+import3dguest I shudder at the very sight. The legend never dies.
HAHHAHAHAH what are you? casuals?
I don't get it... if you are talking about his bulge I say it in nut armour
Swaff Corps Search on yt Giant Dad
+import3dguest it even says zweihander, should've been chaos zweihander +10 but oh well
that zweihander better be chaos +5
Burn The Heretic divine zweihander is better imo lol
Raven Døden fake giant dad spotted lul
Wot are u, a casul?
1:55
Middle guy...
THE LEGEND NEVER DIES
AfterLifeGuru I hoped for one giant dad comment. Somehow every comment is giant dad.
He never died, he was already there. He shall always be there. Because LEGEND NEVER DIE
1:51 Holy shit it's GiantDad
what were you expecting you have to be a TryHard in a real war
What rings u got btch? :D
RageDizzy my thoughts exactly :D
RageDizzy more like shiva the deceased
I said this before but, i always tought carying swords on the back was always for the sake of travel. Having it, but still free to hold anything else. always thinking of nomads, or soldiers taking days to march to a battlefield location. I always think about vikings as they are sort of a mix of the two. Where a shield on your back and a sword helps freeing your hands for action like sailing a boat or crafting. But that then goes into short sword more than two handed sword.
Good point
incinerator950 if you are travelling on a horse for miles why would you be holding your sword for ages
incinerator950 in a Ruck march, you're not riding a horse you have to hold the reigns for.
Since the parallel to rifle was mentioned - I have my rifle across my back a lot when hunting if I am not likely to meet prey just then, as this is less tiresome. The same argument would be valid for someone carrying a sword.
I'd say ge had his knave carry it, but that doesn't explain much
or you can have your squire carry it?
BRING FORTH THE WHIPPING BOY
This was actually pretty common, the kinds of fighting men who carried two-handers could usually also afford a servant or two - and needed someone to look after their stuff when they were off splitting heads anyway. (These were the poor saps to whom it fell to defend the baggage and camp when enemy units got past the battleline...) From what I've read eg. the Irish "gallowglasses" mentioned normally started out as boys apprenticed to full-fledged ones (and apparently served as skirmishers in combat once old enough). Though that lot was actually primarily associated with long-hafted battleaxes; the two-handed sword was apparently more common among the relatively few freelance ones working on their own, presumably due to its greater versatility - those guys apparently did a lot of "wet work" for feuding parties outside actual warfare and similar somewhat shady business...
ShaddyCrunchum that’s just pussy though, and what if he’s not around when you need it
broadbandislife don't ever forget the Spartan elite soldiers were all heavily homosexual
Jimmy Breen Knights don't roll as one unit. They always act as gangs
I never thought of carrying a sword like a rifle, very interesting. Thank you for teaching me something new (:
You made a comment about how the Germans used two-handed swords to "break" pikemans formations. You can make a video about it? something about positioning of troops, it would even be a good 'series' because it is very interesting as were the battle formations of different armies. Or at least something explaining how they were formations in a group with the same weapons. Sorry about my english = /
Skallagrim, I think you're my favorite youtuber now. I enjoy practically every one of your videos and I learn something new every time I watch one. I've learned so much from you about swords, and how to use them and what to look for in a sword... Thank you
Sorry, I just had to fanboy a bit here. I stopped the video at 1:54. Do any other Dark Souls internet savvy fans see what I see?
That picture. In the middle...
I never fathomed that The Legend is older than the game itself... o.o
This must be a sign.
Alright, done fanboying. You can have your serious weapon talks commenting section back now.
I think everyone who played Dark Souls recognized the GiantDad :D
Ikr, even the mask is similar.
The Legend never dies!...and it travels through time!...wait...distorted time...ZOMG the undead curse is real!
Sonbru That nigga ain't got a whopping 77 poise.
Colossal Titan shut up you traitor!
Why would you need to reach for a two handed sword quickly at all? Most of the historical documents in your video depict soldiers with two handed swords also having a smaller sword on a belt scabbard. If surprised, wouldn't they reach for that instead? As you yourself state, two large handed swords were intended for engaging pike formations; it's not like a troop of halbert-weilding Swiss are going to sneak up on you. If an occasion calls for a massive sword, I imagine you would have time to get it out.
Is it possible that these swords were more commonly carried around by a squire rather than carried long distances by the knight himself?
+Theodore Gifford very true i cant see anyone who favors a two hander not having a smaller weapon on his hip
A friend of mine is attempting to resolve this issue by designing a scabbard to be used with a backstrap, similar to how you demonstrated towards the end of your video. His scabbard is secured by steel hinges on one side of the scabbard and by twine on the other, allowing him to simply get the sword in hand and in grip and then strike with the sword while sheathed, causing the sword to slice through the twine and free itself from the scabbard which would then just drop to the ground to be retrieved later.
He was inspired by the kampilan, a type of Philippine sword that measured around 36 to 40 inches long and had a cheap scabbard made from cheap wood and secured with rattan or fibre lashings. If the sword needed to be used immediately the wielder would simply attack with the sheathed sword allowing them to strike without taking the time to draw it. Scabbards were considered disposable and largely unimportant, since a new one could be fabricated fairly quickly and cheaply.
I really dont buy into the theory that they were ONLY used for pikes and other pole arms, as a lot of people seem to think. I dont see the point in makes such an expensive weapon that was only used for one purpose especially since this weapon could be found in areas that didnt experience an abundance of pike formations
*****
Like I said, at least in Spain and Italy it was also used for personal defense by civilians.
I think historical period always forces a certain "primary use" on any weapon. It does not mean it could not be used otherwise.
***** I've read that it was widely used by bodyguards and those holding defensive positions. Whether thats accurate i do not know but it would be an interesting topic to cover whenever you get back to two-handed swords.
Have a look at scholagladiatoria's video on that to know more =)
Some times you run across a nut that you have to make a nutcracker just for that nut. Sure there where greatswords that weren't meant to fight pikes but there's always a few outliers.
I once got to see the Styrian armament when it was on display at the museum of fine arts in Houston.One of the suits of armor had ,on the right hand spaulder ( I guess that is the proper term for shoulder armor) a projection made onto it that resembled the quillion of a sai,and the idea was,that the sword blade rested in the gap between the prongs.The swords on display were very long,and massive. so,carrying a long sword on the shoulder would probably make sense.Great video.
1:51 THE LEGEND NEVER DIES
Giants. Giants. Giants. Become unstoppable.
Wt ring u got bithc?
casuls
Mcface i put two points into dex but don't tell anyone you fucking casual, it just goes to show that German mercenaries were TryHards
I've also seen illustrations of swords in scabbards being carried with the hilt up over the shoulder, resting the scabbard on the shoulder and holding the scabbard partway down.
But, but.... Geralt of Rivia though....
It's a fantasy game. Key word: fantasy.
I thought the joke was more than implied.
+Vin Ellis he was joking. key word, joking
In the books they actually joke about how it is impractical to carry a sword on your back
Its impractical
But I do love the detail that when I pull or insert the sword back in the scabbard, Geral lifts the tip of the scabbard and insert the sword there
There were also large over-the shoulder sword belts, called baldrics, and some were even slung over both shoulders like in Hollywood, but as you say in the video, you had to unsling them from the shoulder to draw, so usually they were for long marches; when you got near the battlefield you'd carry it like you showed in most of the video and leave the (now useless) sheath back at camp.
Well done,was going to say if there was no great need for it at the moment it would be on a horse or cart but you covered that as well.Most people forget if a mounted warrior or knight was carrying an extra weapon other than a dagger it was normally attached to his horse LOL
I've wanted a scabbard for my umbrella since I was a child.
I actually use a belt-slung drink bottle holder as an umbrella sheathe when working at events now,. It works great for the smaller collapsible umbrellas. although it won't fit a full-size brolly.
Try as I might, I cannot find your video on swords on the back of the user. Could I get some help?
+something
I took them down because of the poor quality.
***** Aw... Will there ever be an improved video on the subject? I'd love to hear your opinion on the concept, seeing as it's applied in Legend of Zelda, one of my favorite franchises.
+something ve watched that video. To put it shortly, carrying a sword on your back is a bad idea because your arm simply doesn't have enough reach to unsheat it fast enough.You'll stretch your arm and the blade will be only half way through the sheath. So it's clumsy and it takes twice as much to unsheathe your sword than it would take if you'd carry it on yout hip. Imagine that in a real life combat situation, when taking too long to react and be ready for battle can (and probably would) cost your life.
CidGuerreiro1234 Thank you!
something You are welcome :)
I always thought it was impractical to carry the sword on the back like movies and video-games show (specially, but not solely, because of the sheathing part), but then I saw swords carried that way so many times that I started to think I could be wrong after all. Thanks for clarifying it for me!
I've often thought that the "Hollywood Carry" style was a visual indicator of arrogance. Like whoever is wielding that sword is so overconfidence that they aren't concerned with how efficient it is.
As a fantasy author who also trains HEMA this kind of videos are so valuable.
To think that there just might be videos in the far future discussing how our modern soldiers carried their rifles. Wack.
Does anyone know the original Conan movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger? He used a pretty good technique of carrying his sword: he first (when out of combat) carried it in the Hollywood style on the back, but it was reversed, so when you're right-handed the hilt is on your left shoulder. But when he was about to fight he loosened the strap for the scabbard, put it over his arm and on his hips so that he carries it normally and can draw it fast and safely.
Of course this wouldn't work with a bigger sword, but for something like a longsword it could work.
i think the last method is the most intelligent way because you have so many options
if you need to climb something you can just sling it sideways like in the movies
if you just walking you can carry it like a rifle
if your in a hostile environment you can carry the sheath on your back like in the movies but the sword in hand
its not perfect but i think its the best
+Captain SkullFace Exactly my thoughts, I'd suppose if you're just walking around or traveling in safe territories or something like that you can just carry it in your back, and if you feel in danger you can just pull it out. You don't even need to carry the sheath in your back, since as Skall said, you probably have a horse, a cart, or something like that if you're traveling.
You'd need the sheath to protect the blade from rust and dirt.
Good Video. I had never considered the things you mentioned till now
what about carrying two handed axe?
is it the same?
+Reynold Kurniawan (DragonoidKaiju)
Yes.
+Skallagrim I was thinking of buying a khkuri off of Kult of Athena what do you thing it is moddle EKHVFK20 traditional camp khkuri. Thx alot, great channel -Zaid Hintzman
+Skallagrim I am actually surprised that people do it just for looks?!? I have
always thought that carrying it on the back (diagonally or rifle style)
was just for transport and comfort while traveling not for combat. But I
am also wondering, can carrying a weapon on the back mean "non hostile"
or "I do not want to fight right now"? Carrying a sword on the side or resting on
shoulder seems more "battle ready" and more intimidating/hostile.
+fareastpride94 They were meant to look intimidating, but you didn't just cut someone down for that reason, as you were also holding the most intimidating weapon you could afford, as was everyone else.
As for traveling, bandits were far different than the media portrays them today. Instead of a few guys looking for easy money for the pub, bandit groups were often extended families who had practiced banditry for generations, and it wasn't unusual for them to number in the dozens of fighters.
Needless to say, the quicker you could draw your weapon, the better your odds of surviving, even if that simply meant hacking your way to an escape before the bulk of the bandits emerged from their hiding places.
A couple of seconds could mean the difference between riding out of danger, or being buried in a nearby ditch. Bandits were rarely interested in chasing people, they wanted the goods in the carts. If you could get a football field's distance away, you were probably safe from the ambush.
to me (in my opinion) it still doesn't feel right to say it was just for looks. you can say "it was only for looks" for just about anything in life. I could plan do be a doctor just for looks (status/prestige) or because i want to help people. and i personally will feel more anxious if someone approached me with a sword on their side than on their back. If I want to scare someone with a sword i would take it out and have it battle ready not "hidden" on my back. I guess this could be more of a personal thing. We should be careful before we say things like "people think this is cool" or "fancy" "badass". If you really think about it, is there really such a thing as a "cool" "fancy" "badass" way to fight?
From what I understand they were typically carried on the horse within the saddle set up and were a dueling weapon for armored nights/warriors as well as for battle between armored knights on the field of battle. But primarily carried on the horse.
1:25 is the most practical as the hand is on the pommel ready to be unscrewed
"Really not much more cumbersome than carrying an umbrella".
That ominous picture of people at the bus stop on a rainy day, carrying Zweihänder around.
5:08 "is not that quick" literally takes 2 seconds to draw
This video is very interesting and easy to understand. I enjoyed watching this. Thank you.
Thanks for making this video, I'm writing a fantasy novel at the moment where the protagonist learns how to use a great sword so I was wondering how he would go about transporting it effectively. I have to say I love all your videos on swords (I've been a huge fan of both European and Asian fencing styles for a while) and I really like the fact you seem to know what you're talking about. Also loved your video on proper shield use, it stuns me how wrong they get it in media sometimes!
Why aren't quick release scabbards mentioned? At the top you have a quick release that you can flip open with just your thumb. Then at the bottom, only the last few inches of the blade are actually put into the 'pocket'. It completely removes the problem of the blade being too long to pull out of the scabbard.
1:50 the legend never dies!
Thanks! This helps me with a D&D character that fights with a great sword.
For me bein short its easyer to wield a long sword compared to carrying it thats why i go for shorter swords wich makes it more limited to find a good sword to fit me..the woes of bein short lol
thanks bro!
Dwarves rock tho
iwantyourcookiesnow
yeah i think short guys shouldnt use swords and just use massive warhammer and axes, cant forget huge beards too
devonmac95 short for a human, but tall for a dwarf
you just gotta get a massive battle axe and grow a beard.
In the anime berserk the main character guts carries his word on his back since its so massive. His sheath is just 2 locking mechanisms and he just unlocks in from both.
What's your opinion on Medieval 2 total war?
+TomeOfBattle I've only played Shogun 2 but it;s awesome (Warhammer's looking to be good if they don't DLC wallet rape us). Is Medieval 2 worth a buy? Looking to expand my total war borders ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
medieval 2 total war to me is the best of all the total war games. the strategy coupled with the better battlefield fighting just tops it for me. for example, you don't need one on one kill moves for deaths.
you can make carring a 2 handed in your back work using the same scabbard as gutts from berserk, its basically a narrow strip of leather (not covering all of the blade) and a metal part to old the weapon in the tip of the blade and next to the hand guard, now you can argue that the weapon stays exposed to the elements
Stop at 2:00
That's giant dad!
legends never dies
+Lord Tony POWER UP THE BASE CANNON
+Lord Tony that butt chin
+Ermy Never was not alive.
+Lord Tony oh my god it is
Best method I could think of ... "Squire get over here .. hold on to this .."
My squire carrys my sword
leighmossien2009 thanks
lmao I cracked up watching this, especially near the end. Thanks for the vid, man.
I love watching Skall's videos. It helps inform me about things that help improve my writing - my stories might be fictional, but I appreciate Skall's videos as they keep me from writing historically inaccurate scenarios. :)
"Big ass word". I always chuckle when I think of that idiom literally.
same as carrying a gun its not supposed to be comfortable, but comforting.
Big ass swords are a bit like big ass guns. Effective in situations which necessitate a big ass weapon, but sort of impractical to carry around for day to day self defense.
Luckily, plenty of weapons were made, both in ye old times, and in more modern times, which are specialized for personal defense, concealment, and comfort.
Take your big ass sword to the big ass battle, and your every day killamajig to your every day routine.
killamajig do you have a patent on that because you should.
Nathan Baker lol.
I had to read killamajig three times to get what you meant
I still think carrying a sword on your back has its purpose.
Its like carrying a backpack, you'd never draw your sword from there and only carry it that way when its in the way of other tasks and you need both your arms and you're almost certain you wont get suddenly attacked, much like you don't extract things from your backpack when its on your back even it it has specialized pockets for that.
Basically its the most comfortable non intrusive way, which is why I believe that the backstrap for the zombieslayer was a good addition, although its also good to be able to modify it for hip carrying.
I'm not entirely convinced of the back scabbard being dumb. I used to be, I thought "yeah, that makes sense because you can't draw it quickly". I do reenactment, of course I'm used to drawing a one handed sword and thinking in the framework of that, since I generally portray middle status (knights are overrepresented but I adore chainmail). but the difference is, my one handed sword is a personal weapon. one I carry. The two handed sword is a battlefield weapon, not really for personal defense.
So carrying the two hander on your back isn't good for drawing it for self defense... but you wouldn't use it for that really. It's not like you have a quick draw holster for an RPG. You go onto the battlefield with the battlefield weapons ready. So transporting it on your back might not be so dumb. I'd imagine if you had the longsword on your back, you might benefit from carrying a smaller one handed arm at your hip. When you prepare for battle, you ditch the sheath of the longsword in your camp and march to the battlefield holding your longsword as illustrated in that image.
Can you imagine a two hander at your hip though... jesus. In a crowded situation you would get so many unintentional nut shots. The back holster makes sense to me, for convenience when transporting it. If you're without a cart or horse, on your back out of the way for miles of trecking might be the best place for it.
I'd like to hear a little bit of feedback on this though, what are your thoughts on this?
+Managarmr420 The back carry would be perfectly practical in any situation where you don't expect combat, but the thing is, if you're not expecting combat, why have it on your back at all? When combat starts, it's usually very rapid and ends just as quickly. My only comparative experience was elk hunting; after a long day, I had my rifle slung over my shoulder, easily accessible, I thought. Then I came around a corner and was face to face with an elk. By the time my hand was on my rifle, the elk was turning, by the time I had it drawn, the elk was long gone.
I might as well have left it back at camp.
+demiserofd Well, I'm not an expert on miedieval(and renesase) martial tradition but both in antics and later on during the napoleonic war soliders were expected to carry their weapons with them all the time. That way even if you'll get into an ambush drawing your weapon will take you max a minute and not 5 or 10.
+demiserofd
" if you're not expecting combat, why have it on your back at all?"
To move it from place A to place B?
+Xqwzts This is true, but I feel like those kinds of transporting methods aren't really a 'way to carry it' In that if I wanted to move a bunch of swords and assorted weapons from point A to B I'm likely to carry them in my arms like a bundle of sticks and that's absolutely Not the way to carry weapons. Likewise, if I need to do something very two handed while I have a two-handed sword, maybe I'd carry it cross-wise on my back, even though that's not the way to do it. Not sure if that made sense? Also, you could probably get the straight up and down over one shoulder back carry to be hands free-ish if you tightened a strap, Carrying otherstuff that way isn't too hard.
+demiserofd Honestly even if you're expecting combat, there will be times (Say climbing terrain/setting up camp and so forth) where you'll need both hands free, and that's where the power of the diagonal carry lies.
Also it's a lot less threatening to have a sword in a scabbard slung over your shoulder than having it resting on your should ready for combat.
I'm surprised he didn't talk about how high ranking knights often were attended by a squire whose job was to carry the knights equipment and be ready to arm the knight at a moments notice. So many knights basically had a servant carry his sword.
Just an interesting note it was the squires job to remove the armor after battle and clean mud blood and sweat from the plate armor. I assume he cleaned and did basic maintenence of the sword as well.
Sandor Clegane disapproves
I love your videos but I want to make a suggestion: could you make a video about the difference between a claymore and a longsword? Maybe display the different uses and characteristics?
I like the rifle method of carrying it. Skallagrim seems to always believe that weapons need to be as quick to draw as possible, like you're always in a crowd off people where the speed at which you get weapon in hand is important, and it is. But when your traveling cross-country or walking a long distance I'd rather have the sword slung over a shoulder like a rifle than me carrying it in my hand for long hours. There's a reason why hunters sling their guns over their shoulders and not in their hands constantly.
ironically i have seen drawings of people carrying greatswords on their back hollywood style and it looked damn cool...the difference with what skallagrim is saying (and im not saying that he is wrong) they didn't have any sheaths or scabbards neither that belt thing...their armor had big hooks at their shoulder-backs to place the guard ..(this is obviously has a lot of negatives too and its meant to be used in an upcoming battle..otherwise most people left them at their carriages and not actually carrying their swords)
Can someone link me to the video where he talk about carrying a sword on the back is bad. Please i wanna watch
Isyraq Abu Bakar yeah same
One Medieval story I read actually had the character carry a large two-handed sword with a diagonal sheathe...However, one comment specifically mentioned in the story was that the sheath had a 'slit' that went down one side about halfway.
This meant that the sword could be drawn relatively easily and quickly from the back by drawing it out to the length of his arm, at which point the sword could be fully removed by flicking the wrist.
I wanted to mention this because it seems incredibly effective, yet I've never seen anyone make a comment about this design, and I wish someone could give a professional explanation about it.
+Wesley Judson I was thinking that exact thing, if it was slit down the top side, you'd be able to basically pull the handle down, with your right hand, and basically pivot the blade out, without needing arms that are 5 metres long haha
Good video as always, but I would assert that modern rifles *are* worn across the chest in tactical situations to prevent an opponent from grabbing and turning your weapon against you. The sling won't allow it if worn correctly. But that's just me being picky, I realize you were trying to make a point about swords :)
I would love to see a video concerning the use of a scabbard as an off hand bludgeon or shield.
I see it every now and again and am very curious about the historical evidence and practical use.
here's the real question, would a greatsword have any real benefits over a longsword/arming sword for the "adventurer" (read drifter mercenaries) that you often see in fiction? I mean it's basically a battle field weapon, it's not something you can really use indoors and you probably have more reach than your average bandit from other more practical weapons.
I am guessing if you have a custom built scabbard for it to draw from your back sure but you would also need a side arm for when there is not enough space or time to draw the great sword. And a side arm could be a dagger or a short sword on the side and that is taking into account of magic satchel and not a backpack but then you would just put it on the backpack.
but yeah most fiction has a magic satchel to carry items for adventures other than that again scabbard on the backpack as you are dropping the backpack to fight anyways
Great video! I really enjoy your explanations and history of swords.
Since it came to carrying... Skall, I have a question for you. It's not something to "test" you but more like asking your personal opinion.
According to you, is carrying multiple swords while using only one at once a good idea? Of course, it'd always be swords that aren't too long, so they can be unsheathed (from the hip, I'm not going in Hollywood over-stylised multiple sword usage, hopefully).
In my own opinion, it could be interpreted as a good idea, but if you ever get unarmed, the time you remain unarmed to pull out another blade is enough time for your enemy to finish you up, so I guess it's very, very discussable. Probably if you manage to get distance once you get unarmed, though.
It was actually done a lot in history. Any type of polearm users typically had a shorter weapon on them, not to mention their daggers. Even peasants carrying messers would have their daggers if you want to count that.
If you get disarmed without a secondary weapon, your opponent has even MORE time to finish you off. I don't see how "you're momentarily disarmed" is a negative compared to "you're permanently disarmed".
Any fighter would have contingency weapons. If the question is "should one of those contingency weapons be a sword", then it really depends on the type of sword and the type of fighting you're encountering. It might be better to choose a different weapon for a secondary, so that you have the opportunity to utilize it against different foes. Two swords lacks some versatility.
But if the question is "have an extra weapon or only one", in a battlefield you don't ever want to be without a weapon.
Altorin disarmed? disarmed?! permanently or momentarily, i don't wanna be disarmed! i need my arms!! : O
In the fight practice I've done lately, it's been invaluable for me to carry a practice short sword or knife when someone tries to close on me. If someone gets inside the immediate reach of the 6' greatsword, I'm not going to be able to get the leverage I need to hit fatally. Ideally in that situation you bind them with the greatsword and one hand while drawing your hanger (the germans used the Katzbalger for this, mine is made a bit more like a machete) to attack.
It's a gamble - I've been tagged a LOT when trying to go for my backup. But, I've also been able to turn the fight around or strike a killing blow. Some chance of success is better than not being able to do anything at all having just my primary weapon.
Leave that to your pesky squires!
you make many valid points. but if you did away with the scabbard and used loops with snaps (which i believe was done) that can break away you could actually have a functional back carry. the snaps would even allow you to go straight into a downward swing.
You'd also expose the blade to all manner of environmental unpleasantness scabbard *specifically* protects it from... Might as well carry it drawn at that point.
Carrying on the back was for during marching. You didn't draw the weapon from the back because there was no need. Battles didn't happen at a few seconds notice, you had time to get yourself ready.
There's an old King Arthur movie where two knights have great-swords in scabbards on their horses and they have a lengthy and rather boring fight with them before switching to sidearms.
The fastest way to get your sword in hand is to carry it in the hand.
That rifle-styled back carrying reminded me of the style The Witcher does it (novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, later transferred into games). Not sure if you have read/played them Skal but I really recommend both. The point why I bring this up is that I was thinking what might be your opinion about Witcher-style sword draw from your back where you pull the back-sheathe's strap crossing your chest with your left hand so you in a sense fling the sword's grip into your right hand over your right shoulder. Does not block your view like in hollywood-style back-grabbing but might be unconfortable for your shoulder and neck if leather strap rubs against them. This sword drawing style is depicted in some detail in the books and was transferred to games quite accurately. I do bear in mind this is yet another fiction depiction and witchers are physically enhanced mutants with magical tendencies but your opinion on this subject interests me because The Witcher series seems to try to be as realistic as possible, unlike majority of other fantasy lores.
Just bring the pommel end him rightly
When I do larp I use a bow a lot of times, instead of carrying daggers or a short/long sword I actually had a greatsword on my back and arrows on my belt where Id have put a short sword, my great sword worked on my back since it was actually a modified quiver with the bottom popped off, it was loose on the sword and also single strap across my chest, Id just hook my thumb around the strap and twist my body pulling up on the strap and out with the sword(my "Sword quiver" would come off and Id just allow it to fall to the ground), Id be able to draw just as fast as if I had a short sword and its starting position is already at the raised so if I had to I could just swing down, worked pretty well. Caught a lot of people off guard, not everyday an archer goes from sniping to 2 handed. I felt was a pretty good option because I couldnt carry any other weapon other then a long sword and been expected to fair well in melle, even with a long sword I wouldnt have had a shield, any person that would be rushing me would have the advantage EXCEPT for when I have a Great sword.
With two hands.
The picture of the gallowglass is from a sketch by Albrecht Dürer, a German artist, of an Irish gallowglass in relation to kerns (poorer native fighters). Since, as fair as I know, Dürer visited neither Scotland nor Ireland, I would be a little dubious about accepting the pose as demonstrating common technique; he could well have got the pose from the same sources as the German illustration.
Easy. They just unscrewed the pommel and used that in battle.
Interestingly enough, there are historical references to soldiers caring Ôdachi on their back, but even back then they realized it was impractical, though the alternate method was no less annoying, which was to carry the sheathed weapon and have one of your comrades assist you in removing the scabbard quickly when you need to fight. sounds like a pain really.
The historical fact is that the servant "squire" carried it, except for special occasions.
+Joy Smith Only knights had squires.
+Ryosuke The Lord Of Anemones And not all of them
I cant remember what movie it was from but the MC had a clay-more in a Hollywood carry but it didn't bother me because it was a back up weapon which makes sense then to strap it somewhere like the back. He had a long sword for everyday use but if he lost it or it became damaged he unslung the clay-more and drew it.
Carry your own weapon? Ha!
That's what peasants and peons are for.
***** Training squires requires being a knight, noble, or high ranking religious head as squires are intended to become elite some day.
So no, squires would not commonly carry out this task for generic soldiers of any rank.
Jones Crimson
Squires actually did carry the weapons of the knight training them as well as their own, if I remember correctly.
asmcint Aye, but they weren't common enough to carry everyone's weapons, and knights were rare. A knight isn't a rank or type of soldier, it's a man honored with a great title by the king,
Jones Crimson
That description of a knight is only accurate depending on the period. Knights were actually a very important cavalry unit. Ignoring that, there's the fact that I was saying a squire would carry the weapons of the knight training him as well as his own. That's it. Nobody else's.
asmcint Can you please cite your source on the matter? The only thing I've ever heard of that comes close to what you're describing is the order of Knights Templar, and maybe a few zealot groups holding fortresses.
They were peasants made squires and then knights purely for the purpose of being a group of elites on the battlefield. Because of this disgusting misuse of honorary titles, the world has forgotten all but their crimes in the name of god.
I'm impressed by the amount of people who think they're professional historians in the comment section.
ISetYourFaceOnFire
Didn't you know? On the internet everybody is an expert. :)
***** Indeed. Although I've noticed it more with your audience.
***** I am a Skallagrim Expert!
***** Of everything ever, yes.
*****
That's true. It's too bad I have to funnel through the bullshit to get to the passionate and civil comments.
Basically. However, regarding the 'rifle sling' method, if you're right handed you should sling it over your left shoulder. That allows you to grab it with your right hand cross-body then let go with your left hand and bring the sword forward to draw. Otherwise, excellent information.
"carrying a sword isn't about comfort, its about defending yourself." "i prefer to cradle it with my arm it is the most comfortable way." lol
Akamaholic If you can have comfort and maintain the ability to defend yourself you're in a far better position
It just occurred to me that people were a lot shorter than they are now and the swords are the same. It's a pretty big difference
People buy into fantasy games too much, you must understand people would rarely carry such large weapons for self defense, its too impractical and a hassle. Try going through a day with a six foot long 5 pound object, think about how many things you would bang into.
+Gavin Harold There is at least one stubborn knight out there was like "I'm only using big swords"
+Richter Aurelian No, it's definitely called "compensation". Any man who must so openly declare his manhood is no true man.
I know it's a manga and is not subject to real-world laws and practicalities, but in the manga Berserk, Guts the main character has one of the most interesting back-carry rig's I've seen. Ignoring the fact that Gut's sword makes Cloud's buster sword look like a child's toy, his Dragonslayer has a ring on one side of the guard that goes on a hook hanging off his back instead of being a sheath. One of the more thoughtful ways of having a practical but "cool" method of carrying a greatsword.
so far hooks and magnets seem to be the only ways i can think of to have the sword on your back. he does make a good point though, it does open you up for a bit
Perry Davis Oh, I totally understand that weakness. Just saying that there would be in theory, a fiarly decent way to carry it that you could still access it at all. In a sheath, anything but a very short sword would be nearly impossible to draw. Problem with magnets or, as I mentioned a hook, would probably pop off if you bumped into something or sat down.
crzymn246
Wait! So he has a sword without a sheath hanging on his back, flailing around with every move he makes?
germanvisitor2 Pretty much. Though at least he can draw it at a moment's notice. Which, come to mention it, it's drawn more than it's put away, anyhow. :P
crzymn246
Does he have a skin made of steel so his sword will not slice through his calves?
Better question is, how you can roll with it, without tossing it?
D4rkTooga
You don't roll in a real fight.
***** Hmmm, that explains a lot.
Heino Sass I know! Like a giant foot or flaming sword. You gotta be prepared for everything.
Heino Sass You know that there are many ways to evade an attack?And rolling isn't the way to do it...
The KGB tried that shit and wasn't effective during the early 80s. Coming from a family of well trained American military personal, one can tell you for a fact(either if its modern combat or not) that rolling is obsolete and will get you killed. Regardless if you are on a battlefield of in hand to hand one on one combat. A good defense, is always a well informed offense. Tactical maneuvers with less movement as possible. Swift yet effective. Know your surrounding and situation and keep your maneuvers tight and controlled. Rolling is a result of showing your lack of training. In the great world of games and movies, they have conditioned people into combatitive stupidity. Even more ties well into the world of "cool" and Neitzchean hero worship. Barbaric attacks may be devastating, but highly ineffective. There is a reason why Rome did more to destroy itself than any other force until they met up with Saxon tribesman(how well trained and tightly uniform the legions were), known for smart evasive ambushes and trained under Arminius(German tribesman who served under Rome before his defection). The cunning outsmarts the brute....regardless of how well armed, but when you add good training, its a whole new story.
Hold up there Skall! Here in the US military we carry our rifles slung across our chests and we even have specialized clips that hang it off our plate carrier in the front. Slinging your rifle/carbine over your shoulder really isn't a thing when in a hot zone as it has too many points where it can catch. Of course we still shoulder carry it but it's fairly rare to see an actual Infantryman slinging their weapon behind their back.
I've seen in a cosplay-party a dude who carried his large sword on his back and he could wield it in an instant. Basically he had two hooks close to eachother on his harness and he just placed his sword hanging from its guard. What he was carring around was a feder so I guess it should work with a real sword...as long as you don't jump around and do all kinds of silly movements.
opmdevil
As I've demonstrated before, trying to draw a sword from the back would get you killed because that posture leaves you wide open to attacks, whereas drawing from the hip you can parry immediately. Also, try to sit down with a sword on your back.
***** Yes, may leave you open for an attack but drawing from your back is not impossible in theory.
opmdevil it is more for a battle situation where it would kill you if you try taking it out from the back.
opmdevil it is more for a battle situation where it would kill you if you try taking it out from the back.
Lil lucky How would it kill you if you would draw your sword from your back if you can do it as fast or almost as fast as from the hip? Matter of .25 second difference in time is only important if you are completely ambushed without any hint. I also hope that you've read my original comment where I said that I've seen a guy carrying a feder in his back that he could wield instantly without any hassle.
Outdoors there's no problem even with the space you would need. Lack of space would be the problem only indoors.
In the market for a great sword. Closest thing I could find to what I am looking for is the Tinker Great Sword of War.