The Problem with MASSIVE FLOPPY SWORDS

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 เม.ย. 2022
  • Having a floppy weapon doesn't need to be bad news.
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ความคิดเห็น • 776

  • @scholagladiatoria
    @scholagladiatoria  2 ปีที่แล้ว +42

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    Bundles:
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    Also check out the Daily Lucky Spin & Win, get your chance everyday!

    • @darkynelp9777
      @darkynelp9777 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      I know Olight torches only for their reputation for blowing up when being turned on for too long

    • @arnijulian6241
      @arnijulian6241 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Floppy blade's of large swords might explain why polearms & large spear where so much more popular.
      The claymore isn't that floppy, quite ridged in comparison & might explain it popularity though it slightly sacrifices reach & just barely fits the category of great sword.
      Claymore would be my preference over a zweihänder though I'd rather a pole arm like an awl pike, poleaxe et cetera.

    • @AnoNYmous-bz2ef
      @AnoNYmous-bz2ef 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Q: What do you call a cat-themed Chinese sword?
      A: Meow dao 🐈

    • @soonerfrac4611
      @soonerfrac4611 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The stiffer the better!
      TWSS!

    • @BUZZKILLJRJR
      @BUZZKILLJRJR 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I love your videos and love o'light I carry one every day and my shot gun is getting a o'light very soon.

  • @ZenithArt07
    @ZenithArt07 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1124

    The straight face with which he says such brilliant innuendo is worthy of great admiration.

    • @pilgrim42
      @pilgrim42 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      He almost started laughing a few times.

    • @ericaugust1501
      @ericaugust1501 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      haha. I expect Matt loves making these videos the most.

    • @kevinsmith9013
      @kevinsmith9013 2 ปีที่แล้ว +30

      He knows EXACTLY what he's doing.
      And he's a pro at it.
      Cheers!

    • @thhseeking
      @thhseeking 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      That's a long-standing British tradition :)

    • @AngersFiction
      @AngersFiction 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I had to go see if this had come out on April 1

  • @eded9157
    @eded9157 2 ปีที่แล้ว +787

    But Matt, sword on their 50s can not expect the stiffness and thrusting power of younger swords. If sword floppyness is ruining your fighting life, please talk to your doctor.

    • @wjwelch40
      @wjwelch40 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Possibly do some cardio, saw palmetto also helps

    • @ChevalierdeJohnstone
      @ChevalierdeJohnstone 2 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Can confirm that 50 year old swords can still function perfectly without any embellishments.

    • @scottmacgregor3444
      @scottmacgregor3444 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      It also depends on the maintenance and amount of use on the sword obviously. A sword that doesn't get much use as probably gonna be in pretty good shape. And well work hardening is a thing, wear and tear does take a toll.
      Sure you can keep your sword in great shape if you just leave it on the mantel and never use it, but then when the situation comes you're not gonna know HOW to use it. And really, knowing how to use it is more important than whether it's a floppy two hander or a stiff hand and a half.

    • @jamesmaybrick2001
      @jamesmaybrick2001 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      If anything a 50 year old sword is tried, tested and has stood the test of time, any flaws (premature breakage for example) should have been eliminated by that venerable age. So perhaps improved technique can make up for excessive springiness?

    • @Dennis-vh8tz
      @Dennis-vh8tz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@scottmacgregor3444 Nah, regular use is the secret to keeping your sword stiff.

  • @navn_ukjent
    @navn_ukjent 2 ปีที่แล้ว +516

    What I learned from this video:
    Matt gets excited about handling massive swords.
    Matt is used to handling smaller swords, but he gets excited if you put something bigger, beefy and meatier in his hands.
    Massive swords can be a bit difficult to handle in confined spaces.
    Giant swords are more likely to be floppy. It's much harder to get them stiff.
    Matt thinks ideally everyone would prefer a stiffer weapon.
    If you have a large, floppy blade and give it a proper bashing at the end, it will vibrate (or wobble).
    If you have a floppy weapon it's difficult to get good penetration.
    If you have a long sword, you also need a thick spine if you want it to get stiff.
    You can get more thrusting impact if you have a shorter sword, which will give a deeper penetration.
    Shorter, stiffer swords are more forgiving, while longer, floppy swords are less forgiving.
    Longer, floppy swords that are thin can go straight through the target if you hit it right.
    If you have problems with a long, floppy blade, you can try to half-sword and grab halfway up the blade. This makes it easier to penetrate.
    If you have a long and floppy sword, you can have problems with the grip.

    • @amalawawaw2
      @amalawawaw2 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      AHHHHH!!! MY BRAIN!!

    • @lightningandodinify
      @lightningandodinify 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      I wasn't ready for this comment 😣

    • @cottrelr
      @cottrelr 2 ปีที่แล้ว +52

      Don't forget that a larger sword can lead to a loose tang

    • @paulpeterson4216
      @paulpeterson4216 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      The moral of the story is that if you want to thrust, a thicker wooden shaft is superior to a thinner steel blade.

    • @adamgrimsley6455
      @adamgrimsley6455 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks

  • @pizdamatii5001
    @pizdamatii5001 2 ปีที่แล้ว +188

    all these colossal swords got a big buff to their attack speed in update 1.04!

    • @felygu9268
      @felygu9268 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      If you know, you know :)

    • @fabs5211
      @fabs5211 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Fantastic

    • @PhoenixCheetah
      @PhoenixCheetah 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Funny joke but they’re not colossal swords

    • @pizdamatii5001
      @pizdamatii5001 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@PhoenixCheetah the zweihander is an 'ultra greatsword' in ds1, ds2 and ds3 and it's a 'colossal sword' in elden ring; granted, it's the lightest ultra greatsword :)

    • @PhoenixCheetah
      @PhoenixCheetah 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@pizdamatii5001 It’s also.. not a colossal sword. It’s a longsword.

  • @freestatefellow
    @freestatefellow 2 ปีที่แล้ว +203

    That thumbnail is a work of art. Truly, some of your best work.

    • @Oldtanktapper
      @Oldtanktapper 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Not often will a thumbnail truly deliver on its promise!

    • @calebeakin6742
      @calebeakin6742 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Absolutely

    • @derstoffausdemderjoghurtis
      @derstoffausdemderjoghurtis 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Didnt even noticed until now! xD

    • @pilgrim42
      @pilgrim42 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I know. Even the thumbnail was a double entendre.

  • @kinotsu3017
    @kinotsu3017 2 ปีที่แล้ว +118

    "If you've got a problem with "The Flop", try grabbing half way up the shaft."
    That part just killed me 🤣

    • @KyeEnzoden
      @KyeEnzoden 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Half Sorting, it helps the older men.

    • @grinningchicken
      @grinningchicken 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      "If you've got a problem with the flop try grabbing halfway up the shaft" would save a lot of marriages

    • @robh5492
      @robh5492 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      That one line utterly slayed me. Matt Easton of Scholagladiatoria, once more displaying his adeptness for exploiting our manful immaturities.

    • @hansjohannsen6722
      @hansjohannsen6722 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      It is the Ron Jeremy solution

  • @pimar5654
    @pimar5654 2 ปีที่แล้ว +297

    I can't understand how Matt Is able to pull of some Lines with such a straight face 😂

    • @lunacorvus3585
      @lunacorvus3585 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      The master of innuendo

    • @valandil7454
      @valandil7454 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Yeah I swear he's doing it on purpose, it's Ronnie Barker level word association 😂

    • @TheTallGuyNamedNat
      @TheTallGuyNamedNat 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Practice, lots of it lol.

    • @VulpeRenard
      @VulpeRenard 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      The slightest smile is visible immediately following "So if you've got a problem with the flop, trying grabbing halfway up the shaft."

    • @thomaswilkinson3241
      @thomaswilkinson3241 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That is easy. You talk and bring across the Point, analysis and interpretation is the listener's thing.

  • @matthewmitchell6001
    @matthewmitchell6001 2 ปีที่แล้ว +67

    This is pure gold. Matt deserves recognition for being able to keep a straight face. And just being awesome

  • @jodyroane4219
    @jodyroane4219 2 ปีที่แล้ว +204

    See the trade off with colossal swords is that you can defeat unskilled enemies pretty easily and without any real risk of dying do to the stagger on hit. But bosses typically do not get staggered from taking a hit and they will likely have a an even bigger weapon to stagger you with.

    • @redumulis2448
      @redumulis2448 2 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      Genuinely the only reason to use them is for aesthetics. But just as engravings, this gives you no tactical advantage. If you're wanting range you'd use a spear or a bow.

    • @entropicking6007
      @entropicking6007 2 ปีที่แล้ว +42

      Yes and using a good ash of war like lionclaw to poise through attacks is very necessary.

    • @crestfallenwarrior5719
      @crestfallenwarrior5719 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Thats why you should use rapiers for their sweet critical damage, fast attack speed and range, especially the Estoc. A Longsword would be combine more damage with a better moveset or the Balder Side Sword, which is a combination of a Rapier and a Longsword. Faster, longer, better.

    • @robertminnie782
      @robertminnie782 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Someone's been playing too much Elden Ring lol

    • @Troglor048
      @Troglor048 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I am maidenless. Cannot level up even with runes... 😔😔

  • @32Omicron32
    @32Omicron32 2 ปีที่แล้ว +141

    Amazing! 26 minutes of talking about blade length and rigidity and never once a statement that could be misconstrued as innuendo or sexualized by being taken out of context. Such sentences like "The stiffer the better..." and "not only do you have a very very long grip" never once made me titter or say "that's what she said". I feel like I was missing something before this video, a void of information you might say. Matt is clearly a master of inserting his long floppy sword into all of our collective gaping holes. Thanks!

    • @kevinsmith9013
      @kevinsmith9013 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      fucking brilliant

    • @hic_tus
      @hic_tus 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      this is because you have a dirty mind, any swordsman timorous of god wouldn't think about such blasphemous things :P

    • @Senriam
      @Senriam 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You had me in the first half, not gonna lie

  • @MrMetalhorse
    @MrMetalhorse 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Just reinforce your sword with a blue titanite chunk to help you make it harder.

  • @Gabrielnfs
    @Gabrielnfs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    The innuendo potential with such a theme for a video is enormous

    • @grumpyzebra4450
      @grumpyzebra4450 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      One might even say, girthy.

    • @ED-es2qv
      @ED-es2qv 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      It’s hard to follow, though. I need to bone up on my vocabulary.

  • @Troupe_Master
    @Troupe_Master 2 ปีที่แล้ว +185

    No point in having a massive sword if it isn't hard

    • @ED-es2qv
      @ED-es2qv 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      It still impresses everyone that sees it, as long as you aren’t trying to stick them with it.

    • @Daveed56
      @Daveed56 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      age old problem with massive "swords"........ hard on both ends, soft in the middle

    • @dimesonhiseyes9134
      @dimesonhiseyes9134 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Story of My Life

    • @GunterThePenguinHatesHugs
      @GunterThePenguinHatesHugs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@dimesonhiseyes9134 😂😂😂

    • @asmith7876
      @asmith7876 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Floppy has never been used in a good way, has it? LOL

  • @nothanks7567
    @nothanks7567 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Depending on your build id recommend either normal Zweihander +15 or Chaos Zweihander

  • @lefthandedhemawithlordrami8220
    @lefthandedhemawithlordrami8220 2 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    Great to bring up. In Godinho and Figareydo, following through limits the "flop" created by a quick change of direction. However a technique ignored is that the cut must maintain edge alignment throughout the cut to not present the flat to an opponents weapon. Personally I learned about this issue in a rapier tournament, where someone using a 45in blade versus my 36in blade I was able to find the "Sweet spot" on his blade and with a hard beat attack, I was able to get him to lose control due to the wobble and sucessesfully thrust and hit him. But also I will soon be reviewing the new Blackfencer Synthetic Montante, and that wobble is a legitimate issue if you have poor technique.

  • @pilgrim42
    @pilgrim42 2 ปีที่แล้ว +82

    HIGHLIGHTS:
    "As soon as you stick something even bigger, beefier, and meatier in their hands they get pretty excited".
    "Ideally we'd all like a really stiff weapon wouldn't we? The stiffer the better in most circumstances."
    “The first [problem]…is penetration. If you’ve got a floppy weapon it is difficult..”
    “If you’re trying to get good penetration stiffness is always beneficial.”
    “It really comes down to thickness”

    • @ctrlaltdebug
      @ctrlaltdebug 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      "thicker is stiffer in most cases"

    • @ebreshea
      @ebreshea 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      "If you're having a problem with the flop, try grabbing halfway up the shaft"

    • @mRibbons
      @mRibbons 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      "..but this massive size does come with some issues."

  • @zuhalter0071
    @zuhalter0071 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    The angle of the dangle is directly proportional to the heat of the beat!

    • @pilgrim42
      @pilgrim42 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Sounds like Randy Marsh.

  • @enjoythestruggle
    @enjoythestruggle 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    'If you've got a problem with the flop, try grabbing halfway up the shaft.' Even Matt cracked up a little at that one. xD

  • @kavemanthewoodbutcher
    @kavemanthewoodbutcher 2 ปีที่แล้ว +81

    My daughter and I really enjoyed this video. She's too young to understand why I was laughing so hard all through it.

  • @TacDyne
    @TacDyne 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very well presented. I have more years behind a great sword than probably anyone else on this planet, 32 years total, and must say you got this right.
    On point 1, The energy from the bowing blade increases, and if you maintain your pressure and whatever forward momentum you had while your opponent maintains his, someone will have that built up energy released upon them and get knocked back, if not knocked down. I've even had it happen with a schlager that struck bone and bowed. It bowed clear into a half circle and then I went back and down. neither I, nor the guy wielding it doing the thrust, had noticed the blunt come off. That hurt about as bad as being shot! So yeah, that energy is not lost and can still work highly in your favor.
    On point 2, it is pretty much impossible to have a "direct straight cut". Due to the wobble, it, well, wobbles regardless of how in line you are. If you are out of alignment enough degrees the wobble will cause the weapon to use that bowed energy to jump out of your hands. The handle will bend before the blade if your weapon is proper spring steel and wasn't treated like the rest of the blade.
    On point 3, please stop wasting so much energy for parrying. Use simple wrist flick motions for upper body and head blocks and a quick extending, or straightening, of the elbows for leg and knee blocks. This also applies to spear combat... well, any combat really. You will exhaust yourself much too early.
    On point 4, half swording is great for street fights when your opponents are unarmored and are using all sorts of improvised weapons. I never actually found it all that useful in great sword on great sword dueling. I've seen a lot of people use it who absolutely love it, and that's great. So if you find yourself not having any success with half swording, try not using it.
    On point 5, YES! Handles do wear out too fast. :( Also, I never have liked rat tails. Tapering down to a tiny bolt is enraging, because it exacerbates the handle issue. And then there is the complete neglect blacksmiths show for the handle steel. I have never liked blacksmiths who do not treat the handle the same way as the blade. They bend when you hit at even small angles due to not being properly quenched and tempered. Sure, go ahead and heat it up to 560-580 to temper the handle. Whatever, but just DO IT! instead of leaving it normalized.

  • @mose717
    @mose717 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I had to stop the video for a bit when he said 'If you're trying to get good penetration stiffness is always beneficial'.

  • @zakjumah
    @zakjumah 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    The sheer amount of double entendre in your videos is honestly mind boggling at times XD

  • @maninalift
    @maninalift 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Even if you scale up the weapon in all dimensions it will become more floppy.
    It's a bit complicated but essentially, the strength scales with the cross sectional area (length squared) and the mass scales with the volume (length cubed), so a structure that is scaled up by a factor of two has half of the strength to weight ratio.

    • @ieuanhunt552
      @ieuanhunt552 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Square cube law is a fickle bitch isn't it

  • @cillianbrand3610
    @cillianbrand3610 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    When you’ve got a dagger but it’s still floppy 😔

  • @plsdontbanmeagainyoulibtards
    @plsdontbanmeagainyoulibtards 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    4:28 "you simply can't have something of this size, that is of a weildable weight, and always make it stiff."
    oh man, story of my life right there

  • @victorng2789
    @victorng2789 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Truly impressed with Matt getting through the whole video with a (mostly) straight face.

  • @nevisysbryd7450
    @nevisysbryd7450 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks, and very well-timed. I am currently working with Kvetun on a two-handed sword, so this is definitely pertinent information for me

  • @thomasholmes8458
    @thomasholmes8458 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    "That thing was too big to be called a sword. Too big, too thick, too heavy, and too rough, it was more like a large hunk of iron."

  • @Punx63
    @Punx63 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Got to add the Nodachi/Odachi in this too they could be rather long too. Lets not forget how the Claymore great sword was also.

  • @JakobDrawitsch
    @JakobDrawitsch 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    On the issue of thrusting with a floppy blade: In epee fencing, where the blade is specifically made to bend so that your opponent won't get hurt you still have to take care that your blade is pre-bent. Because the thrust of a straight epee blade can absolutely shatter your clavicle. Again: These blades are not supposed to hurt and they are supposed to bend. So Yeah I'd expect a long blade to still be pretty good at thrusting.

    • @Victor83113
      @Victor83113 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Giggidy

    • @francescofavro8890
      @francescofavro8890 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      yeah, but that's sport fencing, the video was focusing on historical blades.

    • @JakobDrawitsch
      @JakobDrawitsch 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@francescofavro8890 I don't see how that matters for my point

    • @francescofavro8890
      @francescofavro8890 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@JakobDrawitsch because you said that epees are specifically made to bend, while matt was talking about two-handed swords bending, so it's not really relevant.
      It's like if i say that a restaurant puts too much salt in their potatoes and you come in and say "well, sausages are specifically made with a lot of salt to preserve them".
      which would be a true statement, but we were talking about another thing.

    • @JakobDrawitsch
      @JakobDrawitsch 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@francescofavro8890 That's not at all similar to what I'm saying. My point is that a floppy blade on a sword made to kill probably won't be that detrimental when even in cases where it's *supposed* to be detrimental it still won't be and might shatter bones if you don't take care to manually pre-bend the blade.
      To put it simply:
      Even bendy epee blades will hurt and not bend if untreated even though that's *not* what they're supposed to do --> bendy zweihänder will probably be even (a lot) better at applying harmful stabs because that's what they *are* supposed to do
      Going into speculation I reccon that even if a zweihänder isn't better and just as good as an epee sword at applying pressure to a point without bending (maybe you want to argue that the greater length outweighs the thickness and lack of pre-bend) then the fact alone that it's actually sharp should make it potent enough. But as I said, that's just speculation without anything to back it up.

  • @whiskeytangosierra6
    @whiskeytangosierra6 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I carry small Olights on both keychains, and have several larger models for other uses. One thing to look for in the larger models is a strobe function. Detractors to the contrary, a bright strobe in the face will startle an intruder at the very least, and all you really should need is to put them off their stride.
    From personal experience, a pack of coyotes will find someplace else to be if you blast them with a strobe.

  • @jasonpike9626
    @jasonpike9626 2 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Even if you "just scaled up" a sword it would still be weaker in proportion to its length and to and especially in proportion to its own weight. That'a' precisely why you can't scale up a flea to the size of a human and have it jump over buildings. It would intsead be crushed under its own weight. It's essentially a matter of geometry - scaled up, a sword twice the length has eight times the mass but only 4 times the cross sectional area. so that's 16 times the torsion for only 4 times the cross sectional area so 4 times as much torsion per square millimetre.

    • @DavidSmith-vr1nb
      @DavidSmith-vr1nb 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Don Sample said the same thing a day before you, albeit with less maths.

    • @antaresmc4407
      @antaresmc4407 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      No, that's actually not true, it is not the same phenomenom as supporting weight/thrust.
      The amount if force thrown in is the same, the same human is pushing on it, but a bigger sword has more leverage (which scales linearly), so you gotta make it proportionally thicker (its about stiffness, not strength, so its not about area vs mass, but force on the lever vs stiffness).
      If mass and area had anything to do here, making it thicker wouldnt help (thicker neans more area but also more mass, both proportionally), and obviously thicker means stiffer...

    • @manwithballsonarm6775
      @manwithballsonarm6775 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@antaresmc4407 actually it's mass × weight × length of the shaft ÷ yaw

    • @MarkSmith-ki7jj
      @MarkSmith-ki7jj 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Actually it's mass x diameter + (weight ÷ girth), divided by the angle of the tip squared

    • @manwithballsonarm6775
      @manwithballsonarm6775 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@MarkSmith-ki7jj Putain mentuer!

  • @acethesupervillain348
    @acethesupervillain348 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Speaking of floppy penetration, I spent some time looking into Chinese spears trying to figure out when they started using flexible wood shafts, and it seems like it started much earlier than you would think, even around the Tang Dynasty, possibly as far back as the Han dynasty. (it seems that there was a different Chinese word for "rigid spear" and "floppy spear" or at least, that's one interpretation of why they had multiple words for "spear" at the time, bearing in mind that so did we, "spear", "pike", "lance" etc) It could mean that these floppy penetrators weren't as bad as we assume. The tradeoff that we assume they got from floppier flexible wood is that the shafts were more durable, so they could block blows or slam them into shields without fear of snapping. I think hook spears were also more prevalent than has been remembered, so the flexible wood shafts might have something to do with hooking too.

    • @fatterperdurabo42069
      @fatterperdurabo42069 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I think it's also genuinely more frightening to be opposed by and creates a harder to fight against weapon, as even ostensibly blocking the thing can still result in you getting cut or stabbed by a wildly flailing spearblade

    • @DeadlyPlatypus
      @DeadlyPlatypus ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The less rigid wood also acts a little like a shock absorber.
      A piece of hard oak forces your hands and arms to absorb all of the impact vibrations, whereas fir wobbles some of those vibration out. Of course, this is ONLY an advantage when the shock is unavoidable. Otherwise, the flexibility actually induces vibrations.
      However, "impact vibrations" absorbed by softwood are more harsh and cause nerve pain, whereas "whipping vibrations" caused by the same wood are just tiring. The opposite is true for hardwoods. In battle, I'd rather be able to feel my fingers and have more faith in the longevity of my weapon than stay fresh early on but end up with a broken spear after 30 seconds. You can more easily alter how you fight to conserve energy than you can immediately replace your weapon.

  • @jlatzke
    @jlatzke 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This might be the most entertaining video I've ever seen on TH-cam. I'm going to wait until my wife gets home and show it to her. Bravo.

  • @simondean5227
    @simondean5227 2 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    It seems to me like having a single edged blade would be especially beneficial in two handed swords due to their tendency to be stiffer than double edged swords at equal width and weight

    • @UH1Phil
      @UH1Phil 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Like cavalry sabres, O-katanas, and some large Talwars, to name a few across the world. They existed :D

    • @simondean5227
      @simondean5227 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@UH1Phil I'm talking about two handed swords in the sense of swords that are 5ft plus

    • @UH1Phil
      @UH1Phil 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@simondean5227 Then there are the Nodachi/Odachi samurai swords which are basically 5ft+ katanas. These were used in battle, it seems.

    • @UH1Phil
      @UH1Phil 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@simondean5227 Oh, also, the chinese Miaodao/Dandao.

  • @coadyedwards6710
    @coadyedwards6710 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "If you're trying to get good penetration, Stiffness is always beneficial" fucking killed me

  • @akizeta
    @akizeta 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You're a better man than I am. I could never have gotten through this script without breaking down into giggles.

  • @draunt7
    @draunt7 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Was randomly interested in the subject and saw the ad for O-light. I hate ads, but I actually bought an O-light a year or so ago, and I can't recommend it hard enough. It's my go-to gift at this point for everyone. It's incredible and fits my EDC. It's almost a self-defense weapon if you suddenly flash it into someone's eyes given how powerful it is, and it has incredible battery life + a magnetic back to mount to surfaces.

  • @starchitin
    @starchitin 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Usually, I don't catch onto Matt's double entendres until I read the comments.... this time, though, I was laughing like Beavis and Butthead the whole way though the vid....

  • @steveborgresistance8310
    @steveborgresistance8310 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have a cold steel great sword that I broke the pommel off from heavy chopping, welded it back together and still a good tool. So yes that length affects the hilt! ⚔ Keep up the great work 🤠🇺🇸

  • @stormiewutzke4190
    @stormiewutzke4190 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    The formula for thickness to stiffness is doubling the width will double the weight and stiffness where as doubling the width will add 8 times the stiffness for the same weight. A blade is already a complex shape and requires both material science and engineering. The thinner the blade is at any point the better it will cut and pass through material is the basic principle. Then comes structural integrity based off if interested use. Once you get into sword blades it becomes even more complex since you are adding in shock with high hardness materials and bending loads. Then you have to add in performance of both how the blade handles and weight for energy transfer and stiffness.
    Basically the intended use is beyond what the materials provide. Because of that there will have to be compromise in the design. This is something that can be hard for people to understand and they expect a tool to hold up no matter how they use it. This is where skill comes in and ideally the user has a high degree of skill and the tool or weapon has been designed in a way to allow him to use the tool i in an optimal way. Thats kinda dry but it comes down to understanding the tool or weapon and how it works so they can use it as effectively as possible. I like to break skills down to the elements involved and what is required to perform a task. I find it help to understand techniques rather then just memorizing them.

    • @joelvirolainen590
      @joelvirolainen590 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Seems like the handle is a perfect place to put a damper to deaden the oscillation. You'd need the handle to vibrate at let's say double the frequency of the tang, so the handle would bash against the tang regularly and kill off the vibration. A metal tube in the handle could probably do it if the dimensions were right.
      Then again, why not a thicker tang?

  • @risingSisyphus
    @risingSisyphus 2 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Lol the thumbnail

    • @texasbeast239
      @texasbeast239 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      His Schwartz is definitely bigger than yours/ours.

  • @ShuajoX
    @ShuajoX 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The nodachi (and the miao dao's ancestor, the chang dao) somewhat solves this by having a thick blade, but at the cost of weight.

  • @BarokaiRein
    @BarokaiRein 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    My girlfriend told me that while massive swords can make you excited when you first grip them they're rarely practical and if they're floppy then all of that size is kinda wasted potential.

  • @romxxii
    @romxxii 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Scottish Claymores/Greatswords in Forged in Fire had this problem for a while: the smiths would almost invariably make them too thin, so they'd flex when attempting to swing at a pig carcass. Ben Abbott finally broke the streak and made one that could cut through a pig.

  • @BlackSalami27
    @BlackSalami27 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just barely found your channel, and gotta say.. ur a badass. I LOVE medieval/older weaponry and learned A LOT. insta subbed.

  • @TheDecoyDude
    @TheDecoyDude 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like how he explains this as though we live in the 16th century. Really helps me figure out what sword I need to fight a battle in 2022😂

  • @jordanespinosa2508
    @jordanespinosa2508 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    It generally is ideal to have a stiffer sword, with a solid, rounded butt for support on the thrust.

  • @danshabash
    @danshabash 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I do recall trying to do a wide cut from below with a cheap two-hander, and the thing flopped to the side massively and nearly caught the back of my foot. Another point against floppy blades - you can nick your legs with em if not careful.

  • @M60E3MG
    @M60E3MG 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It’s a relief that I’m not the only one with a juvenile sense of humor.

  • @jeroekoe
    @jeroekoe 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    thanks for making people aware of this.. i almost was going to buy a zweihander just for selfprotection when i take the metro

  • @fredbarnes2600
    @fredbarnes2600 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I actually saw a bladesmith on Forged in Fire lose because the claymore he made was so light and flexible it didn't transfer enough energy to cut, in fact it wrapped around the carcass being used for the test

  • @mikesands4681
    @mikesands4681 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    you kept a straight face using the terms floppy and stiff all the way through. very professional. :D

  • @Eckister
    @Eckister 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    23:50 very true, this is exactly what has happened to my practice longsword. I COULD still use it for non-contact practice, since another member of the club I used to practice at welded it back together, but its actual fencing days are done. :-(

  • @superrobotmonkeyhyperteamf3194
    @superrobotmonkeyhyperteamf3194 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I assume that this is one of the reasons many later greatswords especially in the HRE look somewhat different. Couldnt handle one of them yet but i feel like they would be stiffer and the cutting part would then be hammered out to be thinner while the rest has a thicker spine. Would also explain why their blades widen toward the tip.
    And since theyre often somewhat more heavier on average compared to more "civilian" variants it could be because of the reason of floppiness. Seems to be supported by the depictions where often soldiers would carry swords that have quite the broad blades assumable also heavier.

  • @Asgath
    @Asgath 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Just tested for my sword for floppiness. Can confirm :(

  • @christopherpie8559
    @christopherpie8559 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    To be fair, two of those are practice swords, which probably are made to flex more than battlefield-ready ones.

  • @skydivingcomrade1648
    @skydivingcomrade1648 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I cannot commit without laughing 🤣

  • @bigt6889
    @bigt6889 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    You deserve a medal for keeping a straight face during that lol

  • @vaximillian9460
    @vaximillian9460 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    “if you’ve got a problem with the flop, try grabbing half-way up the shaft”

  • @trev6783
    @trev6783 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Maybe you could comment on the effectiveness of a short stroke vs a long stroke. Can a short stroke penetrate deep enough to reach vital spots or is the long stroke absolutely necessary. I imagine blade length affects your stroke length and thus change the overall effectiveness. Thoughts?

  • @maestre97
    @maestre97 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "(...) As soon as you stick something even bigger, beefier and meaty in their hands, they get pretty exited usually, I find, I certainly do (...)" LOL

  • @jk-qe3jj
    @jk-qe3jj 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    "the stiffer the better, in most circumstances"
    I rather like my weapon floppy in most circumstances. If I walk around with a stiff weapon, people look at me funny.

  • @snarkywriter1317
    @snarkywriter1317 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I wonder if the differences in materials and metallurgy between modern replica blades and the originals would have an effect? Probably wouldn't be major, but it'd be interesting to explore that.

    • @kylewilliams8114
      @kylewilliams8114 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I bet the tempering may be TOO uniform in newer blades, without enough shock absorbing softer steel. But that's also probably why they're floppy.

    • @ngaese
      @ngaese 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      you can also mitigate this by making the blade wider and/or starting thicker and using more distil taper along the blade. lots of big swords were also decently wide for a reason but it also effects weight a lot, and we certainly have a preference for lighter and slimmer blades these days

  • @MaxSafeheaD
    @MaxSafeheaD 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was so interesting. Many things to consider. Thank you for making this =)

  • @johneverett3947
    @johneverett3947 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was one of the funnest videos I’ve seen in awhile. Well done. Made me feel like a kid again. 😂😂

  • @sayasakisaka7609
    @sayasakisaka7609 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Mine is quite rigid and also absurdly heavy; it's a Zweihander from Ritter Steel. I really do love it very much, but holy hell, does it take a different technique to wield than lighter Zweihanders I've wielded. Overall, I do prefer the heavier blade by personal taste, but I can see where it wouldn't be very pragmatic in many situations. Love the channel, this video is awesome, gives me some stuff to think about

  • @therealkillerb7643
    @therealkillerb7643 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I actually had to pause the video and look at the posting date, twice, to make sure that this wasn't an April Fools joke. This was brilliant!

  • @frankharr9466
    @frankharr9466 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    O.K. That all makes sense. I would also suggest that if something is busy vibrating, then you're not goign to be able to move precisely. And it seems that if half-swording can be used to make a blade functionally stiffer, then if you start OUT with a stiff-ish blade, it's even better.

  • @zennsteel3852
    @zennsteel3852 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wauw, the innuendo is real, just so funny to see you do this with a straight face lol

  • @donsample1002
    @donsample1002 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Even if you scale up all the proportions, you end up with a proportionally weaker sword, for its mass. Mass scales with the cube of size, while strength scales with the square of the size.

    • @WingMaster562
      @WingMaster562 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What was the formula again? Inverse square law?

    • @DavidSmith-vr1nb
      @DavidSmith-vr1nb 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@WingMaster562 Square-cube law.

    • @WingMaster562
      @WingMaster562 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@DavidSmith-vr1nb thanks~

    • @luskarian4055
      @luskarian4055 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Laughs in lightsabers

  • @tommyblackwell3760
    @tommyblackwell3760 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    My inner 5yr old was giggling the whole time, but I learned a lot all the same. Thanks, Matt!

  • @takumamedia
    @takumamedia 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello Matt! Thank you as ever for your commitment and content! Lots of friendliness from Tokyo :)

  • @devon8438
    @devon8438 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The stance, the title, the rubbery pink grip. This is art

  • @texasbeast239
    @texasbeast239 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    "Now won't you wobble wobble?
    Let me see you shake it, shake it
    Now won't you drop it, drop it?
    Ooh, take it, take it" 🎶

  • @geariah
    @geariah 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I did like scotish claymores and german zwei handers when I was younger but does estocs suffer from the same problems? I thought they were more of a thrusting sword so shouldn't handle thrusting a bit better? granted they aren't as large as some of the other ones

  • @titanscerw
    @titanscerw 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Seriously Matt, are you able teach this to live ppl with straight face! Glorious performance, sir!

  • @andersbenke3596
    @andersbenke3596 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Would it be possible with traditional grip materials (worldwide) to make a grip that would be (far) more flop-resistant?

  • @Krishnaeternal
    @Krishnaeternal 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I keep re-watching this. Pure gold.🤣

  • @LuxisAlukard
    @LuxisAlukard 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    So many life saving advices!

  • @manfredconnor3194
    @manfredconnor3194 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Matt, you covered a point here that I always wondered about. A kenjitsu master, that I know once told me that some of the Chinese Dao were made with a very thin floppy blade, because it assisted in cutting. That always seemed counter-intuitive to me because of the blade-alignment or "floppy-problem", but you mentioned that the thin blade can pass through things as if they are not there.
    If you are "in" the cut, in other words if you have gotten into the target, does a floppy blade aid in cutting, perhaps by wobbling around and helping to widen the cut?

  • @robinthrush9672
    @robinthrush9672 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Tactical flashlights are also good for self-defense. The light at those lumens is blinding and will give you an opening to run away without accidentally injuring a friend and you can use the flashlight body as a knuckle brace or cut with the edge on a punch; depending on light design.

    • @ieuanhunt552
      @ieuanhunt552 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      a really bright strobe light can be very disorientating.
      I don't know if those flashlights have that as an option

    • @robinthrush9672
      @robinthrush9672 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ieuanhunt552 He said it's over 2000, 800+ is painfully bright depending on distance.

  • @stormiewutzke4190
    @stormiewutzke4190 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The iron used in traditional swords would also have helped because of the stress risers involved and the harmonics that can be a problem with breaking. The way stress affects the handle area makes it one of the problem areas for sword makers.

  • @El-Burrito
    @El-Burrito 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "If you're trying to get good penetration, stiffness is crucial" what a quote

  • @kingodysseas
    @kingodysseas 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very interesting. Thanks!

  • @ebreshea
    @ebreshea 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Matt says stiffness is preferable, but he's mostly talking about stiffness imparted by (proportionately) more material and shouldn't be confused with the balance between hardness and toughness of the blade.

  • @curtisbailey78
    @curtisbailey78 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Would be great if you could team up with someone who has a hi-speed camera so you could demonstrate & capture some of these issues in slow-mo.

  • @mikoajpietrych6168
    @mikoajpietrych6168 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    the tang thing makes me very curious about naginata and nagamaki, since they both have rather substensial tangs

  • @tinyrogue1320
    @tinyrogue1320 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    cool video; i always love a good vid about martial weapons :)

  • @Intranetusa
    @Intranetusa 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video about massive swords!

  • @tristanr320
    @tristanr320 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Definitely noticeable with my Sigi Feder XL
    The question is, what was the common blade profile on longer swords and do sharps flop as much as sparring safe versions? What about flamberge zweihander?

    • @thor498
      @thor498 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Probably even more

  • @kevinsmith9013
    @kevinsmith9013 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "It's very easy to get excited by massive swords"
    So. Much. To. Unpack.
    But yes, yes it is.

  • @zoichikanoe6242
    @zoichikanoe6242 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Matt. At 17:48 I do believe and think, and saw, that parrying with a longsword from mid, mid upper section, can and will be a disaster not only to the cutting edge, as you said, being severely damaged but about another two factor:
    First is that if you stop the sword coming towards you, or as you said, hit it with yours (even worst), to parry the incoming attack. The force between impact point and top half/ top of the sword will be me monstrous, acting as lever between impact point and top, so longer the blade, later the top will follow the impacting force movement, because of this it can very often bent it or more common twist the blade permanently with the vibration/floppy effect that would not dissipate properly and surpass the shape-recovery speed of the steel.
    Second and way worst, both swords, by impacting on both cutting edges, will acts as chisels each one and enlarge/extend the blade due to the blade deformation by two small hard surfaces impacting with strength, in this case it's better if it chips completely than push the material toward the blade spine, if the material doesn't have elongation elasticity (which for an tempered blade is not high) it will greatly increase its chances to break or weaken/cripple the blade permanently by creating a weak structure on that elongated tendency (that force remains and tries to push the rest of the structure) that would just love to create a failure (cracks) on another impact.

  • @edward9674
    @edward9674 2 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    If you have trouble keeping your sword straight and true then there's a certain thing blacksmiths can prescribe.

  • @mak_x1785
    @mak_x1785 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes people often have trouble handling my large floppy sword they find it much easier to handle when it’s stiff

  • @christopher7539
    @christopher7539 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'm two minutes in, and already getting strange looks from my wife

  • @kingTutsFoodhut
    @kingTutsFoodhut 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    How is this not a sound bit being used somewhere. It's absolutely gold. 🤣🤣
    Great vid tho

  • @strydyrhellzrydyr1345
    @strydyrhellzrydyr1345 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow.. what a good light

  • @HappyCupsInc
    @HappyCupsInc 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a 26 minute long innuendo. Perfection.