A "little" addition about bardiche use in Russia in the 16-17th centuries (mainly in the 17th): 1. Bardiche is mostly associated with streltsy - nowadays, it is a part of the "classic streltsy image". But they started being issued bardiches only after the Time of troubles. And it wasn't "a standard weapon" - every prikaz (regiment) was supposed to have 1000 men - 800 with sabres and muskets and only 200 with bardiches and muskets. 2. The use of bardiche as a musket rest, at least regarding streltsy, is very questionable and most likely is a 19th-century invention. First, all streltsy were issued traditional "fork-like" musket rests, even those who were issued with bardiches. Second, the only known mention of the practice in period sources was from the HRE ambassador to Moscow in 1670s - it was shown to him by honour guard stationed at his residence. 3. As for their use as "assault weapons," it was the other way around. Streltsy largely avoided engagements in the open field and tried to rely on field fortifications and wagon forts whenever possible. Bardiche was seen as a great weapon for defending such fortifications, but for assaulting enemy fortifications, it was seen as inferior to a sabre as it required more space. 4. There is a "training manual" (a book for officers on what to teach their men) for streltsy from the 1660s. There is a lot about firearms manipulation, formations, field engineering, and some sabre exercises, but on bardiche, the book basically goes: "Don't bother - they'll figure it out". Given the intended use case - "to cleave a man climbing over a wagon" - it makes sense =) 5. As for "cheap to make" - 100% true. In the 17th century, bardiche was the only weapon that didn't have any standards for the quality of the metal - a blacksmith could make it from whatever crap he found and still sell it to the government. 6. Bardiches disappeared from the Russian army surprisingly quickly: in 1696, they were used en masse, but they were not mentioned in regimental inventories at all by 1702.
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@@Temeluchas excellent background info man... these are sweet insights...thx a lot!
Interesting info! I think that they were much more common among Polish "musketeers" and bardiches were an often sight. Maybe it's the usual stuff - everything remotely eastern is confused by people in the west.
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@@jacekczuba4145 That's why I generalized a bit about the entire Eastern European region... I didn't want to commit myself to specific nations, I don't have the knowledge for that at the moment :)
@@jacekczuba4145, not in this case. The image of a strelets as a guy in a red kaftan with a bardiche originated in Russia in the mid-19th century, during a surge in interest in "pre-Peter the Great Russia". Bardiche was a perfect pick for this image: 1) It is clearly different from the "western standard" 2) Let's be honest - bardiche looks much cooler than any other European 17th century battlefield weapon =)
Well, it onyly get in after the "Smuta", becouse of Polish influence. Specyfically, Hungarian style infantry, Implemented by Elected king From Hungary, stelar reformist, Stefan Batory. There, the axe as gun support is typicall. And, that King has held Ivan the Terible at bay, during his regin. A typicall misperception for the region, but convinient for Imperial eyes.
Some other things you could use the bardiche for: a boat oar, a shovel, a razor for shaving, a really big knuckle duster, a tennis racket… a fly swatter?
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@@polymathart double handed knuckleduster... made my day^^
These videos are of big delight and interest for me. I have a story I one day hope to make into a video game (or more) with as a protagonist a monstrous, old-looking bearded creature wielding a pollaxe-type weapon. Part of why I made him is to have a character defy the idea of axe wielders being brutes with no finesse, so seeing axe techniques in practice gives good reference for the types of movements possible. Duly appreciate the videos.
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I'm very excited about that...then I highly recommend you take a look at my hellebarden videos... i have one with all the techniques in a row...maybe this will also help you with your project. Good progress!
Mount&Blade has this weapon. every time I see this thing sticking out of the enemy's formation in a siege, it always scares me out. It can remove shields very effectively.
So, when it comes to the popularisation of bardiche in Eastern Europe there are very few sources proving their use there before the Early Modern Era. It seems it was the Hungarians, more specifically Haiduk infantry were the first to adopt bardiches as a combination of polearm and gun rest. From Hungary their use spread to Poland (Commonwealth) and then to Muscovy. At least this is what I can gather from the sources. As for the use, there are examples of bardishes used against pike formation (to push aside and cut/break pikes). One example comes from the Battle of Lubieszow 1577 where Hungarian haiduks managed to use bardishes to do exactly that against Landsknechts. I ma not sure about bardiche status as a symbol of authority. It definitely wasn't one in Hungary (Transylvania) or the Commonwealth. So I imagine you are referring to Muscovy. P.S. Great video BTW. I already learned a great deal from your videos.
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@@Velesus101 Really nice info here mate... seems like the story of the bardiche is not over. So much potential for more videos :D
Oh yes, there is a lot of fragmentary information about them scattered between diaries, letters, and some army regulations. Since Austria both used and fought against Hungarian troops in the Early Modern Era there should be some useful Austrian sources out there.
@@Velesus101 either use historically correct terms (which in this case would be Russian Tsardom, since streltsy as regular military force were established by Ivan IV) or blanket "Russia". No need for polish barbarisms.
excellent video, outtof all the axe shapes the bardiche looks most comfortable to me for some reason, maybe because that big curve gives alot of cutting area. I never thought how good it would be for stabbing, your demonstration makes that very clear!
I'm a bit surprised at the length of the pole. I expected the length to be somewhat longer. I understand that there was no standard length and many variations existed, but it does not appear to give any advantage in reach over a man with a one-handed weapon, just more power perhaps. A very interesting and thorough presentation, as usual.
Very good presentation, for a weapon that does not have any instruction on use. To me it seems that it was more fit with troops engaged in policing territory and bodyguarding than actual combat situations. I may be wrong, but this is the impresion given by its length
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It seems they getting longer in a formation...my axe in the vid is basically too short for me^^
Russian infantry didn't fight like European one - in tight formation, in combination of pikemen and musketeers. In Russian infantry, every solider had a musket and they were fighting from a vagenburg - a mobile fortress made from reinforced vagons and stationary shields. So they didn't need any long polearms in order to defend themselves from the cavalry, and these battleaxes (along with sabers) were basically a self-defense weapon, used when the enemy infantry was storming a fortified position
Reminds me of when I went to Istanbul and saw the janissary reenactors wielding them too. It seems they were also utilized in the middle east and possibly inspired some indo-persian axes as a result of contact with the ottomans.
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@@genghiskhan6809 Cool to know! Thx for the insights...reminds to do a vid about a Samshir
Apparently you can tell Russian and Turkish bardiches apart by the shape of the eye. Russian ones are usually triangular, Turkish ones are usually round.
No way! I've always been interested in whether pre Peter the Great Russia had some kind of domestic signature weapon apart from the Berdysh and/or style of using it. So far I found nothing apart from a half-mythical saying referring to saber fencing which states that "...Polish cuts crosswize and Muskovite cuts downwards..". Maybe this will shed some light. Thank you!
Obviously an excellent example of a short thrusting weapon and overall fearsome sight from the business end! As is usual for you, an excellent presentation and narrative. Thank You so much for your video, Skal!
I mean it's obviously axe and even kind of a glaive, so trusting is not the best thing you can do with it, it's not what it was intended to do (mainly).
Seems like a match for a poleaxe, while being much more simple to construct. Love the Guten tag as a buttcap. Always great to gain some knowledge into history while getting to enjoy some medieval madness. Used to think these were odd weapons that were clunky looking but seeing it action shows how deadly practical they are. Good Show.
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@@warlordstrife6688 thx mate...it is pure fun to swing that thing
Not QUITE a match for a poleax or a halberd, but you could straighten the point slightly and add a beak to the back. This would yield something fully equivalent while still being cheaper and simpler to manufacture. Not sure why that was not done.
@@Ithirahadthere were a lot of variations and you could find an example where the toe was indeed made into a stabbing blade. There's also a late variant that looks exactly like the bardiche that Skallagrim has, that one seems to be good for stabbing. Another bardiche had a hook on it. But it probably wasn't done en masse because the users weren't supposed to actually fight in melee. Also, there is also an example of a double-headed bardiche. It is a monster.
A brilliant video, thank you! I do imagine that gripping the Bardiche in the area between the eye and where the beard meets the pole would allow some practical application as regards one handed use in combination with the buckler.
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@@dongkhamet1351 maybe...worth to do more investigations :)
I suppose I could experiment myself by holding my Yankee axe up by the head and seeing how she handles. I'm imagining something like a very heavy, oversized, sharp knuckleduster tactically speaking. If this is feasible then the other hand is free and the stance might find applications in a cramped melee or confined space. Just some thoughts. I am not a martial artist. [edit] the handle being in reverse grip and also potentially deployable.
The rounded guard at the bottom so you can choke your hand all the way up is a beautiful little construction on an amazing work-of-art of a weapon. Gorgeous piercework! How significant would all the holes be in lightening the weight of the weapon? They seem like they'd make the axe feel a little quicker than it looks, while still being devastating on the hew -- beautiful and practical! I appreciate the massive number of illustrations that you use throughout the video, and the overview of its history, spread, and the context of the historical use are all outstanding points to discuss when presenting a weapon. The handling continues to be excellent, the discussion on Meyer especially was fascinating! Very clean on the grip changes. The cuts and some of your motions reminded me of montante usage, as well as halberd; I wonder if wide cuts with your hands at the bottom like that might have been used as crowd-control or bodyguard manner in the same way that the sword could, but a halberd couldn't? Much food for thought. I think your interpretation of the general forms of its usage per Liechtenauer is entirely valid in demonstrating the inherent strengths and potential usages of the weapon. Using it with the buckler rocked, and I appreciate the showing the bardiche one-handed with the buckler just to sate the curiosity -- even if it's unsurprising reality, it's still good content and good fun! Thank you for the video!
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So many great comments...I immediately feel like making a second video. I get so much extra info, thoughts and ideas etc. that I would love to include now :)
A theory about off-hand forward: On the Bayeux tapestry Dane axes are held off hand forward (except for 1 example if I recall). A theory I've heard & agree with is that going so mean you sing the axe from your upper left downward which cuts towards your enemy's sword side instead of their shield side as would happen if one held the axe right hand forward & swung if from one's upper right downward.
One wonders if the attachment of the lower section of the blade was for strength (to spread out the impact stress from heavy blows) or to provide a different grip position with some hand protection as an addtional benefit. Perhaps it was both. It certainly seems like a well-thought out evolution of the longaxe, incorporating a lot of hard-earned lessons.
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Good question...I think mainly for the stabilization...for the hand protection the lower tip does not necessarily have to reach all the way to the staff and be firmly connected. I think they wanted as long an edge as possible and the leverage effect, especially with forces on the flanks, would simply be too much without a second support.
Most likely so that the thing doesn't fall apart when being swung and hit into things. Some forge made a video where they made a "bardiche" years ago. I showed to a re-enactor I know and he was spitting on it, explaining how they didn't actually rivet the secondary attachment point onto the haft and that the head would quickly fly off (they didn't rivet the head to the haft either in the video, if I recall correctly. Just a wedge)
@@pavelstaravoitau7106 I'm not so sure about that, given that weapons like the Dane axe, with quite a long cutting edge only had single points of attachment (and just a wedge - no rivet) yet persisted for centuries. If it was prone to 'falling apart' when smacked into shields, helms, etc. I suspect we'd have seen larger changes to the design (such as langets, riveting, etc) earlier. I think that Bjorn is correct and its more about lateral stabilization (for which a rivet would be unnecessary as the shaft would likely break first) of the even longer blade of the bardiche, than it is about overall strength and impact resistance.
@madaxe606 the Dane axe is smaller than the bardiche, so the secondary attachment point is not necessary. Stabilisation is probably more of a factor on the precursor and contemporary of the bardiche - the toporok. Which is essentially like a slightly larger Dane axe with a secondary attachment point.
I do use such weapon in similar manner, except for that powerful strike with both hands at the end. Found out IT works much better if you JUST leave your bottom hand after IT gets energy And hit one handed, then put that hand at the top position since the weapons swings towards IT.
Looking through Polish and Russian pages, it's called berdysz in both languages (berdish, no "a:" sound) Pol: berdysz, Rus: Бердыш (identical to Polish)
I recently got curious about these axes, informative video and and great demosteations! Quick question, eould you say holding it near the head and thrusting with the back spike is the most "viable" way to use this one handed in a pinch? Thanks for the interesting video
A fine presentation. You have the typical serious and stern countenance of a Nordic chap, but with your size, I would not want to meet you for fear of you tearing of my head just because my moustache was askew. You are by far the scariest scholar I have ever received or heard a lesson from.
Hi, Björn, thank you for the unique and great content. Could you please tell me how you found these pictoral sources of XIII cen. that depictes bardiches? Funny thing is, i'm doing my little research on western european polearms of High Middle Ages, the earliest stuff, and while i found quite a lot of good images, i haven't seen like almost all of your pictures)
Polish Haiduk infantry, yes I know they are of Hungarian origin. Are always depicted in modern images with bardiche. I find in most period art a quite plain utilitarian type axe with short handle was used instead as long a sabre firearm and likely a knife of some sort. They are seen but not nearly enough as depicted and probably a guardsmans weapon as it is perfectly suited to this role.
Like the halberd is kinda middleway from spear to axe, the bardiche [Бердыш*] is in-between of the Dane axe and the Kilij (turk heavy sabre with insane cutting ability). As a russian, I can say that originally this weapon's name is pronounced Bear'dysh (almost bear-dish, but with "ы" which sounds like "-y" in Tchaikovsky)
It would be possible to improve the spiked rear end on your example by adding a bent disk somewhat like at a ski pole. This would provide slipping protection for the main hand and aid in a more secure stance when using the weapon as a mono pod. Was something like this done?
A lot of people seem to prefer their dominant hand forward on pole arms other than spears. Any idea why some prefer one or the other?
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habit...intuitively every right-handed person picks up a weapon with the right hand first, no matter which one... it's the same with timing in fencing, you have to get used to not moving your body first but the weapon...some things and principles are just not intuitive...others are though :)
What do you think about using it upside down. Like an improvised "sword" or a batton with blade playing the role of a handguard. Specially with that short handle,and the spike. I know it's probably not the correct way but maybe it could work in a self defence situation.
Do you think the pronounced hook on the bardiche's axe blade could have possibly been used to try catch and control shields or polearm shafts? Some of your movements made me think of how two-handed swords sometimes portrayed as weapons used to break pike formations. Great dive into the history and fantastic demonstration!
I fought with a bardiche of similar pattern for years, and you're ABSOLUTELY right. We even did some demonstration fights against pikelines, and they can bind and sweep several polearm hafts in one move, great for levering open a hole in a formation
The weapon on its own isn't too interesting. It shines as a weapons rest for the arquebus/musket, and it gives the arquebusiers a way to defend themselves in meele, it's both cheaper and easier to learn than a sword, and it's a tool as you said, to hack down wood and create fortifications. This should've been explored in more detail, arquebus + bardiche are the AK of their time in terms of universal usefulness.
In Russia in the 17th century there was an interesting hybrid of a Bardiche with a musket. It looked like a musket with a huge Bardiche blade in place of the bayonet
Great video like the once on Halberd. One thing: there you are wielding the perfect tool in front of a hedge which is begging to get trimmed …. where is the Hanseatic sense of community? german efficiency? Also, if you are looking for more comments to boost the channel, include a random historical map of Eastern Europe and if you think you can handle it add the balkans for some pure gold and insight into the Conditio humana. Looking forward for more content on your channel!
In general, a battle axe, or anti-personnel axe, is going to be very thin and much more lightweight, and therefore not suited to chopping into wood, at least, no more so than a combat sword is. This is not to say that anti-wood axes were not also present on the battlefield, you can see 1800s Boarding Axes for exactly that kind of axe, but these axes are slow and clunky in comparison to swords and spears and would be at a disadvantage (heavy armor might negate this disadvantage, hard to say, if you can afford to take a hit and keep fighting). So when you say, "an axe can do this, an axe can do that," it is probably different axes doing different things.
Hello Bjorn, I have rather lengthy question about performance of "slash" weapons such as bardiche, Dane axe or even sword vs spear and pike. But let me explain myself first. Me and my friend are working on a modification called Realistic Battle Mod for videogame Mount and Blade Bannerlord. This is a pseudohistorical game that includes swords, spears and axes but also some early "slash" polearms and regular spears and pikes, the armours present in the game are ranging from cloth to primitive partial plate (brigandine / lamellar / scale over mail shirt). Most of battles in the game are mass fights of dozens to hundreds of troops. So, we have added kinetic energy and momentum damage model to that game, we have also added functional formation behaviour to the units. The problem is that long spears and pikes steamroll everything in formation vs formation scenario. On the other side, we know that shock troops were a thing historically and as you mentioned in this video yourself, weapons such as bardiche were used on battlefield. In addition, we have also added kind of stamina system to the game as well, so we have some options to give some advantage / disadvantage to certain weapons in terms of stamina loss / drain. Finally, when dealing with stamina we can take into consideration things such as being hit, doing bad parry / block, doing good parry / block and attacking (overhead and side swings and thrusts). So, do you have some advice on what potential reasonable / realistic advantage (or trade off) for weapons such as Dane axes or bardiche when they face spears, pikes and potentially swords? Should they have some massive bonus to stamina drain when they attack the spear, or perhaps when they parry them well? Any idea is welcome. Thank you very much in case you will bother to read through this wall of text and answer.
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Well, pikes mainly have range, but are very static in formation (you can aim pikes very well, but they are very slow with attacks and when my Halberd is doing 3 attacke, a pike doing one in that time). This means that although pikes can be used to attack, they excel at protecting themselves against cavalry or hold other formations at bay. As a result, all kinds of pike formations are relatively vulnerable to massive attacks from "short-range" weapons such as halberds, murder axes and bardiches. With such weapons it is possible to clear the pikes aside and then invade the formations. Still not easy, but once such a formation is pierced, such attacks can cause a pike formation to collapse. This happened, for example, at the Battle of Lubieszow in 1577 when a numerically superior German Lanzknecht army was defeated. Regarding stamina: I imagine such attacks against pike formations to be very strenuous, as they not only require the soldiers to be in good physical condition for the many parade movements, but also a high degree of alertness. I imagine it to be very stressful :) Have you read my article about the battle sword? I also discussed the use of halberds, battle swords etc. against pikes.
Your presentations, going from research to practice, are always simple and FIRST class. I wasnt quite sure though: Was this another historical piece, or a replica? Also, how long does it take to get used to swinging weighty arms like that bardiche, this well? You are doing what might be fairly risky swings and cuts for others, but with complete control lol. I need to see the exercise program for this!
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It was a Replic from Kovex Ars :)
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It is difficult to say how long it takes to move with the weapon. Some are talented, some need something to develop a feeling :)
Hmm... Those axes remind me more of the ones that I saw, when doing research about the Luristan bronze collection (horrible!). A Daneaxe (as you claim it originated from) still is typologically pretty far away from these, you present in the video. Still great exercise.
If you’re willing to put yours to the test, I’d love to see how it actually performs as a tool-hooking, chopping, and prying wood. How is the blade shape? Does it have the wedge fire axes have?
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@@polymathart I think the thing is that there were so many shapes of this crescent-shaped axe. There will certainly have been one or two features. In the end with the Rifle Troops it was probably less of a tool, but before that it was certainly there in one variant or another. We just can't set any standards when we talk about the bardiche family... for me, the blade shape in particular remains a feature which connects on the lower side and can thus possibly protect the hand...everything else remains optional :)
4:28 - In Russia of that time streltsy were armed with it not for ceremonial purposes, but because their original equipment was insufficient for proper melee combat, so this axe was added as "upgrade" to improve their capabilities. Not as ceremonial weapon. 5:00 - mostly myth.
Do you know why the axe beard of the bardiche is connected to shaft? Seen you loss the abliety to hok other weapon with that design
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this allows you to create a particularly long cutting edge...much longer than on ordinary axes or halberds...but for this you simply need the 2nd support point, otherwise the force applied to the single attachment point in the middle would not be good in the long term.
When I saw the pictures of riflemen using the bardiche as a gun rest, it looked like the bardiche could accidentally function as a shield for incomming projectiles. From a direct hit I wouldn't be so sure, but a slight angle could save a life. If would be the rifleman I would definitely squeeze my self behind that blade. Just a thought.
I dont know if the reason to use right hand in the back is the same ( using my little experience ). If we want precision to thrust the weapon, the right hand in the back is batter. Its just like a billiard game.
One example of use from "The Tale" Avraamy Palitsyn, about the Siege of Troitsky monastery: -"One of them, a certain taxpayer from the village of Molokov, a peasant called Sueta, tall in stature and very strong, who was always laughed at because of his inability to fight, said: "Let me die today, but I will be glorified by everyone!" In his hands he held a weapon, a bardiche. And the God strengthened that Sueta, and gave him fearlessness and courage; and he urged the Orthodox Christians to stop fleeing, saying: "Let us not fear, brothers, the enemies of God, but let us stand firmly with arms against them!" And he struck down the enemies on both sides with his bardiche, holding back the regiment of Alexander Lisovsky; and no one could resist him. He moved quickly, like a lynx, and struck down many of those armed and armored at that time. Many strong warriors stood up against him to avenge the disgrace, and they attacked him cruelly. And Sueta struck down on both sides; Without giving him away, the foot soldiers, having stopped running, fortified themselves behind the obstacles."
I have a question regarding this weapon. Isn't this weapon extremely problematic with potential for your fingers to be cut off (your left hand in this case) when a horse or a shield or some hard armor gets into contact with the tip of the weapon? In contrast, the halberd or different kinds of pole weapons should not have this problem since your most forward hand is further away from the blade.
That's true, but you have to understand this weapon's role. Unlike halberds, it was used as a secondary/self defense weapon. Russian infantry wasn't suited for close combat, but was optimized for ranged firepower. Every solider had a musket as a primary weapon, and a berdish/Sabre as a self-defense weapon. They were fighting from field fortifications or mobile fortress - vagenburg, made from reinforced vagons and stationary shields (similar to one that Czechs used). Halberd would be absolutely better weapon for actual engagement, but berdish could be carried along with the musket, which was more important for Russian infantry of that time
This weapon is very similar to the Ottoman Bektashi axes in the Balkans. Since axe is not a Turkic weapon, we should assume that this design is Slavic.
Huh, I always thought that Bardishe is more of a scythe than axe. I.e. large thin and light blade on a pole. At least that is how it is called in easter Europe - its called scythe axe or scythe halbert.
A "little" addition about bardiche use in Russia in the 16-17th centuries (mainly in the 17th):
1. Bardiche is mostly associated with streltsy - nowadays, it is a part of the "classic streltsy image". But they started being issued bardiches only after the Time of troubles. And it wasn't "a standard weapon" - every prikaz (regiment) was supposed to have 1000 men - 800 with sabres and muskets and only 200 with bardiches and muskets.
2. The use of bardiche as a musket rest, at least regarding streltsy, is very questionable and most likely is a 19th-century invention. First, all streltsy were issued traditional "fork-like" musket rests, even those who were issued with bardiches. Second, the only known mention of the practice in period sources was from the HRE ambassador to Moscow in 1670s - it was shown to him by honour guard stationed at his residence.
3. As for their use as "assault weapons," it was the other way around. Streltsy largely avoided engagements in the open field and tried to rely on field fortifications and wagon forts whenever possible. Bardiche was seen as a great weapon for defending such fortifications, but for assaulting enemy fortifications, it was seen as inferior to a sabre as it required more space.
4. There is a "training manual" (a book for officers on what to teach their men) for streltsy from the 1660s. There is a lot about firearms manipulation, formations, field engineering, and some sabre exercises, but on bardiche, the book basically goes: "Don't bother - they'll figure it out". Given the intended use case - "to cleave a man climbing over a wagon" - it makes sense =)
5. As for "cheap to make" - 100% true. In the 17th century, bardiche was the only weapon that didn't have any standards for the quality of the metal - a blacksmith could make it from whatever crap he found and still sell it to the government.
6. Bardiches disappeared from the Russian army surprisingly quickly: in 1696, they were used en masse, but they were not mentioned in regimental inventories at all by 1702.
@@Temeluchas excellent background info man... these are sweet insights...thx a lot!
Interesting info! I think that they were much more common among Polish "musketeers" and bardiches were an often sight. Maybe it's the usual stuff - everything remotely eastern is confused by people in the west.
@@jacekczuba4145 That's why I generalized a bit about the entire Eastern European region... I didn't want to commit myself to specific nations, I don't have the knowledge for that at the moment :)
@@jacekczuba4145, not in this case. The image of a strelets as a guy in a red kaftan with a bardiche originated in Russia in the mid-19th century, during a surge in interest in "pre-Peter the Great Russia".
Bardiche was a perfect pick for this image:
1) It is clearly different from the "western standard"
2) Let's be honest - bardiche looks much cooler than any other European 17th century battlefield weapon =)
Well, it onyly get in after the "Smuta", becouse of Polish influence. Specyfically, Hungarian style infantry, Implemented by Elected king From Hungary, stelar reformist, Stefan Batory.
There, the axe as gun support is typicall.
And, that King has held Ivan the Terible at bay, during his regin.
A typicall misperception for the region, but convinient for Imperial eyes.
King Rolo explains to us the Bardiche.😂👍
Great video, thank you.
@@camerongunn7906 haha...my pleasure mate !
He does look like Rollo from Vikings!!
Excellent presentation and first rate demonstration.That's what makes your videos shine above others. Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge.
@@richstone2627 thx mate for your kind words...
Finally, a good battle axe animation reference! Thank you for your videos. Can't wait to see video about maces from you
Maces...order received :D
Just gotta say, that intro is timeless and exquisite
i like it to... :D
Some other things you could use the bardiche for: a boat oar, a shovel, a razor for shaving, a really big knuckle duster, a tennis racket… a fly swatter?
@@polymathart double handed knuckleduster... made my day^^
also bush trimming
a monopod for guns?
Been obsessed with this beauty ever since I discovered it on blade & sorcery, very nice to see how it is properly used!
thx mate :)
Awsom video. The one that is not focust only on swords...pure gold.
only sword is boring ^^ especially when you fence with it for years...
These videos are of big delight and interest for me. I have a story I one day hope to make into a video game (or more) with as a protagonist a monstrous, old-looking bearded creature wielding a pollaxe-type weapon. Part of why I made him is to have a character defy the idea of axe wielders being brutes with no finesse, so seeing axe techniques in practice gives good reference for the types of movements possible.
Duly appreciate the videos.
I'm very excited about that...then I highly recommend you take a look at my hellebarden videos... i have one with all the techniques in a row...maybe this will also help you with your project. Good progress!
Impressive, would love to see a flamberge vid one day.
I can do another one but i have at least two with flamberge in my channel :)
Mount&Blade has this weapon. every time I see this thing sticking out of the enemy's formation in a siege, it always scares me out. It can remove shields very effectively.
Awesome getting to see all the moves. I never thought about that hand transfer for overhead swings.
So, when it comes to the popularisation of bardiche in Eastern Europe there are very few sources proving their use there before the Early Modern Era.
It seems it was the Hungarians, more specifically Haiduk infantry were the first to adopt bardiches as a combination of polearm and gun rest. From Hungary their use spread to Poland (Commonwealth) and then to Muscovy. At least this is what I can gather from the sources.
As for the use, there are examples of bardishes used against pike formation (to push aside and cut/break pikes). One example comes from the Battle of Lubieszow 1577 where Hungarian haiduks managed to use bardishes to do exactly that against Landsknechts.
I ma not sure about bardiche status as a symbol of authority. It definitely wasn't one in Hungary (Transylvania) or the Commonwealth. So I imagine you are referring to Muscovy.
P.S. Great video BTW. I already learned a great deal from your videos.
@@Velesus101 Really nice info here mate... seems like the story of the bardiche is not over. So much potential for more videos :D
Oh yes, there is a lot of fragmentary information about them scattered between diaries, letters, and some army regulations.
Since Austria both used and fought against Hungarian troops in the Early Modern Era there should be some useful Austrian sources out there.
>Muscovy
@@kindlingking What?
@@Velesus101 either use historically correct terms (which in this case would be Russian Tsardom, since streltsy as regular military force were established by Ivan IV) or blanket "Russia". No need for polish barbarisms.
Perfect as always!
Truely an amazing weapon, so simple yet elegant.
Thx for showcasing this. I love these "short" polearms and allways love to see some interpretations of the use.
always fun to find a new channel that covers middle age weaponry on my recomended page
Nice presentation. The weapon look very useful. :)
yes it has its charm :)
As a lot of times before, I am amazed by your great research and application work.
thx mate!
Thanks so much for these videos. The help me in my training and my children enjoy watching too
@@AscendedRodent thx mate and greetings to the younglings 😊
excellent video, outtof all the axe shapes the bardiche looks most comfortable to me for some reason, maybe because that big curve gives alot of cutting area. I never thought how good it would be for stabbing, your demonstration makes that very clear!
Your content is killer, man. So glad I stumbled upon you. Keep kicking ass.
thx mate :D
Hews are always so satisfying to watch. I am sure they are even more satisfying to do.
This is the shortest bardiche I've seen. I like this length.
Great video thanks.
I'm a bit surprised at the length of the pole. I expected the length to be somewhat longer. I understand that there was no standard length and many variations existed, but it does not appear to give any advantage in reach over a man with a one-handed weapon, just more power perhaps. A very interesting and thorough presentation, as usual.
Very good presentation, for a weapon that does not have any instruction on use. To me it seems that it was more fit with troops engaged in policing territory and bodyguarding than actual combat situations. I may be wrong, but this is the impresion given by its length
It seems they getting longer in a formation...my axe in the vid is basically too short for me^^
Russian infantry didn't fight like European one - in tight formation, in combination of pikemen and musketeers. In Russian infantry, every solider had a musket and they were fighting from a vagenburg - a mobile fortress made from reinforced vagons and stationary shields. So they didn't need any long polearms in order to defend themselves from the cavalry, and these battleaxes (along with sabers) were basically a self-defense weapon, used when the enemy infantry was storming a fortified position
Reminds me of when I went to Istanbul and saw the janissary reenactors wielding them too. It seems they were also utilized in the middle east and possibly inspired some indo-persian axes as a result of contact with the ottomans.
@@genghiskhan6809 Cool to know! Thx for the insights...reminds to do a vid about a Samshir
Yeniçeriler de ilk kez böyle bir balta gördüğüm için şaşırmıştım
Apparently you can tell Russian and Turkish bardiches apart by the shape of the eye. Russian ones are usually triangular, Turkish ones are usually round.
it's basically an more militarized Danes axe, which can also stab
yeah...that's basically how i see it too... :)
love the baggy pants and matching J's!
No way! I've always been interested in whether pre Peter the Great Russia had some kind of domestic signature weapon apart from the Berdysh and/or style of using it. So far I found nothing apart from a half-mythical saying referring to saber fencing which states that "...Polish cuts crosswize and Muskovite cuts downwards..". Maybe this will shed some light. Thank you!
There was also a bardiche-musket which apparently saw some use among Don Cossacks.
Your new channel profile pic looks so goofy, I love it
Awesome presentation
@@shobhitkaul8076 thx mate! :D
Obviously an excellent example of a short thrusting weapon and overall fearsome sight from the business end! As is usual for you, an excellent presentation and narrative. Thank You so much for your video, Skal!
Berdiche "short thrusting weapon"? Is that some kind of an inside joke?
@@barebius in comparison to a spear or halberd :) Its not too short in fact!
I mean it's obviously axe and even kind of a glaive, so trusting is not the best thing you can do with it, it's not what it was intended to do (mainly).
@@barebius : And you are whom? I've never heard of you or your expertise in anything? Please, enlighten me!
@@erikhoff5010 I'm so sorry, oh, almighty expert, that I dare to speak and gave my opinion in the internet! I retreat while being ashamed!
Seems like a match for a poleaxe, while being much more simple to construct. Love the Guten tag as a buttcap. Always great to gain some knowledge into history while getting to enjoy some medieval madness. Used to think these were odd weapons that were clunky looking but seeing it action shows how deadly practical they are. Good Show.
@@warlordstrife6688 thx mate...it is pure fun to swing that thing
Seemed like a ton of power to hold onto, especially with those wide swings. :)
Not QUITE a match for a poleax or a halberd, but you could straighten the point slightly and add a beak to the back. This would yield something fully equivalent while still being cheaper and simpler to manufacture. Not sure why that was not done.
@@Ithirahadthere were a lot of variations and you could find an example where the toe was indeed made into a stabbing blade. There's also a late variant that looks exactly like the bardiche that Skallagrim has, that one seems to be good for stabbing. Another bardiche had a hook on it. But it probably wasn't done en masse because the users weren't supposed to actually fight in melee.
Also, there is also an example of a double-headed bardiche. It is a monster.
Glad to see love and attention for a weapon like this!
yes it has its charm :)
Excellent 👌 In the future I wanna get a carcass splitter and a bardiche
A brilliant video, thank you!
I do imagine that gripping the Bardiche in the area between the eye and where the beard meets the pole would allow some practical application as regards one handed use in combination with the buckler.
@@dongkhamet1351 maybe...worth to do more investigations :)
I suppose I could experiment myself by holding my Yankee axe up by the head and seeing how she handles. I'm imagining something like a very heavy, oversized, sharp knuckleduster tactically speaking. If this is feasible then the other hand is free and the stance might find applications in a cramped melee or confined space.
Just some thoughts. I am not a martial artist.
[edit] the handle being in reverse grip and also potentially deployable.
The rounded guard at the bottom so you can choke your hand all the way up is a beautiful little construction on an amazing work-of-art of a weapon. Gorgeous piercework! How significant would all the holes be in lightening the weight of the weapon? They seem like they'd make the axe feel a little quicker than it looks, while still being devastating on the hew -- beautiful and practical!
I appreciate the massive number of illustrations that you use throughout the video, and the overview of its history, spread, and the context of the historical use are all outstanding points to discuss when presenting a weapon. The handling continues to be excellent, the discussion on Meyer especially was fascinating! Very clean on the grip changes. The cuts and some of your motions reminded me of montante usage, as well as halberd; I wonder if wide cuts with your hands at the bottom like that might have been used as crowd-control or bodyguard manner in the same way that the sword could, but a halberd couldn't? Much food for thought. I think your interpretation of the general forms of its usage per Liechtenauer is entirely valid in demonstrating the inherent strengths and potential usages of the weapon.
Using it with the buckler rocked, and I appreciate the showing the bardiche one-handed with the buckler just to sate the curiosity -- even if it's unsurprising reality, it's still good content and good fun!
Thank you for the video!
So many great comments...I immediately feel like making a second video. I get so much extra info, thoughts and ideas etc. that I would love to include now :)
your hedge backdrop is great. I think they were sweating (transpirating) a little more than usual though...lol
haha... :P
Great vid! Thanks for info
Now THAT looks mighty. I’m always a big fan of Pole-arms 😎✨
Great video! I am an "axe man", watching it was pleasuer. Thanks!
thx mate!
Great video 💪
A theory about off-hand forward: On the Bayeux tapestry Dane axes are held off hand forward (except for 1 example if I recall). A theory I've heard & agree with is that going so mean you sing the axe from your upper left downward which cuts towards your enemy's sword side instead of their shield side as would happen if one held the axe right hand forward & swung if from one's upper right downward.
thats a super nice theory... thx for the insight!
No problem! Sharing knowledge on arms & armor with other enthusiasts is a pleasure
This was my understanding on the matter as well
@@Moth86 awesome! Glad to hear others believe the same way
Your bardiche fit is crazy 🥶
One wonders if the attachment of the lower section of the blade was for strength (to spread out the impact stress from heavy blows) or to provide a different grip position with some hand protection as an addtional benefit. Perhaps it was both. It certainly seems like a well-thought out evolution of the longaxe, incorporating a lot of hard-earned lessons.
Good question...I think mainly for the stabilization...for the hand protection the lower tip does not necessarily have to reach all the way to the staff and be firmly connected. I think they wanted as long an edge as possible and the leverage effect, especially with forces on the flanks, would simply be too much without a second support.
Most likely so that the thing doesn't fall apart when being swung and hit into things. Some forge made a video where they made a "bardiche" years ago. I showed to a re-enactor I know and he was spitting on it, explaining how they didn't actually rivet the secondary attachment point onto the haft and that the head would quickly fly off (they didn't rivet the head to the haft either in the video, if I recall correctly. Just a wedge)
@@pavelstaravoitau7106 I'm not so sure about that, given that weapons like the Dane axe, with quite a long cutting edge only had single points of attachment (and just a wedge - no rivet) yet persisted for centuries.
If it was prone to 'falling apart' when smacked into shields, helms, etc. I suspect we'd have seen larger changes to the design (such as langets, riveting, etc) earlier.
I think that Bjorn is correct and its more about lateral stabilization (for which a rivet would be unnecessary as the shaft would likely break first) of the even longer blade of the bardiche, than it is about overall strength and impact resistance.
@madaxe606 the Dane axe is smaller than the bardiche, so the secondary attachment point is not necessary.
Stabilisation is probably more of a factor on the precursor and contemporary of the bardiche - the toporok. Which is essentially like a slightly larger Dane axe with a secondary attachment point.
Outstanding video!!
@@johannesmichaelalhaugthoma4215 thx mate!
Nice video, I like your style so keep it up
@@SM-nz9ff thanks a lot...will do :)
a trident of a similar size can also be used as a rifle rest which can double up as a melee weapon as well
Love these videos. Now I have to buy a bardiche.
@@rgarcia7392 haha... a must have!
a musket is not a rifle, there are rifled muskets but muskets were usually smoothbore, otherwise nice representation
Understandable misunderstanding
I do use such weapon in similar manner, except for that powerful strike with both hands at the end. Found out IT works much better if you JUST leave your bottom hand after IT gets energy And hit one handed, then put that hand at the top position since the weapons swings towards IT.
Bro got matching Js and Braies.
That shit goes hard.
hehe...
Looking through Polish and Russian pages, it's called berdysz in both languages (berdish, no "a:" sound) Pol: berdysz, Rus: Бердыш (identical to Polish)
Te but from berdysz is from german language berdysch
Sent this to my bff who loves bardiche, made him happy
There will be a video with the dane axe?
I recently got curious about these axes, informative video and and great demosteations!
Quick question, eould you say holding it near the head and thrusting with the back spike is the most "viable" way to use this one handed in a pinch? Thanks for the interesting video
Very nice. Any chance of a Eastern Roman Empire weapon any day?
for example? :D
This 'menavlion/menavlon' that I use in mount and blade 2 always intrigued me.
Two bucklers, one Bardiche I'm invincible baby ⚔️
A fine presentation. You have the typical serious and stern countenance of a Nordic chap, but with your size, I would not want to meet you for fear of you tearing of my head just because my moustache was askew. You are by far the scariest scholar I have ever received or heard a lesson from.
Hi, Björn, thank you for the unique and great content.
Could you please tell me how you found these pictoral sources of XIII cen. that depictes bardiches? Funny thing is, i'm doing my little research on western european polearms of High Middle Ages, the earliest stuff, and while i found quite a lot of good images, i haven't seen like almost all of your pictures)
Polish Haiduk infantry, yes I know they are of Hungarian origin. Are always depicted in modern images with bardiche.
I find in most period art a quite plain utilitarian type axe with short handle was used instead as long a sabre firearm and likely a knife of some sort.
They are seen but not nearly enough as depicted and probably a guardsmans weapon as it is perfectly suited to this role.
Like the halberd is kinda middleway from spear to axe, the bardiche [Бердыш*] is in-between of the Dane axe and the Kilij (turk heavy sabre with insane cutting ability).
As a russian, I can say that originally this weapon's name is pronounced Bear'dysh (almost bear-dish, but with "ы" which sounds like "-y" in Tchaikovsky)
It would be possible to improve the spiked rear end on your example by adding a bent disk somewhat like at a ski pole. This would provide slipping protection for the main hand and aid in a more secure stance when using the weapon as a mono pod. Was something like this done?
A lot of people seem to prefer their dominant hand forward on pole arms other than spears. Any idea why some prefer one or the other?
habit...intuitively every right-handed person picks up a weapon with the right hand first, no matter which one... it's the same with timing in fencing, you have to get used to not moving your body first but the weapon...some things and principles are just not intuitive...others are though :)
What do you think about using it upside down. Like an improvised "sword" or a batton with blade playing the role of a handguard. Specially with that short handle,and the spike. I know it's probably not the correct way but maybe it could work in a self defence situation.
Mh, I would have to try it out :)
Hope to see it in some future videos.
Wouldn't that be a practical way of using it one-handed with the buckler as well, using it as an improvised rapier?
Do you think the pronounced hook on the bardiche's axe blade could have possibly been used to try catch and control shields or polearm shafts? Some of your movements made me think of how two-handed swords sometimes portrayed as weapons used to break pike formations.
Great dive into the history and fantastic demonstration!
I fought with a bardiche of similar pattern for years, and you're ABSOLUTELY right. We even did some demonstration fights against pikelines, and they can bind and sweep several polearm hafts in one move, great for levering open a hole in a formation
Where did you get that Bardiche?
its from Kovex Ars, i like their especially heavier palette a lot :)
The weapon on its own isn't too interesting. It shines as a weapons rest for the arquebus/musket, and it gives the arquebusiers a way to defend themselves in meele, it's both cheaper and easier to learn than a sword, and it's a tool as you said, to hack down wood and create fortifications. This should've been explored in more detail, arquebus + bardiche are the AK of their time in terms of universal usefulness.
In Russia in the 17th century there was an interesting hybrid of a Bardiche with a musket. It looked like a musket with a huge Bardiche blade in place of the bayonet
****i.imgur.*com/647ekTd9*.jpeg (delete all *)
Great video like the once on Halberd. One thing: there you are wielding the perfect tool in front of a hedge which is begging to get trimmed …. where is the Hanseatic sense of community? german efficiency?
Also, if you are looking for more comments to boost the channel, include a random historical map of Eastern Europe and if you think you can handle it add the balkans for some pure gold and insight into the Conditio humana. Looking forward for more content on your channel!
In general, a battle axe, or anti-personnel axe, is going to be very thin and much more lightweight, and therefore not suited to chopping into wood, at least, no more so than a combat sword is. This is not to say that anti-wood axes were not also present on the battlefield, you can see 1800s Boarding Axes for exactly that kind of axe, but these axes are slow and clunky in comparison to swords and spears and would be at a disadvantage (heavy armor might negate this disadvantage, hard to say, if you can afford to take a hit and keep fighting). So when you say, "an axe can do this, an axe can do that," it is probably different axes doing different things.
If you stick it in the ground with the back end, the bardiche will stay in place? (for reloading the rifle)
Hello Bjorn, I have rather lengthy question about performance of "slash" weapons such as bardiche, Dane axe or even sword vs spear and pike. But let me explain myself first. Me and my friend are working on a modification called Realistic Battle Mod for videogame Mount and Blade Bannerlord. This is a pseudohistorical game that includes swords, spears and axes but also some early "slash" polearms and regular spears and pikes, the armours present in the game are ranging from cloth to primitive partial plate (brigandine / lamellar / scale over mail shirt). Most of battles in the game are mass fights of dozens to hundreds of troops.
So, we have added kinetic energy and momentum damage model to that game, we have also added functional formation behaviour to the units. The problem is that long spears and pikes steamroll everything in formation vs formation scenario. On the other side, we know that shock troops were a thing historically and as you mentioned in this video yourself, weapons such as bardiche were used on battlefield. In addition, we have also added kind of stamina system to the game as well, so we have some options to give some advantage / disadvantage to certain weapons in terms of stamina loss / drain. Finally, when dealing with stamina we can take into consideration things such as being hit, doing bad parry / block, doing good parry / block and attacking (overhead and side swings and thrusts).
So, do you have some advice on what potential reasonable / realistic advantage (or trade off) for weapons such as Dane axes or bardiche when they face spears, pikes and potentially swords? Should they have some massive bonus to stamina drain when they attack the spear, or perhaps when they parry them well? Any idea is welcome.
Thank you very much in case you will bother to read through this wall of text and answer.
Well, pikes mainly have range, but are very static in formation (you can aim pikes very well, but they are very slow with attacks and when my Halberd is doing 3 attacke, a pike doing one in that time). This means that although pikes can be used to attack, they excel at protecting themselves against cavalry or hold other formations at bay. As a result, all kinds of pike formations are relatively vulnerable to massive attacks from "short-range" weapons such as halberds, murder axes and bardiches. With such weapons it is possible to clear the pikes aside and then invade the formations. Still not easy, but once such a formation is pierced, such attacks can cause a pike formation to collapse. This happened, for example, at the Battle of Lubieszow in 1577 when a numerically superior German Lanzknecht army was defeated.
Regarding stamina: I imagine such attacks against pike formations to be very strenuous, as they not only require the soldiers to be in good physical condition for the many parade movements, but also a high degree of alertness. I imagine it to be very stressful :)
Have you read my article about the battle sword? I also discussed the use of halberds, battle swords etc. against pikes.
No, can you provide link to your article please? And thank you very much for your answer.
how your pants are called? kinda reminiscent of japanese iga-bakama, would like to look for the cuts
Did I hear your kids in the background? ;) Wonderful!
Your presentations, going from research to practice, are always simple and FIRST class.
I wasnt quite sure though: Was this another historical piece, or a replica?
Also, how long does it take to get used to swinging weighty arms like that bardiche, this well? You are doing what might be fairly risky swings and cuts for others, but with complete control lol. I need to see the exercise program for this!
It was a Replic from Kovex Ars :)
It is difficult to say how long it takes to move with the weapon. Some are talented, some need something to develop a feeling :)
Hmm... Those axes remind me more of the ones that I saw, when doing research about the Luristan bronze collection (horrible!). A Daneaxe (as you claim it originated from) still is typologically pretty far away from these, you present in the video. Still great exercise.
If you’re willing to put yours to the test, I’d love to see how it actually performs as a tool-hooking, chopping, and prying wood. How is the blade shape? Does it have the wedge fire axes have?
@@polymathart I think the thing is that there were so many shapes of this crescent-shaped axe. There will certainly have been one or two features. In the end with the Rifle Troops it was probably less of a tool, but before that it was certainly there in one variant or another. We just can't set any standards when we talk about the bardiche family... for me, the blade shape in particular remains a feature which connects on the lower side and can thus possibly protect the hand...everything else remains optional :)
4:28 - In Russia of that time streltsy were armed with it not for ceremonial purposes, but because their original equipment was insufficient for proper melee combat, so this axe was added as "upgrade" to improve their capabilities. Not as ceremonial weapon.
5:00 - mostly myth.
My sharpened battleaxe
Artillery prepped to attack
Trebuchet loaded and polled back
Siege tower approaches, sky turns black
Do you know why the axe beard of the bardiche is connected to shaft?
Seen you loss the abliety to hok other weapon with that design
this allows you to create a particularly long cutting edge...much longer than on ordinary axes or halberds...but for this you simply need the 2nd support point, otherwise the force applied to the single attachment point in the middle would not be good in the long term.
solid stuff
thx mate
When I saw the pictures of riflemen using the bardiche as a gun rest, it looked like the bardiche could accidentally function as a shield for incomming projectiles. From a direct hit I wouldn't be so sure, but a slight angle could save a life. If would be the rifleman I would definitely squeeze my self behind that blade. Just a thought.
@@ItsASuckyName Honestly, thought the same :)
With plate armor and this axe, they could be medieval tanks 😅
I dont know if the reason to use right hand in the back is the same ( using my little experience ). If we want precision to thrust the weapon, the right hand in the back is batter. Its just like a billiard game.
@@dominiumbrasilis exactly :)
cool weapon
One example of use from "The Tale" Avraamy Palitsyn, about the Siege of Troitsky monastery:
-"One of them, a certain taxpayer from the village of Molokov, a peasant called Sueta, tall in stature and very strong, who was always laughed at because of his inability to fight, said: "Let me die today, but I will be glorified by everyone!" In his hands he held a weapon, a bardiche. And the God strengthened that Sueta, and gave him fearlessness and courage; and he urged the Orthodox Christians to stop fleeing, saying: "Let us not fear, brothers, the enemies of God, but let us stand firmly with arms against them!" And he struck down the enemies on both sides with his bardiche, holding back the regiment of Alexander Lisovsky; and no one could resist him. He moved quickly, like a lynx, and struck down many of those armed and armored at that time. Many strong warriors stood up against him to avenge the disgrace, and they attacked him cruelly. And Sueta struck down on both sides; Without giving him away, the foot soldiers, having stopped running, fortified themselves behind the obstacles."
really Nice Story... brave Sueta :)
how is the bardiche related to the Sovnya?
May I ask where you got that bardiche?
@@eliasabel303 Kovex Ars :)
I have a question regarding this weapon. Isn't this weapon extremely problematic with potential for your fingers to be cut off (your left hand in this case) when a horse or a shield or some hard armor gets into contact with the tip of the weapon? In contrast, the halberd or different kinds of pole weapons should not have this problem since your most forward hand is further away from the blade.
That's true, but you have to understand this weapon's role. Unlike halberds, it was used as a secondary/self defense weapon. Russian infantry wasn't suited for close combat, but was optimized for ranged firepower. Every solider had a musket as a primary weapon, and a berdish/Sabre as a self-defense weapon. They were fighting from field fortifications or mobile fortress - vagenburg, made from reinforced vagons and stationary shields (similar to one that Czechs used). Halberd would be absolutely better weapon for actual engagement, but berdish could be carried along with the musket, which was more important for Russian infantry of that time
Omg where did you get that bardiche it’s beautiful…
@@philwatkins8396 its from kovex ars :)
Awesome thanks ☺️
Hey björn and the hema community, you maybe know what's the first Meyer square example that has been created?
@@dariomanente741 Who was creating the Cross or do you mean something else :) ?
I thought I knew what a bardiche was, until I learned it was often a gun rest.
I thought that the hafts of these things was longer; that they were basically heavy glaives or halberds.
❤
This weapon is very similar to the Ottoman Bektashi axes in the Balkans. Since axe is not a Turkic weapon, we should assume that this design is Slavic.
Mehr Stangenwaffen ist immer gut.
👍⚒⚔
Nice sneakers
Huh, I always thought that Bardishe is more of a scythe than axe. I.e. large thin and light blade on a pole. At least that is how it is called in easter Europe - its called scythe axe or scythe halbert.