Axes And Shields - Advantages Over The Sword 

Now that you’re stuck home it’s time to paint the shield, it’s been a few years now.

Make a series where you basically teach writers of fantasy, shows or historical fiction the basics they need to know to write reasonably believable medieval combat and settings. It's a resource that's really missed, there are things we can do like see they don't understand how armor works and you can send them a video on that. But if there was a playlist you could point them to it'd go a long way into educating them and creating better content in general for everyone..

Bah, the only true method is to strap two kite shields to your arms and wield your pollaxe!

THUNDERHAMMER AND STORMSHIELD NEXT TIME, BROTHER! EMPRAH PROTECTS!

I'm very much enjoying this theme of axes.

When you axe Matt a question he doesn't messer around!

14th century footman being hit behind his shield: "Blimey! That was funky and interesting!" Also, for a video topic: What would you say is the most specialized medieval European weapon? That is, what weapon is perhaps least versatile, but strong in one specific context?

It is just too damn satisfying to yank a shield off-guard with an axe, for then to just thrust in with the pike-end ^^

Axes: the combat shotgun of the middle ages.

Matt: "I also have a sword!" *Draws a knife.*

I love the amount of deep and practical consideration you put into mechanics like this - really well-observed!

Matt is actually making an effort to keep these brief. Given his propensity for extended sidetracking, this is huge. And the information provided doesn't seem to be suffering. I don't mind lengthy videos, but good job sticking to your goals.

Great video as always. One of the best channels on RU-vid in my opinion and I've been watching it for quite a long while now. I do have to say, that although there is no top spike with which to thrust on the axe shown in the video, that option is not denied as the top point of the axe's edge/blade is very capable of providing the option of the thrust. It is not in line with the shaft like a top spike would be, and the measure is a bit shorter too. So that must be taken into consideration of course in how the thrust is delivered, but the thrust is there and can be done effectively. To tie in an example, when the axe head overlaps a shield edge and the shield is pulled away from the opponent's body to better expose the opponent, often a thrust can then straight way be delivered with an axe like the one in the video using the top point of the Axe's blade. Sometimes turning the wrist and forearm to guide the axe's top point of the blade to where you wish to thrust. We've done it many times both in slow sparring and in "full-on" sparring. Again, this is a fabulous channel and this is a great video on a very interesting topic. Thank you very much.

Very much enjoying the shorter and more frequent videos ... please keep 'em coming!

"I'm gonna agin trying to keep this brief.." why? I'll never understand why ppl. prefer to have short videos. I mean it is not just about just answering one question. I watch this channel, (amongst other things) because of all the addditional information (context) and presentation Matt gives us.

Matt, base on my expirience fighting whit weapons that have full weight and balance there is a "fear factor" to it. Even when fighting someone whit expirience when you swing that axe hard against them they will focus almost only in defending. They kind of forget about anything else and lets you gain the initiative for a momment. Do you think that "fear" is a other factor to consider as an advantage for the axe???

Thank you, my favorite weapon is The Axe 💕 and Vikings Berserkers style 😃

I'd love to see a video going through armor development in different periods and in different regions. Like, I'd love to know at what general points in time mail gave way to other forms of armor, and then into more plate-based armors. I assume that this is also different by region, and that these armor developments started in certain regions and spread from there. Teach me!

Great video! I love these axe videos. If you have to hold the shield out further, i'd imagine that would fatigue the shield carrier much more quickly as well.

Hey, Matt. Just a suggestion: maybe it would be good for the image quality (white balance) if you painted the shield with a darker colour. The way it is now, it seems to be messing quite a bit with the camera.

Some things that I've found while fighting with/against 1 handed axes with 12th century kite shields and weaponry: Although you can hook things with the axe like shields and polearms. Ultimately the axe is held on a smooth shaft and is pulling against a strapped shield or 2 hands, so can easily be pulled out the users hand thus disarming them. Unless the axe user has particularly a particularly strong grip and arm muscles in comparison. Hooking around shields then pulling back quickly does work! But if the axe then gets caught and you're either left exposed with your arm outstretched and exposed with the opponents weapon free to wail on you unless you drop the axe. Axes work well in groups as hooking can still pull a shield out the way or pin a weapon/arm giving a friend an opening to attack. A sword doesn't quite of the same ability to bind an opponent meaning the window of opportunity is much smaller. Some people hold the axe about half way up the shaft to get greater control and reduce the likelyhood of it being disarmed. Amusingly some use it as more like a knuckle duster using the shaft to block weapons though these may just be a querk of our combat system. Thanks for reading if you did :)

You asked for suggestions: You could show us some useful solo drills, or solo training tips in general. Now that most of us can not train in normal way. Also I would super useful if you could provide the stats of the objects you shown to us in written form, as overlay in the video or in the description. You often mention the weight and length of the swords/sabres you show but it would be an additional improvement to see the numbers on screen as well. For a non native English speakers some numbers sound quite equal. This would greatly help to compare all the nice things you show us and also allows us to present these numbers to unbelievers that still think a arming sword is about 5k and a one handed axe is at least 10kg. Cheers and thank for the years of great content!

Thanks for the video Matt! I would very much love to see tests with side by side comparisons of say ax blows, hammer blows, and "murder strokes" from sword cross-guards and pommels. My guess is the swords will by nature or only having a thin blade to grip onto, be less effective even though the weight of the striking force is now at the far end just like the ax and hammer. Still much better than striking hard surfaces with the blade alone. Always been curious as to how effective reversing a sword to hit like a hammer is to the real thing! I also theorize a stiffer blade should behave more effectively as a handle for murder strokes, with less flex on impact and so more force transferred to the target. Flexible blades should in theory lose more force, but how much, if at all I'm curious to see. It would be great to see multiple tests done by different channels using different targets. As with any holding onto blades test, although it can be done without gloves so long as the blade doesn't slide in your hand, better to wear thick sturdy gloves for safety, grip and to absorb some of the shock from hitting a hard target.

I kept giggling as the white shield messed with the exposure on the camera. Not an issue our forebears suffered. Another fun video. Thank you.

Hey Matt I'd like to see some discussion of particular application of axes on the battlefield. Maybe discussing of particular groups that used them. Maybe with discussion of how they were used and carried.

Can you talk about how feasible it is to compromise spears with axes and swords ?

I'd like to see something on the military pick, which is kind of a specific weapon and would be great as a short.

Great content, thank you!

I'd love to see your take on the Montante, the iberian two-handed sword known as a specialized bodyguard's weapon of the renaissance.

Thanks for the video Matt

This video taught me a lot about giving blows and hooking.

I'm rather enjoying these bits. They're extremely educational. I'd like to see one on pole arms in this style. Or perhaps an in depth look at European armor 9th through 11th century and the advancements made in that time with historical reference from museums or historical sites.

Never been much into axes but I do have a couple of decent swords and a nice mace from Tod Cutler. Made my own buckler/small shield to go with the mace.

I think some videos about battlefield tactics would be really interesting. Talking about specific formations and what counters what, etc. Maybe including diagrams? Specifically very interested in Spanish Tercios.

Really great video! There are though a couple of points to adress. The first point is that there IS a point to thrust with. The upper "horn" of your axe blade has a point you can thrust with. If you aim a blow straight into your opponents head from the top, and he blocks with the shield, you can hook his shield down a bit and then jam the upper horn of your axe in his face for instance. The axe is not a good thrusting weapon, but there are thrusting attacks that you most certaintly can exploit. The second is that an axes potential to destroy shield is actually one of the dangers of wielding an axe. Getting your weapon stuck in an opponents shield is a big problem. The shield should never be a target for destruction, but a target for manipulation. Another advantage with an axe is edge alignment. I've never seen anybody mess upp their edge alignment with an axe to the point that it is a danger to their weapon. With swords this is a bit thing, especially with historical swords that were more fragile than modern reproductions. But as I said, the video is great and none of these points are at all important to the core message of the video. Just details.

Hi Matt, would love to some Bowie knife training / practical usage videos please

I learned that the hard way in M&B Bannerlord

"Matt, why don't you just let me sleep?" - Me at 4:43am

Matt Love the content. One burning question I have involves how did combatants avoid a counter blow when they where committing to a lethal blow over a shield, or in any other focused all out attack within lethal measure? Could not one get their weapon arm/wrist chopped when they struck out with it and it became exposed? How important was gaining advantage to really exploit an opening to effect? If So what where the main advantages they tried to create? On so many of these videos where the attack sequences are discussed their is limited or no discussion on how a skilled opponent could counter such an attack. I love a whole video on the realities of how a dynamic attacks and defending with sword and shields played out, where each combatant had both, or one had only an axe and the other a sword and shield. I know its a complex subject. Thanks

That was exceedingly useful. As someone who works in video games, and isn't very keen on how weapons are categorised in many games... this is informative and creative. To expand on this, has your recent delving into axe & shield usage given you any different insights into how 2h axes may have been wielded/put to most effective use? I imagine having a few big 2h axe wielders in the 2nd line of a shield wall, could create some good openings in the enemies' front-line if they could hook a few shields down/cleave a few skulls, or make an enemy raise their shield too high and be easy pickings for a friendly frontline shield & spear/axe fighter who could aim low, while a dane axe was being swung menacingly and effectively up high.

I love ax’s for yanking shields out of the way .

Awesome. Matt, if you were to select best armor and weapons on foot and on horse, which one would you choose? Show and tell, please.

I know I have asked this a few times - but could you please do a video showing the evolution of show 18th and 19th century British swords were slung, the belt, straps, connections etc. Thank you

What about things like the morning star and simmilar weapons? How were weapons like axes or clubs carried? In the hand/as primary weapon or were there options on the beltline or in the shield (like it was the case with some roman throwingarrows) so the second hand is free for a polearm or whatever?

It's really fun to see the white balance of the camera struggling with the changes from black gambeson to the white shield. Paint your shield dark or wear a light colored top next time, Matt. But great content other ways!

It might not be wise given the current situation, but I would like to see a combined arms video from you. Related to the axe topic getting your opponent to push their shield furter out or hooking the shield creates openings for a spearman. A mixed fighing unit of spearmen and axe+shieldmen could be more effective than a more uniform fighting unit.

How about sword vs axe in confined spaces such as a narrow hall? as the sword is longer but can thrust in tight areas while the axe is shorter but cannot thrust.

Matt can you please about the use of military Rapiers in the battlefield ?

So I've read some stuff about the use of chemical weapons(chile/pepper powder, burning sulfur, smoke generating mixtures) & other less-lethal debilitating mixtures(ground glass/sand) being used. I guess hot oil/water poured down the side of castle walls & fire arrows also. How often were such things used during sieges or large formation battles?

This guy was using a giant tower shield that took two hands to hold (his job was just to shield the men behind him) and I hooked the top with the ax head of my halberd and just pulled down using my body weight. I think I surprised him because he didn't let go and flipped forward and rolled on the ground. I was rather pleased with the outcome.

My reason for prefering the axe is the heavier impact as well as the ability to grab shields or limbs, I would often pair up with a friend wielding a spear while fencing, one grabs the shield and the other lovetaps the ribs with the spear

You could do a video about swords vs daggers as side arms used with shields.

Also, when hooking, it helps to have a strong blow.

That's a beautiful axe you're using in the video. What type of axe is it? Any place where you can buy it?

I'm just gonna say, that in Birka, grave number 644, contained an axe head, a sword, a seax, a spear, a shield boss, and some arrowheads, as well as various other things suggesting the "inhabitant" was extremely rich, and yed - despite having a sword, and a spear, he still had an axe.

I took a few seconds to think about what the advantages would be without damaging or destroying the shield and I almost immediately realized it would hook over the shield allowing the strike to still possibly hit the defender even if they blocked the shaft of the axe. Edit: Great video as always! I am glad to hear that the axe wasn't as useless as some people make it seem!

Suggestion: I would love to hear your thoughts on grip on various weapons say so-called icepick vs hammer vs saber. I know you have mentioned various bits for example the weight of the weapon affecting your preference, but I would be very interested in a more in depth look at how various grips effect your options for attack and defense, and how easy or hard it is to disarm you. I am not a martial artist, but playing with a baselard, I noticed that it is very comfortable to hold with the thumb on, and feels like it gives very good control. However, if I grab the blade I feel it takes almost no pressure to twist it out of my hand. With a sword I would imagine this would be magnified. Anyway, happy viral videos for you. Too soon?

Is there a chance to see you talking about different weapon combinations within units? I know your focus lies on duel situations because of your background and evidence of historical accounts, but it would be nice to hear your thoughts about pikes and halberds in cooperation for example. Or an other idea that comes to my mind: hooks on weapons (like your awesome battle axe) and capturing enemies - is there any connection?

Pila used in melee combat instead of throwing. An interesting, fairly little talked about topic and most importantly - another look at your new gorgeous pilum would be neat!

Hello, Matt. I'd like to see a comparison between sword+buckler and sword+dagger

Was the dagger and the shield/the buckler ever a realistic option? Also I would like to know more about usage of hammers and maces.

I’ve always wondered why more period western axes weren’t made with spikes coming out of the top, you would think it would be an obvious advantage and a simple thing to do I love this channel, Matt is obviously an expert on what he is talking about and is always so cheerful even though he is usually talking about methods of brutally killing people! 😃

Very interesting Matt, thanks. Do you think there'd be any significant differences if the 'defender' were using a boss-gripped shield as opposed to a strapped one? I'd imagine with a boss-gripped shield you'd probably have more ability to resist pull/push forces at the expense of more fatigue, but I'm not sure really.

Can you make a video(s) about how sieges were carried out, or ancient navel warfare?

I didn't finish so you might say it, but I think swords have a big advantage in being a potentially low energy weapon. If you are in tense conditions with people all around, you might not be able to swing or hit hard, but if you can put the sword where you want it to go (nice and slow), you can then start to push without pulling the sword back. So, you can literally just put the tip where you want it at a speed that's guaranteed to put the tip where you want it, then increase the pressure, and a sword will be able to penetrate enough to matter.

So in practice what were the risks around getting your axe caught/trapped in a shield if you ended up striking/piercing it?

I also wonder if the fact that when a sword tries to get around a shield it only takes a small movement of the edge of the shield to divert it away from your body. An ax on the other hand like you said projects around the edge of the shield and can't just be brushed aside with the edge of the shield.

I enjoy the videos where you talk shop like this. weapon A compare and contrast to weapon B.

“ you don’t want a spike in your face. That’s a bad news” 😂😂👌

If you are wearing a helmet, you can keep a shield low even against arrows and swords and see very well. Against an axe, your vision is either blocked by the shield or your head is exposed. Especially in a battle where attacks might come from different people, covering your head exposed your legs to attacks you can't see coming.

Matt, i would like to hear hour opinion about if the use of war bows could have been efective in the armies of the 18th and 19th centuries, considering that at the time the soldiers wear no armor and the muskets had a limited range and rate of fire. And also during naval boardings. I dont know if sounds stupid, but is something that i’ve been thinking since a while.

Have you any experience in tribal weapons from East Africa? I lived in Tanzania some years and brought back to Sweden things that know are all over my house ... On my wall I have a Masaii shield and two Masaii spears. I also have a Masaii sword (knife?) (called "sime") and a root club (called "rungu") ... These weapons are still used today for seminal purpose and for settle disputes with other villages or defend castles against wildlife ...

Video suggestion: testing or just discussion on shield damage of pilum-angon vs. Franzisca. How did the shield types change changed the weapon of close distance missile weapon. If not the shield type, other reason for change from angon to francisca ? When and why did the francisca got replaced and by what. If not, why there was no use of close distance missiles anymore? They were important for a thousand years and then disappeared, why??? Cheers and stay healthy :)

Could you do something on the Danish-Battle of Hastings type axe?

Matt, how effective is the shield in your video against a Dane axe, poleaxe or halberd. I always wondered what would happen to the shield or the shield arm if somebody hit it full force with a weapon with leverage. How would it differ with a center-grip shield.

Brilliant You could talk about using the 'hook' for other uses like hooking the reins or an arm to pull an opponent of balance or even to unhorse them.

In fantasy settings there are often anachronistic weapon combinations. How would a rapier deal with various forms of armor? Could you effectively half sword with one or is it too thin etc.?

Trying to find a good fighting larger tomahawk or axe w rear spike. I'm familiarizing myself w ancient weapons such as a spear or Shepard's staff

A major advantage of axes is that they were cheaper- less metal means they are more easily made, maintained, and replaced. They also have practical applications outside of warfare. Additionally, and especially if the axe has a spike, they are MUCH better against armor than any kind of sword, though of course the sword will cause fatal damage faster and easier if the opponent is poorly armored or has gaps in their armor you can take advantage of.

Do you do any strength training or other fitness training or do you just use your swords, axes, etc for strengthening?

Hey Matt, love your content! I've been thinking recently about hooking with the axe... I told by someone a sword would protect you from a spear better than an axe, and though I was thinking I'd want a shield either way, I can't speak to weather an axe such as the one you have would give you mechanical advantage if you tried to manipulate your opponents spear. I've seen a couple comments about breaking spears with an axe as well(I think you talked about that years ago). What's your take?

Can you talk about the hussite flail or just flair polearms in general. Seems like the would be very difficult to defend against and go right over a shield giving you a nasty concussion.

Hello Matt, What are the dimmentions of your shield used in this video?

Matt can you talk about the estoc? The medieval two handed estoc i mean, is a weapon underrated for some reason.

Which vendor would you recommend for functional swords with realistic balanced weight? I am tired of the impractical wall hangers

I think another point might be that a sword (in addition to not being effective vs armour) *requires* more nimbleness to be effective, and I would argue as such they benefit a lot less than an axe or mace does from a shield. This is in part because one of the perks of a sword is that it is also very adept at parrying, something maces and axes suffer at, and a shield would only be in your way I'd expect. The fact that you can thrust better with a sword is kinda immaterial when you think about how ineffective an arming sword is generally at stabbing through plate, while an axe would definitely not be something you'd ignore.

What about a combination of shield and Bren gun? Which shield type would work the best?

Video idea? How comfortable would you be fighting with a throwing ax in regular melees? Is the geometry of the ax or the studiousness of it a bigger factor to make you less comfortable?

How about pole axe vs shield? Can we bind a shield with the axe point and then stab with the spear point?

Would flails, or weapons with chains, be used for a similar thing? Getting around shields?

Would that spike dig into the shield and allow you to hurt their arm or act as a lever for grapple?

A handax (Or I prefer a hammer) is easy to carry, too. They aren't as long, and the pommel doesn't interfere with your shield arm as much as a sword at the hip. During my re-enactment days (I was more of an armorer than a fighter, but I fought too) I usually fought with a sword, with a hammer (Fuller. Spiked back fuller, but basically a hammer) as a sidearm, because the sword had reach, but the hammer got in the way a lot less, when fighting with a shield. This isn't counting short swords, like the Gladius, Chinquedea, or Katsbalger. Basically, when I say "Sword" I mean arming sword, and other swords are longswords, hangars, broadswords, or whatever to be more specific.

Can you tell us about axes with top spikes? Such as when and who used them?

Turn it one way, its a war hammer. Turn the other way, its a cleaver. With a little training, you can be the most dangerous peasant on the battlefield. A sword is for show, an axe is for dough.

I've been wondering for a while what the differences in application are between axes and warhammers. Both hafted swingy weapons, but one is cutty and the other is smashy. How much difference does that make?

Some links about shield usage that can be insightful: 01) About use of the axe agaist and with shields - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qPs9u3p_k2o.html 02) How to bind with a shield, fighting with viking shield - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-52HtjNLpOkY.html

How vulnerable is your shield arm to shock, both with an arm strap or a boss grip? With your arm behind that kite shield, could an axe or hammer essentially paralyze your axial or radial nerve? What about breaking your arm, or hand in the case of a boss grip? Is bludgeoning someone's shield ever an effective strategy? Lastly, can an arm strap be manipulated by an opponent to trap or break your arm before you can let go of it? Hoplite sheils seemed to be loose enough that they would fall away freely if let go of, but in the medieval period, especially with riders on horseback, we see some varieties of shields that are strapped to the rider.

is thrusting with spike on the end of hammer much harder through mail/gambeson than with halfswording sword/short dagger? Because of weight distribution? edit: yeah yeah I know you can't through through mail with wide blade, I'm talking about thrust that is painful, like ever been punched with pen/pencil through clothes? It doesn't make hole, but still painful af.

I am unsure at what distance the front lines of opposing ranks would be from one another, did it always end up in a crush, or sometimes at spear tip or outstretched shield distance. Bring the weapon to bear has to depend on the room you have. How was the gap negotiated?

In a 1 vs 1 setting I don't imagine yanking a shield with an axe would open up many opportunities, since a shield could resume a guard in the same time for the axe to strike again. And, if you focus too heavily on hooking your opponents shield, you may ignore defense and get struck yourself.