A few thoughts on the Scottish basket-hilt sword - Superior guard?
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2016
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I'm quite a fan of baskethilts. I also fence in Angelo's "Highland" style. These swords survived the rapier and smallsword and held on in Scotland even after the rise of the cavalry saber. They work, and they work well. Most will argue that it became outclassed by later sabers, but the Scots never seemed to think it made enough of a difference to change.
Christopher Carr The Scottish broadsword was seen as a symbol of strength and martial prowess, and Highland/Gaelic culture in general.
Is there an organization that teaches highland fencing?
I've always wanted one of these
To be fair, the Scots on foot largely didn't have a choice, or were officers and didn't need to stick with them, and as cool as they are 1745 kinda proved guns beat swords, even when wielded by crazed Scots :P
Scots on horse, Scottish cavalry units, used a number of different swords, depending on the type of cavalry unit they were in.
Also going back to the officers for a minute, officers would generally keep the blade option, but did have the option to pick different hilt styles, including a simple crossguard (makes the sword look like a typical medieval sword), and a typical sabre cup guard. The pommels were commonly screwed on and you could switch between different guards if you wanted. There are historical examples from 19th century India, where some Scottish units saw service and did engage in hand to hand fighting, that used these different guard options, and quite a few with crossguards from WW1.
As someone who prefer single handed swords this heavy handed dueling sword is my favorite not just because I enjoy Scottish history
That is very close to one of my favourite blade profiles, an Elmslie type 5b, combining the advantages of single edge and double edge blades, it's awesome.
SINGLE-EDGED MEDIEVAL SWORD!
:D nothing i love seeing more than people I'm subscribed to watching other people I'm subscribed to. ^.^ nerd together we do! (or something like that)
I always like to see Matt Easton, Skallagrim, Thrand, or Shad do a video and then see their replies to each other--it's cool that the communities appear to blend and work together.
BUT WHAT ABOUT DRAGONSSSS!!!?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?
There are a few things to keep in mind.
1: It was known that the cloth was actually leather in place to offer additional protection somewhat for the hand.
2: Many of the Backswords or Baskethilt came about first in the 17th to 18th century, and also the sword might have developed as a form of recycled or even adapted. Scottish do in fact have the Claymore and when this sword broke depending on the length of the blade would be recycled into a more shorter sword or dagger. Like a Dirk, or perhaps into something like this.
3: The advantage of the Baskethilt was that while a broadsword could be used like a saber, but also in close to close it was able to be used as a punching glove to bash your foe in the face like a jab or hook. Maybe upper cut too.
4: Skallagrim the Baskethilt was used in combination of the Targe and also Dirk as well, the Baskethilt would be used as a primary engage and disarm weapon, but also hack, and slash with some reach. The targe on the arm would have the dirk concealed in hand underneath with the Targe. Like a Spartan with an Aspis, you bash with the Targe to put the foe off balance, and then in pushing into you use the dirk with a back grip to stab slash.
5: Baskethilts were never carried on a belt at the side, it was used with a Hanger, basically a sling made for the scabbard to slide into and hang at the side from the shoulder.
Overall great sword, did Markland with friends and also SCA. Quite effective. If you want to talk about recycled weapons from damaged ones? This is it.
Your beard got on a whole new level of epicness. Upside down skyrim barrow level.
You knew most of the comments would be about your beard right ?
The Barrow symbol cannot be unseen...
it also looks like judas priest's wierd cross logo
+Gaseous Snake that's what I saw
Not a beard...
More of a douchey-goatee...but I can't grow much a beard myself so maybe I'm just hatin'.
Wouldn't the reason they didn't have basket hilts earlier was that they wore steal gauntlets earlier and the basket hilt was developed after full plate armor was no longer used?
They used shields and bucklers with one-handed swords, which are more reliable protection than gauntlets. But the Scots also used a shield with the basket-hilt sword.
+Skallagrim my point was you hold it in long point and leave it there that's the position you actually fight from unlike what you suggestest dipping the elbow with the point up like a sabre.
You said you you found that you were impeded and can't turn a tight circle with the wrist tbut once again this is the actual manner for using a basket hilt.
But Like I said perhaps your observations on the weapons limitation and draw backs is more a criticism of Hanwei.
Take a wee look at that manual and you'll see what I mean.
samael71ful
It's possible that Hanwei shaped the basket a little differently. Either way, it's just my personal observations on a sword type in general, not confined to a specific fighting style.
+Skallagrim that the thing, it's your observation on a sword type which is somwhat skewed what you said isn't representative of the source material.
Now I get it, your basing your idea on a particular model so we have a situation that happens all to often that the modern replica (?) aren't that accurate and change the functionality of the sword. Thus giving you a false assessment which you pass on.
Often on modern reproductions the hilts are Way overbuilt and wider or longer than the originals.
Somthing you mentioned yourself when taking about medeival swords
:o)
I know what you mean. I had no problem bringing my basket hilt around since the guard is a lot more cut back. The only real issue I seemed to have with mine were my knuckles chafing against the guard and the forwardly weighting wanting to break my wrist until I learned to throw swings with it.
Upside down Bleak-Falls Barrow beard
That is the single most amazing description I've seen.
Ghost7429 lol
I thought he was going for the Nordic Rune for Warding Evil.
God dammit xD
This comment deserves thousands of likes
Don't comment on the beard, don't comment on the beard, don't comment on the beard, don't comment on the beard....
Edit: damn it!
HA-HAHAHAHAHA!!
XD
It looks like the pommel of an irish sword, i love it.
+Alexey Alonso Maybe he can unscrew it and throw it at his enemy to insult him.
No, to finish him rightly
Mad jack Churchill used a Basket hilted broadsword in WW2
That guy is another perk of having the name Jack - I can kind of claim credit for my fellow Jack!
"In my opinion, sir, any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed" - Mad Jack Churchill.
and let us not forget his other weapon was a Bow.
check again
not Wikipedia this time :\
Zeph Meyer Burden of proof is on you friend
The good ol' protection vs mobility question.
The evolution of the basket hilt is a developmental lead by the increasing prevalence of muskets and pistols and the abandoning of clumsy gauntlets or armored gloved by musket and pistol armed troops. The basket hilt was a war weapon initially taken up by the common soldier not a fencing weapon. Similarly the half basket hilt was taken up by cavalry as they had adopted the use of pistols.
I've been studying and practicing with many Scottish Broadswords over 11 years and, the back sword was mostly ceremonial. The Broadsword is ment to be warn slightly lower off the hip, compared to almost every other sword. The part of the basket was to provide defense when drawing the blade if your attacker tried to stab or grab your hand, which would happen, and it was a great punching tool as well. Most often clansmen would also have a targe and a dirk in the other hand, again the basket helped when in a close grapple.
i went to culloden with my school back when i was a little kid and the replica they showed us had baskets formed of round wire apparently because it was developed around the same period as the rapier. They had the basket hilt because along with the targe it gave a good defense and we were told it was used mainly for thrusting similar to the rapier.
(Edit)
the blade also had two small hooks coming off the guard to catch other blades.
Cool video Skall. The only counterpoint I can think of bringing up is the panic draw. In at least my martial arts experience, my masters would drill us to take a stance until it became second nature. It can be argued that the sword masters who favored this sword would drill in how to draw it in a panic situation so that the hand would auto pilot to the handle, but I'm not sure.
You could also punch with the basket guard.
Can you finish him with the hilt, instead of the pommel?
punch the enemy with the basket?
Basket hilt sword=Nastiest knuckle duster in the world
yes that's exactly what Scottish soldiers did with it, it was very effective
Scott Dixon I meant it, to strenthen the pommel-meme
i know
carry a spare throwing pommel
I think the basket hilt was the perfect weapon used in conjunction with Scottish culture and supporting weapons. If you are fighting tribal warfare where you need your weapons at a moment's notice you won't have time for gauntlets and armor. A basket hilt is a good substitute that requires no added time. Since your opponents are not wearing much armor your cut doesn't need to be as powerful. The Scots also used a targe which was a light 24inch shield. A light shield has to be set into your opponent's cuts which means it's held forward so the thrusts most easily available to you are angled around it, which makes the hand position not as big of a deal. So to a light infantry clan warfare society any downside to the basket hilt is marginal while the upsides are very beneficial.
Vikings and Irish sea pirates were a serious and well-armed threat
FYI a good book on Scottish sword play is Highland Swordsmanship: Techniques of the Scottish Sword Masters by Mark Rector
you can punch with the basket in a grappling scenario.
Plus any Scottish warrior worth his salt would have at least a dirk and sgain dubh (Small knife/dagger) to use in his off hand.
+mariusdire With a targe, small shield, with a spike for a boss.
and sheer brass balls. that always helps in a combat situation.
+mariusdire or a targe AND dirk.
+Tyson Kemery The dirk being used in the same hand as the targe
Someone should make a Katana with a basket-hilt guard and a removable pommel. It'd be the ultimate sword!
You mean a basket hilted saber? They've done that.
but you can't throw your pommel at someone with a saber!
So throw the sword pommel first.
It would have to be a Katana, I'm afraid.
Matthew Campbell
Then call it a Katana, why does it matter what it's called?
Yes! Finally! I've been waiting for a Scottish broadsword video for forever :p On the subject of techniques, you can pretty much use it the way you would use a saber, albeit straight. It is a chore to use, hence them being called 'wrist breakers' in the old British military tradition. The basket does let you use it in fun ways, such as using two of them and utilizing the basket as an almost improvised buckler.
from what I gather the basket hilt was held in the right hand while a targe and a dirk in the left and at the time most of the Jacobite,s opponents were armed with a single shot musket with bayonet. so the sword was used for hard heavy wrist and shoulder thrown blows maninly as a distraction as a second strike quickly follows with the spike on the targe or the point of the dirk that sticks out under the targe
and this is all afyer the Jacobites and jusr performed a full tilt charge across the entire length of the battlefield. I would think the point of the style was intimidation by sheer show of strength and brutality
bardiel2c c In one battle during the wars of the three kingdoms, Scottish highlanders and their Irish allies found themselves outnumbered and unarmed. Their renowned commander (who won a year of victories, all against larger armies), told his men to pick up the large rocks around them. The Scots and Irishmen charged the first rank of the enemy, beat them to death with stones, then took their weapons (and began slaughtering the rest). The rest of the army turned and routed in the face of such brutality.
Pretzel beard!
Do the tassels on the pommel improve the throwing ballistics?
The tassels provide much needed drag. The Scots are known for throwing telephone poles for sport. Ergo, they needed a way to slow down the pommel to minimize collateral damage. Besides, if they sent a pommel flying through 5 or 6 Englishmen that meant there were that many fewer Englishmen to hack up, hacking up Englishmen being one of the most beloved pastimes of Scotland.
Norwegians too, or no?
As a Scot I can verify this interpretation of our national pastimes.
As an Irishman, I can happily say that we don't need any fancy Scottish pommel frills. Our pommels are so simple, they're literally just rings with a tang through them.
Also, that's the only good pommel joke I've ever read.
Ha yeah right, Scotland has been Englands bitch for centuries now. The only thing the Scots have been hacking up is their keyboards, all talk.
This was actually really interesting. Though you touched this issue previously this was much more in-depth.As always I like how you mix your HEMA knowledge with a common sense. It makes those videos informative yet natural.
And of course that beard style is amazing.
FINALLY! I had been wondering about this sword ever since you made a video of your personal collection a few months ago and forgot to mention this one. I'm a total fanboy for basket hilts, so I'm glad this one now has a proper video.
your beard braid is godly
I have the same type of backsword, and I kind of feel like one of the influences that led to such a heavy but restrictive hilt being popular was the type of armor being used at the time. A lot of armor had strong torso and groin protection, but had begun to abandon metal arm and leg protection for various reasons. While a straight thrust would still have some use, of course, by and large you had to use an up aiming or down aiming thrust to get into the torso or groin, as the protection was often just a solid plate.
This obviously wouldn't be the case for everyone; some people still had more armor and some still had less, but if it was as common as it seems to have been then it wouldn't have been a major restriction to keep the wrist in a hammer position. This, mind, is just total speculation; I assume that helmet+breastplate+tasset combination was popular because it looks like it was. If it was less popular than I thought, then this idea wouldn't really would.
Wow, I really your videos Skall, because not only do you explain the different types of sword characteristics, but you also explain the science and physics behind them as well! Good job man!
from my studies academically into the historic Scottish martial practices the basket hilt sword came about from a fight style and preferences for highly close range involving more grappling and chopping styles
Which was ideal for the Highlanders fighting for the Jacobites because their whole set of field tactics relied upon reaching the enemy lines quickly and then doing the damage at close quarters.
Finally my favourite sword style!
Not the best example though...
Mine too! My personal favorite is the Schiavona.
+Glitched Link what is the practical difference between this and the schiavona?
Timothy Creighton The Schiavona may be a bit less restrictive due to the half-circle shape of the basket. Also, some Schiavonas come with a guard, which for obvious reasons is a plus.
+Glitched Link yeah, I see what you mean, thanks
this is one of my favorite types of swords. You do bring up some interesting points about it though. I wonder if there are any historical examples of a similar sword with a hand-guard that doesn't stick out so far towards the wrist so it doesn't inhibit wrist movement, or perhaps with a slightly longer handle that partially sticks out below the guard to allow for 2 handing? Just my thoughts about how to maybe remedy some of drawbacks of this type of sword.
What a badass intro! Great quality video too! I also love the fact that you did a video about this beautiful sword! Thanks!
Bit late to jump in with a comment and don't know if Skall will ever see this but, as someone who has done some training in broadsword fencing, I felt I should point out a couple of things.
- Basket hilts are held in a sabre grip.
- The normal stance is similar to a sport fencing stance but a little more square on and with your point level with your opponent's eye.
- There are four main guards: right, left, hanging and St. George.
- There are nine standard cuts: three aimed at the head, two at the neck/shoulders, two at the waist and two at the thigh/knee.
Basically, fencing with a basket hilted sword is very similar to fencing with a sabre and relies on a lot of the same principles in cuts, guards and footwork. If you're interested in the finer points I would suggest contacting Paul Macdonald (of Macdonald Armouries and Academy in Edinburgh) as this is really his speciality.
I once read a comment. Someone said "the crossguard is inferior to the disc guard because someone can *grab the crossguard* and manipulate the opponents blade"
[FACEPOMMEL]
Fiore shows us several grappling techniques which involve grabbing and controlling the opponent's quillons in his 'close plays'. It's a real technique, though it doesn't necessarily make that handguard design inferior to a disc.
Thelonius Disreali why would you want to grab the crossguard instead of the hand...
For better leverage. If you control the crossguard, it's at an awkward angle for your opponent to resist and allows you to twist or pull their hand around.
Thelonius Disreali you can't even properly grip it. The opponent can just retract and it will slip out of your hand
Maybe you haven't been gripping correctly? Going from the illustrations, I've managed to get it to work pretty consistently in a non-live context (never tried it in sparring). You also wrap your arm under the blade for Fiore's grab, which makes it harder for your opponent.
If someone is trying to grapple with you I don't think you're going to find your sword especially useful to begin with. I also think that you'll usually find, in a historical context, if a person is carrying a sword (and a highland broadsword in particular) they are likely to also be wearing and wielding a smaller blade and/or a targe or other shield. I think that you'll find in a lot of cases getting in close and grabbing a persons sword arm is likely to get you a point in the side or a shield in the face, they aren't likely to just shift their sword to a different hand.
The smaller blade is general a dagger worn on the right side, drawn with the right hand. If you can just pass your sword, it might be faster then cross drawing your dagger.
@@lughfiregod16 the dirk, descendant from the medieval bollock, or kidney, dagger, was worn in the same manner as it's predecessor: at the front of the belt. The sporran (now worn in the front) was originally worn on the side or off center in the front. The dirk is easily drawn with either hand regardless of where it was worn. Even on the side where one were to wear their sword. But based on your comment, I presume you are assuming the dirk was used point up. While there may have been instances of this, I assure you the main, some would say proper, way the dirk was wielded was point down. It was most often paired in the off-hand with a targe, with the point down. Point down makes for a more powerful strike with a smaller, lighter weapon anyway
your discussion on the difficulties with the thrust is why I like the Schiavona so much for basket-hilted type guards since it allows one to place finger over the crossguard.
so glad you reviewed this ive been seriously interested in the basket-hilt swords
Thank you very much for this video. I had recently just gotten that same Hanwei basket-hilt and have been experiencing all of these problems and presuming that my technique was the problem. Good to know. I still really like the look of the sword though. Do you have any books or other sources you'd recommend for learning how to use it?
The best thing is always to learn from a competent instructor, so you could check if there are any HEMA clubs near you: www.communitywalk.com/user/view/81443
Keith Farrel has a book about the Scottish broadsword, as well as some singlestick. We'd recommend it as Keith is one of the leading HEMA practitioners based out of Scotland.
Very interesting video, although regarding the scabbard, it would usually, as far as Highland regiments are concerned, be worn with a shoulder strap rather than on the hip, bringing the handle lower than what you demonstrated. Still, with that in mind, the guard is quite big and may have been in the way, hence why Highlanders would always have their dirk and Sgian dubh at hand, as to defend themselves.
The claymore was a martial weapon. It would only have been carried when there was reasonable suspicion of need, i.e: when traveling, 'taking to the heather', or when soldiering. The dirk was more than sufficient in most self defense situations, being large enough to turn a sword blade and long enough to pin most men to whatever is behind them.
I love these videos I always find them so fascinating.
Love your vids man thanks for making stuff I look forward to:)
Wicked video man, I have that same piece in my collection and I may do a swords week on my channel but not sure yet. If I do expect many Hanwei pieces! Can I ask where you buy your pieces? I have a place called Kutters in Canada I go to but open to suggestions. Keep up the great content man!
I order swords from Kult of Athena. The link is in the video description.
+Skallagrim
If I may make a suggestion that will increase your mobility with this sword, it may seem counter intuitive at first , but try holding the handle about an inch further down closer to the pommel. This should address a few issues with the handling:
1. It provides a few degrees of rotational freedom for those close circular cuts you talked about at 4:30.
2. In conjunction with 1. by holding it further down you have more weight to throw into those cuts giving them more impact.
3. It will at least in part solve the "hammer grip lock in" you talked about and give you more freedom to thrust now that your hand isn't right up against the basket.
I practice Highland Broadsword style, in a club out of Winnipeg. I recently acquired this sword kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH1049 , admittedly not the one you are reviewing, but a closely related precursor model. I found that the holding it close to the basket without a glove chewed up my hand, as i'm sure this one you are reviewing would without the fabric barrier. Holding it literally one inch lower changed the whole feel and handling of the sword. I realize this adjustment will not eliminate the issues altogether, as you say, there are pros and cons to every design choice, but I think you will get a better overall experience by adjusting your grip slightly.
Side note, it also makes a basket strike significantly easier to execute.
Interesting analysis. You made a lot of good points.
The basket hilt is shown commonly used in harmony with a targe and dirk in the other hand. Might be something to look into, highlanders were specialized in close quarter combat and had a certain fighting style regarding this sword.
the basket hilt broad sword was mainly used for some heavy Scott style chopping and punching with the guard, also was usually worn a little lower on the waist with cord attaching it to your belt so it could hang a bit more freely
nice new intro m8!
It's the soundtrack to Medieval 1: Total War Viking Invasion. Some of my favourite music from the entire series.
Those hilts are big enough that you can hide an entire pommel in them.
I'll see myself out.
hey skall i just wanted to thank you, i started watching your vids like 1 1/2 - 2 months ago after my gf broke up, so i spended (is spended even an english word ? sry not my mother language haha) a lot of time on CZcams. i always where interested in swords but not so much than These days... thanks to you... Long Story short, i found a new Hobby and Inspiration in life. last week i visited a hema and a fencing Club, i dont know wich one i am going to join but i will join one of them this week. thanks for helping me in a very shitty time of my life, greetings from Germany :D
I can see your resentment while explaining simple points.
I don't understand why you're trying longsword grips/techniques on a backsword as opposed to stuff that is designed for it... I would recommend Paradoxes of Defence by Silver.
Skallagrim, could you demonstrate the effectiveness of the twirling cut at 4:22? You've featured this technique multiple times in your videos, but I've never understood what this would accomplish in historical battle.
It's for duels and civilian self-defense, not battlefield use. It's the quickest kind of cut you can perform.
*****
Interesting, though I'm not sure I understand the difference between battlefield techniques and self defense techniques in the historical context. Could this be made into a future video topic?
Well, one-on-one fighting is quite different from, you might say, team-vs-team. And civilians didn't wear armor.
***** Oh, I thought most commoners during the middle-ages had access to gambesons. Nevertheless, a simple twirl of the wrist wouldn't generate enough momentum to cause any serious damage, would it?
Well, duels were often won by first blood, so that would be ideal for civialians. You could very quickly cut their face with it, which would almost certainly have no protection. And, even if it was to the death, then minor cuts are not useless, it stresses the opponant and distracts him.
The scottish broadsword is meant for cutting. It was simply meant to be more agile so that you could actually fence with it (using your sword for both ofFENCE and deFENCE). Hence the hand protection. Think of it like any other backsword or Schiavona.
Won't lie, wasn't too into swords till i found you and learned about grabbing a blade being effective, now i'm super interested in swords and how they're properly used. Awesome Skallagrim is Awesome. xD
they wore the sword hung much lower than that for that reason. Also, it was meant for big, strong Highlanders.
Unscrew the hilt and throw it at your opponent to end him rightly!
Not sure if anyone's brought it up, but Scottish style fighting at the time the basket hilt came out included a lot of wall fighting and bash & whack stuff, since they often went up against armoured English fighters. Also, legends say that extremely skilled basket hilt users could use the bit of the guard in front of the blade to snap an opponent's blade. Not sure how often that happened, but it is an old legend they tell with the sword. Additionally, it's funny that you compare it to a rapier since it is partially based on the Italian rapier.
I learned all of this from a Scottish weapons historian at a Highland Festival in the USA btw.
Just a couple points about the hanwei backsword as I have owned one for about a year
1. It cuts very well if you sharpen it properly and use the correct technique of cutting from the wrist.
2.The sword is a little over what you'd want in terms of historical weight for use on foot, and this is all in the hilt which is why the point of balance is so far back. The main reason for this is the pommel which is solid on the hanwei but was typically hollow on historical examples (to counteract the extra weight in the guard). The guard also features large decorative panels. Usually these are pierced on historical example to reduce weight or are very thin sheet as in the case of the ribbon hilt variant. The hanwei has thick and un-pierced panels which also add weight to the rear end of the sword.
3. The pommel can be removed as it is held in place with a nut, which allows for the removal of the annoying tassel if you cut off a few mm of the tang so the pommel can be fully tightened without it. This will also help move the point of balance forward very slightly, but won't noticeably improve the overall weight.
4. The liner isn't secured to the guard and isn't stiff at all so it tends to get bunched up, especially when inserting your hand into the guard to hold the grip. The best solution I found was to sew the rim of the liner to the rim of the guard which keeps it in place nicely.
5.That being said, it is still the best mass production basket-hilted sword currently on the market in terms of historicity and is much better than its main competitors which are the hanwei and cold steel broadswords.
I would have to say that the trade off was in protection.
At the time the weapon was common among the Scots, there was a tendency to wear less armour. The complex and full protection I have to argue almost entirely precludes the wearing of hand protection. You have to be minimally gloved at best to wield this.
At least it's one possible argument. Also a point I don't think people appreciate. If you're going to have the protection on the weapon, to this extent, you give up on being able to armour up on the hand.
Possibly, but if you look at where the sword was being used to fight it shines some light on the matter. These were used, at least in Scotland, during the Jacobite Risings from 1689-1746. The combatants using these swords fought without armour, most in feileadh beag, basically a kilt that had cloth extending to the shoulder. The main technique of the Jacobite armies was called the Highland Charge and was basically just a headlong charge at a key position in the enemy line, so wearing armour would not fit with their fighting style. The technique worked several times, albeit with more success against inexperienced troops at Killiecrankie and Prestonpans, although ultimately failed at Culloden because it became bogged down in the swampy terrain the Jacobites had to cross to reach the British lines. Many Jacobites from the Highlands did however have a targe, a relatively small shield with a spike as a boss with which to protect themselves and which coupled nicely with a basket hilted broadsword in the other hand. As well as this they were fighting against the British Army, who were already using Brown Bess Muskets which would render any attempt the Jacobites made at armour obsolete.
Armour at this time period was completely pointless as the loss in mobility was more likely to get you killed as musket proof armour of the time was exceedingly heavy and also not fullproof whats the point in being protected from stabs and slashes if you open yourself up to being shot in essence cons vs pros its why the time period was leaning more and more towards half plate then gradually to the complete loss of armour in favour of uniforms.
+NuclearFallout1 I don't think that really applies to gauntlets and gloves.
+NuclearFallout1 Armour of some sort always hung on and never went away, even today. but not for the Scots, no, you're right.
NuclearFallout1 Quite right. Furthermore, the Highlanders in the Jacobite Risings fought with what they could. In the Scotttish clan system in the Highlands pre-1746, there was a strict hierarchical system in place. Tacksmen collected rents from tenants and sub tenants living on clan land, and so the tacksmen in the times of the risings could afford better weapons, targe, dirk broadsword etc than those under them in the social ladder. Sub-tenants and sub-tenants of sub-tenants could afford less still and finally the cotters at the very base of the clan system, men who literally owned nothing in terms of land, could afford the least. For those that could afford to be in armour opted not to because they were fighting against trained missile troops so it wouldn't make sense to slow down against an enemy. The rest simply couldn't even have afforded any kind of armour.
Relating to the "broken wrist position" and the thrust, later sabre sources which were arguably derived from earlier back/broadsword techniques, the thrust (when given) is with the wrist pronated or supinated, with a horizontal blade alignment.
Thanks for this look over the basket-hilt. Their aesthetic is very appealing to me and it's a design that I feel is only natural to apply to a Defending longsword in D&D. I figured they would have a reduced mobility, and this display helped in understanding how reduced that mobility is.
Using the basket hilt backsword does take more practice to get used to, but I have been using one for the past few years and have become very comfortable with both wearing it and using it.
Re-watching this makes me realize why I'm glad that I chose a schiavona (kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=501545 ) over a scottish basket-hilt. The angled basket permits handshake grip, as well as greater wrist mobility relative to the scottish BH. Now some of this is due to the larger opening on the Windlass schiavona, as opposed to, say, the higher build-quality (and priced) Del Tin version (kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DT5173 ), but the slant to the guard seems to mitigate or even remove the issues you mention here.
Thanks for the videos, Skal, and have fun!
Thanks for the video. I was considering buying a basket hilt sword myself and after this video I can see its just not my kinda sword. So thank you.
Love the video, great work as always, Skall. Although, you mentioned the blade being difficult to draw. Perhaps so for you, who is so practiced with the cruciform style. But I would imagine that difficulty could perfectly well be trained past.
I never really like basket hilts felt to restrictive in my hands, but I do enjoy how they look and the tactics that can follow them with not just extra hand protection, but an extra weapon.
Good vid, thanks for posting.
In the British Army this sword went out of fashion during the North American wars. Troops were given the choice of using the broadsword but opted for the musket and bayonet, finding carrying a sword to be too cumbersome.
Officers ended-up only wearing the basket hilt on ceremonial occasions, for active service the basket hilt was replaced by a plain, straight crossguard with thistle finials.
There was also a fashion during the Napoleonic era and beyond for all things "Scottish" and often Navy officers would replace their standard sword blade with a broadsword blade.
That type of sword was used with a targe, which sometimes had a spike in the centre. And the lugs at the bottom of the cutting edge was used to catch an opponent's blade (or bayonet at the time).
I forgot how much I enjoy these reviews.
New beard look, new intro, skall is getting fancy!
Loving the viking beard braids, Skal
George Silver thought highly of the basket hilt sword against the rapier in his Parodoxes of Defense. I've got a copy of it bookmarked (in the language of 1599 English) and it has interesting insights. The cliffnotes version is that he felt the rapier was too specialized a weapon with its emphasis on offense and the thrust while the basket hilt sword and similar cut and thrust blades were more versatile and thus better suited to a broader range of situations.
Sick beard style, Skall!
These are so cool. I just made a crude steel baskethilt... waiting on a blade but damn if it does not feel so cool in hand. I can see why these were so popular for so long!
I love the looks of this sword
Would you ever consider doing a series of videos teaching the basics of HEMA? My brother recently bought a replica longsword and I uncovered an old wooden sword I had sitting around from back when I did Tai Chi a long while back. I was hoping to use youtube to learn the basics of how to properly wield, strike, block, etc
The basket hilt was largely used in battle as part of the highland charge. The soldier would be armed with the sword, a targe (round shield) and a dirk held in the off hand behind the targe. They would run at a line, shield bash the first row and try to strike with the dirk at the same time, use the basket to punch anyone else and then cut with the sword into the second line. It was a feared battle technic of the Scots all the way up to WWI when guns were just to advanced to allow for line battles.
The last, real, Highland charge was on 16 April 1746. The reason it was the last is the English finally figured out how to beat it: you simply stab with your bayonet at the armpit of the man to the right, instead of the man in front of you. Also, the targe was used to deflect the first volley of musket fire. The only time it was used as an offensive weapon is when it had a spike on the front, or when there was no other weapon available.
Edited to add:
Correction. A Highland charge was used in the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, 27 February 1776, by loyalist Scots against Continental patriots...
I've played with some historical ones in a museum. This seems accurate to be honest great vid skall :)
I think it's important to consider the general context of use when comparing weapons. The arming sword was the ubiquitous sidearm of choice for its age so ease of drawing, comfort of wearing, ability to switch hands relatively easily etc. are important benefits for use in civilian as well as military contexts
The basket hilted sword on the other hand was very much a weapon of war, and often the primary weapon of the soldier carrying it. This somewhat downgrades the importance of speed of draw and comfort of carry as the sword is likely being carried with intent for a portential engagement, rather than as a defensive side arm carried daily.
Consider also that the basket hilted sword was most commonly used alongside a round shield or targe and thus weapon retention and the protection of the weapon hand offered by the basket become of greater importance than the ability to switch weapon hands (The targe also not uncommonly having a spiked boss to provide offensive capability with both hands).
Lastly consider the most common opposition facing a basket hilted sword and targe armed soldier. This would either be another basket hilted sword and targe armed soldier, or a musket and bayonet armed combatant. None of these opponents are likely to be wearing considerable armour other than heavy clothing/uniform.
In the case of sword + targe vs sword + targe we have a very defensive fight where both parties have the capacity to close with the other using the targe and thus maximum reach is of secondary importance to weapon retention and point maneuverability to counter the opponent's defence.
In the case of sword + targe vs musket + bayonet, initially, of course, you may be shot at, in which case; hope. Having sucessfully not been shot, the sword + targe armed combatant now effectively faces an opponent armed with a short spear. No matter how well suited to thrusting and maneuverable a single handed sword is, it cannot compete for reach with a spear. Again the defensive capabilities of the targe must be used to catch or turn bayonet thrusts to close inside the reach of the opponent before cutting them down.
So the basket hilted sword is unusual in that it is a moderately long single handed sword and yet finds itself commonly in situations where it is used very close up to enter under an opponents guard. In this usage the forcing of a hammer grip lends the sword towards strength in the cut, draw cuts as well as full force chopping cuts, with a fairly maneuverable tip allowing for moderate thrusting capacity to take advantage of any holes in the opponents defence. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the weighting and point of balance of any historical examples as to favouring cut or thrust.
The basket hilted sword is very much a product of its situation and the most common equipment of opponents met by its users. In a one on one, sword alone duel it is very probably not the best choice and my money would be on the arming sword, but that was not the context in which it was most commonly used historically.
Oops, I meant to leave a short comment but have done the whole comment essay thing.
Hope somebody reads it :)
Great channel, keep up the interesting videos.
been waiting on this one for a while
That Viking Invasion Music from Medieval 1 Suits the channel very well, Skall!
Love what you're doing with the beard.
From what I remember of this sword it's guard was good for punching your attacker but it was often paired up with a Dirk I think
Concerning wrist angle in the thrust, the guards in highland broadsword do lead to quite towards our downward stabs.
Some of the weaknesses of the type were probably somewhat overcome because they were customarily used in conjunction with a dirk in the left hand, and also with a shield (targ).
Another cool benefit is that you could perform jabs or punches and the guard would act not only as protection for your hand but as brass knuckles to your opponents face
I like the new intro dude!
LOVE basket hilts!
Hey Skall, could you do a video on the pro's and con's of having your sword mounted on your back versus your hip?
+Skallagrim as a practitioner of that weapon I can tell you that while the saber grip is difficult (especially if the hilt is not sized for your hand) you are not forced to a hammer grip. The most popular grip with this weapon is called the three quarters grip where instead of putting your thumb along the spine (a la saber grip) or wrapping it around the hilt (a la hammer grip) you place your thumb along the side of the hilt at an angle much more like a handshake and slide the heel of your hand to the base of the hilt. This offers a compromise between the wrist mobility of the saber grip and the firmness of the hammer grip.
This grip and honestly everything about this blade requires a lot of training and athleticism more in some ways than other weapons. It takes training to get the draw right, training for the grip, training for the cut (which is based on using that center of balance as a fulcrum about which the blade spins by as you pointed out throwing the cut hilt first rather than point first). But the context of these blades was a society where EVERY boy regardless of class started fighting at age five so training wasn't an issue.
Dude I love the the beard style!
Skall, you rock that hair style.
Prior to firearms, the well equipped soldier's primary weapon was typically a polearm - a halberd, bill, pike, lance or whatever. Having your hand protection on your hand - as a gauntlet - made sense, because it protected your hand while you were using your primary weapon and while you were using your sidearm - your sword.
When the firearm came into common use, gauntlets became impossible, because charging a flintlock firearm is fiddly enough with bare hands, let alone heavy gloves. As the enemy closes within melee range, there isn't time to drop your pistolet, drag on a heavy gauntlet, and unsheath your sword. So the hand protection must necessarily move from the hand to the weapon.
That's all. Medieval soldiers wore gauntlets, so there wasn't need for hand protection on the sword - except for archers, but most archers weren't rich enough to own a sword. Renaissance (and later) soldiers couldn't both wear gauntlets and use fiurearms, so their swords had to have hand protection. End of story.
Now that you've mentioned it, would you elaborate a bit on left-handed swordsmanship?
Man, your beard is fantastic!! omg hahaha I loved it!
Also, what do you think about the Cromwell Mortuary Sword? Somewhat similar guard design, and its a pretty fast and agile sword (at least that's what I heard)
I think a Scot would head-butt in a grappling situation, we're known for our hard heads and our love for a good close quarter smash.. great vid, sir!
Great beard.
The hand protection comparison leaves me a bit puzzled though. Dussaks in my experience have pretty good hand protection. They don't have a full basket but a pretty thick arch that protects your hand quite well.
In Scotland I held many of these 18th century basket hilt claidheamh mors and the blade is a bit heavier so cutting would have been more effective with this sword. And cutting is how the old Scots used them for the most part. So I guess hanwei messed up a little on the accuracy of the balance. It was fascinating, I held a double edged one and a backsword. Awesome video!
I was just looking into this sword and randomly found this video awesome
Basket hilted broadsword where used with targes, each limb protects it's own, but the sword was mostly a slashing weapon. If I remember correctly
It's a beautiful piece, regardless of its awkward mobility
Does the basket hilt provide a sort of knuckle buster effect? If so would that in someways offset any disadvantages that the basket might cause in a brawl (what with being able to safely/more effectively punch a metal helmet) or would the types of armour used by contemporary peoples (such as heavy padding under said helmet) make that sort of strike ineffective?