The billhook is one weapon i really want to see more of in games. It has so much versatility and the potential for some really elaborate but still functional designs.
Vermintide did it ridiculous justice, arguably the most broken weapon in the game because it’s strong in every aspect and you can pull enemies to stagger them
You would need the main character to like specialize in it to really get all its features into gameplay. Maybe a game where you play as the leader of a bloody peasant uprising? Play as a skilled commoner former soldier and just rip knights off horses.
The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that the Bilhook is the closest we can get to a real life Final Fantasy looking weapon that ACTUALLY works-- despite its atypical design. So yeah, Bilhook 10/10. Definitely want to design and master my own one day.
@@kingmasterlord If this comment inspires you to achieve greatness, and challenge what most consider conventional, then YES, I CHALLENGE THEE! *Throws down fancy glove*
There are a number of Chinese weapons that manage that as well, mostly on the ends of poles. I mean, Kimarhi has a few. The Chinese were WAY ahead of the game in the "how many ways can we get one weapon to stab, chop and slice?" department.
Everyone else puts on medieval garb for their videos. I kind of like that a guy who looks like he’s an IT Specialist in an office is telling us about medieval weapons.
Interesting that I never heard of a German billhook, even though they had strong armor and weapon production centers. Maybe the halberd along with pikes gained more popularity earlier there?
There is a certain English master at arms crying to hear you say that! 😂 But I think the English Bill is good. It's definitely more geared to using it's bill (hook) to cut than to grab; it's kinda like a falcata on a pole. It has a top & back spike so gut that converted. Italian bill can do all the same tasks but hooks & grabs better so while the Italian Bill gets a S tier I still think the English Bill deserves a B+ or A- but that's just my opinion.
You could make an entire medieval fantasy game about a bill hook with unique mechanics that all focus around the sheer variety of the billhook. The title of the game would be "BILL"
@@1stCallipostle I think it'd /have/ to be a VR game, no sane control scheme could manage switching between all the different options and techs fast enough! Even hardcore fighting game MFs would be befuddled 😂
Same! Figured it wouldn't be pure mall ninja aesthetics. 😅 Unless it was merely a ceremonial or execution weapon, there had to be _some_ kinda function to it!
It was carefully designed to be as versatile as possible in the hands of a skilled user. But even for an unskilled user, the truth is that anybody swinging 2-3 pounds of spiked, bladed metal on the end of a long pole is a menace!
@@longschlongjohnson6470I feel like thats half the idea. Like even an idiot can surely find SOMETHING they're good at with that many tools. Probably the spike, but having options is always good
Gotta say, recently I've been starting to like the billhook more. It's not as cool as the poleaxe or the polehammer, but it's still an awesome weapon. The billhook deserves more love
@@redninenine_ Even if it doesn't have the axe part ? Cause I'm talking about that polehammer that has the spike on top and another one on the side (bec de corbin ?). I get confused with the names
One of my favorite weapons of all time. Pure versatility. I’m that nerd that says “Billhook!” Or “Kamayari!” when the discussion of zombie apocalypse weapons come up. You have reach and distance to keep the teeth much further than a machete or baseball bat. You can push and pull, and outside of combat you can use it as a walking/utility stick and also.. it’s basically already a fireman’s multi tool pike hook! Those are used specifically by fireman, police and rescue squads for apocalypse jobs like smashing into a building by breaking a window and scraping away the glass safety, ripping down wall sections, pulling down tall ladders, ropes, ceilings etc. it’s just a super versatile tool that can save your life in a hundred different ways! If it’s good enough for the bravest people on our planet, it’s good enough for me. When the zombies come, I’m using my custom modern Kamayari. It’s just the most useful thing you could ever have. Killing zombies, gathering supplies, hiking/exploring, scavenging materials and checking out sketchy places like checking footing/water depth, reaching items at a distance… hell… I’ve even climbed onto a tall roof with one! I just reached up and hooked it on the roof, and climbed the pole like a rope. I’d recommend a billhook or actual fireman’s pike tool for anyone who has an emergency/survival kit. They make smaller pike hooks you can buy with a fiberglass pole that are much easier to carry but still extremely useful, you just sacrifice on length and a blade..
I kind of like the idea of a character that uses a broken billhook instead of a sword. it changes how you use the features in close melee, but that's the fun part.
I've mused on the idea myself actually. It'd be an absolute nightmare to keep on you, but an interesting improvised weapon. I always thought it had good goblin salvaged weapon energy.
Well it's not a popular weapon in fiction because it's not.. well, sexy. It's a common soldier's weapon. Swords get all the glory because they're status symbols.
@@Atzy You were talking about fiction >_> the most popular fictional representation of the “Dragoon” is that of Final Fantasy - which uses various polearms - and is incredibly sexy 😂
Thank you. You’ve significantly altered my perception of pole arms and spears: I like the added functionality, but I’d like to hear about the drawbacks.
With Polearms as a whole, you're always giving something up. I mean you can't stuff an Axe, Spear, Hammer, Hook, Beak, Guard, and Blade all on one tool, so you gotta pick like... 3 of the above. I assure you that most combinations of the above pop up somewhere in history
I really want to see how the billhook would perform as a sword. It has all the features that make swords useful, plus more, at the cost of some weight.
I'm a miniature collector and one thing I love about any medieval/rennaissance range made by the Perry Brothers is the presence of billhooks. Such under-appreciated weapons.
Spears on general hold the same position as assailt rifles. I can imagine in the far fiture they are showing a movie of world war 1 where two armoes charge at each other shooting their pistols at each other randomly. Basically the same thing someone from the medieval era woild see if they saw a movie made today.
I feel inclined to award that to the pollaxe, but this has a distinctly multi-tool look to it. Like a swiss army knife all opened up and stuck on a stick.
@@robinswords I guess it feels more like one of those metal one piece multitools you'd put on a keychain whose odd shapes offer many functions. The pollaxe I think reminds me more of a Swiss army knife, with it's distinctly shaped separate tools all attached together. Either way, I think ever since I was little I never had any content where I could nerd out over polearms and stuff so this is great lol
@@ragnkjaI'm going to have to second war scythe. It's more or less scythe shaped, except the blade is actually facing in the right direction to cut things when swung.
@@ragnkja Yeah, that's the point. Anime characters don't fight with scythes by holding them with the blade at ankle level while taking big, deliberate steps to swing. They swing them like typical "big blade on a stick" weapons.
Thank you for mentioning the cutting section of that style of Bill! Almost ever video I see doesn't even mention it. Would love to see some test cutting with it!
This guy IMO is one of the best if not the best HEMA rationalists on social media. He’s well read but also gleans practicality by practice rather than dogmatic emulation.
That... seems unlikely. If you look at farriers today, who largely still use traditional hand-tools, they don't use things this large. Which makes sense, as when you're already working between the hoof of a large and potentially-unhappy horse and the ground, you really don't want anything that could block a swift escape.
You can still buy these in the uk! The bill, the head part of the billbook, is a common old fashioned gardening tool. Usually on a small handle like a machete but also on a long shaft for reaching tall bushes and trees. We get id'd for buying kitchen knives but honestly we can straight up buy medieval war weapons casually lol
Polearms in general are serious under-appreciated. Dark Souls has shown the versatility of the Halberd, but there are all other kinds that are awesome from the simple spear to the elaborate billhook.
I just hope you know youre held in the same regard in the yt medieval community as the greats like shad, metatron, scholagladatoria and the rest. Itd be fun to see you collab with one of them.
I’ll just tell you right now, shad isn’t really a “great”. He often has misinformation in his historical videos and doesn’t know entirely what he’s talking about. He’s responsible for spreading a lot of myths about arms and armour and frankly he’s not a very good source to learn about history from. Someone like Knyght Errant or Modern History TV would be a better pick. (Metatron is similar to a lesser degree) Though I do agree that robinswords is pretty good in what he does and he is definitely one of the better medieval youtubers on the platform.
Oh, this is so good! I was so tired of people just preventing me from stabbing them in the face, immensely inconvenient and inconsiderate. This solves that problem!
Robin I'm a Dark Fantasy writer and I just wanted to thank you for your videos. They're really helping me detail the way my characters handle their armaments. I would love to see a video on the Knochenbrecher. One of my characters wields one but honestly I don't know anything about it other than that it looks cool.
billhooks gotta be in my top 5 favorite melee weapons. practical, versatile and effective. i loved using it whenever it rarely showed up in videogames like chivalry and vermintide 2
Usually scrolling the internet gets me interested in acquiring random gizmos and gadgets but this clip has the impulsive part of my brain really sold on this. Lol Great job describing the features. I can’t wait to see this re-edited as an infomercial:)
Something most of these channels don't touch upon is Billhook, and similar weapons are mostly used in groups. Their opponents often had to deal with chops from above, pokes from in from and leg hooking from below simultaneously
The hook also helps stop wild animals (such as boars) from charging up the spear and impaling you. Usually it was just a cross guard further down the blade. Then they aded the hook to help on combat or hunt.
I love multi-use weapons and tools. Bearded axes, bill-hooks, zweihanders, they're all awesome at doing multiple jobs while not sacrificing much on their ability to do their main job. I also love similar designs like the guisarme and even ones that carry the idea of it but still performed different roles and were more originally militarized AFAIK rather than repurposed or redesigned agricultural tools, like the halberd or lucerne.
The hook of the billhook actually served a purpose of storage as well! You’d have sheds with them hanging from bars above, and soldiers could walk in and walk out in a “moment”
What I liked very much in Gamaran manga I believe. An enemy used the billhook to first stab at an enemy with the hook facing away from them. They would dodge, then he'd pull back with the billhook side facing towards them to rip into them when they thought they had dodged.
I like how eventually we just realized that long stick with pointy end was the most effective thing to use, and then just kept adding more pointy ends because it became even better with them.
Saw this and my DM brain was instantly like: -Billhook of Battle Mastery -Very Rare magic item -Requires attunement by a Barbarian or Fighter. You are proficient with the Billhook if you have proficiency in Halberds or Glaives -You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with his weapon -While attuned to this weapon, you can perform the Pushing Attack and Trip Attack maneuvers from the Battle Master archetype in the fighter class without expending superiority dice if you have any. If you use one of these maneuvers in this way, roll 1d6 instead of a superiority die. You can also perform these maneuvers by expending superiority dice you have. The saving throw DC of these maneuvers equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice).
I honestly love the bill hook. In mordhau it's a great early, mid and even late game weapon in horde mode, it's an interesting and great weapon irl and it's really versatile.
For me the billhook is like the jack of all trades of the polearms. Don't get me wrong a lot of polearms have a great attack variaty of sorts. But only the billhook nailes every Aspekt of it. I can imagine it being useful against infantry and cavalry in the same part as being effective against armoured and unarmoured enemies. It clearly has range. You can slash, you can stab, you can hook you can push and all of this with small effort. The design looks intimidating in a battle and complex enough that I think in the beginning of its usage it might have had the same kind of effect as the first tanks in world war 1 had in the soldiers. just my guess but imagine not knowing this thing and its potential before a battle...
also weapons like this are meant for getting rid off horses too. It is easier to pierce or slash the tendons of the animal rather than pulling a knight from them and some old knight combat manuals describe this manneuver to be done after the charge of cavalry
I absolutely love billhooks and weapons similar to it, like Halberds and Glaives. They deserve way more attention than they get imo, such amazing weaponry
Really the halberd, polearms, spears is something I wanna see more as an icons, because not even ask games get the message across that they are pretty neat.
The best weapons are the ones that can be used for multiple purposes effectively. The US military is actually developing a special programmable tank ammunition where you can change it’s purpose from high explosive to armor piercing with just a switch.
The back end is important too, some folks don’t realize the butt cap is there to balance that big heavy blade nor do they see the very generous spike that comes on it.
There is another advantage to this weapon. Lack of mental focus is not going to inhibit the weapon force user. If you are sub, trained and experiencing intense adrenaline darts in battle, you’re basic instinct to stab swing Pull well, naturally come out in the weapon will do its thing, but if you are very well trained and you are under control you can effectively use the weapon in a precise manner. The best weapon is the one that works for the skill soldier, and the one who was just forced in the service yesterday
The bill is underrated for dealing with the variety of scenarios in the chaos of army vs army melee. I believe it's superior to typical 'Swiss style' halbard variants precisely because its versatility with chaos versus unknown equipment is its specialization.
Can we just appreciate that he's doing this in a nice outfit? Good to see some people still take pride in their appearance and in looking professional! And it's also a psychological advantage in combat cuz if you're fighting a guy wearing a tie it's gonna make you wonder how crazy he is! 😁
I remember in the War of the Roses game (RIP), the Billhook was one of the weapons that impressed me the most. You could rotate the weapon to use either side in that game and both were so useful versus their intended targets. Really miss that game.
As someone who has come from along line of people who practice the fifth profession I can assure you the weapon he has in hand is quite effective and in the right hands can become a terror on the battle field for melee combat easily.
The billhook is one weapon i really want to see more of in games. It has so much versatility and the potential for some really elaborate but still functional designs.
I agree. Not to mention some peasants already know how to use the hook because it is used to cut off tree limbs.
Vermintide did it ridiculous justice, arguably the most broken weapon in the game because it’s strong in every aspect and you can pull enemies to stagger them
It might be too op too be in the game man, just imagine the versatility of this weapon toward bosses
You would need the main character to like specialize in it to really get all its features into gameplay. Maybe a game where you play as the leader of a bloody peasant uprising? Play as a skilled commoner former soldier and just rip knights off horses.
Welcome to Mordhau
The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that the Bilhook is the closest we can get to a real life Final Fantasy looking weapon that ACTUALLY works-- despite its atypical design.
So yeah, Bilhook 10/10.
Definitely want to design and master my own one day.
I use a literal Billhook in Final Fantasy XIV. I love the design of this weapon
is that a challenge?
@@kingmasterlord If this comment inspires you to achieve greatness, and challenge what most consider conventional, then YES, I CHALLENGE THEE!
*Throws down fancy glove*
@@Jordan.A.07 I love this comment section
There are a number of Chinese weapons that manage that as well, mostly on the ends of poles. I mean, Kimarhi has a few. The Chinese were WAY ahead of the game in the "how many ways can we get one weapon to stab, chop and slice?" department.
The fact that he does all this in business casual is part of what keeps me coming back just as much as the information lmao
It's called "a toff"
That's why he's got all this
Clark Kent
Business casual? A polo t shirt is business casual. Shirt and jeans is business casual. This is straight up business wear without the blazer.
@@ChasmChaosThose are both just casual, business casual usually means you don't wear a tie or jacket and can roll your sleeves up
Everyone else puts on medieval garb for their videos. I kind of like that a guy who looks like he’s an IT Specialist in an office is telling us about medieval weapons.
The Italian billhook--a beautiful iconic weapon
The English billhook--a C in shop class, or possibly an orc weapon
We are of one mind on this
You have my billhook.
Interesting that I never heard of a German billhook, even though they had strong armor and weapon production centers. Maybe the halberd along with pikes gained more popularity earlier there?
There is a certain English master at arms crying to hear you say that! 😂
But I think the English Bill is good. It's definitely more geared to using it's bill (hook) to cut than to grab; it's kinda like a falcata on a pole.
It has a top & back spike so gut that converted.
Italian bill can do all the same tasks but hooks & grabs better so while the Italian Bill gets a S tier I still think the English Bill deserves a B+ or A- but that's just my opinion.
Billhooks saw German use, they called it a rossschinder, but the halberd was far and away the regional favorite.
We're living in a universe where Clark Kent is a mild mannered medieval weapons expert...
I said "Dollar Tree John Mulaney"
He looks exactly like the German tv host Ralf Caspers.
@@onurbschrednei4569 But, like, twenty years ago... But it's comforting to know others see it too
🙄 that joke got old a long time ago.
Ned Flanders, when he sports a mustache.
it literally takes people off their high horse
Damn you. Have your thumb up.
I will forever think of polearms whenever someone says “Get that outta there!”
Robinswords and John Mulaney should be buddies in an action comedy movie.
Is that a film reference?
The more you show this thing, the more i start to love it.
Embrace the billhook, brother
@SandrockCustom yes, lest the billhook embraces you 😅
That is so bad out of context
Thats what she said
(I have been locked for 3 months without comunication and now all this buildup is running rampant on my puns and jokes)
You could make an entire medieval fantasy game about a bill hook with unique mechanics that all focus around the sheer variety of the billhook. The title of the game would be "BILL"
Make it a VR game. I feel like actually handling the thing and having detailed physics would sell the idea
@@1stCallipostle that would be an instant cult classic
BILL BILL BILL
@@swedneckBILL NYE THE VIOLENCE GUY
@@1stCallipostle I think it'd /have/ to be a VR game, no sane control scheme could manage switching between all the different options and techs fast enough! Even hardcore fighting game MFs would be befuddled 😂
It kinda resembles a Swiss Army Knife with all of the tools drawn out. I like it! 👍
Call it the man opener
@@daleford8621🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I really liked the explanation. I always wondered what the purpose and rational was for each of the protrusions of these weapons.
Same! Figured it wouldn't be pure mall ninja aesthetics. 😅 Unless it was merely a ceremonial or execution weapon, there had to be _some_ kinda function to it!
It was carefully designed to be as versatile as possible in the hands of a skilled user. But even for an unskilled user, the truth is that anybody swinging 2-3 pounds of spiked, bladed metal on the end of a long pole is a menace!
@@longschlongjohnson6470I feel like thats half the idea. Like even an idiot can surely find SOMETHING they're good at with that many tools.
Probably the spike, but having options is always good
@@1stCallipostle The easiest thing is always a stabby stab. No need to align your edges properly.
@@CrizzyEyes Choppy Choppy and Picky poke can also be pretty easy depending on the situation.
Gotta say, recently I've been starting to like the billhook more. It's not as cool as the poleaxe or the polehammer, but it's still an awesome weapon. The billhook deserves more love
Fun fact: the polehammer can technically be called a pollax
@@redninenine_ Even if it doesn't have the axe part ? Cause I'm talking about that polehammer that has the spike on top and another one on the side (bec de corbin ?). I get confused with the names
Yup, still qualifies.
@@dvmpld9103 yep. also, a more appropriate/fitting name than bec de corbin (when referring to a head with a beak) would be bec de faucon.
Plenty are seen in BBC Merlin and that was before I even knew how to recognize a billhook!
That particular billhook is an absolutely beautiful looking weapon.
Roncone, Italian billhook
Such sn underrated weapon. I swear, modern pop culture should give more love to weapons like this.
Love that this feels like a door to door salesman trying to sell me on a polearm.
“It slices, it dices, it juliennes! Get yours today for the low, low price of just $19.99 per month! Mounted opponent sold separately.”
One of my favorite weapons of all time. Pure versatility.
I’m that nerd that says “Billhook!” Or “Kamayari!” when the discussion of zombie apocalypse weapons come up.
You have reach and distance to keep the teeth much further than a machete or baseball bat. You can push and pull, and outside of combat you can use it as a walking/utility stick and also.. it’s basically already a fireman’s multi tool pike hook! Those are used specifically by fireman, police and rescue squads for apocalypse jobs like smashing into a building by breaking a window and scraping away the glass safety, ripping down wall sections, pulling down tall ladders, ropes, ceilings etc. it’s just a super versatile tool that can save your life in a hundred different ways! If it’s good enough for the bravest people on our planet, it’s good enough for me.
When the zombies come, I’m using my custom modern Kamayari. It’s just the most useful thing you could ever have.
Killing zombies, gathering supplies, hiking/exploring, scavenging materials and checking out sketchy places like checking footing/water depth, reaching items at a distance… hell… I’ve even climbed onto a tall roof with one! I just reached up and hooked it on the roof, and climbed the pole like a rope.
I’d recommend a billhook or actual fireman’s pike tool for anyone who has an emergency/survival kit. They make smaller pike hooks you can buy with a fiberglass pole that are much easier to carry but still extremely useful, you just sacrifice on length and a blade..
The "Swiss Army Knife " of the pole-arms 😂
"Do you want a sword, spear, or axe?"
"Yes."
Ok, you won😂
"And can you throw in a bit of sickle as well?"
I'm certainly hooked on your shorts, Robin.
You sounded like a Billhook salesman while demonstrating its potential uses! Ill buy 3!
Petition for “Robin’s Billhook” to be a usable weapon in the Elden Ring DLC. Like to sign the petition
If I was a medieval footman, I’d want a billhook over any other polearm
Billhook or Halberd for me.
You're really selling me on this weapon with these videos.
It’s a Swiss Army Pike
Amusingly, the Swiss are more associated with the halberd
That's what I was thinking
I kind of like the idea of a character that uses a broken billhook instead of a sword. it changes how you use the features in close melee, but that's the fun part.
like say only the head and a hand or two of haft survived a fire, or just along the reinforcing bands where it attaches.
This would be *really* cool as a D&D weapon. Do you mind if I possibly use it one day?
I've mused on the idea myself actually. It'd be an absolute nightmare to keep on you, but an interesting improvised weapon. I always thought it had good goblin salvaged weapon energy.
@@robinswords Perhaps someone could fabricate a custom sheathe.
The Billhook seems so incredibly versatile. I cant believe how little I hear about it!
Well it's not a popular weapon in fiction because it's not.. well, sexy. It's a common soldier's weapon. Swords get all the glory because they're status symbols.
@@AtzyDragoon has entered the chat 😂
@@rickybobby5153 What? Dragoons used muskets. A soldier armed with a billhook is called a billman.
@@Atzy You were talking about fiction >_> the most popular fictional representation of the “Dragoon” is that of Final Fantasy - which uses various polearms - and is incredibly sexy 😂
@@rickybobby5153 I can practically feel the stains on your Estinein and or Einheria body pillows.
And can't even blame you
Thank you. You’ve significantly altered my perception of pole arms and spears: I like the added functionality, but I’d like to hear about the drawbacks.
With Polearms as a whole, you're always giving something up.
I mean you can't stuff an Axe, Spear, Hammer, Hook, Beak, Guard, and Blade all on one tool, so you gotta pick like... 3 of the above.
I assure you that most combinations of the above pop up somewhere in history
@@1stCallipostle The primary thing you're giving up is portability. There's only one way to carry a polearm and that's in your hands.
I knew I always loved polearm weapons in games for a reason. Most versatility. This pretty much explained it.
I really want to see how the billhook would perform as a sword.
It has all the features that make swords useful, plus more, at the cost of some weight.
would be weighted poorly
I'm a miniature collector and one thing I love about any medieval/rennaissance range made by the Perry Brothers is the presence of billhooks. Such under-appreciated weapons.
The Billhook is a weapon many of us didn't know about until we had to use it in Mordhau. And it earned our undying respect.
This man is so prepared for a zombie apocalypse
Awsome presentation. PLEASE more mace content 🙏
Spears on general hold the same position as assailt rifles. I can imagine in the far fiture they are showing a movie of world war 1 where two armoes charge at each other shooting their pistols at each other randomly.
Basically the same thing someone from the medieval era woild see if they saw a movie made today.
Really just feels like THE multitool of polearms
I feel inclined to award that to the pollaxe, but this has a distinctly multi-tool look to it. Like a swiss army knife all opened up and stuck on a stick.
@@robinswords I guess it feels more like one of those metal one piece multitools you'd put on a keychain whose odd shapes offer many functions. The pollaxe I think reminds me more of a Swiss army knife, with it's distinctly shaped separate tools all attached together.
Either way, I think ever since I was little I never had any content where I could nerd out over polearms and stuff so this is great lol
It's quite enjoyable to see you talking about and demonstrating all these combat techniques while wearing a tie.
Love the billhook in the game Mordhau and how it actually knocks people off horses if you hit with the hook side
It’s beautiful. Gorgeous. Incredible. I’ve watched this video three times already because I love the aesthetics so much. Very pretty piece of steel.
billhook, welcome to the zombie survival arsenal. precise strikes, AND pushing power.
Your Shorts have gotten me into trying Polearm/Poleaxe Fencing tyvm as I now have a Lucerne in my Room and it's a great Conversation
billhook is the closest thing in real life to how scythes tend to be handled in anime
Fact.
I would have thought the war-scythe came closer.
@@ragnkjaI'm going to have to second war scythe. It's more or less scythe shaped, except the blade is actually facing in the right direction to cut things when swung.
@@SnakebitSTI
A normal scythe is primarily oriented to cut grass when swung low.
@@ragnkja Yeah, that's the point. Anime characters don't fight with scythes by holding them with the blade at ankle level while taking big, deliberate steps to swing. They swing them like typical "big blade on a stick" weapons.
Thank you for mentioning the cutting section of that style of Bill! Almost ever video I see doesn't even mention it. Would love to see some test cutting with it!
I really want this in Elden Ring now.
This guy IMO is one of the best if not the best HEMA rationalists on social media. He’s well read but also gleans practicality by practice rather than dogmatic emulation.
My personal favourite part of the billhook is the little bit for getting stones out of a horse's hoof.
That... seems unlikely. If you look at farriers today, who largely still use traditional hand-tools, they don't use things this large. Which makes sense, as when you're already working between the hoof of a large and potentially-unhappy horse and the ground, you really don't want anything that could block a swift escape.
@michaelccozens Oh I know! It was just a joke that there are so many little parts of a billhook, like a Swiss army knife :)
You can still buy these in the uk! The bill, the head part of the billbook, is a common old fashioned gardening tool. Usually on a small handle like a machete but also on a long shaft for reaching tall bushes and trees.
We get id'd for buying kitchen knives but honestly we can straight up buy medieval war weapons casually lol
what you gonna do with all that bill? all that bill on top that hook?
Polearms in general are serious under-appreciated. Dark Souls has shown the versatility of the Halberd, but there are all other kinds that are awesome from the simple spear to the elaborate billhook.
I just hope you know youre held in the same regard in the yt medieval community as the greats like shad, metatron, scholagladatoria and the rest. Itd be fun to see you collab with one of them.
I’ll just tell you right now, shad isn’t really a “great”. He often has misinformation in his historical videos and doesn’t know entirely what he’s talking about. He’s responsible for spreading a lot of myths about arms and armour and frankly he’s not a very good source to learn about history from. Someone like Knyght Errant or Modern History TV would be a better pick. (Metatron is similar to a lesser degree) Though I do agree that robinswords is pretty good in what he does and he is definitely one of the better medieval youtubers on the platform.
@@redninenine_ shads just a younger lindybeige just give him time
@@chillemdafoe1738 no, he's had enough time to prove himself to be quite unreliable
Oh, this is so good! I was so tired of people just preventing me from stabbing them in the face, immensely inconvenient and inconsiderate. This solves that problem!
It's a work of deadly art
Robin I'm a Dark Fantasy writer and I just wanted to thank you for your videos. They're really helping me detail the way my characters handle their armaments. I would love to see a video on the Knochenbrecher. One of my characters wields one but honestly I don't know anything about it other than that it looks cool.
Looks like it’d also work well on a shorter handle. Imagine walking around with that on a 1 foot pole in the zombie apocalypse
That would literally defeat the whole purpose of using a pole arm lol
By far my favorite variation. So beatifull, so many shenanigans you can do
love your delivery of the information. I've never really looked into combat like this, but your passionate presentation has given me interest! :)
Love the billhook. Very likely in my most favorite melee weapon. Just so cool and versatile.
I’m so glad Clark took time out of hoods busy schedule to make videos about historical weapons.
Nice tie! Classily revitalizing the square cutoff I see
billhooks gotta be in my top 5 favorite melee weapons. practical, versatile and effective. i loved using it whenever it rarely showed up in videogames like chivalry and vermintide 2
Usually scrolling the internet gets me interested in acquiring random gizmos and gadgets but this clip has the impulsive part of my brain really sold on this. Lol Great job describing the features. I can’t wait to see this re-edited as an infomercial:)
Start watching you for the swords, didn't expect you'd have me fall in love with polearms
I love the getup. First video I saw you were wearing a padded appropriate outfit. But this. This is chef's kiss.
Dude. Presenting the pros of a weapon like a shamwow guy would be top tier
Something most of these channels don't touch upon is Billhook, and similar weapons are mostly used in groups. Their opponents often had to deal with chops from above, pokes from in from and leg hooking from below simultaneously
The hook also helps stop wild animals (such as boars) from charging up the spear and impaling you. Usually it was just a cross guard further down the blade. Then they aded the hook to help on combat or hunt.
I get so happy every time you show up on my thing. I love these videos
I love multi-use weapons and tools. Bearded axes, bill-hooks, zweihanders, they're all awesome at doing multiple jobs while not sacrificing much on their ability to do their main job.
I also love similar designs like the guisarme and even ones that carry the idea of it but still performed different roles and were more originally militarized AFAIK rather than repurposed or redesigned agricultural tools, like the halberd or lucerne.
Affectionate called the Skillhook in mordhau, changing stances swaps it from push/pulling opponents and dismoints cavalry
The hook of the billhook actually served a purpose of storage as well! You’d have sheds with them hanging from bars above, and soldiers could walk in and walk out in a “moment”
That seems like a lethally efficient weapon. I love it.
Polearms like the billhook have always been my favorite melee weapons
Love the wisdom from Professor Polearm.
Polearms in general are just really cool and insanely overlooked.
What I liked very much in Gamaran manga I believe.
An enemy used the billhook to first stab at an enemy with the hook facing away from them.
They would dodge, then he'd pull back with the billhook side facing towards them to rip into them when they thought they had dodged.
Thank you for this informative video. This answered questions I had about the bill hook.
I like how eventually we just realized that long stick with pointy end was the most effective thing to use, and then just kept adding more pointy ends because it became even better with them.
The fancier, more decorated weapon, showed the most skilled, and most bloodiest nobles.
Peasants werent given such design. You had to work your up the murder. Even then, other killers were out to take your reputation
The greatest polearm and worthy of being in the company of the poleaxe, bec de corbin, and halberd. My personal favorite❤
Saw this and my DM brain was instantly like:
-Billhook of Battle Mastery
-Very Rare magic item
-Requires attunement by a Barbarian or Fighter. You are proficient with the Billhook if you have proficiency in Halberds or Glaives
-You gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with his weapon
-While attuned to this weapon, you can perform the Pushing Attack and Trip Attack maneuvers from the Battle Master archetype in the fighter class without expending superiority dice if you have any. If you use one of these maneuvers in this way, roll 1d6 instead of a superiority die. You can also perform these maneuvers by expending superiority dice you have. The saving throw DC of these maneuvers equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice).
I honestly love the bill hook. In mordhau it's a great early, mid and even late game weapon in horde mode, it's an interesting and great weapon irl and it's really versatile.
For me the billhook is like the jack of all trades of the polearms.
Don't get me wrong a lot of polearms have a great attack variaty of sorts. But only the billhook nailes every Aspekt of it.
I can imagine it being useful against infantry and cavalry in the same part as being effective against armoured and unarmoured enemies.
It clearly has range. You can slash, you can stab, you can hook you can push and all of this with small effort.
The design looks intimidating in a battle and complex enough that I think in the beginning of its usage it might have had the same kind of effect as the first tanks in world war 1 had in the soldiers. just my guess but imagine not knowing this thing and its potential before a battle...
I love the billhook it's easily one of my favorite polearms and honestly does not get the recognition it deserves.
I'm so happy that channels like you exist because I hyperfixate on medieval weaponry and this account scratches that itch.
Keep it up, it's amazing.
also weapons like this are meant for getting rid off horses too. It is easier to pierce or slash the tendons of the animal rather than pulling a knight from them and some old knight combat manuals describe this manneuver to be done after the charge of cavalry
I absolutely love billhooks and weapons similar to it, like Halberds and Glaives. They deserve way more attention than they get imo, such amazing weaponry
Really the halberd, polearms, spears is something I wanna see more as an icons, because not even ask games get the message across that they are pretty neat.
They were also used as firefighting tools by city guards. There are modern interpretations used in firefighting to this day.
The best weapons are the ones that can be used for multiple purposes effectively. The US military is actually developing a special programmable tank ammunition where you can change it’s purpose from high explosive to armor piercing with just a switch.
The back end is important too, some folks don’t realize the butt cap is there to balance that big heavy blade nor do they see the very generous spike that comes on it.
There is another advantage to this weapon. Lack of mental focus is not going to inhibit the weapon force user. If you are sub, trained and experiencing intense adrenaline darts in battle, you’re basic instinct to stab swing Pull well, naturally come out in the weapon will do its thing, but if you are very well trained and you are under control you can effectively use the weapon in a precise manner. The best weapon is the one that works for the skill soldier, and the one who was just forced in the service yesterday
The bill is underrated for dealing with the variety of scenarios in the chaos of army vs army melee.
I believe it's superior to typical 'Swiss style' halbard variants precisely because its versatility with chaos versus unknown equipment is its specialization.
Can we just appreciate that he's doing this in a nice outfit? Good to see some people still take pride in their appearance and in looking professional! And it's also a psychological advantage in combat cuz if you're fighting a guy wearing a tie it's gonna make you wonder how crazy he is! 😁
we use a modified version of this in arbory for helping control branches that are to high to reach, but positioned such that climbing is impractical
This is the simple explaination of the "Italian" bill I've waited about 10 years for. (But still useful for reference to others in the now.)
The bilhook is genuinely my favorite polearm
Blacksmith: "Many apologies m'lord, I have ruined your spear!"
Some dude: "Actually, hol' up. You might be cookin'"
I remember in the War of the Roses game (RIP), the Billhook was one of the weapons that impressed me the most. You could rotate the weapon to use either side in that game and both were so useful versus their intended targets. Really miss that game.
As someone who has come from along line of people who practice the fifth profession I can assure you the weapon he has in hand is quite effective and in the right hands can become a terror on the battle field for melee combat easily.
The inward curve of the billhook has some really sublime gut-splitting cutting surface.
“How many lethal features do you want on this stick?”
“Yes.”