A sparring clip between Nick and Mike of the AHF, the spear is a revival rubber tip head on an oak shaft, sidesword is a mixture of Hanwei parts into a custom sword.
I love all the angry comments about how this isn't "fair". The point is that many armchair swordmasters believe that even without a shield, a sword has an advantage over this "peasant weapon". You see them constantly say things like "all the sword user has to do is parry and get past the point". This shows what happens when reality ensues.
TheChiconspiracy
So basically, the guy with the longer sharp stick has an advantage?
VioletGiraffe
Him: *spends the big bucks on a fine sword, and takes many hours of practice and training, reading from masters of old.*
Me: yeah, I got a pointy stick and I’ll win
handmade
This little spar here goes to show an experienced spearman is a poweful opponent that should not be taken lightly.
NecroBanana
The sword fighter is ALWAYS trying to close the distance. But this video highlights just how difficult that is to do. 1.30, a small strike with the sword, but a heavy cut/hack with the spear connected with the swordsmans head, enough that it wouldn't be realistic to continue. There is no holding back, charging in is fine, but trying to do so without getting impaled is a nightmare. The speed afforded by the leverage of the spear is great. With fighters of roughly equal skill, the spear dominates.
Nikos
Nope, I am the sword user here, and can tell you from the impacts that they were far from weak, often stopping me dead and really feeling it despite the rubber tip. The thrust is not the only method of striking with a two hand spear, which several masters describe as using the same principals as staff. Single hand and two hand spear are quite different. The impact power of blows afforded by the long weapon and wide grip is formidable.
Nikos
in my 41 years of watching tv and all the movies were everyone had swords, i got bored with the weapon. but when i saw someone with another weapon it looked so cool. with the resurgence of european martial arts, i'm starting to see why the sword was a personal defense weapon and the spear was the king of the battlefield.
mikemac
I can't begin to express how much I love spears. They're often incredibly overlooked by people today, with everybody solely fascinated with swords. A spear has reach, speed and is incredibly cheap to make. It's one of the oldest and most effective (close combat *and* ranged) weapons known to mankind. It really deserves more love from more than just the HEMA community.
WikkeSchrandt
No wonder, the spear was the main weapon for hundreds of years.
Ygdrasil
If swords are so good, why is there no Sword 2?
Spear, Spear 2 (Pike), Spear 3 (Bayonet on rifle)
Checkmate sword bois!
(This comment is satire I’m not crapping on swords for real or anything)
ramenbomberdeluxe
"Being a Youtube commentator I am an expert on this subject. I can safely say that the guy with the buckler sucks. He should just parry the spear, cut it in in half, or grab it, and then stab the other guy. Trust me, I've played countless video games and watched many movies throughout my life." -This comment section.
Pingas
And you thought Fire Emblem was lying about the weapon triangle huh? XD
linkedheart
Two lessons from this video:
1. If facing a spear with something shorter than a spear, endeavour to let your mate go first.
2. If using a spear, wear heavy gloves. Seriously, it looks like those fingers got chopped a fair few times. I wonder how many of those blows would have caused a nasty wound, or cut something off had it been a real blade.
tSp
A lot of armchair experts in the comments.
whowantsabighug
You need to throw the pommel of both sword and buckler to end him rightly.
nikitaonassis
This clears up a good part of why dueling cultures retained the spear so long for individual combat rather than massed and bunched battles. (excluding phalanx and pike formations ofc.)
Baseballschaap
Am writing a novel with fencing and Melee combat. Thank you very much for expanding my knowledge on how it looks
Luke
The spears advantage here comes from it's reach and the speed given by the leverage of wide two handed grip on a comparatively light weapon. Swords however by the late middle ages and renaissance had become relatively cheap and commonplace. They are also more versatile. You can carry one at almost all times with your hands free. Staffs/spears were not commonly carried except for cross country travel and guard duties. Swords can be used as a variety of ranges, indoors and also a fashionable item.
Nikos
Don't take a sword to a spear fight. ;-)
MrKirby
Going up against pole arms must take skills and guts.
