Is Dual Wielding Swords REALLY That Awkward?

A lot has been said about why dual swords (of similar length) were not terribly common in history overall. But is it really an unrealistic fantasy trope or is there some merit to grabbing a second sword instead of a shield / buckler / parrying dagger?

At this point I feel like there has been some over-correcting, and claims have been made that go too far in the opposite direction, portraying any kind of dual wielding as impractical nonsense. It has its challenges, sure, but it's not as clunky and self-defeating as some seem to think (personally I also used to be a little skeptical).

*** Music credits ***

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
Used with artist's permission

*** Merch ***

*** Support the channel ***

Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:

Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:

Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:

Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:

GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):

I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:

Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:

*** Second channel / other social media ***

#skallagrim #sword #fantasy #history #swordfighting

[mikeymegamega]

Me about to play Elden Ring: "Oh actually I'd better watch this."

[OtakuD]

The pros of dual wielding is simple math: If one sword does 100 damage, with two swords you do 200 damage.

[freshhands]

Really appreciate your open-minded, no-nonsense approach to these kind of questions!

[Scarlet_Soul]

It's only acceptable if it's dual welding claymores

[Griff]

"If your opponent is crazy fast, they might be able to nail you with [a surprise thrust]."

Skallagrim, paraphrased

[MatchstickDaddy]

I suggest some escrima/kali (Filipino stick fighting) lessons to help you with that dual wielding dexterity. Been taking escrima since I was 12 and dual wielding feels super natural to me

[LordCrazyMike]

I trained hard at double baston with Filipino escrimas. It takes a lot of effort to get the coordination and then a little bit of pressure testing to make it viable. What I have found:
1. Tornado cuts are stupid. You are basically cutting at the same spot and people can parry both your weapons with one.
2. Double cuts at the same time are just as stupid
3. "Scissor" cutting/parries are effective, but you have to have the timing right.
4. Hanging parry with one weapon and attacking with the other works but if you don't have the timing right you will fail.
5. Case of rapier fighters will win over any weapon or style that focuses too much on cuts.

When you get it down though, and do it with say paired Messers, it's a lot of fun and people really don't want to spar you ;)

[spaceghost]

If it’s good enough for Miyamoto Musashi then it’s good enough for me.

[Wyrsa]

The real problem with duel wielding is that most people aren't ambidextrous enough to actually use the off hand

[voodoodummie]

So the short of it is that dual wielding is a counter against getting into a sword bind, catch with one sword and strike with the other. In a way this makes dual wielding a surprisingly defensive style where you counter or limit the opponent's options.

[mishab]

The idea of luring the enemy closer to hit them with the off hand weapon that happens to be the longer one is kinda genius.

[likashade]

The Gods gave you two hands... and you use them both for your weapon. I can respect that.

[Cyrus_III]

2:54 To paraphrase a great Yosemite Park Ranger, 'There is considerable overlap between the shortest swords and the longest parrying daggers.'

[hellomate]

Dual wielding.... Both hands have a sword or a parrying dagger!

Lol. The other really infuriating thing about the "parrying daggers are short for leverage" argument is the fact that you can simply parry at a lower distance with a sword. And, if you parry with the longer part of the sword, it still isn't completely useless, situationally.

I agree too.... A parrying dagger is less cumbersome.

[Galahaddruid]

Hey Skallagrim, nice to see you revisiting this highly controversial topic and showing some good thinking on how to make it viable. You could take a look on korean Ssanggeom if you want to have some examples of stances and movements that ensure that the swords will not clash with each other or restrict the fighters movement.

[TheAngryAsianAnimations]

Might I add something. So I've studied Chinese and Japanese dual wielding more specifically two longs so double katana and double dao. Also Filipino Escrima.
Now I've never actually properly done sword and bucklers but recently I was talking with a guy who has and we were comparing notes. A lot of the stances, positions, and techniques of sword and buckler were very similar to near identical to dual wielding swords.
Some minor adjustments. Exmple is when you strike you use the buckler to cover your off side. You do the same with the sword though you raise it a bit so the blade is the thing covering your side.

Perhaps something to explore.

[spamhonx]

I just assumed it was less common because it's more complex than either sword and board (offhand mostly does its thing passively) or two-handed sword (only one weapon to figure out how best to move).

[Upāsaka_]

'You have two hands. You should be using two swords!' ~Miyamoto Musashi, paraphrased

[nichols]

Eskirma, arnis or kali is a perfect example of using two weapons in tandem effectively.

[Mischievous_Moth]

6:04 If I were to design swords specifically for this purpose, I would give them each something similar to the guard on a Scottish broadsword.