The Best Close Combat Sword - Swiss Degen by Todd Cutler

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The Swiss Degen by Todd Cutler is truly a magnificent specimen of a sidearm. The dude is too humble about this.

The Degen/Basilard was common throughout the middle ages and was wielded primarily by the common man. It is a super effective, light, and strong piece of kit that any great historical reenactor should possess!

@SandRhomanHistory is a great channel that talks primarily about the time period where these were popular. Check him out!

[tods_workshop]

Nice video and summation about many aspects of the degen and thanks for taking the time. As regards the sword or dagger debate; neither, both or either……as somebody said in the comments there is or was no definitive line between the two. Basically this is a long bladed version of a standard dagger so it is a dagger on steroids but its blade is not really practical for most types of dagger fighting. I have a rondel dagger at home that is definitely a dagger but has a 60cm/2’ blade. I think call it what you want and nobody should call you out because there is not really a right answer. Anyway looking forward to the next one.

[herbderbler]

This is an excellent example of why shortsword sized blades have remained popular throughout human history, from the Roman Gladius to the d-guard Bowies of the Confederate States. They are often the perfect fit for a particular kind of combat that is never a soldier's first choice, but frequently where they find themselves despite all the best laid plans.

[herbderbler]

12:41 this image is unbelievably cursed

[bengaming]

I think it is pretty safe to say that, that is a sword. A short sword for sure, but in no way is it a "long" dagger.

[raphlvlogs]

daggers knives and sickles evolved in to swords multiple times independently in world history

[SporeMurph]

It is definitely a type of short sword, not a dagger. The website says it has a blade length of 24.5 inches (62 cm), which is basically the same length as a Roman Gladius and longer than many Greek Xiphoi. Well outside of the range of anything that could reasonably be called a dagger/knife.

[BlueSteeleClassicalFencing]

You gotta zoom that camera out when you get close.

[molochi]

Royal Armories has a new video up on a c13th century, Swiss styled, long "baselard" that was pulled out of the Thames. Apparently the Swiss soldiers were using secondary weapons like this with pole arms (halbards) even back in the middle ages.

Aside, one other reason that very long, knife and dagger hilted blades may have become popular among soldiers over arming swords is that you could carry them in a city with ordinances when they weren't considered "swords" and/or you weren't a powerful noble... And you still have an advantage over a person with a shorter blade.

[TheBlindedLeader]

Wow, here I was thinking I was watching a huge channel, been around but somehow missed it. But no, you're newer but the quality is still great I wish you great success.

[bdjcasar]

I don't think Tod Cutler makes anything that could be described as 'cheap.' Nice piece.

[matthewconner]

Good to see a review on the Degen. This was going to be my first sword order from Tod Cutler, right up until the Katzbalger hit his website. Speaking of, that Katzbalger is out for delivery this evening.

[GaveMeGrace]

Reminds me of a sort of proto-small sword with sharp edges. Thank you.

[GaryNac]

Definitely looks very much like something which you would see sometime before the dark age possibly being used by a group of people like the Celts.

[jlogan]

smaller, lighter, and more nimble swords like this were perfect for non military "edc" bc they are small and light enough that a shepherd or merchant could be armed but not weighed down on a long trip and their smaller profile meant they wernet going to get in the way or tangled up etc.

[utoobuser]

Spearmen have as rule have chosen short swords of some local types

[Leman.Russ.thLegion]

So when these were being used, full plate was in use.

[nightshade]

The difference between a sword and a knife is less about the blade length and more about the handle construction. That is why the messer is considered a knife because the history of what was going on between the guilds at the time led to handle construction being the defining categorisation. Most often these categorisations tend to have their roots in classism. Is the degen a sword or a dagger? Well considering we also have the baselard it would probably be closest to being a sword simply because of the technique differences and the fact that a degen would not be practical for the methods of dagger or knife fighting, especially when we start considering unorthodox grip techniques in dagger fighting. There is a point where a dagger of a certain length becomes non functional for practical unorthodox grip techniques. In this case I think "side arm" or "secondary" would be the most accurate description.

[johnbaglin]

I own a number ot Tod's weapons. They are all excellent.

[adamkilroe]

Dual wielding with the arming sword and the degen would be pretty cool

[mythosboy]

Subbed. I have steel buckler and a messer on the shorter side. So I totally get your drill here.