What is the BEST Single-Handed Sword in History?

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1. Battlefield
2. Duel
3. Self-Defense

And yes, there is absolutely some personal bias and subjectivity in play. There is no way to answer such questions 100% objectively. :)

Relevant videos:

What Makes Swords & Knives Cut Well (Sharpness, Blade Geometry, Etc)

The Pros Cons of Single-Edged Swords vs. Double-Edged

Stabby Time! - Straight vs. Curved Swords on Ballistic Gel

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[Skallagrim]

Enlisted is an MMO squad based shooter in World War II. Get an exclusive bonus by downloading through the link!

So what's your favorite sword? By the way, don't forget we're talking about *single-handed* swords... I already see people bring up katanas. xD

[MisfitKotLD]

"You can't escape bias." Bless you, sir, for being forthright with this. I always appreciate the honest evaluation including contexts.

[parcival]

My favorite single hand sword is the bastard sword, which just so happens to be my favorite two handed sword.

[spyrofrost]

I'm much more of a fan of straighter swords, notably arming- and long-, but I have to admit the way the curve of a sabre flows with slashes is very pleasing to watch.

[d_ruggs]

Over the past 2 years I've really fallen in love with sabers, especially Hungarian ones. They flow like water and are so versatile.

[jimtamim]

Your explanation on messer sword made it clear why my grandpa use it back then. He own a Messer sword during war times.
Still have it now, my dad had it restoration at his friend workshop. Now it shiny again.

[spiffyracc]

I think you might not want a guard on a gladius since it might get caught up on your scutum, or the scutum of the guy next to you, or the shield of the guy you are stabbing at.

[dlatrexswords]

Great approach to the topic of “best sword ever!” Skall. The caveats you laid out and the fact that you’re willing to lay bare your biases are such a welcome take on comparing potentially radically different swords separates by centuries and cultures.

On the Nimcha, you likely know this, but for those playing along at home, these swords were popular throughout north Africa starting perhaps in the late 16th century, and with distinct forms in Morocco, Algeria and Zanzibar. They often had imported blades from Europe, adapted for local use, and we see a wide variety of sizes and profiles, but initially there was a tendency for shortbladed “Naval” use, effectively seeing them as the role of the North African cutlass.

[easternhills]

I can't believe Skall left out the lightsaber! Easy to carry, easy to deploy and no issues with your blade bumping into things :D

I'd love to watch some more sidesword content!

[josephhaack]

One advance in cavalry sabers for U.S. mounted troops is the Patton saber replacing the old wrist beakers from the dragon sabers to the Civil War/Indian war sabers. ( through the Spanish American war). George Patton designed it based on his fencing ( Olympic athlete) and on a French Dragoon sword. Straight blade, excellent hand protection and ability to thrust/parry vs. just a slash/chop. Have you seen one or reviewed a Patton Saber? PS it’s rather handsome also !

[Gaius]

The tulwar is a really good contender for the battlefield category, although the saber and the sidesword do have better hand protection, which is a pretty big deal.

[endrankluvsdaloko]

Thank you, Skallagrim! I'm developing a story where the climax involves a sword duel, and videos like this help me to make it as realistically accurate as possible. I appreciate it and all that you do!

[danielhounshell]

There's actually a few historical reasons for the Chinese Jian you reviewed having both that guard and handle length. The sword is based off of one from the Han Dynasty. In the Han Dynasty, they used a type of shield with that sword, which rendered hand protection less necessary. Most swords from later dynasties have more substantial guards because those shields started to fall out of favor, and because the Jian started to be replaced by the Dao on the battlefield, so they became a dueling/self defense weapon. The handle length is because a lot of Jian techniques work with either one or two hands, and at least with the ones that had this handle length, you were kind of intended to switch between one and two handed use as the situation demanded.

[tabletopgamingwithwolfphototec]

A 10 hour video on all single handed swords would absolutely be awesome.

[TowarzyszMieczyslawTrzyKalachy]

As a Polish patriot, traditionalist and nationalist i need to say that Polish hussar sabre is the best weapon for duels. Now i can go back to watching more of your videos.

[lestersalvador]

Being someone who practices Eskrima, I naturally gravitate to the Messer and Falchion, as they are blade designs that I'm very comfortable with in terms of length, overall design and how they feel in the hand. Honestly, I think that they are gorgeous blades, and of all the various approaches to HEMA out there--apart from WW2-era close quarter combatives--both Messer/Falchion fighting and the historical use of the Bowie knife are the things that interest me the most.

[Scott-qqjd]

A messer does make a lot of sense as a self-defense sword. It filled that exact role in Germany for a very long time.

[CaptainNoodleman]

I've been considering branching out from Fiori Longsword into single handed swords too and this was a super helpful video to quickly cover all the styles of sword I had been considering.

[robbiej]

Self defense could be divided into two categories: the lesser version where you just go about your business in town and are unlikely to be attacked. Use a seax or something convenient to carry and useful. Or the more severe scenario such as knowingly travelling through dangerous territory. Sidesword and buckler and maybe even a chainmail shirt.

[pluck]

I realize you aren't a big fan of the Katana, but the wakizashi is a great personal defense sword. It's light small enough to not get caught and be easy to carry, while being a great cutter and thruster, it's also small enough to be concealed if necessary.