Two handers

[Rodolfo Martínez]

Zweihanders, and Flammard or flamberges were powerful weapons used by german and swiss mercenaries, as we all know, both swords were two handed swords, so my question is if knights of XVI, or XV century used specialized, or different forms of two handed swords for foot combat, something like a ¨Knightly two hander¨ kind of sword. Thank you.

[Allen Johnson]

There were plenty of two handers during the 15th and 16th centuries, though longswords were more popular. I'd hesitate to limit anything to just a "knightly" sword. An M-16 is an M-16- it dosent change names if you are a soldier or a civilian. Each sword has things it does well and things it does less well, or not at all.

You might want to take a look at Albions website and look for swords like The Chieftain, The Mercenary, The Agincourt, The Talhoffer and others for some ideas. These are more longswords than true two handers though. Albion has one called The Dane that would certainly be a true two hander. Scottish two handers are generally in this category though many are more the shorter, longsword variety.

Another option is the Tuck/Estoc which is a very thin and very stiff , edgeless blade that is used to thrust into armor gaps more effectivley.
http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/display ... m=41&pos=6

[Rodolfo Martínez]

So, you say that a knight, a footsoldier or a mercenary could use the same type of two handed swords or halberds, with different qualities varying of the acquisitive power of each one?

Sometime ago a friend wich studyies histoy told me than two hander swords were only a mercenary weapon. Is that true?
He told me too that axes were considered minor, or lesser weapons (I don´t remember how he said me, like low rank weapons or something like that) But i know tha even noblemen used axes.

[Allen Johnson]

Yes...It's certainly possible for any rank of man to use any type of weapon. Though the more wealthy may have been able to afford a better quality weapon or hire better training.

Two handers are NOT only a mercenary weapon. There is no logical reason that would happen.
I dont think axes were as popular as swords because swords are better suited to more versitile combat than axes. They are NOT a lower rank weapon. In fact, one of the best axe stories is about Robert Bruce, King-to-be of Scotland, killed an English noble with his axe at the onset of the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Poleaxes, though slightly different than a standard axe, were a huge part of training for knights.

Axes also played a large part in Norse warfare among noble and common men.

[Rodolfo Martínez]

Thank you very much!

Do you know how sharp should a sword be to dismember an enemy soldier but to avoid breaking when hitting an armor or shield?

[Allen Johnson]

It's really relative to the sword.

You arent going to dismember anyone through plate armour with a sword. That would be next to impossible.

With longswords, you can easily grip the blade with out cutting your self and still dismember an unarmoured or lightly armored opponent (like perhaps with a thin gambeson). Look in the video section of John C. cutting tatami mats with a blunt bastard sword.

Ideally, if you have an armored opponent you are going to be attacking to where there armor isnt. However, breaks can and did happen. Just hope you have a well made sword.

[Jeffrey Hull]

For your armoured fighting (Harnischfechten) needs with longsword and wrestling.

http://www.thearma.org/Manuals/hundsfelder.html

[Rodolfo Martínez]

Are Tatamis and grren bamboo as hard as human bones?

Thanks to all!

[Allen Johnson]

Hard? Probably not. However, the matts are much more dense than say a human arm. Its much easier to cut flesh than the reeds. Also remember that human bones are softer when alive.

Reguardless, we have mounds of evidence that swords can cut through even dead bone, so the hardness issue really dosent matter.

The other part is that if someone is being cut so deep that it hits the bone but stops there is still a very injured person. I dont care how strong you are, thats going to likley affect you in a major way.

[Rodolfo Martínez]

So, in an unarmored combat, Can you easily lose a hand, or an arm if you recive a blow of a blunt longsword?

[Allen Johnson]

Well, if you are using a longsword in serious combat you are going to want it sharp. Remember, you can still half sword with it so it's not a razors edge.

For the purpose of the discussion I'd say that it would depend on the swordsman and the arm he was cutting. That and it depends on how blunt the sword is. You could have a "blunt" sword that is half an inch thick that obviously would just break the arm and not really cut it. Something like the Raven sword you see John using in the video would probably be enough to sever a hand or arm.

[Rodolfo Martínez]

Sorry my ignorance, but What is a windlass, or a raven sword?

[Allen Johnson]

Windlass is a brand of mass produced swords. They are most commonly sold by Museum Replicas Limited
http://www.museumreplicas.com
They vary in quality from 'ok' to 'really bad'. The edge that comes on them is somewhere between a sharp and a blunt.

Raven swords is another brand made by Raven Armouries in England.
http://www.raven-armoury.co.uk
I've never handled one but I have heard they are pretty good, albeit expensive.

[Rodolfo Martínez]

Raven armoury also sells katanas. Folding steel wasn´t used in Europe for swords and armors too?

[Jeffrey Hull]

Folded steel, or the mixing of steely-iron & steel, was a Celtic innovation going back at least to La Tene III (circa 150 BC to 1 AD) in Europe. It evolved from the earlier Celtic innovation of layering steel from La Tene I (circa 500-350 BC).

This would be furthered and even improved by Germanic innovation during Voelkerwanderung through the middle of the Viking Age (400-950 AD), often known as pattern-welding of steel. Go here for that:
http://www.vikingsword.com/serpent.html

Eventually, homogenous steel was the thing that took over in Europe, and as I recall, that must have been going and increasing vigorously by 1100 AD. This sort of stuff would prove as good or better as the best folded steels anywhere anytime.