Duel with Smallswords | realistic, non-choreographed renaissance combat
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- All fights are non-choreographed, with full speed and force, without using protection, but smallswords made of steel and my opponent is the german national champion in sabre and rapier fencing: Dennis-Marius Thieme.
Tanto is made by Akado armory: www.akadoarmor...
The Okatana is made by Akado armory: www.akadoarmor...
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The hubris to walk around with a spare small sword to toss to random strangers is inspiring.
This wasn't a random encounter. 😅
I assumed from the setup that they had agreed to meet in this time at that place, to settle a matter. The man in the black cloak clearly seems to be waiting, and his opponent brought two blades (unsheathed, so he's not carrying them as a matter of habit or self-defense).
@@inkthinker Exactly.
Like this guy from witcher 3
I think it was pre-arranged like he'd dishonored the other or something.
This channel is so classy. No annoying music, beautiful locations, no talking, no bs. Just a brutal battle to death.
Локации красивые, а в остальном вы правы.
You know he's doing something right when he's making smallswords look really, really cool. 😅
@@manaf2136 згоден. Особливо реалізм.
Tirando musica tudo que você disse se aplica ao video. 🗿
I'd actually prefer some music honestly. Four minutes of near silence isn't very engaging for most people. I mean there's a reason most movies, shows, and games have at least some background music in them. Sure if the music is annoying it sucks, but can you imagine Duel of the Fates without the iconic music?
Oh man, that was amazing, I love the change of pace from heavy armor. really cool to see the exhaustion setting in and of course, have it end with a clinch had a takedown
Glad you enjoyed it!❤️
@@dequitemthese are pretty addictive to watch
I like to see how the defeated, wounded gallant duelist still tries to fight, untill we hear his moan at 3:25 when he is finished off
And then he casually walked away thinking to himself "I hate Mondays."
😅😅😅
That is the best comment so far! 😆🤣😂
I do nightshifts, just last weekend I was walking home, early in the morning, and I hear this guy debating with a coworker on some kind of issue and he goes, with thick glaswegian accent, "well, that's a problem for the monday..!"
wisdom🤣
You are officially never invited to duel me to the death. Neither one of you. Great video!
😅
Smallsword duels look like what rapier duels wish they looked like.
Exactly!
I love how much story is implied without a single word. The man in the cloak seems cocky and self important, potentially an outcast noble as he's well-trained but apparently lacks his own sword. This is clearly a pre-arranged duel between two men who respect but despise each other, likely relating to whatever incident got the cloaked man outcast in the first place
I'd wager the cloaked guy probably upset the landowner one and so was challenged like that. What's unusual is neither have seconds for a fight like that. So maybe it was two strangers from a town?
The only voice line is purely contextual. I think he's saying "ergreif es" which translates to "grab it", not 100% sure though but it makes the most sense. I really like this interpretation.
@@Retro-Future-Landor perhaps it’s over a woman? The cloaked man unsuccessfully courted a family member of the other man, but refused to pay the dowry, or perhaps mistreated his bride.
@@jackarmstrong8790 Maybe man
@@jackarmstrong8790 Men don't pay dowries though.
The swift movements, the skillful exchange, the trust the two of you share to carry out such a stunning performance with no need for conventional sparring gear or even an ounce of visible restraint
Like watching an artist at work, every duel more breathtaking than the last, no pun intended
But still dangerous😬
I find it funny that most swordfights end up in grappling. Beautiful moves from the both of you!
Gotta hold them still so you can get a good stab in 😂
It's a personal thing. I love grappling and when I see an opportunity, I will take it. Also it's more dramatic than a quick stab to the heart!
Great throw counter! I keep trying to throw people in wrestling, never worked out well for me
This time my hip wasn't in the right place. It was a horrible attempt by me 😅
@@dequitem I'd suggest looking into sweeps, Sambo is especially effective. I noticed your right hand was over his shoulder and not under - which didn't help you control his upper body. Also, it looks like you tried to trip your opponent with your right leg over his knee which also didn't seem to help. Not an expert in grappling but hey, my 2 cents.
Really committed to wearing that cloak lol
It looked so cool!
I was kind of hoping he would pull it off at some point and throw it in the other guy's face as a distraction.
@@Disgruntled_Grunt But it also protected my side in a couple of duels.
@@Disgruntled_GruntThat, or have a dagger underneath
@@dequitem Out of curiosity, did it protect by preventing a cut or by tangling around their blade before contact? Or something else?
The raw realism is what makes these great, not fancy, just real fear...
It was realy fency 😅
"Today we're making video"
"Must we?"
"What? Do you want to live forever?"
Starship Troopers, yeah!
😅
Elise will never have her revenge for her beloved one 😢
One day for sure!
The first fellow- presumably the offended party?- pauses very briefly as he approaches on the foot-path, at the moment he makes out the cloaked fellow waiting under the trees. This was an excellent cinematic element- heavy with psychology.
Thank you!
DM:" You encounter a swordman. Roll for initiative."
😅 It was an appointment.
Yeah, I can see you're one of those soft DMs. I just silently reach for the D20 and start rolling. Everyone looks round the circle nervously, starts checking their inventory and holds their breath to find out what they blundered into. Because, there is no initiative roll for an encounter like that, only a first turn survival roll. Tell you another thing, everyone got reeally careful and thoughtful with their language around me, too. Someone would say something like 'I jump out of the cart with my dagger...' I casually reach for D20 and run my finger down my chart... 'You break your right ankle and impale your left hand on your dagger'. You better believe everyone thinks twice about cavalierly jumping out of a moving cart with a weapon next time.
My fav was jacking up someone good enough to force everyone else to expend all their potions and salves and spells, to rescue them from their own poor judgement. Or, you know, dont. Also enjoyed spooking a pack animal carrying everything the group had accumulated. All fun and games until you fail to take care of your map and have to go all the way back and negotiate with the merchant to draw you another from memory. My best friend's brother tried to pay me once, to skip my DM turn. He had been sooo meticulously cultivating and outfitting this stunningly impressive character and knew it would take only one poorly considered word or careless stumble. Ahhh... good times 🙂
Damn that's dangerous, I was scared for the eyes accidentally getting hit
Yes nothing you should do without experience and even than, don't do it often! It's risky!
“Dad, there is a strange man on our land. Waiting around.”
“ oh? I shall have a chat with him. A fair chat.”
*picks up two swords and gently walks down the road*
It was fair, he picked up two swords!
I love the first shot with the hooded figure merging with the black of the trees.
Nice touch
Thanks!
That’s totally black metal! 🤘
im amazed by how intense this was. keep up the work! it is an art!
Yes but dangerous too!
@@dequitem thats why ur legends !
I love the part where you guys grapple. the sudden shift from like "we are two dignified swordsmen" to the undiginified try-not-to-get-stabbed dance of last resort.
4 MINUTES!? Today we have been blessed
Yes and 1 minute is pure walking 😅😅😅
@@dequitem pure walking in a beautiful forest, in2160 p, in nice-to-look-at clothes and with a style of walking that already conveys character type. I loved every second of it ❤
From a complete novice I have to say, very good enactment! The probing seemed more beleivable than follywood and the physical struggle in the end leading to deciding strike was probably typical of two equally skilled opponents.
Also the realism of his final throws was more accurate than instantly going cold like in most hollywood scenes.
Again, well done yall, and thank you!
I KNEW this was worth subscribing to! Now, if these fights were actually part of period movies,... Now, THOSE would be worth WATCHING!
I really love the whooshing wind sound. Also the sound of footsteps is so crisp. Whatever you did to record sound outdoors, keep doing it. It rocks.
You can see the experience in Dennis' fencing skills. This feels like showing up and throwing some boxing gloves to someone on the road for a random spar with a pro.
That cape looked like it could be decent protection compared to the clothes. Wrap it around the arm and use it as a shield type of thing.
Yes he is skilled. I am also very good with many years of olympic saber fencing experience, but he is slightly better!
@@dequitemI can tell you’re a saber fencer because you keep trying to cut with a sword that can’t cut!
@@SwordScience Depending on who you study, cuts are still a part of smallsword. De Brea includes them, targeting the face and inside of the elbow.
I love the format especially the setup in the beginning with the dialog, I could watch an entire movie of this
The heavy breaths, proof of the effort put into the duel.
Yes it was exhausting. We had 7 duels in a row.
If I ever get to do the movies I have in my head, I want you to be working with me for the fight scenes. I am so glad that you exist.
Well done, sir!
I love your brutal, unpolished aesthetic. You're truly from another time.
Thanks for the compliment!
That was more entertaining and suspenseful than any hollywood dance karate fight scene.
_Ready to start, the duel begins_
_The best man wins in the end_
_A lunge and a feint, a parry too late_
_A cut to the chest and you're down_
_Seeing the stain, then feeling the pain_
_Feeling the sweat on your brow_
_Oh, oh, fight for the honor_
_Fight for the splendor_
_Fight for the pleasure_
_Oh, oh, fight for the honor_
_Fight for the splendor_
_Fight for your life_
~Iron Maiden, "The Duelists"
fits very well! I have to hear it!
@@dequitem It's definitely not their best song, but like you said, applies to the scene nicely. Just, if you've never listened to Maiden before, don't judge them based on this song!
Brilliant love the realism on your videos straight to the point. Strong effort ⚔️
Love how you have multiple endings (the short was different I believe). Awesome stuff as always!!
We had 7 duels, so there are 7 endings from different angles.
@dequitem ahh that's incredible. Sounds so fun!!!
Wow, the skill and speed being displayed here is amazing. Fantastic video! Beats Hollywood anytime of the day
Thats always the plan to be better and more realistic!
Takes me back to my fencing days. Never thought I could be so exhausted after just a minute or 2.
This was the 5th fight in a row. So it was over 15 minutes! I only had one camera so it's edited together.
Imagine if someone just walked by and saw this...
Many people did. 😅
Since they arent scripted, wouldn't be able to tell if it was a real fight or not.
You'd think it were ghosts.
I often dig a Victorian Era tip for old bottles and other treasures. I'd love to dress up as a Victorian Gentleman and go over there to spook the other people who dig 😂
Noone meets in historical clothings to kill each other's with cameras around. People often think it's reenacting with scripted fights and don't look for the details.
@@dequitem What would they think if the cameras were hidden though?
My favourite one to this day, I didn’t even hope that you would do a duel on smallswords.
I appreciate the attention to detail in regard to stance, blade movements, and posturing for both of them.
The two clearly share an advanced understanding of fencing and sword-sports.
As a previous regional medalist, this was very cool!
Thank you. I did saber fencing for years and Dennis-Marius Thieme is actually the national champion in historical rapier fencing.
Excellent presentation as always! Keep up the excellent swordsmanship :)
Thank you very much!
this looks incredible! from the filming to the fighting! congrats!
Thanks!
Любое джентльменское противостояние заканчивается мордобоем😂
Fantastic. Love seeing these small sword and saber duels. Keep up the amazing work. I can’t wait to see more!!
I think Ridley Scott would be super happy with this tribute. It has much the same feel as his film. Incredible work. Smallsword is very underrepresented in HEMA circles, but it is a fast and difficult weapon to master! Perhaps even the hardest of all? I’m not sure but it’s definitely the fastest.
Yes it's hard to master but I think a longsword is harder to master with, thrusts, strikes and Halfswording techniques!
Lol the most dramatic death yet, bravo
The player in the cloak, being already stabbed and on the ground, bravely tries to fight to the end. I love it... And at 3:25 you can hear that he gets the "coup of grace".
You can tell as the fight progresses both fighters grew more and more impatient, anxious. They made more and more bold moves and mistakes which eventually led to the demise of our cloaked friend.
Very well acted and great swordplay! But I expected nothing less.
Thanks!
3:33 - RPG-style looting
Smart move! I was expecting as the youtube gif that the cape man was about to win but karma hit he was hiding another knife on the cape since the beguining of the fight waiting for a good oportinity!
The steady shot and lack of dialogue feels like a very heavy-handed reference to Ridley Scott's directorial debut, The Duellists.
Excellent duel! The speed of the smallswords is intense!
thats make them realy scarry for your eyes and brain 😬 even the blunt ones!
@@dequitem I am looking forward to seeing more!
So glad that the "Metatron" led me to this channel.
nice smallswording, super underrated, but I love the finess involved in it.
The walk away was ice cold
That's why I choose this fight over the other six duels.
@@dequitem I really like your videos when the film runs for several seconds after the "kill." It gives a person a real sense of the fight, from both the victor and the loser.
Algorithm really doing you over on this one. This is fantastic.
Amazing scenery❤❤❤
I wish more movie fight scenes were like this
Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery nice! Thank you for the entertainment. Brilliantly fought from both!
Thanks?
@@dequitem The expressions "thanks" and "thank you" originate from the Old English and Germanic language families. Here's a breakdown of their history and etymology:
"Thanks"
Old English Roots:
The word "thanc" in Old English referred to "thought," "gratitude," or "a favor." It stemmed from the Proto-Germanic root þankaz, which had a similar meaning related to thoughtfulness or gratitude.
Over time, the meaning shifted to emphasize the feeling of gratitude and acknowledgment rather than simply "thinking."
Evolution in Middle English:
By the Middle English period (1150-1500), the word transformed into "thankes" and was commonly used in plural form ("my thanks").
The plural form became the standard way to express appreciation.
"Thank You"
Old English Influence:
The verb "thancian" (Old English) meant "to thank" or "to give thanks." It was derived from the same root as thanc.
The structure "I thank you" became a formalized phrase during this time.
Latin and French Influence:
After the Norman Conquest (1066), Old French and Latin influenced the English language heavily. Latin phrases like gratia agere ("to give thanks") may have reinforced the structure of expressing gratitude explicitly.
Modern Usage:
The contraction "thank you" became popular as a polite and formulaic way of expressing gratitude, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries. By then, it had become deeply ingrained in English-speaking culture.
Cultural and Linguistic Parallels:
Expressions of gratitude are universal but take different forms in various languages. The evolution of "thanks" and "thank you" in English reflects both the natural development of the language and cross-cultural influences, especially from Germanic and Romance traditions.
@@tobytoxd ups I wanted to write: Thanks! 😅
Great job guys 🎉love the work 👏 👍 💪 🙌
The trust between the two to do this without eye protection!
a great example of unarmored wrestling! I rarely see content like this!
Not many people do stupid stuff like this!
That's a long walk. A lot of time to think about what got you in this situation 😅
Absolutely stunning shot, I'm so jealous that you have so many amazing locations all around you!
We drive sometimes many many kilometers to these locations.
@@dequitemwell worth it. You have a vision in mind. You've already seen the shot in your mind, and then you make it happen. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos, the result is ART
I loved to see the offhand cloak coming in, there.
I’m staring to wonder if you just enjoy your own death scenes lol!😂 Every time you’re out of armor I cheer for you but then happen to get bested 😩
But seriously, loved the video as always. I cannot wait to see what else you have in store!!
Yes I love my own death scenes much more than others, that's why I often show my deaths even when I won more duels most people don't make realistic moves and sounds and don't manage to hold their breath in the end. Yes it's hard to do this when you are realy exhausted, but it makes a cinematic ending!
@ it really does, I love how much care you put into your craft and fights!!
@@dequitem That is one of the many reasons why I enjoy your videos so much.
Well I am glad these confrontations do not happen on the black pad between Winston Avenue and the Co-op on Woodway lane.
But in the Kastanienallee near the Bismarkturm ... 😂😂😂
@@dequitem Or behind the Luxembourg as any good Musketeer will tell you.
Love these roleplays you guys do. Also you got some serious guts not wearing mask!
The roleplay makes the duels much more intens when you fight. Its absolute fun!
@@dequitem Ha, I bet!
Thanks for the recommendation UA-cam!
Don't forget to like and subscribe 😅.
Holy moly that fencer is caked up
Peak recommended content
Beautiful and Brilliant Swordfighting
Well Done Dequitem,from Cape-Town in South-Africa
By the way,Nice Riding Boots on
Do you maybe do also Horse Riding?
Yes but no fights on horseback, I don't wanna risk the live of horses!
@dequitem But overall Great,and again I want to support your Channel but also your Instagram and if you also have a Facebook profile
Only UA-cam and a small Instagram.
That was an absolutely amazing fight. And it's surprising that it lasted so long.
Absolutely, but that happens when you fear the opponents blade.
Very realistic and stylish
Everything is Amazing this is My reaction while watching the video 😬 soo intense
Thanks. I take it as a compliment!
Duel to the death and without seconds. 😯
All our 7 duels were around 1 to 3 minutes of fighting. The real threat made it much harder to end the duel quickly!
I loved this fight it was cool to finnally see people using these swords correctly (Stabbing only). Also i dont mean to be a dumb keyboard worrier but i do epee which is sorta close to this and i was wondering if anyone else thought that the man in the cloak had less experience with a sword like this. I mean agian not trying to be rude, infact i think it was kinda cool storytelling but i mean the way he moved the blade made me think he was a little messy. For those who dont know this wepon the smallsword is a thrusting/stabbing wepon. Theres not really any cutting at all and beacuse of this u want to move ur blade in small tight movments. Some would only say to move the tip of the blade which is hard i can barely do that so no hatting😅. But the guy in the cloak didnt seem to move in those kinda movements and he kinda looked like he was trying to cut but that might just be a messy disengage. As much as im criticizing this guy its atcully really cool and makes sense. In my mind or what i think the before of this story is that the man in the cloak is mabey has some ego and mabey challenged a noble men to a dual but he didnt have experience in this type of sword as he didnt have a smallsword he had to borrow one. But he did show experience of other martial art so not saying hes a bad fight just saying i thought this was cool. Agian not trying to hate sorry if i offended anyone as that wasnt my point infact i love the stuff this channel does and i encourage them to do more as i think more people should learn abt historical fighting. Keep up the good work
I love these videos, please keep it up
I will, as long as i can.
That was visceral.... loved it
Thanks. I am always looking for the best locations!
Wow! Super fun to watch. No eye/face pro is a brave move but adds so much to the realism/tension. Was the winner scripted? Also, is wearing a cape during a duel a hindrance (impedes weak arm movement, etc.) or help (presents "larger" more confusing target, interferes with opponent's blade, etc.)?
Thanks for another great video in an amazing setting!
Nothing of the fights was scripted, we had seven duels and this ending was only the best looking!
@dequitem Thanks (I didn't think it was scripted but thought I'd ask). 7 duels? That must've been tiring!
@@SEAKPhotog Would love to see the other ones in perhaps a bts video, of some sorts!
Awesome stuff
0:33 I never actually noticed the hooded figure until he moved 😮😮
😅
Dequitem trying to get them riches, damsels and lands the old fashioned way
That was a good smallsword duel, I like the realism! Who made the smallswords for this?
I don't know it's the swords from Dennis Thieme.
Excellent fight! Looked and felt a lot better than a lot of "realistic" choreographed fights online. Somewhat related question: how do you "hide" your camera/shooting set-up in your sets? Is it an editing thing or is it careful placement of cameras?
Both. Ihave to delet some cameras in after effects but most cameras are placed behind the trees or on the ground with some leaves on them.
If that wasn't choreographed you're both far better with a smallsword than I am 👏
My exchanges usually only last a few seconds, it's so difficult to defend with and against one of those I usually end up disengaging and re-engaging which is so tiring
Dennis-Marius Thieme is an outstanding fencer and the german national champion in saber and rapier fencing. And I am Dequitem 😉
Beautiful place to have a duel!
The lightning behind the leaves make it look even better.
Amazing!!!
Thanks!
Excellent
Great Fight!
Thanks!
Great fight as always! (Though the measure was really hard to see in this view)
we were realy close, normaly acters standing out of reach, so we are used to see bigger distances in correographed fights, but in an actual fight you stand closer!
I love your fights! Were so useful to me as a writer to try and visualise what armoured fighting actually looked like!
As an aside, I know you don't really do fight reviews, but man...Shadiversity made a video called Swordfight and the first thing I thought when I saw it was 'I would pay to see Dequitem tell me everything that is wrong with this' xD It just felt like a cheap knockoff of your content
I thought about making a video about it, but I don't wanna blame anyone and lose some fans of his channel. I enjoye his normal content but not his fight.
I would only do the video for my Patreons, if someone realy pay my for it. It's not fun for me to make reaction videos.
@dequitem I totally understand and respect that; there's enough drama on the internet already so why add to it? Also, I can't see Shad taking that kind of critique well either 😬
Beautiful!
Thanks!
I kept waiting for you to use the cloak off-handed.
I used it in an other duel, but i am not sure if I will share it, the ending wasnt that good.
Ugh! The level of trust is insane. Always surprising and great to see.
Only with the best fighters. Dennis Thieme is the national champion in saber fencing and knows what he is doing, and I am Dequitem 😉.
@@dequitem Lol! You may have made a video in the past on this, but what is your background that you're able to partner with elite level practitioners? They clearly trust you to do so.
Training from child hood with sticks, forged my first armor with my brother when we were 12 (the armor was ugly) karate and judo training, many years of olympic saber fencing, but no tournaments. Some knife fight training and Ringen. A little bit of Buhurt duels, but I was never a fan, than I started Hema. But armored duels are always my biggest interest. I train 6 hours every week (when I am able to 😅).
It's nerve-wracking watching your videos but I love it. The chance for something to go terribly wrong makes UFC seem like children boxing compared to this.
Thanks. I hope it will never go to wrong, small cuts and bruises are okay for me, but I wanna keep my eyes and live!
Are you kidding me? You'll poke your eye out with that thing.
Terrifying. I was scared for your eyes. I once did this with a friend of mine with crutches - had to be rushed to A&E!
And wind, silence and nature for your end
My videos often don't need music. Nature can be as epic as well!
That Elden ring mini boss just waiting for you to walk past just to agro on you 😂
😅😅😅 That wasn't my lore intention!
@dequitem regardless my good sir well done however if possible would you both consider the notion of dueling with long sword's accompanied with light leather vests as a form of armour attire purely for entertaining purposes it may benefit your channel most definitely what say you chaps ?
@@SomeGuyOnTheNet. I already did. Video wasnt preforming well. I think the full version is avaiable for channel members, but there is a short from it on my channel.
@@dequitem excellent i look forward to watching it. Well done on being a thorough UA-camr 😁 enjoy your day/evening.
That was a cold execution! And seriously, please don’t cut out each other’s eyes!
We try to stay safe.
Perfection
Full screen. Sound up. Waiting for the grappling... and there it is. Still, a salute for very brave and somewhat not very smart men, risking eye and limb for our entertainment.
All that counts for me is the adrenaline, being safe in the end, good video material, and a great community to share it.