I think it's safe to say that the amount of halfswording increases proportionally to amount of armor: full armor means halfswording almost all the time, half plate means you start with standard grip but transitions to a halfsword happen fairly often, and no armor means hardly any halfswording.
The weapon play going on here is amazing, but take a look at what’s happening with the feet, too! Even before you ever get to striking distance, you can pressure and control your opponent’s behavior by using your position. There were times I saw you two either baiting in an attack, or controlling positioning just by stepping forward, switching between lead legs, crossing, or retreating. It’s honestly beautiful work. Well done.
Sir, thank you so much for taking the time to create these videos. It's been almost 50 years since I attended a Society of Creative Anachronism (or whatever they were called back then) demonstration, and I've always wondered how glaives, halberds, are there poll arms, war hammers, etc., we're actually used. I've read that they were far more numerous than swords than Hollywood makes it appear. I'm fascinated by your channel. Thank you for the high quality video, explanations, and demonstrations.
@@ColdNorth0628 Even when that happens, the shittalking leading up to it still happen. I get you and all, atleast one of them finally shut up. But what'd be worse. 2 individuals having endless heated discussions, or one of them ending up dying/maimed because they were allowed to duel with weapons. Some of the stories/documents of duels happening back then was hilarious though.
Damn that helmet looks so cool... sometimes the halberd fighting looks kinda clanky but such is the way of armoured combat (still cool as hell though... what i would give to fight like this)
It's awesome that you (or your editor) put in the Hit/Armor indicators, it's great to see them and makes me wish some of the SCA folx I used to spar with saw this video too.
Beautiful video and extremely helpful commentary. I think your regular viewers will know which one you are while under armor, but it might help orient newer viewers to have a small indicator at the start to point out which combatant you are. Thank you for sharing your expertise with the world like this!
The commentary and the graphic inserts showing a scored hit versus an armor tap, this was pretty great. It really looked like you two have very similar levels of experience and skill. So many half-starts and feints as you're each feeling the other out,.
Awesome stuff. Happy to see more half harness. My recommendation is to try some Partisan next, it’s quite fun in half armor. Pike is also great, although much harder to obtain a 10-14ft stick lol
this very much makes me think of the arcade mode boss from hellish quart, samuel in hullar armour, spaulders, bazubands, breastplate, helmet and tassets, he has arour. you as the Player character, dont... and most of you are wielding sabres.. its terrifying to contemplate trying to fight with such a disadvantage of armour
The issue with his halfswording is not the available targets but the fact that he does not close beforehand. The power of the technique is not only in its precision and strength, but also in its ability to move from a middle or close bind powerfully through your opponents defense and into a damaging position. If he would have engaged in the wind with a fast passing step or two and then transitioned his blade into halfsword, it would have been much more effective. Good spar, fun to watch, and as usual you do a fine job in commentary.
the first time i got a training sword i thought i would be able to move it around this way lol, it was only once i started messing around with it, do i now know and appreciate real sword skill when i see it!
Hey it would be really cool to see videos on Elden ring weaponry, or other video games if that’s what’s you’d like. I found the shorts very interesting and would be interested to see more, I’m sure others would agree. Nice channel! 👌
I love the DONK of the end of sparring hug! And the hit markers. Great to see some partial armour footage! Also, any vids on not-polearm-length axes coming? :)
Yeah, I bought it off him because it fits me quite well comparatively. Bit of a learning curve but it's super fun, at least when it's not above 95F and super humid.
Dear Robinswords. I am partaking in gladiatorial combat as a hobby and am currently pondering on getting the gear to fight as a retiarus. so nearly no armor and net, trident and a dagger for whenever you loose the net. One of the first things i learned with these weapons is that the trident has no counterweight on the opposite site of the fork and is wielded with 1 hand for most of the fighting (unless you leave the dagger sheathed after throwing/loosing the net). historical documents/drawings and texts about gladiatorial combat are scarce, so how would you recommend wielding a trident? it's essentially an unbalanced spear with a crossguard, but 2 more prongs that just make the weapon front-heavier. it doesn't help that your opponents usually use towershields and helmets made to deflect your net. if you could get your hands on a trident i would love how you'd handle it.
Would I be correct in thinking that your movements during sparring are perhaps less frantic and furious than it would be in actual combat? Or perhaps, if there were actual consequences for mistakes, one might be a lot more deliberate, and careful? Curious to hear what others think about this.
Robin, I've noticed that sometimes your UA-cam shorts answer viewer questions. Here's one: are there any historical sources or even historical fictional sources you'd recommend for vivid and reasonably accurate accounts of what it's like to experience a duel or battle using historical weapons? Thanks.
where do i buy/ can find the sparing pole arms you have. I really need something better than a padded long stick. If you also know where i can get practice spears 2 that would be most helpful.
Question that you may or may not be able to answer. How transferable is halberd fighting to something like Long Stick Poke/Slap checks in Lacrosse? In Lacrosse you are mostly trying to unsettle a ball from the opponents stick and hands and arms are "somewhat" legal targets. A lot of Halberd i have seen doesn't "slide" hand position much but in Lacrosse i would extend pokes with just thrusting bottom hand and sliding the stick through my top hand to help guide the hit.
I actually played defense/LPM for 8 years, so I have a bit of perspective on that. It's true that you see less of the sliding hand thrust like a poke check mostly due to the fact that you need that structure to keep a proper guard, but I can attest to how familiar it feels even though I've sparred with that poleaxe maybe 3 times. The few times in this match I went for a straight thrust I kind of did it like I was holding my D-pole. It works a bit better with a spear though, but you still have to make sure you're ready to cover yourself from your opponents likely simultaneous action.
@@SentientBeard6279 Thank you! that makes a lot of sense that you would basically drop you guard on a poke. Thanks for that explanation, i sort of figured as much i was mostly thinking before you could poke before they could close in on you.
@@axby1922I'll also say that at least my poleaxe sim is a little front-heavy, so it makes it really hard to accurately place a thrust into the right place on an armored target when extending it out like a poke check. I did get got like that though in the beginning when I breifly forgot my legs existed. It's certainly viable if you have the opening, can place it accurately, and your opponent isn't in the position to hit you back.
can you provide any advice on getting into HEMA when you’re poor? all of the club fees & gear rental costs i’ve encountered are prohibitively expensive, which is such a shame!
I appreciate the different graphics showing when it was a valid hit, and when it hit armor
Is that what you appreciate?
The halberd fighting is very pleasing for me.
3:53
Crucial flaw of the half plate armor there. It gets in the way when you're trying to give your homie a kiss
We can touch backs🥺
I think it's safe to say that the amount of halfswording increases proportionally to amount of armor: full armor means halfswording almost all the time, half plate means you start with standard grip but transitions to a halfsword happen fairly often, and no armor means hardly any halfswording.
I agree. I think the addition of gauntlets would dramatically increase the amount of half-swording
@@robinswords And also increase the amount of Geyszeln, which would increase the amount of complaining as per the ancient tradition.
That one handed halberd swing was so smooth. I wouldn't have expected that and it seems neither did your opponent.
I've never seen before halberd sparring in half-plate. Very interesting.
what a fantastic video!
i love the narration and the hit/block indicators. it makes it much easier to follow along.
Really cool with the commentary to help understand what's going on. Plus that burgonet looks bloody awesome!
The narration and editing is so peak. Very easy to learn and understand the terminology when I can see/hear it happening at the same time
Also that 1-handed halberd flip at 1:39 was so friggen sick dude. That should be what "ending him rightly" means
I learned more from this video than I did in my first week of fencing.
Awesome series of blocks starting at 3:35.
The weapon play going on here is amazing, but take a look at what’s happening with the feet, too!
Even before you ever get to striking distance, you can pressure and control your opponent’s behavior by using your position. There were times I saw you two either baiting in an attack, or controlling positioning just by stepping forward, switching between lead legs, crossing, or retreating.
It’s honestly beautiful work. Well done.
HALBERD HALF PLATE IS SO COOL
Sir, thank you so much for taking the time to create these videos. It's been almost 50 years since I attended a Society of Creative Anachronism (or whatever they were called back then) demonstration, and I've always wondered how glaives, halberds, are there poll arms, war hammers, etc., we're actually used. I've read that they were far more numerous than swords than Hollywood makes it appear. I'm fascinated by your channel. Thank you for the high quality video, explanations, and demonstrations.
With this, it feels like the weekend is already here 😊
Nice! I bet those ceiling fans don't help much 🙂
There are most definitely not broken fan blades that we had anything to do with
If duels like these were still around, people would talk a lot less shit
I'm pretty sure they now get replaced with Internet Celebs challenging each other to a boxing match. And I dunno, they talk a lotta shit...
@@TITANia69420
Well you can not talk when you got yourself cut by a halberd in the gut now can you 😅
@@ColdNorth0628 Even when that happens, the shittalking leading up to it still happen. I get you and all, atleast one of them finally shut up.
But what'd be worse. 2 individuals having endless heated discussions, or one of them ending up dying/maimed because they were allowed to duel with weapons.
Some of the stories/documents of duels happening back then was hilarious though.
You mean, men would talk lot less shit
Bruh
I love how tired that hug at the end looked lol. Well fought on both sides, and you guys got to look cool doing it.
Best sparring content and voice over work I've seen ❗️❗️
Damn that helmet looks so cool... sometimes the halberd fighting looks kinda clanky but such is the way of armoured combat (still cool as hell though... what i would give to fight like this)
It's awesome that you (or your editor) put in the Hit/Armor indicators, it's great to see them and makes me wish some of the SCA folx I used to spar with saw this video too.
I love how since neither of you want to grapple all the hand to hand becomes is a few half hearted pushes at eachothers hands
More please! I also really appreciate the commentary explaining what's happening
man your armor setup is amazing! i love how the plume is distinct and red opposed to your blue outfit!
I've done reenactment fighting for a while now but I've found your videos so interesting I'm thinking of transitioning to HEMA
Beautiful video and extremely helpful commentary.
I think your regular viewers will know which one you are while under armor, but it might help orient newer viewers to have a small indicator at the start to point out which combatant you are.
Thank you for sharing your expertise with the world like this!
How many goblins could you beat in a fight?
How many have you got?
The armored hug at the end 😭 W sportsmanship tho
1:38 You were able to get a hit with that rising cut! That looked so cool seeing it in action. :D
🏳️⚧️
A " Cheeky Thrust " is a phrase we need to hear more often 😏
This seems like one of those occasions a ribald person might say “that’s what she said”.
Of course I am no such person 😂
@@ErnestLordGoring 😂
That plume is damn snazzy. Fighting in style.
Here for the Half-Plate-Hug at the end
1:40 ive rewatched this so many times this shit is the coolest shit I've ever seen
Nicely done! Big props for adding floating symbols for hits.
I miss my armor a lot, should grab a chance to use it..
Love the vid, have never seen halberd sparing in half plate and it is awesome😊
Very nice to see halberd sparring.
Dude I gotta get some sleep I read the title as "half pirate"💀
Cutlass from rowboat?
Very hot! (in both looking good and temperature meanings) I love your videos, I'm an SCA heavy and I have learned some good moves from this!
Loved this! Great stuff, truly.
Picking up a couple sparring halberds is 100% on the list now. Amazing narration for more context!!
Both the sparring and they commentary makes this look so much fun
Immaculate Vibe and a half
He’s just Vibing
Great display
Good work
Amazing what People Will do to make Exercise Fun
Pollaxe is more of a speary axe while a halberd is usually more af an axy spear, more focused on the hrust but still able to cut
That looked so fun!! Nice moves with the halberd
Crazy to think men have actually died in fights like this. For a thousand years this is how we slaughtered eachother.
Would love to see some armored rapier/sidesword work.
*a la Christpoher Walken* I got a fever. And the only cure... is more plume.
The commentary and the graphic inserts showing a scored hit versus an armor tap, this was pretty great.
It really looked like you two have very similar levels of experience and skill. So many half-starts and feints as you're each feeling the other out,.
I thought it was all about Half-Life and fighting with Crowbars.
Great narration.
Awesome stuff. Happy to see more half harness.
My recommendation is to try some Partisan next, it’s quite fun in half armor.
Pike is also great, although much harder to obtain a 10-14ft stick lol
The plate made it really interesting for both weapons!
I recently got into armored fighting, mostly with the SCA. its fun but exhausting. Seeing this really makes me want to fight you.
3:36 "Yeah, it's go time" - cool as hell 😎
Love the presentation forbthe hits, really makes this easy to follow
I keep rewatching 1:40 that has to be one of the cleanest hits with a halberd I've seen
really fun to see the halberds
That armor with the HEMA gear looks so cool
Love the commentary!
absolute chad right here
Just fantastic!
this very much makes me think of the arcade mode boss from hellish quart, samuel in hullar armour, spaulders, bazubands, breastplate, helmet and tassets, he has arour. you as the Player character, dont...
and most of you are wielding sabres..
its terrifying to contemplate trying to fight with such a disadvantage of armour
The issue with his halfswording is not the available targets but the fact that he does not close beforehand. The power of the technique is not only in its precision and strength, but also in its ability to move from a middle or close bind powerfully through your opponents defense and into a damaging position. If he would have engaged in the wind with a fast passing step or two and then transitioned his blade into halfsword, it would have been much more effective.
Good spar, fun to watch, and as usual you do a fine job in commentary.
the first time i got a training sword i thought i would be able to move it around this way
lol, it was only once i started messing around with it, do i now know and appreciate real sword skill when i see it!
1:40 so cool
Love see some lesson videos for beginners would love to try out some of this.
I like feather knight
I would like to see the differences if you do the same kind of sparring at 50 or 45 degree fahrenheit.
Great content. I've been lurking but you earned a subscribe with this one.
Goat 🐐
Awesome 🧡
Will you be making any videos talking about the messer? I always found it to be a fascinating weapon
Hey it would be really cool to see videos on Elden ring weaponry, or other video games if that’s what’s you’d like. I found the shorts very interesting and would be interested to see more, I’m sure others would agree. Nice channel! 👌
I love the DONK of the end of sparring hug! And the hit markers. Great to see some partial armour footage! Also, any vids on not-polearm-length axes coming? :)
God the half plate looks sick
"Kick to the coddles"
This is awesome
Is your opponent wearing your first set of armor that was too large?
Yeah, I bought it off him because it fits me quite well comparatively. Bit of a learning curve but it's super fun, at least when it's not above 95F and super humid.
Dear Robinswords. I am partaking in gladiatorial combat as a hobby and am currently pondering on getting the gear to fight as a retiarus. so nearly no armor and net, trident and a dagger for whenever you loose the net. One of the first things i learned with these weapons is that the trident has no counterweight on the opposite site of the fork and is wielded with 1 hand for most of the fighting (unless you leave the dagger sheathed after throwing/loosing the net). historical documents/drawings and texts about gladiatorial combat are scarce, so how would you recommend wielding a trident? it's essentially an unbalanced spear with a crossguard, but 2 more prongs that just make the weapon front-heavier. it doesn't help that your opponents usually use towershields and helmets made to deflect your net. if you could get your hands on a trident i would love how you'd handle it.
This is cool as hell 😎
that helmet is so cool!
Fucking sick
What maker did those halberd trainers come from?
I might be late on this one, but 1:40 how do you hit that so easily? Would love to see a sparring hand and stance move there
I've done a video talking about the movement before that might help.
ua-cam.com/users/shortsVvvtSdhDUzw?si=cjLS6JyGevo8EbaX
@@robinswords That move breakdown won me a spar! Love your videos and hope to see more.
Would I be correct in thinking that your movements during sparring are perhaps less frantic and furious than it would be in actual combat? Or perhaps, if there were actual consequences for mistakes, one might be a lot more deliberate, and careful? Curious to hear what others think about this.
Dirty face stabs 😂 love it
I’m worried about that fan getting whammied!
Spaulders Gate
Robin, I've noticed that sometimes your UA-cam shorts answer viewer questions. Here's one: are there any historical sources or even historical fictional sources you'd recommend for vivid and reasonably accurate accounts of what it's like to experience a duel or battle using historical weapons? Thanks.
I wish you had daggers for when you go in very close range.
Pinnacle of male entertainment
Question: How valid are the backhanded blades in Elden Ring DLC? 👀 Assuming not very ideal but idk, would be interested to hear your input!
where do i buy/ can find the sparing pole arms you have. I really need something better than a padded long stick. If you also know where i can get practice spears 2 that would be most helpful.
descendantarmory.com/
Could you make a video on Hellish Quart, please?
I would love to learn how to do this stuff but I'm WAAAAAAY too self conscious and don't want to feel like a burden to anybody (I also have no money)
Question that you may or may not be able to answer. How transferable is halberd fighting to something like Long Stick Poke/Slap checks in Lacrosse? In Lacrosse you are mostly trying to unsettle a ball from the opponents stick and hands and arms are "somewhat" legal targets. A lot of Halberd i have seen doesn't "slide" hand position much but in Lacrosse i would extend pokes with just thrusting bottom hand and sliding the stick through my top hand to help guide the hit.
I actually played defense/LPM for 8 years, so I have a bit of perspective on that. It's true that you see less of the sliding hand thrust like a poke check mostly due to the fact that you need that structure to keep a proper guard, but I can attest to how familiar it feels even though I've sparred with that poleaxe maybe 3 times. The few times in this match I went for a straight thrust I kind of did it like I was holding my D-pole.
It works a bit better with a spear though, but you still have to make sure you're ready to cover yourself from your opponents likely simultaneous action.
@@SentientBeard6279 Thank you! that makes a lot of sense that you would basically drop you guard on a poke. Thanks for that explanation, i sort of figured as much i was mostly thinking before you could poke before they could close in on you.
@@axby1922I'll also say that at least my poleaxe sim is a little front-heavy, so it makes it really hard to accurately place a thrust into the right place on an armored target when extending it out like a poke check. I did get got like that though in the beginning when I breifly forgot my legs existed.
It's certainly viable if you have the opening, can place it accurately, and your opponent isn't in the position to hit you back.
01:05
Critical hit.
Have you tried buhurt cause it would be super cool if u did
What is your opinion on a trophy rodeo belt buckle used offensively?
can you provide any advice on getting into HEMA when you’re poor? all of the club fees & gear rental costs i’ve encountered are prohibitively expensive, which is such a shame!