Wear a skull of a fallen enemy upon your head. You might want to also wear a stick on your back with some kind of rags that make ti easier to see the skull. yes
+Jonathan Albericci More importantly, I think anyone with a guisarme WOULD appreciate you riding your horse into battle with spiked armor, or armor with any protrusion...
If you're in a fantasy setting (as most spiked armor wearing people are) and you're dealing primarily with creatures that claw at or bite you, spiked armor seems like it'd be a lot more valuable then it was historically. That's not to say the video's points aren't valid, so the location of spikes would have to keep ergonomics in mind and you'd only want to wear them when immediately expecting to fight, but they don't seem totally ridiculous.
Funnily enough, sheep dog wear spiked collars for exactly this reason. They're big burly dogs that are there to protect sheep from wolves, among other things. The way wolves kill is by going for the neck, so a spiked collar can protect the sheep dog very well.
alex2143 same with the “Great Pyrenees” I wanted to get a spiked collar for her. But she is t exactly trained for such purposes. (I don’t have live stock. But plenty of running space and property bounds for a “Very Smart dog”
Also Siberian bear hunting armor which was covered in spikes. EDIT: Just found out siberian bear hunting armor didn't really exist, it was an art piece made for a set about "the bizarre". I'm also told a bear might very well break your spine with a single attack before it realizes how painful the spikes are, although I could see them being useful against something like a pack of weaker animals or for a D&D character with an impossibly large number of hit points. But if you have to fight a bear with mele weapons a long spear sounds like a much better option, maybe with a crossguard like a boar spear (disclaimer: stole this idea from The Long Dark) although if the bear is that determined to reach you it might just snap the spear.
On the other hand, having spiked armor can be a real labour saving device. It frees up your hands. For example, while plundering, you can stick a purloined ham hock or a loaf of bread on it. Or use it to hang your tux on the way to the dry cleaners. And what about enforcing your personal space boundary?
The spikes do shit damage as well, and it's so damn difficult to actually get his set if you don't pay attention to ensure you are in human form to get him to appear
might do shit damage but its a nice pvp advantage, if you roll near a target you move quickly and if he trys to strike you and is harmed the attack is interrupted
Yes, most troops did not fire their weapons in WW2, but that was more due to other things, such as not being threatened, and not being at the very front of the front. Pretty much anyone will fight hard if threatened enough. Most troops were supporting the guys at the front. They were cooking, transporting, crewing radios, artillery, AA guns, being in reserve etc. Men given loud frightening guns will happily blaze away to scare/suppress/fend off the enemy, even if only to comfort themselves.
Then again, the traitors don't usually worry too much about things like 'Reason' and 'Logic'. I'd say they're not overly concerned with practicality either, but then no one in WH40k is.
Byron Bailey There are better ways to go around it. You can carry limbs of your fallen enemies (bones, so they don't stink), you may do like Vlad The Empaler and have empaled enemies at the border, etc.
People certainly had decorative armour and weapons that were never really meant for battle, so I can kind of imagine spiked armour (if it existed) as being a way of saying, "hey, I'm important" That said, I agree that it would be pretty useless in a fight.
A fair question. The flat-topped design did not last long, suggesting that it was found wanting. Arched and domed helmets were around for many centuries. I can see some logic to them, however, because a swinging blow would often hit the edge of one -its strongest point, whereas it would hit an arched helmet flat-on.
I'm not saying that only 2% of men killed. Far more did. But only 2% consistently aimed to kill. Many men might _think_ that they were aiming to kill, and yet when accuracy in battle is compared to accuracy at the firing range, they are very different. Very few men (but more women) make suitable snipers. I'm told about half of men can be taught to shoot accurately enough, but more is required of a sniper, such as killing a man you can recognise as an individual, who is not threatening you.
They were very pointy, partly in imitation of fashionable shoes. I don't think that they were actually sharp, and yes, they were removable. A major tripping hazard.
Great points on this subject lindybeige. The fact that many soldiers in classical/medieval times fought shoulder to shoulder as a unit is probably the biggest reason why you wouldn't see many spikes.
Yes, most men fight to scare away enemies rather than slay them. Only about 2% of men shoot to kill, and half of these do it out of love to protect their fellows, and half do it because they want to kill people. Modern training methods have altered this figure a lot. It is based on post-WW2, mainly American, studies. There is the On Killing book, and various documentaries tackling the same theme. It does not surprise me. I suspect that many (esp irregular) armies of the past were the same.
I could see spikes working in moderation in a few situations - Maybe a (ONLY ONE!!!) spike of sorts on your gauntlets in order to give a reserve weapon in case you're disarmed, or maybe just for an alternate attack. I can also see a few spikes on the shield being effective as well, since it'd turn your shield into an even more lethal weapon.
Thanks for this video. When thinking about this I can understand why the buckler was so popular even in battlefields when larger round shields seems to be much more useful in many cases. After marching for 2 months I would really envy the person with a buckler if we had to carry our shields all the time.
I've so far seen one legit (at least I think so) set of spiked armour. At the Auckland museum they have a Kribati Club-Warriors ( I guess barfights were pretty intense back then...)equipment. It basically is like a wholebody coconut fibre gambeson covered in the spikes of puffer-fish.
One thing about weaponry everyone forgets: a soldier's weapons have two purposes, the first of which everyone remembers. First purpose: be effective in maiming/killing your enemies. Second purpose: allow the soldier to do so WITHOUT putting himself in extra or unnecessary danger. Spiked armor violates the second part. Imagine you're in your tent at night with your gear in the corner, sleeping. You roll over in your sleep onto your breastplate you took off. If you have normal armor, you're rudely awoken and uncomfortable. If you have spiked armor, you now have torn up skin.
This is the first video you have posted since I've subscribed from you, I have not watched it yet, but I just wanted to say I have grown very excited to hear what you have to say about weapons and armor. Keep up the good work man!
Glad he mentioned about the spikes catching blows and transferring more energy. If a blow hit you on the shoulder and would glance off, a spike would catch it and cause serious harm, probably breaking your arm if the blow had any force.
@Lindybeige - you've only scratched the surface here: Cons: - hard to pack in a suitcase - you can't put it on the bottom as it will pierce all items you pack above, can't put it on top, as it will pierce the suitcase - TSA would not have allowed you to board with the spiked armor as a carry-on to prevent caravel hijacking - chest-bumping celebrations would have to be banned due to the risk of injury - mounting and dismounting a steed would be problematic - the post-victory rape and pillage would be very difficult, specifically the rape part, for obvious reasons - lastly, using the field latrine. There's an old cowboy saying: "don't squat on your spurs", I believe this came from the days of spiked armor Pros: - makes eating while riding a horse easier - stick a bun on one spike, a dumpling on the other, and your hands are free for the reins and perhaps your waterskin - relieving various itches - I'm sure crotch-rot and athlete's foot were rampant for mounted and armored knights, and getting to that spot in the middle of your back is so much easier when you can lean your spiked breastplate against a tree and just have at it... - lastly, and perhaps most important, you would look like such a badass in the class mural.
I've only recently discovered your channel and have been very intrigued. As a lifetime RPG player and limited renassaince actor (years ago) I definitely enjoy your presentation. I would very much like to see you review (bare with me) the DND NEXT system as it comes out this year. I know you've sliced previous genres of this product.....but I'd like to hear what you have to say on the Newest edition of DND.
I suppose that's probably the second most important thing to remember about any armament, isn't it? That 99% of the time, you are not fighting but instead camping or marching. It absolutely must protect you in battle, obviously, because otherwise what's the point at all? But it must also allow you to _get to_ the battle!
Totally agree. The best way to add the protection of bits of metal to otherwise non metal armor is making brigadine, small flat plates of metal sandwiched between two layers of flexible material like leather or heavy cloth. It moves, gives a bit of padding, and some of the stopping power of metal against bladed weapons (Almost none against bludgeoning though). It's a nice midrange armor. Not as labor intensive as chainmail, nor as expensive as plate, but better protection than simple padding or leather. Thanks for another great video ^ _ ^
Like your vid. I actually have seen spikes on armour depicted from the mid 16th century. In this case it was spiked collars around break points on the body, ie. the knees, elbows, neck, wrists etc. Those are the areas of the body of an armoured man that you grab on to in order to throw, sweep, lock, etc. But that was in a duel on foot, so they were most likely removable if the knight wanted to do something else, like jousting, or doing the laundry or whatever.
The concern about weight is VERY often overlooked in discussions about weapons, historical or otherwise. Imagine you have to carry that thing not a quarter mile or a couple of miles but to the far side of your country (or even continent) and back. Along with your bed roll, and your armor, and changes of clothing (especially shoes), and maintenance items for everything you're carrying, and survival tools. People talk about how the last ruck march is the hardest part of modern boot camp but in an actual war (up until VERY recently) rucking is most of what you do. Strap everything you own to your back and carry it from where you're standing to the enemy capital along with 1000 or 10000 or 100000 of your allies. Gives me a whole new appreciation for modern infantry transports.
I always liked spiked armour in fantasy settings because there was always something inhuman for you to fight. Like that famous story where a knight put on armour with blades all over it in order to kill a giant serpentine dragon creature that wrapped itself around victims to kill them. It works for porcupines and hedgehogs after all. I imagine it would be more specialized equipment worn by people who made a living exterminating certain types of monsters or something.
Yes. Crusaders wore armour as day-to-day clothing, and would you get out of your plate armour when you got a bit peckish, but the day's fighting was not over?
"He- excuse me, you there, traveler! You uh... you mind helping a poor lad up, yeh? You see, I uh... I lost my footing on this here rather rickety bridge, and uh... well, I'm afraid my armor - spiked as it is - well... see here, I've fallen, and I can't get up. Oh stop that laughing and help me for God's sake!"
I think the only "real" spiked armor I've seen is a spiked open barwork bevor from a late 16th century burgonet at the Graz armory, and from a fighting man's perspective it made sense to me. The spikes were still shorter than the visor above, so they wouldn't really catch blades, but they REALLY made headbutts nasty in a clinch. Great videos, keep up the good work!
Far more than 2% admit to killing. A lot of modern training is designed to get men to kill as a first response. In WW1, troops encountering each other unexpectedly in No Man's Land would often hurl abuse and stones at each other, but not think to shoot. There is a powerful and useful instinct in men to avoid escalation of violence. Melee between football supporters consist mainly of moving to just out of arm's reach, and posturing aggressively and hoping that the other side will back down.
Another reason why I think spiked armour is impractical is that the spikes just offers your opponent a convenient handhold to get inside your weapon and smash your face in
i like the point you made about using the spikes as a weapon, in a way havin maybe a spike on your elbow or on your knee would make sense in close combat, but other wise, yes it wouldnt make much sense at all, i love these vids
Why is this video not called "Points on Spiked Armour"
good point
+TheVino3 Points on points?
Lindy has the best comments on whole of YT I swear!
You're very sharp
That was quite penetrating
Asus McTablet Fan of Matt Easton?
Knight Kirk of thorns should watch this
Ok
First time I've seen one of your comments with only 14 likes. Lol
damn this is a fucking ancient vaati comment
Deepest lore
I can die happy knowing that Vaati watched Lloyd
Gladiators might wear spiked armour, but this was because gladiator armour was for show to amuse the audiene and definitely NOT to protect its wearer.
Also they would not have to deal with it outside of the arena.
Exactly. Using gladiator weapons in real battle would be the equivalent of using a pro wrestling move in a street fight,
Bartłomiej Kumor would Ali fuck up a pro wrestler?
@@shadowdeslaar Every. Single. Time.
Vlad Tepes “the Greatest”
But then how will my enemies know I'm a serious badass?!
warcry?
DeathBringer9000 But if you do that they might just think you're insane or Scottish.
Michael Price Or just a nudist.
Wear a skull of a fallen enemy upon your head. You might want to also wear a stick on your back with some kind of rags that make ti easier to see the skull. yes
Masticina Akicta
I like the skull idea... but I don't plan on challenging anything that isn't considerably smaller. The skull would not fit me.
I don't think your horse would appreciate you riding into battle with spiked armour.
+Princess Celestia only place that matters son ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
+Jonathan Albericci More importantly, I think anyone with a guisarme WOULD appreciate you riding your horse into battle with spiked armor, or armor with any protrusion...
that's what war elephants were actually for.
Heh well, considering what spurs are, I’d wager the horse is probably used to it by this point
Unless your horse has more spiked armor than you
Someone chucks a rock at you, you duck your head to the side, and suddenly your ear is nailed to your shoulder! :D
Yay, a piercing! :D
Worst case scenario, you get a little earwax on one of your spikes.
"Battle is about to be joined. Squires, attach my armour spikes!"
-Hermann Clausius, Chaos Knight of Khorne
Janissary666 I’m a bit late to the party here, but detachable spikes would solve a lot of problems.
A yes warhammer comments, I love that they just crop up everywhere.
If you're in a fantasy setting (as most spiked armor wearing people are) and you're dealing primarily with creatures that claw at or bite you, spiked armor seems like it'd be a lot more valuable then it was historically. That's not to say the video's points aren't valid, so the location of spikes would have to keep ergonomics in mind and you'd only want to wear them when immediately expecting to fight, but they don't seem totally ridiculous.
Kevin Baker if I was hunting a animal that could rip me apart. I’d wanted spikes were I could lay down in a certain position
Funnily enough, sheep dog wear spiked collars for exactly this reason. They're big burly dogs that are there to protect sheep from wolves, among other things. The way wolves kill is by going for the neck, so a spiked collar can protect the sheep dog very well.
alex2143 same with the “Great Pyrenees” I wanted to get a spiked collar for her. But she is t exactly trained for such purposes. (I don’t have live stock. But plenty of running space and property bounds for a “Very Smart dog”
Also Siberian bear hunting armor which was covered in spikes.
EDIT: Just found out siberian bear hunting armor didn't really exist, it was an art piece made for a set about "the bizarre". I'm also told a bear might very well break your spine with a single attack before it realizes how painful the spikes are, although I could see them being useful against something like a pack of weaker animals or for a D&D character with an impossibly large number of hit points. But if you have to fight a bear with mele weapons a long spear sounds like a much better option, maybe with a crossguard like a boar spear (disclaimer: stole this idea from The Long Dark) although if the bear is that determined to reach you it might just snap the spear.
If this is good enough for hedgehogs..
On the other hand, having spiked armor can be a real labour saving device. It frees up your hands. For example, while plundering, you can stick a purloined ham hock or a loaf of bread on it. Or use it to hang your tux on the way to the dry cleaners. And what about enforcing your personal space boundary?
Lets put spikes on tanks as well.
Yes
Yes that's a great idea and instead of having the tanks armed with guns we can arm them with katanas
Imagine ISIS fighters eating a meal in their compound. Then a tank barrel with a giant saber comes swinging through the living room.
Gen. George Patton yes then you have tank sword fights and shiz
"Some points about spiked armour." EHAH!
Kirk the Knight of thorns be damned.
Nick Carbaugh that dude was mental
The spikes do shit damage as well, and it's so damn difficult to actually get his set if you don't pay attention to ensure you are in human form to get him to appear
might do shit damage but its a nice pvp advantage, if you roll near a target you move quickly and if he trys to strike you and is harmed the attack is interrupted
oh yeah you see him first in the sewer
Nick Carbaugh you could hug some1 to death
However spiked armour does have a massive potential comedy value
Yes, most troops did not fire their weapons in WW2, but that was more due to other things, such as not being threatened, and not being at the very front of the front. Pretty much anyone will fight hard if threatened enough. Most troops were supporting the guys at the front. They were cooking, transporting, crewing radios, artillery, AA guns, being in reserve etc. Men given loud frightening guns will happily blaze away to scare/suppress/fend off the enemy, even if only to comfort themselves.
you can roll like a hedgehog by destroying enemy formations!
Chaos Space Marines disapprove of these facts.
+TheStargateNerd And the Chaos Gods of spikes and horns. :O
+TheStargateNerd In the grim darkness of the 41st millennium there is ONLY WAR. In other words… this does not apply
Spiky boys aren't as clever as da orks
Dem stuped spiked humies ain't no match for da boys!
Then again, the traitors don't usually worry too much about things like 'Reason' and 'Logic'. I'd say they're not overly concerned with practicality either, but then no one in WH40k is.
Even just in storage, normal armor takes up space. Spiked armor takes up more space, for no tangible reason.
Imagine the armory, it would be like untangling Christmas lights.
I think intimidation is an important factor... Of course experienced fighters may just think you're an idiot.
Byron Bailey There are better ways to go around it. You can carry limbs of your fallen enemies (bones, so they don't stink), you may do like Vlad The Empaler and have empaled enemies at the border, etc.
Turtoi Radu I completely agree. I think the point still stands though. It is a reason, if not the best example of that reason.
+Byron Bailey wear an armor made out of your enemy's bones. that will do
Siberian bear hunting armor... Got nothing to do with this realy I just think it looks badass and you should totaly google it...
Took me 8 years to stumble across this comment, thanks! That is one hectic piece of attire
@@windycity1778 it definitely is
It actually has to do with this
People certainly had decorative armour and weapons that were never really meant for battle, so I can kind of imagine spiked armour (if it existed) as being a way of saying, "hey, I'm important" That said, I agree that it would be pretty useless in a fight.
+Phlebas like golden pistols
+gabriel ferraz but... golden showers?
A fair question. The flat-topped design did not last long, suggesting that it was found wanting. Arched and domed helmets were around for many centuries. I can see some logic to them, however, because a swinging blow would often hit the edge of one -its strongest point, whereas it would hit an arched helmet flat-on.
You need optional spikes which you only screw onto your armor for battles XD
Valivali94 Spring loaded retractable spikes laced with poison to which you have the antidote for.
Stanley Chang Muhaha :D
Stanley Chang Which you are willing to give to your opponoment if they call you the most beautiful woman in the world after baring your chest at them.
bensoffgruppen Game of thrones? LOL
Stanley Chang why even ask
Lots of punk rockers wear spiked armor.
that would be a deadly pit
PUNK ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
remedy against the groupies!!!!!
I've just watched the UA-cam upload version of this in order to check your assertion, and it sounded fine in my headphones.
Rule of cool/awesome. In fiction, people are willing to suspend disbelief further if the result is cool enough.
You also forgot to mention that the .30 carbine that the M1 carbine fired was fine for 0-200 meters, which is where most fighting in WWII took place.
I'm not saying that only 2% of men killed. Far more did. But only 2% consistently aimed to kill. Many men might _think_ that they were aiming to kill, and yet when accuracy in battle is compared to accuracy at the firing range, they are very different. Very few men (but more women) make suitable snipers. I'm told about half of men can be taught to shoot accurately enough, but more is required of a sniper, such as killing a man you can recognise as an individual, who is not threatening you.
You should ALWAYS have spikes in your armour, that's how you're easily identified as a serious badass on the battlefield.
They look great and I want some. They obscure downward vision a bit, though. Some safety issues if falling off a horse, apparently.
Cataphracts fought in very close order - spikes would be very inconvenient.
Yes, that's it. Well remembered.
What are you talking about
Somehow, many of them made it through childhood.
Missed your insight-videos, thanks for coming back to them!
I can just see it in a roman legion the guys have an intervention, "Dear Phil, like please get read of your spikes ..."
I forgot how much I loved these videos! Always love the points you have on everything.
They were very pointy, partly in imitation of fashionable shoes. I don't think that they were actually sharp, and yes, they were removable. A major tripping hazard.
I imagine traveling through dense woods with spiked armor would be hilarious. Soldiers would be stuck in trees and shrubery
So glad to see these weapon/armour videos being uploaded again.
Great points on this subject lindybeige. The fact that many soldiers in classical/medieval times fought shoulder to shoulder as a unit is probably the biggest reason why you wouldn't see many spikes.
Great to have you posting videos again Lindy - much appreciated
Yes, most men fight to scare away enemies rather than slay them. Only about 2% of men shoot to kill, and half of these do it out of love to protect their fellows, and half do it because they want to kill people. Modern training methods have altered this figure a lot. It is based on post-WW2, mainly American, studies. There is the On Killing book, and various documentaries tackling the same theme. It does not surprise me. I suspect that many (esp irregular) armies of the past were the same.
Knee spikes seem plausible though, not huge long things though. i can imagine them being quite effective
+thebritishgeek hell just put a hard point on the shin, and you have a perfect kicking weapon.
Slougun Restrictions id rarther not imagine it but now i am, thanks.
+TheBritishGeek he pisses two streams now :D
+TheBritishGeek Medieval sabatons did tend to have fairly long points on them, mirroring the shoes of the time.
I could see spikes working in moderation in a few situations - Maybe a (ONLY ONE!!!) spike of sorts on your gauntlets in order to give a reserve weapon in case you're disarmed, or maybe just for an alternate attack. I can also see a few spikes on the shield being effective as well, since it'd turn your shield into an even more lethal weapon.
This is hilarious and the premise deserves it's own comedy bit.
Thanks for this video. When thinking about this I can understand why the buckler was so popular even in battlefields when larger round shields seems to be much more useful in many cases.
After marching for 2 months I would really envy the person with a buckler if we had to carry our shields all the time.
good to see more of these "points about ___" videos lately. Lots of good info about weapons, armor, and warfare. Keep up the good work!
“Some *POINTS* about spiked armour”
I see what ya did there!
Macedonian ones were in two pieces quite often. Gustav Adolphus had lots of problems with men cutting them shorter, and he had to forbid them.
The only spiked armor I can think of is polish bear hunting armor.
I'm sad that I feel I'm the only one laughing at "A POINT about spiked armor"
Personally I just use a bunch of BDSM gear for my armor.
I've so far seen one legit (at least I think so) set of spiked armour. At the Auckland museum they have a Kribati Club-Warriors ( I guess barfights were pretty intense back then...)equipment. It basically is like a wholebody coconut fibre gambeson covered in the spikes of puffer-fish.
One thing about weaponry everyone forgets: a soldier's weapons have two purposes, the first of which everyone remembers.
First purpose: be effective in maiming/killing your enemies.
Second purpose: allow the soldier to do so WITHOUT putting himself in extra or unnecessary danger.
Spiked armor violates the second part. Imagine you're in your tent at night with your gear in the corner, sleeping. You roll over in your sleep onto your breastplate you took off. If you have normal armor, you're rudely awoken and uncomfortable. If you have spiked armor, you now have torn up skin.
I actually think your website is pretty awesome, you've got all sorts of intresting topics up there.
This is the first video you have posted since I've subscribed from you, I have not watched it yet, but I just wanted to say I have grown very excited to hear what you have to say about weapons and armor.
Keep up the good work man!
lol now I've got a mental image of 'dark soul's' character, Kirk, stuck on a wooden bridge pleading for help from a nearby onion knight.
Something to remember. Always, always, always where the spikes on the outside.
Does the On Killing book not have a bibliography?
Roman soldiers did, even when digging ditches, and crusaders did too, and others.
Glad he mentioned about the spikes catching blows and transferring more energy. If a blow hit you on the shoulder and would glance off, a spike would catch it and cause serious harm, probably breaking your arm if the blow had any force.
Glad you're doing historical vids again Lloyd!
Hedgehogs manage.
+Kieron George
I've never seen a hedgehog beat up a knight though.
+Häijy Velho you've got me imagining a catapult loaded with porcupines.
@Lindybeige - you've only scratched the surface here:
Cons:
- hard to pack in a suitcase - you can't put it on the bottom as it will pierce all items you pack above, can't put it on top, as it will pierce the suitcase
- TSA would not have allowed you to board with the spiked armor as a carry-on to prevent caravel hijacking
- chest-bumping celebrations would have to be banned due to the risk of injury
- mounting and dismounting a steed would be problematic
- the post-victory rape and pillage would be very difficult, specifically the rape part, for obvious reasons
- lastly, using the field latrine. There's an old cowboy saying: "don't squat on your spurs", I believe this came from the days of spiked armor
Pros:
- makes eating while riding a horse easier - stick a bun on one spike, a dumpling on the other, and your hands are free for the reins and perhaps your waterskin
- relieving various itches - I'm sure crotch-rot and athlete's foot were rampant for mounted and armored knights, and getting to that spot in the middle of your back is so much easier when you can lean your spiked breastplate against a tree and just have at it...
- lastly, and perhaps most important, you would look like such a badass in the class mural.
I've only recently discovered your channel and have been very intrigued. As a lifetime RPG player and limited renassaince actor (years ago) I definitely enjoy your presentation. I would very much like to see you review (bare with me) the DND NEXT system as it comes out this year. I know you've sliced previous genres of this product.....but I'd like to hear what you have to say on the Newest edition of DND.
I'm glad you're making more videos like this again.
Many of those 'horns' were paper mache - designed to crumple if hit.
I am so happy that I found your videos!
There are probably some points on spiked armor. (Bad joke)
I suppose that's probably the second most important thing to remember about any armament, isn't it? That 99% of the time, you are not fighting but instead camping or marching. It absolutely must protect you in battle, obviously, because otherwise what's the point at all? But it must also allow you to _get to_ the battle!
This is my biggest pet peeve when it comes to fictional depiction of armour, or at least it's up there...
Totally agree. The best way to add the protection of bits of metal to otherwise non metal armor is making brigadine, small flat plates of metal sandwiched between two layers of flexible material like leather or heavy cloth. It moves, gives a bit of padding, and some of the stopping power of metal against bladed weapons (Almost none against bludgeoning though). It's a nice midrange armor. Not as labor intensive as chainmail, nor as expensive as plate, but better protection than simple padding or leather.
Thanks for another great video ^ _ ^
Like your vid. I actually have seen spikes on armour depicted from the mid 16th century. In this case it was spiked collars around break points on the body, ie. the knees, elbows, neck, wrists etc. Those are the areas of the body of an armoured man that you grab on to in order to throw, sweep, lock, etc. But that was in a duel on foot, so they were most likely removable if the knight wanted to do something else, like jousting, or doing the laundry or whatever.
Thank You for doing these again
'if you Fell ober in Spikes Armour while crossing a worden Bridge, that could be could embarrassing.'
Never had this problem with mail. I did a bit with my hoplite cuirass, though.
The concern about weight is VERY often overlooked in discussions about weapons, historical or otherwise. Imagine you have to carry that thing not a quarter mile or a couple of miles but to the far side of your country (or even continent) and back. Along with your bed roll, and your armor, and changes of clothing (especially shoes), and maintenance items for everything you're carrying, and survival tools.
People talk about how the last ruck march is the hardest part of modern boot camp but in an actual war (up until VERY recently) rucking is most of what you do. Strap everything you own to your back and carry it from where you're standing to the enemy capital along with 1000 or 10000 or 100000 of your allies. Gives me a whole new appreciation for modern infantry transports.
Very useful for defeating Lampton worms!
Good idea.
I always liked spiked armour in fantasy settings because there was always something inhuman for you to fight. Like that famous story where a knight put on armour with blades all over it in order to kill a giant serpentine dragon creature that wrapped itself around victims to kill them. It works for porcupines and hedgehogs after all. I imagine it would be more specialized equipment worn by people who made a living exterminating certain types of monsters or something.
And all your comrades are using you as a blackboard. "Is there a place where I can put this memo and everyone will notice it? Ah yes."
Very useful on ice, and when fighting Megaman.
This video should be in a playlist called logic for children
OH you are wearing spiked armor? let me get my fishing net.
Yes. Crusaders wore armour as day-to-day clothing, and would you get out of your plate armour when you got a bit peckish, but the day's fighting was not over?
You can spike your armor, but you can't spike your friends.
I like to imagine a spiked armored warrior being immobilized because his spikes pierced the ground when he fell.
"He- excuse me, you there, traveler! You uh... you mind helping a poor lad up, yeh? You see, I uh... I lost my footing on this here rather rickety bridge, and uh... well, I'm afraid my armor - spiked as it is - well... see here, I've fallen, and I can't get up. Oh stop that laughing and help me for God's sake!"
You win the internets. I think you're the second person I've ever encountered who has known the Lambton Worm story!
Most deaths were caused by people who couldn't see their victims: artillery and bombers
I think the only "real" spiked armor I've seen is a spiked open barwork bevor from a late 16th century burgonet at the Graz armory, and from a fighting man's perspective it made sense to me. The spikes were still shorter than the visor above, so they wouldn't really catch blades, but they REALLY made headbutts nasty in a clinch.
Great videos, keep up the good work!
Yes, if they were big and strong enough (the spikes and the enemies).
Far more than 2% admit to killing. A lot of modern training is designed to get men to kill as a first response. In WW1, troops encountering each other unexpectedly in No Man's Land would often hurl abuse and stones at each other, but not think to shoot. There is a powerful and useful instinct in men to avoid escalation of violence. Melee between football supporters consist mainly of moving to just out of arm's reach, and posturing aggressively and hoping that the other side will back down.
The title should be: some points about spiked armour.
Without spikes on my armour, how am I going to protect myself from evil, murderous balloons?
The Imps in Doom have spikes growing out of them.
I can't enjoy a good medieval fantasy game without first getting everything ruined.
Another reason why I think spiked armour is impractical is that the spikes just offers your opponent a convenient handhold to get inside your weapon and smash your face in
Probably the most famous real example is the Pickelhaube, which was mostly for show anyway.
i like the point you made about using the spikes as a weapon, in a way havin maybe a spike on your elbow or on your knee would make sense in close combat, but other wise, yes it wouldnt make much sense at all, i love these vids
Switchblade style spike armor - most of the time, the spikes are hidden, but when you need a spike *snikt* you gotta spike.