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**PlanTaleks** · 07-31-2010, 07:13 AM

In my understanding it didn't need to cut as well... the handle wasn't the only way to hold those swords, knight often grabbed the blade itself to put more power into their stabs, have more power while pushing (maybe the sword was just too long at times?) or even grab it with two hands to use the cruciform guard as a hammer-like weapon.

see link for example: http://ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2003/..._talhoffer.jpg

They did this for longswords, but not arming swords. Longswords were only sharp on the last few inches of their blade. They were used almost exclusively for thrusting, but they could cut with the sharpened tip.

Arming swords, like the one in the video, were too short for half swording (holding the blade with the off hand) to be effective. They were wielded with one and a half hands and used for cutting and thrusting. That is why the whole blade was sharp.

07-31-2010, 07:13 AM	#30
PlanTaleks Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	In my understanding it didn't need to cut as well... the handle wasn't the only way to hold those swords, knight often grabbed the blade itself to put more power into their stabs, have more power while pushing (maybe the sword was just too long at times?) or even grab it with two hands to use the cruciform guard as a hammer-like weapon. see link for example: http://ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2003/..._talhoffer.jpg They did this for longswords, but not arming swords. Longswords were only sharp on the last few inches of their blade. They were used almost exclusively for thrusting, but they could cut with the sharpened tip. Arming swords, like the one in the video, were too short for half swording (holding the blade with the off hand) to be effective. They were wielded with one and a half hands and used for cutting and thrusting. That is why the whole blade was sharp.
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