A Fun Chat with the Owner of a Sword Shop

Рет қаралды 32,551

4 күн бұрын

Here's a laid-back chat about fantasy weapons and other fun stuff with Laura, Suen, the founder and CEO of Fire and Steel. Among other things we talked about realism, "experts" with Dunning Kruger effect, our favorite historical weapon, and some of the challenges of designing items from fiction.
This is NOT sponsored, and I'm not affiliated with the company in any way. Just wanted to come for a visit and nerd out about swords and whatnot.
fireandsteel.ca/
** Music credits **
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
theslantedroom.github.io/stev...
Used with artist's permission
** Merch **
www.bonfire.com/store/skallswag/
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: www.bonfire.com/welcome/07bb1...
** Support the channel **
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
/ skallagrim
/ @skallagrim
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHW...
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - www.amazon.com/shop/skallagri...
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
** Second channel / other social media **
/ @skallhalla
/ _skallagrim_
/ skallagrimyt
/ skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim

Пікірлер: 266

@logan2669 2 күн бұрын

Best moment is Skall sitting there humbly accepting someone in the community thanking him for his service lol. She is saying what we all think

@vapormissile 2 күн бұрын

Amen. Acknowledging virtue matters. (BTW, I love this place ⚔️)

@Par-Crom 2 күн бұрын

Yup

@ActualHumanPerson 2 күн бұрын

His face every time she said something about it was golden.

@samamies88 2 күн бұрын

I agree with her. But just on previous video (the one where Skall was in "anime sword store") i saw someone in comment section being bitter about how "Skall got soft"... missing the old edgy ranty times... I tried to calmly reply back that he has grown as content creator and as a person. So no.. sadly not everyone agrees with us :( But i hope most of us do ^^ I really like this newer "it depends" and "i wasn't completely right back in 2014". I especially respect how Skall tries to get hands on some of these weapons or methods he used to have issues with in past (dual wielding, throwable objects, improving knuckledusters etc). He admits that maybe these weapons/methods could work better if he practiced more and had more experience with them. But he does try to find strengths and weaknesses instead of only ranting about how they won't work only in theory.

@schonnj 2 күн бұрын

I do appreciate how someone that learns and practices how swords work can from a perspective of understanding debunk how outrageous fantasy weapons would be impractical or even impossible without magic. Kyle Hill, A physicist, does the same thing for superpowers. I appreciate even more the ability to suspend that understanding and just say "It won't work in real life, but damn is it cool!"

@anderporascu5026 2 күн бұрын

Sometimes it is better to go back in time before people like me became sticklers for realism, back when outlandish stuff didn't require expertise to enjoy it.

@m.dave2141 Күн бұрын

@@anderporascu5026 Yeah, nowadays it is very difficult for me to enjoy action scenes in movies because they are generally very bad even if the movie itself is great, it would be nice to be able to turn off that part of the brain momentarily and simply enjoy the absurdities.

@TheSmallestEpsilon Күн бұрын

Kyle Hill has a bachelor's in civil and environmental engineering. He's great, just far from a physicist. (Master of arts in science communication too)

@dlatrexswords 2 күн бұрын

Hey great interview Skall! Love this format. Laura, this was a wonderful showcase of both your business and your personal interest in the sword community. You’re a natural communicator, and Im sure your customer base appreciates it. Wish I was close enough to visit!

@lyooyiylklykyokyklky 2 күн бұрын

My HEMA group recently did a gaming festival, bringing a few blunt weapons and some armour and doing some sparring so people could see what swords and armour are really like. This absolute belter of a neckbeard started "explaining" to one of our team how swords are used, getting everything completely wrong. It was painful.

@valandil7454 2 күн бұрын

You just need to remember that different people devote different amounts of effort and time to what they're doing. I'm a martial artist and a history buff and I probably take it more seriously and devote more time and effort to learning from the right people and doing it than a lot of people. I don't think of it as a good or a bad thing so I can't judge someone like that for not doing it. If someone asks me about something and wants me to show them how to do something I'm usually open, but most people I've come across don't want to learn and are happy with that. Worst person to do that with me was sparring with me and everytime I hit them they stopped to tell me what I was doing wrong...cringy sure but as long as they're happy I can take it like an adult 🙂 Good thing I am because I was not as patient when I started back in my teens 😄

@lyooyiylklykyokyklky Күн бұрын

Definitely - I have absolutely no issues with people not knowing stuff, we are all born knowing the same. This guy was telling me how to use a sword, despite clearly knowing absolutely nothing other than what he thought was cool from anime or whatever.

@Nastas47 2 күн бұрын

Skal doesn't failed us on giving quality content and now quality chats

@phloriaernas2149 Күн бұрын

Two humble and respectful _"nerds"_ talking to each other about what they know. And we love watching that!

@keithmower921 2 күн бұрын

One of my definitions of "expert" is someone who claims that they are not an expert. An expert knows how much they don't know. As others have said I would be happy to watch these two experts talk for several hours - even the 9 hours each they mentioned :).

@TeaBurn 2 күн бұрын

Laura sounds like one cool boss. And wow, I had no idea they made a lot of their stuff in-house. That's awesome!

@snorlaxmunch8675 2 күн бұрын

Videos where the creator discusses what they knows about something is one of the best things to watch including the creator admitting there is an extent to how much they actually knows about the given subject

@JanetStarChild 2 күн бұрын

It's easier and less clunky to just say 'they' when referring to a non-specified person.

@youremakingprogress144 2 күн бұрын

"If you look back at something you did ten years ago and you cringe, that's kind of how it's supposed to be, right?" Also, it's great to see two professionals who appreciate each other's work so much.

@bavettesAstartes 2 күн бұрын

Hey, it is Laura and Skall! Met Laura on the internet by accident one time, and she is super cool!

@WealthandReligion Күн бұрын

was this one POF rofl

@bavettesAstartes Күн бұрын

@@WealthandReligion what?

@plumaDshinigami 2 күн бұрын

Speaking as a "professional" sword idiot myself, I appreciate your information on how swords work and feel to get references for writing fight scenes.

@steventremblay4691 2 күн бұрын

I love listening to nerds nerd out about their favorite subjects. Nerd on, my friends!

@weepingwell 2 күн бұрын

Whatever Skal "knows" or "doesn't know" he has literal decades of experience handling every kind of sword I can possibly think of. That alone has to count for something.

@robertagu5533 Күн бұрын

That much man hrs on something basically turns one into an amateur expert, even if, they never intended to be one.. Just from the experience one gains from the hands on. It's one the things unique about our species. An is probably a key to teaching novices, some of whom eventually become absolutely masters at "X" due to all the practice an experimenting that comes with the hands on.

@Mr_GoR_ 2 күн бұрын

Enjoying this casual conversational style of just chatting with fellow enthusiasts.

@deadtotheworld00 2 күн бұрын

Omg another video from a sword shop around the corner from me! Super cool you were in the GTA and went to these places, I've always had great interactions with Fire and Steel and Medieval Depot.

@johannestetzelivonrosador7317 2 күн бұрын

Skall is the goat of sword KZfaq- the first, the most entertaining, the most humble never had any stupid scandals. So thank you

@bentogel 2 күн бұрын

the scandal is he lives in Canada

@krieger1969 2 күн бұрын

@@bentogelAtleast not in America...

@johannestetzelivonrosador7317 2 күн бұрын

@@bentogel outrageous!

@bentogel 2 күн бұрын

@@krieger1969 canada is in america

@m.dave2141 Күн бұрын

@@krieger1969 What do you mean not in America? Canada is in America

@joetheagent 2 күн бұрын

I enjoyed this series. I like the critique of fantasy weapons videos in general though. Very nice of you to do this with them. I hope it helps her business.

@Odood19 10 сағат бұрын

This has been a great series with Laura. It’s funny you have so many videos picking apart fantasy weapons from a perspective of realism, and here you are, in a fantasy sword shop filled with wall hangers that have leds and solid iron goat skull cross guards.

@potatomatop9326 2 күн бұрын

i know her. We know her. She's always honest by auto highlighting the added crit damage of the sword.

@Jack_Woods 2 күн бұрын

Yeah this spike right here adds 10+ damage to yourself in exchange

@Chiaros 2 күн бұрын

Laura is so easy to listen to, loved the chat

@Khazar321 2 күн бұрын

At the beginning: “We could talk for 9 hours” At the end: “We could talk for 16 hours” If this video was any longer this might’ve turned into days. hehe

@polymathart 2 күн бұрын

When is Skallagrim going to start his own sword shop.

@vapormissile 2 күн бұрын

he spawns them out of his forehead like Zeus 🤯💥⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️

@valandil7454 2 күн бұрын

I think he sends links to everything he reviews which means he doesn't have to cover the costs of storage, distribution or display or cover anyone's wages etc.

@markfergerson2145 2 күн бұрын

I expect that I will never have the opportunity to visit the store or meet her, so thanks for introducing us and letting her show us around. It’s so refreshing to see a seller not just not misrepresent their wares but hammer home the limitations of what they can realistically do.

@VulpeRenard 2 күн бұрын

I really like that this industrial/shopping center has a Slew Master, but it also has a *Slew Master.*

@JustMe-um8zp 2 күн бұрын

A really lovely positive video!

@billpark8988 2 күн бұрын

I am an old guy (66) and have always liked and collected sharp and pointy things. I don't do the gaming but Skall's channel gives me a wider perspective of different viewpoints and opinions. Good job.

@stygianhoplite 2 күн бұрын

Skallagrim and thrand are my two favorite historical tubers. Good memories from both.

@Glorfindel_117 2 күн бұрын

So you're telling me that next time I drive to Mississauga to buy more leather and materials, I can also go buy some swords...? This is good.

@akiltherealdeal 2 күн бұрын

I loved every video featuring the shop and this was the best one!

@dennisballegaard6438 2 күн бұрын

I know very little about swords and historical fighting. But I LOVE the no BS❤ keep it up 👍

@angorRainerNagel 2 күн бұрын

Hi Skall, thanks for pointing out that it is always possibnle to say critical things in a respectfull way. especially as the addressed people often take the statement more honestly in this way.

@scottneil1187 2 күн бұрын

Really enjoyed this little series of vids. I could watch these two talk all day too.

@adambrill9268 2 күн бұрын

Skal - I am loving this kind of new content with live interviews and fresh takes keep it up!

@ezrafaulk3076 2 күн бұрын

Nice to see another one of the few women who're *genuinely* interested in this sorta thing! And I *totally* get where you're coming from with the looking back on some of your old takes & *cringing* ; I used to think double-axes were completely impractical in *any* situation, thinking that the back axe head made it a danger to the *wielder* . I'm sure you can *already* see all the holes in that logic. Now that I've done some research, reflected & done some thought experiments, & even used a double-axe *myself* , I understand I was *wrong* about that; yes, it's a *woodcutting* one, but it only weighs 3.5 LB. , that's light enough to make a decent battle-axe. In fact, now I can even think of a scenario in which double-axes would, realistically, be the *more* practical type of battle-axe, & thus the one that was *favored* ; so whenever I look back on those days when I believed double-axes to be completely impractical in *any* situation, I *really cringe* at just how close minded & ignorant I was. I've made it a point to be *better* than that ever since.

@TheHorseman0fApocalypse 2 күн бұрын

homie you use *this* too much

@davidwilson6577 2 күн бұрын

I like to imagine he intended to have it look like .*this*

@CreepyMF 2 күн бұрын

Its a really cool store, i've really enjoyed these videos.

@randytessman6750 2 күн бұрын

Smart enough to know how little you truly know ...... love Skall for that one been saying it for decades myself. Embrace your ignorance and question everything in life, you only get old when you stop learning.

@scottneil1187 2 күн бұрын

Always said that, never stop learning, it keeps you young and engaged.

@bencoomer2000 2 күн бұрын

Oh a regular of Laura and Skall going over various "pop" weapons.

@SquadOfSquids 2 күн бұрын

One of my favorite cringey con interactions regarding swords was once when I was looking at a zwheihander replica. Referred to it as a greatsword, 'cause the damn thing was up to my chin (I'm 5'9") and some dude handling a wall hanger looked at me and said, and I quote, "That's not a greatsword. It's too small."

@wimfranken826 2 күн бұрын

Laura: we can talk for 9 hours. (A few minutes later) Laura: we can talk for 16 hours Well she enjoyed the conversation. And I enjoyed watching it 😂

@meteorgoliath 2 күн бұрын

Nice to hear feedback from others 😊 Ps: those Predator masks are brutal :D

@PyroBits 2 күн бұрын

Love the videos from this place, great to know the people are also passionate and not just hawking replicas because they can.

@ryangarrett4550 2 күн бұрын

This was a cool video, and it was a great conversation!

@Tomtit_Andy 2 күн бұрын

I like her. She is really cool.

@JeffHays 2 күн бұрын

The nerds are taking over! 🤣

@scottneil1187 2 күн бұрын

We took over decades ago. Around the time of the PlayStation 1.

@Densoro 2 күн бұрын

I'm so glad she shouted out Genji's sword specifically, because that was the first place my mind went when she mentioned LEDs. Even then, I forgot his sword's got the LEDs _on the cutting edge._ It's been so long, I thought they were in the fuller.

@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight 2 күн бұрын

Lol, I have the opposite problem. I would assume the staff member I talk to knows a lot about the subject matter and ask a few big questions (not in a mean way)... and they quickly respond with something like, "Uh, lemme bring my manager/supervisor. I just work here." I don't even explain anything; I just ask and expect to receive an explanation.

@JanetStarChild 2 күн бұрын

At least they're being honest and helpful.

@TrueMentorGuidingMoonlight 2 күн бұрын

@@JanetStarChild Absolutely. I never intend to make their lives harder. I just want to satiate my curiosity and know more about the product that I might buy later.

@Whereforerejoice 2 күн бұрын

Nice interview! Content KZfaq was made for. Keep up the great work.

@jasminejo2424 15 сағат бұрын

I work in a DIY store and often get both men and women astounded that i do my own DIY and can actually help them with questions.

@scholasticaltactical9058 2 күн бұрын

Epic content. I loved all the videos of you in that shop.

@rawbebaba 2 күн бұрын

I gotta say man, seeing you happy making your art again is fun man. Im glad things seem to have improved for g You man.

@Violianom 21 сағат бұрын

HOLY CRAP YOU'RE IN TORONTO?! I love that shop. The owners are incredibly friendly

@dogmaticpyrrhonist543 2 күн бұрын

The longsword stuff right at the end reminded me I recently added 3 Longswords to my CE mod. A cut/thrust, a very thrust centric armoured fighting longsword, and a cut focused one based on the Alexandrian armoury finds. Ultimately, a long sword can be anywhere on that spectrum, but the multipurpose cut and thrust really does suit the idea of multipurpose single or dual hand sword.

@seadawg93 Күн бұрын

Love this talk, I would love to visit someday. ...OMG; I'm not really too interested in fantasy weapons personally, but... ...they have a slayer scythe! I might need that!

@Blindy_Sama Күн бұрын

This person seems super cool and I really love content like this

@jamesallred460 2 күн бұрын

Humble people are so rare. I feel like I should go buy a lottery ticket or something after watching these two talk.

@irgendwer3610 2 күн бұрын

2:00 sounds like the Dunning-Kruger effect or Ghel-Mann amnesia effect, which is very normal thing for people to do even if it rubs the wrong way

@areurdytoparty Күн бұрын

Great video Skallagrim Thank You

@mrxxxmiseryg9388 2 күн бұрын

Wise men say: if you're the smartest man in the room, you're in the wrong room.

@randomredshirt5274 16 минут бұрын

haven't heard that one before, it'll make a fine addition to my collection

@arrownibent5980 Күн бұрын

Skallagrim is my exclusive source of finger throwing chakram expertise, don't let Skallagrim tell you otherwise

@TheLithp 2 күн бұрын

Aha! I knew she knew who he was! Also, guest cohost Part 2. Totally agree with basing criticism on what you'd say if the person was there with you.

@LICENFIREFEAR 2 күн бұрын

we need more of these talks

@W4iteFlame 2 күн бұрын

12 years...wow

@stax6092 2 күн бұрын

I have got to go visit that place.

@pUnPoetic 2 күн бұрын

Dang, this is pretty close to home! (I live about 30 minutes from Missisauga) Neat shop, fun video

@williampanagopoulos656 2 күн бұрын

The question of ' favorite sword' is interesting And honestly my mind keeps moving to the jian or single handed dao.. The combat forms have a great artistic grace and flow to them with lots of circular movements and radical changes of height and footwork

@LightMohawk 2 күн бұрын

I think everyone needs to learn the expresion “PLEASE correct me if i am wrong but I always thought such and such a thing” or “this is JUST my opinion and not fact am totaly open to others opinions” when it comes to this sorta thing.

@trodat07 2 күн бұрын

I'd argue that the aviation fanboy-ism is even worse than within medieval topics. I design fictional jet fighters for fun and not a single day goes by without someone commenting "it looks like that famous plane" or "that wouldn't fly", as if I had never seen a plane in my life and needed to be notified of what's realistic or not. Replying to them is really tempting but I always apply the first rule of internet: DON'T FEED THE TROLLS (abrasive know-it-alls, in this case).

@Cook_A_Burra 2 күн бұрын

The first comment seems pretty innocuous; I'm not sure why you'd be upset over it.

@trodat07 2 күн бұрын

@@Cook_A_Burra Not here, I don't use YT or this handle for that. Just like most everybody, I only have videos here so I can leave comments.

@16m49x3 2 күн бұрын

people like to talk about what they are interested in. i dont see why it has to upset you

@trodat07 2 күн бұрын

@@16m49x3 I see what you're doing there.

@JanetStarChild 2 күн бұрын

@@16m49x3 You're totally missing the forest for the trees.

@mostcomplicatedman8115 2 күн бұрын

omg cant wait the future videos from that store < 3 huge effort to go all the way there .

@earnestwanderer2471 2 күн бұрын

There’s nothing like this store anywhere near me.

@darknesswave100 13 сағат бұрын

Okay now i want to go to this place. That would be so cool to be in a shop like that

@Friday_WasTaken 2 күн бұрын

cool colab series. and holy cow we at 1.6 mill.... i swere i remember when that number was tiny XD

@bristleconepine4120 2 күн бұрын

Laura Suen is the CEO of Fire and Steel. I hope she is also the owner of her company, and that she is not in danger of having the rug pulled out from under her by investors.

@Skallagrim Күн бұрын

Yes, she is the founder too.

@letssee8397 Күн бұрын

"Axe Martial Arts, Slew Master, Law Office, Beauty Boutique, Amc Construction, Fire and Steel"... Skall, What kind of place IS this?? 😂🎉🎉

@sigyn27 2 күн бұрын

Seems like a great shop!

@AndreEndo 2 күн бұрын

Say what you will... that Doomhammer in the background looks awesome.

@riddickraymond7067 Күн бұрын

I like these kind of videos hope you do more later with your normal stuff.

@AcadianBacon8 Күн бұрын

The store I work at used to order from Fire and Steel a lot, it was such a pain to get them to coordinate for our orders (which would be in the 30k range) with complete lack of communication on their end that the ONLY way we would get anywhere is by contacting Laura directly. She's great, but DAMN. I won't say anything bad about her employees but Fire and Steel would NOT run without her.

@Blindy_Sama Күн бұрын

Oh yes things I've learned since I was a very ignorant preteen now 37 years young and I will never stop learning

@hic_tus 2 күн бұрын

the upsidedown tachi is a forever classic😆

@phild8095 2 күн бұрын

I'm not an expert on the internet, I'm an expert in real life in a very narrow subject. My expertise is living my life.

@alexanderren1097 Күн бұрын

Hi, I’m Skall McSkallagrim and today on this episode of “This Wallhanger SHOULD become a Forgotten Weapon”

@CSGraves Күн бұрын

Internet 'correctors' remind me of that guy in the Heritage Minute... 'No, no no, it means the country, and _Ca-na-da_ is its name!'

@karlheinz4098 2 күн бұрын

Macht Spaß zu schauen!

@whakadabellgate5699 2 күн бұрын

This is a really cool collab with you two and jeah i like it also when someone isnt a know it all 🙂

@Blindy_Sama Күн бұрын

Yes I have a few stores in my collection that are still completely good functional swords by I personally find them to be a little heavy or unbalanced for my taste... Doesn't mean they're bad or stupid or anything I just feel like they could have been better. Guy commented one on a heavier less balanced sword in my collection thinking it was the best thing ever and saying I was a little bit weak not realizing I own several much better made swords and I also lift weights every day it burned my hiney but it was also kind of funny.

@jamesm783 2 күн бұрын

Hey, they're not too far from where I am out in Wainfleet. Might make the drive, if I ever have the gold to buy myself a sword XD

@HiopX 2 күн бұрын

so when is the 4h talk video coming?

@stormshadowctf 2 күн бұрын

Nothing like this here in the northeast us. Wtf.

@mikhailvasiliev6275 2 күн бұрын

I feel your pain, for it is also mine.

@crezychameau 2 күн бұрын

I just realised this super cool lady that we met three videos ago and the guy from the last two videos weirdly trying to sell fantasy swords as high end to Skal are not from the same store... I was so confused thinking what happened there ? How did we go from the cool CEO to this weird salesman ? funny to have these two wildly different interactions back to back ^^

@yizhizhu5154 2 күн бұрын

You can almost always format things like "I really do not understand what the designer is thinking here", and it will be a better description of the situation.

@yizhizhu5154 2 күн бұрын

(I just love the polite abrasiveness behind this line)

@WrongParadox 2 күн бұрын

looks like you mentioned the following concepts: The Dunning-Kruger effect Illusion of explanatory depth and others...

@bibigreen6533 2 күн бұрын

Looking good bro

@candleman2123 2 күн бұрын

Damn, this person is cool. Just like Skall, she'd be fun to sit down with a drink and just chat about nerd stuff.

@SheeKnow 2 күн бұрын

oh wow, thats near where i live

@phixter 16 сағат бұрын

What a lovely person.

@OJAbrey Күн бұрын

"We could probably spend like... 16 hours discussing--" "YUP!" 😂 I'd watch that... Hahaha

@Marotonella 2 күн бұрын

From a kun fu related guy I would say that you can have blades with sound FX incorporated or proper blades. I think tha with LCD blades just follows the same path.