Really appreciate somebody giving these War Flails a fair shake instead of writing them off. Really cool to see them turn out effective!

This is petition for a government mandate forcing Shadiversity to watch this video. Every thumbs up on this comment will support the petition. Thank you for your patronage.

"You can't kill me with your puny flail." Flail user:" I know, I'm just create enough opening for my buddy with spear to end you rightly."

History of medieval weapons and armor, combat included. The passion and dedication and willingness to share all of this is truely amazing.

Country boy strength is a thing. A peasant may not have much fighting experience, but he does have a lifetime of hard manual labor under his belt. Give him a heavy weight to swing and he can be devastating. A fighting manual said that an opponent who is physically strong, but unskilled, was actually incredibly dangerous, as they were unpredictable. Give them an unpredictable weapon on top of that, and you can see how they could be dangerous against professionals.

This is definitely Dequitem, an armored fighter in nonchoreographed knight fights like those.

You look majestic explaining the weapon and the background is perfect amazing indeed 😊⚔️

Dequitem reminding us that plate-armor knights were essentially 15th-century heavy tanks

I won’t forget hearing you say “ow!” After taking that three-headed flail to the noggin😂

These kinds of “after action reports” are quickly becoming some of my favourite videos of yours

An absolutely fantastic video!! Not only academic and professional, but entertaining too! I do not know how you guys make such realistic fights without dying but I am beyond impressed and appreciate that you make content better than most movies anymore

The flail is a prime example of beautiful simplicity. They are easy to make, relatively easy to use, and effective enough in combat to give you a fighting chance.

I think the big thing that you didn't emphasize is that due to the nature of armored fighting being very focused on grappling, the flail is especially useful to grab your opponent at range. You had one clip where you neutralized a bill user's weapon and struck him with the butt end. Being able to immobilize a limb is very valuable. I think if you were to spin the end and use it as part of a thrust, that might be an effective deterrent due to the threat of grabbing your opponent's weapon. Perhaps more possible with the 3 headed flail than the wooden threshing flail.

Among all the reenactment videos on KZfaq, your stikes seem the most athletic and devastating. Scary stuff!!

Definitely against full plate armor the flail has very little practical uses. But I can see how it would be devastating against the lightly armored. Considering that most wouldn't have steel gauntlets or full protection for their arms those flails with the multiple chains could shred hands and render an opponent unfit for battle in seconds. Also as you observed you're almost always guaranteed a hit with the flail and against an opened face helmet the effects would once again be devastating. In conclusion the flail seems to be a weapon not entirely to kill but to quickly render enemies of the common soldier variety too injured to fight. I love your videos and they never fail to make me think more then I already do about history.

I made a couple of one-handed flails. They are good for breaking up trash to fit in the trash can more easily. Flails are cool!

Like many weapons, especially those, that were mainly used by peasants, flails weren't meant to be used in one-on-one combat. They become effective in combination with outnumbering the opponent - and ideally surrounding him. The goal was to make him fall, pin him to the ground and then do, what every farmboy learns from an early age: Beat him like corn. Until he drops his weapon. And then a dagger would finish the job. Every peasant knew, that it would be insane to face a knight alone. But they also knew, that the numbers were on their side. (And - of course - like most pole weapons, the flail was also used in attempts to get the knight off the horse).

Best medieval weapons and armor channel hands down!

Another great video, informative and entertaining. During the armor test you mention that it would be impossible to make a full force swing to an armored opponent. I belive you are referring to in a duel. However, I imagine a during a peasant revolt a knight might end up outnumbered against many lightly armored opponents. The peasants may be able to land several full force blows to the knights head. Something I'm curious about is how often (if ever) have leather straps or buckles have failed you during your duels.

Der Dreschflegel ist schon ein cooles Gerät. Als Fechtwaffe zieht es sich in der deutschen Fechtszene der damaligen Zeit (ca bis 1611) einfach konsequent durch, was halt super interessant ist. Wir sehen ja die Trainingsversion dieser Flegel auch in einigen Abbildungen, die nichts mit Fechten direkt zu tun haben. Und echte Flegel wurden ja auch gerne von Stadtwachen benutzt. Einfach ein cooles Teil. Wünschte mir, mehr fiktionale Werke würden den Dreschflegel benutzen. Sparring ist jedenfalls ultra lustig mit den Dingern.

i loved this. thanks for all the reflective commentary based on your recent duelling.

I fell in love right away, amazing content, beautiful background and sounds, really really well done!

I remember when discussion of flail first pop up in certain group it started some form of apocalyptic, biblical meltdown on some people whenever a flail is mentioned to be used in any battle. As if the flail is the lies of devil or something.

I like your knowledge and the weapon tests in this video

The cherry blossoms behind you are so picturesque!

Hey man! Love your videos! Keep up the great work!

I want to thank you Deiquitem for your videos and research! The fact that you do these accurate as possible duels is really incredible!

I just want to say, I love watching the videos and you guys are crazy! 😂

One of your best videos yet...i was hoping you would give your insight into this weapons handling, seeing as how you were on the receiving end 👍

Awesome video! Really cool seeing these as a viable weapon if not a reliable one

it’s been a while dequitem!! at least it feels that way lol. great video man, I appreciate you making content like this

Wunderbar, das war ein schöner Exkurs in Sachen Flegel. Ich bin LARP-Ritter und kann vieles aus Turnier oder Schlachtreihen bestätigen. Der Schlag um den Rundschild herum, Treffer auf ungerüstete Rücken... Alles machbar, aber im Duell zwischen Plattenträgern braucht es den Dolch.

Great video! I never thought flails could be so interesting.

It is an incredibly useful weapon for if you want a not conceilable less lethal weapon but aren't fancying a poleaxe or you are a peasant without much training. Brutal sadistic weapon, I'd rather take a sword to the armpit then get repeatedly hit by a two-handed flail till I faint. You cannot use it in formation unlike traditional polearms but it is incredibly useful for uprisings, skirmishes and duels. Great weapon, though understandable why it isn't as well known as other weapons.

Super interesting, indeed! Thank you for this brilliant display and complete consideration.

So you dropped a full video for that's amazing

Cool that you got the same vibe I got from watching those duels as you had bieng in them. I also was like that’s not gona kill anyone, but the harresment you putting on a opponent would make it easyer to get someone to the floor and use a dagger to finish it there. I imagen fighting a flail, would be rather pain full and stressfull cause of just how hard it is to block them.

excellent analysis! i never considered the aspect of luck needed with the flail, it really makes it an even more interesting weapon!

your videos are so fuckin cool cause you actually get hit with these things and use them, it's knowledge based on real experience and thats super valuable. awesome work man. also I see good old deutschland is coming back to life slowly, those flowers are really nice haha

*Happy flail noises*

That makes Hussites even more impressive considering they was peasants against "whole" Europe

great video! i think the main advantage of the flail in a battle is in its disruptive nature. It's really good at creating openings for other attacks, and it demands a lot of the enemy's attention because it is so hard to block.

I love your videos and the beautiful backgrounds

Great video! You got yourself another subscriber.

Very interesting video. Many aspects and important details.. Although my favourit weapon in this armoured duel, and some other contexts,would still be, the wavel estoc. It had a heavy pommel, and turned around it be a long effektive mace, with two quillon--spikes.

12:26 LOOOL, the muffled sounds

Thank you for this! Honestly glad to see proven in fact what I had believed in theory. Very well described and visualized!

It was interesting and informative, thanks.

The Czech Hussites showed that it is possible and effective.

To be honest, I would love to see a flail vs sword fight.

"I see flame. Flickerin once again. Ma flail, bring me ma flail...

I went back and checked the "twohanded spiked flail" duel video. If the opponent didn't have armour on him, you could have got him with one or two finishing blows instead of got beating down to the ground by him. Yeah, flail is useless for dueling but I would never want to face off with someone holding one!

One significant advantage of a flail is the ability to strike around a shield.

Great Video!

Last night I was thinking of building a staff flail and was watching your videos for design reference. Then you uploaded this this morning. How strange

Battle Brothers flails come to mind 😢

Fascinating. One things that suprised me is that this isn't a weapon that needs extensive training to use effectively. I'd be interested in comparisons with the shorter flails that we often see being used single handed. How difficult is it to use of those those without hitting yourself by accident and what is the best thing to use in you rother hand (sword? shield, dagger?

Appreciate the explanation of the damage through the armor. I always thought flails were cool and to see it really getting put to the test was great. What weapon is your preferred for armoured combat?

Thank you🗡️👍

Flails were used effectively in the Hussite Wars: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rbiklJqd2avXfo0.html

came for a noob escape from tarkov player stayed for the blood of the fallen enemies

Du machst das absolut super! Ich mag deine Erklärungen und dann die Schnitte auf entsprechenden Kämpfe... ABER was mich echt nervt, ist, dass du jedes 'the' als ein 'thi' aussprichst... nur bei Vokalen im folgenden Wort wird aus dem typischen 'thä' ein 'thi'... das wäre noch schön, ansonsten wie gesagt: TOP!

🤔 when I see how hard you hit each other I can't imagine that you didn't get serious wounded ore hurt. At least the hits must be loud inside the armour (DING, DONG, DANG) 🤣 Was that about your comment about tinnitus? 🤔 🤣

EXCELLENT. One injury I could imagine it inflicting might be a dislocation ? If a knight had an extended arm with a single handed weapon in their hand and was hit near the elbow full power I feel it could tug at the tendons somewhat ?

they really were running tanks... what the fuck. that must have been scary to see a tall good built knight in armor on the battlefield, not talking about that 500kg horse in full plate...

I observed the multi-head flail was especially effective at entanglement of your polearm, for a fighter who was good at grappling, it would prove advantageous in a duel. I wonder if a heavier head on the single, would do more damage and not slow the weapon significantly? Might give it a go this summer in my shop.

Do you think it would be an effective upgrade to have a spike or pick on the opposite end of the flail staff?

I imagine a flail like that could latch onto a halberd or the hilt of a sword and pull the wielder forward out of position into your lines or just makes him lose his weapon. Might be a cool experiment to try.

Shadiversity really needs to watch this video. I'd love to see his reaction to the flail actually having a use case.

You dropped a video about it, so we stop arguing in the comments like little children 😄😄

Очень уважаю то, чем ты занимаешься. Когды ты сказал, что взял бы на смертельный поединок длинный меч или полэкс, я представил, какого было бы сразится против тебя насмерть😰😰😰 Я бы постарался быть яростным и сделать все, на что способен... Но я вижу в видео, как ты дерёшься... Без шансов для меня😅 Я действительно уважаю тот уровень навыков и давление, которые ты показываешь в своих дуэлях. Я думаю, ты мог бы выйти победителем в бою с реальным воином той эпохи. Ты умеешь показать, какая это тяжкая борьба. Представляю это ощущение, как в твоём доспехе ищут щель, чтобы проткнуть твою тушку. Страшно представить, что когда ты получаешь ранение, ты даже не можешь его увидеть и оценить. Реально как в жестяной банке

This would have been so useful when I tried to explain my peasant fighter dnd character to the other players. At least I can send it to them in retrospect

have you ever tried a poleaxe the size of a longsword? there are some depictions and surviving examples. i wonder how they differ in use from their longer counterparts

Hallo Herr, I feel like a rondel dagger would be a great little gift for my wife (we’re odd), is there a place you recommend for buying one? As far as I’ve looked there do not seem to be many options. -Thank you!

Nice of you to address this question that has burned in our minds for centuries. This "peasant" type war flail with long shaft and club head seems to have been the most realistic design. Apparently the really cool one - the spiked ball-and-chain "morning star" type flail - was more of a decorative piece used more as a wall-hanger than as a weapon of war.

Another thing to consider is that the weight of a flail head could be highly variable. Lead was often added to the heads to make them heavier while making the heads smaller, concentrating force. Making a flail specifically for damaging plate armor would be a simple Matter, but that was not their role. The two handed flail (as pointed out in the video) was used to strike around battlements by peasantry, such as the Hussite wars and the Chinese defending against mongols in sieges. The one handed war flail on the other hand, was more popular as a cavalry weapon, particularly on the Eurasian steppe (weapons like the Russian kisten)

Could you add a sharp spike to the end of the flail after you batterd your opponent down, then go on for a stab in the gaps of armor?

I do wonder how this weapon fairs against mailed opponents like you might see in the late 12th- early 13th centuries. Maces and the like were fantastic against chainmail, so I wonder if the same could be said of war flails.

i'm curious, when you fight each other in duels do you hold back your strikes at all? You've both got full plate on but i'm guessing the person you're fighting is a friend and you would'nt want to hurt them badly. Do you think that some weapons are significantly more effective in a fight to the death than in a duel where you don't want to kill the opponent? Especially with blunt force weapons like a flail or mace?

Is there any evidence that blunt weapons damaged plate armour, opening gaps or stopping the plates from articulating together properly?

Thoughts on the Goedendag? I would like to see a video with your thoughts.

I dont think a flail can kill a knight easily but you can stop a knight from climbing over battlement and let gravity kills him.

Hey, so since long blades (over 11cm afaik) are illegal in Germany, did you have to get some sort of permit, or are you apart of a group that automatically allows you to possess and carry those weapons with you?

I have an important question 🙋‍♂️ Do you add extra padding underneath your helmet?

The one in the first period images looks insane. Like even hollow that looks like it weighs a lot, not something I would want to be hit by even in armour. I wonder what the weight cap is for effectivness as a weapon vs armour penetration (even just by blunt force trauma). Is it that a flail can't, or that it can't safely be tested? Basically, is your "heavy" flail heavy enough? How much heavier could you make it without making it useless? Must say, I really like your longform content better than your shorts.

Blossom knight 😉

I'm assuming without the armour, that would have killed. I imagine you still get pretty beat-up sometimes. I was wondering, how do you decide between safety and effectiveness when it comes to designing and using weapons for non-lethal sparring? I imagine even with a blunted edge, something like a pole axe could still do serious damage. Then again, you're in full armour. Are you holding back your blows? It looks like you guys are going full throttle. But of course you wouldn't want to kill your partner (guilt aside, I imagine it's not easy finding a good partner).

Though it might not penetrate armor, it still give a lotta damage. Like broken bones and brain hemorrhage. Not even *Flex Paste* can cover that. 😂

Where does the name "dequitem" come from? Any story behind it?

Maybe let a guy in samurai armor with kannabo have a go? Or is that too much?

this is definitely the type of handsome face i'd expect to see under the helm, good sir!

Where do you actually buy these flails? I would like to purchase one.

Love all the flail combat stuff, also the hussite pic at 4:30, if anyone knows the source I´d appreciate it very much.

I really underestimated plate armor

"First, discombobulate"

With the multi chained flail, could a knight disarm their opponents or their legs to trip them, then close with a dirk or perhaps a specialty for not killing but capturing and / or holding ransom a wealthy noble?

Where did you get your armor from?

It is definitely a scary weapon.

Also, love how the birds in czech republic and germany are the same xd anyone knows the name of the bird that´s singing at 7:27

I'm here cause aquafps showed off your channel and ima stay