One thing I'm surprised that isn't mentioned is something I read somewhere years ago: this extreme degree of curvature corresponds very closely to the arc of motion described by a swordsman's arm, allowing a swordsman to maximize the length of a draw cut, and thereby inflict very deep lacerations, since the sword is slicing, rather than hacking through the target.

Anyone else notice how well the curved sword contoured to Matt's body when he was demonstrating close quarter maneuvers (beginning c. 18:40)? Not sure if that geometry has any other uses than minimizing your chance of accidentally hitting something, but it's certainly an interesting, almost artistic visual.

Seeing you go through fast defense stances with the scimitar really showcases their effectiveness. Doing it so fast one can follow the blade forming a cage around the wielder.

One more point of context is the curved sabre wielded in conjunction with shields (including improvised ones such as cloaks) and/or offhand weapons could well be more effective than a spadroon. Also, if it has a sharpened yelman or false edge you can not only thrust around obstacles but also do wicked back cuts.

Also when you're in messy melee, thrusting your sword into a target means there's a moment where you can't defend with it (especially against multiple opponents). I recall one of Matt's videos from a few years back, there was a fencing tip to cut rather than thrust when against multiple opponents. Also one account where and English officer with a cutting sword duelled a French officer with a small sword - the French officer's thrust hit an arm, then the English officer cut him down.

Anyone who believes heavily curved swords are bad clearly hasn't used or handled them.

Mr. Easton's delivery in his videos has really become polished and energetic over the last couple years. It was always interesting here, but his joyful engagement with the subject he so clearly loves becomes more evident over time. :) Great work, as always!

The "oh crap!" explanation is stellar! It's a melee, not a duel with only one other person. You need to quickly hit anyone who gets close.

I think one of the reason to choose a cutting sabre is that it's probably easier to fight off multiple enemies, if you stab through someone, you need time to pull out the weapon, with a cut, you just throw another cut. Also, with a cut, you can attack multiple enemies with one swing.

18:41 I don't know why, but seeing Matt swinging the sabre in perfect arcs was one of the must oddly satisfying and cool things I've seen in ages.

Context strikes again! My buddies and I had just been discussing how these half moon “flank officers swords” became the rage for a time and your huge experience with examples offers great evidence as to how they were used. Just because something it’s a fad doesn’t mean it’s dead weight ;-)

Excellent presentation. This really does demonstrate some fascinating historical aspects of the different weapon choices!

Another point that may have been significant. Going against a spear, even an improvised one like a bayonet, usually involves negating the reach advantage by getting close. The spadroon keeps you in its effective range, and thus vulnerable. The curved officer sword allows you to get close enough to mostly negate the spears advantages, without compromising your own. While theyre trying to reposition the weapon for butt attacks, or adjust their hand positioning to bring the spear back into play, the officer sword is still effective at what is little more than knife fighting range.

At Isandlwana, where the Zulu overran the British camp and the killing was done at extremely close quarters, officers with sabres held out a lot longer than the bayonet armed troops did. How curved those blades were, I can't say, but the term "sabre" is the one that came up in the sourcing, and the Zulu veterans were quite adamant about how dangerous the men armed with them were.

Once again you have impressively collected and summarized the knowledge scattered around the world and filtered through your experience! Merry Christmas!

I heard an anecdote somewhere (It might have even been on this channel) from the journal of a British officer in Syria of Syrians using highly curved swords in crowds, holding the blades very close to their bodies... Apparently they were really hard to deal with if they got into melee, because if you tried to grapple with someone using this sword technique they'd either lash out with short quick strokes or interpose the blade in the way of any attempts to grab them... Even if they just rotated on the spot and you'd stand a good chance of getting slashed.

The curved blade might also be more practical to carry around in scabbard on campaign. certainly a consideration for an officer whose primary job is directing/managing his troops not fighting. It might be carried for 365 days and used for 30 seconds, many people will opt for something convenient, often rationalising that "It won't happen to me".

Always fascinating to hear your analysis. One of the points I have read related to the use of radically curved blades, and calvary swords, is that they are more useful for mounted warriors and capable doing things like cutting the reins of horses.

Excellent video, thanks! Cheers from an actual Kozak (Cossack) re-enactor/performer! Merry Christmas & a Happy & Victorious New Year!

Great video. Thank you. And, a very merry Christmas.

I read somewhere - possibly in "Swords around the Throne" that the extreme curve was favoured by Eastern swordsmen because they fought hand to hand at much closer ranges and the curved weapon allowed them to effectively cut in a very close melee - especially when mounted whereas a straighter sword might not even be able to contact at all. I don't know if this is true, but many French adopted them after fighting against mamelukes in Egypt (mamelukes were considered expert individual swordsmen) and the weapon was frequently referred to as "a la mameluk".

Thanks for the video Matt! On a somewhat related note, I'm curious about 18th century cavalry swords *before* 1788. I'm aware that predominately, these would've been backswords, but when I search for 18th-century backswords, I can only find people talking about the 1788 and 1796 models. What did cavalry swords look like during the Jacobite Uprisings? The Seven Years' War? The American Revolutionary War? I would imagine the swords changed somewhat in design, but how so? I'd love to hear more, and thanks again!

luv ya Matt you are great. been subscribed to your channel for seven years and I love your flow. may your sword hand always be strong. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I always learn so much from these videos! Thanks, Matt!

A couple of years ago, the HEMA class I attend (Stoccata, Sydney School of Arms) did a term each of bayonet (on rifle) and sword (broadsword/sabre) from an Australian Military Manual (IIRC 1890's Victoria) including a class of bayonet vs sword. 2 interesting things point to advantages in defence using a highly curved sabre. It was far easier to parry low to the left with a highly curved sabre than a straight sword from horseback (horseriding stance with the left elbow tucked to our side, left hand in front as if holding reins, not allowed to turn our hips or have the blade pass near or below our left hand (cut the horse or reins)). I did get to do a parrying exercise (someone standing in front throwing any cut 1 to 6 and you parry (or not) cut after cut) with both a light broadsword (like a spadroon) and highly curved sabre. If I rushed parrys to my left with the straight sword, a couple of times my point got outside my opponent's blade and the cut landed, that didn't happen with the curved blade. Also in general, the curved blade was more forgiving of slightly sloppy form, the opponent's blade was more likely to deflect than blow through a sloppy parry. The downside was the outside guard was bit different and slightly uncomfortable to hold to cover my head. On foot against bayonet in engaging guard (right foot forward, right hand forward in first, blade pointing down, the manual's suggested guard to face bayonets), the person with the highly curved sabre found it relativly easy to control or deflect bayonet thrusts. The curve seemed to help get the rifle into the crook between the blade and the hilt. (I didn't get to try it, I tried a shinai and a broadsword, heavier was much better in this situation).

Couple of things I would assume also helped: the large curvature leaves more room for error, as it were, as so long as you were in range when you swung you're more likely to hit with some of the effective part of the blade against moving, resisting targets. Secondly is that cuts are always more effective against multiple opponents and when things go south, enemy soldiers have an alarming tendency to disregard proper dueling etiquette. Honestly, at the risk of igniting the old longsword vs katana debates, I can't help but feel that curved swords are just generally more effective battlefield weapons in low armour contexts. If you're thrusting, you're always better off with a spear or bayoneted rifle in a formation and if you're out of formation, you're unlikely to be in a scenario where thrusting is the safest thing to be focused on - if you have enough space to be maximising your range, you're probably better off retreating to regroup.

Merry Christmas Matt, great content all this year as usual!

Merry Christmas Matt to you and your family. And happy new year.

In a melee, I have always thought that keeping the sword moving would be vital as if you're executing a dueling-perfect thrust, you must be more vulnerable to others. And survival is what you are after. Survival with a secondary incapacitation of any enemies that present themselves handily to you. I always imagine that stabbing risks spending too much commitment to a single enemy when there are many.

I've always had an affinity for curved blades. First as something exotic and unique, but when I really started looking into them and seeing just how useful they can be, I loved them even more. Sure, there are a number of straight blades that I like, but curved is where my heart is.

Thanks, that was very instructive and made eminent sense to me! Merry Christmas to you - and to all who watch your videos - and comment here!

I'm only over the past 2 months and watching your video but I must say I'm very happy I found your channel. Have a blessed yule my friend!

Interesting video - thank you. Many British infantry officers at the time were mounted, so a curved blade was practical for slashing downwards.

Another *much* lesser point, but often when walking or marching in close unison over uneven ground a longer scabbard that protrudes behind you more (even by a few inches) can get tangled, caught and tripped upon. Often when sparing the role of the scabbard and its placement on the body is ignored - its assumed that its just magically vanished in some way, but in reality when fighting with a firm scabbard often causes issues, especially if group fighting devolves into a more chaotic close range melee. If your blade is a weapon of last resort you want it out of the way so it does not hinder you from effectively doing the things that help you survive more often (using firearms) as much as possible.

Love your video's Matt! I would like to see a video on the methods of using a rapier and dagger for parrying. I love swords too, and love your passion for them! Gary

just stumbled on your channel. I'm a plebian and don't have any technical criticisms or input. Just wanted to day that your presentation is so wholesome and enjoyable. Love it!

The curve blade protects a far larger area than a straight blade. I was thinking a huge benefit to defense with the curved blade. Catching or deflecting an incoming blow has to be way harder with a straight blade where you have to angle your own sword just right. More angles of attack will be deflected or caught with a curved sword...

Some sabers, like polish karabelas, could actually have a widened tip with a sharpened back - specifically designed for the "curved thrust" technics. Which are indeed really hard to see if you are not ready.

thanks, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas Matt!

I would be uncomfortable losing range and thrusting ability, but only because I've trained with Jian, arming sword, foil, and back/side swords. They (highly curved swords) would be less useful against even textile-glue armors, but very effective on horseback against unarmored opponents, which was increasingly common once muskets were in common use. I have yet to see a severely curved sword out perform a carolingian sword, tachi, kilij, or even my ox-tail dao against pig parts or tatamis, however it is very clear that the even slight curves don't bind in a body as often, and (at least to me) are easier to cut tatami cleanly as a relative beginner. Even so, I'd be reluctant to use anything more curved than a typical sabre while on foot, where I'd be willing to consider one if mounted.

Merry Christmas Matt! It was surprising how well that sword curved around the body while you were maneuvering it. Seems much less likely to cut your buddy if things get tight.

I love these nuanced explanations about weapons, they're so interesting.

Merry Christmas Mr. Easton. Another fine video. And you make some very interesting points about the Scimitar blade more instinctive to use in close combat. But wouldn't it take more effort to learn to thrust with a curved blade than a straight one; especially with a very curved blade like the one you're presenting. And could you do a video about the advantages & disadvantages in comparing a Sabre to a Scimitar.

I think you demonstrated well in the trench fight argument portion and I'm sure in editing you noticed, the extreme curve of the scimitar style sword actually covers a pretty huge degree of angles relative to the spadroon. And parallel to what you point out i think a lot of it comes from horseback fighting. I remember a few years ago there was a big debate about what older scimitar style swords were actually used for. As if they were meant as almost a cramped city-centric fighting weapon as opposed to something that you're meant to cleave people apart with like in indiana jones. Almost like applying a sword to a knife fighting situation.

I note that British police (Bobbies) used to carry a "police cutlass" that was quite short and very curved, probably because of the effectiveness of short curved swords in, as you put it, "brawling distance".

Hi Matt, thank you a lot for your channel and another really interesting video on it - i don't think there're many videos about that very peculiar type of european saber. Would you continue that topic? Would be great to see the comparison between these sabers and original shamshir swords - say, how do they differ in blade and hilt shape, how do they feel in the hand, their overall performance, etc... I think that would be really interesting for many of viewers! Cheers!

Always interesting. Merry Christmas.

I have always loved that "around the bend" thrust. Something about it has always appealed to me, and I've found some success with it in sparring environments. In the context, though, I'd probably go for the cavalry sabre, simply because of the amount of mass they have compared to the other two given options. If I have to stop or redirect a bayonetted rifle, I want more mass.

I remember an episode of Antiques Roadshow (UK) a year or two ago where one of the 'owners' brought in a very curved sword they had inherited, with about the same shape as the one in Matt's video, but later in date (around 1830 I think) and much more ornate. It had been presented to a very senior officer (maybe on retirement, but I forget the details), and was clearly intended as primarily ceremonial rather than a fighting weapon. The 'expert' (one of the regular militaria experts, but I don't recall which one) commented on the extreme curvature, and suggested that it was not very practical. But he had not seen Matt's video!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas, Mat.

I have a cavalry Scottish "scimitar, that's even more curved and longer than that. o Ozbourne & Gunby. captain of the Dragoon Guards sword. His name is also on it... amazingly etched across the entire blade

One thing I would add is that while the spadroon has more reach you really need to hit the torso or the head with it to immediately incapacitate your opponent while the wielder of the curved sword only needs to get one good hit on the wrist or arm to disarm the wielder of the spadroon

Excellent video Matt. Thanks.

Thanks! Learned new things today 👍 Also scratches ya back pretty well :-)

An addition thing I noticed, at the 19 minute mark when you were demonstrating tight defensive cuts, the curvature of the blade is offering a ton of protection, by curving around your body, that a straighter blade wouldn't be offering. Now you probably wouldn't have the proper leverage for normal guards, but I'd still prefer that that a straight blade poking out in to useless midair. An additional thing I found myself wondering, with the curved blade, in tight "brawling" motions, is it possible to "chamber" your cuts by using your own shoulder, or easier your opposite arm as a lever against the back of the blade? (obviously watch out for your ears if you decide to try it). Watching those motions made me think of some stick fighting tricks, where you use one part of your body, as a lever, to accelerate the stick faster and stronger than what your wrist and shoulder can do on their own in a small motion.

The upwards thrust of the scimitar swords is underrated. A often used persian and ottoman technique was the upward thrust followed by cut (with or without false edge) in the chin punching the skull, or upwards through belly and midriff, or upwards in the groin area, causing horrible infectious wounds that took lots of healthcare and capacity of the population after the battle, not to mention. These days the latter is also called bagging, used by drugdealers and other criminals for punishment.

I'm a bladesmith. I get such an amazing amount of education from you. Kudos and thank you.

Loving your work fella, also loved Sharpe's Sword....

We were just talking about the curve of sabres in club last night!

First CURVED SWORD!!

Merry Christmas from across the pond! 🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🇺🇸

Merry Christmas to you!!!

Regarding effective range - one should take into account where the target happens to be. Especially with those retracted guards, thrusts to the forearms with a spadroon don't seem like a high percentage strategy, while cuts to the arms with a saber definitely are. For those, the last inch or two of reach is enough for a debilitating, fight ending injury. One more though - I think hema is still in the process of discovering the finer points of the cut. I mean, hema always uses fairly thick gloves, for obvious reasons. While the people who used those weapons in anger often *chose* not to, despite the weather being really nasty and their complaints, that their hands freeze to the hilts, were recorded. Deep below freezing and totally bare hands - that's the choice they made. Nobody in his right mind would decide to leave the gloves in the tent if they were not hugely detrimental to their way of fighting. Possible video idea? How gloves affect the way we handle swords?

One defensive advantage of the "scimitar" I can think of is that, by having more authority on the cut, it has more chance to successfully opose an attack from a heavier weapon. I know bayonetts are for thrusting rather that swinging but the rifle is a lot heavier than the sword.

Merry Christmas to You As Well

I was hoping for the sneaky parry/stab with the scimitar, and Matt delivered :)

Your comment about the range the swords were used in I think this also helps it's playing why Indian talwar were used at such close range. You once mentioned the practice Indian warriors would do of putting their knee against a tree (or wall l) & then swinging the blade without touching the tree. That is very close range for a sword to be used in, but if one expects to be pressed in tight formations during combat it makes perfect sense.

Another way of looking at the "weapon of last resort" concept is that the spadroon is a a great weapon if you can dictate the range of engagement. However, if you're down to using your spadroon, you by definition have LOST control of the range of engagement, so it's optimised for precisely the scenario it won't be used in.

I love your videos! Such great insight into different fighting/defense stances. I'd love to see cavalry attack on a dummy wielding a bayoneted rifle, with sabres and/or straight blades. For science.

Great video! However, with a blade that curved I’d advise against getting too abbreviated during the Holidays - lest one stab oneself in the caboose… 😁 Happy Xmas ☺️ And Happy New Year 🎉

Another advantage of the curved blade is its effectiveness as a chopper against soft (non-metallic) armor such as padded cloth and leather. When wielded on horseback this is important. As the blade makes contact, the hand continues the motion forward, and the curvature of the blade reduces its angle of entry--but still maintains all the weight of the blade behind it. It cleaves as the edge is drawn through the cut. Conversely, a straight blade used in a chopping motion comes to a stop, like an axe in a tree.

Recently saw your take on the Blades of Chaos, Matt. And I just have to ask “Are you a calm and reasonable person?” Also, Merry Christ-day everyone. 🎉Have a happy new year.

Fascinating. Thank you! I've wondered for years why anyone would use anything more curved than say, an 1825 light cavalry sabre in a potentially life threatening situation. They just look so . . . awkward. Now I know. Personally, having nothing more than some long sword training at present, I'd be worried about cutting my own ears off with anything as curved as the featured "scimitar" but that's just me. Thanks again Mat. This has been one of the most enlightening videos of yours that I've watched, and I've watched a lot of them. Cheers.

What some people need to realize is that when it comes to weapons, things that kill better stick around. If there's an oddly-shaped sword it's probably designed to do a specific job against specific people.

Made me remember Skyrim guards memes: "those Redguard, I hear they have CURVED swords!"

If I wanted to buy one of those curved sabers what site would I use. I’ve been looking but no luck

You should do a video on shashkas, if you haven't already. Some of the most skilled swordsmen I've seen choose that and you can tie in journal entries with people that fought against them (Prussian I think). You clearly have a passion for this and could do an excellent job! It's my opinion that shashkas are undervalued and/or easily written off while katanas (etc.) and longswords (etc.) are talked about everywhere. Cinema is saturated in Viking movies and shows, but most people have never really heard of Cossacks--and man is there a great story to tell there. Keep up the entertaining work!

A video about using a cavalry sabre as an infantry officer, and how they’d have to adapt their techniques to fit the heavier weapon would be really interesting!

At long range,these curved swords are bit of a challenge,but at close range,even as close as grappling range they really are effectieve,in my limited experience handling them.

Is the curved blade more defensive Vs multiple opponents? It's closer to the body and mobile over a wider arc in front of the wielder.

This was very thought provoking, thank you for it.

With a straight blade, I can imagine cavalry charging and thrusting an infantryman, but as you are riding by, you need to to get your sword back, which means the infantryman may have to pivot, which may rip it from your hand. By just slashing with a curved sword you don't face the threat of your sword getting stuck in someone as you charge by them.

Hello Matt, your opinion is interesting. Historians usually explain that the saber was designed to make deeper cuts with a less effort. But I think that the ancient horsemen came up with the idea of ​​forging a curved blade so that it would not thrust and would not get stuck (!) into the body of an infantryman. If the rider's hand is directed downward diagonally, then the elman of saber becomes parallel to the ground. At the moment of a strike from a racing horse, the saber slides over the body of footed enemy, like a ski (!) over a snow surface. Do you think this is a correct guess?

Merry Christmas to you.

Which sword lets you get inside the bayonet range and do damage unopposed?

Curved swords were used by the steppe cultures for centuries

Normally I like sabers over straight swords of similar size, but the curve on that one is just too much for me. The balance and versatility of the 1821-22 Wilkinson blade light cavalry is perfection.

Merry Christmas! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Great video the 1796 is one of my favorite patterns. One day I'd love to have the "American version" made by Nathan Starr if memory serves. War of 1812 era I think. Basicly a 1796 light cav. With a clip point.

He may be a bit of a controversial figure but Nidar Singh Nihang's KZfaq channel, Sanatan Shastarvidiya, has some amazing examples of Sikh and Indian fencing forms. He has some amazing tulwar videos and many many others. Apparently they practice at about 1/2 to 1/4 speed but with sharpened swords. It would also be super cool to see a video with you too in it. =)

These might have less of an effect given how light these swords are, but still probably noticeable. I've heard that the curve helps with a chopping motion (rather than just slashing) Since the tangent of an arc always meets it at a single point, thus concentrating the force. Same idea with axe heads and the khopesh. Biomechanically, a chop can apply more force than a thrust, since the momentum of a downward swing is more than the joints in your arm can withstand in a thrust. And lastly, most of the weight of the curved blade is below the projection of your arm and wrist (as if with a straight sword), and this supposedly helps with edge alignment given that gravity is pulling the blade in a helpful direction.

Excellent video, the close quarters argument is very important because even trained men are likely to bunch up for safety so suddenly your own men limit your space and a fast, chopping weapon becomes very useful like the kopis where a thrusting sword needs to be shorter to be effective.

Excellent insights as usual!

I can’t help but notice a 4th as you moved it, the curved blade tends to cover your body as you use it. In a melee not a duel, it seems it might block things you didn’t see

its easier to block with a curved blade, it projects foward on the "belly"' more. Also ofc the thrust can go around shields you can use it as a scythe point.

Matt, how effective do you think the circular defense that developed alongside the circular offense of highly curved swords?

very good presentation. i imagine that is is much easier to find a good edge alinement on scimitars than straight swords and get a smoother cut with less recoil, thus requiring less force, form and focus. perfect for reflex-driven movement in a brawling situation.

Also the curved blade can slash across multiple people at a time if they are pressing in on you together, allowing you to address multiple threats at a time, while thrusting is a one target at a time method.