Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Check out the awesome handcrafted rings at Thorum: thorum.com
Time for some comparative testing... Let's see how a custom katana with extra long blade does against a Qing Dynasty emperor's dao. For the tatami cutting I got help from Sindri, a Kendo practitioner, and Xian, an experienced HEMA instructor.
I also did a test on soaked newspaper rolls wrapped around PPR pipe that Lancelot Chan sent me. Those are more challenging than tatami mats, even those with hardwood core.
More about those: lancelotsword.com/cutting-targets
swordis.com/custom-katana-builder
lkchensword.com/majestic-htj-yao-dao
I also threw a different katana with unusually strongly curved blade into the mix.
[update: The brand Yomikuni doesn't seem to exist anymore, or at least their website is gone, and I can't find them anywhere.]
Generally I wouldn't expect a single-handed sword to have much of a chance at rivaling (let alone outperform) a two-handed sword. But I ended up surprised...
Of course neither of them can hold a candle to Lancelot's aptly named Supreme Cutters (and especially the Red Baron greatsword).
youtu.be/eCi61M0NeBE
Tests on a ballistic gel dummy with 3D printed ribcage, illustrating what cutting power means in practical terms:
youtu.be/pKveB0K1ucM
Background music:
"RPG Ambient 3" by Hitctrl
opengameart.org/content/rpg-ambient-3
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
“Mystic Journey” by Tausdei
opengameart.org/content/mystic-journey
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
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:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
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=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
Check out the awesome handcrafted rings at Thorum: thorum.com
Time for some comparative testing... Let's see how a custom katana with extra long blade does against a Qing Dynasty emperor's dao. For the tatami cutting I got help from Sindri, a Kendo practitioner, and Xian, an experienced HEMA instructor.
I also did a test on soaked newspaper rolls wrapped around PPR pipe that Lancelot Chan sent me. Those are more challenging than tatami mats, even those with hardwood core.
More about those: lancelotsword.com/cutting-targets
swordis.com/custom-katana-builder
lkchensword.com/majestic-htj-yao-dao
I also threw a different katana with unusually strongly curved blade into the mix.
[update: The brand Yomikuni doesn't seem to exist anymore, or at least their website is gone, and I can't find them anywhere.]
Generally I wouldn't expect a single-handed sword to have much of a chance at rivaling (let alone outperform) a two-handed sword. But I ended up surprised...
Of course neither of them can hold a candle to Lancelot's aptly named Supreme Cutters (and especially the Red Baron greatsword).
youtu.be/eCi61M0NeBE
Tests on a ballistic gel dummy with 3D printed ribcage, illustrating what cutting power means in practical terms:
youtu.be/pKveB0K1ucM
Background music:
"RPG Ambient 3" by Hitctrl
opengameart.org/content/rpg-ambient-3
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
“Mystic Journey” by Tausdei
opengameart.org/content/mystic-journey
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
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:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
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=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
