Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We can analyze historical designs to draw conclusions about how well a particular sword might cut, based on the profile and cross-section of the blade, grind, weight and balance, etc. Or we can put it to the test and find out what it does in practical terms... which has its downfalls.
Hands-on testing depends on the skill of the user (and there is such a thing as a "bad day") and the test medium. Tatami mats are a good material for checking edge alignment and sharpness, but the results can be misleading.
So in this video I'm trying to give you an impression of how you might have been underestimating the performance of swords (against unarmored targets).
What Makes Swords & Knives Cut Well (Sharpness, Blade Geometry, Etc)
youtu.be/V0O4eqnmREs
Making the ballistic gel dummy with 3D printed ribcage:
youtu.be/fod7UNkaDqM
What I use here: (Kult of Athena = affiliate links):
"Tizona" Spanish cup-hilt rapier by LK Chen
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-tizona-17th-century-spanish-cup-hilt-rapier/?koa=259
"Saxony" German military rapier by LK Chen
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-saxony-german-rapier/?koa=259
Rugger by Adam Bodorics
kultofathena.com/product/adam-bodorics-rugger-landsknecht-short-sword-with-scabbard/?koa=259
Honshu Boshin parang machete
kultofathena.com/product/honshu-parang-with-sheath/?koa=259
Huang Taiji Yao Dao
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-huang-taiji-yao-dao/?koa=259
Danish war axe by Arms & Armor
kultofathena.com/product/arms-armor-danish-war-axe/?koa=259
"The Knecht" kriegsmesser by Albion
(discontinued)
Strongly curved katana by Yomikuni
[update: The brand Yomikuni doesn't seem to exist anymore, or at least their website is gone, and I can't find them anywhere.]
Steel disc made by Quinn Waterfield
waterfieldforge.com
Recent armor tests:
Could 3D Printed Armor Save You from a Knife Attack?
youtu.be/Dl4jYtLZIJU
Testing Ultra Light, 'Mythril' Style Maille ("Chainmail") from Ringmesh
youtu.be/T-u7Ne1sQZQ
Is Wax Hardened Leather Better than You Think?
youtu.be/4THLG0QfebA
*** 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
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
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
#skallagrim #sword #test #ballisticgel
We can analyze historical designs to draw conclusions about how well a particular sword might cut, based on the profile and cross-section of the blade, grind, weight and balance, etc. Or we can put it to the test and find out what it does in practical terms... which has its downfalls.
Hands-on testing depends on the skill of the user (and there is such a thing as a "bad day") and the test medium. Tatami mats are a good material for checking edge alignment and sharpness, but the results can be misleading.
So in this video I'm trying to give you an impression of how you might have been underestimating the performance of swords (against unarmored targets).
What Makes Swords & Knives Cut Well (Sharpness, Blade Geometry, Etc)
youtu.be/V0O4eqnmREs
Making the ballistic gel dummy with 3D printed ribcage:
youtu.be/fod7UNkaDqM
What I use here: (Kult of Athena = affiliate links):
"Tizona" Spanish cup-hilt rapier by LK Chen
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-tizona-17th-century-spanish-cup-hilt-rapier/?koa=259
"Saxony" German military rapier by LK Chen
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-saxony-german-rapier/?koa=259
Rugger by Adam Bodorics
kultofathena.com/product/adam-bodorics-rugger-landsknecht-short-sword-with-scabbard/?koa=259
Honshu Boshin parang machete
kultofathena.com/product/honshu-parang-with-sheath/?koa=259
Huang Taiji Yao Dao
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-huang-taiji-yao-dao/?koa=259
Danish war axe by Arms & Armor
kultofathena.com/product/arms-armor-danish-war-axe/?koa=259
"The Knecht" kriegsmesser by Albion
(discontinued)
Strongly curved katana by Yomikuni
[update: The brand Yomikuni doesn't seem to exist anymore, or at least their website is gone, and I can't find them anywhere.]
Steel disc made by Quinn Waterfield
waterfieldforge.com
Recent armor tests:
Could 3D Printed Armor Save You from a Knife Attack?
youtu.be/Dl4jYtLZIJU
Testing Ultra Light, 'Mythril' Style Maille ("Chainmail") from Ringmesh
youtu.be/T-u7Ne1sQZQ
Is Wax Hardened Leather Better than You Think?
youtu.be/4THLG0QfebA
*** 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
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
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
#skallagrim #sword #test #ballisticgel
