Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Leaf-bladed swords are quite popular with collectors and overall in fantasy movies, video games, etc. One of the most iconic blade shapes for sure. They were also dominant in some parts of the world during the Bronze and Iron Age. However, they basically disappeared later on in history, with a few exceptions here and there. Why is that?
Matt Easton (@scholagladiatoria) joined me to talk about this interesting topic, and to speculate on some plausible reasons. We also discussed the practical pros and cons of this blade shape. Are leaf blades good, and if so, why didn't their popularity continue throughout time?
As you can tell by the length of the video, it's a complex issue... In other words, it all DEPENDS on the CONTEXT. :)
*** Picture credits ***
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mycenaean_swords_recostruction.jpg
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Mycenaean_armour_from_chamber_tomb_12_of_Dendra_1.JPG
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Early_Iron_Age_swords%2C_Denmark.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient_sword_remnants_(27188438606).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rothenburg_Museum_-_R%C3%B6merschwert_1.jpg
bronzebyjeffreyjrobinson.com/drakeII.html
https://jordaens.eu/lot/twee-afrikaanse-korte-zwaarden-het-ene-met-houten-heft-50-cm-het-andere-met-een-heft-van-hoorn-en-metaal-68-cm/
*** 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
*** Other social media ***
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#skallagrim #scholagladiatoria #matteaston #history #swords #historicalweapons
Leaf-bladed swords are quite popular with collectors and overall in fantasy movies, video games, etc. One of the most iconic blade shapes for sure. They were also dominant in some parts of the world during the Bronze and Iron Age. However, they basically disappeared later on in history, with a few exceptions here and there. Why is that?
Matt Easton (@scholagladiatoria) joined me to talk about this interesting topic, and to speculate on some plausible reasons. We also discussed the practical pros and cons of this blade shape. Are leaf blades good, and if so, why didn't their popularity continue throughout time?
As you can tell by the length of the video, it's a complex issue... In other words, it all DEPENDS on the CONTEXT. :)
*** Picture credits ***
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mycenaean_swords_recostruction.jpg
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Mycenaean_armour_from_chamber_tomb_12_of_Dendra_1.JPG
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Early_Iron_Age_swords%2C_Denmark.jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient_sword_remnants_(27188438606).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rothenburg_Museum_-_R%C3%B6merschwert_1.jpg
bronzebyjeffreyjrobinson.com/drakeII.html
https://jordaens.eu/lot/twee-afrikaanse-korte-zwaarden-het-ene-met-houten-heft-50-cm-het-andere-met-een-heft-van-hoorn-en-metaal-68-cm/
*** 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
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #scholagladiatoria #matteaston #history #swords #historicalweapons
