Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Let's compare the different options swordsmen would have had in history to combine with a single-handed main weapon. Some are questionable and wouldn't have been done (outside of rare cases), some are perfectly conventional, and others were confined to particular areas and time frames.
The side sword I'm showing here (the Town Guard by LK Chen):
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-munich-town-guard-sword/?koa=259
lkchensword.com/shop-1/ols/products/munich-town-guard-sword
*** Time Stamps ***
00:00 - 00:32 Intro
00:32 - 03:46 Mace / war hammer / axe
03:46 - 06:02 Spear (yes, really)
06:02 - 08:12 Dagger
08:12 - 09:34 Parrying dagger (main gauche) / Sai
09:34 - 12:10 Buckler
12:10 - 13:28 Spiked arm shield
13:28 - 16:58 Full-sized shield
16:58 - 19:59 Second sword
19:59 - 22:17 Gou-Rang (hook shield)
22:17 Honorable mention / conclusion / outtake
*** Sources / Credits ***
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Breastplate_and_mace_(29138564202).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iziko_sang_Club_and_Stabbing_spear.jpg
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25065
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/33836
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/34089
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/21944
art.thewalters.org/object/51.517
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/27942
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/27220
mandarinmansion.com/item/signed-chinese-rattan-shield
*** 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 #history #historicalweapons #swords #fantasy
Let's compare the different options swordsmen would have had in history to combine with a single-handed main weapon. Some are questionable and wouldn't have been done (outside of rare cases), some are perfectly conventional, and others were confined to particular areas and time frames.
The side sword I'm showing here (the Town Guard by LK Chen):
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-munich-town-guard-sword/?koa=259
lkchensword.com/shop-1/ols/products/munich-town-guard-sword
*** Time Stamps ***
00:00 - 00:32 Intro
00:32 - 03:46 Mace / war hammer / axe
03:46 - 06:02 Spear (yes, really)
06:02 - 08:12 Dagger
08:12 - 09:34 Parrying dagger (main gauche) / Sai
09:34 - 12:10 Buckler
12:10 - 13:28 Spiked arm shield
13:28 - 16:58 Full-sized shield
16:58 - 19:59 Second sword
19:59 - 22:17 Gou-Rang (hook shield)
22:17 Honorable mention / conclusion / outtake
*** Sources / Credits ***
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Breastplate_and_mace_(29138564202).jpg
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iziko_sang_Club_and_Stabbing_spear.jpg
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25065
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/33836
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/34089
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/21944
art.thewalters.org/object/51.517
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/27942
metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/27220
mandarinmansion.com/item/signed-chinese-rattan-shield
*** 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 #history #historicalweapons #swords #fantasy
