Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Although it's sometimes greatly exaggerated in movies and video games, the idea of defending against a shot from bow or crossbow with a sword is not necessarily a myth as such. Obviously very difficult, highly dangerous, and a far less practical choice than trying to dodge or keep moving to be a hard target. But feasible.
It does depend on a few factors though, so let's talk about that.
The tests I've done:
Can I "Parry" a Medieval Crossbow Bolt with a Sword?
youtu.be/6lYoMwXtpNA
Sword VS. Arrow Challenge - Can I Beat the Archer at Least Once?
youtu.be/7QLpYDQ0FSA
*** Sources / Credits ***
"Swordsman vs. Arrow- Sword Cuts Speeding Arrow" by Great River Taoist Center
youtube.com/watch?v=5HxoacyTTBU
"Slicing an Arrow in Half Mid-Air in Slow Motion" by The Slow Mo Guys
youtube.com/watch?v=kuOEpC4u6Tg
*** 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
#skallagrim #movie #tropes #fantasy #reallife #test #archery #bow #crossbow #sword
Although it's sometimes greatly exaggerated in movies and video games, the idea of defending against a shot from bow or crossbow with a sword is not necessarily a myth as such. Obviously very difficult, highly dangerous, and a far less practical choice than trying to dodge or keep moving to be a hard target. But feasible.
It does depend on a few factors though, so let's talk about that.
The tests I've done:
Can I "Parry" a Medieval Crossbow Bolt with a Sword?
youtu.be/6lYoMwXtpNA
Sword VS. Arrow Challenge - Can I Beat the Archer at Least Once?
youtu.be/7QLpYDQ0FSA
*** Sources / Credits ***
"Swordsman vs. Arrow- Sword Cuts Speeding Arrow" by Great River Taoist Center
youtube.com/watch?v=5HxoacyTTBU
"Slicing an Arrow in Half Mid-Air in Slow Motion" by The Slow Mo Guys
youtube.com/watch?v=kuOEpC4u6Tg
*** 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
#skallagrim #movie #tropes #fantasy #reallife #test #archery #bow #crossbow #sword
