Have you ever wondered why they would put an unnecessarily(?) long handle on a sword that was used in one hand only? Or did you think they were really intended for two-handed use?

Well, there are actually good, practical reasons to make them like this in certain cases. It's obviously not the only way to do it, but it's not arbitray. Here are some explanations as to why.


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The swords shown here (affiliate links):

"Gustav" and "Adorian" messer by Landsknecht Emporium
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...

"Flying Phoenix" Han jian by LK Chen
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/...

Practice messer and shortsword, Oakshott Type 14, I.33 by Viktor Berbekucz
http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799

"The Knecht" kriegsmesser by Albion
(discontinued)


Relevant videos:

Can You Use a Single-Handed Sword with TWO Hands?
   • Can You Use a Single-Handed Sword wit...  

Knife or Sword?
   • Knife or Sword?  

Longsword and Saber/Messer Sparring With Commentary
   • Longsword and Saber/Messer Sparring W...  

Test cutting with Swordsage
   • Cutting Practice: Chinese vs. Europea...  


** Sources **

Hand-and-a-half sword, 15th century
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Chinese mounted sword with Japanese blade
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Daishō (Katana & wakizashi)
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Qing Dynasty military sword
https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/...
Burmese dha
https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/...
Swiss hand-and-a-half sword
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/116962...
Hand-and-a-half saber
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Fighting manuscript by Fiore de’i Liberi, around 1400
https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Fiore_de%...
Messer manuscripts
https://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:...
Pommel
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Lóngquán jiàn
https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/...


** Music credits **

"Winds of Stories" by Horror Pen
https://opengameart.org/content/winds...
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)

"Medieval Town" by Syncopika
https://opengameart.org/content/medie...
CC BY 3.0

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
https://theslantedroom.github.io/stev...
Used with artist's permission


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If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: https://www.bonfire.com/welcome/07bb1...

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:
https://www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259

Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
http://www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799

Want to treat your face fluff? I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
https://beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHW...

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