As long as Matt Easton keeps being himself we'll never stop learning.

And context.

The idea that having more mass closer to the center of percussion (new term I just learned) makes for better chopping is exactly why machetes and axes are the way they are. They sacrifice stabbing, edge length, and even the ability to slash in the case of axes, in order to chop better.

The infinite dance of different needs :)

Props to the M'tallicur shirt

The principles involved in this video can be expressed mathematically as f=ma or force= mass times acceleration.  Another formula here is ke=1/2mv^2 or kinetic energy = 1/2 mass times velocity squared.  

A more massive blade carries more kinetic energy.  A sharp blade allows that kinetic energy to be focused into a very small area which does more damage in that area.

In general, weapons can be viewed as ways to focus as much energy into as little area as possible.  Armor can be viewed as a way of diffusing energy over as broad an area as possible.  It’s more complicated than this, of course, but this brings it down to a very basic level that is easy to understand.

Gosh I love those basket hilts!

Width adds stiffness in that direction, making the blade less likely to "flex back" under the stress of a cut. This both helps prevent warpage in that direction, a real consideration with early steel, and kept the maximum force of the cut from being lost to flexing on impact.

You can get a flatter edge grind on broader swords... plus bigger wounds if the enemy isn't heavily armoured.

Big Cleaving Blade......Richard Sharpe would approve!!

its so jethro tull can make a song about it

"I have been Matt Easton."  Absolutely.  And you're still Matt Easton, and we still love your videos.  Keep on being Matt Easton!

Only weapons master Matt can turn “Big sword heavy” into a 13 minute video

From my understanding, it's the best thing about Hero Quest.

The reason blades became thin and broad is that these blades can be quenched and heattreated with historical steels. The celtic and Roman diamond or lens shaped xsection will allow only for the extremety of the edge to cool fast enough to harden. Making the blade thin and briad will allow the body of the blade to harden also. This is also the teason for the fuller in viking age swords. So the center of the sword cools fast enough to also harden. Not for edge geometry or weight reduction. This is why fullers usually stop some 10 to 15 cm from the tip where the blade is thin enough to harden also. Working with historical steels need quite fast cooling rates to properly harden.

The final fight scene in Rob Roy  Liam Neeson uses a board sword and it's said the Rob Roy was quite skilled with it

I love your work scholar thank you for the education, clear concise and easy to understand

Thanks, Matt!
Good health to you and yours! ❤

"Because the look fucking dope."

can see the broad navy sabre being good for short chopping blows on a boarding action 😊

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What is the PURPOSE of BROADSWORDS?" well to get me all "excited" when i see one lol😂😂