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Armor Test: Is This the Best Archer Gear Ever?

Dash Rendar

19,295 views

In this episode, I finally got my hands on a full suit of samurai armor specially designed for archers (thanks to Romance of Men!). Built for mounted archery with incredible flexibility and range of motion — but how does it hold up against a real English warbow?

I break down the historical evolution of samurai armor (from early tanko/kiko through Sengoku period designs), compare cold-rolled steel vs mild steel durability, then put it to the ultimate test: full draws, quick nocks, accuracy at 60m+, and shooting with helmet/mask on. The mobility surprised even me!

Watch to see the results, massive bodkin impacts, and my honest verdict on whether this is truly history’s best archer armor.

👉 Comment: Would you wear this into battle?

if you are interested in thier products check them out

https://romanceofmen.com/collections/...

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro: History’s Best Archer Armor?
1:30 - Samurai Armor History & Evolution
5:45 - Steel Comparison (Cold Rolled vs Mild)
7:20 - Archer Mobility & Range of Motion Test
8:50 - Warbow Shooting Tests (60m+)
11:00 - Helmet & Mask Challenges
13:00 - Final Thoughts & Verdict

If you love heavy warbow tests, historical armor experiments, and East vs West weapon matchups, smash that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE for more!

Gear & Thanks:
Samurai Armor: Romance of Men
Bows & Arrows: Joe Gibbs & more

#SamuraiArmor #Warbow #EnglishLongbow #ArcherArmor #HistoricalWeapons #ArmorTest #Samurai #FlexibilityTest #DashRendar

20 Comments

@dashrendar5320 Creator 3 months ago Pinned

And unbelievable thanks to “Romance of Men” for their generosity with this one. Never did I think I would be able to own a full suit of Samurai Armor. See their page for his suit https://romanceofmen.com/collections/samurai-armor/products/sanada-yukimura-custom-made-handmade-japanese-samurai-armor-life-size?variant=42179609723070

@dequitem 3 months ago

Very cool video and very nice they sponsored you. We need a new character! ❤

@DamnedDespoiler 3 months ago

I definitely wasn't expecting SirGains-san. 😂

@Poisonedblade 3 months ago

This is one of your best videos.
Concept, style, data, arrow penetration, were all great.

@mihalybozoki8133 3 months ago

Bro you leveled up! This was super cool!

@FortheFallen1010 3 months ago

He was traveling with a friend lol😂😂😂

@Lo-tf6qt 3 months ago (edited)

Fun fact, since Japanese warfare in the Sengoku period was so widespread across all kinds of terrain, and since so many samurai castles/fortifications were literally built into mountains, Japanese armour had to allow the user to climb across pretty much all kinds of terrain, it's partially why Japanese armour chose not to restrict movement and remain incredibly flexible. If Gunsen History shows up in the comments he'd be able to give a much better and detailed explanation on Japanese armour.
Also see if you can find a belt or sash to wrap around the waist, it'll make the armour sit more comfortably on the body

@pattern_recognitionist 3 months ago

The Edo period was relatively peaceful, being ruled by the Shogun rather than having local Daimyo fighting as previously occurred.
Armor and weapons transitioning from battlefield usage to ceremonial and protection makes perfect sense.

@AdamGoudy19 3 months ago

What did SirGains-San eat while he was out eating?
Parme-san!
If he "looted" them near the mountains, does that make him a Fuji-tive?

@Juiceshock 3 months ago

Great armor test Dash, I really enjoyed the way you broke down all the details, from the specific stats to the material composition, and I hope to see more of these thorough breakdowns in future tests :D

@elacosasosa553 3 months ago (edited)

Amazing armor, Samurai Jack 🤘

@andrewa8765 3 months ago

As someone who started out with Kendo, Iaido, and Niten, then moving over to HEMA. This was an amazing video to watch. Still have my Kendo armour and everything else. So to see this video and the context behind it was amazingly cool.

Enjoy the summer vacations when they come. Family time is super important.

@PeterSolerom 3 months ago

Really cool. Would love to see this with the yumi bow

@johgghd 3 months ago

Been a while since we had some new armour on the channel
Cant wait to see whats next

@DesertDogStudios31 3 months ago

Yes! Yes! Yes! When I saw the thumbnail I hoped it was Sir Gains with new LOOT! And I was not disappointed. It was also an all-round great video!

@christiansorensen7567 3 months ago

Fun fact. Those huge shoulder pieces were shields against returned fire. If you watch videos of the Kyūdō schools, they lower their arm immediately after loosing arrows, and turn sideways, so an incoming arrow doesn't hit them in the armpit. I practiced Iado and Kendo for a while, and all the tiny little things you ceremonially do never cease to amaze me. Some things were done for practical reasons, but a lot of them are justifiably borderline paranoia. (Basic things, like how to stand up but still be able to draw your blade in case someone tries to take your head while you're standing up.)

@jonathanrobinson319 3 months ago

This is what I imagine elven armor would be like.

@thefatefulforce 3 months ago

Great test bro. The mobility def looked good. You got a very deep anchor point past the ear with it on.

Have a great holiday with your fam.

@mk1gti 3 months ago

Wow, this episode was really good and most of your episodes are.
I used to live in Japan many years ago and remember visiting some of the museums to see these suits of armor. I felt very much in awe at how intricate they were and how unique.
As always, thanks for making this content for us, a rare and wonderful thing.