The Pros & Cons of Various Off-Hand Weapons

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): https://www.kultofathena.com/product/lk-ch... https://lkchensword.com/shop-1/ols/product... ** 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 ** https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Br... https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iz... https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/s... https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/s... https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/s... https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/s... https://art.thewalters.org/object/51.517/ https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/s... https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/s... https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/signe... ** Support the channel ** Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server: http://www.patreon.com/skallagrim    / @skallagrim   Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/skallswag/ If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: https://www.bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c... 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 GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars): https://gamersupps.gg/Skall I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery: https://beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD ** Other social media ** https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.s... https://www.facebook.com/SkallagrimYT https://www.instagram.com/skallagrim_yt/ #skallagrim #history #historicalweapons #swords #fantasy