Arm Blades & Spiked Shields: Better Than You Think?

Plenty of video games, movies, and other fantasy fiction features arm claws, wrist blades, and similar weapons. Typically associated with assassins, rogues, barbarians, gladiators, and beastmen. In real-life history they are generally rare, with a few exceptions like the Indian Katar and Pata (sword gauntlet). Is that for a good reason or are they underappreciated? In this video I discuss the practical pros & cons, look at a few historical examples, and show some ideas for effective designs. Older video about the bizarre lantern shield:    • The most bizarre shield in history?   Follow-up video about the best off-hand weapon for adventurers or travelling duelists:    • The Best Off-Hand Weapon? (Duellist / Adve...   ** Sources / Links ** Roman scissor model by Humster3D    • Roman Scissor 3D model by 3DModels.org   19th century pata https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/... Bladed fantasy shield designs https://www.deviantart.com/jrcoffroni... https://www.artstation.com/artwork/o6... Medieval & renaissance sources https://www.wiktenauer.com/ ** Music ** "Winds of Stories" by Horror Pen https://opengameart.org/content/winds... Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Intro song: "Illuminate" by Vindsvept https://vindsvept.bandcamp.com/track/... Used with artist's permission Outro: "Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records https://theslantedroom.github.io/stev... Used with artist's permission ** Support the channel ** Help fund future videos, get bonus content and other rewards:   / skallagrim   https://www.subscribestar.com/skallagrim    / @skallagrim   Books about history and/or martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend (as an Amazon Affiliate I earn commission through these links): US - https://www.amazon.com/shop/skallagri... Canada - https://amzn.to/2HeOCMA 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 ** Social media & merch ** How to contact me (can't always reply, since I get too many messages):    / skallagrimnilsson   See a list of my video uploads:   / _skallagrim_     / skallagrimyt   Channel-related shirts and other merch: http://skallagrim.spreadshirt.com/ https://teespring.com/stores/skallagrim