Hand And A Half Sword: History and Modern Use

Any
What Is A Hand And A Half Sword ?
The hand and a half
The name “hand and a half
A longsword or rapier generally has a blade length that measures 33 to 41 inches long (85 to 110 cm) while a short sword is roughly 12 to 20 inches long (30 to 50 cm). A hand-and-a-half
Hand and a Half Swords Available Online – Our Top Picks
Best Overall: 15th Century Hand and a Half Cluny Sword

The Cluny hand and a half
Additionally, the blade’s shape combined with its taper and fine point adds to that impression, creating a legendary cut-and-thrust weapon. The S-shaped crossguard gives an interesting twist on the layout, and the incorporation of a rain guard or chape guarantees that the blade
fits perfectly flat with its wooden scabbard wrapped in leather.
The leather-wrapped handle is accented with small plaited decorations, and the broad wheel pommel gives the
Best Premium: Hand and a Half Spadona

The perfectly sculpted Spadona Hand and a Half
The
Although not decorated with impressive designs, the grip is comfortable. The pommel is securely fastened to the pommel nut. It comes with a scabbard made of wood and has a wooden core that aligns with the blade tightly enough that it can be turned upside down without falling off.
Best Budget: 5th Generation Hanwei Practical Hand and a Half Sword

This practical Hand-and-a-Half
In addition, the tempered carbon steel blade limits the edge notching while giving durability and security against fragility. The blades are designed to deliver balance and proper handling despite their size.
The tangs are sizeable, presenting radiused edges and no welded joints at the blade shoulders. To reduce the chances of accidental dismantling, its tang’s end and pommel are riveted. The handles are encased with leather for a firm grip. It comes with a scabbard made of glass-filled resin to prevent corrosion while the belt rings can be adjusted.
Hand and a Half Swords Uses
While hand and a half swords are no longer useful in today’s society, they had a ton of uses in the medieval days. Here are some of their uses:
Warfare Weapon
The main use for Hand and a half during ancient times was for defense during combat. Due to their length, they were perfect for warriors who fancied using two weapons during close combat. It was a good choice for warriors who faced archers as these swords allowed them to hold a shield in one hand and the
They were also perfect for frontline soldiers holding the defense wall. They could easily defend themselves using the
Thrusting and Cutting
Due to its strong material, the hand and a half
Decorative Purposes
One thing about hand and a half swords are that they are designed with aesthetical styles, making them suitable for display. Although they are no longer used in combat, they are still iconic historical pieces. This is why you will find them displayed as décor in some houses.
Martial Arts Training
Sword enthusiasts not only collect swords for display purposes but also to familiarize themselves with their use. Whether a beginner or an expert in martial arts, the Hand and a Half
How Were Hand and a Half Swords Made in the Ancient Times?
Most weapons from the middle ages, including axes, crossbows, arming swords, and javelins, were assembled by regular craftsmen, but forging a sword like the Hand and a Half
These craftsmen were able to “Smith” the blade which required a great deal of skill and years of practice as it needed to be shaped and tempered to its final form. Most Ancient swords were crafted by molding the metal by heating and shaping, rather than shaping a cold steel that had already been molded.
Types of Hand and a Half Swords
As mentioned above, the term “hand and a half swords” was a modern name used to describe longswords and bastard swords. To understand the different types of hand and a half swords, one must first learn how the
Evolution
The longsword is characterized by a long grip, indicating it was designed for two-handed use. With scholars dating it back to between 1100 to 1200, it remained in use throughout the late medieval period. By the 16th century, its military use was almost obsolete and was only used in the second half of the 16th century as a weapon for sports and possibly, knightly duels.
The bastard sword was developed during the first half of the 16th century, mostly originating in Bavaria and Switzerland. The term “hand and a half”
Types XIIa & XIIIa
Representing the great
Type XVa
The classical two handed
When the English Civil War erupted, the
Type XVIa
Referring to the classical longsword of the 14th and 15th centuries, these swords are long and slowly tapering. It has a flat hexagonal blade and a fuller along one third of the blade. This version features a design that optimizes on both thrusting and cutting abilities.
Type XVII
Popular in mid-14th century to early 15th century, the blades are slender, long, and acutely tapering with a narrow hexagonal cross section and shallow fuller along one quarter of the blade.
Types XVIIIb & XVIIIc
Used in the mid-15th to early 16th centuries, these swords have a pronounced mid-rib and flattened diamond cross-section. XVIIIb blades are more slender while XVIIIc blades are broader and shorter.
Type XX
Used during the 14th and 15th centuries, the blades are broad with octagonal or lenticular cross sections. Their characteristics include three fullers: a central shallow running along half the blade and two shallow fullers running along one quarter of the blade which has an acute taper and point.
Benefits of Hand and a Half Swords
Hand and a Half swords are superior compared to other swords, particularly the katana and greatswords as it is lighter and easier to control, making it a delightful
Experts explain how easy it is to maneuver as it can be swiftly transferred from one hand to the other, easier to thrust, and allows slashing unlike other medieval swords of comparable size.
Wielding
Although this
Suitable Fighting Techniques
The Hand and a Half
Competence in the use of ancient swords as well as recognizing Medieval Warfare techniques were required and played an essential role in the Middle Ages. Every Ancient Knight needed to be skilled with Medieval weapons, including shields and other weapons that could complement the Hand and a Half
Maintenance
The handle and blade of this iconic
To alleviate this, experts recommend coating the blade using a light coating of Epic Armory Maintenance silicone, which will reduce the surface tension and, as a result, relieve strain on the paint. Don’t ever store your
Conclusion
A Hand and a Half


