Debunking the myth that Medieval European swords were dull

I've often seen the false assertion that swords in the Middle Ages were not sharp, or even that Western swords in generally don't cut well. That kind of ignorant statement usually comes from people who have never handled a historically accurate reproduction of such swords, or bothered to look up the specifications of original finds.

It's a silly notion. Of course these swords had sharp edges, and in this video I'm presenting archaeological evidence in the form of battlefied injuries seen on skeletal remains, pictorial evidence from the fighting manuals and other images, as well as accounts from Icelandic sagas.

The examples show clean cuts that were delivered by skilled warriors with an obviously sharp blade. Impressive cutting power is not exclusive to the katana. :p

Sources:
- Thordeman, Bengt (1939). Armour from the Battle of Wisby Vol. I.
- Talhoffer Fechtbuch (MS Thott.290.2º)
- Pictures from the Maciejowski Bible
- The Saga of Olaf Tryggvason and other Icelandic sagas

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