u/NathanArmsAndArmor

Today I discuss real magic swords of medieval and Renaissance Europe. These swords utilize inscribed prayers (invocations), and Christian relics to allegedly imbue the weapons with supernatural qualities. I discuss historical examples like Durandal, the sword of Roland, and more quotidian examples, like one in the Oakeshott Institute Collection. Finally, we take a look at a few relics I bought off of eBay and discuss relic culture in the 14th century via Chaucer. Enjoy!

Hey all. in this video Dr. Nathan Clough and Leo Danner Smith, a Ph.D. student in medieval history, test out a hypothesis about historical double maille by stabbing it with spears, dane axes, and a dagger. Double maille is referenced many times in chivalric romances, but we don't really know what they meant by the term. Some people have postulated that it was a denser maille weave, but Leo thinks that there is evidence for wearing two layers of maille in, for example, the Bayeaux Tapastry. We check out how protective it is.

Some fun info for folks about two of the historical ways of forging scrolling details on a sword, with demo.

Here is a video in which I discuss the details and aspects of use of a spear I recently made for a customer who is a practitioner of Fiore de'i Liberi's martial system. The spear head is 4140 carbon steel, hardened and tempered mounted on an ash haft with brass nails and turkshead for indexing and a spiked buttcap. Let me know what you think!

Check out the custom sword I just finished.

For anyone who is curious about how we make blades at Arms and Armor, check out this video of Dr. Nathan Clough grinding, polishing, and sharpening a Black Prince sword blade. It has discussion and fast motion of over an hour's work in about ten minutes.

The sword being made in the video

YouTube link to video

Using blunt longswords that 'bite' maille. Check out all of our blogs and products at our webpage: https://www.arms-n-armor.com

Nathan and Craig from Arms and Armor discussing new research on rapiers.

Today Craig Johnson and Dr. Nathan Clough discuss two recent articles published in Acta Periodica Duellatorum, an open-access academic journal specializing in research on Historical European Martial Arts. The first, by Vincent La Chevalier and entitled Rapier Hilts Archetypes  was published in November 2025 and presents a simplified rapier typology based on AVB Norman's expansive characterization of rapier hilts in his The Rapier and Smallsword 1460-1820. The second is an investigation into the history of the the term "rapier" as a description of a particular kind of sword by Rob Runacres, entitled The Rapier: Examining Problems in Etymology and Typology.

Both extend, draw on, and in the case of Runacres, correct previous published work that has been widely read and incorporated into contemporary knowledge of this type of sword and are useful contributions to contemporary scholarship. We hope that you will read them.

Check out the journal Acta Periodica Duellatorum here: https://bop.unibe.ch/apd

As always, our swords and other weapons are entirely made by us, by hand, at our shop in Minneapolis, MN. Sword blades are hand ground of 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. All of our products are made to look, feel, and function just like the historical originals on which they are based. Arms and Armor is dedicated to quality and authenticity. For over four decades we have worked with museums, collectors, and scholars around the world to develop a deep understanding of European weapons; knowledge we use to make products that exemplify the finest qualities of the very best historic pieces. When we select historic items to reproduce, being pretty isn't enough, they have to move with grace and beauty, and beg to be used when in the hand. These are pieces that feel as good as they look, and that work as well as they feel. Our mission is to craft items that recreate the look, feel, and function of the best historic originals. Check out our website with all of our products, blogs, and upcoming events here.

https://www.arms-n-armor.com

https://l1dvc3yd7xnyigxk-22664872010.shopifypreview.com/blogs/news/articles?preview_key=95cff4b46b6949762cbdfe4adba887a5

The link is to our new and much improved version of a circa 1430 pollaxe from the Wallace Collection. We got updated stats and decided to go all-in on accuracy. New langets on all four sides, accurate weight and balance, hardened 4140 carbon steel. One of my guys was at the Wallace a couple of weeks ago and got to take a close look at it with David Edge, conservator. The pic is the original piece.

https://preview.redd.it/29r2inuavjyg1.jpg?width=1589&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b1adb01e866f17a65d6ce8638d1b9a7997e2e6b

https://www.arms-n-armor.com/blogs/news/new-burgundian-poleaxe-from-1430?fbclid=IwY2xjawRhrjlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEecww0PAsLdN6MpGJip9mPofR347IVmFflC_7txLRjFQgCUEyMTKswmMfb4ds_aem_BGx9PRdAqCmyBUShz6Jjcg