Do swords require more training than axes, maces, clubs and warhammers?

I'm happy to know that an educated person armed with a broomstick could disarm and club me to death in a matter of seconds. I really needed more reasons to be terrified of going outside.

Oh god, the arming sword on the wall is so beautiful...

One thing that difference some weapons is edge alignment. With a sword its more important to get that right than with several other weapons. An axe is still able to deliver a pretty powerfull blow even if the edge alignment is not the best. offcourse  the blow wont be as effective as if it was done witht he right edge alignment. but still And some wapons like many maces there is no need edge at all. so it just dont matter what "side" you hit with. Not sure if this goes under how hard or easy they are to learn but it is in this specific way making some easier to use properly and some requires more training and precision. But otherwise i agree with you that most of those weapns are pretty similar  in the way they are used and therefore takes about same amount of practise and skill learn and use properly

Vera dicce. Best video yet, the hanbo as the best place to begin. Brava.

Matt, it just came to my mind and I have to ask: If needed, just how many troops could you arm given your personal armory youve built? :D

you didn't mention edge alignment at all...I thought bladed weapons, and particularly swords since they're so much lighter like you said, require more training to use because of edge alignment, while with blunt weapons you don't need to worry about that. Isn't that so?

Pretty dynamic presentation! I think I am breathless now from mere watching... :-)

Very fair assessment. You can tell you know you're weapons very well. See a lot of videos where some bias would creep up just from preference or not knowing other types. Good vid

wow, very revealing I wish you were my chess coach, when you escribed putting the weapon upside down it all made perfect sence ! and also I see why the wood pole is a good training weapon so you can see wich weapon you prefere after using a neutral weapon you can see were your getting the best results from and subssiquently choose the right weapon ! thanks man ! again very logical and simple !

Thank you for posting these videos. : )

You did something I have long wished you would do. You got to the point in the first 60 seconds. You summarized the question and gave a quick answer. Making people "wait" for the answer till further into the video can be a useful communication technique, but the world I come from taught me to give the question, the answer, then explain. Whether you shift your communication style around or not, I will continue to watch your videos. Thanks for sharing your insights and experience. 

Love your videos. Thank you.

Fantastic video! Very educational. I like how you explained everything  in a very clear and easy to understand manner.

Thanks Matt that was very informative, I see you have redecorated :)

Informative, thank you!

Love the new setup with the room!

Very interesting video Matt !!! Bravo ,))

Following your posts on forums many, many, many years ago... Then the fight videos... Now these? So glad you are making these videos. It's nice that someone is doing so much to educate people like this. I no longer feel obligated to rant when people ask me questions when out for a drink or sitting around talking hobbies... I can just pull up a Matt vid. THANK YOU! Lol (It gets so old giving the same information and I hate hate HATE it when I leave out a good point)

Excellent! Thanks again.

As a former soldier I was instructed in the use of bayonets.  When fixed to my rifle I essentially turned it into a short spear.  I found that I took to it rather easily with minimal instruction.  I was able to apply devastating blows and thrusts with such ferocity that I ended up breaking my rifle (I snapped the buttstock clean off, and bent the blade).  But then again as a soldier we were training for war and not so much with duels.  I also took it upon myself to learn some knife fighting techniques in the event of close quarters combat, I would sacrifice a blow to my unarmed arm or legs just to get in close to finish off the opponent quickly.  Despite popular belief "chivalry" exists only before and after the battle, not during.  If forced to fight you fight to win and you use any means possible to that end.