Why do greatswords have 2 handles?

Longswords. Unlike the medieval longsword, the Renaissance two-handed great swords were too large to be worn on the belt. While the former required the use of both hands, hence the name two-hander, the longsword was lightweight enough to be used single-handed, yet its long grip could accommodate two hands.
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Why do greatswords have two guards?

Because zweihander, or 2-handed swords were long and heavy, they usually had an unsharpened ricasso so a wielder can grip-up on it for better control & close-up techniques. Because it would be gripped on the ricasso, some sword smiths added a secondary guard to protect the hand.
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What was the point of greatswords?

On the battlefield, greatswords were the domain of shock infantry. This kind of soldier was used similarly to heavy cavalry: you run them into the enemy's weak point, breaking formations and letting the regular line of battle overrun the opposition.
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What is the purpose of the two-handed sword?

The two-handed sword was also versatile in the variety of ways it could be used, the blade for cutting and thrusting, the hilt for smashing (or more appropriately, pummeling) and, the cross (quillons) for hooking either your opponent or his weapon.
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Is a zweihander a greatsword?

These swords go by many names, Zweihander, Schlachtschwert, Spadone, Montante etc, but in English are today commonly called Greatswords. All terms for the family of massive two handed swords, the largest ever used in Europe, and typically ranging between 5' to 7' long.
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Zweihander Two-Handed Swords: How were they carried?

Was Excalibur a longsword or greatsword?

Excalibur has been depicted as everything from a Roman gladius to a late medieval longsword. A mythical one drawn From a Stone.
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Why is the zweihander curved?

An advantage over swords with a straight blade is that a waved blade could better distribute the force of impact and thus was less likely to break. It could also threaten the opponent in a duel and may have discouraged them from grabbing the blade.
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Why do Japanese carry two swords?

The samurai were the only class allowed to carry two swords - a symbol of their high status. Different styles were popular at different times, but during the Edo period (1600-1868) the long katana sword and shorter companion sword known as a wakizashi were most commonly worn.
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Why do people reverse grip swords?

Throwing – As can be seen in historical manuals, the reverse grip is a proper stance to hold the sword on its handle and throw it like a spear. Quickdraw – Some swords carried upside down, such as the Japanese katana, allow for much swifter unsheathing of the blade and a quick slash to the enemy.
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Can a one handed sword beat a two-handed sword?

Two-handed sword (with notable exceptions) are not markedly heavier (or longer in the blade) than one-handed swords. But they typically ARE quicker, due to the lever effect of two hands on the hilt, especially for rapid tip based slices and for unterhau or equivalent upward blows.
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Did knights actually use greatswords?

Greatsword: The greatsword was a massive two-handed sword that was primarily used by foot soldiers rather than knights. The greatsword was often used to break through enemy lines or to deliver devastating blows to enemy formations.
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Were greatswords actually used in combat?

We have plenty of record and testimonials from the time that show that greatswords were used in combat. However its role as the anti pike weapon is more or less a myth. It was rarely used in close combat vs. pikes, and was primarily a skirmish weapon or a weapon to control space vs a larger number of enemies.
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Are greatswords effective in real life?

Hans-Peter Hils in his 1985 dissertation on the work of the great 14th century master Johannes Liechtenauer noted that since the 19th century many arms museum collections typically feature immense parade or bearing greatswords as if they were actual combat weapons ignoring the fact they are not only blunt edged, but of ...
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Who used the heaviest sword in history?

King Maharana Pratap brandished a pair of 25 kg swords, making them the heaviest swords known to have existed. These remarkable weapons are currently preserved in an Indian museum for their protection.
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Why does a zweihander have two hilts?

Due to their size and weight, which was typically at least 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in length and weighed around 2 kg (4.4 lb). Zweihänders require two hands, as the name implies; as such they require at least 25 cm (9.8 in) for the hilt.
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Is a claymore bigger than a greatsword?

To many modern English speakers, the word claymore refers to two-handed Scottish swords of the Middle Ages, which were on the large side for the two-handed swords of the day (what were sometimes called “war swords” or “great swords of war”) but rather small compared to the two-handed swords of the Renaissance (which, ...
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Is reverse grip cheating?

Would a reverse grip on a deadlift be considered cheating? Not at all, if by reverse grip you mean an alternating grip with one hand facing away from you and one hand facing towards you? This is actually the most common grip by far in competitions that don't allow grip aids.
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Is it possible to Unsheathe a sword on your back?

Carrying a sword on your back is easy and often useful, but unsheathing a sword from your back in incredibly impractical. First, it has to be a short sword. Because the sheath ends near your shoulder, the sword can't be longer than your arm.
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Why are double bladed swords bad?

Two sword blades on either end of a central hilt. The answer is an emphatic “no”. A sword is, fundamentally, a very long wedge on a lever. With thus design, you cannot get the leverage needed to cut properly, plus you risk stabbing yourself.
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Why are swords illegal in Japan?

The first Haitōrei of 1870 prohibited farmers or merchants from wearing swords and dressing like samurai. This measure was in part an effort to restore public safety and order during the tumultuous period immediately after the Meiji Restoration and during the Boshin War.
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Why is it illegal to carry swords and arms in Japan?

The objective of this law is to prevent harm that may arise from use of firearms, swords and the like and to secure public safety by establishing necessary restrictions on their possession. In principle, the possession of firearms and swords is prohibited (Article 3).
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Why is it illegal to carry swords in Japan?

In the 1950s, the Japanese government implemented strict laws governing the possession and use of swords, including the katana. These laws were designed to prevent the abuse of swords and to maintain public safety.
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Why is it called a bastard sword?

The answer was the bastard sword, also referred to as a hand-and-a-half sword. This sword was nick named the bastard because it had no family. It could not be classified a single hand sword and it it was not a two handed great sword.
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What was the heaviest sword?

Which is the heaviest fighting sword in the world? The Zweihander.
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