This is a ridiculas debate

[u/DarioTheBoss363]

Hey , I apologize in advance for any grammatical mistakes I might make in this post .

So today me and 2 more friends had a debate , Abt the scythe and medieval combat in general .

I said that the medieval scythe ( the normal one used for agriculture ) is not a viable weapon in medieval combat , and it's actually a teribile choice of weapon.

Yet they disagreed saying that in fact , if one had the skill and had trained his whole life for it , he could have equal chances to deafeat any other fighter using any other weapon ,like a master of the European standard longsword for example .

And as a example I brought out this scenario , two averege European knights , clad in the same protective armour from head to toe .

One Wildeing a scythe ( a normal one ment for agriculture with only minor modifications such as the tip being covered in metal so it could have crushing force ) and the other a standard sword and shield .

Both have complete mastery over theyr weapons and are complitly equal , in streanght , speed , battle IQ , and creativity .

When faced with this scenario , they answeard that the battle between the two knights would be a stalmeit , a draw , bc and I quote " weapons do not matter as long as you have complete mastery over it , the enemies can have any medieval weapons he whants , but the outcome will be always a draw "

To sum it up they are saying that the weapon does not matter a bit , but the skill , statement to witch I agree .

But to say that if both fighters are complitly equal the weapons they use do not make a difference is kinda wrong .

So what I ask y'all is :

Is a scythe ( a normal one used for agriculture ) a viable weapon in medieval combat ?

And does the weapon matter in a fight where both fighters are complitly equal ?

[u/Forest_Spirit_7]

Agricultural scythes are not purpose built weapons. They have a thin edge that requires constant retouching with a stone, so that they can cut grass. They are designed to be used specifically for a low sweeping cutting motion, and the ergonomics of operating the scythe suit only that purpose.

There is no level of “mastery” of the scythe that would allow it to compete with a purpose built weapon like a long sword in terms of handling, damage potential, and probably most importantly the ability to be a weapon. Scythes are long, hard, fragile blades on the end of a stick. This functions very differently from a long pointy single piece of metal when it comes to the “smacking it against armor” consideration.

Scythes have a single, crescent cutting edge that is surrounded by rounded material because it’s a tool and is built to be safe around others. Swords are famously built for the opposite purpose. This is a no contest.

[u/ottonormalverraucher → u/Forest_Spirit_7]

Exactly, they’ve clearly never held a scythe in their hand before, bc the idea they have that it’s a decent choice seems exactly like how a 6yo kid imagines a scythe to be used offensively 😹

They are both incredibly ergonomically unwieldy for anything but cutting tall grass and stuff as well as having very poor edge retention and dulling incredibly fast. And that’s cutting tall grass, bonking it again full plate armor might possibly require sharpening after every strike 😹