Ethiopian Shotel or Gurade to share

[werecow]

It's not the most nimble sword I own, but the shotel has a sturdy tip and is quite sharp on both sides, and (as a total amateur) I think very capable of doing damage. From what I understand they were used with shields (so probably not much blocking with the blade; hence no guard needed) and the curvature allows one to stab around the shield while the belly of it is excellent for draw cuts.

Here's a couple of guys sparring with trainer shotels:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BQyoCEd0SE

And with the curve forward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUVVj2OWnHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lALvrVLIPmE

And a flow exercise with an antique one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-8MKbuLlmY

The pommel flare has a similar effect to the disc pommel of a tulwar and kind of forces you into a hammerfisted grip.