Quote Originally Posted by Hasrat View Post
Tbf, though, back sheaths are terrible and don't really work very well outside of fantasy settings.
Just like scythes. How the hell do you cut anything with the blade angled like that? The cutting edge just never lines up with the direction of a swing. "Here, just, get a little closer and I'll saw at your ankles while you bash my head in."
Back sheaths worked well enough for claymores and the Japanese ... I forget its name but a really BIG katana like weapon. "Clothespole" in the Samurai trilogy. Can't think of any others though.

Schthe blades were converted into glaves for war. Couple of iron straps, a few rivets, a pole, a buttspike/counterweight if you want fancy. Blade parallel with the shaft, a quite usable stab and slash polearm.