The guy on the right is using a mordhau grip. It was used against full plate armor guys, because slashing and piercing was basically useless.
Using that grip, you transform a sword in a hammer, and that leaves dents on the armor and provoke concussions if hit on the head.
How does my guy not chop his fingers off? I mean, even if it's not the sharp end out the back ends gotta cut directly into his palm. After a hit, all that force has got to go somewhere. Getting your palm slashed to the bone cannot be healthy
A slashing blade isn't always kept sharp because, wait. I don't know anything about medieval weaponry... why the fuck am I commenting... where's my horse... I'm not supposed to be here...
There's a specific grip to use that keeps hands quite safe from the blade, which really only cuts when the blade slides along a surface or already has some speed before impacting a target. If you've ever used a good kitchen knife, the blade cuts much easier if the you slide the knife forward or backward in addition to downward.
Skallagrim has a really good video about what's actually going on with the grip and even uses a real sharpened sword in the demo https://youtu.be/YT_bmO6CnRA?si=zK0_Yz4LagA4Fyi0
Despite popular belief, while very sharp, swords aren't actually all that sharp. You can't make such a thick blade be razor sharp (coincidentally why the image of a cowboy shaving with a survival knife is also fantasy, you can't get a knife that sharp). Swords are fairly thick and while the sharpened edge will cut skin easily if slicing or hitting with force, it is not sharp all over the entire length of the blade. It won't cut your hands if you use a firm grip and hold it correctly. But also, you are in a fight, you are already in a life or death situation, a few cuts on your palm won't be a deterrent if the alternative is getting murdered by a dude in full suit of armor.
Yes! Also I believe the guy on the left is half-swording, wherein you grip the blade with one hand to help with accuracy and thrust power.
Fun fact: "Mordhau" literally translates to "murder hit".
