History Main / DualWielding

* DualTonfas, for use of tonfas, a specific type of weapon meant to be used in pairs (and more often than not is).

* In ''Manga/{{Gamaran}}'', the Souen School led by [[BloodKnight Nikaido Misaku]] specializes in Dual Wielding katana and wakizashi, a fighting style which is noted for being perfect for defense and even the author thought it was "[[GameBreaker a tad too overpowered]]". It's shown that Shinnojo, Iori and even Gama can, occasionally, resort to Dual Wielding. Outside of swordsmen, there are also Agon and Hakuryuu ([[AnAxeToGrind dual-wield battle axes)]], [[{{Ninja}} Tsuchiryuu]] (chinese duck-bill Axes), [[BattleCouple Sekiryuu and Seirin]] with [[WhipItGood Iron Whips]] and also [[spoiler: [[AxeCrazy Muraku Matsumoto's]] secret weapon has him dual wielding [[EpicFlail two weighted chains at once]].]]

** In some of the fights Gimli wields two [[AnAxeToGrind axes]] (occasionally throwing the smaller off-hand axe), in the other fights he "just" wields a double-headed battle axe.

** ''Film/AvengersEndgame'': Thor kicks off the FinalBattle by wielding both [[DropTheHammer Mjolnir]] and [[AnAxeToGrind Stormbreaker]] [[spoiler: and later in the fight, Captain America wields both Mjolnir and his shield]].

* ''Film/SaveTheEmperor'': Seen in this Russian movie about the RussianRevolution and Civil War. The Cossack character in red in a frenzied attack against Red forces, briefly used two sabers to slash down the Reds. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6flTC-gvTo]].

* Similarly, in ''FanFic/TheImmortalGame'', during her [[FinalBattle final duel]] with [[BigBad Titan]], Twilight wields both her own blade, ''Equinox'', and Rarity's, ''Vorpal'' [[spoiler: due to Rarity being incapacitated and near death]].

* ''Film/robinHoodTheRebellion'': During his final battle against Robin Hood, the Sheriff of Nottigham wields a longsword in each hand.

* ''Save the Emperor'': Seen in this Russian movie about the RussianRevolution and Civil War. The Cossack character in red in a frenzied attack against Red forces, briefly used two sabers to slash down the Reds. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6flTC-gvTo]].

** Garnet's WeaponOfChoice is two HardLight gauntlets, summoned through her Gems.

* In ''Literature/AbsoluteDuo'', Julie's Blaze manifests as twin blades.

* Yatorishino Igsem of ''LightNovel/AlderaminOnTheSky'', by far the most skilled swordfighter of the main cast, compliments her typical Katjvarnan saber with a shorter, straight main-gauche. Dual-wielding like this is the signature [[BadassFamily Igsem]] style, a privilege granted to the clan as a symbol of their invincibility.

* Shirley in ''LightNovel/EvenThoughImAFormerNobleAndSingleMother'' wields two powerful swords, Igarima and Shul Shagana.

* In ''LightNovel/FateZero'', Servant Lancer initially appears dual-wielding ''spears'', although he generally fights with only one at a time (in one occasion, the shorter spear which he left on the ground was used in a surprise attack). Also, Servant Berserker ([[spoiler:TheAtoner Lancelot]]) manages to ward off Gilgamesh's "Gate of Babylon" using a spear in one hand and a sword in the other.

* Takumi Touya from the light novel series ''LightNovel/FireGirl'' dual wields two kendo blades on both hands as his primary specialty in combat, something he's trained in, and competed in competitions with, since at least middle school.

* In ''LightNovel/GoblinSlayer'', once Rookie Warrior gets his RankUp and becomes known as Club Fighter, he starts dual wielding with his club and sword.

* Kirito from ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'' is possibly the [[TropeCodifier most famous example]] in the anime community. It's played surprisingly realistically in the VR game SAO, where most people can't use two swords, even though most games let you do that due to RuleOfCool. Kirito is the only player who manages to earn an [[TokenSuper extra skill]] that lets him do so. He doesn't know how he earned it, though much later it's revealed later that the skill is awarded to [[spoiler:the player with the fastest reaction times in the game, and is intended to mark TheHero in the game's {{metaplot}}]].
** It's later revealed/retconned that, in SAO, normal players ''can'' dual-wield two weapons. However, unless they have Kirito's specific skill, Dual Blades, it falls squarely into AwesomeButImpractical territory, as they aren't able to utilize the Dual Wielding Sword Skills while doing so.
** In later games after SAO, Kirito's experience with dual wielding carries over, despite there being no dual wielding feature implemented. Though he's managed to find loopholes to make it work effectively, such as activating individual singlehanded Sword Skills separately on each sword to imitate his dual wielding in SAO. Though he doesn't typically make use of this unless he gets [[IAmNotLeftHanded serious in a fight]].

* ''Literature/ForgottenRealms'': [[Literature/TheLegendOfDrizzt Drizzt Do'Urden]], the drow ranger, uses twin scimitars. Using two long blades is more common for drow than other races, who don't necessarily consider it a plausible option at all. Several characters note that Drizzt risks getting his blades tangled up using his style, but he's just that good. Drizzt seems to have popularised the idea at least to some extent, to the point that when there was an open call for original ''Forgotten Realms'' novels by fans, the best of which could get published, the things forbidden in the rules included drow characters and anyone wielding two swords of any kind. Drizzt's arch-nemesis, Artemis Entreri, also dual-wields, but uses a dagger in his off-hand, lacking the agility and coordination to wield two long blades. Another character in the series, the dwarf, Arthogate, dual-wields magically enhanced flails. He also wears a belt of giant strength which makes it more feasible for him to do so.

* At least once in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'', Robin traded in his usual staff for a pair of smaller sticks and wielded them using the Filipino martial art of escrima.

* In ''LightNovel/AbsoluteDuo'', Julie's Blaze manifests as twin blades.

* Done by every one of the ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' except for Donatello, who wields a SimpleStaff. Even still, Donatello's original toy ''does'' come with two staffs (maybe the second is a spare since his bo-staff often breaks).

*** In the final battle sequence, Shaka is briefly shown wielding his axe in one hand and his signature '''iklwa''' short spear in the other.

** ''William Wallace vs. Shaka Zulu'': Kieron Elliot (Wallace) demonstrated simultaneous use of the targe (circular shield with a long protruding spike meant for offense) and dirk (traditional Scottish dagger).

* In the movie adaption of ''Film/ThreeHundred'' Xerxes's elite, the "Immortals" dual-wield scimitars, as opposed to the comic in which they are armed primarily with shield and spear.
* In ''Film/{{Alatriste}}'' there is whole bunch of dual-wielding fights with rapier and parrying dagger in ''La Verdadera Destreza'' style.
* ''An Empress and Her Warriors'', a historical epic film starring Creator/DonnieYen as a badass FrontlineGeneral have Yen pulling a LastStand where he dual-wields {{BFS}}es against an entire army, killing mooks left and right as he does. During battle he briefly drops one of his swords and got a spear from a slain enemy as replacement, but soon after discards the spear and gains another sword.
* Ash briefly wields two swords while fighting on the castle wall's stairs in ''Film/ArmyOfDarkness''.

* In the thriller ''Film/BallisticEcksVsSever'', rogue agent Sever (Lucy Liu) dual-wields a pair of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_(law_enforcement)#Expandable_baton telescopic batons]] to great effect.
* ''Film/{{Barbarella}}''. Our [[VillainousRescue introduction to the villainous]] Black Queen has her stabbing two men InTheBack simultaneously, as they [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil leer at our hapless heroine with sinister intent]].

* In ''Film/BlindsidedTheGame'', the protagonist, Walter, frequently wields a blade in one hand and a blunt weapon in the other, using one side to cut and one to block and bludgeon. First, it's a knife and a cane. Then, it's his sword and its wooden sheath. Later, he faces a gangster who dual-wields knifes, with one held in ReverseGrip.
* In ''Film/CaptainKronosVampireHunter'', Kronos uses a sabre in his right hand and a katana in his left in order to fight off an angry mob.
* In the first ''[[Film/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe Chronicles of Narnia]]'' movie, Aslan's badass right-hand centaur fights using two longswords. Jadis, the White Witch, wields a longsword and a wand, [[TakenForGranite which turns people to stone]]. She picks up another longsword when the wand is broken. In the book, she uses a stone knife and her wand. Edmund fights with two swords during the final battle of ''Prince Caspian''.
* During the final fight of ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian2011'', Conan dual-wields a pair of longswords against Khalar Zym's twin scimitars.
* Wade Wilson aka Film/{{Deadpool|2016}} wields dual katanas. His "Weapon XI" incarnation in ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'' has dual BladeBelowTheShoulder.
* Darius in ''Film/DragonHunter'' can not only dual-wield but fight off multiple people at once with two swords.
* In ''Film/{{Excalibur}}'', Arthur dual-wields Excalibur and a mace while dueling Lancelot, showing that he's become rather kill-crazy.
* Golden Sparrow from ''Film/TheForbiddenKingdom'' dual-wields short-swords.
* At one point in ''Film/FreddyVsJason'', Freddy steals Jason's machete and wields it along with his own razor glove.
* In ''Film/FreebieAndTheBean'', the protagonists follow a criminal into the men's room and order him to come out of the stall. When they see him reaching for the gun on the floor, they both start blasting away with two guns each.
* In ''Film/GhostRock'', the outlaw known as the Barber wields twin cutthroat razors in combat.
* In the most awesome scene in ''Film/TheGoldenVoyageOfSinbad'', the evil wizard Koura animates a statue of the goddess Kali to fight off Sinbad and his crew. Kali has ''[[MultiArmedAndDangerous six]]'' [[MultiArmedAndDangerous arms and wields a sword in every one]], against multiple simultaneous opponents.

* Done semi-realistically in the 1952 ''Film/{{Ivanhoe}}''; Ivanhoe uses a dagger in his left hand whenever he fights. Also, in the 1997 miniseries, Bois-Guilbert briefly dual wields an axe and sword during the trial by combat.
* In ''Film/KillBill'', a member of the Crazy 88, and the Bride herself (although briefly) during the same scene.
* Several characters in ''Film/KingArthur2004'' dual-wield weapons.

* Used briefly in ''Film/KingdomOfHeaven'' by Guy de Lusignan. Then he loses one sword and pulls a dagger...
** Also used by Odo, the German knight following Godfrey, during the battle with the Sheriff's forces, packing a sword in one hand and an axe in the other. Unlike Guy as mentioned above, he kicks fairly judicious amounts of ass with the combination. [[AnnoyingArrows With an arrow]] ''[[{{Determinator}} through his neck]]'', at that.
* In ''Film/TheLastSamurai,'' there are two brief instances of dual-wielding badassery: first, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8n3544zeLw by Katsumoto against the ninja at 3:42,]] and later, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8vfcx4mRo0 by Algren against the ronin (fight begins at 1:40).]]

* Film/{{Machete}} wields a pair of machetes against [[BigBad Torrez]], who uses a katana and wakizashi.
* ''Film/TheMagicBlade'' trilogy: The protagonist, Fu Hung-hsueh, uses twin bladed tonfas in combat, to great effect too, especially in the climax of the second movie.

* In ''Film/TheMaskOfZorro'', both Diego and Alejandro with the crappy Zorro costume do it with a sword and a knife. Later, Alejandro, this time with the official costume, does it with two swords against Montero and Love.
* In ''Film/TheMummyReturns'' Princess Nefertiri/Evy and Anck Su Namun fight with dual sai type daggers.
* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'':

* In ''Film/{{Pixels}}'':

* In ''Film/PlanetTerror'', when denied a gun by Sheriff Hague, El Wray opens up his glove compartment and takes out a pair of Balisongs. His subsequent zombie-killing rampage through the hospital is one of his most awesome scenes.

* Seen in this Russian movie called ''Save the Emperor'' about the RussianRevolution and Civil War. The Cossack character in red in a frenzied attack against Red forces, briefly used two sabers to slash down the Reds. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6flTC-gvTo]].
* River Tam dual-wields a sword and an axe in the climax of ''Film/{{Serenity}}''.
* In the final battle of ''Film/ShanghaiKnights'', the villain Lord Rathbone (named for the great actor and swordsman, Creator/BasilRathbone) dual-wields a rapier and a saber against Jackie Chan (who just has the rapier).
* Numerous {{wuxia}} flicks made by Creator/ShawBrothers will have the heroes using two weapons at once, allowing them to kill twice the amount of mooks, twice at fast. Notably in ''Film/ComeDrinkWithMe'', ''Film/GoldenSwallow'', ''The New Film/OneArmedSwordsman'' (at least, until the hero lose his arm and lives up to the film's title), ''Film/TheWaterMargin'', ''Film/KillerClans'', Film/KillerDarts'', and several others.
* In ''Film/SleepyHollow1999'', the Headless Horseman, shortly before he becomes headless, fights some American soldiers with a sword and a hatchet. He seems to parry with both weapons ''and'' use both weapons to deliver decapitating blows. Of course, he's ''just that badass''. And, later, [[spoiler:Brom]] is shown fighting the decapitated Christopher Walken using two sickles.
* In ''Film/SolomonKane'', with rapier, dagger, falchion, a pair of muskets, or one of each, Kane is fond of a weapon in each hand.

* Haige, the hero of ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Swordsmen in Double Flag Town]]'' dispatches the bandits threatening the village with dual-wielded short-swords.
* ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2014'':

* In ''Film/TheThirteenthWarrior'', one of the Vikings wields a sword and a short axe in the final battle.
* In the final fight of the Sci-fi Channel original movie ''Thor: Hammer of the Gods'' the only thing NOT dual-wielding is a wolf.
* ''Film/TheThreeMusketeers1973'', famous of the realism of its sword fights, has many characters fighting with both sword and dagger.

* ''Film/TronLegacy'':

* In old ''Franchise/{{Zatoichi}}'' series (1962-1989), Ichi, played by Shintaro Katsu, often used his tsue (scabbard) held in the left hand, mostly to deflect and parry strikes.

** ''Shaolin Monk vs. Maori Warrior'': In one historical reenactment scene, a Maori warrior is shown wielding a meré (short club made of greenstone jade) in one hand and a shark-tooth club (wooden paddle with shark’s teeth as cutting edges) in the other.

* ''Film/ThePrincess'': The princess and Linh both wield two swords at once with great skill.

* ''Crimson Shadow'': RA Salvatore's trilogy features the Highway Halfling Oliver DeBurrows wielding the more traditional rapier and main gauche.

** Dwalin is also well-known for dual-wielding his prized axes "Grasper" and "Keeper".[[note]]As explained by Graham [=McTavish=], who named them, "one grasps your soul, the other keeps it."[[/note]

* In ''Film/TheHobbit'', Thorin can be seen wielding both a dwarf axe and the sword Orcrist. Dwalin is also well-known for dual-wielding his prized axes "Grasper" and "Keeper".[[note]]As explained by Graham [=McTavish=], who named them, "one grasps your soul, the other keeps it."[[/note]] Fili and his twin swords.

** Sam wields a sword and a ''[[FryingPanOfDoom frying pan]]'' in Moria (at least one shot, after Frodo is hurt, seems to show him using both at once). Later, when he storms the tower of Cirith Ungol, he wields Sting as well as his normal sword.

** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'': Nebula's dual blades, Drax's of long curved knives, and Star-Lord's energy guns.

* An extensive list in the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'', including:
** Black Widow and her shock batons in ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron''.
** Nebula's dual blades and Star-Lord's energy guns in ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy''.
** Mockingbird's escrima sticks in ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD''.
** Elektra's sais and Daredevil's billy clubs in ''Series/Daredevil2015''.
** In ''Film/AvengersEndgame'', Thor kicks off the FinalBattle by wielding both [[DropTheHammer Mjolnir]] and [[AnAxeToGrind Stormbreaker]] [[spoiler: and later in the fight, Captain America wields both Mjolnir and his shield]].

* In the manhwa ''Chun Rhang Yhur Jhun'', Ha-Rhang Whur takes this UpToEleven by quad-wielding Chinese longswords ''and'' their scabbards, in an attack style that resembles a Creator/CirqueDuSoleil juggling routine as much as it does Dual Wielding.

** In the second movie, ''The Lights in the Sky Are Stars'', [[spoiler:Viral's Tengen Toppa Gunmen, Tengen Toppa Enki Durga wields ''[[UpToEleven eleven swords]]'' ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and a club]])]].

* In ''Literature/TheBalancedSword'' trilogy, dual-wielding a matching pair of curved swords is one of the hallmarks of ''Tor'', a rare and mystical martial art dating back to [[{{Atlantis}} Atlantaea]] which is the basis of Tobimar's fighting style. When he meets an opponent who fights with two similar swords and in the same style, they immediately stop fighting to explore their respective training backgrounds.
* Piers Anthony's [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic]] collection of novellas, ''Battle Circle'', features dual-wielding nomads with daggers and sticks. Interestingly, Piers rates each weapon (including staves, swords, and morningstars) on defensive and offensive utility.
* In ''Literature/BloodMeridian'', Judge Holden dual-wields [[HandCannon Colt Walkers]], and has near-perfect aim with both. The fact that he has the borderline SuperStrength needed to pull this off is yet one more thing that makes him AmbiguouslyHuman.
* ''Scythe-arms'' in ''Literature/ChroniclesOfTheKencyrath'' by PC Hodgell are [[DoubleWeapon blade pairs]] attached to the [[BladeBelowTheShoulder fore-arm]], with the longer blade jutting forward and the other back. They are used in pairs, ie one main blade and one spur on each forearm. Training with them easily dissolves into chaos, with inexperienced users not being able to keep track of the spurs.
* In ''Literature/CloudOfSparrows'', Shigeru's ability to fight with two swords is a sign of his unusual skill and strength.
* In ''Literature/CodexAlera'', this is [[ProudWarriorRaceGirl Kitai's]] preferred fighting style, usually with a shortsword and a longer sword.
* RA Salvatore's ''Crimson Shadow'' trilogy features the Highway Halfling Oliver DeBurrows wielding the more traditional rapier and main gauche.
* Roland Deschain of ''Franchise/TheDarkTower'' series carries two [[AncestralWeapon ancient sandalwood revolvers]], is described as being just about as good a shot with either hand and, most impressively, can dual wield both weapons for an extended period of rapid shooting and reloading, despite them being single-action guns. He even manages to wipe-out an entire town of 58 residents in this manner when they're driven into a murderous frenzy against him. [[spoiler:A lobstrosity attack at the beginning of the second book sees him lose two fingers on one hand, freeing up one of his guns for the other members of his eventual ka-tet.]]
* In the ''Literature/{{Deryni}}'' novels, Alaric Morgan habitually wields a sword in his right hand and a stiletto in his left. In ''Deryni Checkmate'', Duncan is depicted using both a sword and a dagger when he rescues Morgan from Warin and his men at St. Torin's shrine.
* Terry Pratchett's ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':

* This is a common fighting style of Dragaerans in Steven Brust's Literature/{{Dragaera}} books, with a dagger in the off-hand. Eastern-style fencing, on the other hand, involves using a single light rapier and turning your body sideways.

* In ''Literature/{{Dune}}'' Paul is shown training with a sword and knife, but most of his actual battles are with a single crysknife. While Feyd-Rautha kills gladiator-slaves with a long and short knife, one of which is poisoned.
* Mewick, a fairly minor character in Creator/FredSaberhagen's ''Literature/EmpireOfTheEast'', at least twice used a short sword in his right hand and a "basket-hilted hatchet" in his left. He managed to swing the hatchet around the guard of one highly skilled enemy swordsman to strike the man in the spine.
* [[Literature/TheLegendOfDrizzt Drizzt Do'Urden]], the drow ranger from the ''Literature/ForgottenRealms'' books, uses twin scimitars. Using two long blades is more common for drow than other races, who don't necessarily consider it a plausible option at all. Several characters note that Drizzt risks getting his blades tangled up using his style, but he's just that good. Drizzt seems to have popularised the idea at least to some extent, to the point that when there was an open call for original ''Forgotten Realms'' novels by fans, the best of which could get published, the things forbidden in the rules included drow characters and anyone wielding two swords of any kind. Drizzt's arch-nemesis, Artemis Entreri, also dual-wields, but uses a dagger in his off-hand, lacking the agility and coordination to wield two long blades. Another character in the series, the dwarf, Arthogate, dual-wields magically enhanced flails. He also wears a belt of giant strength which makes it more feasible for him to do so.

* This is the whole premise behind the ''hotas'' of the knife dancers in Karen Miller's ''Literature/GodspeakerTrilogy'', as well as acrobatics. Rhian modifies this and uses [[spoiler:broadswords]].
* King Osbert Grent of ''Literature/GrentsFall'' wields two swords, as he is one of the few people who mastered the [[FantasticFightingStyle Whaddon Bypass]].

* The Okar (Yellow Martians) from ''Literature/JohnCarterOfMars'' dual wield a fairly ordinary sword and a hook-sword designed to disarm an opponent as their standard technique.

* The Casseline Brotherhood in ''Literature/KushielsLegacy'' dual-wield daggers as standard practice for defending their charges in close quarters or when they want to inflict non-lethal injuries. Their (two-handed) swords are only ever single-wielded and [[LetsGetDangerous drawn only to kill]].
* In ''Literature/TheLockedTomb'' the traditional cavalier style of fighting is a rapier and and offhand weapon, usually used for blocking. The popular option for offhand is a dagger.
* The Balrog of Moria in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' has both a FlamingSword and a [[WhipItGood fiery whip]].
* Steven Erikson's ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'' has a few of these:

* In ''Literature/MotherOfDemons'' the standard weapon of a battle-mother is a mace and shield. However, Guo fights with two maces.
* In ''Literature/{{Murderworld}}'', Mari Night uses two matched ''kodachi'', traditional Japanese short swords, as her in-game avatar is small and wiry.

* In the ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'' book ''The Bellmaker'', the otter Finnbarr Galedeep had twin swords.

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''

* In ''Literature/TheWarGods'' series, Champion Kaeritha dual-wields custom-designed short-swords, a feat aided by the fact that she is fully ambidextrous. Just how good she is can be seen by the fact that when she practiced against a group of Hradani (the smallest of whom was twice her size and far stronger), she trounced all but one of them. Her style is notably different from the [[AmazonBrigade War Maids]] who use a sword-and-dagger combo.

* ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' has one of its major characters do this. In a more unique twist though Perrin eschews swords in favor of a battle axe and blacksmith's hammer. When one considers the weight of just one of these weapons it says a lot about how strong the character is. The choice nearly gets Perrin killed though since even he can't swing as fast as a good swordsman.

* In ''Roleplay/TheGamersAlliance'', [[BaldBlackLeaderGuy Ismail]], [[RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething Khalid]] and [[FieryRedhead Vaetris]] all dual-wield swords.