I'm a rip someone off- Sword appreciation thread

[shootthebandit]

Spoiler: my reaction every time I see a pro-gun thread

Alec Guiness knows the score. He's the epitome of British gentry. Everyone knows that we dont have "clumsy blasters" in Britain. We are far more civilised

Dont really know much about swords. Excalibur was king arthurs sword and a claymore is a big badass scottish sword both of which are cool but the winner is by far...

Spoiler: drumroll

Yes it is a legitimate sword. If you disagree then your lack of faith is disturbing

Captcha: Bruce Lee...who needs a sword when you can have a Bruce Lee

 

[Aris Khandr]

I have a stage rapier, a longsword, two katanas, a wakizashi, a tanto, two LotR-style Elven short swords, and about six daggers. I really want a khopesh. But yeah, a big fan of swords here.

Okay, I gotta ask: What is it about a khopesh that makes you want one? I just don't see the appeal.

I'm a history major, and my area of study is the ancient Middle East. So I have a very deep love for pretty much anything Egyptian.

 

[God'sFist]

As someone who doesn't own swords, I'm just wondering. Do you use these swords (if so, in what capacity?), or are they more of an ornamental/decorative thing?

There are a multitude of things you can use a sword for. Most of the swords here are display type swords. This basically means that the steal they are made of as well as the looks are not meant to be used in any cutting or combat situations. Typically they are made of stainless steal which is fine for knives and daggers but not swords because of it being a brittle yet hard mettle. Most of the actual functional swords are made of other varying steel and metals. Owning a sword is much like owning a gun, they are dangerous if not held properly and can be used to the effect of a sporting tool. But nowadays they just look nice if displayed.

 

[loc978]

As someone who doesn't own swords, I'm just wondering. Do you use these swords (if so, in what capacity?), or are they more of an ornamental/decorative thing?

Practicing basic kenjutsu is a good full body workout that focuses on stabilizing muscles in a way that few workouts do... and is generally more satisfying than lifting weights, since the motions involved are accomplishing something outside of your body... even if that thing is simply the precise destruction of an object of your choice.

Of course, this assumes the acquisition of an actual battle-ready, well-tempered, high-carbon steel sword... which assumes that the owner knows how to take care of it. If you don't store good steel clean, dry, properly oiled, and not in contact with organic scabbards made of (for example) leather or wood... it will rust. I learned that the hard way with my favorite rapier.

Spoiler: Never store a real sword in a leather scabbard for more than a few days

Never store a real sword in a leather scabbard for more than a few days.

That took a whole lot of work with very fine sandpaper to remove. Also, an entire bottle of mineral oil.

-

The result is rust free, but the polish is also gone.

-

The polish from before:

Most folks just get stainless steel for ornamentation. It is only a fraction of the price... but it's also dangerous to try to cut with. Stainless is brittle, but it's still sharp(ish) metal. If rammed at speed into another object, that's a recipe for very large shrapnel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGTQLB1VQrA]... Example 2 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s0dRcdyizU].

 

[Slycne]

Also, with the proper technique, an unarmed combatant can overcome any quarterstaff!
...or sword...
Melee combat is funny that way.

True, but the training required for such things becomes increasingly disproportional. Weapons, especially those that create separation from your opponent, are the great equalizers. It's why historically you armed all your militia or peasants with spears. It takes an afternoon to teach a bunch of them how to put the pointy end into fleshy bits, but a lot longer to train say a swordsmen to wade into a spear wall with any hope of not becoming a human pin cushion. Cheap and effective.

 

[kommando367]

I never liked swords and greatly prefer using striking weapons, spears, shotguns, and bows.

If I had to choose a sword, it would have to be a stupidly advanced one like the power swords from WH40K.

 

[Plasmadamage]

There's lots of cool swords in the world, thanks to humanity's endless penchant for killing one another, but I find the further back you go, to cooler you get. Case in point, the Egyptians favourite bit of sharp metal... the khopesh

http://www.odinblades.com/Gallery/khopesh.htm#gallerypics/Swords/Main/Khopesh/1.jpg

I suppose it's not really a sword. Technically, that is actually a type of long bladed axe.

P.S: Anyone willing to teach me how to post pictures and spoiler tags will have my undying gratitude. Pasting in links is starting to get real old

 

[hermes]

I own one katana, one tizona (Spanish style double edged sword)

Spoiler

and two yatagans (ottoman knives)

Spoiler

 

[hermes]

There's lots of cool swords in the world, thanks to humanity's endless penchant for killing one another, but I find the further back you go, to cooler you get. Case in point, the Egyptians favourite bit of sharp metal... the khopesh

http://www.odinblades.com/Gallery/khopesh.htm#gallerypics/Swords/Main/Khopesh/1.jpg

I suppose it's not really a sword. Technically, that is actually a type of long bladed axe.

P.S: Anyone willing to teach me how to post pictures and spoiler tags will have my undying gratitude. Pasting in links is starting to get real old

To post spoilers, type the text you want spoiled between "[spoilerxxx]" and "[/spoilerxxx]" (without the "xxx"). To post images, type the url of the image between "[imgxxx]" and "[/imgxxx]" (without the "xxx").

 

[Cerebrawl]

The theory is that it combines the superior cutting power of a curved blade with the superior thrust and reach of a straight blade. Whether that is true or not it's a ruddy beautiful piece of smithery.

It isn't. However they're uncomfortable to parry, they can create a vibration that makes it harder for the parrying party to keep hold of their own sword.

That said, they were mainly used by mercenaries specializing in breaking pikes(a dangerous occupation, they had a life expectancy of 2 battles), they were paid double soldier pay, because of how dangerous it was. This with the two-handed variant.

Personally I'm a fan of good old 28" swords with a balance point about an inch above the crossguard(very quick and nimble), but if I was to get one for actual combat, I'd like a basket-hilt on it, don't want to lose fingers from blades sliding during parries.

 

[Aramis Night]

The theory is that it combines the superior cutting power of a curved blade with the superior thrust and reach of a straight blade. Whether that is true or not it's a ruddy beautiful piece of smithery.

It isn't. However they're uncomfortable to parry, they can create a vibration that makes it harder for the parrying party to keep hold of their own sword.

That said, they were mainly used by mercenaries specializing in breaking pikes(a dangerous occupation, they had a life expectancy of 2 battles), they were paid double soldier pay, because of how dangerous it was. This with the two-handed variant.

Personally I'm a fan of good old 28" swords with a balance point about an inch above the crossguard(very quick and nimble), but if I was to get one for actual combat, I'd like a basket-hilt on it, don't want to lose fingers from blades sliding during parries.

You should never rely on your hilt. When you parry a blade, it is to deflect it, not to block. You should never lock your swords and NEVER let anyone run their blade down yours. It looks bad ass and dramatic in movies, but its an excellent way to ruin your sword. Having some hilt is good, for the occasional deflect away from your hands when a parried blade might otherwise bounce up into your hand if your opponent loses control. A basket hilt is overkill in that dept. There should never be a point where a basket hilt deflects something that a more minimalistic guard wouldn't have also protected you. There is a danger to using a basket-hilt as it tends to train it's user's against protecting their hands as it becomes taken for granted. That and they can lead an opponents blade to your wrists which isn't really an improvement over losing a finger.

On the other hand, there is one really great reason to use a basket-hilt. Boxing someone in the face with one is comically effective.

 

[Cerebrawl]

You should never rely on your hilt. When you parry a blade, it is to deflect it, not to block. You should never lock your swords and NEVER let anyone run their blade down yours. It looks bad ass and dramatic in movies, but its an excellent way to ruin your sword. Having some hilt is good, for the occasional deflect away from your hands when a parried blade might otherwise bounce up into your hand if your opponent loses control. A basket hilt is overkill in that dept. There should never be a point where a basket hilt deflects something that a more minimalistic guard wouldn't have also protected you. There is a danger to using a basket-hilt as it tends to train it's user's against protecting their hands as it becomes taken for granted. That and they can lead an opponents blade to your wrists which isn't really an improvement over losing a finger.

On the other hand, there is one really great reason to use a basket-hilt. Boxing someone in the face with one is comically effective.

I didn't mean I'd rely on it, but shit happens, better to be protected than not, though something like rapier hilts is sufficient most of the time, I'd agree, without at least that though, the fingers are awfully exposed, I'd want a swept hilt, as minimum. I'm also aware of flat-on-flat deflection parries being the norm in western swordfighting.

Also, a surprise punch to the face with it does seem like it would be very satisfying.

 

[cojo965]

I would like a usable two handed sword like the Cold Steel one but have heard they have a spotty record with their swords. Given the nature of the thread could I get a guide to some quality great swords?

Edit: I really should post a video of what I mean.

 

[Cerebrawl]

I would like a usable two handed sword like the Cold Steel one but have heard they have a spotty record with their swords. Given the nature of the thread could I get a guide to some quality great swords?

Read this: [link]http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/buy-swords-online.html[/link]

 

[renegade7]

Well it's not a sword for combat, but I am an epee fencer, so naturally I'm rather partial to it:

I use a Russian grip rather than the pistol grip shown here though.

Personally I'm a fan of good old 28" swords with a balance point about an inch above the crossguard(very quick and nimble), but if I was to get one for actual combat, I'd like a basket-hilt on it, don't want to lose fingers from blades sliding during parries.

The purpose of parrying isn't to block, it's to deflect your opponent's energy. You don't block it head on, you angle your blade so that theirs slides away from you. This gives you a brief moment of control over the opponent's inertia, giving you an opportunity to counterattack.

 

[BanicRhys]

Spoiler: 12 inches of cold, hard steel, this deadly weapon can't be beat.

My penis.

As far as fictional swords go, you can't top the chainsword.

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only overkill.

 

[nepheleim]

I would like a usable two handed sword like the Cold Steel one but have heard they have a spotty record with their swords. Given the nature of the thread could I get a guide to some quality great swords?

My favorite sharp pokey thing provider is zombie tools.

http://www.zombietools.net/products/blades/

I've got one of their "darts" which is about ten inches long, a pound and a half, and would probably penetrate my front door if I threw it hard enough. I honestly don't know how functional their stuff is, but you'll probably get two hands around it, and it's plenty heavy.

 

[Nooners]

Well it's not a sword for combat, but I am an epee fencer, so naturally I'm rather partial to it:

I use a Russian grip rather than the pistol grip shown here though.

PISTOL GRIP AAAGGGHHHH!!

Sorry, just...can't stand those things. Lock up the wrist way too much for me. OT, I know of French and Italian grips, but not a Russian one. What's the difference?

 

[Nieroshai]

Personally, if I had to pick one sword and one sword only, it would be a messer. A good middle ground between a fighting knife and a cutlass, and doesn't sacrifice either piercng or slashing power if you have a clipped-back version. If I could have any sword that I've not yet seen an example of, I would honestly like to see a saber- or scimitar-blade on a hand-and-a-half hilt. Basically, the katana if it actually had distal taper, a proper fuller, and a workable crossguard. If anyone's seen anything like this, I would love to see examples.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

If I could have any sword that I've not yet seen an example of, I would honestly like to see a saber- or scimitar-blade on a hand-and-a-half hilt. Basically, the katana if it actually had distal taper, a proper fuller, and a workable crossguard. If anyone's seen anything like this, I would love to see examples.

Sounds like this is about what you're looking for:

Spoiler

Unfortunately I have no idea where one could get it, who makes it, or even if it's functional rather than just a display piece. It's a gorgeous blade though.