Poll: What is your favourite kind of sword?

[ultrachicken]

If I have to choose from a sword in a game, it's probably because I'll be playing some type of typical fantasy knight, as that kind of swordsman appeals most to me. That means longsword/shield. Of course, in games I'd take an axe or mace over a sword any day. Much more interesting.

In real life I'd take some sword of longsword, because I want the reach. As someone who actually wants to live through my fights, I'd rather not have to get in close enough to slash, and if I'm going to stab, it had better be from a somewhat safe distance. Of course, swords aren't best for that, but that goes beyond this topic.

 

[Trippy Turtle]

Hard choice between the bad-assery of a Scimitar and the elegant death promised by a Katana.

 

[Talyan]

I would have to go for a badly made bastard sword. Just so I can wail on people with a 'Crude Bastard Sword'

 

[Terminally Chill]

Out of those I went with a scimitar. Something really beautiful about them.

Favourite sword of all would have to be the macahuitl, though. Although I admire the craftmanship of a lot of European and Asian swords, I think the Aztecs have them beat on pure awesomeness.

Spoiler

 

[CrazyGirl17]

I'd say katana... but that's obviously cliche. The zweihander is cool... though I doubt anyone could actually lift the damn thing in real life...

In terms of fictional swords, I'm quite partial to the lightsaber and the Keyblade, myself.

 

[JesterRaiin]

I'd say katana... but that's obviously cliche. The zweihander is cool... though I doubt anyone could actually lift the damn thing in real life...

Big swords weren't mean to be used just like that - they were meant for battles. On the battlefield finesee isn't exactly top priority.
Zweihänder ? Think "scythe" against "straw" - pikes or halberds.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

I'm a katana person. I don't own a katana but I have used one, I own a nodachi which really isn't that fast, efficient, or easy to use in actual combat, I just use it as my own personal symbol like some of the samurai did (status symbol for them), i mean, its also an anti-cavalry weapon, I really only know one instance when it was used as a person to person weapon.If you know me, you probably also know that I'm not a rapier fan. I'm a handgun person above all else though, remember that.

 

[Centrophy]

I'm disappointed in this thread. No one has mentioned curved swords. Curved. Swords.

(Yes I know scimitars are curved...)

 

[soes757]

The ancient kind that reflects light, why isn't that part of the poll? No chainsword either?

 

[Insanity72]

Swords are great and all, but i'd rather have myself a Halberd of some kind.

 

[M4t3us]

Greatsword, definitely, there's something satisfying about swinging a sharp blade as tall as you! ^.^

 

[KingHodor]

I'd say katana... but that's obviously cliche. The zweihander is cool... though I doubt anyone could actually lift the damn thing in real life..

Oh, I'm pretty sure most people could. A typical Zweihänder (i.e. one that was actually meant for combat rather than a decorative piece) would weigh between 5 and 7 pounds.
Actually swinging it around efficiently in a drawn-out battle, on the other hand...

 

[ace_of_something]

Considering I don't ACTUALLY use swords... I'm going to say what I use in D&D and RPG games.
The biggest sword I can use. So I guess the broadsword? Is that the biggest?

My ancestors used a giant ass swords that weren't even sharp, just really heavy.

 

[KingHodor]

Also, I'm surprised no one has so far brought up one of the coolest things you can do with a Zweihänder: The Mordschlag ("murder strike").

Opponent too heavily armored to cut? No problem, just grab your sword by the blade and bash in his head with the pommel.

 

[TheTim]

Definitely the Katana, Nothing of the blade variety that is so beautiful yet will slice you in half.

 

[Major_Tom]

An M48 bayonet. What? It's almost a sword!

 

[JesterRaiin]

I'm disappointed in this thread. No one has mentioned curved swords. Curved. Swords.

(Yes I know scimitars are curved...)

...Not a great fan of mixing reading and attention, aren't we ?