sharp pointy things

[jfellrath]

I like the balance of my Broadsword and the weight is very similar to the single stick we use for sparring. I think the Paul Chen Basket Hilt Backsword looks more authentic and "realistic". I saw a whole room full of swords in Edinburgh Castle and because of the way Paul Chen does the fuller my broadsword didn't really look that authentic but my friends backsword could have hung there un-noticed by most observers. I think if I was really using it as a weapon I would go for the backsword because the extra weight would give more cleaving power.

Jamie

Are your single-sticks weighted at all to be more "realistic" in weight and balance? Do they weigh the same as a genuine broadsword?

[bikercelt1]

Are your single-sticks weighted at all to be more "realistic" in weight and balance? Do they weigh the same as a genuine broadsword?

No, for our purposes the weighting is unneccessary. Balance is the same but weight is about 2/3 that of the broadsword. For drills we use hardwood dowels soaked in a mixture to make them harder and heavier. For sparring we use rattan with leather baskets, they don't weigh that much but they sting and they'll leave one hell of an impressive bruise. The weight of the broadsword isn't really the issue for our purposes and comming home with a set of bruises does wonders in developing defensive skills. The use of singlestick is historically accurate Highland sword training. If we were talking training for all day battles against large armies then the weight might be more important, but for single opponent/single bout competition, no problem.

Jamie

[Yaish]

I'd be interested in meeting some ARMA people in SoCal too. I'm not too far from Iolaus either.

Right now I've got the Paul Chen practical knight, modelled after the Sir William Marshall sword. Blunt for practice and seems very good, though I've never used it. I've looked at the articles on training on ARMA but have held off so far. I dont want to train in bad habits from trying it solo, if I can rather meet with someone for actual training.

In slightly more practical stuff, I've got a whole bunch of stuff, mostly Cold Steel. Their gurhka kukri, three kukri machetes, the Bushman, one of their little neckknives (girlfriend wears that one), two small Voyagers that stay in pockets or packs, and for daily, allatime carry I have their folding Recon 1. I've also got their grivory skean du. Pretty good poker, but dont think those serrations on the blade will actually cut anything.

I also have a replica bowie purchased for me as a gift when I was at the Alamo, a flat handled cord wrapped tactical knife, and a Cold Steel Assegai. THAT thing is wickedly sharp.

[jfellrath]

I'd be interested in meeting some ARMA people in SoCal too. I'm not too far from Iolaus either.

Good news for you and Iolaus - there's an unofficial group in Orange County and they'd love to have you guys join them. I have to get the guy's email address (our group e-list doesn't give email addresses out if you read the messages on the e-list as I do) but as soon as I have it I'll PM you two.

[Mike n NC]

Sorry guys but I have to go to the other side of the world. Been making them longer and better than europe ever thought of. I can do much more with my training and bokken than you can with your broadswords. A Katana is just so much lighter, faster and sharper.
I own a 18c. No Dachi that I practice with about 3 times a week in addition to practice with the bokken. This little jewel weighs in at just a bit under 4 pounds, is 5' 6" in length and will easily cut through all but heavy plate armor. It is fought very low so that all the power comes from the hips instead of the arms/shoulders.

Otherwise I carry an Oldtimer with a two inch blade that serves me very well. :smile:

Mike

[yoippari]

I had a big respose trying to debunk the whole "katana is better stance" but decided that it would be better to just say, no style of sword is the best, just better wielders, and NO REGIONAL STYLE IS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER. All swords are designed for one purpose or another. A 4 pound nodachi (which is a little heavy on the sword scale) is a slow unwieldly thing in close quarters compared to a grosse messer or katzbalger, while on a battle field a nodachi would have a definite advantage to someone with only a katzbalger.

I did not want this to become a sword vs sword thread but I don't like it when katana fans say their swords are better than a european style sword without reasonable basis (and this has been rehashed so many times on the internet that it isn't even funny). I just wanted to see what people on the forum liked and what involvement they have with swords, not a debate on what sword is better than another for whatever reason.

[Mike n NC]

I had a big respose trying to debunk the whole "katana is better stance" but decided that it would be better to just say, no style of sword is the best, just better wielders, and NO REGIONAL STYLE IS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER. All swords are designed for one purpose or another. A 4 pound nodachi (which is a little heavy on the sword scale) is a slow unwieldly thing in close quarters compared to a grosse messer or katzbalger, while on a battle field a nodachi would have a definite advantage to someone with only a katzbalger.

I did not want this to become a sword vs sword thread but I don't like it when katana fans say their swords are better than a european style sword without reasonable basis (and this has been rehashed so many times on the internet that it isn't even funny). I just wanted to see what people on the forum liked and what involvement they have with swords, not a debate on what sword is better than another for whatever reason.

And do please note, I prefaced my comments with the word "I". This is my "opinion" (which evidently isn't welcome here) and wasn't to be taken as set in stone.

I do however find your rather sweeping attack on my comments a bit annoying. I won't trouble you with any more such rubbish.

Mike

[David White]

Sorry guys but I have to go to the other side of the world. Been making them longer and better than europe ever thought of. I can do much more with my training and bokken than you can with your broadswords. A Katana is just so much lighter, faster and sharper.
I own a 18c. No Dachi that I practice with about 3 times a week in addition to practice with the bokken. This little jewel weighs in at just a bit under 4 pounds, is 5' 6" in length and will easily cut through all but heavy plate armor. It is fought very low so that all the power comes from the hips instead of the arms/shoulders.

Otherwise I carry an Oldtimer with a two inch blade that serves me very well. :smile:

Mike

I folks-

Some people like JSA some don't and like to train in Western style. It doesn't make one better.

The BIG mistake people make about western swords is what they have
seen in the movies-wrong!

Baskethilted Broadswords typically weighed in at under 3 pounds and
alot were in the 2.5 pound range-very, very fast and effective.

I suggest to folks wanting to learn more about swords and sword arts to
check out this following link, one of many:

www.swordforum.com

dave

[Archangel]

My, how this thread has grown since I last saw it.

I own several swords and bokkens. The swords are low quality katana copies which, I think, is best since I can play with them. Too expensive and they'd be a wall ornament, too cheap and they'd break. The bokkens are kept near the door, the live blade is beside the bed. I feel safer that way.

Some of the previous discussion ignores the application of the sword. There is no best, no secret of steel. It's all in the user's hands and skill. It doesn't take much study to see the differences in application. For example, Dread is right in his discussion of hammers. Paintings show that hammers were used in Europe and Asia against armour, not swords. Curved swords are for cavalry against ground, long swords for ground against mounted. Finer blades are for the gaps in lighter armour.

Guns level the field, in more ways than one. Even Musashi says to use a gun.

[Mike n NC]

I folks-

Some people like JSA some don't and like to train in Western style. It doesn't make one better.

The BIG mistake people make about western swords is what they have
seen in the movies-wrong!

Baskethilted Broadswords typically weighed in at under 3 pounds and
alot were in the 2.5 pound range-very, very fast and effective.

I suggest to folks wanting to learn more about swords and sword arts to
check out this following link, one of many:

www.swordforum.com

dave

Please folks don't get the wrong idea...just for general info, not to upset anyone...I fought swords from 1976 until 1998 when my back was no longer capable of the gymnastics required for fighting. I have used them both in sport and for defense in actual combat and I am just as comfortable with a two handed broadsword as any two handed asian blade. Please don't get the idea that I am a neophyte that needs be instructed in the weapon or its many styles/uses. Most of you are spot on in your views however I am getting the occasional good chuckle from this thread but again please, don't treat me as a know nothing.

and BTW dave 2.5-3 pounds is quite heavy for a one handed sword.

Mike