sharp pointy things

[Nick]

Swords (and knives) indeed have an asthetic quality that no gun can match.I've seen many that were works of art in every sense of the word.Being a proficient blacksmith adds to the ability to see this.If I ever get around to it I'll try to make a few swords myself.

I dunno, how about some of those old wheellocks?

But yes, there is something about swords...hard to define, but it's there. I'm a blacksmith myself, so I understand completely where you're coming from. I only have one knife right now that I've finished to completion, though I'd like to make some more, and at least a couple swords. I'm just more of a blacksmith than a bladesmith. A friend of mine is primarily a bladesmith, he does some incredible work.

As far as swords go, I prefer the 15th century German longsword, straight crossguard, lightly tapered blade that comes to a nice point, with a scent-stopper pommel. I'm also very fond of the flamberg two-handers. Not the bearing swords, the real functional ones. Now there's something to put the fear of God into your heart!

I don't have any swords now, just lots of knives. A few hunting knives, several folders. My favorite is my Kershaw Ken Onion Speedsafe. It's not one of the new little ones, it's got a fair sized blade. That's my usual pocket knife.

I also have a waster I'm working on. I really want to learn WMA.

[Dreadbelly]

Flamberges and zweihanders are cool looking swords. I'll agree. Used for breaking up pike formations.

However, being a squat 5 foot 5, there is no way I could comfortably use a sword that is longer than I am tall.

In a museum a long while back ago, I saw a Zweihander that belonged to some commander of the Landsknechte's Doppelsoldners... Did I spell that right? The sword was EIGHTY INCHES LONG! and weighed an awe inspiring 21 pounds. The man that held this sword was said to be seven feet tall.

It should be noted that most Zweis were about 10 to 15 pounds and about 60 to 65 inches long. While I am to short to effectively use one, I am strong enough to hold one single handed and give it a few swings and thrusts.

I dunno. If I was a pikeman, and some giant with an 80 inch long sword was coming after me... I would considering breaking ranks. And I would want to go and change my armor.

[SumoKilt]

Hey gang

Here is another forum that deals with knives and swords.........

Good bunch there

http://swordforum.com/

[Archangel]

Flamberges and zweihanders are cool looking swords. I'll agree. Used for breaking up pike formations.

However, being a squat 5 foot 5, there is no way I could comfortably use a sword that is longer than I am tall.

In a museum a long while back ago, I saw a Zweihander that belonged to some commander of the Landsknechte's Doppelsoldners... Did I spell that right? The sword was EIGHTY INCHES LONG! and weighed an awe inspiring 21 pounds. The man that held this sword was said to be seven feet tall.

It should be noted that most Zweis were about 10 to 15 pounds and about 60 to 65 inches long. While I am to short to effectively use one, I am strong enough to hold one single handed and give it a few swings and thrusts.

I dunno. If I was a pikeman, and some giant with an 80 inch long sword was coming after me... I would considering breaking ranks. And I would want to go and change my armor.

If it's any comfort, the long sword would be behind you. The pikemen were like mobile barbed wire. They'd stop the shock of the attack by mounted troops or infantry who had regular swords. Any horse or grunt that got by you would be taken out by the long swords and followed up by the third line of your infantry. They had your back, eyes front.


Don't be embarrassed about your armour. Why do you think front line officers wear greatcoats? The coats cover the reaction to the bombs going off, and other nasty surprises.

[jfellrath]

Flamberges and zweihanders are cool looking swords. I'll agree. Used for breaking up pike formations.

However, being a squat 5 foot 5, there is no way I could comfortably use a sword that is longer than I am tall.

In a museum a long while back ago, I saw a Zweihander that belonged to some commander of the Landsknechte's Doppelsoldners... Did I spell that right? The sword was EIGHTY INCHES LONG! and weighed an awe inspiring 21 pounds. The man that held this sword was said to be seven feet tall.

It should be noted that most Zweis were about 10 to 15 pounds and about 60 to 65 inches long. While I am to short to effectively use one, I am strong enough to hold one single handed and give it a few swings and thrusts.

I dunno. If I was a pikeman, and some giant with an 80 inch long sword was coming after me... I would considering breaking ranks. And I would want to go and change my armor.

Keep in mind that with a sword like that, particularly the Zweihaender and the Flamberges, you wouldn't be doing a lot of swinging. The ricasso of a sword of this nature generally had a leather strap around it so that you could "choke up" on the blade a bit and do some good strong accurate thrusting, or blocking the pikes aside as you ran into their ranks to start stabbing. The Doppelsoeldner were the shock troops of the Landsknechts, and they were very good at it.

[Deasan]

If you want a great baskethilt sword, then The Mad Piper is your man.

[Colin]

I just picked up a really good baskethilt broadsword the other day. I just need to find a good place to display it now.

[Caradoc]

In a museum a long while back ago, I saw a Zweihander that belonged to some commander of the Landsknechte's Doppelsoldners... Did I spell that right? The sword was EIGHTY INCHES LONG! and weighed an awe inspiring 21 pounds. The man that held this sword was said to be seven feet tall.

That's likely a parade or "bearing" sword.

[KiltedKnight]

I've picked up a few swords over the years as well as knives of various lengths and designs. Between my gunsafe and my storage sheds I honestly can't tell you how many knives I have. I used to own four swords but now have only three. I have a gun collection that spans over thirty years that slowly but surely is becoming my son's gun collection and eventually will be his son's collection.

Knives, swords and guns each have their purpose and each has some kind of advantage over the other. Chopping swords like the samurai or a broadsword do just that, they chop, and an epee or any type of rapier in the hands of an expert can do intricate scroll work. Sabres are just another form that had it's uses and advantages.

I brought back a sword from southeast Asia that didn't seem to fit any type of definition except that it was a sword. As a young soldier I was very fascinated in it because I personally witnessed this sword used in the execution of three of the enemy. I asked for and was given the sword by the Montagnard who owned it. I have since donated the sword to a military museum since it just sat in my safe for so many years.

I'll be 54 in a few days and what with shoulder surgeries for torn muscles and aging bones swinging a sword is the last kind of exercise I need although I dream of it a lot anyway these days.

If I personally had to make a choice I'd opt for a K-BAR and a moonless night though I do support the arguement for the war hammer.

Chris.

[David White]

That's likely a parade or "bearing" sword.

Yup. Most swords are fairly light when used in a fight. Most baskethilts are within the range of 2.5-3.5 pound range.