https://therionarms.com/reenact/therionarms_c1292.htmlIt sounds like Patton as a Master of Sword probably spent a lot of time fencing influencing the design. Thousands of years of mounted combat would disagree with him.
Swords?
- Thread starter Kevin
- Start date
Most swords have straight lines, such as the claymore, the katana, Roman short and long swords vs scimitars, Sabre’s etc with their curved blades. The effectiveness of either design is up to the person wielding it. IMO. I was taught with an epee, my favorite was triangular in shape. One of the 16 th Century swordmaster’s claimed the epee was only good for killing one’s friends!
gramps
gramps
Actually if you look at the bulk of swords Globally curved blades dominate. Armor is what made straight swords predominate along with thrusting from behind a shield. Slashing weapons were pretty much useless against even leather armors. Once the armor came off slashing especially from horseback was the thing. The outward curve let's the blade draw out freeing the blade easier. Inward curves like the Kukri and similar swords draws the blade in which can slow any further action you need to take. Thankfully we shouldn't have to resort to such things considering our other hobby. For any practical purposes a 14-18" heavy blade should be more than effective for anything any of us would encounter. A walking spear would probably be the best option since most of us seem to need the assist anyway.
My Kali sticks are right at 18”. I’ve seen some a bit longer some maybe an inch shorter but no more. 18” seems to be the sweet spot.
I have a pair of Filipino Kalis with lust a bit longer overall length. The Kalis is much like a Kris. It has the wavy blade but a straighter grip profile.
Someone good with the sticks can break bones or destroy joints at will, the same general skill set when applied to the Kalis simply allows the removal of body parts.
I have a pair of Filipino Kalis with lust a bit longer overall length. The Kalis is much like a Kris. It has the wavy blade but a straighter grip profile.
Someone good with the sticks can break bones or destroy joints at will, the same general skill set when applied to the Kalis simply allows the removal of body parts.
I ordered another hammer. Things happen. My pouch & a few tools disappeared a few weeks ago. Thankfully I already had replacements for most of what got gone. The hammer I broke the handle in was a back up. I like to have a spare in the truck in case something happens. People with sticky fingers are annoying.
I also have one of these from a FoNRA event a couple years ago. It's mounted in my shop for customers to see/comment/ask questions (then I can explain what the FoNRA does to help promote the shooting sports). I do like it but I'd still like to have a Patton.
The katana is a curved blade. The Chokuto went out of style in the 9th century.
For those of you who enjoy Japanese blades, may I recommend the thriller novel The 47th Samurai by Stephen Hunter. Hunter is an unabashed, OCD-afflicted weapons enthusiast/user. He's obviously got an extensive library on Japanese blades and has read and absorbed them all. I've read the book three times and wish I had time to read it again. Long live Bob Lee Swagger! 
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Hmmm, regarding the katana, some pictures show a curve others do not or show a minimal curve. The 16 th century Swordmaster I quoted earlier, stated, “the ideal sword was 28” in length with a 1” width”. He didn’t mention straight vs curved. My ideal sword, would pe a triangular blade 28” in length in a cane that requires a twist to open the latch prior to withdrawing. There was a time when I was very proficient with this style. I could use the cane sheath to parry blows and use the blade offensively.
gramps
That would be pretty ideal for a cane sword. A Colichemarde is a reasonably sturdy weapon.
If I was going to make a Colichemarde blade I would start with a 3/4"x3/4"x1/8" angle iron in a decent alloy, cut to shape and spring temper. I would set it up as a double edge with chisel edges on the open ends with the ridge facing out for blocking and parrying. Really simple to make and maintain.I prefer to roll a blade to final thickness to create a linear more uniform grain. There's actually no point to most of the forging with modern steels. The old thousands of folds was to work out the impurities from charcoal smelted sand. If I was making mine today I would have had the fullers built into the roller.
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My ignorance of sword is immense. That being said, If I wanted a sword I'd start at Collectors Firearms in Houston.
https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/If I wanted to kill two birds with one stone and not arm my daughter with a very serious weapon I would look at a USS TEXAS sword.
https://store.battleshiptexas.org/products/battleship-texas-commemorative-swordIt's not a serious sword, it supports the restoration of the battleship TEXAS, and ~$330 is tax deductible.
They don't give a lot of details on the blade composition. For that money you can get a very functional sword. I started mine with wooden bokens before blunt metal and eventually finished edge. I never got to set up a steel challenge for my kids of course I wouldn't want to be paying for their blades. It doesn't mean anything breaking a blade you didn't pay for or make.
And one if zombies attack!
Muley Gil
Blackhawk
I have several swords lying around the house-repos and originals. Repos are a CSA sergeant's sword and a 1860 cavalry saber. I have an original post civil war Marine officer's sword, which was basically the US Army foot officer's sword. I also have a Marine officer's Mameluke.
I have always wanted a genuine Japanese Katana. With the display stand and made from the true Damascus with the Hamon on the blade.
I remember a movie, but I can’t think of the title where a woman went into the man’s house, and she was going to play with his sword and he told her no and she got mad. He picked up a silk handkerchief and dropped it onto the blade and it split across the blade without any extra pressure. That is what I call sharp!
I remember a movie, but I can’t think of the title where a woman went into the man’s house, and she was going to play with his sword and he told her no and she got mad. He picked up a silk handkerchief and dropped it onto the blade and it split across the blade without any extra pressure. That is what I call sharp!
Shadiversity has debunked most of the Katana myths. Are you talking Tamahagane or modern Damascus? A decent set can be had for a few hundred dollars. Tamahagane will run a few thousand.
