Swords and stuff

[Amorphus]

Just a question -

In your opinion, what culture makes the best swords, or what type of sword is the best sword out there? What sword would you choose in a life-or-death fight (assume you're good with any sword in the world. )?

I like the Japanese katanas myself. I wouldn't use the second edge if there was one on a sword anyways, and the build quality on those things is great.

Then again, for purely decorative purposes... IIRC, there used to be a 7-piece (or maybe 9? or more, I forget) titanium sword you could buy, all parts fit together perfectly. the pommel could be taken out from the hilt to reveal a dagger, I thought that was cool. I forget what the name of the sword was, and back when I could, and I checked, I think I found that the guy stopped making them. iunno.

 

[GnomeCop]

do you like gladiator movies?

 

[shimsham]

ever seen a grown man naked?

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: GnomeCop
do you like gladiator movies?

what kind of sword am i facing?


japanese katana if against japanese katana, or something similar.

if against anything else, short sword, and swordbreaker in off hand.

 

[GnomeCop]

what about that lightsaber from Episode 2? You know, the one with the limp handle.... or erect handle... depends on how you look at it i guess.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Well, somebody just saw Kill Bill.

- M4H

 

[sillymofo]

I want one of those legendary swords of China, you know, the ones that can slice through metal like butter? Afterall, they've been making those damn things for thousands of years.

 

[Shawn]

I'll take swords for 500 Alex.

 

[BigJ]

Depends what kind of build you have.

If you're a smaller, more dexteritous type of person, try maybe a Katana or a Scimitar.
A bigger person, maybe a bastard sword or a long sword to help utilize their power.

Anything the size of a greatsword I think is a little too unweildy.

 

[whaleskinrug]

I'm partial to the Mongolian horsebow, but if I had to pick a sword I'd say the katana

 

[dighn]

lightsabre!!!!\!

 

[LordMorpheus]

CLAYMORE, BABY!!!!

Sure, you may be able to 'outquick' me, but what happens when I lay at your midsection when outside your range, and my sword weighs eight times as much as your katana?! DISEMBOWLEMENT!!! Thats what!

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
CLAYMORE, BABY!!!!

Sure, you may be able to 'outquick' me, but what happens when I lay at your midsection when outside your range, and my sword weighs eight times as much as your katana?! DISEMBOWLEMENT!!! Thats what!

Two sword counter? Or a quick dodge. By the time you work your claymore around, you've already got multiple wounds oozing blood.

 

[Michael]

I'm curious as to how many people in this thread have actually used a sword and have any idea how they work and what the advantages and disadvantages are?

Michael

 

[Conky]

All I know is that if I was a Japanese mobster I would have a gun instead of a sword.

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: Michael
I'm curious as to how many people in this thread have actually used a sword and have any idea how they work and what the advantages and disadvantages are?

Michael

i have used a sword. i have used many swords.

the advantages of the katanas are more numerous than any other kind of sword.


but still, it depends on the type of sword you're facing. if you're off against a claymore, short sword in one hand, swordbreaker in other. against a broadsword, swordbreaker still has it's use for trapping their sword, but you cant break it. against heavier swords, go with a shield (unless you feel you're hot stuff with that breaker)

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: Michael
I'm curious as to how many people in this thread have actually used a sword and have any idea how they work and what the advantages and disadvantages are?

I wonder that myself. I saw an interview with lucy liu about training with katana's for Kill Bill, apparently the blade is quite heavy and proper stances come into play so you don't fall over.

I checked out prices on real katana's the other day. While a cheap one will run you $100-200, the ones I saw (using swiss steel even) were $1000-3000. I couldn't find any made with japanese steel.

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: whaleskinrug
I'm partial to the Mongolian horsebow, but if I had to pick a sword I'd say the katana

Mongolians > all

ups

 

[Gravity]

Originally posted by: SackOfAllTrades
my favorite sword is the one that shoots nuclear warheads...and genetic gay bombs...

EDIT: changed the word "gun" to "sword"

Um, vacation time?

Gravity

 

[datalink7]

The Katana is generally considered the best designed sword ever made.

I like the Gladius myself

 

[isaacmacdonald]

Originally posted by: datalink7
The Katana is generally considered the best designed sword ever made.

I like the Gladius myself

source?

I took three years of kobudo, and we did train with among other things katanas (though mostly with wooden mockups). I've never tried any other kind of sword though, and I've never killed anyone with a katana, so I have no idea about how good it is on a relative scale. My guess is its value could vary tremendously depending on your stature. I'm a lightweight guy, so it might be good for me, but I bet a big guy that could move a heavier sword around nearly as fast would have a big advantage. If speed was everything a rapier would probably own.

 

[datalink7]

Originally posted by: isaacmacdonald

Originally posted by: datalink7
The Katana is generally considered the best designed sword ever made.

I like the Gladius myself

source?

I took three years of kobudo, and we did train with among other things katanas (though mostly with wooden mockups). I've never tried any other kind of sword though, and I've never killed anyone with a katana, so I have no idea about how good it is on a relative scale. My guess is its value could vary tremendously depending on your stature. I'm a lightweight guy, so it might be good for me, but I bet a big guy that could move a heavier sword around nearly as fast would have a big advantage. If speed was everything a rapier would probably own.

I read it in some history book during school a while back... I forget the source.

It was supossedly the best designed particularly in terms of balance.

But it was meant for one on one combat, so it wouldn't have been as good, say, in a Roman legion.

 

[isaacmacdonald]

the balance thing sounds about right. the katana is well suited to slicing, but ill suited to hacking. I imagine it takes a hell of a lot more effort to decapitate someone with a katana than with a broadsword (notwithstanding Hatori Honzo's steel).

 

[Howard]

WTF is up with that movie? I've never heard of any double-edged Japanese swords...

 

[Michael]

I have close to 2 decades' experience fighting sword and shield. I also have used quite a few real swords.

I prefer a "broad sword" - about 36" in total length including the hilt, a little blade-weighted, cutting edge on each side and a point I can use. That assumes I have a shield as well.

Just a sword - then a katana is pretty good. Especially if the armor is lighter or not there.

I've never been a big fan of sword-breakers. I'd rather use both hands on the hilt or keep one free for grabbing if I don't have a shield strapped to my arm. It I have no shield, I actually prefer a cutting spear to a sword.

Michael