How educated about true swords are you?

[Calaethis Dragonsbane]

Originally posted by Azimaith: I enjoy all sorts of swords in truth an I find that such a beautiful weapon should be respected, not made into a novelty or made into a mockery of their true forms to appease whats popular culture at the time. How do you think the sword smiths of ancient japan would feel if they saw people selling "Blue lightning, dragon ninja, samurai katanas.

I agree entirely. I think its an utter mockery when they try to screw ppl over.

[The Hierophant]

Indeed. But until a method of technology developes that negates the devastating effectivness of firearms (force shields in the 'Dune' saga anyone? ), swords will continue to diminish in terms of their respectability and formidibility as weapons. They are novelties today because they are no longer practical in real warfare. But at least the craftsmanship behind making them is being preserved by a dedicated few. So long as there are some who keep the sword-faith, these beautiful tools shall never be truly lost to history.

[Paladin2000]

Originally posted by The Hierophant: Indeed. But until a method of technology developes that negates the devastating effectivness of firearms (force shields in the 'Dune' saga anyone? ), swords will continue to diminish in terms of their respectability and formidibility as weapons. They are novelties today because they are no longer practical in real warfare. But at least the craftsmanship behind making them is being preserved by a dedicated few. So long as there are some who keep the sword-faith, these beautiful tools shall never be truly lost to history.

Who knows, one day someone might even come out with a REAL light sabre.


Azimaith:

Can you provide links to sites with genuine information about swords? I am a small sword freak myself too although I know next to nothing about the matter.

[ 08-22-2003, 01:06 AM: Message edited by: Paladin2000 ]

[Azimaith]

Well heres a couple that I really like.

http://swordforum.com/

Sword Forum international just plain rocks, its got the best information on all sorts of blades as well as articles, essays, and book reviews, I love it.

http://www.thehaca.com/

This is mainly for swordsmanship but it deals with swords as well. The Historical Armed Combat Association, or HACA is now the Association for the Renaissance Martial Arts but the basic stuffs the same. Great articles and information plus video clips of training which I really like.

http://www.oakeshott.org/

The Oakeshott institute is the webpage made in honor of Ewart Oakeshott, one of the foremost authorities on swords, God bless his soul, and it has all sorts of info most importantly the Oakshotte typologies.

If you don't find what your looking for in these pages you can check out some books too.

Medieval Swordsmanship, by John clements is great, it has tons of both historical information on swords as well as basic techniques and movements for Western swordsmanship.

The Secret history of the Sword by Christopher Amberger, a very very interesting book written by a former fencing champion, he focuses a great deal on the difference between historical swordsmanship and modern fencings as well.

The Codex of Wallerstein, its hard to find but if you can get a copy of this historical manuscript on the usage of swords its well worth it, even better, if you can get one thats interpreted for you.

Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship, Sigmund Ringeck's Commentaries on Liechtenauer's Verse, once again another good book on swordsmanship.

Well I hope these helped, good luck.

[Paladin2000]

Thanks for the links pal, I will check them out later.

[Dundee Slaytern]

I kinda prefer the "style" of the western swords myself, but I guess this is because I find them exotic, given that I live in an area where eastern blades are a dime a dozen. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Azimaith]

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern: I kinda prefer the "style" of the western swords myself, but I guess this is because I find them exotic, given that I live in an area where eastern blades are a dime a dozen. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I often wonder if its not the same with the western obsession with eastern blades... Hmmm.