English lessons

[Admiral Odin]

Am I the only one who likes European weapons and believe that the are if not better then equal to the Asian ones?

 

I would go for the Rapier,it is a very light sword quick and manuverable. Mind you swords range form anywhere of 1pound to 5 pounds. Euro swords were very well made ones and could cut through a pelvis with ease.

 

I would recommend this sword:

 

 

these are two of the ones that I own

 

 

 

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"Dulce bellum inexpertis."

(Sweet is war to those who have never experinced it.) Roman Proverb

[Guest DragonT]

I guess I shouldn't have used the word "Civilian" So sue me. I guess 'Untrained' would have been better. I believe that once a civilian trains in the art of weapondry/war they cease to be a civilian and bear the responsibilities of a martialist or warrior. You made the point that I was trying to get across. Train train train train. Being good against games is one thing, but good against the living it is totally different. Hand eye coordination can be improved in games, but dealing with the surge of adrenaline, emotion dump, and tunnel vision cannot. If course I can only speak from my own experiences. I have been in situations where I was armed with a knife and was attacked by people using chains, pipes, knives, and bats and I wasn't able to convince my conscience to use the knife. Now, ten years after that incident, I think I could use a knife in the same situation.

 

I have nothing against the use of Occidental swords. The problem I see is the lack of skilled instructors. Fencing is taught, but it is too linear and the weapon is too impractical. Oriental swords have a larger following because there are numerous instructors and the weapon used is more practical.

[Flying Beastie]

I like European swords, but mine would have to be a two-handed longsword, possibly with some sort of padding around the pommel.

 

It's just personal preference: a longer grip just makes the sword more manoeuvrable, especially if you can handle the pommel without getting blisters.

 

This is why most katanas seem to be about a quarter grip and three quarters blade.

 

Even if you use the sword one-handed; you don't have to worry about the sword hopping out of your hand.

 

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"Do fish-people eat fish, or would that be like humans eating monkeys?"

"Humans do eat monkeys. In fact humans eat other humans. . . Y'know, as a species, we are really quite unpleasant."

[Admiral Odin]

DargonT, I agree with what you say. Working with European swords is difficult since there are no trained experts but that is the fun in it. At the moment I'm training with a sword and shield. That will give you a work out. Besides that I have done some research into the use of Medieval swords. If you are ever interested in finding more info about them I would recommend reading

 

Medieval Swordsmanship: the Illistrate methods and techniques

 

Renaissance Swordsmanship: the Illistrated use of the Rapier and Cut and thrust swords

 

both are by John Clements.

 

Fencing in my opion is a sport that has it roots in swordsmanship but now has changed so much that if you take fencing you still couldn't use a Rapier.

 

Beastie:

What you need is a pair of leather Guantlets. Those will provide a sturdy grip with both one hand and a two handed grip. Not to mention it will allow you to grip the pommel with out getting any blister.

 

However gripping the pommel is really only used in Bastard swords/hand and a half swords. True long swords have a grip long enough for both hands to fit nicely on it with some space between them. Then you can finger the guard giving you more control.

 

The advantage of a longer sword is that the momentum created will make a cut more deadly, once swung you commited. A small sword is lighter and allows for more manuverablity (I have seen the difference). Also for greater reach when you stab you lossen your grip and let the sword slide until your hand reaches the pommel and you stop the motion. Not to mention that a smaller sword will allow you to use a shield (not only a defensive weapon).

 

If anyone is actually interested I have info that I can give if you want to start into this martial art (Medieval swordsmanship the true Western Martial Art.)

 

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"Dulce bellum inexpertis."

(Sweet is war to those who have never experinced it.) Roman Proverb

[Guest Zoom Rabbit]

Rapier versus katana:

 

'Okay, go ahead and stab me with that thing. I'm a samurai warrior who isn't afraid to die, and I'll be cutting your head off at the same time. Yaaaarrrggh!'

 

Game over.

 

I do wish to affirm what Dragon Tea is saying about training. Without my USMC training, I would not have a loaded gun in my home. They are that dangerous to the inexperienced user, and more likely to cause their own death than that of a hypothetical attacker.

 

This goes for swords, knives, sticks or even broken beer bottles, too. Fighting must always be the last choice, but when taken, it must be done in exactly the right way.

[Guest Zoom Rabbit]

Admiral, I like European weapons, too. Most of my swords are rapiers.

[Admiral Odin]

Zoom that comparison of Rapier and Katana isn't fair, because those swords were never ment to be fought against each other, and in the right hands anyswords could bet any other one regardless of type. Also my comment on Euro swords was mostly a joke. I have yet to buy a rapier though.

 

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"Dulce bellum inexpertis."

(Sweet is war to those who have never experinced it.) Roman Proverb

[JR2000Z]

I want a cool looking sword like the ones used in Final Fantasy.

[Guest Rogue 9]

I want some throwing knives and a Spec-6 Combat Knife

[Guest DragonT]

I've never had the opportunity to play with an Occidental sword. The good ones tend to cost a great deal and I don't have the funds... I do happen to own a cheap Katana and a Wakizashi. I prefer the Wakizashi. THe Katana is a bit too weildy for my tastes. The big swords tend to require too much commitment and commitment leaves a person vulnerable. It is the age old Martial Art argument of power/stability against speed/mobility. Each path has its virtues and its flaws. It all depends on what suits the individual. This conversation can be applied to Star Wars in a person's preference of fighter. Some like the slow craft that can give and take a lot of punishment. Others like the smaller more manueverable craft.

As I mentioned earlier, I am working on developing a martial art using the Bat'leth and Mek'leth. In doing research I attempted looking for books on sword usage. I was hoping to pick up one or two on how to use the European blades but all I managed to find were Japanese techniques. However, I think that all weapons are similar in use. There are a very finite number of ways that a sword can be swung. Basically an Arc of 9 movements.

1. Top to bottom.

2. high left to low right.

3. High right to low left.

4. Left to right.

5. Low left to high right.

6. Low right to high left.

7. Bottom to top.

8. Right to left.

9. Straight thrust.

These 9 provide the base. Then you build on that base by adding variety. Mostly by cutting with different portions of the sword and by holding the sword in different fashions and using different sized swords all together. An example of the first means of variety is as follows:

Thrust the sword into your opponent who counters by blocking your blade to your right. 'Collapse' (allowing the opponent to push your blade in the direction he wants to go as you close your body in tight with his... restricting his movement) and strike your opponent with the Pommel. Using the momentum of your opponents block, spin 360 degrees and cut low left to right.

 

I'm in my element here. This is what I find so fascinating about the martial arts as a whole. It has a lot of variety all based upon a few simple principles. Establish a good foundation and the whole world of combat is at your fingertips.

[Zargon]

a gladious(sp?) would be cool........

[Guest Zoom Rabbit]

'Gladius.'

 

Dragon Tea: you forgot stroke #10--throw the sword at your opponent.

 

Actually, that move is not recommended! As it was put in The Three Musketeers, it is a good way to disarm oneself.

[Admiral Odin]

If you want books on the use of Euro blades ask I know of a couple besides the ones I already mention.

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"Dulce bellum inexpertis."

(Sweet is war to those who have never experinced it.) Roman Proverb

 

[This message has been edited by Admiral (edited April 17, 2001).]

[Nute Gunray]

I prefer firearms.

[Guest Zoom Rabbit]

Am I the only one who thinks it's a bad idea for Nute to have access to firearms?

 

[Guest DragonT]

Firearms are interesting in their own way. I like going out to a range and firing off a couple hundred rounds. I keep guns in the house for that and for hunting... But I really don't mess with them too much. I prefer the utter skill needed to use my hands and feet or to weild a bladed weapon. Guns do require skill, but deal less in tactics and strategy. Using guns are like playing a game of checkers. Close fighting is like chess. It makes you think more.

 

Zoomie - nah, throwing the blade wouldn't be move number ten. It would be a variation because you could throw the blade in those 9 different directions. Number 10 would probably be thrusting the blade towards your own body. Which really wouldn't make much sense unless you were committing seppuku.

[Guest DragonT]

Firearms are interesting in their own way. I like going out to a range and firing off a couple hundred rounds. I keep guns in the house for that and for hunting... But I really don't mess with them too much. I prefer the utter skill needed to use my hands and feet or to weild a bladed weapon. Guns do require skill, but deal less in tactics and strategy. Using guns are like playing a game of checkers. Close fighting is like chess. It makes you think more.

 

Zoomie - nah, throwing the blade wouldn't be move number ten. It would be a variation because you could throw the blade in those 9 different directions. Number 10 would probably be thrusting the blade towards your own body. Which really wouldn't make much sense unless you were committing seppuku.

 

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leghlaHchu'be'chugh mIn lo'laHbe' taj jej

[Guest DragonT]

Oops, double post...Darn stupid computers. (of course I won't admit that it was really my fault.)

 

 

 

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leghlaHchu'be'chugh mIn lo'laHbe' taj jej

[Guest Zoom Rabbit]

*(Hacks computer in half.)*

 

That was number one, right?

[Flying Beastie]

Originally posted by Zoom Rabbit:

Am I the only one who thinks it's a bad idea for Nute to have access to firearms?

 

No, you're not. The thought of Nute armed just fills me with dread.

 

But seriously folks:

 

What'd be cool would be a two-handed sword made of titanium, or some other very light and very strong metal. Light enough to be wielded one-handed if necessary.

 

But I still want an amphistaff.

 

<small>Or even a chakram. . .</small>

 

As for duels with mismatched weapons, my first priority would be avoiding the weapon itself. I'd try to disarm/disable before killing to be sure that my foe doesn't kill me with his/her last action.

 

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"Do fish-people eat fish, or would that be like humans eating monkeys?"

"Humans do eat monkeys. In fact humans eat other humans. . . Y'know, as a species, we are really quite unpleasant."

[Guest Zoom Rabbit]

The problem with titanium in a sword blade is that it would be too brittle. This is the perennial conundrum that swordmakers find themselves working on: having a blade that is strong enough to withstand other swords, armor, etc., but is also pliable enough that it won't snap. If you take a real rapier and place the point on the ground, you can bend the blade just about in half without breaking it, then release it and the blade will spring back to its original shape. The steel used in such blades is the optimum alloy of iron and carbon, and is the truly challenging part of the swordmaker's art. If there is the slightest flaw, the blade will fail when subjected to the stress of combat.

 

In modern swords, it is widespread and common to commit a capital sin: stainless steel. Any sword made of this crap (yes, even 440 or 550) is too brittle to be used safely in a sword blade, and is intended for wall display. Now...there's nothing wrong with that--I have a couple of replicas at home that do just that: sit on the wall. If I were stupid enough to use one in combat, though, such a blade would quickly reveal itself by shattering.

 

There is a grade of steel that is readily available in the modern world perfectly suited to swordmaking: spring steel. The high carbon steel used in the leaf spring of a car's chassis is exactly the right stuff; amateurs have been known to produce fine sword blades by grinding down a leaf spring, but I didn't tell you...

 

Otherwise, A good sword is going to cost some money. My advice: look at antiques. In the old days, good swords were much more plentiful, and a lot of them are still around, in the corners of antique stores and pawn shops. I would dearly love to be Innror or Gold Leader long enough to prowl the shops in their neighborhoods.

[Innror]

I guess i could be able to find a sword somewhere here in Copenhagen