Song of Blades

Taught By: [Lady of Lore], [Son Goku], & [Indelible]

This is a class where Son Goku and I can teach some of the basic concepts of sword fighting and about swords. I cover mainly scimitars (particularly dual wielding), knives, great swords, long swords, bastard sword, spadroon, claymore, jian, kris, etc. There are explinations of each sword and how it is used to fight with, strengths and weaknesses are also analysed a bit. These are intended to help people especially with writing about such topics as I am not familiar with the techniques other than what I have read about or have an idea of as someone logically and, possibly ameturishly, view some of these weapons as. If you'd like to add to the info, I'd be glad to have your insight. We will also be happy to answer any questions or discuss ideas you may have.




Students:
1. [Mataza_71191]
2. [BinaryPhoenix]
3. [Changer]
4. [Rosette]




Brief Outline:

1. One handed weapons
2. Two handed weapons
3. Asian weapons
4. Dual wielding
5. Other

One handed Weapons

A Donated image from [WolfAngel]
1. scimitars-
there are two types of these that I know of, the wide blade and the thin blade. The larger is laso known as a kilij whereas the smaller is a shamishir. Pictured here,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Scimitar_large.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Scimitar_thin.png
There is no historic weapon called a scimitar as the name originated form the Arabic shamishir but now people are most familiar with the scimitar. The wider blade is employed for a cutting strike as the tapering and arcing of the blade increases this power. The hooked end is to cause greater damage with cleaving. The smaller blade is worn horizontally with the tip pointing up and employed in slashing unarmored enemies, the point can be used for thrusting but the curve of the blade makes this difficult to control.

2. knives-
those tiny to almost short sword sized blades that are made fashionable by both bad guys and good guys. Kinves come in all shapes as well as sizes and vary in both structure and forging methods from culture to culture. Yet these bladed weapons are amoung the most versatile of the family, Used as tools, a missle weapon, close range, pinning, cutting, thrusting, nicking, carving... etc. Two edged knives are very menuverable depending on how long they are. The user must be able to find the length and thickness that suits his or her fighting style. Ex. a longer blade for better reach but less menuverability, or a shorter blade for quick strikes with less reach. Kinves are almost a must have for the wandering adventurer. After all, how cool would Crocodile Dundee be without his knife?

3. long swords-
this catagory basically fits nost types of sword that are, obviously long and not too thick. Usually the most classic of swords. Most popular in fantasy novels, the long sword is on of the most broad classes. Long swords generally go from between two and a half feet to around three and a half. Any longer and the blade becomes harder to wield and is slower. The different thicknesses of the blades also effects fighting in both style and tecnique. A thicker blade will be used often by a stronger and crash and bash sort of character while a thin lithe blade suits those who fight with fluidity and speed. Some attatchments are also made to swords such as elaborate hooks or curves in the blade or hilt for obvoius reasons.

4. spadroon-
the lovely quick pace Spanish sword those who play Soul Caliber are familiar with. It is the foundation of Raphael's qick and grating cheapness. Thin and lithe, the blade isn't very good for slashing or brute force but it can pierce like and arrow and do much more damage. 

5. kris-
an elongated dagger, usually favored be assasin types, and are often highly decorated or forged in an artful manner. Curved blades are favorites, especially by evil characters.

6. Rapier
With a rapier the wit and skill of the wielder exibited. Greater skill reflects fewer stroakes to defeat an opponent.
The rapier (sometimes referred to as the 'smallsword')is significantly more refined than the gladius. It is a European sword with an extremely slender blade (less than 1.18 inches (3 cm) wide!) that nonetheless extends to a length of around 36 in. (90 cm). The famed 'dueling sword' was designed for thrusting but was unsuitable for chaotic battles. The rapier was a personal defense weapon, designed in a time period when handguns hadn't yet become practical. Dueling swords such as the rapier require a more graceful touch and skilled hand to use effectively and wouldn't be practical for mass combat.  Its length allows for mid-range combat outside of the short sword's effective range, and its lightweight design allows for quicker thrusts than the shortsword. Light and easy to carry, it is a choice weapon for noble-types looking to protect themselves. Its weaknesses are, of course, utter uselessness against heavily armored enemies, and its requirement of a greater knowledge of swordplay than the simplistic shortsword.

Gladius
The Roman Legionnaires swords that are about twenty-four inches (61 cm) in length, and are used mostly for stabbing. The gladius designed to be comfortably used with one hand against unarmored to lightly armored foes, sometimes in conjunction with a shield. There was little finesse involved in combat with a gladius, the primary idea being to simply thrust the blade into the foe's unarmored belly area. Later designs allowed for slashing attacks as well, but thrusting remained the most functional use. As a shortsword, its strengths laid in its light weight, relative ease of use, and relatively simple design.

Two handed Weapons

1. great swords-
the favorite of heavy hitters such as barbarians, warriors, and other muscle powerful characters. Great swords are usually double-sided and have heavily deacortaed pommels. Though difficult to wield it is also difficult to block due to its sheer weight and size. If you ancounter someone weilding one of these dodging is probably the better defence.
2. claymore

Asian Weapons

1. jian
2. shuriken-
the ninja throwing stars that come in various forms and decorative styles. They are made from all sorts of metals and even certain ones have been made fom wood. Yuffie from Final Fantasy 7 has forever immortalised the giant shuriken. ^^
3. dai katana
A dai katana is the greatest of katanas and is considered to reflest the heart and soul of the wielder.

Other

There are of course, exceptions to every theory. For example a small character who can wield a long sword more like a staff and make it effective in both close range and distance fighting.

In regards to shortswords: Shortswords like the Gladius are practical, and to the travelling adventurer type, probably the best choice of swords to take depending on the level of training that person has.

Regarding Dualing Swords: The strengths of dueling swords lie in... well... bravado. Flashiness, finesse... these were more or less the strongest points of the weapon.


References:

Moorn's Technical Details from writersco

A good article talking about the katana and how it was the ninja and samuria's weapon. http://www.thearma.org/essays/knightvs.htm




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