crossing swords
from our kill bill discussions. about whether western swords were meant for cutting or breaking bones.
the answer seems to be resoundedly, as I suspected, cutting and thrusting (something a curved sword is not really very good for, but is needed to attack an armored foe). the other thing I would mention is that westerners had plenty of weapons that WERE for breaking bones -- maces, flails, and all manner of staffs.
granted most of the source material is from a couple journals devoted to western swordsmanship, so maybe not entirely the most unbiased source, but there did not seem to be much else. anyway, i found it fascinating stuff, and made me want to go sign up for fencing classes.
good general description of various types of swords
there is no best sword
samurai versus knight
japanese swords -- cutting ability curved swords cut better, have a longer cutting blade. straight swords are better for thrusting. curved swords are also stronger, and bend easier (rather than break)
more stuff about western steel as compared to japanese swords
western swords -- some evidence to the effect that western swordsmenship was about "thrust and cut"
cut and thrust of blade combat
leg wounds
reconstructing ancient martial arts
medieval italian fencing
western curved swords -- the cavalry sabre
two handed swords
how western swords evolved into the epee that you see today which emphasizes the point, not the blade (it was quicker)
the answer seems to be resoundedly, as I suspected, cutting and thrusting (something a curved sword is not really very good for, but is needed to attack an armored foe). the other thing I would mention is that westerners had plenty of weapons that WERE for breaking bones -- maces, flails, and all manner of staffs.
granted most of the source material is from a couple journals devoted to western swordsmanship, so maybe not entirely the most unbiased source, but there did not seem to be much else. anyway, i found it fascinating stuff, and made me want to go sign up for fencing classes.
good general description of various types of swords
there is no best sword
samurai versus knight
japanese swords -- cutting ability curved swords cut better, have a longer cutting blade. straight swords are better for thrusting. curved swords are also stronger, and bend easier (rather than break)
more stuff about western steel as compared to japanese swords
western swords -- some evidence to the effect that western swordsmenship was about "thrust and cut"
cut and thrust of blade combat
leg wounds
reconstructing ancient martial arts
medieval italian fencing
western curved swords -- the cavalry sabre
two handed swords
how western swords evolved into the epee that you see today which emphasizes the point, not the blade (it was quicker)
