Modern Swordsmithing

[Markdoc]

Re: Modern Swordsmithing

 

Now in fencing' date=' the parry [i']is[/i] a big thing, but the fencing weapons are in general primarily built for the thrust/stab. Parrys are usually done by forcing the other sword to slide along the side of your blade to the area you want it (i.e. not in you). A fencer trying to straight-up block a greatsword is going to get his rapier broken, just before he dies.

 

Right. This is largely what I meant about "projecting modern sensibilities back onto medieval swordsmanship", because modern fencing has sweet fanny adams to do with medieval sword styles. It's a sophisticated martial art all of its own, which has about as much to do with using a sword in battle as kendo does (which is to say: not even a teensy-weensy bit) But it *is* used as a springboard for a lot o action movie swordsmanship, which is where we get all this clash of blades stuff.

 

cheers, Mark

[ed_209a]

Re: Modern Swordsmithing

 

I would start with a ceramic edge. Google "Kyocera Ceramic Knives" for background info.

 

These things are incredibly sharp, and don't have to be sharpened under normal use.

 

Ceramic will always be more brittle than similar quality metal, but Kyocera's knives are tough enough that they don't have to be babied _for typical kitchen use_. That is still pretty tough, if not battle tough.

 

If money is no object, then use a carbon composite core for strength, with a high hardness steel casing to protect the whole thing from other swords.

 

The edge can be made in segments, so that when one chips, you replace that one segment, not the entire blade.

[BlackSword]

Re: Modern Swordsmithing

 

It's a mistake' date=' often made, to project modern techniques of swordsmanship and our own, modern idea of "martial arts" back onto an era when both concepts were unknown and swordfighting only part of a highly specialised skill aimed at combat in armor.[/quote']

Depends on the art, my instructor would say, "If you're using your weapon to block, you're not using your weapon to hit your opponent." Though I do agree that modern strip fencing places an emphasis on parrying since you can't just move a few inches to the left to avoid the train coming at you.

[Tech]

Re: Modern Swordsmithing

 

Depends on the art' date=' my instructor would say, "If you're using your weapon to block, you're not using your weapon to hit your opponent." Though I do agree that modern strip fencing places an emphasis on parrying since you can't just move a few inches to the left to avoid the train coming at you.[/quote']

 

I bet your instructor never saw a villain swinging a 500 lb sword either.

 

Assuming a superhero campaign, the material (whatever you choose) can hold up in a fight even if it was made of tinfoil. The moment you try to stick to realworld physics, then the weapon must likewise work in the same manner. All-in-all, go with what suits you best and don't worry about dulling, chipping, etc., occuring on the sword.

[Basil]

Re: Modern Swordsmithing

 

In the Cross-Time Engineer series of books there is a normal (looking) sword with a micron-thick diamond sheet through the center' date=' giving it superior cutting ability (the hero cuts the edge [i']off[/i] of knives to give a demonstration). No idea if it would work in real life, but it's good enough for fiction!

 

I'd do some research on metallic glass.

 

I would start with a ceramic edge. Google "Kyocera Ceramic Knives" for background info.

 

My mind's ear was just overwhelmed with the sound of shattering crystals.

 

[Vulcan]

Re: Modern Swordsmithing

 

My mind's ear was just overwhelmed with the sound of shattering crystals.

 

 

You don't play Champions much, do you?

 

If you really want to bash 'rubber science', go for the gusto. Consider the average (or slightly larger than average, it always seems to work out that way) sized guy who can lift a couple hundred TONS...