Motoko's Sword Contemplation Thread

[Ammaranth]

The idea for this thread comes from the traditional Japanese custom of the sword contemplation party. Obviously, this sounds like something Motoko would be interested in. Basically, a group of people would get together to examine swords, noting their construction, artistry, etc. If you think that's weird (which as a member of the Motoko Brigade, you probably don't ), they would also hold HEAD contemplation parties, for viewing severed heads after battle, to determine if they were actually taken in combat, or posthumously.

But nothing so gruesome for us. Here's the deal. Post a picture of your sword. Don't have a sword? No problem, post a picture of a sword you'd like to have. And to make things more interesting, give a few lines or so about why you like it -- the balance, shape, how it fits your fighting style, things like that.

I'll start things off:



This is an old WW II era blade I picked up some years ago. It was a GI bringback from the war. Alas, it is a machined piece, not hand forged. I can't afford antique hand forged blades on my current budget One thing I like about it, though, is that for being a factory piece, it handles surprisingly well. I find western blades more intuitive to use. One swings them, and they do their thing. Using a katana took a lot more practice for me, but once I got used to it, the balance and handling characteristics of this piece, again, for what it is, were very functional.

And on the subject of practice, if you want to go swinging your sword around, a few notes on safety, first. Check to make sure that the blade is secure in the handle, that it doesn't wobble, and any pins you can get to are solid and in good condition. Pick a safe location, preferably an open field, where if something does break and go flying off, or if you lose your grip, the blade isn't going to go flying into anyone or anything. If you have anyone with you, make sure they stay a safe distance away. Remember, no matter how careful you are, swords are dangerous. Its all fun until someone loses an eye -- then its hospitals and lawsuits, so be safe and live to fight another day!

Ammaranth

[Keiranto]

I want:



An ōdachi, possibly the craftsmenship of Kanetsune circa 1582 - 1602. Note the long handle and blade. Its size would have allowed it to easily slice through its target.

[Mr.Anderson]

I know I'm not a member but this is interesting..

And if that wasn't enough (me not being a member yet posting here) I don't have a picture of the sword I want.. I can however describe the master piece.

The thing is, I've had the one in my hand once. A hand made katana, made by real authentic japanese swordsmiths. Not only was it very nicely balanced and had a magnificant dragon decoration on the handle. The line where you see the two kinds of steel join was made as a flame. It was the best katana I ever saw. I mean I've seen one that was nicely made and such but to MAKE flames out of that line... That's really nifty and to produce a fine sword with it too...

*drool*

[Z]

(This is almost a carbon copy of my custom blades thread.. oh wellz. )

Heh, here's a blade I sketched out awhile back... see below for the exact specs.

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/...e+-in%3Ascraps

Plus, I'd have to craft it myself, since no self-respecting swordsmith could want to work with a blade as giant as this.

[Keiranto]

Originally Posted by Z741

Plus, I'd have to craft it myself, since no self-respecting swordsmith could want to work with a blade as giant as this.

*ahem*, did you see the blade in my thread?? thats a real blade from feudal japan, and its about 4-5 feet long at least!

[Z]

Originally Posted by Keiranto

*ahem*, did you see the blade in my thread?? thats a real blade from feudal japan, and its about 4-5 feet long at least!

Yeh, i know. That IS, and you got teh pic off of Wikipedia, no?

I was referring to MY blade.

[Ammaranth]

Z, I wasn't trying to copy your thread. Honest! I didn't realize there already was one. There are some historic giant choppers. The German grosse-messer comes to mind. It was actually wielded somewhat like katana, I think. I'll see if I can find a picture for you

Kei, the handle proportions are so big there, it's almost a huge nagamaki. You're right -- anything you hit with it would die. I wonder how difficult it would be to wield, though. Once you had slashed, the act of crossing your arms to turn the blade back the other way would be awkward. There are a lot of grip changes for weapons like naginata, though, that might be used with something like this. Any thoughts on technique?

Mr. Anderson, welcome, and feel free to post in this topic The temper line, or hamon in Japanese, was often a signature feature for different smiths and schools. You can actually find books that catalog different known patterns, and the rarer or more desirable ones can make a historic piece very valuable. My humble sword, being a factory piece, doesn't even have one Instead, it has a serial number. But I'll have to be content with it until I can afford a pricier one. That's one thing about collecting swords. It never ends. There's always another one you'd like to have.

Ammaranth

[Keiranto]

well, i am relatively used to fighting with big swords, the bokken i generally use is about 4 1/2 feet long, though with a shorter hand grip than that sword.

[Usagi Yojimbo]

I would like to use one of these yea as a defense yea as I'm not a type to be offensive yea

http://www.medieval-weaponry.co.uk/acatalog/HW2106.jpg

[Mr.Anderson]

My humble sword, being a factory piece, doesn't even have one Instead, it has a serial number.

Hey, I bet that serial number is quite rare

[Z]

Originally Posted by Ammaranth

Z, I wasn't trying to copy your thread. Honest! I didn't realize there already was one. There are some historic giant choppers. The German grosse-messer comes to mind. It was actually wielded somewhat like katana, I think. I'll see if I can find a picture for you

Nah, it's alright - the other one was getting old anyways.

Yeh, plus a few fictional ones. For instance, Cloud's buster sword.
Although, the way he handles it so smoothly.. frankly defies most laws of physics. @_@

Originally Posted by Ammaranth

Mr. Anderson, welcome, and feel free to post in this topic The temper line, or hamon in Japanese, was often a signature feature for different smiths and schools. You can actually find books that catalog different known patterns, and the rarer or more desirable ones can make a historic piece very valuable. My humble sword, being a factory piece, doesn't even have one Instead, it has a serial number. But I'll have to be content with it until I can afford a pricier one. That's one thing about collecting swords. It never ends. There's always another one you'd like to have.

Then there's those of us without money.
So I think up lots of 'em. ^_~

Originally Posted by Usagi Yojimbo

I would like to use one of these yea as a defense yea as I'm not a type to be offensive yea

http://www.medieval-weaponry.co.uk/acatalog/HW2106.jpg

Come on, Yojimbo! I'm sure there's a blade for you out there somewhere.

[Ammaranth]

Yojimbo, I'm curious. Were you being a tad sarcastic when you said you preferred defense, or is that really your fighting style? There's some debate as to which leaning is best in combat. Personally, I would say my own style could be described as cautious agression. To attack recklessly gets one into trouble sooner or later, but too defensive a posture leaves too much up to the opponent.

Four feet seems to be the practical limit for me, before things get a bit cumbersome. Unless one is going to be using half-swording manuvers, which is an entirely different story. Then there's the question of whether the conflict is one on one, or in an open battlefield situation. In war, you might have the benefit of support from other troops, leaving you free to hack away.

I'd like to think the serial number was rare I find the sheath very interesting. It's made of wood, but I know that many of the factory blades had matching metal saya. I wonder, was it made at a point in the war when materials were scarce, and so never had a metal scabbard, or did the original scabbard get lost somewhere in the confusion of war or the aftermath. Plain though it is, there is some history to that blade. I do know that metal saya were made with serial numbers that matched the sword, so if you're ever in the market for one, and the dealer tells you that different serial numbers don't matter, haggle! But I don't know if I personally will be in the market for another one anytime soon. Money does get to be a problem at some point, to put it mildly.

Ammaranth

[Usagi Yojimbo]

ahahaha I'm more of a decoy than an attacker yea so I usually take the defense while others attack yea and unfortunately I have found no sword for a good defense yea besides that one ahaha

[Z]

Originally Posted by Usagi Yojimbo

ahahaha I'm more of a decoy than an attacker yea so I usually take the defense while others attack yea and unfortunately I have found no sword for a good defense yea besides that one ahaha

I dunno, that little blade seems perfect for stabbing people, if you ask me. >_>

For defense, I'd suggest a broadsword - study enough to take hits, yet has that power if you should need it. ^_~

[Mr.Anderson]

Originally Posted by Z741

I dunno, that little blade seems perfect for stabbing people, if you ask me. >_>

Western swords where made as stabbing weapons, so that might explain it.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Mr.Anderson

Western swords where made as stabbing weapons, so that might explain it.

True, but the sword that Yojimbo posted looks almost like a slightly longer-than-usual dagger... O_o

[Usagi Yojimbo]

maybe I should change my style to total offense yea