MRPolo13
The Arbiter of the Gods
In this thread I, who has been recently taking great interest in Medieval weaponry, will run through sword types and weapons you may want to consider instead of using swords. In OOC fighting, do go for a sword or an axe, of course. However, an RP can be greatly enhanced by what weapons you use, and it forces the opposite side to approach differently.
As it stands, there is basically one type of sword used in RP. We all probably have a similar image in our heads of a bastard sword or long sword, depending on what you want to call it. Here is an average bastard sword;
As far as "knighting about" is concerned, it's perfect. It was often called "One and a half handed sword" as it had a long handle and blade, but at the same time was light enough to be used as both one handed and two handed sword. It was well balanced and in reality something that only stopped being used around the times of sabres. It also looks pretty awesome, let's be honest.
However, there are also a couple of other sword types you may want to consider
The Broadsword
These were some of the earliest types of swords known to Medieval Europe. Your classical Viking sword, two edged and pretty thick and stubby in appearance.
(Note; Vikings later on used "cutting swords", which looked similar but were slightly better, as in longer and, at least I presume so, made of steel)
The Falchion
To explain what a Falchion was you'd have to imagine combining a heavy Saracen scimitar with an European Broadsword. What you get sort of looks like this;
Believe it or not, it was the Crusaders' favourite. Nasty, heavy tip of the sword sliced through flesh and armour pretty easily. You also have to admit it has its own, rather creepy, charm.
The Greatsword/ two handed sword
I guess not much is needed to say for this. A great sword went up to 1 metre 20 in length (48 inch), and was a two handed sword that was really the favourite of many knights. Despite the appearance and design, it was possible to use great sword as one handed weapons (especially noticeable on horseback) but, though not all that heavy, they were pretty long and clumsy.
Slightly longer, because up to 140 cm, was the claymore, a Scottish version of your average great sword, which probably got most of its popularity from Lionheart... (and it's funny, because around William Wallace's times, the Claymore wasn't used.)
Then we had the Renaissance extremes which went up to 2 metres in length. The famous Bidenhander, for example.
Lastly, the scimitar
Scimitars really should get their own section but since they're not really going to be that popular, I guess this is enough. A curved sword that Falchion was loosely based off, favoured by the "Saracens" during and after the First Crusade (along with further Crusades I believe... Don't quote me though )
I have obviously put up few pictures. If you're not sure what a certain sword looks like, go ahead and google it. She's out there waiting for ya
As it stands, there is basically one type of sword used in RP. We all probably have a similar image in our heads of a bastard sword or long sword, depending on what you want to call it. Here is an average bastard sword;
As far as "knighting about" is concerned, it's perfect. It was often called "One and a half handed sword" as it had a long handle and blade, but at the same time was light enough to be used as both one handed and two handed sword. It was well balanced and in reality something that only stopped being used around the times of sabres. It also looks pretty awesome, let's be honest.
However, there are also a couple of other sword types you may want to consider
The Broadsword
These were some of the earliest types of swords known to Medieval Europe. Your classical Viking sword, two edged and pretty thick and stubby in appearance.
(Note; Vikings later on used "cutting swords", which looked similar but were slightly better, as in longer and, at least I presume so, made of steel)
The Falchion
To explain what a Falchion was you'd have to imagine combining a heavy Saracen scimitar with an European Broadsword. What you get sort of looks like this;
Believe it or not, it was the Crusaders' favourite. Nasty, heavy tip of the sword sliced through flesh and armour pretty easily. You also have to admit it has its own, rather creepy, charm.
The Greatsword/ two handed sword
I guess not much is needed to say for this. A great sword went up to 1 metre 20 in length (48 inch), and was a two handed sword that was really the favourite of many knights. Despite the appearance and design, it was possible to use great sword as one handed weapons (especially noticeable on horseback) but, though not all that heavy, they were pretty long and clumsy.
Slightly longer, because up to 140 cm, was the claymore, a Scottish version of your average great sword, which probably got most of its popularity from Lionheart... (and it's funny, because around William Wallace's times, the Claymore wasn't used.)
Then we had the Renaissance extremes which went up to 2 metres in length. The famous Bidenhander, for example.
Lastly, the scimitar
Scimitars really should get their own section but since they're not really going to be that popular, I guess this is enough. A curved sword that Falchion was loosely based off, favoured by the "Saracens" during and after the First Crusade (along with further Crusades I believe... Don't quote me though )
I have obviously put up few pictures. If you're not sure what a certain sword looks like, go ahead and google it. She's out there waiting for ya
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