What type of sword do you like best?

[Ransom]

I, too, have a Windlass steelcraft cutlass of which I am inordinately fond.

[Quartermaster James]

Which sword do I like best?

The one I pull from my enemy's lifeless body, of course!

These days I most often carry a German hunting sword, sporting a 25 inch double edged blade. Tis nimble and effective, and pairs nicely with a large dagger in my off-hand.

[Black Syren]

A strong one..that will not break nor surrender!

[Ransom]

Oh, and I really like those cute little plastic swords that are skewered through a nice juicy olive, and plunked into a gin martini.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist LOL )

[Jib]

Any stage combatants among the crew posting here? Have you a fav for stage?

[Hawkyns]

Cutlass or hanger for me, or an Irish Hilt broadsword (forerunner of the scots basket hilt). I have an original 18th c blade that I relihilted to a shell guard for my standard carry piece, and I was fortunate to find an almost identical piece from Darkwood that was made as a fighting blunt. I also have an Irish Hilt blunt from Armourclass that serves me well for re-enactment fighting. I studied Silver as a fighting style, so my preference is always something that I can get in close with, use edge rather than point, and use pommel and guard as easily as blade.

Hawkyns

[Monterey Jack]

Rather fond o' cutlasses m'self! Of course I use the hilt and pommel almost as much as I use the blade! I prefer the short blade, since I basically treat it as a really long knife. It lets you get in close and do some serious damage in bouting. Plus its fun to go against the rapier handlers and watch their eye bug out once ye get inside their reach! LOL

MJ

www.HistoricalMaritimeCombat.com

[Monterey Jack]

Any stage combatants among the crew posting here? Have you a fav for stage?

Aye! I've performed and taught stage combat for 18 years..well...19 now....LOL!

What I find most rewarding though is to work period techniques to make them safe for stage. Keep it believable, sez I!

M-Jack

www.HistoricalMaritimeCombat.com

www.Artofcombat.org

[Monterey Jack]

What! No love for the small sword?

Not personally, but "Doc " Lennox with the HMCA teaches some Officers smallsword work that is virtually unstoppable in many instances. Its a single move when faced with an aggressive opponent in a boarding action and is seriously sweet.

M-Jack

www.HistoricalMaritimeCombat.com

[Monterey Jack]

Ugly, sharp and pointy, stained with no polish, but no rust. The uglier the better. Shiny things draw attention to ya when ya don't need or want it drawn in my experience.

Bo

Bo! Good to read from ye! I've been outta touch for a bit but hope to be around more often now that me and me mate parted ways.....

[MadL]

Thar be but only one sword be worth carry'n; A Sharp One!

Ye can have yer cutlass, ye can have yer sabre, ye can have yer hanger, ye can have yer rape her, 'uh rapier, 'n yer dagger - but if naught be Sharp then ye may as well carry a stick!

[Capt. Sterling]

My original smallsword, if I get buried it will be with that

[Stynky Tudor]

Broadsword - always good for cleaving red meats and bone.

Cutlass - for more general hack, slash sort of stuff and all around cutting of fruits and vegetables. Not so good for bread though, unless the bread is a bit stale, otherwise it just tends to roll and mash it all over the place.

Rapiers – are great at camp-outs for cooking shish kabobs, tofu pups and marshmallows around the campfire.

[MadL]

tofu pups eh?

I always wonder'd what that stuff was made from.

::...hmmm, th' neighbors have new puppies::

[theM.A.dDogge]

Any stage combatants among the crew posting here? Have you a fav for stage?

starfire swords...and paul chen.....have had the best luck with them....so far.

[michaelsbagley]

Any stage combatants among the crew posting here? Have you a fav for stage?

starfire swords...and paul chen.....have had the best luck with them....so far.

I'll agree with the recomendation for Paul Chen. Starfires are a bit heavy (for my taste), and a user of heavier weapons require a crapload more training and practice before they are "safe" (again my opinion).

Comparable in weight to the Paul Chens, but a million miles better in quality is "Armour Class" based in England (or is it Scotland?)... But be forewared, there tends to be anywhere from a 6 to 9 month waiting list with Armour Class.

For lighter weapons, I strongly recommend SCA (or SCA style) fencing blades. There are a good handful of manufacturers spread out over the continental USA. They are lighter (and hence in my opinion safer for beginners), but they are designed to take regular stress (against similar weighted weapons). They look better than normal fencing weapons, because they actually have some blade mass (unlike the car attenaes on handles that sports fencing weapons are). In fact my two blades of this nature are my favourite... They are light enough to do some great and quick stage combat, and light enough that you can swing them for hours without getting tired, but still substantial enough to look reasonably close to actual period weapons. I had my blades custom made at 28 and 26 inch lengths to better simulate period hangers, and had a custom shell guard to finish the GAoP look (see image below).

Edited December 29, 2008 by michaelsbagley

[theM.A.dDogge]

Any stage combatants among the crew posting here? Have you a fav for stage?

starfire swords...and paul chen.....have had the best luck with them....so far.

I'll agree with the recomendation for Paul Chen. Starfires are a bit heavy (for my taste), and a user of heavier weapons require a crapload more training and practice before they are "safe" (again my opinion).

Comparable in weight to the Paul Chens, but a million miles better in quality is "Armour Class" based in England (or is it Scotland?)... But be forewared, there tends to be anywhere from a 6 to 9 month waiting list with Armour Class.

For lighter weapons, I strongly recommend SCA (or SCA style) fencing blades. There are a good handful of manufacturers spread out over the continental USA. They are lighter (and hence in my opinion safer for beginners), but they are designed to take regular stress (against similar weighted weapons). They look better than normal fencing weapons, because they actually have some blade mass (unlike the car attenaes on handles that sports fencing weapons are). In fact my two blades of this nature are my favourite... They are light enough to do some great and quick stage combat, and light enough that you can swing them for hours without getting tired, but still substantial enough to look reasonably close to actual period weapons. I had my blades custom made at 28 and 26 inch lengths to better simulate period hangers, and had a custom shell guard to finish the GAoP look (see image below).

dang it...i keep meaning to look at your blades...and keep fergittin...most be the green fairy...

[michaelsbagley]

For lighter weapons, I strongly recommend SCA (or SCA style) fencing blades. There are a good handful of manufacturers spread out over the continental USA. They are lighter (and hence in my opinion safer for beginners), but they are designed to take regular stress (against similar weighted weapons). They look better than normal fencing weapons, because they actually have some blade mass (unlike the car attenaes on handles that sports fencing weapons are). In fact my two blades of this nature are my favourite... They are light enough to do some great and quick stage combat, and light enough that you can swing them for hours without getting tired, but still substantial enough to look reasonably close to actual period weapons. I had my blades custom made at 28 and 26 inch lengths to better simulate period hangers, and had a custom shell guard to finish the GAoP look (see image below).

dang it...i keep meaning to look at your blades...and keep fergittin...most be the green fairy...

I thought you had a good look at it back at Beaufort?.... Oh wait, maybe it was Rats... Either way, I'll bring it with me next time we see you (maybe to return your weapons bag?) or probably no later than Reenactor Fest.

The main problem with this option, is SCA (and SCA style makers, tend to be a pain in the butt about making custom stuff. Either they want a King's ransom for the work (and I'm not saying it's not worth it) or their waiting lists are insanely long, or both... The one guy I know who's waiting list isn't long has been making movements to get out of the business (or perhaps only take a very long hatus), which leaves my blade and it's mate (which Nick bought) as the only two that really match up... Because they are a bit lighter than the Chen's/Armour Classes, and a hair heavier than most standard SCA weapons.... (They were designed for stage combat and not SCA fencing and as such are technically too heavy to be considered SCA fencing blades).

Edited December 29, 2008 by michaelsbagley

[JohnnyTarr]

I have been thinking about getting a scimitar. I just like the look of them. Maybe I will get a rapier so I can compete with Michaelsbagley.

[Bilgewater Browne]

At the moment my saber is my favorite toy, but I'm in the market for an English short sword... if I ever have enough disposable income to buy one.

[blackjohn]

Comparable in weight to the Paul Chens, but a million miles better in quality is "Armour Class" based in England (or is it Scotland?)... But be forewared, there tends to be anywhere from a 6 to 9 month waiting list with Armour Class.

Quoted for truth. Not all swords are created equal. Saw a Paul Chen get snapped by an Armour Class sword a couple years ago. Sold my Paul Chen not too long thereafter.

[Joe Pyrat]

I've gone through a few swords so far and none of them really hit the mark until I got my Loyalist Arms shell guard cutlass. This is the one for me mateys!!!

Apologies for the not very good photo.

[John Maddox Roberts]

My Loyalist cutlass for a crowded scrimmage on a heaving deck littered with fallen timber, rope and loose cannonballs, My smallsword from Godwin for polite duelling, my old Del Tin swept-hilt rapier for sheer swagger, a Bowie for the real down-and-dirty. I've commissioned a sword of my design named Three Moons from John Lundemo, one of the best swordsmiths working today. It's sort of a two-handed scimitar, a deluxe item that's going to cost a good chunk of my income for some time to come. When that's paid off, I'm commissioning a custom cutlass from John. It will be the ultimate pirate chief's cutlass, elegant and deadly at the same time. I love the sharp and pointies.

[Elena]

Which sword do I like best?

The one I pull from my enemy's lifeless body, of course!

I think my characters would give the same answer!

This is the Toledo sword my pirate captain and my mercenary prefer:

But as they are one from Veracruz and one from Nueva Valencia (now Venezuela) they prefer for daily fights this machete (no cutlass, but of a similar length)

This is the sidesword (spada di latto) that Sword Angel prefers (of course, he is a Venetian citizen).

and this is the hanger my Navy character uses:

I hope you like them....

[oderlesseye]

Eye really like the Sword Eye purchased from Baltimore Sword and knife... It has held up well against broad swords to Katanas...It even bent the hell up outta one katana during a recent shoot on the set of "Treachery and a Dead mans Promise" Aye the sound of steal never been so sweet!