A real two-bladed sword!

[Dannyalcatraz]

Something like that would be used almost exactly like a quarterstaff- parry until you find an opening and then strike. I have done sparring with something along those lines, and it can be tough to defeat, but equally difficult to score a winning blow with.

BTW, I have seen double-pointed spears and daggers (as well as 3 pointed katars- think of a "T" with all points sharpened and a handle in the middle of the crossbar) in armories, so its possible that someone may have made a double sword out there.

The main problem would be that, since you DO have to use it like a quarterstaff, the blades would take a beating while you're parrying. If you used too high a carbon mix, your blade would be too brittle and shatter = dead wielder. If you used too soft a steel, it wouldn't hold an edge well, but you could definitely block with it, maybe get some stabs in.

Plus there is the problem of reach and the possibility of cutting yourself.

My guess, if such an archaic weapon actually exists, it was more likely to be of European design than Asian, based on the types of steel used by those artisans.

If I HAD to chose a double weapon in real life, I'd go staff or double spear before any other. They have better reach and as thrusting weapons, can be lightning quick.

 

[Krieg]

Why do you think they put warning labels on any kid's toy that shoots a plastic missile or something?

Because people are stupid.

And dragons couldn't actually fly. Medieval-esque technology could never really make use of adamantine. And how can skeletons see at all?

Quasqueton

True, but this thread isn't labeled "a real flying dragon" is it?

Something like that would be used almost exactly like a quarterstaff- parry until you find an opening and then strike. I have done sparring with something along those lines, and it can be tough to defeat, but equally difficult to score a winning blow with.

Except of course that there is no way you could possibly hold that thing at the quarter staff. Even if it were wielded at the half staff it is far too short to be of any actual value.

 

[aurance]

The main problem would be that, since you DO have to use it like a quarterstaff, the blades would take a beating while you're parrying. If you used too high a carbon mix, your blade would be too brittle and shatter = dead wielder. If you used too soft a steel, it wouldn't hold an edge well, but you could definitely block with it, maybe get some stabs in.

I was thinking the same thing. This would be a huge problem - that's why you parry with the flat of a sword blade, if you absolutely have to parry. You might have to constantly switch grips to deflect with the flat and strike with the edge, which would be clumsy. I can't think of any situation where a regular sword wouldn't be better off in both offense and defense.

You *could* make one of the blades thicker, for greater defensive power, but then you might as well just make it like the rest of the handle. Then you'd end up with a weapon like a nagamaki.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The one I used had an overall length of 5'. However, it only had about 2'-2'6" of blade length...which gave it about the reach of a shortsword. Parrying with the flat wasn't THAT tough, but you absolutely had to use 2 hands to control it. Otherwise, a solid parrying strike sends its weight completly awry and leaves you open for attack.

So, you're right, you're much better off with 2 shortswords or a longer double weapon...like the aforementioned staff or double spear.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

And dragons couldn't actually fly.

Unless, of course, magic exists in your FANTASY world.

Medieval-esque technology could never really make use of adamantine.

Unless, of course, magic exists in your FANTASY world.

And how can skeletons see at all?

Unless, of course, magic exists in your FANTASY world.

However, people have always been frighteningly efficient in making weapons. All weapon technology (even the humble pike) evolved to counter a threat. No-one make weapons because they make you look cool on the battlefield for the simple reason that they also end up making you look dead.

 

[Thanee]

Hey, even the most innocuous of toys can kill. Why do you think they put warning labels on any kid's toy that shoots a plastic missile or something?

So they don't get sued. Or do you really think they do this to actually warn someone?

Bye
Thanee

 

[rbingham2000]

A twin-bladed sword would mainly be used like a European quarterstaff, with some Asian stuff thrown in for good measure, and it would hardly be the kind of flashy stuff you'd see in Star Wars. I can see a lot of feints being used with one end of the weapon in order to open up an opponent to a vicious attack with the other end, and because these are sword blades and razor-sharp, even one good hit with either blade can kill you. Stuff like:

Twin-bladed sword wielder moves in for a downward stroke.

Staff wielder raises the staff up high to block.

Twin-bladed sword wielder reverses direction in mid-swing and guts the staff-wielder with the other end of the weapon.

I can see a rogue in particular being a nasty customer with this weapon, since feints leave you flat-footed and open you up to the dreaded sneak attack. Needless to say, a lot of these fights would no doubt be short and very ugly. I would mainly treat this weapon as a dueling weapon, as regular weapons are much better in a serious battle situation.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I can see a blade dancer/singer using one.

 

[herald]

I was thinking the same thing. This would be a huge problem - that's why you parry with the flat of a sword blade, if you absolutely have to parry. You might have to constantly switch grips to deflect with the flat and strike with the edge, which would be clumsy. I can't think of any situation where a regular sword wouldn't be better off in both offense and defense.

You *could* make one of the blades thicker, for greater defensive power, but then you might as well just make it like the rest of the handle. Then you'd end up with a weapon like a nagamaki.

You NEVER, EVER, parry with the flat of the blade. That's is weakest point. Chances are that you'll snap the blade of you do. And I've personally seen it happen more times that I'd like to remember in Stage combat shows that i have been in.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

That thing is 34 inches long. That's WAY to short, IMO, to be an effective two-handed weapon... I could perhaps see someone dual-wielding these things, but not wielding one two-handed...

AR