swords?

[Dogbrain]

The secret of sword work is...

...to poke holes in him while keeping him from poking holes in you.

You would be absolutely astonished at how many sport fencers (including SCA people) have not the faintest glimmer of that fundamental concept.

 

[Drifter Bob]

Stainless steel does resist oxidation, but contact with sodium chloride, sulfides or previously odidized metal can induce corrosion.

Yeah, I think this is true, and probably the source of the confusion. Stainless steel corrodes, technically, I'm not sure if it's the same thing as the way iron or carbon steel rusts.

DB

 

[Driddle]

... With the orthopedic grip, you lose everything when you loosen up and try to yield. ...

A valid perspective throughout your post. But I clipped this comment specifically because, well, I do have a devestating yielding parry-riposte. And other comments about versatility? ... (shrug) It's all in the training.

I find the french grip somewhat lacking.

 

[reanjr]

Another matter: Don't touch the blade of a real sword. You'll see it rust pretty fast and you'll have a nice rusty fingerprint on the metal.

So if someone gives you a "real" sword and tells you to hold it at the blade, forget it. It's a piece of stainless steel.

Then why are there entire books written by German swordmasters dedicated to fighting while holding the blade? True, they weren't stainless steel, but if properly maintained a sword would have no problems with someone touching the blade, dropping it in water, fighting in the rain, etc.

 

[reanjr]

As a sports epeeist, I'm naturally attracted to finesse-focused, rapier-wielding PC concepts. I have the opportunity to weigh the heft of various swords on sale at the club (a side business; they're mostly for show). And from my limited, practical point of view regarding such long, thin, pointy blades, I can't help but fall in love with those swords that have a balance point nearest the guard.

I also imagine my main duelist character has developed his own pre-modern form of the "orthopedic" hilt, or so-called pistol grip, which is used very often in sport fencing. But I lack sufficient knowledge in swordmaking history to know whether such constructions were even considered in the way-back. Anyone know?

I've not heard of one. I doubt it, though. Epees are much lighter than any real sword. The quick flicks necessary to wield it would get to be tough if your hand was already in its resting position. With a regular hilt, gravity helps downward motion, while you muscles are great at moving your hand upward into its rest position, but are not so great at tilting your wrist farther up than resting. I don't have any real knowledge of sword-use, though. I'm basing this on my knowledge of physiology and physics. I may be missing something.

 

[reanjr]

Antique swords aren't made of stainless steel. And as for Mystery Man's (and now Drifter Bob's) claim that stainless steel does rust, frankly, you're just two guys on the Internet. I'd give the following article from Scientific American a lot more credibility when they say that stainless steel, for all intents and purposes, does not rust.

I think the confusion is due to the fact that alot (perhaps most) of stainless steel things are only coated for protection. Once a nick gets on it, it starts rusting from underneath the coating and the stainless will flake off.

 

[reanjr]

another quick question concerning the crafting of swords---In general (no particular sword), what is the usual number of folds used when creating a sword? In D&D, a dm once sent on a quest to recover a sword that was extremely strong do to it being created with 1000 folds. I was just curious. Thanks!

Japanese steel is the only steel that was folded anywhere near so often due to its more quality. Every fold gets out impurities, but it's a case of diminishing returns. Unless you've got really crappy materials to start with (like the Japanese), it's not worth it after ...what ...a dozen I think? Just treat my post as qualitative, not quantitative.

 

[reanjr]

Guffaw! Ok buddy, I guess you put me in MY place. Go ahead and put your finger prints all over that wall hanger, maybe you can teach me a lesson!

DB

As someone already stated, wallhangers are rearely made of solid stainless steel. Waaay too expensive.

 

[Drifter Bob]

Then why are there entire books written by German swordmasters dedicated to fighting while holding the blade? True, they weren't stainless steel, but if properly maintained a sword would have no problems with someone touching the blade, dropping it in water, fighting in the rain, etc.

Because A) you were often wearing gloves or gauntlets while halfswording, and B) a blade won't collapse into rust powder the second you touch it, but you do have to wipe off fingerprints immediately and keep the thing oiled.
C) relax!

DB

 

[Drifter Bob]

As someone already stated, wallhangers are rearely made of solid stainless steel. Waaay too expensive.

Huh?

DB