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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Drifter Bob" data-source="post: 1627713" data-attributes="member: 17723">This was a pretty good overview of the Kataana, but while we were at it, on the slim chance that anyone might be curious, it could be worth noting that the actual Bastard Sword (i.e. the weapon which during the period of time it was actually in use, was referred to as a Bastard Sword by the people who used it) was basically a lighter, pointier version of the Longsword, which emphasized thrusting a bit over cutting (basically to deal with heavy armor).  The Bastard Sword had a stiff, sharply tapering blade with a hexagonal or diamond cross section with chisel like edges which could cope with metal armor without breaking.  Bastard swords also often featured elaborate guards including such features as side rings, finger rings.In DnD, where only one type of attack seems to be allowed, a Bastard Sword should probably be considered a thrusting weapon, incidentally, though in reality it was used for both thrusting and cutting.  Oakeshotte types XVa and XVIa are typical bastard swords.Some bastard swords:A famous bastard sword with one finger ring, from the collection at Alexandria<a href="http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/e/deodand23/historical_ringsw.jpg" target="_blank">http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/e/deodand23/historical_ringsw.jpg</a>Some surviving bastard swords<a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/photo/1020.html" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/photo/1020.html</a><a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_3Z2PB_3z2pb-A.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_3Z2PB_3z2pb-A.jpg</a><a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_bastard.bmp" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_bastard.bmp</a><a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_C.G.716a.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_C.G.716a.jpg</a><a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_ew12-7.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_ew12-7.jpg</a><a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_ew12-1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_ew12-1.jpg</a>Note the hexagonal blade cross sectoin on this particularly ornate blade<a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_16320_a.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_16320_a.jpg</a><a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_16320_b.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_16320_b.jpg</a>The simpler Italian Spadona are considered archetypes of the Bastard Sword<a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/userpics/10003/normal_Italian%20Spadona%20in%20Collezione%20Marzoli%2C%20Brescia%201.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/userpics/10003/normal_Italian Spadona in Collezione Marzoli, Brescia 1.jpg</a>I would also be remiss if I didn't point out that the term Longsword, (in the late medieval period when such weapons were used), referred to that hand-and-a-half weapon which is basically what is called a bastard sword in rpg's.  Confused?  Both Greatswords and Bastard swords were considered sub-variants of the longsword.  A longsword was a hand and a half weapon, but basically designed for two handed use.  Surviving examples from the 15th century and earlier vary in overall length from as little as 42" to as long as 56", with blade lengths from 30" to 39".  The average longsword was about 50" or just over four feet long.Oakeshott types XIIa and XVIIIb are typical longswords.Here is a modern reproduction of an English Longsword<a href="http://www.armor.com/2000/catalog/gallery/images/194gall3.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.armor.com/2000/catalog/gallery/images/194gall3.jpg</a>And here are some surviving originals<a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_13996_a.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/aa_antique/normal_13996_a.jpg</a><a href="http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/userpics/normal_83178.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.myarmoury.com/albums/albums/userpics/normal_83178.jpg</a>A Greatsword was basically the same weapon more optimized for cutting over thrusting, with a flatter blade cross section, and a wider, less tapering blade, often ending in a rounded or spatulate point.Oakeshotte types XIIIa and XX are typical greatswords.The weapon called a Longsword in most every RPG (in emulation of the original research done by EGG or whoever) is more accurately called an Arming Sword.The Edward III sword is probably the archetypal arming sword:<a href="http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/e/deodand23/steel/arming.jpg" target="_blank">http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/e/deodand23/steel/arming.jpg</a>You can read about Oakeshottes typology here:<a href="http://www.algonet.se/~enda/oakeshott_eng.htm" target="_blank">http://www.algonet.se/~enda/oakeshott_eng.htm</a>It should also be noted that not only was the longsword longer and more versatile than the Katana in that it could thrust as well as cut, being a dual edged weapon it could also make dangerous false edge cuts, which could be executed in rapid series of alternating 'twitch' cuts which were taught by the German longsword masters such as Liechtenaur, Meyer and others.  This made the weapon effectively much faster in combat.DB</blockquote>

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