- Joined
- Jan 2, 2014
- Messages
- 342
I've been thinking about this topic for awhile. I some times like to geek out on the youtube channels the include historical marshal weapons. Skallagrim, scholagladiatoria, so forth. What I enjoy about these channels is that they highlight and discuss what actual martial arts are all about throughout the ages. In movies, tv, and video games, martial arts are designed to appear emotional and bombastic. Things are over the top for the sake of drama, which makes total and complete sense. We all love good action.
I also love realism as well, especially when it comes to tools, personal protection, and ease of use. Thought there are many depictions of swords of legends, whether long swords, katanas, so forth, "Weapons to surpass all weapons," the reality is that swords continued to evolve throughout the centuries. From long swords, to rapiers, to sabers they've kept advancing... up to about the 1910 - 1920. Now, the Japanese did use swords in WWII but this were not a lot different in design from previous Katana's. So what I'm saying is, I feel that there really hasn't been a new development in sword designs with a specific function in mind in for awhile. There are some tactical swords out there but I feel like they're more cool versions of old swords rather than swords with function in mind. These conversations always devolve to, "well, what's your purpose for a sword? Not all swords fit every role." This is true, another common statement in these discussions is, "There aren't really any new innovations to swords that haven't been done in the past 4,000 years." Also true, but there have been innovations to machining and material technology, light weight and impact resistant items.
It's 7/14/2014 as I write this. This is what I feel a modern sword should take into account:
1. Most people do not wear armor any more. The sword would have to be capable of penetrating civilian clothing
2. I feel some kind of knuckle guard would be essential.
3. Possibility for 1 or 2 hands
4. Solid shock absorption and grip - g10 or possibly micarta.
5. Some sort of quick release sheath
6. Affordable
7. 5160 spring steel or some form of spring steel.
I'm thinking of what I would consider to be the sword equivalent of a glock 21 or cold steel recon 1. A solid, well built, reliable sword. Where if you knew almost nothing about swords, you would have at least heard of it, (like glock or recon). Effective design would be the primary focus and it could be marketed as the first truly modern sword design.
I feel that Cold Steel should invent said sword. They unabashedly create marshal weapons and their eye for design and function is really quite good. They make a lot of replica's already so why not introduce a new sword for the markets. Their replica's have a solid reputation but also use fairly traditional materials (wood and wrapped wood).
I want to open this up to the community. What features do you think a truly modern sword would sport? Also, I've done a lot of looking on the interwebs for such a sword and haven't found anything I would place in this category, but if you have, feel free to post pictures of these pieces.
I also love realism as well, especially when it comes to tools, personal protection, and ease of use. Thought there are many depictions of swords of legends, whether long swords, katanas, so forth, "Weapons to surpass all weapons," the reality is that swords continued to evolve throughout the centuries. From long swords, to rapiers, to sabers they've kept advancing... up to about the 1910 - 1920. Now, the Japanese did use swords in WWII but this were not a lot different in design from previous Katana's. So what I'm saying is, I feel that there really hasn't been a new development in sword designs with a specific function in mind in for awhile. There are some tactical swords out there but I feel like they're more cool versions of old swords rather than swords with function in mind. These conversations always devolve to, "well, what's your purpose for a sword? Not all swords fit every role." This is true, another common statement in these discussions is, "There aren't really any new innovations to swords that haven't been done in the past 4,000 years." Also true, but there have been innovations to machining and material technology, light weight and impact resistant items.
It's 7/14/2014 as I write this. This is what I feel a modern sword should take into account:
1. Most people do not wear armor any more. The sword would have to be capable of penetrating civilian clothing
2. I feel some kind of knuckle guard would be essential.
3. Possibility for 1 or 2 hands
4. Solid shock absorption and grip - g10 or possibly micarta.
5. Some sort of quick release sheath
6. Affordable
7. 5160 spring steel or some form of spring steel.
I'm thinking of what I would consider to be the sword equivalent of a glock 21 or cold steel recon 1. A solid, well built, reliable sword. Where if you knew almost nothing about swords, you would have at least heard of it, (like glock or recon). Effective design would be the primary focus and it could be marketed as the first truly modern sword design.
I feel that Cold Steel should invent said sword. They unabashedly create marshal weapons and their eye for design and function is really quite good. They make a lot of replica's already so why not introduce a new sword for the markets. Their replica's have a solid reputation but also use fairly traditional materials (wood and wrapped wood).
I want to open this up to the community. What features do you think a truly modern sword would sport? Also, I've done a lot of looking on the interwebs for such a sword and haven't found anything I would place in this category, but if you have, feel free to post pictures of these pieces.
