The Way of Carrying a Sword

[golok]

In most countries in ancient times when swords were still very much part of a warrior's attire, swords were generally hung at the waist.

We assume it is the most practical position for the sword to be. One reason, I reckon, is when the sword is drawn from waist level, its outward and upward movement is designed to be a killing movement.

Over in the East, especially in China, swords are generally carried in the hands or slung across the shoulder diagonally at the back of the body. Again, the style is for the blade to be drawn quickly across one's head and the downward movement was the killing blow.

Besides these two ways of carrying a sword, I can't think of any other way in which a sword can be carried on one's body.

Is there any other way?

 

[Chimpy Nuts]

Originally posted by golok


Besides these two ways of carrying a sword, I can't think of any other way in which a sword can be carried on one's body.

Is there any other way?

I think there were flexible swords folded around the waist (like a belt) in China in the early 1900s. More whips than swords though. Not sure.

 

[Triton]

A couple of things,

1) About the back carry thing. Are you sure about that? I have yet to see a way that is practical. Oh sure I know that some people here and elsewhere have worked out fancy fall away suspension systems so that they can carry their swords that way and that there is some period evidence that large two handers might have been lugged to the general vicinity of a battle that way but beyond that? How would you draw the thing effectively from your shoulder? Have you ever tried it?

2) Do you have any more information on the chinese sword that you are referring too? I have seen an Indian sword like that called a Urumi but am not aware of a chinese sword like that.

 

[Chimpy Nuts]

Originally posted by Triton
A couple of things,
2) Do you have any more information on the chinese sword that you are referring too? I have seen an Indian sword like that called a Urumi but am not aware of a chinese sword like that.

Nope. I saw it in a Kung Fu flick from the 60's and asked my teacher about it. He confirmed it and put the period on it. This was a long time ago. That's about the extent of my knowledge on this.

 

[Triton]

To bad, it would have been interesting to find out about such a thing.

 

[Ferrous Wheel]

The Baldric was made popular by the Migration age Scandinavians, oft called Vikings. It was a leather strap of belt weight, worn over the shoulder and attached to the top of the scabbard. if you wear the sword on your left side (right hander), the baldric crosses chest, over the right shoulder, and across the back. Sometines the Baldric was attached to the sword belt as well.

Using the baldric method workd best for sword under a yard in length, because the sword hands pretty much straight down. Longer swords needed the frog setup to cant the blade back and keep the scabbard tip from dragging.

The baldric made for a less cumbersome feel, easy to remove sword or sling it in many positions.

Keith