S.T. Ockenner
Istar
Demesnedenoir , are you aware that there is a Wikipedia article about you?
I would not see why longbow v.s. crossbow terminology would be comparable to this, as a longbow is:
And a crossbow is:
Ah. I would not know, as I have next to no background knowledge about archery.
Anders, wow, you've been at this for a decade! Many thanks for your willingness to share the fruits of your research!So, I have diagnosed Asperger Syndrome with swords as my special interest. What this essentially means is that I'm obsessed with swords, to the point of them being my default thing to think about, and I have spent years assimilating sword-related trivia.
Since swords are a staple of fantasy fiction, I thought I'd offer my expertise to the benefit of the community. I don't claim to know everything on the subject, but if anyone of you have a question regarding swords I'd be happy to try to answer it. Frankly, if you have a question about swords I can't answer, it's probably something I'll end up researching on my own anyway.
Oh, and I've also had some training as a blacksmith and know the basics of bladesmithing, so I may be able to offer advice in that area as well.
Fantastic web page, pmmg, looks like a great place to start!Timeline and History of Swords
This site look like it could answer the question of what type of sword Excalibur likely would have been....only....It might more have been imagined as the type of sword common when the stories about it were fashioned.
Here is a link to a history of Excalibur.
Excalibur
I might also argue that due to is nature as a sword given the lady of the lake (aka, a goddess), the sword could also be of any variety that might be considered a 'best' form of the sword. For me, I would stick with a knightly broad sword or long sword myself.
It's been a while since I posted on this thread--since anyone has, actually--but I'm getting a custom Tinker Pearce Great Sword of War in a few days, the sword featured in my article from years ago. And yes, I'm very, very excited.
I'll have it over my shoulder at Norwescon, and Tinker is going to do the balance work and customize the handle and grip for me this spring after I've had some time to work with it. I'll post pics as soon as it arrives.
I'd call it a Scimitar, but the handle make me think Sabre as well.
I agree with calling it a scimitar. I think it will satisfy most readers and be workable, and the more sword-savvy will enjoy debating it. But what I really think it is is a dao, one of the Chinese swords you're thinking of. Lovely blades.Actually, with that hilt, I've also seen a couple of Chinese swords similar to this, with the straight hilt and blade style, and I think it was simply called a Chinese scimitar.
By etymology, scimitar is a safe generic term since it refers to a family of eastern weapons.
I agree with calling it a scimitar. I think it will satisfy most readers and be workable, and the more sword-savvy will enjoy debating it. But what I really think it is is a dao, one of the Chinese swords you're thinking of. Lovely blades.
I only have one sword. It's a movie replica from "The Legend of Zorro," Don Diego's rapier. Every fantasy writer needs at least one good sword, and preferably lots. lol
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