An odd claim about wasters...

[John_Clements]

I came across a 30 year old reference from a 1455 document in the Tower of London which notes, eight “swerds and a long blade of swerde made in wafters some gretter and some smaller for to learne the King to play in his tendre age.” The king at this time was the 33-year-old Henry VI. The source for this information stated that these “wafters” (wasters) were swords “with the blade set at right angles to the grip, so that a blow would be struck with the flat rather than with the edge”, but it gave no source for this claim. No historical evidence for training weapons with blades set like this has come to light that I know of, and such items would be especially awkward to handle. Even if only the last quarter of the blade were somehow forged so that just it was turned “sideways” like this it would still be quite and impractical for most fighting techniques.

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Interesting statement John, what about wind resistance of the blades set like that, would make them more difficult to swing, without effecting the weight of the weapon? Reminds me of running sprints with the parachute strapped on, in football practice-

[Casper Bradak]

Yeah, that would be interesting to try out. I can see how they'd be nicer for sparring, but goofy for training otherwise. We probably shouldn't come to any conclusions without seeing some or knowing exactly what sword type they were simulating.
That could be some interesting experimentation.

[robrobertson]

Yes, that's pretty strange! What were those silly English trying to do, perfect the golf swing as a fighting stroke?

It certainly gives a new perspective on a "slice". <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

Rob