Fraternal Greetings and my first real longsword

[Roy Stewart]

Best wishes to everyone here. My previous account ( Roy Robinson Stewart ) can't be used as the email address was attached to a discontinued domain name, hence the new account.

I've been plodding away with some basic drills with sticks, a heavy mace, and some two handed chinese swords over the past year, and this week received my first real European longsword, the Angus Trim 1520. I can't put it down, it just feels amazing.

I've read many glowing reports of the qualities of well built and balanced longswords, nevertheless the reality is much more inspiring than I'd expected. I'm sure that this is due to the fact that the longsword was the result of a long evolutionary process, but also can't help feeling that there might be some genetically inherited affinity with this weapon type. Not only does it feel incredibly efficient, it also seems to inspire righteousness simply by holding it in the hands.

[Jonathan Newhall]

A good sword always does, or so I've heard. Looks great, hope it's got many years ahead of it.

[Sal Bertucci]

Very nice!

Btw, it may just be the angle of the camera, but from here it looks like your Ochs might be a bit high. Just a suggestion.

[Roy Stewart]

Thanks Gentlemen

Sal I was making sure that my 'mug' was visible in the picture, so the Ochs is adapted for the camera pose, and is rather high as you say.

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[Sal Bertucci]

Ahhh, either way, it'd be a beautiful sword to hide behind!

[Jonathan Newhall]

Well, on the note of "ochs", from what I've seen of it generally isn't the handle held around there, but it tapers downward slightly? Or do you mean it's just too high in general? Might be a bit too far back from what I've seen also.

Hey, I'm trying to learn here!

[Stacy Clifford]

Left ochs naturally rests a bit further forward than right ochs if you're right handed, and holding it too high will reduce your thrusting range and power a bit, but it's adjustable to a certain extent (within a few inches) based on your body mechanics. In general the center of the cross should sit a little bit above and forward of your eyes on the left side when used as a static guard (it will wind up higher from outward force if you're actively opposing an attack with it), and the cross should tilt outward a bit at the top as if you've just finished an unterhau from right to left. Similar position on the right, but more even with the eyes instead of out in front. On both sides it works best if the horizontal arm is fully parallel with the sword.

[Randall Pleasant]

The primary problem I see in the picture is the body turned almost sideways, as is seen in modern fensing. The man needs to square up with his adversary/target.

[Randall Pleasant]

Sorry!

[Sal Bertucci]

Posing for the picture! I called it!

[Roy Stewart]

Well called.

My main aim was to have the light falling on the blade in a certain way, to show the face as well as the blade, and to avoid moving. The photo was also taken from floor level at a 45 degree angle approximately

Points taken though, thanks for the advice

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[Matt Bryant]

Not only does it feel incredibly efficient, it also seems to inspire righteousness simply by holding it in the hands.

Doesn't it though?!

[Roy Stewart]

Yes !

It might be a phenomenon which can't be dissected without killing it but I'm wondering if it's a genetically inherited affinity to the type.

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[Mike Sheffield]

Damn pretty sword there! Thumbs up.

[Roy Stewart]

Thanks Mike, when struck the sword rings with two discernable notes at a 6th interval, I don't know if that means anything.