Two hand sword is... blunt weapon?

[shim soo min]

I've believe - 'Two hand sword' is a 'sword'.
(ofcause, sword is a [color="$1"] slash [/color] weapon.)


but, someone said to me,
"you're wrong. Two hand sword don't have edge. it is not a slash weapon. it's a [color="$1"] blunt [/color] weapon."

I can't believe it!
if two hand sword is a blunt weapon, why they called "sword"?


Two hand sword is blunt weapon....? <img src="/forum/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />
(I mean, 'Real' Medieval and Renassance Two hand sword)

Please, somebody answer me! <img src="/forum/images/icons/ooo.gif" alt="" />




---------------------------------
thanks you for all readers.
and, sorry about my poor english.

[Guest]

There are some swords that are not edged and they're called blunts, usually they're used in practice.
The tuck is a pointed blunt weapon.
Normally the two handed sword (the true zwei hander) is a cutting weapon, one of the fiercest cutters actually, used to chop pikes, other swrords used with two hands (long sword, great sword) are cutters too.
Your terminology (slash, blunt) makes me think your question originated in the role game contest, where the point of swords is not considered.

[shim soo min]

^^;;
I 'm a Korean, and live in Korea.
because, I can't speak english well.
(we have our own language, Han-gul, so we don't use english usually.
so,(ofcause) all our dispute are done by Korean language.)

He said about 'Real' Two hand sword,
and I said 'Real' Two hand sword, too.

I don't know proper terminology, because I've quoted the terminology (Slash / Blunt) at Role Playing Game,
but the dispute is not about game. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />



Thank you for your kindness
and sorry about my poor english.

[Guest]

I did not mean to say your terms are improper or your English poor, I wanted to know if the matter was abot role playing because I'm a former dungeon master and could give you specific advices in weapon classification in role games.

[shim soo min]

The matter is not about Role playing games. (D&amp;D, AD&amp;D or DAoC, EQ...)



The matter is about 'Real' medieval / Renassance Two hand sword.

Thank you.

[GaryGrzybek]

I'm not sure I understand your friends questions or opinions but here's my thoughts.

Most swords designed for the use of two hands were capable of cutting, slashing and thrusting. Depending on the blade type and intended target some were better for cutting and some were better for thrusting. Some swords did both equally well. Some swords were very sharp and some had more of a chisel edge but could still cut. A sword is a specialized tool designed to kill so if it is blunt then it was probably meant for thrusting or used in training or ceremony.

Just my thoughts, I invite my associates to either add or correct.

[Jeffrey Hull]

I think that your thinking about this is correct.

A "two-handed sword" is precisely that - a weapon that is a sharpened two-edged cutting-plane.

If something is otherwise, more or less an unsharpened yet pointed rod, more or less a giant spike, then such would be an "estoc" or "tuck".

I hope that helps. Good luck!

JH

[Matt Bailey]

Urghhh...this issue comes up from time to time when one discusses Medieval weapons. Highly annoying.

Its another outgrowth I think of the old view that Medieval weaponry and fighting was crude. It typically comes from the same people who still think knights were crane-lifted into their saddles. There is usually little point in arguing with holders of said beliefs.

A question of logic you should pose to your friend: Why would anyone go to the trouble of carefully crafting a piece of steel and giving it a geometry for cutting, then use it as a bludgeon, when a club or staff of some sort is much easier to acquire? Estocs are the exception to this rule of course, but they are easy to spot by their blade geometry.