|
|
Post by dylanholderman on Jul 28, 2011 21:35:14 GMT
why are all the conan swords so heavy there is not one i have seen that is under five pounds most of them are more like eight. do they not bother to distal taper them or what? and for the most part it just looks like a modified type x or maybe a wide type xiii without a fuller in the case of the fathers sword so it makes no sense to me  |
|
|
|
Post by Vincent Dolan on Jul 28, 2011 21:54:13 GMT
I think it's the wide ass blade (the Albion version is 3" wide at the end of the langets and only tapers to 2.1" where it curves to the tip), the thick stock (it's 1/4" at the base and it only tapers to 50% of that near the tip), and the heavy solid bronze fittings (the guard, langets, and pommel all are solid bronze castings). All that put together makes for a heavy ass sword. The cheaper knock-offs (like this one from Kult of Athena, which weighs in at 4lbs 7oz) likely use cheap zinc fittings and thinner stock; probably stamped out stainless or something similar. |
|
|
|
Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 28, 2011 23:19:01 GMT
When you start adding in the weight from the blade, the castings, the two-handed hilt, it starts to add up fast. That and the fact they were designed for a certain "look" as opposed to functionality. Most of the weapons from the movie are massive pieces meant for show. Some of the axes even when hollow cast where still over 7 or 8 pounds. But then if you have ever read the novels or the comic books, you'll notice that almost every weapon Conan uses is extremely unrealistic. My favorite is when they show him wielding a massive broad sword in one hand and a double bit battle axe in the other. Yes, I know Conan is supposed to be incredibly strong but that is just ridiculous. Still a fun read an intresting comic, you just have to check real world physics firmly at the door.
|
|
|
|
Post by Anders on Jul 29, 2011 0:15:02 GMT
Basically: Lots and lots of bronze.
Those hilt fittings look awesome but that stuff is heavy - ca 10% heavier then steel.
|
|
|
|
Post by steelhound on Jul 29, 2011 0:37:26 GMT
Because Conan has the strength of ten men?  Actually, I would agree with what has been said about this sword being a fantasy design. In the original books, the sword Conan finds in the crypt is an ancient, huge iron broadsword. I'm not sure if it's always the same one he carries in the later stories, but he is often described as using whatever sword/weapon of normal size that's available. I don't recall reading of him wielding anything that seemed too unrealistic, like double battle axes, but there's a lot of stories by a lot of different authors. |
|
|
|
Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 29, 2011 4:39:53 GMT
In the comics he did it all the time, particularly in Savage Sword of Conan. Its the same thing in the Red Sonja comics as well. But then they are comics after all. Though it does seem like some of the stuff they included in the movies were out of the comic books even though the two movies were based on Robert E Howell novels.
|
|
|
|
Post by steelhound on Jul 29, 2011 6:15:37 GMT
Well, the Conan movies were loosely based on the original Robert E. Howard stories, but I would say based on the concept more than the original character. Some elements of Howards' stories were woven into the first movie, but the origin story was completely changed, which really changed the character, IMO. Destroyer was actually written by the late Robert Jordan, who wrote some wicked awesome Conan stories back then.
I only saw one of the Conan comics when I was a kid, and it was the comic that either inspired, or was inspired by, the first Conan movie. But I've never been a big comic book guy. The Dark Horse graphic novels that I've seen lately are fantastic, and stay true to the original stories.
|
|
|
|
Post by Anders on Jul 29, 2011 15:35:48 GMT
Really? I've read some of the comics and actually found it interesting how realistic the swords were.
The swords in the comics tend to be either broadswords or scimitar-like sabers, depending on the region where the story takes place. The former tend to have cutting-oriented blades similar to the typical spatha - simple diamond cross sections and moderate tapers. Though I think I've seen some fullered versions as well. Two-handed hilts appear but the standard seems to be one-handed swords, often paired with a shield. Guards are usually simplistic and unadorned but almost exclusively curve up towards the blade (on both the broadswords and the sabers) and the pommels tend to be disc-shaped, spherical or fairly simplistic scent-stoppers.
All-in-all, they don't quite resemble any historical sword type but do look like plausible weapons. That's what I found intriguing about the blades in the Conan comics - they do look like real swords but from a non-existing culture.
|
|
ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
|
Post by ecovolo on Jul 29, 2011 16:00:15 GMT
You're talking about the Atlantean, right? The Jody Samson design? More info here in the MyArmoury.com review: www.myarmoury.com/review_alb_atlantean.htmlOf note, under "Handling Characteristics": "Well, what can I say about the Atlantean's handling qualities? At a weight of nearly eight pounds the sword is certainly no lightweight. In fact, the Atlantean's weight puts it far outside the parameters for a functional sword of this size. The sword does have a rather nice static balance, but once it is set into motion its weight becomes a hindrance. I was able to grasp the sword in a reverse grip and twirl it around in best Arnold fashion. I was able to maintain this for a few seconds before my shoulders began to feel the strain. In short, you'll need to have bigger guns than mine if you want to act like Big Arnold. I have no doubt that the Atlantean would be able to cut through any test medium of choice if it was sharpened. It just can't be done quickly or repeatedly." . . . as for the "Father's Sword", I haven't seen a review of that one yet. --Edward |
|
|
|
Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 29, 2011 17:07:45 GMT
If you look back at some of the 70-80s era Savage Sword of Conan you'll see what I'm talking about. I know it labels me as a geek, but I have all of the Dark Horse Conans, the Dynamite Red Sonja's ( the current rights holders to the franchises) and a pretty good number of the original Marvel Conans and Red Sonjas.
|
|
Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
Retired Moderator
No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
|
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 29, 2011 18:28:42 GMT
"why are the conan swords so heavy?" So little 'girly-men' can't use them. Doh.  |
|
|
|
Post by Anders on Aug 2, 2011 13:09:12 GMT
I don't suppose you could provide a few scans? I'm a major geek myself, just not when it comes to American comic books.
The sad little bunch of Conan comics I own are all Marvel and published in the 90s, is that helps. My older brother actually collects this stuff, though, so I might ask him about this. I think he has, like, the entire run.
|
|
|
|
Post by Anders on Aug 2, 2011 14:55:50 GMT
Okay, I've spoken to my brother now. According to him, all the black and white Conan comics published in Sweden were pretty exclusively taken from the 70-80s era Savage Sword of Conan. These were essentially the ones I were talking about - I've only read a few colored Conan comics.
So I have no idea what you are refering to when you say the swords in the Conan comics were unrealistic, because I had pretty much the opposite reaction and it seems we're talking about the same comics, too.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2011 23:21:48 GMT
LOL @ Sean comment
Exactly.
|
|
|
|
Post by 14thforsaken on Aug 12, 2011 3:03:19 GMT
I'd have to go get them from they are stored at my parents. I try not to handle them much as I really don't want to drop their value. Its not the swords so much that are unrealistic, its the covers showing him wielding a broad sword in one hand and a huge double-bitted battle axe in the other. Most of the swords are fairly realistic in and of themselves, its just I have a hard time with seeing someone using that in one hand and a two-handed axe in the other. Here are a few covers i found on the internet real quick. If you notice in most of them he's using two rather large weapons at the same time. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2011 6:24:53 GMT
Cool artwork, love the different character/drawing styles. Def makes me think they should have a bit more of a 'big bruiser' as actor in new movie. For audiotions they should give them a battle axe and a sword and say "Use these, if you cant use them fast and effeiceintly at same time "F*** Off your not good enough for Conan.
By the way he definatley strong enough to use axe and sword and still have another big weapon strapped ova back just in case. You dont need armour when your that tank.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2011 9:57:11 GMT
There were three Conan movies, and at least one Red Sonya. And How do we know these heavy beast swords were'nt around back in the day. Maybee they melted em down so they could make one from two, or wanted to be quick like snake, instead of srong like bull. I guess it doesn't matter if you slice a man in half or just slice his throat. The quicker sword gets there first. So I'd just go with a lightsaber. :evil: :x :roll:
|
|
|
|
Post by humblepie on Aug 30, 2011 15:09:35 GMT
In the books, Conan didn't usually wield huge monstrous weapons. In some of the comics he did. Of course in some of the comics he also had muscles on top of muscles and muscles in places no regular human can have them. Which pretty much defines many a comic muscle bound character. Seen him drawn pretty much like the Hulk except with longer hair and not green. Other comics have him looking closer to something that just resembles a big, but almost normal, muscle bound guy and not something super muscle crazy. Those are the comics that also typically have him using more "normalish" weapons such as a single headed axe or just a big broadsword. Nothing really over the top.
The cartoon movies were actually pretty good if memory serves me. He DID have one massive He Man ~ish sword if I remember right. But I also remember most of the cartoon he used whatever weapon he could get his hands on which was typically something he took right off his enemies after killing them.
The movies are the only thing that has the MASSIVE weapons as a mainstay. Still, the point being that these swords were designed for a person that has muscles on top of muscles and uses them ALL THE TIME. Not for regular wimps like us on these forums whose lives usually consist of work, video games, TV, and hopefully a sex life. If anyone around here came from some brawny stock and started from the time they could walk at using a sword, by the time they reached mid twenties they would be able to swing an 8 pound sword around like a toothpick if they practiced daily with it. The added weight would only allow the hits to hit all that much harder which was part of the point to most broadswords. They were basically sharp baseball bats designed to crunch through armor.
So while not realistic for a "normal" person to use I do not find the 8lb Conan sword all that absurd handling wise. I just think of it as designed for a person I'll never be but I can appreciate it for that reason alone.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2011 18:02:48 GMT
That's what I'm saying, sharp baseball bats... like a toothpick.
|
|
|
|
Post by humblepie on Aug 30, 2011 18:41:27 GMT
Yep pretty much. The big and heavy weapons at the time were meant to be swung without much finesse in the middle of melee. When you are surrounded by foes and friends on a battlefield, there isn't much room for finesse. You swing as big a weapon as you can to punch through the other guys armor and hope to kill him before he kills you. In duels and such where finesse and skill at arms could be utilized a bit more then having something better than a sharp baseball bat was a bit more required to survive.
|
|
Herron's Flight by Brendan of Fable Blades
Actually, I would agree with what has been said about this sword being a fantasy design. In the original books, the sword Conan finds in the crypt is an ancient, huge iron broadsword. I'm not sure if it's always the same one he carries in the later stories, but he is often described as using whatever sword/weapon of normal size that's available. I don't recall reading of him wielding anything that seemed too unrealistic, like double battle axes, but there's a lot of stories by a lot of different authors.
