Thoughts on Katanas vs Scimitars & Sabres?
Feb 7, 2012 18:56:49 GMT
Post by LeMal on Feb 7, 2012 18:56:49 GMT
Another thing to keep in mind is the ways we tweak intended use. For example, one might consider one of the longer single handed, say Norman-style, medieval swords unwieldy and at a disadvantage--there was a time I mistakenly did. But it was a) adjusted to be longer because of being on horseback and b) on foot still great in conjunction with a shield.
The shamshirs and many a similar sword like a kilij, while usually quick and deadly on foot solo, also were frequently used on foot with a shield or buckler.
So, even though a typical sabre of a later period was used one handed on horseback when holding reins and/or pistol, and even though shields had by those time periods long fallen by the wayside, there is no rule that a sabre can't be used with a shield or buckler. Many sabres that fell into the hands of people in traditional cultures in colonial areas were.
And the earliest sabres were used that way as well. Some light, some heavier. (Think Windlass's "Hungarian Sabre.") From the 12th C. onwards in Byzantine and Eastern European areas there was quite a mix. In fact I am rehilting my CS 1796 blade in a way somewhat inspired by early Polish-Hungarian hilts for just that reason. Though the balance and weight and handling are essentially the same, it's an aesthetic reminder that I'd use it either on horseback or with a shield when on foot.
Though let me tell you, I feel on foot with a shield it'd be deadly as hell. I'm finding much prefer it at least to to any of the longer straight-bladed double-edged swords in that combination. (Though I still like the compactness of a short Type XIV or XVIII or falchion a bit overall.)
The shamshirs and many a similar sword like a kilij, while usually quick and deadly on foot solo, also were frequently used on foot with a shield or buckler.
So, even though a typical sabre of a later period was used one handed on horseback when holding reins and/or pistol, and even though shields had by those time periods long fallen by the wayside, there is no rule that a sabre can't be used with a shield or buckler. Many sabres that fell into the hands of people in traditional cultures in colonial areas were.
And the earliest sabres were used that way as well. Some light, some heavier. (Think Windlass's "Hungarian Sabre.") From the 12th C. onwards in Byzantine and Eastern European areas there was quite a mix. In fact I am rehilting my CS 1796 blade in a way somewhat inspired by early Polish-Hungarian hilts for just that reason. Though the balance and weight and handling are essentially the same, it's an aesthetic reminder that I'd use it either on horseback or with a shield when on foot.
Though let me tell you, I feel on foot with a shield it'd be deadly as hell. I'm finding much prefer it at least to to any of the longer straight-bladed double-edged swords in that combination. (Though I still like the compactness of a short Type XIV or XVIII or falchion a bit overall.)
