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Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Jul 18, 2012 1:41:11 GMT
Just to get it out of the way, most of you might say: "A sword is a mere lifeless object, therefore it doesn't deserve a name :geek: " or "Swords shouldn't be treated spiritually by giving it a name, because it's just a sword :roll: " OR "Why would you even name your sword? Are you crazy? :twisted: " (A slight over exaggeration) I'm not looking to stir up an argument about anything, just looking for a nice and friendly discussion. This thought just came to mind when I see sword manufacturers giving their products a unique name, especially the Japanese swords, with names like Oniyuri, Ochou, Kuromono, or Nisshoku are unique names the often compliments the sword's appearance. Though some people identify swords nameless, because they usually think that swords are not "alive", just a tool of martial arts, or a fun backyard cutter. But I would like to ask a question to anyone: "Looking at your favorite sword in your collection, what name would you ever give it if someone asks?" It doesn't have to be Japanese, it can be like naming a longsword with a common name. And it doesn't have to be Japanese for a Japanese sword too. In my opinion, naming your swords is like naming anything that you think deserves a name, and it makes your swords more personal to you, since it is your sword. A more personalized sword is a good sword in my opinion.
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Post by 14thforsaken on Jul 18, 2012 3:08:01 GMT
I currently have 3 swords that are named. Two are customs from Brendan, Morrigan's Talon and Heron's Flight. The other one is a Katana that was a semi-custom that was just a nightmare to get completed so that one got named Ill Wind as in its an ill wind that blows no one any good.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2012 3:16:26 GMT
I would like to name a sword "the Manager", and have that engraved down the blade. Then when somebody comes to me with a complaint I can tell them, "Talk to the Manager".
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Razor
Senior Forumite
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Post by Razor on Jul 18, 2012 3:24:30 GMT
What ever sword I am holding in my hand, I call it......''my precious''.
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Kuya
Registered
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Post by Kuya on Jul 18, 2012 3:37:57 GMT
I name my cars and my swords. There's nothing wrong with referring to an inanimate object with personification. A car and sword will stay with and be loyal to you as long as you take care of them and treat them right. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about people. So inanimate objects are no less worthy of personification than human beings.
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Post by William Swiger on Jul 18, 2012 3:41:15 GMT
I just use whatever the manufacturer named it unless it is a custom without a name and then I just call it by sword type and maker.
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Post by Maynar on Jul 18, 2012 4:33:18 GMT
^this^
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Post by Mr.Wallace on Jul 18, 2012 5:08:41 GMT
I haven't named a sword, but I have an old Bowie dubbed "happy happy joy joy," after a long conversation with cynnical overtones and a dark sense of humor. Plus I like the song, nearly as much as Ren and Stimpy.
Otherwise, I've all ways wanted to name a great sword "Compensating," or a Rondell Dagger "Ocean's motion." Preferably both at once, since I find myself hilarious.
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Post by MEversbergII on Jul 18, 2012 14:43:47 GMT
I used to name all my blades. My first was a Classic Medieval named Hodwynn, my second was a Coustelle named Guthpul. My gunto was called Gunsō and I've since acquired two other blades, but I no longer name them.
M.
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Post by wolf_shade on Jul 18, 2012 15:15:04 GMT
To me these are just more human readable identifications of the model number. No different than any other retail item manufacturer from cars to shoes to burger joints giving their products a pronouncable name rather than just "model k73b19VF#". Not really the same thing as naming your sword "bob".
I reference my sword by manufacturer or type. Since I only have one Ronin katana, it gets called the Ronin. My Cheness Deluxe Iaito is the Iaito.
Grendel.
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Post by Neil G. on Jul 18, 2012 17:36:18 GMT
I've never named anything that wasn't alive. Which is to say that I'd be opposed to the idea, it's just that I haven't ever formed enough of an attachment to something to stop thinking of it as a finely crafted tool. I jokingly called my 350z the "Giggle Machine" when I first got it, but that was just a temporary thing. Now it's just my car. Now if I were to have to carry a blade into combat and stake my life on it then maybe I might attach more value, but as it stands they're mostly just fancy wall decorations 99% of the time.
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Taran
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Post by Taran on Jul 20, 2012 11:51:10 GMT
That's along the same lines as my mother's chow's name. She is a physical therapist and her chow is a registered therapy dog she uses in her sessions. When she has a trouble patient, she tells them she will inform "Dr Merlin, our assistant chief therapist" about the problem. Then she brings him to the next session with that patient.
I have a sword named after my wife. The sword is a CS Gim and her name is "Ling-Ling." A variation on the Chinese version of my wife's name. I have a few swords, mostly wall-hangers or forms blades, with no names (though one of them is my Strongblade Warspike, I never came up with a fitting name).
I name a lot of inanimate objects: My cars, my stuffed animals, swords, bows, pistols ("Revelation," he is a M1911). Even the (formerly) comfy chair my wife just threw out and replaced had a name, sort of ("The Chair").
The customs I am getting from Sinoswords will be "Thief" for the Jian and "Trickster" for the Liu Ye Dao. The final versions that will be made by a (probably extremely expensive) high quality custom swordsmith will be called by the Chinese translations of those names.
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LeMal
Member
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Post by LeMal on Jul 20, 2012 12:43:39 GMT
Do I not name my swords, because one one hand they're "just swords," and I won't fetishize inanimate objects?
Or do I not name my swords because, kind of like the Tetragrammaton isn't supposed to be pronounced, the way of Tao is beyond words, or satori is an embrace of emptiness, the most transcendent name is to have no name?
I won't say. :twisted:
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Post by Rifleman Lizard on Jul 20, 2012 12:56:31 GMT
I've never really understood the naming of inanimate objects. I don't have an issue with people doing it, I just don't get it. :?
Even in the regiment guys would give their rifles female pet names. Sally was popular for some reason. No wonder so many of them are losing their marbles after they sit and talk to their weapons.
Besides, names that aren't actual names tend to be cheesy and off-putting... Like calling a sword "Exterminator", for example. Even in high fantasy fiction I tend to be a little turned off by these things.
I believe it's important not to become too attached to the material and because inanimate objects have no literal personality; they are only material however beautiful they may be. However, this view doesn't make a treasured object dead weight or a tool alone. A material object can still be a symbol of valour, courage, mercy, hatred, cruelty etc. As emotional human beings we tend (and sometimes prefer) to see a "soul" and personality in the inanimate. Maybe it's a little paradoxical.
If you want to name something then go for it. I've just just never done it myself. Furthermore, if it inspires you in your endeavours I'd still encourage you to do so.
P.S I'm back from Japan after the most relaxing two weeks of my life. Hope all is well with you guys.
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Post by Beowulf on Jul 20, 2012 20:36:26 GMT
I currently have two swords with names, out of about twenty. One is a viking sword, I thought it appropriate, but moreover I wanted to etch some runes into it because it definitely looked like it would be snazzier with that. So I came up with a name, transliterated it into Icelandic, then into a Futhark. It looks good. I have a custom A&A greatsword that looks just like one of the ones from the Goliath fightbook, so I either call it "the Goliath sword" or "Goliath", while ignoring that obvious Ladyhawke reference. I got to have simple and specific names when I speak to my swordy friends. I also call the KC Teutonic sword I have "my Burgundian sword". One of my first swords used to be called "the silly sword" or "Windlass generic" or "bloated sword". It was one of those Windlass longswords that was always on special. Good sword. Hard on the wrists. I finally killed it against some Orange Osage one afternoon because I was sick of the nice twist it had developed in the blade. >
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Post by William Swiger on Jul 21, 2012 10:34:35 GMT
I sometimes give my swords a name that only lasts a minute or so if I cut myself:
You Mother**cking, SOB, Bastard - well, you get the idea. :-)
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Post by MOK on Jul 21, 2012 10:43:35 GMT
Well, there's my Frog... I don't go out of my way to think up names for my things, but yeah, if a sword shows enough character in some way to spontaneously suggest a moniker for itself, I'll name it.
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Post by SullivanSwitch on Jul 21, 2012 13:55:22 GMT
I'm not opposed to the idea of naming my favorite objects, I'm just too fickle to decide on a name. I usually just stick with the name they came with. Example: "Zatoichi" - sword, "Silvia" - Silvia 200sx, and "The Diplomat" - Dodge Diplomat
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Post by Anders on Jul 21, 2012 18:55:42 GMT
I named my DF o-katana "Samidare", because I thought it was a nice name for a Japanese sword, and because that sort of romantic sillyness was exactly why I bought a huge katana in the first place.
I don't feel a need to name just any sword I'd get my hands on, but if the sword has a special significance to you there nothing wrong with naming it.
Pretty much. The purpose of personal names is to add distinction. Like how you don't name your cat: "Female Tabby Cat." (Other than ironically, I suppose.)
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Post by Derzis on Aug 4, 2012 1:50:28 GMT
))
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