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Post by Bluntsword on Apr 18, 2013 1:37:08 GMT
Hello everyone, I'm writing this because I wish I had this info when I first started buying a sword. The sword that I originally bought was tooo long for me which actually made it harder for me. If I was just training/cutting with the sword already drawn no problems, but I do allot of battoho (draw and cut in one motion) so when I draw I have to stretch (indicator that my sword is to long for me) to clear the saya cleanly. So to help sword enthusiast/JSA practitioners/back yard cutters and any sword lovers looking to purchase a sword. How to find a good/comfortable handle and blade length (from my JSA Sensei, hope my drawings are ok): Another measurement to take into consideration (from me), honestly I don't know if this makes a huge difference but using this I have found that I prefer swords that have a POB around 4-5 inches, anything longer and it feels blade heavy (to me that is, everyone is different). Hope this helps people is choosing their blade & handle lengths. If there is any other measurements beginners should be aware of let me know and I'll add it in.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Apr 23, 2013 15:13:47 GMT
Note that different sizes of sword are suitable to different purposes as well. A gladius is a close-in dirty fighter of a sword, a rapier a fast poker with a long reach, an arming sword a good all-around fighting blade, etc... they have some flexibility outside those purposes, but they serve you best when applied to their specific purpose.
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Post by Bluntsword on Apr 23, 2013 21:51:54 GMT
Thanks Bill appreciate the kind words.
Elheru agreed this way of measuring is mainly aim for katanas, hence my background info (about battoho) and I stated where the info came from.
Honestly after swinging a bokken for 2hrs it is pretty tiring on the arms (imagine in a battle, with full armor as well). People in the old days are tough , I feel like a wuss, but (different conditions, different times).
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Post by Helleri on Apr 26, 2013 13:29:31 GMT
I think this might be improved by utilizing the natural system of measurement over that of US Standard...
From instruction out of 15th-17th century Italian and French fighting/fencing manuals. We see that in description of the form and dimensions of the blade. the authors elect (not for lack of another system but preference) to use the natural system of measurement. Which is most commonly understood to be measurements taken from ones own body.
Why? Because an inch or a foot in it's consistency can be too restrictive.
Example: If a handle should be 5 inches in length, and you set this as a standard. Many people will find this measurement to simply be wrong for their level of comfort. This, due to natural variance in hand size from person to person. However, if you set the length a handle should be as one hand. This measurement will always work for the person going by it, as it is far more relative, and means 'what ever that distance may be for you'.
Here are some of these natural measurements and how they are taken for reference:
A Two-Finger - The distance between the second knuckles of the middle and index fingers when they are held together.
A Four-Finger - The distance between the first knuckle of the index finger and the first knuckle of the little/pinky finger with fingers held together.
A Hand - the distance between the first knuckle of the thumb and the first knuckle of the little finger/pinky with an open palm and fingers together.
A Span - The distance between the tip of the little and the tip of the thumb with the hand splayed.
A Cubit - The distance between the tip of the elbow and the tip of the middle finger, with an open palm and fingers together and outstretched.
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Taran
Member
Posts: 2,621
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Post by Taran on Apr 28, 2013 2:59:51 GMT
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