|
Post by theophilus736 on Jan 18, 2019 16:03:18 GMT
Hello. I've heard it said that a recommended length for longswords would be ones that come up to your armpit. I'm 5'7" and figured a smaller blade like the Albion Crecy would probably get there, but then I noticed even many typical longswords lengths werent. I was having to search for pretty lengthy swords to hit that mark of 50" total length. Any truth to this armpit rule? Or do I have some weird kind of orangutan arms? Thanks all!
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,649
|
Post by stormmaster on Jan 18, 2019 16:33:09 GMT
50 inches is a pretty big sword
|
|
|
Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jan 18, 2019 16:35:07 GMT
I've heard the rule with the breastbone.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 18:26:42 GMT
A case in point, I bumped into Christian Tobler at a Higgins Armory cocktail event. I had to rap on the helmet to confirm it was him in the tin can and if he was hot or cold. I got a muffled HOT! after a few tries and then he was shoving an A&A German Bastard at me to fondle. The sword is 50 inches +- tip to peen. I dwarf Christian in height and girth. Christian is an authored German Longsword practitioner and another common factor twixt us is both owning that A&A but also the Del Tin 5157. The 5157 is a little longer (and a pound lighter). The 5157 comes up to my floating ribs and my own feeling is 51 inches is a bit much for me but Christian happens to like the model a lot for his practices and does indeed find its pommel reaches his pits (closer anyway). I seem to remember it is Ridolfo Capoferro's pit that many use as a recommendation for both rapier and longsword. blog.subcaelo.net/ensis/capoferro-weapon-length/www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24796#.XEIWneHYpEYhemaforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=4007sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/26966/properly-sized-longswordKeep in mind that Silver's swords were the same blade length whether one or two handed but that might be better regarded that his two handed sword was more akin to a bastard or hand and a half. When in doubt consider what you may be intending. Typically, group studies often find birds of a feather flock together, in that most of the group use very similar lengths, regardless of individual height. Longsword feders tend to be longer in the grip and longer overall than swords like the Albion Crecy. I think you'll find quite a range of preferences but if you look at say the Talhoffer book pictures, the swords wherein are quite tall. Conversely, Ringneck (despite the Albion model much the same as their Talhoffer) tends to relate shorter bastards of a longsword type. It is one of those "it depends" answers that might best suit.
|
|
|
Post by Cosmoline on Jan 19, 2019 0:02:00 GMT
Christian is our guru! Glad to hear he's still going around in harness.
The sources seem to be all over the place, esp. when you look at the illustrations. Sometimes they seem to be hald-and-a-half and sometimes they are enormous. I think the key is to find a length you like within the spectrum of longsword techniques. For example it's possible to take the relatively small Count at 43" and do all the standard guards and movements easily. Likewise with the mid-length Liechtenauer at 47.5". When you start getting closer to 50" most of us start having more trouble, esp. if the sword is heavy. But so much comes down to your style, preferences, hand shape, etc. that it's tough to rely on one particular test. I think you should try as many out as possible. At most of these events you can go over and paw at them.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2019 1:23:21 GMT
My encounter and the party was 15 years ago
|
|
|
Post by leviathansteak on Jan 19, 2019 2:48:03 GMT
The pommel under the armpit thing is from vadi's treatise. If you aren't doing vadi i see no reason to conform to those measurements.
I am 180cm tall and i prefer a blade length of about 96cm which is about the length i can draw from a scabbard easily and comfortably
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Jan 19, 2019 4:11:09 GMT
Great info, thanks guys. I'll safely ignore the recommendation I think.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 14:41:08 GMT
Unless you are specifically trying to conform to a particular approach it's best to view that sort of thing as more of a suggestion than a requirement.
My longsword is close, it's a little taller and would be just slightly inside the shoulder than snuggly under it but I am not finding it detrimental.
|
|
Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,631
|
Post by Zen_Hydra on Jan 22, 2019 16:31:54 GMT
I'm 6 foot 5 inches (196 cm) tall. The measurement to my armpit is a little over 57 inches (145 cm). By the standard being discussed, most of Albion's two-handed swords (the Archduke, Tyrolean, and Maximilian) are too short to be considered an appropriate longsword for me. The Dane is just about the right length at 58 inches overall (almost an inch over). The problem with this longsword sizing heuristic is that strength doesn't map linearly to increased mass, and increases to volumetric mass (increasing cubically) quickly begin to outstrip human muscle's capacity to compensate for the increase. In other words, an Albion Dane, even though it is size appropriate, isn't going to handle for me like a shorter person wielding an appropriate sized longsword (even a proportionately sized down version of the Albion Dane).
|
|
|
Post by Wes Cameron on Jan 23, 2019 2:02:46 GMT
I think length has to be matched to the person's height and to some extent arm length. Some tall people have comparatively short arms so they would be able to handle a longer sword better than a person of the same height but with long arms in that the shorter armed person would be able to wield the sword without it hitting the ground before being able to stop it. Strength also comes into the picture, but that can be increased. Same with skill (in most cases). My longest sword is 46.5 inches long. I'm 6'1" and have no trouble wielding the sword, but a 5'8" person may have trouble with that length. Then there is the Scottish Great Sword!
|
|
Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
|
Post by Ifrit on Jan 26, 2019 4:21:34 GMT
That feel when a great sword of war doesn't even reach your arm pit. Well, at least it sits under my rib cage
|
|
Tall Canadian with the same ?
Guest
|
Post by Tall Canadian with the same ? on Jul 20, 2021 18:12:36 GMT
Hello. I've heard it said that a recommended length for longswords would be ones that come up to your armpit. I'm 5'7" and figured a smaller blade like the Albion Crecy would probably get there, but then I noticed even many typical longswords lengths werent. I was having to search for pretty lengthy swords to hit that mark of 50" total length. Any truth to this armpit rule? Or do I have some weird kind of orangutan arms? Thanks all! Yea I'm 6'5 and have wondered this myself almost every sword I have handled felt short to me and wonder if I should buy something made specifically for my height. That being said there is an advantage to using a typical sized sword and being a taller fellow or vice versa. The reach and ease of use.
|
|
|
Post by kjakker on Jul 20, 2021 18:49:29 GMT
I am 5'10" and the Albion Liechtenauer comes up to just under my sternum at 47-1/2" long overall with a 11-3/4" grip.
You might want to be careful about the length of the grip. Make sure that when holding the sword in your dominant hand with the arm bent at 90° that the pommel does not touch your bicep.
I have two New Sterling Arm's wasters that are both 52-1/2" long. One has a 14-1/2" grip and the other has a 12-1/2" grip. The 14-1/2" gripped one turned out to be just a little too long for my arms so that the length interferes with some movements. The 12-1/2" gripped one however is just about perfect for me.
I would say grip length and balance is more important than total length.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2021 18:50:00 GMT
There is nothing like overthinking a subject.
|
|
LeMal
Member
Posts: 1,095
|
Post by LeMal on Jul 20, 2021 19:00:59 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Student of Sword on Jul 20, 2021 19:08:15 GMT
I am very short, 5'3" and I have used feder much longer 50 inches. Most feders in today market is at least 50 inches.
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Jul 21, 2021 10:19:47 GMT
There is nothing like overthinking a subject. lol you should have reread the thread before commenting. You have the longest comment on it
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2021 11:12:27 GMT
There is nothing like overthinking a subject. lol you should have reread the thread before commenting. You have the longest comment on it While being pretty straight forward in mentioning my own preferences and starting with context. A little guy liking long swords and myself a bit taller than average. In other words, it depends. I certainly did not have to think about what I wrote then, nor now. Cheers GC
|
|
|
Post by Polyester on Jul 22, 2021 7:26:46 GMT
Why this question? The proportion may only be important if you want to (have to) use a sword practically. I only buy / collect according to attractiveness and trust that the dealer only declares long swords as longswords. If I were to pay attention to the correct length, my inventory would be very small.🤔
|
|