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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 2:43:07 GMT
I was looking at some early swords and daggers and it occurred to me that many antenna style pommels were bulky, would likely present a nuisance being easily hung up on clothing, straps or vegetation and they appear in many cases to be more complicated to form than a more conservative pommel shape. While they are visually striking I have a hard time believing they would be used if they weren't also functional in some manner. Some appear to be suitable for use as pinky rings, perhaps an aid weapon retention. Others may be useful as a tool not directly related to the blade, sort of like an ancient Leatherman. I have heard the Sarmatians would pass the reins of their horses through special ring hilted daggers for fighting on horseback.
Has anyone heard of any compelling theories on their utility or have some ideas of their own?
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Post by ShooterMike on Jul 18, 2008 3:38:47 GMT
Interesting idea... I wonder if one purpose was as striking points, the same reason for the Viking-era development of the "Gaddjhalt" or spike-hilt guard. That led to the development of the medieval knightly sword. The long spiked cross was used for, among other things, striking into faces and other vital zones. I wonder if the ancients used the antenna pommels for something similar?  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 11:55:12 GMT
That same idea has crossed my mind. Many look like they'd be very effective at a double eye gouge. Interestingly antenna pommels came back briefly some time in the middle ages and very similar "eared" daggers made a showing in some areas as well.
Along similar lines to the spike hilt I've been wondering if the Viking-style pommels weren't deliberately and actively martial as well. You're probably familiar with the sword and shield technique that involves catching the upper rim of your adversary's shield with your pommel and using that as a fulcrum to pull down his shield to make an opening while the same action brings the point of your sword right into his face. A Brazil nut, Viking, crescent or similarly shaped pommel has surfaces that would grab the shield rim better than a wheel or disk pommel. Off the top of my head it seems like wheel and disk pommels came into vogue and the other types faded away around the same time helmets started commonly having full face plates that would have made that technique less effective. It may just be coincidence but fighting is serious business and I believe that while there is always room for artistic license, the tactical applications of every feature of the weapon was well considered.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 14:30:58 GMT
Not familiar with antenna pommel.
Please post pic.
Thanks
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Post by rammstein on Jul 19, 2008 14:38:46 GMT
I've familiar with a very obscure type of european sword that he could be talking about (peter Johnsson did a very neat write up) but I don't know if that's right...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 14:47:39 GMT
The blade is not the only part of the weapon, some weapon designs with the pointed crosspieces and spiked pommels were specifically designed with this principle in mind. As in JSA I imagine that there are many techniques for pommel strikes in many of the different medieval sword martial arts as well, imagine how much more powerful those techniques would be with even just a small spike especially a strike to the throat.
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Post by rammstein on Jul 19, 2008 14:51:35 GMT
Are there historical examples of this?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2008 1:40:55 GMT
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Post by alvin on Aug 17, 2008 0:58:39 GMT
Possibly, besides providing a secure grip, it may have been a variation of the anthropomorphic hilt. And had some sort of religious or talismanic significance.  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2008 2:13:40 GMT
I could actually see that in the example you provided. It does bear a striking resemblance to the so-called "eye idols" as well.
Another thought I had though I have done no practical experimentation with is that the antena style pommel may also dampen undesirable harmonics. They do seem to have a little in common with a tuning fork for instance. What are antennae good for if not manipulating waves of energy?
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Post by rammstein on Aug 18, 2008 2:17:37 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2008 20:07:34 GMT
I've got my eye on adding a forge to my metal shop so I've been researching anvils. This morning I read a post on a bladesmithing forum that might be relevant to this topic. The poster was inquiring as to what style of anvil might be more advantageous for a bladesmith and a few people responded that on a pound for pound basis they felt they were moving more metal on a hornless post anvil. One suggested that the horns dissipated a certain amount of energy from the strike which is why a blacksmith working on a horned anvil needs so much weight. I do know that historically speaking hornless anvils were used by bladesmiths around the world and at least in the case of Europe at a time when horned anvils were known.
I suspect both anthropomorphic and antenna would produce a similar effect. I'd like to make a blade designed to not have innate harmonic balance but have an easily interchangeable pommel so I can do some experiments. Actually there is likely already a low cost SLO out there with a threaded tang and awful harmonics, I just need to find one.
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Post by axeman on Aug 21, 2008 14:47:22 GMT
:)They look cool dont know how Functional it would be |
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