Straight swords vs. curved swords
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:58 pm
At the last ELGS, smoke-poles were either junk or stupid prices. I was about to leave empty handed when I managed to talk someone down from stupid price to painful, but reasonable price on a Prussian Blucher Saber. It has the most pronounced curve of any sword I own and it feels club-like in my hand compared to my favorite sword, a German Uhlanen Saber. Both are about the same period - 1880 to 1910.
I fenced in college; mostly foil and some epee. I picked up a saber maybe a dozen times, but didn't see the point (so to speak).
Contrary to Disney movies, sword fights last about as long as gunfights, and they end the same way, with penetration of major organs leading to organ failure and death. Even the storied Samurai sword killed primarily with the point. Like medieval swords, the cutting blade was used mostly for executions.
Anyway, my Uhlanen saber has a nice, long, straight blade and feels only slightly slower than my epee. As in gunfights, speed kills, so a faster sword will win over a slower sword. I could fight with my Uhlanen saber, but I'd be at a disadvantage with that Blucher saber.
None other than the patron saint of Cavalry, George S. Patton, also a champion fencer, favored the straight sword. I have my regulation US Army 1902 saber, but I've long longed for a US Army 1913 Cavalry saber, designed by Patton. I've seen M1913 at ELGS, but always at very stupid prices.
Anyone have any ideas why curved sabers lasted until the end of sword fighting?
I fenced in college; mostly foil and some epee. I picked up a saber maybe a dozen times, but didn't see the point (so to speak).
Contrary to Disney movies, sword fights last about as long as gunfights, and they end the same way, with penetration of major organs leading to organ failure and death. Even the storied Samurai sword killed primarily with the point. Like medieval swords, the cutting blade was used mostly for executions.
Anyway, my Uhlanen saber has a nice, long, straight blade and feels only slightly slower than my epee. As in gunfights, speed kills, so a faster sword will win over a slower sword. I could fight with my Uhlanen saber, but I'd be at a disadvantage with that Blucher saber.
None other than the patron saint of Cavalry, George S. Patton, also a champion fencer, favored the straight sword. I have my regulation US Army 1902 saber, but I've long longed for a US Army 1913 Cavalry saber, designed by Patton. I've seen M1913 at ELGS, but always at very stupid prices.
Anyone have any ideas why curved sabers lasted until the end of sword fighting?