Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Weighting in on Handle Cross sections: Round vs Oval/ Rectangular

Nathaniel · 2nd May 2013, 07:13 PM

Hello All,

I wanted to bring up question for the group...round handle cross sections...what are peoples thoughts or knowledge regarding the use/ function/ effectiveness of using a round handle. Slashing weapons like the swords of Thailand, Burma, Laos, etc typically have round handles. Usually the advantage of a oval handle is that it helps the user to to keep have correct blade orientation, which I would think would be even more important in the heat of battle with several quick strikes. I'm also thinking of single edge polearms as well...aren't most of these with round shafts as well? With a stabbing type weapon like a spear, blade orientation does not matter.

Your thoughts gentlemen?

2nd May 2013, 07:13 PM	#1
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Weighting in on Handle Cross sections: Round vs Oval/ Rectangular Hello All, I wanted to bring up question for the group...round handle cross sections...what are peoples thoughts or knowledge regarding the use/ function/ effectiveness of using a round handle. Slashing weapons like the swords of Thailand, Burma, Laos, etc typically have round handles. Usually the advantage of a oval handle is that it helps the user to to keep have correct blade orientation, which I would think would be even more important in the heat of battle with several quick strikes. I'm also thinking of single edge polearms as well...aren't most of these with round shafts as well? With a stabbing type weapon like a spear, blade orientation does not matter. Your thoughts gentlemen?