Swords make comeback

Bill · 18th March 2005, 07:43 PM

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...log/GetContent

Aurangzeb · 23rd March 2005, 01:35 AM

Hi!!!!

Very very interesting reading material.I am truly suprised that swords whould ever come back into fashion. :

tom hyle · 23rd March 2005, 03:27 AM

They really never went out; the idea of the obsolescence of the sword is a social construct, largely of the upper classes (which from my perspective certainly includes the N American middle class). The poor often are prohibitted from having firearms, but rarely swords, which are also, at the base level, if you will, much more affordable, and more reliable, as well, not being machines and needing no amunition. Most killing of humans outside of war is done at very close range anyway (in N America it often occurs in a room of a house....).

Andrew · 23rd March 2005, 05:50 AM

I understand your point, Tom. However, where available, firearms have become the first weapon of choice, even in "primitive" or non-industrial societies. It is a rare individual indeed who, having seen the power of a gun, would choose a knife, sword, club or other similar weapon over a gun.

This isn't to say that many, many crimes and killings aren't carried out with such weapons, but as the saying goes....no one really chooses to bring a knife to a gun fight.

tom hyle · 23rd March 2005, 06:28 AM

Sure, as with the bow.
The sword has rarely, if ever, been the preferred weapon of war, but more of a self-defence/back-up weapon, a warriorly status marker, or an ancilary weapon to the sheild, in which place it is often competed by shortspears, axes, clubs, daggers, etc. In many cultures the sheildman's job can often be to protect the longspear (pike) man, who does the killing. Reach is a good thing to have on your side.......

18th March 2005, 07:43 PM	#1
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Swords make comeback http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...log/GetContent

23rd March 2005, 01:35 AM	#2
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Interesting Hi!!!! Very very interesting reading material.I am truly suprised that swords whould ever come back into fashion. :

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23rd March 2005, 03:27 AM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	They really never went out; the idea of the obsolescence of the sword is a social construct, largely of the upper classes (which from my perspective certainly includes the N American middle class). The poor often are prohibitted from having firearms, but rarely swords, which are also, at the base level, if you will, much more affordable, and more reliable, as well, not being machines and needing no amunition. Most killing of humans outside of war is done at very close range anyway (in N America it often occurs in a room of a house....).

23rd March 2005, 05:50 AM	#4
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I understand your point, Tom. However, where available, firearms have become the first weapon of choice, even in "primitive" or non-industrial societies. It is a rare individual indeed who, having seen the power of a gun, would choose a knife, sword, club or other similar weapon over a gun. This isn't to say that many, many crimes and killings aren't carried out with such weapons, but as the saying goes....no one really chooses to bring a knife to a gun fight.

23rd March 2005, 06:28 AM	#5
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Sure, as with the bow. The sword has rarely, if ever, been the preferred weapon of war, but more of a self-defence/back-up weapon, a warriorly status marker, or an ancilary weapon to the sheild, in which place it is often competed by shortspears, axes, clubs, daggers, etc. In many cultures the sheildman's job can often be to protect the longspear (pike) man, who does the killing. Reach is a good thing to have on your side.......