Khanjar = blade breaker?

fearn · 22nd March 2013, 08:31 PM

Breaking a dagger in a fight, that's questionable. At other times, breaking a blade can be highly symbolic (I'm thinking of a scene near the end of Hall's You're Stepping on My Cloak and Dagger).

I should point out that smashing through someone's parry (e.g. parrying a battleaxe with a rapier) is a perfectly reasonable exercise is blade breaking, and I think some weapons were designed for that kind of thing. We're talking here about grabbing a blade and bending it to the point where it either snaps or becomes useless. That's maybe not such a great idea, and it certainly would take strong wrists and fast reflexes.

I'd say that many "sword breakers" are for catching blades, and many are also are for catching clubs and sticks (which, to be honest, is rather easier on the fingers manipulating the dagger). But I'd suggest that Pratchett's Law of Weapon Design is probably the biggest reason these weapons look the way they do.

My 0.002 cents,

F

rmadge · 27th March 2013, 01:35 PM

Pratchett's Law of Weapon Design is sheer brilliance. I love it.

It's interesting to note that the massive on-line fantasy games out there have drawn upon every culture imaginable in order to populate their weapons and armour inventory. And in order to be useful, any of these weapons must provide a fully functional and efficient means to fight and kill. I've seen instances of an 8 foot long pike being wielded in virtual hand to hand (hand to claw?) combat.

I have a feeling these games are misrepresenting the purpose, strengths, weaknesses and usage of many ethnographic weapons, all in the name of providing some flavour.

Rick

fearn · 27th March 2013, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmadge

Pratchett's Law of Weapon Design is sheer brilliance. I love it.

It's interesting to note that the massive on-line fantasy games out there have drawn upon every culture imaginable in order to populate their weapons and armour inventory. And in order to be useful, any of these weapons must provide a fully functional and efficient means to fight and kill. I've seen instances of an 8 foot long pike being wielded in virtual hand to hand (hand to claw?) combat.

I have a feeling these games are misrepresenting the purpose, strengths, weaknesses and usage of many ethnographic weapons, all in the name of providing some flavour.

Rick

Nothing wrong with an eight foot spear. I work out with one myself. An eight foot pike is a bit short though. That said, combat's fairly simple, and often, killing blows don't look fancy. This conflicts with the purpose of video, which is to entertain. As a result, we see the proliferation of flashy maneuvers to keep people entertained. That's okay, actually. Both Chinese martial arts and capoeira have strong entertainment components, as well as much less flashy and more dangerous moves. Entertainment has a long history with weapons and martial arts.

Best,

F

A. G. Maisey · 28th March 2013, 03:03 AM

Fearn, thank you very much for that Pratchett quote.

Classic Sun Tzu, and the foundation stone of all personal and national defence philosophies.

If something gets to the point where you actually need to fight, you've already lost.

22nd March 2013, 08:31 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Breaking a dagger in a fight, that's questionable. At other times, breaking a blade can be highly symbolic (I'm thinking of a scene near the end of Hall's You're Stepping on My Cloak and Dagger). I should point out that smashing through someone's parry (e.g. parrying a battleaxe with a rapier) is a perfectly reasonable exercise is blade breaking, and I think some weapons were designed for that kind of thing. We're talking here about grabbing a blade and bending it to the point where it either snaps or becomes useless. That's maybe not such a great idea, and it certainly would take strong wrists and fast reflexes. I'd say that many "sword breakers" are for catching blades, and many are also are for catching clubs and sticks (which, to be honest, is rather easier on the fingers manipulating the dagger). But I'd suggest that Pratchett's Law of Weapon Design is probably the biggest reason these weapons look the way they do. My 0.002 cents, F

27th March 2013, 01:35 PM	#2
rmadge Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 3	Pratchett's Law of Weapon Design is sheer brilliance. I love it. It's interesting to note that the massive on-line fantasy games out there have drawn upon every culture imaginable in order to populate their weapons and armour inventory. And in order to be useful, any of these weapons must provide a fully functional and efficient means to fight and kill. I've seen instances of an 8 foot long pike being wielded in virtual hand to hand (hand to claw?) combat. I have a feeling these games are misrepresenting the purpose, strengths, weaknesses and usage of many ethnographic weapons, all in the name of providing some flavour. Rick

28th March 2013, 03:03 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Fearn, thank you very much for that Pratchett quote. Classic Sun Tzu, and the foundation stone of all personal and national defence philosophies. If something gets to the point where you actually need to fight, you've already lost.