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How Do You Sheath A Doppelhander?

Started by Deacon Blues, March 26, 2004, 10:45:21 PM

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Eamon

A number of people have quoted sheathing methods from cinema such as Braveheart and Conan.

Personally, once I began to learn about melee weapons, I've always laughed at whatever cinema has done, unless it was the dramatic iai-jitsu duels in classic Japanese cinema (Sanjuro comes to mind), and even then...

Considered the gross innaccuracy of Braveheart, the fantastical nature of Conan, why are people quoting them as references?  Sure, they may look cool, but that is the point of whatever method they are using.  Merely to look cool, and certainly not to be utilitarian.

I would go with real historical reference, or available period art.  The 'baldric' or some sort of rifle-style sling makes sense, in my humble opinion, because you can yank the doppelhander off your back real quick.  Which is useful for going through doors, walking through groves of trees, making sure you don't hit your comrades in dense groups, and wacking your enemy with it while the doppelhander is sheathed when you are ambushed.

Turin

I agree, Eamon.  Kind of like using Rambo as a historical reference for the Vietnam war.

Muggins

Most longer swords were strictly for battle, and were often carried on pack horses until required. One text (Marozzo?) shows a large twohander carried with the pommel resting in the hand and the blade against the shoulder. We known that claymores were carried similarly, wrapped in water-proofed muslin or leather.

As for the length and 'wieldability', even a big sword is useable- in surprising ways...

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29225&highlight=zweihander

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=837&highlight=zweihander

James

Irmo

Quote from: MugginsMost longer swords were strictly for battle, and were often carried on pack horses until required. One text (Marozzo?) shows a large twohander carried with the pommel resting in the hand and the blade against the shoulder. We known that claymores were carried similarly, wrapped in water-proofed muslin or leather.

As for the length and 'wieldability', even a big sword is useable- in surprising ways...

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29225&highlight=zweihander

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=837&highlight=zweihander

James

Note that the Landsknecht twohanded sword you used is considerably less than 6', and considerably less than 10lbs. Cf. also the statement by Peter Lyon in the thread.

Muggins

The bottom thread is about two years old, and my understanding of things has changed a little. BTW, Peter Lyon is the guy who forged the Lord of the Rings' swords. Discussed a custom piece with him several times before work commitments caught up with him.

The top thread is more entertaining in some ways- especially the "run sideways and collect the opposing pikes".

Me I am primarily a German longsword man. But the bigger swords are very, very cool...

James

Eamon

I'm thinking...

A bag of holding would be perfect for sheathing a doppelhander!  LOL!

Richard_Strey

There *was* something like that back in AD&D 2nd Ed.; basically a "sheath of holding" that could house anything from dagger to large sword while being the size of a dagger-sheath. I kid ye not. :)

Brian Leybourne

Quote from: EamonA bag of holding would be perfect for sheathing a doppelhander!  LOL!

No it wouldn't; as I recall, bad things happened if you pierced the fabric of the bag by putting sharp or pointy things in it unsheathed :-)

Brian.
Brian Leybourne
bleybourne@gmail.com

RPG Books: Of Beasts and Men, The Flower of Battle, The TROS Companion