General Category > General Discussion
Khal Drogo
Hrakkar:
Nice work on that rather interesting sword. It makes me wonder what the combat advantage is of such a highly curved blade.
Skxawng:
--- Quote from: Hrakkar on June 24, 2011, 12:23:51 am ---Nice work on that rather interesting sword. It makes me wonder what the combat advantage is of such a highly curved blade.
--- End quote ---
From how it was described in the book, it needs to be long and big, so that one can strike from horseback. The curved blade also lends towards slashing at speed - so nothing gets stuck, and also it focuses the energy of the momentum of the rider and the swing towards a smaller area, thereby increasing the amount of force applied by the edge. Where a straight sword's edge would strike a larger area and have a greater chance of its energy being dissipated (not sinking as deep) the Arakh would work similar to an axe, and cut deeper, without the heft of an axe, and with more reach. (remember that Arakhs are swung with the outer edge leading, as opposed to a sickle or a reaper.
Hrakkar:
--- Quote from: Skxawng on June 24, 2011, 08:28:45 am ---
--- Quote from: Hrakkar on June 24, 2011, 12:23:51 am ---Nice work on that rather interesting sword. It makes me wonder what the combat advantage is of such a highly curved blade.
--- End quote ---
From how it was described in the book, it needs to be long and big, so that one can strike from horseback. The curved blade also lends towards slashing at speed - so nothing gets stuck, and also it focuses the energy of the momentum of the rider and the swing towards a smaller area, thereby increasing the amount of force applied by the edge. Where a straight sword's edge would strike a larger area and have a greater chance of its energy being dissipated (not sinking as deep) the Arakh would work similar to an axe, and cut deeper, without the heft of an axe, and with more reach. (remember that Arakhs are swung with the outer edge leading, as opposed to a sickle or a reaper.
--- End quote ---
Interesting. I am familiar with the momentum advantages of a curved sword. Japanese swords, and many 'later technology' swords are curved (and tend to be lighter than broadswords). Initially, I thought the curve of our swords were opposite to the arakh, but in thruth, I think the curve is the same direction (I will verify this later). The big difference is how sharply curved this sword is compared to swords we are familiar with. I would thing that the curve is way more than the 'physics advantage' curve, and these would be a real pain to sheath. I am wondering if there is a historical precedent for this. I seem to get the idea that GRRM researched his books pretty heavily, and I am sure he got the idea from somewhere.
ingsve:
There are historical swords that bare a recemblence to an arakh. The khopesh is usually an example that is given.
There was also some indian sword mentioned that I don't remember the name of.
Ramox:
Good work man ! You are very skilled ! :-)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version