New guy, first post... What do you look for in a Ranger sword?
Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 5:40 pm
So, I've been dreaming of Middle-earth since the 70's, when I first read the books and my best friend and I explored the woods with his older brother. We were Frodo and Sam, and he was Strider. Back then, we had simple "swords" made of wood, and Ben (the older brother) carried a machete as his sword.
Since then, like many of you, I am sure, I have been intrigues by swords, and thought a lot about what the swords of Middle-earth might be like.
So, I am curious.... what comes to YOUR mind as the swords of Middle-earth?
I think a lot of our images today are formed by Jackson's films. And John Howe's practical experience with swords certainly informed the swords as he imagined them, and of course, Peter Lyon's own practical experience with making functional swords.
The only vision that bothers me is the use of curved swords for the elves, since Tolkien seemed to say that elven swords were straight-bladed. But other than that? Pretty spot on.
The swords of the Rohirrim, of course, are heavily inspired by Migration Era swords. Pretty clear-cut there. And while I think Tolkien imagine a somewhat earlier look for Gondor, I like the 14th-15th century look of the swords from the culture of the Dunedain.
So, I am currently looking at getting a sword I think plausible for a Dunedain ranger with an eye towards consistency (more or less) with Jackson's vision. My general "requirements"
14th-15th-style longsword. UNless I am carrying a buckler, I think a longsword is better than an arming sword. Something like an Oakeshott-style Type XVIa for the blade (most of the "hero" swords seem to be fullered).
Pommel of some kind of scent-stopper design. We see a hint of wheel pommels in the "issue" swords of Gondor. And Faramir's sword almost resembles a lobed viking style. But Aragorn's sword, Boromir's, even Gandalf's Glamdring have some variation of a scent-stopper. Anduril and Isildur's swords as well, if we squint a little.
Seems like the cross guard could be of almost any style. Slightly turned towards the blade seems popular, but of course, Anduril is straight, as is Isildur's sword.
What do you folks look for in Ranger sword?
Since then, like many of you, I am sure, I have been intrigues by swords, and thought a lot about what the swords of Middle-earth might be like.
So, I am curious.... what comes to YOUR mind as the swords of Middle-earth?
I think a lot of our images today are formed by Jackson's films. And John Howe's practical experience with swords certainly informed the swords as he imagined them, and of course, Peter Lyon's own practical experience with making functional swords.
The only vision that bothers me is the use of curved swords for the elves, since Tolkien seemed to say that elven swords were straight-bladed. But other than that? Pretty spot on.
The swords of the Rohirrim, of course, are heavily inspired by Migration Era swords. Pretty clear-cut there. And while I think Tolkien imagine a somewhat earlier look for Gondor, I like the 14th-15th century look of the swords from the culture of the Dunedain.
So, I am currently looking at getting a sword I think plausible for a Dunedain ranger with an eye towards consistency (more or less) with Jackson's vision. My general "requirements"
14th-15th-style longsword. UNless I am carrying a buckler, I think a longsword is better than an arming sword. Something like an Oakeshott-style Type XVIa for the blade (most of the "hero" swords seem to be fullered).
Pommel of some kind of scent-stopper design. We see a hint of wheel pommels in the "issue" swords of Gondor. And Faramir's sword almost resembles a lobed viking style. But Aragorn's sword, Boromir's, even Gandalf's Glamdring have some variation of a scent-stopper. Anduril and Isildur's swords as well, if we squint a little.
Seems like the cross guard could be of almost any style. Slightly turned towards the blade seems popular, but of course, Anduril is straight, as is Isildur's sword.
What do you folks look for in Ranger sword?