tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post6810524942996107109..comments2023-05-30T08:56:26.150-07:00Comments on Fat Kid blogs and stuff!: 5 Sins of the Sword in Fantasy IllustrationJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02852127435931262360noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-80388447376358656662011-02-18T14:40:34.834-08:002011-02-18T14:40:34.834-08:00The dwemer sword wasn't all bad. There are som...The dwemer sword wasn't all bad. There are some far worse in Oblivion or Morrowind. ;)Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02852127435931262360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-10870728531753460852011-02-18T13:27:41.360-08:002011-02-18T13:27:41.360-08:00http://www.roundarea.com/theelderscrolls4oblivion/...http://www.roundarea.com/theelderscrolls4oblivion/gfx/gallery/large/Screenshots/Oblivion%202006-03-23%2013-29-44-34.jpg<br /><br />Look I found your favourite sword.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11480404464844954877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-81449636869845079382011-02-17T22:33:58.871-08:002011-02-17T22:33:58.871-08:00To my knowledge, it doesn't seem to appear on ...To my knowledge, it doesn't seem to appear on most extant longswords and earlier arming swords unless the smith really fucked up his mass distribution. It becomes more common with the advent of complex-hilted swords. <br /><br />The ricasso on a rapier allows the user to slip a finger through the guard and support the weapon better.Errant Venturehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03990590672389622885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-65612014489009878942011-02-17T10:06:48.695-08:002011-02-17T10:06:48.695-08:00I suspect it's for some kind of tool related u...I suspect it's for some kind of tool related use rather than combat. I seem to dimply recall something similar on some medieval falchions to aid dismembering hunting kills but I will need to check.Jon Hodgsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11890693554667180093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-31392984805125578672011-02-17T09:18:37.090-08:002011-02-17T09:18:37.090-08:00I knooow! I should've put this somewhere at th...I knooow! I should've put this somewhere at the beginning in big letters - <b>IF your goal is to paint somewhat realistic and believable swords, then you might want to consider this...</b><br /><br />And sometimes I think it's fun to break some of these principles. <br />But even keeping all this in mind, you can design and draw some amazingly beautiful fantasy swords - John Howe's designs were always a huge influence on me.<br /><br />All in all, I think it's beneficial to know how these objects evolved, how they're made and how they're used. As with anything else, if you know a lot about the object, it's easier to draw it and make new ones. ;)<br /><br />@Dirk - O_O Why is that plate there? Was it there originally? I don't think I've ever seen a bladed weapon decorated in this way.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02852127435931262360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-7454414027229241692011-02-17T09:10:20.216-08:002011-02-17T09:10:20.216-08:00You can't kid me, I've seen the beginning ...You can't kid me, I've seen the beginning of Conan and I know how swords are made. :D<br /><br />I think you're being perhaps a *tiny* bit straight-faced about the joyous nonsense of fantasy, which is almost entirely it's charm. <br /><br />However to join in the seriousness I was just looking at this (badly lit) photo of a dirk I took in the National Museum of Scotland last year. Nice little plate on the back edge of the blade, which I thought was a nice touch of detail I must get in sometime. These "knives" are around 12 to 18 inches long btw.<br /><br />I messed up my link in an earlier version of this comment: Plz c n p:<br />http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3974/dirkt.jpgJon Hodgsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11890693554667180093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-45261645234606169042011-02-17T08:44:14.894-08:002011-02-17T08:44:14.894-08:00Dario, many thanks for the links!
Looking at the...Dario, many thanks for the links! <br /><br />Looking at them, I thought of a video I've seen a while ago. <br />Is the use of ricasso on longswords detailed in any texts?<br /><br />It seems way too short for grabbing with a hand and in Talhoffer's plates they happily half sword with a hand on the blade and not on the ricasso. And the ricasso is wider than the blade.<br /><br />You can also see some of the "rain guards" in the first one.<br /><br />Here's the video - by Hammaborg. And I must admit the guy makes a good case.<br /><b><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8QBr4dTAR0" rel="nofollow">Rain Guard, or hand protection?</a><br /></b>Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02852127435931262360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-54960536563821006872011-02-17T08:14:10.223-08:002011-02-17T08:14:10.223-08:00Salve Jan,
good article!
if I may add some - also...Salve Jan,<br />good article!<br />if I may add some - also 14-15th century estoc or panzerstrecher swords were used by holding the blade, esepcially when on a ground - foot combat. Some had ricasso outright and some did not http://www.mlecin.com/dss/pictures/a-half.jpg<br />http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/De_Fechtbuch_Talhoffer_078.jpg<br />http://ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2003/images/miker_talhoffer.jpg<br />http://www.aemma.org/onlineResources/liberi/images/liberi60.jpgDario T. W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08130649848483687308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-90972502958191371542011-02-17T05:41:05.029-08:002011-02-17T05:41:05.029-08:00Caleb, you are of course right about the ricasso. ...Caleb, you are of course right about the ricasso. <br /><br />If I understand it right, it's appeared on longswords (at least Wikipedia says so) and two handed swords (like the flamberge) and it's there to allow for a more firm grip. (for easier stabbing?)<br /><br />And also on rapiers - which I chose not to talk about, because I feel I'm quite familiar with swords only up to the 15th century or so.<br /><br />What purpose does it serve on a rapier?<br /><br />I brought it up in the article, because I've seen this done on clearly earlier swords - migration period, viking, early medieval and so on. And their fantasy equivalents.<br /><br />I don't see a reason for these to have a ricasso.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02852127435931262360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-52776553333263224662011-02-17T05:37:20.385-08:002011-02-17T05:37:20.385-08:00BTW: "forte" comes from fencing techniqu...BTW: "forte" comes from fencing techniques, and does not refer to an unsharpened part of the blade, but with a part of the blade with which to parry, "strong part of the blade" is not meant literally. But see for yourself:<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forte_%28fencing%29Caleb The Heretichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06163853394371056451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580977948575093094.post-9058642053433090742011-02-17T05:31:51.377-08:002011-02-17T05:31:51.377-08:00One remark: Flambards do have a nonsharp, "re...One remark: Flambards do have a nonsharp, "rectangular" part of the blade, near the hilt, called "ricasso". It's used to enable a better control and maneuverability of the sword, and yes, it's a historical development.<br /><br />Best regards<br />p.s.: Otherwise than this little error it's a nice and good article, and i share your view on the topic.Caleb The Heretichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06163853394371056451noreply@blogger.com