Culture, style and swordplay
I'd like to start this article with a hearty congratulations to everyone who successfully survived the Y2K bug. I, for one, was a little disappointed that the lights did not even flicker when midnight hit but all in all I was glad to be to well and happy in a prosperous country during a time of peace from one millennium to another. I think we can all share a prayer that this will start a trend for the next 1000 years.
I, like many folks, spent a New Years eve relaxing with friends. Interestingly enough, I had finally received the latest edition to my collection of swords; a swept hilt rapier (replica) circa 1560 and its matching Main Gauche from Atlanta Cutlery. One of my guests, enthralled as are all 35 year old children, immediately fell into visions of Zorro and the three Musketeers as I explained to him some of the intricacies of the European fencing styles.
One of the observations made by my friend was, surprisingly enough, "I figured a sword would be heavier." This comment, I discovered, was triggered by the many fantastic films and TV shows where our heroes and heroines hack and slash their way across the old world. As much as I love Zena and Hercules, it impacted me again how great an impact our entertainment media has on our perception of fencing and martial arts, and an entirely new conversation formed (much to the chagrin of my family waiting patiently to play a game in the living room) about the differences in swords and swordwork amongst the centuries and cultures.
Part of the reason this statement had such impact for me was the fact that I had felt this sword to be a little heavy. Having been designed after the 14th century popular style the weapon sported the nearly 40 inch blade length which, in conjunction with a bone handle design, made the weapon slightly tip heavy for my tastes. I and my guest's perception difference was, of course, based on how we viewed ancient men at arms. My guest was used to the knight in shining armor with their shorter, heavier weapons designed for hacking their way through plate steel. My perception, having been a competitive fencer for most of my life, was based on the renaissance period which used the lighter duelist's rapier and epee' intended to draw blood in a duel or, at worst, incapacitate a highwayman.
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