Tuesday, 26 February 2008 22:51
Sword man sends school into lockdown
BRIGHTON Secondary School went into lockdown this morning after a man entered the grounds armed with a sword.
When most people think of weapons and battle equipment, they think of guns. But long before gunpowder was made to give bullets flight, there were swords. Swords are still used for many things these days including battle scenes for movies and winning medals at the Olympics, but how do you, the average consumer, go about choosing your very own sword? What things should you look for and what are the various types that are out there? This article is about helping you to find the sword that is right for you.
The first step to knowing what you want in a sword is deciding what it will be used for. Are you the type who is going to buy a sword for decoration, or do you intend on using the sword? There is a big difference in decorative and non-decorative swords. For one thing, a decorative sword is meant to be displayed only. It is usually not going to be as sharp, but it will look good hanging on a wall or in a case. The non-decorative swords out there are much sharper, and are going to be able to be used to cut and chop exactly as they were intended. The next thing you have to look at is what type of sword you want. This can be difficult as there are hundreds of different types of swords out there. If you are the type of person who is either recreating a battle scene or needs a prop for an all-out medieval battle, then a European type sword is going to work best. These include the Claymore, the Longsword, the Rapier, the Broadsword and more. Usually, these medieval swords are large and have wide, flat blades. The broadsword and the claymore are especially large, and most of the time will require two hands to wield.
If you are aiming for something that might be easier to wield, then it may be worth your time to check out Asian style swords. Traditionally, Asian style swords have long, curved blades that are extremely sharp and can be used to slice through objects in no time. They are also easier to use, as they are usually of a lighter weight, yet still incredibly strong. Probably the most famous of these is the Katana sword, or samurai sword. If you are looking to have a wall piece or have a sword as a piece of art, the katana is a great option.
Another direction to go in would be for sporting glory. Top Olympic athletes use fencing swords to make their bids for gold medals. A fending sword is an extremely lightweight piece that has an exceptionally thin and slender blade. It is used to jab and stab at an opponent and points are scored for hits on the body. It is a very noble and traditional sport, and one of only four to be featured in every Olympics.
And before you go out and choose your own sword, make sure you know what you want. It is helpful to do your research so that you get the exact thing that you want. It will also be much easier to choose a sword that is for decoration only, as the swords that you will want to handle (be it for a prop or for fencing) should be tested out in person to make sure that they have the correct balance and are the right size for you.
Finally, a few warnings about swords to those unfamiliar. They are sharp! Seriously, be careful when handling a sword. Much like a knife, the edges of swords have been honed to be as sharp as possible. You wouldn't want to go to battle with a dull sword, and all are very sharp. The main difference between a sword and knife though, is that a sword is also usually very large. It was meant to be able to strike an enemy from a short distance and that means that handling a sword should be done with care. If you plan on placing your sword on display, make sure that it has a solid structure holding it up or, to be extra certain of it staying put and not being disturbed, place it in a see-through acrylic or glass housing so that it can be seen, but not touched. At this point it should also be noted that swords are also not cheap. The best swords on the market cost many thousands of dollars. If you are planning on investing in a sword, do so knowing that you will have a very original, one-of-a-kind piece to enjoy for many years.
To learn more about swords and which is right for you, head on over to swordssource.com. You will find all sorts of information about everything from fantasy swords to medieval swords.