# What's your favorite sword? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 15, 2001, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450 "2001-08-15T21:49:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bryanmaguire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bryanmaguire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bryanmaguire)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/21 "2001-08-16T10:56:05Z")
The Khopesh. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/22 "2001-08-16T12:41:48Z")
A scramasax, solely because of the humour potential. “Why are you charging into battle with a crowbar?” “No it isn’t, it’s a sword.” “It’s a crowbar-- you just filed down one edge.” “No, really, it’s a sword.” ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/23 "2001-08-16T14:09:44Z")
I’m more into chainsaws myself. ---
**Author:** ![JosephFinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JosephFinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephFinn)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/24 "2001-08-16T15:25:42Z")
Wellll… The Katana, of course. A weapon of elegance and skill, that should be weilded only by one who know what the hell they are doing. Otherwise, they’re liable to injure themselves. Hell, now I have a vision of Usagi Yojimbo in my head. For close runner-ups, we have the Scottish basket-hilt claymore (preferably with a silver hilt). It’s a one handed sword, different from the classic two-handed claymore, and is a devastating weapon in the hands of a good swordsman. Think Rob Roy. There is also a sword simply called the Irish Sword (you can see it at [http://www.museumreplicas.com](http://www.museumreplicas.com)). The only sword with a distinctly Irish provenance, it’s a lovingly elegant sword with a ring pommel. ---
**Author:** ![Journeyman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/779978/32.png) [@Journeyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Journeyman)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2001, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/25 "2001-08-16T20:30:21Z")
The Katana. There is a reason that the samurai never used shields. A Katana can catch and parry a blow that would shatter a western blade. The forging process made them very very sharp and very strong. As for specific weapons: Sephiroth’s Masamune (it’s as tall as he is, and just looks stupidly cool). For anyone who plays Mordheim, Aenur’s sword, The Hand of Khaine. The Six Fingered sword from The Princess Bride. The Green Destiny from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Alita’s Damascus Blade isn’t really a sword, since it’s attached to her forearm, but nifty never the less. ---
**Author:** ![Ross](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@Ross](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ross)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/26 "2001-08-17T00:18:12Z")
Alright then, the self-sharpening nanoblade Dragontooth Sword from _Deus Ex_. But only because it’s very nearly a [lightsaber](http://www.homestead.com/starwarslightsaber/lightpage.html). ---
**Author:** ![Tyklfe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3e96dc/32.png) [@Tyklfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tyklfe)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/27 "2001-08-17T00:35:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Journeyman \* > \*\* > The Green Destiny from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. > \*\* Dang it **Journeyman** , you beat me to it! Hmmm…well then, I guess I’ll just have to say the medievil Broadsword. ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/28 "2001-08-17T01:07:41Z")
I’d like a _chainsword_. Like a chainsaw, but sword-ier. Any Warhammer geeks inna house? ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/29 "2001-08-17T01:18:41Z")
I can’t believe I have to be the represetative of D&D geeks around the world, i mean, isnt it obvious? CARSOMYR: THE HOLY AVENGER Two handed sword to hit +5 , +10 against chaotic evil opponents does double dmg against draconic evil creatures 50% chance to dispel magic on every hit not sure about that double dmg thing. ---
**Author:** ![handandahalf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@handandahalf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handandahalf)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/30 "2001-08-17T04:50:30Z")
Just look at my UserName… ---
**Author:** ![Lyllyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@Lyllyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lyllyan)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/31 "2001-08-17T04:59:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sk8rixtx \* > \*\*“Shit” and “suck” are my two favorites. \*\* “I shall choose “Ballons” for $800, Alex” I am partial to the Scottish two-handed claymore. It’s big, it’s heavy, it can cleave you in two. And the sheer strength it took to use one is astounding. ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/32 "2001-08-17T05:25:52Z")
DANGIT! You beat me to the claymore! Good 'ole longsword. I don’t know if it counts, but morningstars are so very cool. ---
**Author:** ![Trucido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@Trucido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trucido)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/33 "2001-08-17T07:30:41Z")
The sharp, pointy ones. Me like pointy things, 'specially when dey’re shiny, too. Yeah, **that\_darn\_cat** I kinda like the idea of a chainsword, too. But like I said, I like 'em all, except for the really thin dueling ones. Swords are weapons, and they should look like it. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Stewart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Dave\_Stewart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Stewart)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/34 "2001-08-17T09:36:29Z")
I have a katana, which my grandfather picked up as a war trophy in fairly gruesome circumstances when fighting in Malaya in WW2. I recently purchased a katar: an Indo-Persian sword with a horizontal grip, with a hooded handguard. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/35 "2001-08-17T11:47:18Z")
The gladius, for short slashing and stabbing. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/36 "2001-08-17T12:21:45Z")
Although I honestly like some of the others given above, I have to put in a vote for the _harpe_, the curved sword of ancient Greece. In time, this “morphed” into the _falchion_, a sword with a curved blade growing out of a normal straight blade. A sword with two points is, I maintain, pretty cool, if weird. ---
**Author:** ![soulsling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@soulsling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulsling)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/37 "2001-08-17T13:04:24Z")
…the kind where the pointy end is sticking in the other guy and not me. ---
**Author:** ![False\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee7513/32.png) [@False\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/False_God)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/38 "2001-08-17T13:22:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Trucido \* > \*\*The sharp, pointy ones. Me like pointy things, 'specially when dey’re shiny, too. > > Yeah, **that\_darn\_cat** I kinda like the idea of a chainsword, too. But like I said, I like 'em all, except for the really thin dueling ones. Swords are weapons, and they should look like it. \*\* In the end of _The Diamond Age_, Neal Stephenson has Princess Nell replicate a knife and sword, both with power supplies and small nanoblades in a chainsaw-style array. Whirring silent death ensued. As for my personal preference, I’ll go with a sabre or rapier. The degree of finesse when you’re swinging around a three foot straight razor appeals to me. They’re also “don’t f-with me” swords. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/39 "2001-08-17T14:10:19Z")
The basket-hilted broadsword isn’t a Claymore, it’s a Clay_beg_, and it’s a nasty piece of work. I wouldn’t want to face one! That said, I think I like the Thracian _Kopis_, or _Machaira_ (curved sword). Sometimes it’s caled a [Falcata](http://swordforum.com/swords/historical/falcata.html). It’s no-nonsense, down-and-dirty weapon. Come to think of it, I think the Thracian [Rhomphaia](http://www.thrace.0catch.com/rhomph_reconstructions.htm) pretty much rocks, too. (The little ring piercing the blade where it joins the handle is to run a thong through, for slinging the weapon over the shoulder, blade-upmost, while marching) ---
**Author:** ![JosephFinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JosephFinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephFinn)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2001, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450/40 "2001-08-17T16:06:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dave Stewart \* > \*\*I have a katana, which my grandfather picked up as a war trophy in fairly gruesome circumstances when fighting in Malaya in WW2. > \*\* Bring it to your local Japanese consulate (assuming you’re in a larger city, you should have one near you). The family of the deceased soldier would be quite happy to have one of their family swords back. Does it have any distinctive markings (iconographs, Japanese characters, sashes, etc)? Over the last decade or so, many swords have been returned to their proper owners this way. After all, a sword like that is often not just a weapon, but a religious object. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-favorite-sword/76450.md?page=3)