The importance of historical accuracy
by Grayson C.
(Florida, USA)
Grayson C. (Rammstein at the boards) here!
Something that is genuinely missing from the vast majority of sub $300 swords is the importance of historical accuracy. Take a look at some companies and compare their swords to antiques or higher end swords. They miss their target by miles and still market their swords as historically accurate!
"What," you are probably asking, "is the importance of historical accurcy? All I wanna do is cut things up!"
That's all fine and dandy, but often times the casual sword enthusiast takes a few years to evolve into a more hardcore devotee on history. Obviously there are many exceptions to this, but there are plenty of people who start out buying swords that they come to absolutely loathe in their coming years.
Another very important asepct about historical accuracy is the historical swordsmiths were not morons, not were they gutteral barbarians. They had over 500 years of experience in sword making and they were absolute masters in their craft.
Unforunately, this knowledge has been lost to us and it is only in the last 50 years or so that it is beginning to be rediscovered. Too often I see people poopooing historical accuracy as "snobbishness" or "elitism." That cannot be farther from the truth.
Historical accuracy in swords is what an engine is to a car (to use one of them ol' car references again). Sure, you can oush a car down a hill and it will move, but without an engine, it won't reach it's full potential.
Remember, swords were tools meant for the purpose of killing AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. They were tried for mellinia on the battlefield and perfected for their uses. Today, we do not have the luxury of trying our swords in warfare and hence, we cannot ever hope to achieve the effectiveness that our historical counterparts did. It's like taking a test in school; You need to study to get the best grade possible. If you work hard and get your facts straight uor end result will be an A on that test. But if you fail to review, fail to learn the information provided, you just cannot (usually ;) ) succeed! The problem with many of today's swords is that there is no infomation given to study and there is no final grade (effectiveness) given.
My point in writing this rather long-winded essay is to point to a company that I believe does provide the most hardcore acuracy of any sub $300 swords - Windlass steelcrafts. While they do have known issues, their knewer swords are said to be an absolute jewel to own, combining their uncomprimising quality in the accuracy department with relatively solid manufacture.
For any qualms, lawsuits, progoganda, or mother-in-laws (oo, and bribery! I always love a good bribe!), please feel free to contact me via the forum, username: Rammstein.
