Difference between revisions of "Steel bastard sword"
(→Description and uses) |
|||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
==Description and uses== | ==Description and uses== | ||
| + | The term "bastard" is used to indicate that a thing doesn't fit within any of the normal categories used for classification. In this case it indicates that the sword is neither a single-handed sword such as the gladius, spatha and short sword, nor is it a true two-handed sword such as the long-sword. The grip is longer than is necessary for one hand but is not really long enough for a full two-handed grip. For this reason the bastard sword is sometimes called the "hand-and-a-half" sword. | ||
| + | |||
| + | While it is not a great deal longer than the traditional single-handed swords, the extra leverage of a second hand-grip, and the additional power from the strength of a second arm, make it a very powerful weapon. The improved control of the two-hand grip also provides greater accuracy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The bastard sword is better than the single-handed edged weapons while only weighing a few more grams. It is very much lighter than the two-handed weapons but causes very nearly as much damage. | ||
==Real-life context== | ==Real-life context== | ||
===Images=== | ===Images=== | ||
Revision as of 02:25, 4 June 2007
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Description and uses
The term "bastard" is used to indicate that a thing doesn't fit within any of the normal categories used for classification. In this case it indicates that the sword is neither a single-handed sword such as the gladius, spatha and short sword, nor is it a true two-handed sword such as the long-sword. The grip is longer than is necessary for one hand but is not really long enough for a full two-handed grip. For this reason the bastard sword is sometimes called the "hand-and-a-half" sword.
While it is not a great deal longer than the traditional single-handed swords, the extra leverage of a second hand-grip, and the additional power from the strength of a second arm, make it a very powerful weapon. The improved control of the two-hand grip also provides greater accuracy.
The bastard sword is better than the single-handed edged weapons while only weighing a few more grams. It is very much lighter than the two-handed weapons but causes very nearly as much damage.
