Posted: February 09, 2000 at 18:51:29: by Mandos
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: In Tolkien's works the good guys' (except Egalmoth's) swords are always straight and double-edged, whereas their enemies wield scimitars / other curved blades. It could be said: those with the most skill prefer to make double-edged swords. How is it in real life? Is there any real advantage for one type of sword over another, eg. balance and cutting properties? Did double-edged swords fall out of use sooner because they aren't as good or because they're harder to make?
: Someone know?
: -Foradan In my limited understanding, in the US and Europe of the last 2 centuries infantry officers have tended to use straight blades, and cavalry curved sabres. I have never engaged in a horse mounted cavalry charge (only armored tanks!), but my understanding is that they are useful for repeated slashing attacks from charging horsemen.
Marine officers, traditionaly armed with the Mameluke sword, adopted the US Army Cavalry sabre during the Civil War. The Mameluke sword was a slightly curved single edged blade, but after the first salvos of the Civil War where many broke on collarbones (John Brown at Harpers Ferry is a famous case), Marine officers abandoned them in favor of the thicker heaver Cavalry sabre. Just for info a few years later the Marine Coprs went back to the Mameluke sword for sentimental reasons, and awarded the Cavalry sabre to the NCO ranks. At this time Marine NCO's are the only non commissioned officers allowed to bear sword arms. OOrah!
-Capt Bill Marcellino, USMC
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