Archive for March, 2010
During college, I lived a bit of a double life. There was the side that everyone saw - the friend who went out to bars on weekends and played pick-up games of basketball a few times a week. But then there was the gaming side. I would spend hours at a time playing videogames. You could name any role-playing game from the last five years on any platform, and I’ve probably played it and beat it.
Recently I’ve decided not to hide my passion for fantasy games any longer and frequented sword and armor sale events online and in person. I outfitted my apartment with tons of fantasy paraphernalia, including posters, figurines, and replica swords. My friends sometimes jokingly refer to me as the Dungeonmaster, but I couldn’t be more proud of the way the decorations turned out. Most guys my age lack any semblance of design sense, so who are they to judge?
An early Crusader who had just arrived in the Holy Land viewed a band of Saracens from a distance. He was so impressed with the curved sword that they wielded that he attempted to locate his own. Naturally the Saracens were not anxious to trade with the enemy, so he was forced to use his own straight blade crusader sword. The image that the Crusader saw is the picture that the western world still holds of the Islamic warrior—a turbaned soldier with a curved blade sword.
However straight bladed swords were also used by Islam during the Crusades. The stereo-type exists, because the Prophet Mohammed likely carried a curved weapon. There are relics which are preserved in the armory of the Sultans in the Topkai Palace in Istanbul that substantiate that he possessed a Scimitar. There are two swords that are associated with Mohammed at the armory. One of the swords is a narrow blade and is slightly curved. The hilt and scabbard of the weapon are embellished with precious stones and gold. The period that he utilized the blade would have been 560-632.
We have written about western swords with names in this blog. Islamic warrior’s swords also had names. The famous sword mentioned above was ‘Dhu’l Faqar’. Mohammed wielded this weapon at the battle of Badr in 624. Legend recounts that the sword was cloven in two near its point, and this is how it has been depicted ever since. It was bequeated to Ali, son-in-law to Mohammed. He served as Caliph from 656 to 661.
The Scimitar as well as being a beautifully formed sword, it also is very balanced and easy to handle. Collectors and reenactors appreciate the sword. Also it is so easy to wield that it is also used today in exotic belly-dancing.
Swords, with their long sharp blades and sturdy handles unfailingly bring to mind swash-buckling, dragon-slaying knights either in flouncy costumes or in shiny armor. More often than not, these men are princes or noblemen out to save their kingdom or rescue some damsel in distress. Swords also remind us of medieval times with their action-packed, crisscrossing swordfights, of flying, all-in-black ninjas, and of fencing fights. Unquestionably, these well-built weapons are impressive and remarkable that is why a number of people revel in collecting them.
Sword buffs will be ecstatic over the rich selection of swords in online stores. There are scores of handsome swords for the taking, which they can purchase and add to their precious sword displays. Browsing and selecting are bound to be hassle-free and satisfying because the items are sorted accordingly. A few of those categories are Samurai and Katana Swords, Sword Sets, Fantasy Swords, the Side Sword, Sword Canes, and Movie Swords.