Discussion History ComicBook / Thanos

I\\\'m aware that using two handed sword is similar to longsword, but it is definitely a distinct skill. Giacomo De Grassi wrote in 1570 that \\\"Its weight and size are such that the only ones who are given it to wield are those who are big and strong in their body and limbs and of great courage--the sort of men who can take on many foes at once\\\" and also writes that \\\"One who wants to use the spadone in single combat first needs to know how to use other weapons with both hands, and must be agile and strong, which are requirements for using all weapons. He ought to also have the principles of the art fixed in his mind...and he also ought to have studied how the spadone is used nowadays--and how it ought to be used.\\\" I think this means that on one hand, the system is holistic and skills in one weapon transfer to a similar weapon. At the same time, you cannot call yourself proficient in a weapon unless you have practiced with it and studied it specifically, since each has its own handling characteristics and capabilities.

Swords and Swordsmen by Mike Loades states that the small sword had appeared in its recognizable form by 1660, which was earlier than I realized. I didn\\\'t really want to propose the exclusion of small sword in the first place; it was more that I wanted us to set manageable goals. If somebody wants to write a smallsword section I would be thrilled.