East Vs West
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:44 pm
Well, I could not get a larger print of the XIPHOS to post, but suffice it to say that, other in the Materials used and the design of the hilt, the two swords posted differ little.
Accoding to my Sifu, the Gim, especialy a War Gim of Carbon steel as opposed to the typical SS of Spring steel blade out there (which I DO recommend you practice with as the one shown above is razor sharp) was intended to slice or slash at areaa of the body unprotected by armor.
A little talked about tactic of the Romans was the use of a palm up or palm down thrust over the shield at the oponent's eyes. Thhe sword pictured would be very dangerous if used in such a fashion.
Although the Gim is more lighly structered than, say, a "Spatha" might have been, it could easy be used to find openings in an apponents armor.
One thinks of bearing down on the opponent's sheild when hitting the enemy line and delivering such a thrust.
Indeed, It was mentioned that a Caesarian Centurion, given a bit of a hero status after Pharsalus, was killed in such a manner.
Many (but not all) of Pompey Magnus' legions were veterans.
Likewise the Xiphos' pictured put me in mind of such a tactic being used in myceanan times (as perhaps Portrayed in "Troy") becuase of it's apparent light but long blade.
Don't not let the fact that the Xiphos was of Bronze Dissuade you regarding its effectiveness..
Bronze is a tough material and the crystalization of the edge was perhaps only acheived my master smiths, and could be were deadly sharp and stronger, in effect, than iron of some types, but, like the Gim, not necessarily having the weight to "hack" its way thru shield or armor. (at least if we go by this example)
John