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**lindil** · 08-19-2002, 06:55 AM

I was so indoctrinated by the scimitar=bad guys that while learning T'ai-Chi Ch'uan I wanted to skip the Broadsword [aka Scimitar] altogether and proceed straight to the Gim or straightsword [ the main swords used in Crouching tiger , Hidden dragon - for instance]. It took me quitea while to get over JRRT's effect on me and get uased to the idea of learning the weapons in the 'proper sequencce'.

In China the scimitar was used by those who had to fight multiple opponents, anf the straight sword was more of a dueling and gentleman's weapon, and extremely difficult to use properly. The saying is 'the broadsword can be learned in 100 repetitions' the straightsword in 10,000'.

Thanks for all the great historical info folks, the downs is truly the 'straightsword' of Tolkien sights!
A queen among farmers wives!

08-19-2002, 06:55 AM	#32
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	I was so indoctrinated by the scimitar=bad guys that while learning T'ai-Chi Ch'uan I wanted to skip the Broadsword [aka Scimitar] altogether and proceed straight to the Gim or straightsword [ the main swords used in Crouching tiger , Hidden dragon - for instance]. It took me quitea while to get over JRRT's effect on me and get uased to the idea of learning the weapons in the 'proper sequencce'. In China the scimitar was used by those who had to fight multiple opponents, anf the straight sword was more of a dueling and gentleman's weapon, and extremely difficult to use properly. The saying is 'the broadsword can be learned in 100 repetitions' the straightsword in 10,000'. Thanks for all the great historical info folks, the downs is truly the 'straightsword' of Tolkien sights! A queen among farmers wives! __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.