Weapons of Middle Earth

[HerenIstarion]

It would be creepy to be in possesion of such a thing. Remembering HP and Mr. Weasly's 'never trust a thing with its own mind, especially when you can't see where does it keep its brains'...

edit:

what mace?

I believe the mace Sauron so magestically throws warriors of the West around with is a movie invention. Consider:

Elrond at the council of, well, Elrond:

I was the herald of Gil-galad and marched with his host. I was at the Battle of Dagorlad before the Black Gate of Mordor, where we had the mastery: for the Spear of Gil-galad and the Sword of Elendil, Aiglos and Narsil, none could withstand. I beheld the last combat on the slopes of Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke beneath him; but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shard of his father's sword, and took it for his own.'

and

Silmarilliion 77

The host of Gil-galad and Elendil had the victory, for the might of the Elves was still great in those days, and the Númenóreans were strong and tall, and terrible in their wrath. Against Aeglos the spear of Gil-galad none could stand; and the sword of Elendil filled Orcs and Men with fear, for it shone with the light of the sun and of the moon, and it was named Narsil.
Then Gil-galad and Elendil passed into Mordor and encompassed the stronghold of Sauron; and they laid siege to it for seven years, and suffered grievous loss by fire and by the darts and bolts of the Enemy, and Sauron sent many sorties against them. There in the valley of Gorgoroth Anárion son of Elendil was slain, and many others. But at the last the siege was so strait that Sauron himself came forth; and he wrestled with Gil-galad and Elendil, and they both were slain, and the sword of Elendil broke under him as he fell. But Sauron also was thrown down, and with the hilt-shard of Narsil Isildur cut the Ruling Ring from the hand of Sauron and took it for his own. Then Sauron was for that time vanquished, and he forsook his body, and his spirit fled far away and hid in waste places; and he took no visible shape again for many long years.

Neither I do recall any mention of weapon in association with Sauron. Shape-shifting - yes, wolves under hand - yes, maces - no.

[The Saucepan Man]

Hehe. It could indeed be a bit unsettling to have a talking sword. Just ask Lord Earnur Etceteron.

Then again, I'm sure that Gurthang behaved itself as long as it was kept sharp and well-oiled and frequently fed with nassty Orcsses blood. And it would provide some company on long nights by the fire out in the wilderness. I wonder if it was a good conversationalist. Perhaps it had a sharp tongue and a rapier wit.

[Elwe Singollo]

Ah well we can't get everything right. I was right about the fact that Grond was not used by Sauron though so......

[Lhundulinwen]

I would have to say good old Sting. I would really appreciate my sword glowing when big ugly orcs were sneaking up behind me. Plus, none of the hobbits who used the sword died prematurely, and they are all on my list of top characters.

[Meela]

A Palantir, definitely. It counts as a weapon, doesn't it? I'd normally opt for a good old sword, like Narsil, because I like a weapon that's simple and old-fashioned strong. But I'd quite like a weapon with a greater power and wider effect.

[The Saucepan Man]

I believe the mace Sauron so magestically throws warriors of the West around with is a movie invention.

A good invention in this case though, I think. It makes sense that Sauron would use a mace, given that his Mentor wielded just such a weapon, and one of great renown. Sauron was clearly rather taken with Grond, since he named one of his most devastating siege weapons after it.

[Son of Númenor]

I don't remember Melkor using a mace. Wasn't Grond a hammer?

I think the most interesting weapon in Middle-earth was Gurthang, because it was the only one that had any sort of personality. Anduril certainly had a great 'presence' when it was mentioned, but the doom that hung on Gurthang, its unique & mysterious origin, & its interaction with Beleg & Turin, made it the most fascinating to me.

However (to answer the initial question), I do not think I would rather wield it than other weapons of Middle-earth, because of Melian's proclamation to Beleg:

There is malice in this sword. The dark heart of the smith still dwells in it. It will not love the hand it serves; neither will it abide with you long" (Silmarillion, "Of Turin Turambar").

I certainly wouldn't trust such a blade. If I had my choice of weapon (if we use the term 'weapon' in a very liberal sense to mean something used in the opposition of an enemy), I would choose Narya, whose power is not in might but in summoning the courage & kindling the valour necessary to overcome evil.