What would you consider the "manliest" sword? -- myArmoury.com

Jared Lambert

Just as the title says what do you consider the manliest sword? I've been contemplating this for a while and would like your guys opinion on which sword throughout history has the best blend of beauty and power a sword that would be at home on a "man's" hip as well as on a battlefield and why.

Timo Nieminen · Posted: Sun 17 Jun, 2012 10:08 pm Post subject:

Not quite a sword, but surely the "manliest" weapon is the ballock knife.

Nicholas Barton · Posted: Sun 17 Jun, 2012 10:31 pm Post subject:

all depends on the man...

but as a general statement i would say a two handed great sword. Large, solid, fast, strong

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2012 3:13 am Post subject:

My votes for a Scots baskethilt, can say more manly than that.

Andy Ternay · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2012 10:04 am Post subject:

Roman gladius - you have to get up close and personal with your target.

Craig Shackleton · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2012 10:15 am Post subject:

I'm going to have to go with the anthropomorphic sword.

Roger Hooper · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2012 11:21 am Post subject:

Nothing fancy-shmancy, just a type Xa, like the Albion Oakeshott

R. Kolick · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject:

i think youd need two swords one a leaf shaped bladed long sword great for slashing and thrusting when its one on one or you need a little reach got to go with function over fashion and a broken back seax for when you need to get up close and personal

Jared Lambert · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2012 3:36 pm Post subject:

Thank you for all of your speedy replies. I'm happily surprised by your answers so far i was expecting a lot of 18th and 19th century sabers smallswords etc. I believe a simple yet elegant sword is more manly and this fits quite a few of your replies. The great sword very clean and simple but with an awe inspiring presence. Next the scots baskethilt has just the right amount of elegance in its basket while having a powerful sturdy blade. Then the gladius is a nice compact blade with a unique all wood/ivory hilt, handle and pommel assembly and the waisted mainz style blades have a certain beauty to them. The anthropomorphic sword is also very nice in its compactness and its unique bronze handle setup and also sports a leaf blade. Last the albion Oakeshott is the classic stereotypical knight sword that everyone recognizes in its beautiful simplicity.

Matthew P. Adams · Posted: Mon 18 Jun, 2012 5:22 pm Post subject:

When I think of the ideal of "manliness" what comes to mind is athleticism with grace. Strength but agility as well, like a gymnast or marathon runner. So I would put forth the Munich. Slender and agile but packs a punch in the cut (so I've read).

It's also " the sword I really really want" so there is also that. Big Grin

Paul Watson · Posted: Tue 19 Jun, 2012 12:11 am Post subject:

Albion Knecht., simple and elegant, it is what it is.

A. Spanjer · Posted: Tue 19 Jun, 2012 6:19 am Post subject:

I second the vote for the Scottish Basket-Hilt, the broadsword, but not the backsword.

The Langseax and Oakeshott Type X are also up there.

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Tue 19 Jun, 2012 7:11 am Post subject:

If I had to pick a second choice after the Highland Scots baskethilt broadsword, I'd pick a "viking sword", either a petersen type H or a K.

Ryan S. · Posted: Tue 19 Jun, 2012 10:49 am Post subject:

something big and strong and not to ornate.

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Tue 19 Jun, 2012 12:40 pm Post subject:

A Boar Sword or a Kukri. I would not question the manly prowess of someone carrying either. They pretty much tell you all you need to know about the 'manliness' of the person carrying them.........

(so long as they were carried by someone who actually used them, and not some poseur, of course)

Sebastian Pachmayr · Posted: Wed 20 Jun, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject:

I vote for a single edged viking sword á la Arhus Farm. Just has a savage kind of beauty in my eyes Happy

William P · Posted: Wed 20 Jun, 2012 9:28 pm Post subject:

i have two blades in mind

to me the sheer mind numbing level of crazy that the ghurkas possessed makes me vote for the kukri

but to me, 'manly' means strong as an ox but not not nearly as stupid, so im going for the zweihander. i mean those things got to be nearly 6 feet long yet sill had some serious finess to them to mean they arnt just sharpened maces

Brian Mitchell · Posted: Thu 21 Jun, 2012 11:28 am Post subject:

...any sword that is buried to the hilt in an adversary's liver.

Gary Teuscher · Posted: Thu 21 Jun, 2012 12:22 pm Post subject:

A ten pound two hander like Arnold uses when playing Conan. Only a real man can use that sword Big Grin

R. Kolick · Posted: Thu 21 Jun, 2012 1:58 pm Post subject: