[Dan Tucker]

As for myself...I went with the Chinese, although it was an extremely difficult choice and I wish I could have chosen, say, five categories at once. but I'm starting to slip into a Chinese phase, and as my mouse was hovering over the Vikings I suddenly saw a vision of a Chinese infantry man with a two-handed zhanmadao (meaning "horse-chopper sword') backsword ready to put the cleavage on horse and rider, and I just couldn't resist. I'm now kicking myself very hard, however, as I've suddenly remembered that Apocalypse Now is my absolute favorite movie and there was a south-east asian category. oh well. I AM now absolutely obsessed with all those Chinese choppers and polearms, anyway, and it's never a wrong decision to go with a civilization that was really ancient and wise and advanced before any one else

[Jim Lindsey]

I chose Knights (although my first impulse would have been to chose Celts if the selection for Knights wouldn't have been available)

[James Byrnes]

lets see, I like longswords, polaxes and have an armor commission coming due that cost more then my first 3 vehicles put together. I like fair damsels and think all the other categories are unwashed barbaric heathens, yep I think Ka-niggit it is!

James

[Chad Arnow]

This year I've defected from the Scot to the Knight category. Mainly because that's what type of sword I'll be receiving from Albion in the next few months; I've been thinking more about that kind of sword lately. Also, I have a good basket hilt, dirk, sgian dubh and sgian achles, so I've been focusing more on bettering other areas of my collection. As a result, I feel more knightly these days than anything else.

Don't worry, Mac, I'll be back. The Wallace and McAlpin blood in me is strong. It'll resurface.

[John Gage]

I chose the Viking group. Gotta love them Vikings!!!!


Regards,

John

[Joe Fults]

Went with the Ren crowd because as Nathan offered there is a bunch of vairent there and I find myslef draw to sword types.

[Lee Watts]

it wasn't hard after looking at my small collection of type X, XI and XII.

im a KNIGHT

[Mike Fletcher]

Tough choice indeed...

I voted "Knight", but I have "Viking" tendencies as well. I feel so confused.

Must say that I'm surprised no "Samurai" have come forward yet. Hmmm...

Mike

[Steve Maly]

With my knees bent running about behavior, I am firmly a Knnnnnnnn-ighut!!

[Russ Ellis]

It probably is skewing the results a little... but heck nobody said this was a scientific poll

[Arik Estus]

What of the Reivers? How about a seperate catigory for us?
We have all the good traits of the Knights, Celts , Scots and Vikings.
With none of their faults.

[Eric Gerry]

[Taylor Ellis]

I like the late viking age better, but for swords, I like the knightly stuff. Xa, XIIa, XVIa etc.

[Timothy Gulics]

So many good cfhoices...

I had to go with Fantasy in the end run.

[Russ Ellis]

Just a note folks, this poll will run until Thursday at which time the winners will be announced.

[Ciaran Flanagan]

Body paint and nakidness all the way..


GO CELTS WOOOOOOOOOOOO...


C

[Roger Hooper]

It's interesting that the results so far are different this year - due mostly to the change of venue, I imagine. No samurai, fewer "misc. whiners", knights dominating, and the Renaissance men doing better than in the past. Russ, have you ever compared the results from year to year, spotting any trends?

[Russ Ellis]

Hey Roger,

I have in fact kept the statistics from past years. I'll post them all at the end of the poll.

[Carl Croushore]

I like wearing the kilts I have
.
I like wearing wode/woad. It's a local anesthetic, a mild hallucinogen, and coordinates nicely with my eyes.

I know what an axe is, and I like using them for cutting...

I admire the Roman sense of military strategy.

I, too, like the plethora of swords a knight had access to, as well as the get-dressed-up-in-polished-steel ideal.

My wife teaches middle-eastern dancing, and has wonderful curves.

I like the Renaissance, ala Nathan's well-worded description.

I have studied Japanese culture as my minor in college, therefore, I appreciate their aesthetic and their philosophy.

While not really versed in Chinese culture, I have studied Mongol history and culture, and keep a Mongol persona in the SCA. ( I'd really like to find a live-steel school and/or organization, though.)

I stay away from barbarians, while drooling over Jody Samson's swords, which I can never afford.

Anyone as learned as Tolkien, who can create a complete world that millions of people can relate to, deserves to have a few well-made blades created from his descriptions.

Thus, as I have the advantage of looking back on history and admiring man things about many of the cultures you put in your poll, I cannot pick only one. This leaves me with two choices: Not to participate, or pick the "whiners" category. So, in the spirit of good sportsmanship and community participation, I'll vote in the "whiners" category, with a friendly "Up yours!" to Russ for his choice of names for the category.

Cheers!

[Bob Uhl]

Well, much as I'm attracted to the Knight option, and would be to Saxon were it available, I gotta go with the Renascence. Cool swords all, as Nathan pointed out. Seriously, who doesn't want a couple of nice rapiers:-)