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Jack1.0 · 08-24-2006, 05:11 PM

Back to the original question.....

Assuming you are talking about a single handed blade,
the exact length does depend on the style and personal preferences of the wielder, but I would recommend that you not go above a certain length. That length would be just short of the tip touching the ground when the weapon is held in the hand with the arm relaxed and hanging at your side. Depending on your height and the length of your arm this is probably somewhere around 30 inches of blade length( I am 6'4" tall and this comes out to be about 32" of blade length.) While not critical for actual combat maneuvers it does prevent you from having to worry about the tip being scratched or blunted if you allow your arm to hang free before or after a fight. Not so important if the weapon is a practice beater, more important if it is a work of art.

In a single weapon style like Olympic fencing you would rarely allow your hilt to droop low enough for the tip to drag. Your weapon is both your attack and your defense so it is kept in front of you where you can do both. Maximum length becomes more important if you are practicing a style that uses something in the off hand to parry or block with, as this gives you the freedom to perform more radical maneuvers with your primary weapon designed to attack from an unseen or unexpected direction.

08-24-2006, 05:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jack1.0 Tilted	Back to the original question..... Assuming you are talking about a single handed blade, the exact length does depend on the style and personal preferences of the wielder, but I would recommend that you not go above a certain length. That length would be just short of the tip touching the ground when the weapon is held in the hand with the arm relaxed and hanging at your side. Depending on your height and the length of your arm this is probably somewhere around 30 inches of blade length( I am 6'4" tall and this comes out to be about 32" of blade length.) While not critical for actual combat maneuvers it does prevent you from having to worry about the tip being scratched or blunted if you allow your arm to hang free before or after a fight. Not so important if the weapon is a practice beater, more important if it is a work of art. In a single weapon style like Olympic fencing you would rarely allow your hilt to droop low enough for the tip to drag. Your weapon is both your attack and your defense so it is kept in front of you where you can do both. Maximum length becomes more important if you are practicing a style that uses something in the off hand to parry or block with, as this gives you the freedom to perform more radical maneuvers with your primary weapon designed to attack from an unseen or unexpected direction. __________________ Jack1.0 ---------------------------------------------- I've learned to embrace my inner Geek. I haven't found anything else I'm good at.