Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Lee · Yesterday, 05:10 PM

These forums have been provided for the discussion of ethnographic arms and armour, such being defined as "traditional handmade edged weapons and armour of many diverse cultures worldwide, some currently, but mostly formerly, in production and use." A 10th Century Viking sword and a 20th Century Indonesian keris are both going to fit into that category. Militaria (even a venerable model 1860 U.S. cavalry saber) have been excluded as have reproductions except, for the former, in rare cases where reuse and reworking have brought an item into the definition and, for the later, as an entirely peripheral example of form or decoration. There is nothing wrong with these excluded items and it is understood that many member's interests also extend into this territory (as do mine,) but we do need to maintain focus here.

Hotspur has helpfully provided links above to other forums specializing in these areas of study and collecting where such discussions may be more appropriately carried out. Traditional Japanese swords fit the definition, but I personally go to the Nihonto Message Board, listed as the final link above, because it is the best place for that specialty. I follow some of the Facebook groups as well, but those discussions seem very much "in the moment" and I rarely can find one again, so I tend to agree with Hotspur here.

I am leaving this thread open and invite you to reply with links to other forums and groups that may be of interest to the membership.

Yesterday, 05:10 PM	#9
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 961	Policy Statement These forums have been provided for the discussion of ethnographic arms and armour, such being defined as "traditional handmade edged weapons and armour of many diverse cultures worldwide, some currently, but mostly formerly, in production and use." A 10th Century Viking sword and a 20th Century Indonesian keris are both going to fit into that category. Militaria (even a venerable model 1860 U.S. cavalry saber) have been excluded as have reproductions except, for the former, in rare cases where reuse and reworking have brought an item into the definition and, for the later, as an entirely peripheral example of form or decoration. There is nothing wrong with these excluded items and it is understood that many member's interests also extend into this territory (as do mine,) but we do need to maintain focus here. Hotspur has helpfully provided links above to other forums specializing in these areas of study and collecting where such discussions may be more appropriately carried out. Traditional Japanese swords fit the definition, but I personally go to the Nihonto Message Board, listed as the final link above, because it is the best place for that specialty. I follow some of the Facebook groups as well, but those discussions seem very much "in the moment" and I rarely can find one again, so I tend to agree with Hotspur here. I am leaving this thread open and invite you to reply with links to other forums and groups that may be of interest to the membership.