I have a question.. (wearing swords)

Mythical Tiger · Feb 12, 2009

Hey everyone! I was wondering how I would describe two sheaths crisscrossed on someones back. What is holding it on to the back? What are they connected to? Whats it called?

Thanks!

~Tiger

dpaterso · Feb 12, 2009

Leather straps probably hold the sheaths in place, I'd describe this as a sword harness.

-Derek

alleycat · Feb 12, 2009

If these are for swords, I think I would call them scabbards rather than sheaths.

I might call the attachment straps, uh, straps. Harness might work, as Derek mentioned. Scabbard belts? You might also Google and see what the strap of an arrow quiver is called (if it even has a name).

Mythical Tiger · Feb 12, 2009

Thanks dpaterso and alleycat.

That helped a lot and helped get me through my writer block

.

How does this sound?

There was two black leather straps making an 'X' across Kai's back and chest. Each strap at the back had a sheath attached to it. From one of the sheaths he pulled out a beutiful blade that had what looked like a rose etched in the metal. The stem of the rose wrapped around the blade all the way to the hilt.

Ambrosia · Feb 12, 2009

Google 'baldrics' or 'back baldrics'

Sheaths hold knives. Scabbards hold swords. If you do some searching on the net you will find descriptions of all parts of the scabbard, sword, belt, and harness.

Good luck.

alleycat · Feb 12, 2009

I might actually use "crisscrosed" rather than "making an X", and probably only mentioned that "On Kai's back hung two sheaths attached to black leather straps that crisscrossed his chest. From these sheaths . . . " Or something like that.

Just a thought.

alleycat · Feb 12, 2009

Ambrosia said:
Sheaths hold knives. Scabbards hold swords.

That was my thought as well. But if these were some sort of long, flexible "pouches", then it might be okay to use sheath rather than scabbards. I think of scabbards are being rigid.

I'm not sure, just thinking out loud.

Bufty · Feb 12, 2009

I think you are making a meal of this, Mthyical Tiger. Give the reader credit for being able to use his imagination. JAS:-

Two sheathed swords criss-crossed his back, their gilded hilts peeking above his shoulder blades. Kai drew one. The sun glinted off the blade, which had a stemmed rose etched along its length.

Mythical Tiger said:
Thanks dpaterso and alleycat.

That helped a lot and helped get me through my writer block.

How does this sound?

There was two black leather straps making an 'X' across Kai's back and chest. Each strap at the back had a sheath attached to it. From one of the sheaths he pulled out a beutiful blade that had what looked like a rose etched in the metal. The stem of the rose wrapped around the blade all the way to the hilt.

geardrops · Feb 12, 2009

Just make sure the blades are short enough that the person can actually draw them.

It's hard to draw a blade strapped to your back. Try it. See how much reach your arm gives you in that position. And how vulnerable it leaves you as you try to draw it.

nevada · Feb 12, 2009

dempsey said:
Just make sure the blades are short enough that the person can actually draw them.

It's hard to draw a blade strapped to your back. Try it. See how much reach your arm gives you in that position. And how vulnerable it leaves you as you try to draw it.

you've tried this, haven't you? thats almost worrying.

geardrops · Feb 12, 2009

I should add: baldrics solve this. Instead of sheathes.

And maybe I have, nevada. Maybe I really like swords.

Bufty · Feb 12, 2009

Short sword or long dagger probably works better - unless your character is built like a gorilla!

dpaterso · Feb 12, 2009

But it works in the movies! Heck, if actors can reach back over their shoulders to draw twin swords from their scabbards, trained swordsmen shouldn't have any problems.

-Derek

GirlWithPoisonPen · Feb 12, 2009

<---- has vision of a hero frantically removing the twin swords and taking off the back of his scalp. Oops.

dpaterso · Feb 12, 2009

I must've written that scene... oh lordy... 15 years ago? More? <suddenly feels dreadfully old>

-Derek

geardrops · Feb 12, 2009

GirlWithPoisonPen said:
<---- has vision of a hero frantically removing the twin swords and taking off the back of his scalp. Oops.

I'm just seeing the hero trying to withdraw the sword, then getting stuck and flailing about like he caught his head in the arm-hole of a sweater.

Domenic · Feb 14, 2009

removed

LOG · Feb 15, 2009

The only real difference between a scabbard that hangs from your waist and one that hangs from your back is the direction that the scabbard aligns with the belt.
For the waist it is about halfway from being perpendicular to the belt. A shoulder scabbard would be parallel with the baldric strap across the back.

A sword that is longer than your arm can be drawn from the back if the scabbard is the type with a slit running along part of the edge(forget what that type of scabbard is called), or what Ambrosia shows in the second link below. The slit/space should be long enough to compensate for the sword length versus your arm length, but not too long that it's in danger of falling out when the wielder starts running.

Using two swords simultaneously is a particularly difficult thing to do, and there is very little advantage, if any, over using one sword of an equal size. Saw a martial arts show once that demonstrated that, can't really remember it anymore though.

The Japanese sword art of Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū used two blades, although that was with a katana and a wakizashi (which is shorter).

MumblingSage · Feb 15, 2009

dempsey said:
I should add: baldrics solve this. Instead of sheathes.

And maybe I have, nevada. Maybe I really like swords.

Now's a good time to ask: who do baldrics work? What ARE they really, anyway?

-is nervous she may have misused a word horrifically this time-

Ambrosia · Feb 15, 2009

http://www.swordsnknife.com/fantasy...rd-scabbard-sword-not-included-/prod_651.html

A picture of a back hanging baldric, scabbard, and sword. the baldric is the strap or belt that goes over the shoulder to help distribute the weight of the sword. Baldrics can be used with a sword belted at the waist as well as one that is slung from the back.

Here is link to a picture of a baldric where the sword is at the waist.
http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~OL300~name~Adjustable+Sword+Baldric.htm

LOG · Feb 15, 2009

Now's a good time to ask: who do baldrics work? What ARE they really, anyway?

A baldric is simply a leather strap that wraps around the body, going over a shoulder. Near the hip hangs either a holster(modern baldric) or in this case, a scabbard.

If you're having trouble visualizing it, think of the way Link from the Legend of Zelda series carries the Master sword, that's a type of baldric that he's using. Or just Google it.

MumblingSage · Feb 16, 2009

Okay. So a baldric is the strap you hang a scabbard on, pretty much?

Ambrosia · Feb 16, 2009

MumblingSage said:
Okay. So a baldric is the strap you hang a scabbard on, pretty much?

Pretty much, with the distinction being it goes over the shoulder. Otherwise it would be a belt. It helps distribute the weight of the sword from the hips to the body so it is easier to carry, not as tiring, etc.

Did you follow the links I posted? The baldric is the piece that is over the shoulder in the pictures.

Wayne K · Feb 16, 2009

Oh. I could have sworn the thread said "Swearing words" if the MC gets in a cussing match PM me.

James81 · Feb 17, 2009

Mythical Tiger said:
Thanks dpaterso and alleycat.

That helped a lot and helped get me through my writer block.

How does this sound?

There was two black leather straps making an 'X' across Kai's back and chest. Each strap at the back had a sheath attached to it. From one of the sheaths he pulled out a beutiful blade that had what looked like a rose etched in the metal. The stem of the rose wrapped around the blade all the way to the hilt.

My first thought is that it's incredibly boring. If I'm reading a story, i really don't care how the swords are attached to a person's back, unless it's attached in a really unique and/or funny way.

Try something like:

Two swords criss-crossed Kai's back . From one of the sheaths (or whatever word is used to hold a sword--research this and be sure) he pulled out a beautiful blade, a rose etched in the metal and the stem of the rose wrapped around the blade to the hilt.

Nobody gives a shit how the swords are attached to his back. And if they do, they can use their imagination.

I have a question.. (wearing swords)

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