Ringil for sale

[Nick]

Originally Posted by Djabanete

I thought everything relating to elves in the movies looked like bullshit.

Agreed - it was probably the weakest point of the movies. They (with the exception of Legolas, who was for the most part IMO very well done) were portrayed as ethereal beings with floaty robes who spoke slowly and were very serious. But Tolkien describes them as strongly connected to the earth,
and their most common behaviour was singing and laughter.

[zaimoni]

Originally Posted by Big Al

I'm almost certain that elves didn't have access to carbon-steel. I would imagine that your 'razor-sharp' blade would be rather dull after a couple hits to anything metal.

I'd need an explicit quote that either elves or dwarves didn't have carbon steel.

Carbon steel was used by both Japan (samurai swords) and Damascus (Damascene steel), so it would be mildly strange if the elves didn't have it. [And far stranger if the Dwarves didn't have it.]

Also, when it came to "battle-ready" I'd be far more interested in the balance than in the sharpness of the edges.

[pav]

Actually, it all boils down to the weight and pure force the blade is hitting the flesh with. It does not need to be razor-sharp. You're not cutting the opponent into two pieces, you're basically slashing him. A single wound is usually enough to take down a healthy man.

[Dragonboneman]

I hope you're not speaking from personal experience here.

[Djabanete]

Originally Posted by Dragonboneman

I hope you're not speaking from personal experience here.

Of course he is. How do you think he got to be admin around here?

[tigen]

Originally Posted by pav

Does it really need to look special? I expect elven designs to be mean and lean, elegant, no-bullshit minimalistic. That sword is all that, but I admit it's a tad plain and low-end looking.

Personaly I wasn't all hip about the elven designs used in the LotR movies. Too curly. You?

Hm. I'm no expert on this and movies based on books never quite look how I imagined things to look anyway. The movie blades seemed a bit curvy...

I think the elven swords, especially the ones of the "elf kings", were supposed to be rather special looking. Apparently in The Hobbit Tolkien describes Glamdring and Sting with:

"Two [swords] caught their eyes particularly, because of their beautiful scabbards and jewelled hilts." They also had runes.

However Ringil was apparently forged by a dwarf, not an elf. Still I think it would look more impressive somehow than this brass thing

[pav]

Originally Posted by Djabanete

Of course he is. How do you think he got to be admin around here?

Actually no, all my slash wounds to date are self inflicted - I have stepped on a drinking glass when I was 15. Lot of blood and drama, seven stitches, scar on sole and insensitive little finger on my left foot because some nerves got cut off.

But if you go browse pictures on my website at http://www.oook.cz you'll notice I have a fondness for swords

[Daven_26d1]

Originally Posted by pav

...insensitive little finger on my left foot...

Should be "little toe" - fingers are found on hands!

[pav]

Originally Posted by Daven_26d1

Should be "little toe" - fingers are found on hands!

/me gives his dictionary a nasty stare.

[Jude]

Swords will cut your throat wide open.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q_RpbaUU7NI