This help file is designed to remove a few misconceptions concerning swords 
and swordplay of ages past.  The undertaking will be to discuss what a sword 
actually is and is not.  As we think of them today, the blade of the sword is 
constructed from a varying combination of iron and carbon.  When considering 
the material to make a blade from, there are two main factors that should come 
to mind.  The first factor is toughness, as in how resistant the metal is to 
change in shape.  This factor allows to blade to take and hold a good edge.  
The problem with a metal that is excessively tough is that it has a tendency to 
be brittle, meaning that when struck tiny pieces of the material break off, or
even have the sword snap.  
   The next property is the material's resilience or flex.  This is the 
opposite of toughness in that a material with high flex won't snap and chip.  
The problem with a material with excessive flex is that it will dent easily 
and can bend if enough pressure is applied to the blade.  It is the job of the 
blade smith to find a material with the best combination of toughness and flex 
so the sword withstands the test of time and battle.  I pointed out this fact 
to show how some "modern" materials are not good for making swords no matter 
how good they seem to be.  An example of such material is diamond which is the 
toughest material on earth but is extremely brittle so it would not be good to 
use as a sword blade.  Carbon steel is still the best material to make a sword 
from, however there are still many kinds of carbon steel.  The ratio of iron 
and carbon in the material determines how tough or flexible it will be.  
   A few other misconceptions about swords that are almost universal: 
   One is the mass of such weapons as the claymore and other large blades.  
In recorded history, there is no sword that was ever intended for use in 
battle that weighed over 11 pounds.  Claymores were generally 6 to 8 pounds.  
For some reason it is thought that knights lugged around 50 pound whoppers that 
were a foot thick and other such nonsense. Something people also are not quite 
correct about is the ability of swords to easily cut through hard materials 
such as wood and metal.  A sword will not chop down a large tree in one stroke 
or split an anvil, but it will do a great deal of damage to flesh and bone even 
if the victim is wearing armor.  
   
   Finally, if you would like to know any more about historical swords, contact
Shamra or visit the international sword forum at http://forums.swordforum.com.  

-by Shamra