Magpie of Rhûn wrote:I admit that different people play this sport in different ways, but I firmly believe that the rules as they are (i.e., not changed) already allow for halfswording. I think this is good, and regularly incorporate it into my fighting style. (though my sword IS single-sided anyway).
I also happen to own a single sided blade. It occured to be that a properly padded striking surface is difficult to get a grip on and wondered, is anybody out there actally used half-swording as we have been discussing or is this is a purely theoretical discussion? Is there anybody out there that actually regularly grabs the striking surface of their weapon?
To clarify my position on the matter I believe that the current rules, as written, allow half-swording but that they shouldn't in the name of fairness.
Any portion of a blade that is dull enough for you to grip should be dull enough for an opponent to grip and there is nothing preventing a weapon smith from putting incidental padding instead of a striking surface for a foot or more past the crossguard of a red weapon or creating a single edged weapon for all or a portion of the weapon's length.