On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 03:36:46 GMT, "carl mciver"
wrote:


I recall in high school being surprised to learn that iron swords in the
middle ages weren't very sharp either. Too heavy to bother with being
sharp.. Folks just pounded each other until one was too tired from swinging
a 30+ pound sword. Folks died from internal injuries rather than being cut
up. Being a knight in armor must have been a job!. Wearing 100+ pounds of
soft iron and mail, full of dents, sweating your fanny off, and having to
swing this overweight beam of iron around must have been hell.

Chuckle...not all swords were designed to be used against armor. In
fact, Id have to say that the vast majority of them were designed to
be used against flesh. The iron plate age was rather short. Even the
mail age was not all that long.

Think rapiers, gladius, cutlass, foils, epee, etc etc. And of course
those of the middle east were reputed to be able to slice a falling
silk scarf.

Gunner


It's not unwise to remember that Mother Nature is essentially a
murderous, sneakly, promiscuous bitch who has been trying to kill you
since your conception.

Eventually she will succeed, perhaps with the help of your fellow man.

Life consists in putting off the inevitable as long as possible and
taking what good and joy you can before her success.

Whether you attribute that situation to evolutionary forces, a fallen
nature after Adam and Eve screwed the pooch, or whatever, it's no less true.

Be friendly, pleasant, unaggressive, and honest toward all and be
prepared to ignore, avoid, or even kill anyone who is otherwise toward
you. Being ready doesn't mean eager, just ready. What true friends are
found in life will undestand and accept that fundamental rule of human
interaction." John Husvar