...Soon I will have a new apprentice, one far younger and more powerful..

wildstarr: So, one of his four kids couldn't take up the art?

They were not worthy

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.

Wait till SWTOR comes out next month, then there will be a lot of Sikh Warriors running around.

MaxxLarge: tallguywithglasseson: Just watched the video. How fearsome. Seriously the guy looks like he's just holding a sword out and jiggling a little. Maybe it's because they shot it in his living room.

Well, it's not like he's gonna give away the farm in a video.

Honestly, I don't care if he IS just wiggling a blade around. If I break into that guy's house, and I see a dude with a chest-length beard, giant turban, plate armor, and a Scimitar? A guy who looks like he could be riding alongside Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Bombay Bazaar?" I'm gonna assume he knows what he's doing. And I'm probably only gonna pause long enough to $#!+ myself before I dive out the nearest window.


Maybe you should stop breaking in to homes then, you delinquent.

RexTalionis: Kazan: MaxxLarge: There's just something really deeply cool about someone so steeped in tradition, keeping an ancient art alive like that. I hope he finds someone. It sucks whenever really awesome things disappear forever, especially when it's out of nothing but apathy.

exactly. knowledge should be preserved. look at the art of swordsmithing - european style. we don't know how our ancestors did it. all they can do is try to reverse engineer.

We still have no idea how Damascus steel was made, even with our metallurigical knowledge.

Even if that's true, it's not the sort of thing we're likely to ever find out, because nobody's looking. It's probably a complex, borderline-alchemical process involving very specific ingredients and impurities and a lot of steps that don't do anything, to produce an end result that isn't even terribly impressive when compared to modern steels. The only thing it would provide is the (admittedly cool) "watermark," but we've got at least two working ways to create patterns like that with modern steel... which leaves us with no sane reason to go looking for a complicated and expensive way to make weaker, softer steel that has a pattern we can recreate in other materials.

MaxxLarge: RexTalionis: We still have no idea how Damascus steel was made, even with our metallurigical knowledge.

I remember reading somewhere that extensive studies of feudal-period Japanese steel revealed interesting results. Evidently, the endless folding-hammering-folding techniques the blacksmiths reportedly used actually created microscopic nano-structures within the metal. Even before they understood WHY the stuff was so strong, flexible, and able to hold an edge, they understood how to make it happen.

Not that we've been able to recreate it, of course.

While they were amazing at the time, most of the modern beliefs about these swords are out of place. We know how to recreate it, and several people do, for starters-- but most importantly, it's simply not as good as a sword made using modern materials and techniques. The market for them is similar to the market for Civil War gear. There's people who will pay a fortune for the actual antiques. Then there's people who will pay a little for replicas made in an near-authentic fashion. Then, people who want a cheap lookalike made with modern techniques. Finally, there's people who want a gun to shoot things, and nobody is under any illusions that a civil-war firearm is worth a crap by modern standards except as a piece of history.

raygundan: RexTalionis: Kazan: MaxxLarge: There's just something really deeply cool about someone so steeped in tradition, keeping an ancient art alive like that. I hope he finds someone. It sucks whenever really awesome things disappear forever, especially when it's out of nothing but apathy.

exactly. knowledge should be preserved. look at the art of swordsmithing - european style. we don't know how our ancestors did it. all they can do is try to reverse engineer.

We still have no idea how Damascus steel was made, even with our metallurigical knowledge.

Even if that's true, it's not the sort of thing we're likely to ever find out, because nobody's looking. It's probably a complex, borderline-alchemical process involving very specific ingredients and impurities and a lot of steps that don't do anything, to produce an end result that isn't even terribly impressive when compared to modern steels. The only thing it would provide is the (admittedly cool) "watermark," but we've got at least two working ways to create patterns like that with modern steel... which leaves us with no sane reason to go looking for a complicated and expensive way to make weaker, softer steel that has a pattern we can recreate in other materials.

Exactly. It's so hard to find a good supply of pure virgin's blood these days to quench your swords. Liquid Sodium works so much better.

Nemo has really let himself go.

A) That's cool but...

B) You are the last surviving master, there doesnt seem to be any requirement that you are the only master - why wait decades to pass along what you know? One too many mutton kozhambu or a careless bus driver and the art is lost forever.

Seems to me he should be cranking out additional masters like a xerox machine.

raygundan: RexTalionis: Kazan: MaxxLarge: There's just something really deeply cool about someone so steeped in tradition, keeping an ancient art alive like that. I hope he finds someone. It sucks whenever really awesome things disappear forever, especially when it's out of nothing but apathy.

exactly. knowledge should be preserved. look at the art of swordsmithing - european style. we don't know how our ancestors did it. all they can do is try to reverse engineer.

We still have no idea how Damascus steel was made, even with our metallurigical knowledge.

Even if that's true, it's not the sort of thing we're likely to ever find out, because nobody's looking. It's probably a complex, borderline-alchemical process involving very specific ingredients and impurities and a lot of steps that don't do anything, to produce an end result that isn't even terribly impressive when compared to modern steels. The only thing it would provide is the (admittedly cool) "watermark," but we've got at least two working ways to create patterns like that with modern steel... which leaves us with no sane reason to go looking for a complicated and expensive way to make weaker, softer steel that has a pattern we can recreate in other materials.


actually there's a bunch of guys working to rediscover the process. a couple are producing steel that's pretty close.

the fun part is, the steel they're making is nearly on par with modern alloys as far as resilience and strength(in certain axis) is concerned.

i've made knives and swords both ways, with smelted iron/steel using the best recreation of the old techniques, AND with modern tool steel using a simple stock-removal technique(forging any alloy tool steel is pointless and time-wasting).

both techniques are actually pretty good.

mind, if i wanted a sword to survive the zombie apocalypse i'd prolly go for a early rennesiance-era designed german bastard sword, with the 1.2 meter blade, made of nitrogen-tempered M2 tool steel.

but mostly because i'd want something i could use to wail on zombies all day long and still slice a tomato just so.

raygundan: nobody is under any illusions that a civil-war firearm is worth a crap by modern standards except as a piece of history.

That's not necessarily true. A Civil War era revolver (especially a Remington 1858) isn't significantly less powerful, or slower to load, than a modern revolver. You can swap out a loaded cylinder in a Remington almost as quickly as you can use a speed loader on a modern revolver.

Who wants to bet he wasn't really trained by a master and is trying to somehow cash in?

Pocket_Fisherman: Who wants to bet he wasn't really trained by a master and is trying to somehow cash in?

Such a thing would never happen in the 'martial arts' world!

All masters have proven lineages and are never disputed!

dittybopper: raygundan: nobody is under any illusions that a civil-war firearm is worth a crap by modern standards except as a piece of history.

That's not necessarily true. A Civil War era revolver (especially a Remington 1858) isn't significantly less powerful, or slower to load, than a modern revolver. You can swap out a loaded cylinder in a Remington almost as quickly as you can use a speed loader on a modern revolver.

Ha! I actually thought to myself as I posted that, "I wonder if dittybopper will read this." I also wondered "if he does, will we get a picture of one of his many awesome historical firearms, possibly being wielded by his offspring?"

Anyway, you're correct, but your comment is sort of beside my point. If I have to shoot something, depending on what it is, there's a wide range of much, much better tools available today from melted-cheese-looking belgian SMGs to anti-materiel rifles that will punch an engine block from a mile out.

What about his sixth sick sheep?

buttery_shame_cave: actually there's a bunch of guys working to rediscover the process. a couple are producing steel that's pretty close.

...and that's pretty cool. Looking into stuff for the sake of just knowing cool things is always fine in my book!

But I guess what I was trying to get at is exactly what you point out-- even with great effort, the old process is at best "almost" as good as what you get with simpler techniques and modern tool steel. (It's still cool.)

Knara: Pocket_Fisherman: Who wants to bet he wasn't really trained by a master and is trying to somehow cash in?

Such a thing would never happen in the 'martial arts' world!

All masters have proven lineages and are never disputed!

He wasn't even the first Dread Pirate Roberts...

That's fine, until Indiana Jones shoots him because he has diarrhea.

MaxxLarge: There's just something really deeply cool about someone so steeped in tradition, keeping an ancient art alive like that. I hope he finds someone. It sucks whenever really awesome things disappear forever, especially when it's out of nothing but apathy.

Otoh, since he's the last, I guess he beat Duncan Macleod by default, and he gets to live forever

Can I talk shiat about his hauberk here? That thing isn't fitting. It's falling off of his shoulders, binding his arms, limiting his motion, getting him killed. If he doesn't have the skill to put this right, there is surely someone within 50 miles that will fix it for a small price, or he could put some leather thongs in there so he can cinch it up after he gets it on over his turban.

raygundan: dittybopper: raygundan: nobody is under any illusions that a civil-war firearm is worth a crap by modern standards except as a piece of history.

That's not necessarily true. A Civil War era revolver (especially a Remington 1858) isn't significantly less powerful, or slower to load, than a modern revolver. You can swap out a loaded cylinder in a Remington almost as quickly as you can use a speed loader on a modern revolver.

Ha! I actually thought to myself as I posted that, "I wonder if dittybopper will read this." I also wondered "if he does, will we get a picture of one of his many awesome historical firearms, possibly being wielded by his offspring?"

Anyway, you're correct, but your comment is sort of beside my point. If I have to shoot something, depending on what it is, there's a wide range of much, much better tools available today from melted-cheese-looking belgian SMGs to anti-materiel rifles that will punch an engine block from a mile out.


While not going back as far as the Civil War, the Colt 1911 is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and there are still plenty of gun guys that swear by the design. Admittedly, there are tons of customizations people do to 1911s now, but if you really want one, Colt sells a series 70 pistol that's pretty damn close to the gun they were making a century ago.

CowboyNinjaD: raygundan: dittybopper: raygundan: nobody is under any illusions that a civil-war firearm is worth a crap by modern standards except as a piece of history.

That's not necessarily true. A Civil War era revolver (especially a Remington 1858) isn't significantly less powerful, or slower to load, than a modern revolver. You can swap out a loaded cylinder in a Remington almost as quickly as you can use a speed loader on a modern revolver.

Ha! I actually thought to myself as I posted that, "I wonder if dittybopper will read this." I also wondered "if he does, will we get a picture of one of his many awesome historical firearms, possibly being wielded by his offspring?"

Anyway, you're correct, but your comment is sort of beside my point. If I have to shoot something, depending on what it is, there's a wide range of much, much better tools available today from melted-cheese-looking belgian SMGs to anti-materiel rifles that will punch an engine block from a mile out.


While not going back as far as the Civil War, the Colt 1911 is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and there are still plenty of gun guys that swear by the design. Admittedly, there are tons of customizations people do to 1911s now, but if you really want one, Colt sells a series 70 pistol that's pretty damn close to the gun they were making a century ago.

A well-kept 1911 made in the early 40s (and used by one of Our Boys Over There) still fires like one made last year. Ask me how I know.

// because I fired a gen-you-wine Nazi-killer last year
// "well-maintained" is the secret

I think I'll sign up. I'd love to be as able to do all of this (new window).

I could beat a Sikh with a big Patel.

Shouldn't this have the SIKH tag?

Knara: Pocket_Fisherman: Who wants to bet he wasn't really trained by a master and is trying to somehow cash in?

Such a thing would never happen in the 'martial arts' world!

All masters have proven lineages and are never disputed!



Shimada: Are you really a samurai?

Kikuchiyo: (Puffing up his chest) Sure!

Shimada: I wonder...

Only the Sikh deal in absolutes

RexTalionis: Kazan: MaxxLarge: There's just something really deeply cool about someone so steeped in tradition, keeping an ancient art alive like that. I hope he finds someone. It sucks whenever really awesome things disappear forever, especially when it's out of nothing but apathy.

exactly. knowledge should be preserved. look at the art of swordsmithing - european style. we don't know how our ancestors did it. all they can do is try to reverse engineer.

We still have no idea how Damascus steel was made, even with our metallurigical knowledge.

It was the Goblins.

RexTalionis: Ah, the katar. A beautifully elegant weapon. I've been looking to purchase one for years.

Is it for a more civilized age?

looking for an apprentice.

Sikh and ye shall find.

If you'll be my bodyguard,
I can be your long lost pal!

Always there are two, no more, no less

Technically, there's only one.

Sorry but some chubby nerd cosplaying in his living room no longer qualifies for the definition of 'warrior', no matter what dead tradition he imagines he's the scion of.

This is what warriors look like now:

angry_scientist: Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.

It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.
It is by the juice of sapho that thoughts acquire speed,
the lips acquire stains,
the stains become a warning.
It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.

MaxxLarge: Honestly, I don't care if he IS just wiggling a blade around. If I break into that guy's house, and I see a dude with a chest-length beard, giant turban, plate armor, and a Scimitar? A guy who looks like he could be riding alongside Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Bombay Bazaar?" I'm gonna assume he knows what he's doing. And I'm probably only gonna pause long enough to $#!+ myself before I dive out the nearest window.

just come prepared.

The last surviving Sikh is looking for an apprentice

Sikh and ye shall find.