I have several swords. Some are light and nimble, at least for an adult, like my Messers are all around 800g, 90cm-ish in length, with point of balance at around 11-13cm. I think a child should have no problem wielding them if they do it with care. Then there is a 170cm Zweihänder, weighted about 3kg, PoB at 11cm. I have no doubt a child would be able to lift it, but to use it, it would be very hard. If she can use that adult-size-looking-sword in the picture then she definitely earned it. ;)
(not disagreeing with anyone, simply making observations from experience)
A German zweihander sword weighs around 8lbs, a gallon of milk is around 7. A typical hand and a half sword around 4, and a rapier can be as light as 2lbs easily.
The issue isn’t really the weight though in my opinion, it’s where the weight is distributed.
A gallon of milk is concentrated in a pretty small package that you can hold close to your own center of gravity.
A sword is long and it’s weight, by design, is usually not close to the hilt of the blade. I’m not 100% sure on historic examples, but I try to keep the weight centered around 1/3 up the length of the blade on ones I make.
Practical upshot is that a lighter sword will flop around and stab people easier than a gallon of milk is dropped due to weight.
If you want a child to be accidentally dangerous, give them a sword. If you want them to be dangerous on purpose, give them a fixed blade knife under 7in.
The plagerism machine says 2-10 inches, 2 inches is consistent with the 1 historical sword I’ve held.
Can confirm tho about kids being bad with unbalanced blades, gave my nephew a 3 ft machete to help cut down some banana plants, he couldn’t swing it levelly so it got stuck in the plant every time, and he was a danger to anyone within 10 feet.
Maybe try balancing a sword right infront of the guard, maybe it’ll feel more nimble.
If she can lift a whole ass sword at that age, fuck it, she earned it.
I have several swords. Some are light and nimble, at least for an adult, like my Messers are all around 800g, 90cm-ish in length, with point of balance at around 11-13cm. I think a child should have no problem wielding them if they do it with care. Then there is a 170cm Zweihänder, weighted about 3kg, PoB at 11cm. I have no doubt a child would be able to lift it, but to use it, it would be very hard. If she can use that adult-size-looking-sword in the picture then she definitely earned it. ;)
They only weigh a couple pounds.
Do you know how weak little kids are? Most can barely lift a gallon of milk or juice
They can lift it long enough and high enough to create maximum spillage
Depending on the sword, a gallon of milk is between three and six times the weight of the sword.
(not disagreeing with anyone, simply making observations from experience)
A German zweihander sword weighs around 8lbs, a gallon of milk is around 7. A typical hand and a half sword around 4, and a rapier can be as light as 2lbs easily.
The issue isn’t really the weight though in my opinion, it’s where the weight is distributed.
A gallon of milk is concentrated in a pretty small package that you can hold close to your own center of gravity.
A sword is long and it’s weight, by design, is usually not close to the hilt of the blade. I’m not 100% sure on historic examples, but I try to keep the weight centered around 1/3 up the length of the blade on ones I make.
Practical upshot is that a lighter sword will flop around and stab people easier than a gallon of milk is dropped due to weight.
If you want a child to be accidentally dangerous, give them a sword. If you want them to be dangerous on purpose, give them a fixed blade knife under 7in.
Either way, that will be an important lesson
The plagerism machine says 2-10 inches, 2 inches is consistent with the 1 historical sword I’ve held.
Can confirm tho about kids being bad with unbalanced blades, gave my nephew a 3 ft machete to help cut down some banana plants, he couldn’t swing it levelly so it got stuck in the plant every time, and he was a danger to anyone within 10 feet.
Maybe try balancing a sword right infront of the guard, maybe it’ll feel more nimble.
A gallon of milk is over 7lb
Little kids are built different in Ankh-Morpork
Unless they are ceremonial.
Huge
Really, REALLY depends on the sword. Lots of them are heavy even for an adult to carry with both hands, let alone one.
https://xkcd.com/37/