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Date Posted: 15:13:03 10/27/05 Thu
Author: Celebaelin
Subject: Coup de grass! Whilst we're OT
In reply to: Celebaelin 's message, "And my counter" on 14:27:37 10/27/05 Thu

Rather than link to it, which will require more work

Catching up on S7, the Scythe -- Celebaelin, 17:56:42 07/23/03 Wed

I couldn't help noticing the scythe references when they first appeared on the board and I've been looking forward to getting the full story.

I can now reveal, thanks to Marie, that the said implement is not in fact a scythe at all. No, in fact, despite all claims to the contrary what we have here is a Bardiche (albeit with a spike on the butt end of the handle). The Bardiche in its non-Buffyverse military function was intended as a dual function flintlock/musket rest and short(ish) poleaxe. The blade shape of the Bardiche (or indeed any polearm) does not usually extend further down the shaft beyond the fenestration formed by the second point of attachment. The unusual spiking on this extended area of the axe blade somewhat resembles the hooks placed on certain forms of Voulge-Guisarme or Lochaber Axe but these weapons lack the fenestrated blade form, it would certainly be more usual to have an 'unhorsing hook' on the reverse side of the main axe blade, though possibly in addition to a backward pointing spike on the main blade. The weapon is short handled even for a Bardiche (although possibly not for a Bardiche meant for SMG) but the original simple weapon form was already intended for a several methods of utilisation eg punching with the blade with one hand in the fenestration, swinging like an axe, clubbing like a staff. The hooks and the spike extend its versatility (if you're quick enough).

On balance I'm gonna stick my neck out and call it a Bardiche-Guisarme.

As regards the fanwank; none that I've heard although scythe can be a metaphorical term as well. Machine-gun fire can scythe through a group of men, felling them like stalks of corn, perhaps this is the allusion rather than the more straight-forward explanation of unfamiliarity with the nomenclature of non-standard medaeval pole-arms.

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