Ever Wonder What a Real Life Masterwork Weapon Looks Like?

[Neal Litherland]

Well wonder no more! I've recently come across a documentary called "Secrets of the Viking Sword" that goes through how a modern day swordsmith re-discovered the methods for making an ancient Ulfberht blade. These weapons were centuries ahead of the rest of the iron age weapons warriors were using, and they were symbols of status, power, and combat skill. They made the best warriors even better. If you want players to go gaga over a "basic" masterwork weapon again, take some cues from this program and really bring home just how special that +1 actually is.

Secrets of The Viking Sword

[Hama]

Or just google damascus steel and drool.

[MattR1986]

I would think any professionally made weapon these days that isn't done by an amateur enthusiast would be considered "masterwork" for pf purposes. Consider that items in this "nonmedieval" game would likely be much cruder and inperfect than by todays standards of prducts.

[DungeonmasterCal]

I watched that documentary a few months ago. It was really interesting.

[Hama]

MattR1986 wrote:

I would think any professionally made weapon these days that isn't done by an amateur enthusiast would be considered "masterwork" for pf purposes. Consider that items in this "nonmedieval" game would likely be much cruder and inperfect than by todays standards of prducts.

You'd be very very surprised.

[limsk]

Looks can be deceiving though, to appreciate a masterwork sword one really has to hold it, feel the cutting edge, weight, and balance point.

That's a great documentary - I have it on DVD and enjoyed the commentary and interviews immensely. Compared to say, Japanese swords, there isn't enough well-researched information of this sort published on western blades. For those interested in swords, I can thoroughly recommend The Book of Swords by Hank Reinhardt and Reclaiming the Blade

[Jaelithe]

I always thought the sheer number of "masterwork" weapons in Pathfinder really detracted from the concept.

Great documentary.

[Matthew Downie]

MattR1986 wrote:

I would think any professionally made weapon these days that isn't done by an amateur enthusiast would be considered "masterwork" for pf purposes.

I would think most people making swords these days aren't particularly concerned about whether or not the sword is good at killing people.

[Kalshane]

Matthew Downie wrote:

MattR1986 wrote:

I would think any professionally made weapon these days that isn't done by an amateur enthusiast would be considered "masterwork" for pf purposes.

I would think most people making swords these days aren't particularly concerned about whether or not the sword is good at killing people.

Yup. I've read plenty of stories from folks who train in western sword arts and when they have a chance to actually pickup a museum piece versus a modern-made weapon (even one designed to replicate the museum piece in question) and are shocked at how much more "alive" the original weapon feels in their hands.

There's more to a well-made sword than size, weight and strength.

[Jaelithe]

Matthew Downie wrote:

MattR1986 wrote:

I would think any professionally made weapon these days that isn't done by an amateur enthusiast would be considered "masterwork" for pf purposes.

I would think most people making swords these days aren't particularly concerned about whether or not the sword is good at killing people.

Great point. Lookin' gorgeous is far more on point ... or edge, as it were.

[Jaelithe]

Kalshane wrote:

There's more to a well-made sword than size, weight and strength.

You're starting to sound like Dr. Ruth. ;)

[MattR1986]

Thou doth protest too much, Jaelithe?

My Sword is perfectly adequate! Its the craftsmanship that counts!

[doctor_wu]

What about masterwork axes or weapons other than swords. Does this phenomenon of museum pieces being better also affect them?

[Kalshane]

doctor_wu wrote:

What about masterwork axes or weapons other than swords. Does this phenomenon of museum pieces being better also affect them?

I don't know. I imagine they would, though I haven't heard much discussion of other weapons.

[Jaelithe]

MattR1986 wrote:

My Sword is perfectly adequate! It's the craftsmanship that counts!

Spoken like a master dagger smith. :D

[Vlaeros]

Hey, that one lady said the same thing to me! What a compliment! I didn't even know I had craft (dagger) as a thing!

[EldonG]

The folks at Angelsword and Cold Steel probably understand MW pretty well.