This is a dramatic pose

[james_davis_nicoll]

I guess you could block a strike like that but how do you slash or thrust?

(I assume he just picked up the blade because I can see two more blades at his left hip)

Comments

[realinterrobang.livejournal.com]

I defy anybody to hold anything the weight and shape of a sword in that posture without doing permanent damage to their wrist, elbow, and rotator cuff. I suppose there could be some kind of antigrav mechanism in the hilt, but the idea of high-tech-but-swords seriously offends my sensibilities.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I dunno. I've carried my machete that way for significant periods of time. It keeps it up and away from the ground and my leg and everything.

[seawasp]

Will you bet me $20? I've got two swords I could hold like that not just for an instant but for a couple minutes. That doesn't appear to be a terribly heavy design.

You might have a point if it was a zweihander or something, but that sucker probably only weighs a couple pounds.

[realinterrobang.livejournal.com]

Okay, but you also have to have your fingers in that ridiculous lack-of-a-grip. You will note that only his middle finger is actually gripping that hilt in any significant way, and if you can balance an entire sword hilt on your index finger for a couple minutes without hurting something, you're abnormally strong.

[seawasp]

What? I'm looking at the painting and as far as I can tell, he has a nice firm grip on the sword hilt with three fingers and a thumb. The index finger's extended along the hilt a bit, but the other three have got a grip.

[davidgoldfarb.livejournal.com]

I'd be willing to bet money that Whelan took photo reference of someone holding something in that pose (perhaps an actual sword, perhaps a toy sword or even just a length of tubing) -- I've seen the photo reference he used for things like his cover for Stormbringer.

[zibblsnrt.livejournal.com]

...It's a short sword, not a post maul.

[dbdatvic.livejournal.com]

It's not got the weight of a sword; it's Callandor, and is made of cuendillar, not steel. Magical indestructible plastic you can transmute iron into.

--Dave