Arsenal Cover, crappy or craptastic? Options

[Malicant]

It is a katana she is drawing, and that's the proper way of doing it. This is the difference between opinion and knowledge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rotate.gif)

[Ryu]

A more understanding future will allow you to draw your katana with whatever hand you desire. As long as you don´t do it in the dojo.

[Aaron]

Actually, it's the proper way of doing it if you're in a mirror. Of course, there's nothing saying that she's using traditional techniques.

[Blog]

A friend of mine who does book binding/repair used the image on page 1 for his arsenal cover. There is something off with size/proportion/perspective of many of the weapons on the cover.

Augmentation.... too orange... and you know what I mean.

But yea overall the image quality for a lot of the books has gotten better.

[CircuitBoyBlue]

A more understanding future will allow you to draw your katana with whatever hand you desire. As long as you don´t do it in the dojo.

I was actually thinking more along the lines of how her scabbard is positioned on her belt. Wouldn't she want the curve of the sword pointing the other way, so it would help rather than fight against an upward arc? And I guess I'm not a sword expert like Malicant, but I can't see how a downward arc would work, given the positioning of humanoid arms.

[Malicant]

Actually, it's the proper way of doing it if you're in a mirror. Of course, there's nothing saying that she's using traditional techniques.

Or more of the sinister (read: left handed) profession.

I was actually thinking more along the lines of how her scabbard is positioned on her belt. Wouldn't she want the curve of the sword pointing the other way, so it would help rather than fight against an upward arc? And I guess I'm not a sword expert like Malicant, but I can't see how a downward arc would work, given the positioning of humanoid arms.

That's the funny (read: utterly dangerous) part about japanese sword stuff. The edge is pointing upwards. It looks weird and it has the tendency of cutting you up if you don't know exactly what you are doing. So, yes, the scabbard goes that way, at least it's supposed to. And it's not bad either. Someone trained with that kind of weapon/combat style can draw and resheath the blade insanely fast (and cleave someone in two, to boot) and will only cut himself intentionally (or if drunk).

Also, I'm no sword expert, I just happend to pick up some fun facts about Japanese swords. If that was a rapier the gal was wielding I would be totally at a loss to explain what she is doing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Aaron]

Katana are worn blade-upward, because the idea is that the wooden scabbard balances it in place rather than gripping the (extremely keen) edge. The part where the scabbard grips the weapon is at the tsuba (guard).

[Ryu]

No, she does everything right, except that she would want to have her right hand at the hilt of the sword, and her sword on her left side.

You carry the sword with the edge pointing up. Consider the movement of your right (drawing) hand if your left (scabbard) hand stays at your hip. When you draw, you tilt your hand so that the edge points outwards. The resulting plane of your drawing motion puts your blade from your left side through the right torso of an advancing opponent, only by immediately drawing. Your right arm stops the drawing motion relativly close to its position in a basic stance.

If you had the edge pointing down, the drawing motion would have to do damage by an upward swing, hard to do that forcefully and not a cutting motion, and your right arm is stretched higher (extending movement upwards instead of sideways).

[Faelan]

The best part about drawing the sword in such a manner is inherent in its use. The katana is a draw-cut weapon. Essentially it operates in a slicing motion very different from straight swords which generally use point attacks, or slashing/chopping attacks. So drawing it in this manner usually with forward movement results in the necessary movement to cut someone open very neatly or messily depending on how you like to think about it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[CircuitBoyBlue]

I still don't understand. Given the curve of the scabbard, how do you get the thing out without a downward arc?

[Ryu]

Not downwards, sidewards. Do not forget the rotation of the left hand. You can easily rotate your hand some 90 degrees. The weapon comes free in a somewhat horizontal plane, edge towards enemy. The drawing motion changes the angle between scabard and sword, thats where the arc goes.

[Malicant]

@CBB
Look how this guy does it. Go to 2:05 min (give or take).

btw, this is helluva boring to watch, so seriouly, just look how he draws the sword and tune out afterwards. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Aaron]

Think of the mechanics of your hand and wrist. If you're holding the weapon blade-up, your wrist relaxes into line with your cut. If you're holding it blade-down, you have to pull the blade up with the extensors in your forearm; this also requires you to change the inertia in the weapon, whereas with a blade-up draw-and-cut you're using the movement of the blade to your advantage.

Grab a dowel or something sword-like and try it yourself. Slowly. Watch where the tip tries to go as you go through your moves.

[Blue eyes]

If this isn't the cover for Running Wild then I don't envy the artist who lands the job. That's going to be a tough one to beat because that illustration is awwwwwwwwwwsome.

Totally agree I really hope to see it as the cover for Running wild! Hope to see more covers from that artist in the future!!!