The Moro Sabre: Questioning the Reason for its Existence

[Timo Nieminen]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

As a stabber it is inferior to the barong, pira, and especially earlier krisses. As a slasher, or hacker, it is inferior to all Moro swords(consider the blade thickness is about 1/2 that of an average barong)! It is too light to be a good tool.

As a weapon, it has three advantages:

1. Longer. Enough extra length compared to other common weapons so that the user can expect a significant advantage in reach. Some other Moro sabres are quite a bit longer than this one, but this one is long enough to benefit.

2. Lighter. Light means fast. Fast means you hit them before they hit you. Especially when combined with "longer", faster is good.

3. Thinner. Thinner means it cuts better, all else being the same. For this kind of sabre blade, you want the tip (say the last 15cm/6") to be very thin. The width of the blade at the tip maintains some strength while the blade thins. With a pointy tip, you have to keep the blade thicker at the tip or it becomes rather fragile.

It has three disadvantages:

i. Less stabby.

ii. More fragile.

iii. Depends more on skill. Lighter means that the weapon will have less energy and momentum (even if it has more speed). To take advantage of the thinner blade so as to actually cut better will take technique; can't just depend on the weight of the blade.

From a martial arts perspective, it looks fine. Designed for fighting at a longer range, and getting in the first blow. Would work especially well as a duelling sword with rules like first blood, against its photo-mates above.

Reminds me a little of the lightweight tulwars discussed in http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17903

How heavy is it?