Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight. Don’t bring a gun to a sword fight!
Some things are just better to read about. The topic of weapons, guns and swords in particular is a less-covered subject. But what is better? A gun or a sword?
Before you rush to your conclusion, think for a second. What if the gun couldn’t fire but one round at a time, thus reducing it’s killing capacity. On the other hand, imagine a sword that could only be used as decoration, because of it’s inefficient killing power.
Lets break this down even more.
Differences Between The Sword and The Gun
The Sword is a long, pointy object with many relative designs. It can be slender or wide, flexible or brittle, heavy or light. However, it’s main functions will be carried out within a short range of fighting; the killing blow is directly connected to the thrust or chop of a person’s movement.
When the military performs routines, traditionally is the sword or gun more common? The Sword. The sword is a symbol of honor and nobility. This perception is rooted in our understanding that those who are in sword fight are at a close range not able to turn and run, thus diminishing cowardice and sneakiness.
The Gun is a blunt mechanical device with many different types. Some are made for rapid-fire, unprejudiced killing, while some are made strictly for a one-shot, long-distance, anonymous kill. The main function of a gun is never directly caused by the wielders kinetic energy, but by the mechanics warranted by the wielder.
Perception of the gun is more dynamic. One can say that using a gun is cowardly and ruthless, but can also claim it takes accuracy and skill to make use of it. The gun generally causes death over a distance in a single instance. However, a duel, for instance features a standoff between two equally-at-risk patrons.
Where the gun risks losing the reader with it’s lack of intrigue, the sword finds an extra set of character development by being a symbol of nobility and honor. The gun itself does require exceptional training to kill it’s opponent. At the same time, the sword tends to make it’s setting seem older.
The difference is in the process. It only takes one shot to kill a man, but it takes an exhausting fight, potential wounding and a coup de grâce.