THIS IS NOT A VERSUS THREAD. I just want to see what people like!

I like all the weapons in the first part, about special weapons I like the mācuahuitl.

I would like to train under Duncan from Dragon Age, or Esbern.

European,Mediterranean, south asian, and Indian ---- https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/List_of_premodern_combat_weapons

As for special weapons - I like the hand-to-hand weapons, such as katars and punching daggers, they look cool.

Train under? Hm, good question. None of the ones listed, that's for sure.

Japanese style swords.....

As for other weapons.... something that goes BOOM, and something else far away falls over dead.

European
Scythe
Jedi

Sword: European
Special Weapon: Whip Sword.
Who I'd like to train under: I'd want to be trained by the advlt version of Jaden Smith's character (Dre Parker) from The Karate Kid remake.

European
None
None

I'm cool with 30mm autocannon I've been trained for...

Swords: European. I prefer the overall style and think they're very underrated (or at least understated) compared to contemporary views of their Japanese counterparts. But mostly, I just like them!

Special weapon: the mace, I suppose, at least if it counts. A few sword-makers do pretty good reproductions, I should really get myself one some day.

Trainer: I've no idea, really. Probably none: I'd like to stay in possession of all my fingers!

I really only like the cultural influence of weapons portion of this thread. I think we could get a good discussion on that.

That being said, I chose European swords. From what i've seen at museums in Canada and the States it looks as if asian weapons are a lot thinner. European weapons aren't very ergonomic in that sense, but they're big and somewhat regal, while asian weapons are intricate and ornate.

All
Chain/whip-swords
and Dovahkiin

Ergonomics are important, and really could be the difference between life and death; but Japanese and European martial arts are somewhat different. In terms of weight they're broadly similar, and for European swords things like the point of balance and the point of percussion are very important matters. As a beginner to collecting swords I had little appreciation of such things and tended to think that very light blades felt better, but over time I've come to appreciate things where the centre of gravity is a few inches along the blade; though I should point out that I'm still saying that as someone who has absolutely no experience of swordplay of any sort.

One thing that people often fail to realise is that European swords really do not weigh in the order of 60 lbs: though the units of encumbrance in the likes of Oblivion weren't in pounds anyway (more an arbitrary measure of something's awkwardness to carry) a lot of people still think that they're an accurate representation, but a normal European sword will typically weigh 2-4 lbs (about 1-2.5 kg) and not only would it be impossible to wield something weighing several stone, it would probably be physically impossible to even make a normal-size sword as heavy as that!

Wow seriously? They don't weigh that much?

I'm not sure if you're joking, but I have encountered people who've really got quite stroppy when I've tried to explain that a normal sword isn't so heavy as to give you a dislocated shoulder!

No dude I'm not joking. The Katana I have in my room feels like it's 5 pounds! And you say that a Europeon sword is like 2-4 pounds?

Yes. They should be about the same weight; they can feel heavier than they are since the point of balance is somewhere along the blade, typically about 5" or so beyond the crossbar or tsuba (assuming katanas have a similar balance) but once you're used to handling them, they feel very agile. I think the heaviest sword I've heard of was a functional reproduction of Conan's sword which was a hefty 8 lbs, and that was apparently beyond the limits of even experienced swordsmen to want to swing about more than two or three times!

Swords: European style - The way you can use them just seems more versatile. A Japanese katana or similar weapons are intended purely for slashing, while a European sword can be used for both slashing and thrusting, the latter of which is perfect for going for joints or other weak points in heavy armor.

Unconventional weapons: Scythes. A bladed chain or whip would be just as easy to kill yourself with as your opponent. But then a scythe would also be pretty awkward to use in actual combat, so I'd just prefer conventional weapons like swords.

Trainer: Duncan from Dragon Age.

Please note that Sythes are pulling weapons. you put the blade behind the unlucky victum, and PULL WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT! As with Chain swords, how do you think the Belmonts keep killing things with just whips?

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Bat'Leth.

I too like the European style swords for their versatility. Hacking, Slashing and Thrusting all from the same weapon? I'll take two! As far as my favorite melee weapon it's a toss up between the ultimate display of "Function Over Form" (meaning it ain't too pretty to look at) that is the USMC Ka-Bar and the from the "You Can Always Find A Good Substitute" category I like the Bo Staff.

European Weaponry, Scythes, and I would like to train under raphael sorel from soulcalibur.