The Physics of the Sword

When talking about swords, people tend to focus on the metallurgy behind the construction of the blade. What types of steel are used, how are they forged, what kind of damascened pattern will be produced, what quenching method is used, and so on. Metallurgy – although it may be important – is not the only scientific element behind the construction of a good sword. Another important component is physics. 

An important issue in sword making is how to make the sword as effective as possible without sacrificing other elements such as practicality and aesthetics. Making a sword requires the balance of all of these factors. But a beautiful blade may not be practical; and a practical blade may not be as pleasing to the eyes as one would like. The master bladesmith plays a role as a maestro who conducts their orchestra to play a most wonderful and breath-taking symphony.

F=ma is a very important equation in the construction of a good sword. This formula plays an important part in determining the effectiveness and functionality of a sword. Force is determined by mass and acceleration. A heavy blade with lower acceleration would produce the same force as a lighter blade with higher acceleration. Higher acceleration means more speed and agility for the sword. Nonetheless, a heavier, more sluggish blade has its own niche. A fast and agile sword is ideal as a sidearm or personal weapon, whereas a heavier blade could be used for executions and ceremonial purposes.

A sword is basically a lever. Malay swords fall into two categories, one-handed and two-handed weapons. The single-handed swords fall under the third class lever category, while two-handed swords fall under the first class lever category. The effectiveness of a sword relies on this lever action, coupled with a push- or pull-cut to deliver a deadly blow.  A survey of antique Malay swords shows that some of these weapons were used mainly for cutting and slashing. Others have sharp tips that can be used for thrusting. But none have thick, heavy blades that would have made them sluggish and slow in battle.

The Healing Sword

The sword has been with mankind for thousands of years. Although it is better known as a weapon of war, the sword plays other significant roles in human civilization as well. A sword is a status symbol held in high esteem by many cultures around the world. In some cultures, the sword is a religious icon, a sacred relic that is cherished and even worshipped. However, in this article I would like to look at the sword as a tool for healing the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the human self.

To wield a sword is not simply swinging around a bar of sharpened steel. As the saying goes, a sword requires years of training and conditioning to master. Perhaps this is why the sword is in a class of its own in the armouries of many civilizations. But other than to save one's life in battle, and to "stick the pointy end into the other guy", what does swordsmanship offer in terms of healing?

To quote from experience, my spouse had numbness in her fingers and discomfort in her arms and shoulders before she picked up the sword. Now, according to her, her fingers are no longer numb and her arms and shoulders are better from practicing sword exercises and routines. A student of mine used to have severe back ache and could hardly walk before joining our swordsmanship class. Miraculously, he was able to walk just after attending the first class! Swordsmanship has a lot to offer in terms of physical fitness. We found out that the movements in the art of the sword actually helps the body to realign itself and gets the blood running properly.

Mentally, a swordsman needs to be sharp, stable and aware of their opponents and surroundings. The sword provides mental conditioning to those who practice it on a regular basis. Concentration is of the utmost importance in swordsmanship. If you get distracted for one moment, you will get into trouble. One also needs a sharp mind to handle such a sharp blade. A sword is practically a two and a half feet long razor blade. Someone with a dull mind will definitely cut themselves with it. Swordsmanship also trains your brain to make split-second decisions and "flex the grey muscle". 

The third element in the art of the sword is the spiritual component. Musashi wrote his treatise, The Book of Five Rings, based on five elements: fire, water, wind, earth and void. To him, the void is the nothingness in which nothing exists. A state of emptiness in the mind when the swordsman thinks of nothing but to make the perfect cut. In my interpretation, the void represents the state of denial. A state of affirming there is no God but Allah. In sufi traditions, this means to deny the existence of everything else but God. Everything is just an illusion, and that we need to see past this. Possessions, money, wealth, cars, power, partners are all illusions in that they are not eternal. One needs to get past all these to be in the presence of God.

It is this spiritual healing that is the cornerstone of swordsmanship. The ultimate aim of the swordsman. For when the spirit is healed, the mind and body follows. The sword teaches one to focus on balance and understand the interconnection between all things. That everything is energy, frequency, just quantum particles that exist in the endless wisdom of The One. This is the Way.

Silat and the Keris (part 2)

Metalworking is by no means an easy task. Bladesmiths in the olden days were given high status by Kings and honoured in their courts. These artists of iron and steel were often called "master" and were considered magicians of metal craft. They were able to turn iron ore into finely crafted works of art. In the olden days, as it is now, the master bladesmith works with several other artists to produce one fine blade. There are smelters who prepare the steel, the blank makers who craft the initial form of the weapon, the bladesmith who forms the blank into a serviceable blade, the hilt and scabbard makers and the artists making the fittings.

Traditionally before starting the forging work, the master bladesmith would recite prayers asking for the blade to be blessed, and for safety during the forging process. He would also include the wishes of the future owner of the blade. A bladesmith not only makes the blade, but give the blade "life". Every strike of the hammer would have been followed by a specific citation or incantation. A blade often takes time to complete, and some very special blades take years to come into existence. 

Forging a blade is not like rolling dough for roti canai or sewing clothes. The smith works with five elements: wind, water, air, earth and fire to produce a fine blade that represents the soul of its future owner. Sometimes, the smith selects specific days or times during which he will work on the blade. There were stories that only a single strike of the hammer was allowed on a specific night to work on a blade. One needs to understand that with every strike of the hammer, a part of the smith is lost in the blade. A smith will pour his heart and soul into his creation as the prospective owner's life may depend on it. It is a sacrifice that all master smiths have to make. This is not Forged In Fire. This is REAL.

From a quantum point of view, the smith sends out positive vibrations to the universe, and by controlling the vibes that he sends out, he will receive the required vibes in return. This is why a smith selects the best and most suitable time for them to work. Some work in the day, some work at night. Some work on certains days, or during certain periods of the selected day. What I am imparting is actually a closely guarded secret amongst smiths, but I feel that the public needs to know In order to clear the air on why some blades take longer to make than others.

Everything in the Universe happens when there is synchronicity and balance. A smith knows best how and when to forge the ideal blade. If something is off, they would often delay the work to wait for the opportune moment. Blades forged not according to this formula are often "soulless" and "empty" and may even be harmful to the user. As such, clients of the respective smiths - those who understand, anyway - will never ask a smith when his blade will be completed. Some even say it's a taboo. A blade will be done once it is done. This point is also to illustrate that both parties were to exercise patience. Patience is the key to everything. 

Let me illustrate a case example. This was an actual event that happened to me. I commissioned another smith to traditionally forge a parang lading according to the specifications that I provided. I told the smith that this blade was to be "weaponised". Initially, he suggested a combination of different types of steel for the blade and several different materials for the hilt. As time went, the smith kept updating me (sometimes I would just say hi to him as a polite reminder). The materials that he suggested for the blade and hilt were changed several times because the smith "did not feel right about it". This went on for about a year. I understood the smith's processes so I just let him work. He is an artist, after all. Praise be to God, the parang lading was completed on the day of Arafah, on the eve of Eidul Adha. Such an auspicious date! And the moment the blade was handed to me, it gave me goosebumps. It felt perfect. Just the right weight, just the right balance. Even though the final product did not match my initial design, the smith managed to make it even better. I love that blade so much!

The same goes for keris and sword blades. Whenever these blades are "weaponised", it would be improper for the client to badger the smith into pushing him to finish off the weapon as soon as possible. And further adding insult to injury when the smith was labelled as a scammer and a fraud because he took too long to deliver. In Islam, we refer to this as qada' and qadar, fate and destiny. And patience is another key ingredient. This concept ties in closely to the quantum theory in science. If you push it, it will not turn out the way you would have wanted it. Just go with the flow and you will receive what you wished for... God provides us with what we need, not what we want. 

May Peace be with us all. This is the Way.