[MR] How hard does it hit?

[Aedan Aylwyn]

> wow, that is quite a response to a simple mathematical problem, my friend.


Ok, then how about the problem with asking mathematical (therefore typically
precise) questions with very broad assumptions?  In this case, the use of
precision seems to be intended to imply an accuracy that I just don't see.

If you want to ask "how would you measure how hard any given blade hits",
that is (to me) an entirely different question.  And from this one would
hope to perhaps gain a number of data points that show the range of
"hardness of hit" for various blade/hilt/tip/flex combinations.  Perhaps we
could even coin a new unit of measure rather than using the out of period
"newton".  "Blade X is rated at 230 agrippas".  

It's the comparison of two hugely different categories that "set me off".
Because while you state you have no hidden agenda, asking for a comparison
is having an agenda of "this" versus "that", however unconscious.  Plus, it
is exactly this type of broad categorization that is then typically followed
with "don't you agree that X is safer" or "this is why Y should be banned".
I've had to fight that fight too often.  Sorry if I'm a little touchy here.

I actually like the boring history section.  It is information like that
that give folks a better understanding of not only where we are but how we
got there.  And while it's a lot of (in this case) typing, explaining what
you're looking for, where you got your numbers and what assumptions are
being made help others answer the questions more accurately.

Aedan