[Theatrical Muse: Year in Review]

[slayer_fray]

Over the last year, did things go pretty much as you'd expected or planned, or did your life take a significant, unexpected turn? Overall, was it a good year or one that you want to put behind you as fast as you can?OK, let's see, shall we

Comments

[rauchnorr]

((Totally OOC: I kind of think the red bladed weapon she carries is a poleaxe, specifically a halberd, not a scythe.

http://www.mwart.com/images/p/Halberds_German_Halberd__Voulge_M1049_901.jpg Be all witnessy!

http://www.firebloodarms.com/product/fb15005.jpg There's another nice one.

Apparently halberds usually have spikes at both ends and one axe head. Scythes just aren't axes.))

[slayer_fray]

[I'm aware of the scythe/not'scythe debate, and here's my take:

- although technically it is never referred to as a scythe in Fray canon, in BtVS season 7 it is repeatedly referred to as such, if only to make dodgy "scythe matters" jokes.

- The differentiation, I think, comes in the handling and use of the weapon. Although the buffyscythe can be used as an axe, and Mel does occasionally use it as such, the primary swing movement is more of a sweeping "reaping" movement then a pivoted "chopping" motion. It is handled and used as a slashing tool.

- If you notice in the picture I have in her layout/userinfo, the major handle is at the blade end, not the wood end. To hold it by the wood end and use it as an axe completely negates the purpose of the stabby wooden stake end.

But thanks for dropping by anyway :D]

[rauchnorr]

((Heh. Well, the main drawback of the scythe is general clunkiness--you have to get your sweep on. But that's the whole point of the scythe, to be a staff with a blade and give you some serious stabby reach. Not to mention still having the clonky powers of the staff

[slayer_fray]

[I'd argue that if you chop a horse in half, you're still chopping. I'm not arguing the effectiveness or practically of axing, at all. But this is the weapon Mel has in canon, and elsewhere in canon it's referred to as a scythe. So that's what I call it.]