Who is the best wielder of Martin's sword?

[HeadInAnotherGalaxy]

*referin' tae the two pozt abov him* In one ear an' oat the other, ah reckon...

[James Gryphon]

If you make a post, and then later feel inclined to say more, use the "Edit" button right above your post. By doing so you will convey the same amount of information, without double-posting.

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Muse is right that Luke isn't the first to use it, just the first that we see in person. I believe the first known beast to carry it was likely Martin the Elder Warrior, Luke's grandfather (although other sources claim he was Luke's father).

[HeadInAnotherGalaxy]

...just the first that we see in person. I believe.........

Widnae it be "in mouze" or zomethin' along tha' line?

[DanielofRedwall]

I believe it was Martin the Elder who was the first wielder, but who actually made it? I know Boar made the new blade and all that history, but I can't remember it ever being mentioned who made the original sword.

[Muse]

We dont know who made it, I dont think. I wonder if Brian J had anything to say about it.

james Gryphon-sorry, but those two posts were a day apart. I thought that was ok sorry.

[Coobreedan]

Second best would be Luke, because he was the first wielder of the Sword, as far as we know.

In a way he was, but in another way he wasn't. He was the first we know to hold the sword hilt, but with a different blade on top.

[Log-a-Log]

I wonder if the original sword was also made by a badger

[Dotti]

It's a good point:  who makes all the blades?  Badger lords are known to make fine weapons for good creatures, but what about the vermin's blades?
Luke IMO, is a great character.  However, I don't really know if he should be considered one of the best wielders because we never get to see him use the sword.  He leaves it at home with Martin.

[Janglur Swifteye]

It's a good point:  who makes all the blades?  Badger lords are known to make fine weapons for good creatures, but what about the vermin's blades?
Luke IMO, is a great character.  However, I don't really know if he should be considered one of the best wielders because we never get to see him use the sword.  He leaves it at home with Martin.

I think vermin steal their weapons, or use sharp bits of rock. Not too sure, though. Interesting question.

[Muse]

yeah Ive wondered that before. And where do they get all the other metal things in the abbey?

[Song Swifteye]

I always thought Dannflor was pretty great with the sword

[Folgrimeo]

Martin for being its namesake and I guess making the sword threatening without using it much (a vermin wouldn't want to be staring into those determined eyes of his), Matthias for similarly making noble use of the blade, and... I forget if Rakkety Tam was using a claymore for most of his adventure, but he made good use of the swords he was given and used Martin's sword during the final battle.

[Dotti]

Well, he carried his claymore for about the first half of the book, but by the time he has cause to use a sword, Yoofus had stolen his claymore and he used Martin's sword.  I'm not sure if we ever even see him in action with his claymore save for killing the ermine at the ship.

[James Gryphon]

As far as the origin of weapons: All of the Long Patrol's bladed weapons are obviously made by the Badger Lord or Lady of Salamandastron, though presumably the hares themselves make their longbows. The Guosim make their own rapiers, which indicates that they must have great forging skill, no less than that of the badger lords -- real-life rapiers were made out of steel, and would be difficult for a less advanced society, like that exhibited among the corsairs, to make.

However, the vermin themselves do probably make most of their own weapons. Cluny the Scourge, for instance, had an armorer, who was presumably a rat like himself. The Thousand Eyes Army was decked out with full armor, and even the mercenary Bane carried a particularly nice curved blade. The dagger Gabool uses is described by Rawnblade Widestripe as being pretty good steel, for a sea rat blade. They also make their own bows and arrows, although, according to Redwall, rats are notoriously bad at that craft.

In other words, while their equipment is generally inferior to the workbeastship of the Badger Lord or evidently of the shrews, the vermin still have a strong military tradition, and many vermin hordes are able to equip at least some of their troops with decent weapons. Their exact origin is and will forever remain unknown, but presumably there was some vermin blacksmith somewhere that produced his mates' weapons. I imagine that such a beast, even if clumsy compared to the good creatures' weapon-makers, would have a high rank in any vermin horde, given his invaluable skills and unique role.

[Muse]

I agree, but what about the little things at the abbey, like doorknockers, and door hinges? I cant see a badger making those.