hom's knives
by Him-who-may: 2003-05-18 | Not yet rated
It is quite clear that almost every human character who is not a channeler that experiences battle uses the sword. The sword has an important part in the Wheel of time world. So I wonder about Thom's notable lack of interest in swords, instead opting for the, I assume, less effective knives.
We know how that Thom is experienced in the use of many weapons (I believe the crossbow is mentioned in connection to the death of Taringail) and so why not the sword?
Why are his knives the weapon of choice. I can see how that in his professional capacity (gleeman, not the others :-) ) the juggling of knives would give him a certain skill with them, but he appears to know his way round many weapons, why not the sword too.
Mat never uses the sword, prefering the funny spear thing (i can't be bothered to check the name, sorry) but thre is history behind it.
Is there history behind the knives?
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1
Tamyrlin: 2003-05-21
Swords don't make for discreet killing, the kind that occurs when someone sneaks up behind you in the middle of the night. Also, swords are not effective when you are trailing someone. Can you imagine sneaking around with a sword clanging against corners, etc.? Also, as we see with Rand, swords give off an impression to everyone who can see it. If you can't see a knife than you can't build an expectation of defense. Thom works in the shadows and knives are the ideal weapon for that type of person. That is what I think.
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Caracarn: 2003-05-21
I think that Thom prefers knives to the sword because of his participation in the Game of Houses. We are told throughout the series that Thom has great knowledge of the Great Game. In the Game of Houses you need to be secretive and quick, why would he not use a weapon that has those same characteristics. Another possibility is that Thom simply likes the fact that, unlike a sword, a knife can be thrown with ease thus giving him a weapon that has range unlike the sword but is easier to handle than say a bow.
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Rand-althor: 2003-05-21
could have something to do with how all the guards who chased him out of Camelyn probably had swords out. not likely that this is the reason, but its possible.
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Therilon: 2003-05-21
Tamrylin, I think that you are mostly right.
Mat uses ashanderai because they are more effective than a sword. They have reach (when you can hit something and they can't hit back, you're more efective) and also, they are 'two weapons for the price of one.'
Quarterstaffs are more effective than swords, both in the WoT world, and here. While an opponent facing a swordsman only has to worry about one end of metal jabbing into them, an opponent facing a man with a quarterstaff has to worry about both bits hitting him. For the weilder of the quarterstaff, this gives him an advantage, and the quarterstaff can attack faster because of it.
In addition to the advantages of the quarterstaff, Mat's ashanderai also has a pointy bit of metal on the end of it.
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Him-who-may: 2003-05-21
I agree with the points made here concerning how that the knives suit the character (who is my personal favourate in the series) and I can see that in the situation where he still plays the game of houses (such as when he is in Tear and before he left Morgase) but when he is first introduced as the gleeman, not master political manipulator, I fail to see why a sword or quaterstaff (which I must admit I never considered when first writing my post) was carried. As a traveller surly these would make more sense to carry as they would deter bandits.
The knives being better as they can be thrown is, I think, a nil point as Mat also uses them when it more convenient to leave the ashanderai in the wagon/camp/palace ect. As he is a character with such a rich history I still wonder if there is a reason for this situation. Why not knives and a quaterstaff/sword. When he is "a simple gleeman" I would have thought carrying such weapons would have made sense.
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Callandor: 2003-05-21
BTW, Mat also uses knifes still.
And as many peole have said, Thom seems to favor knives for secrecy and quick deployment.
7
Wolfblade: 2003-05-22
I know this doens't really fall into Thom's Knives but I think It follows it. I think at one time THom was an asassain in the Game of Houses. I doubt jut being a bard would get him that feared.
8
Therilon: 2003-05-22
Well, Him-Who-May, I think that another reason about why he favors knives is that a gleeman with a sword is suspicious. IMO, gleeman are trusted almost anywhere they go, and if they carried a sword or staff, that would make them suspicious.
If it was wildlife that Thom is scared of, I think that a thrown knife would work better than a sword, and if a bear was intent on attacking, and if it couldn't be scared off, then a sword or a knife wouldn't really be intimidating to them.
Regarding bandits, I think that bandits would like to have a gleeman to tell epics of the Age of Legend, and since gleemen are generally poor (I think), it would make more sense to raise morale than to steal money.
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Rand-althor: 2003-05-22
Deturing bandits may be exactly why he carries no/few other weapons. Its better for a bandit to attack you strait on, assuming you are defenceless, then stabbing you in the back so you don't fight back, so that could be another reason for not using bigger/bulkier weapons
10
Brainchz: 2003-05-22
Is it ever stated that Thom can't use a sword? I can't recall. Thom seems at a point where he's not looking for fights and wearing a sword implies that you're willing to use it. He prefers to avoid fights, trying to talk his way clear of trouble, but is more the capable of handling himself if need be.
Perhaps as a young man ready to prove himself he wore a sword.
Just speculation of course sinse I can't remember a passage that stated his opinion of swords. All in all though I don't believe it holds any signifigance in the story, just a character quirk to make him more unique.
11
Weird Harold: 2003-05-22
Him-who-may said, "When he is "a simple gleeman" I would have thought carrying such weapons would have made sense."
The guise of a "simple gleeman" is eaxctly why Thom does NOT carry a sword or staff (although he may have used a walking staff on occasion, it wouldn't have been as a weapon.)
Gleemen are one of the groups that can wander the Aiel Waste with impunity. While the rest of Randland haven't codified the non-combatant status of gleemen as the Aiel have, they generally have the right of free passage everywhere. Gleemen simply do not need weapons because custom and tradition are their weapon and armor.
Hidden knives do not disturb the image of gleemen as priveleged non-combatants but provide the needed protection against animals and brigands who don't respect a gleeman's status.
12
Dorindha: 2003-05-23
I don't think there's anything significant in the fact that Thom doesn't use a sword, and pretty much everyone seems to agree. Another thing is though, that the sword takes a lot of work (cf Rand, he is talented with it and practises A LOT), whereas naturally quick reflexes and so on make knives preferable for someone like Thom, who presumably also likes the dicretion they afford.
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Corlm: 2003-05-23
Maybe I won't put this to rest but here's a try. Matt uses the ashandari because his dad taught him how to use a quarter staff and he was the best in the two rivers. So the ashandari is like that but with a blade. and the knives Matrim and Thom use are because its easier to learn and you always have more around your body. as to where a sword gets taken away your weaponless. yes and they are sneaky. but swords are used because its one of the main weapons people teach other people to use. So daggers, swords, and quarter staffs are used the most because people have perfected how to used them and teach other people.
14
the unfolding prophecy: 2003-05-24
you said that mat didn't use a sword but his weapon had a history to it. Wasn't there something about, when Rand and Matt fled Whitebridge i think it was, when Thom got his leg stuffed, didn't they see a flash of blue light? and doesn't that only happen when there are two one-power imbued weapons about? i'm thinking that there are some history to his weapons too.
15
Callandor: 2003-05-24
Mat uses his ashandarei because, yes, it is like a quarterstaff but his skill with it comes more from his memories the Finn gave him.
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Him-who-may: 2003-05-25
I don't think it's a case of knives or swords. I think its a case of knives and swords.
I understand and agree with the reason why Thom uses the knives but I fail to see why not a quaterstaff/sword too.
I wondered if others thought there might be something in this, apparently I'm alone in my suspicions.
Thanks to everyone who has replied to my little post.
17
rubbernilly: 2003-05-27
Swords are worn by noblemen, soldiers, and warriors. When you are speaking to someone wearing a sword, you *know* you are speaking to one of these things, and you naturally moderate what you'd otherwise say. Thom's great strengths are akin to Balwer's: putting together rumor and innuendo over several mugs of wine.
He could not do what he does if he went parading around with a sword on his hip/back. People would no longer take him for a "simple gleeman."
As an added bonus, no one would suspect a simple gleeman to be so good with his knives, so when Thom *has* to do something, he already has an advantage. Not to mention that he is cracking good with those knives.
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Tyr: 2003-05-29
Many people dont' use swords...Birgette, Juilin, Vanin....alot of people use daggers.
Thom is a gleeman, bringing cheer and merryment where ever he goes. I doubt he'd be so cheery carrying a sword. Also (i know this sounds funny), but a sword attracts unneeded atention. I know a guy wearing a multi-colored, multi-patched cloak is gonna draw attention, but this is a different attention. People look at a gleeman once, cuz of the cloack, and pass him off as nothing more then a gleeman. Gleemans are kinda commonplace in randland...but s multi clorer-cloak wearing guy with a sword draws to glances, one seeing a gleeman, another seeing somone ready to kill. Like i said, unneeded atention.
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solomonrex: 2003-06-02
I think maybe we're all missing the point. Thom hasn't necessarily chosen the knives- gleeman are familiar with them. The circus has a knife thrower, and Thom can probably juggle them. They are part of his profession. Not a conscious choice, but, say a quarterstaff can be easily disguised as a cane for an old man. But when would he train for that? I can see knives used for tricks.
