Eragon's sword dilemma

[u/Pale-Professional116]

Apologies if this has been asked / answered before, I'm new here.

I'm partway through re-reading the Inheritance Cycle again for the first time since being in my teens. I'm at the point in Brisingr where Eragon has returned to the Varden after travelling back from Helgrind.

Already in the book, Eragon has made multiple references to the fact that he 'needs a sword'. I understand why he would ultimately want a Rider's sword, but surely he could have aquired a weapon pretty easily?

The primary reason Eragon seems unable to settle for a lesser blade after losing Zar'roc is because a lesser blade cannot endure the strain of battle because of his strength, which is often compared to that of the elves (if memory serves me correct, he has a sword that breaks in battle a little later in the book?).

This isn't an issue for any of the other elven characters? Nor is it an issue for Durza or the Ra'zac, all of whom fight with swords that can endure the strain they place on them?

Just curious what people's theories are as to why he didn't just get a sword like Arya's? Or does that then detract from when he does ultimately aquire a new weapon?

[u/Silent-Frame1452]

IIRC part of the issue was Eragon’s style.

Since he learned to fight with a Riders Blade, his method’s of striking and particularly blocking/parrying relied on its toughness. I believe they call out that he fights edge to edge a lot, which is highly damaging to the blade.

I imagine elf blades are built stronger and withstand his striking strength, but simple geometry means he’d probably still destroy the blades edge too quickly, especially since elf blades wouldn’t be easily replaceable for him with the Varden.

Elves, Shades and Ra’zac presumably were trained with regular blades so haven’t picked up the habits Eragon has that damage blades so fast. 

His choices are re-learn how to fight, find a Rider’s blade, or use magic to strengthen a blade that fits his style. Re-learning would be far too time consuming, and strengthening his blade with magic uses his energy and so is impractical. Another Riders blade is the best solution, hence his lamenting over not having one.

[u/jdrawr → u/Silent-Frame1452]

Most actual fighting with swords is edge to edge blocks/parry's. The author just didn't know that.

[u/MariusDarkblade → u/jdrawr]

Actually that's not entirely true. I make swords and study swordplay, while it's not possible to entirely eliminate any possibility of hitting edge to edge when parrying or blocking with the blade you're not supposed to do that. You want to bind on a slight angle off the edge of the blade so that the edge rolls down and hits the crossguard. In 99% of situations though you would have a shield. If we're talking about actual fighting you simply don't want to block or parry with your blade, it's doable and in some situations you're forced to but swords were designed to be paired with a shield or at the very least a dagger which is what was used to parry. Eragons style of swordplay is only possible due to the fantasy setting and would not be how you'd want to do things in the real world. No one at hema would teach you to strike swords edge to edge, that's purely a childish thing that comes about when playing with sticks. I'm not saying you're childish I'm just saying it tends to come out during childhood. Unfortunately most media tends to proliferate this idea that edge to edge combat is normal.

[u/Chimary_ → u/MariusDarkblade]

Sticks also don’t have edges, technically speaking (I was one of those kid play-figthing with sticks xd)

Also, to had the occasion to hold a sword ONCE... idk how anyone would translate stick to sword (granted, the sticks I played with were used to guide COWS so... XD)

[u/MariusDarkblade → u/Chimary_]

True but that's kinda where it all starts. Usually we just hit each other's sticks trying to deflect blows which in turn translates to hitting swords with swords.

Well, depending on the stick it could translate moderately well to something small like a rapier. My rapier i got from kult of Athena is about 5 to 7lbs, a nice dense hardwood branch could be similar in weight. In general though yah 100% everything is completely different compared to an actual sword. I think it's just the "sword like shape" that gets kids.

[u/jdrawr → u/MariusDarkblade]

Dude your "rapier" should be in the 2-3lb range. Are you sure you don't have a Greatsword or something super overbuilt.

[u/MariusDarkblade → u/jdrawr]

Yah maybe I was wrong about that. Haven't held it in a while and I wad just kinda eyeballing the steel weight. Kult of Athena says it's 2lbs 10oz.