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The sword is the perennial symbol of empires, knighthood, chivalry and fantasy. But it's also one of the world's most ancient technologies, connected with breakthroughs in metallurgy that would change the world. There are even some types of ancient swords so strong that modern science still can't determine how they were made. More »
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Sword swallowers are often thought of as magicians or illusionists. Although there are plenty of arcane skills they have to learn, there's no real 'trick' to their work. They don't use blades that collapse down, or insert them down the collar of their shirt or use smoke and mirrors. They just swallow a sword. More »
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An easy experiment with a gas range and a box of paper clips can give you a good understanding of how to strengthen, and soften, steel. Should you ever be hurled into a medieval world of elves and sorcerers, you can make your living as a smithee. More »
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Webcomic mavens T. Campbell and Jason Waltrip whipped up this excellent celebration of vorpaliciousness for you, showcasing 10 of the most awesome swords in the multiverse. Can you name them all? Answers below. More »
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Knocking someone's head clean off their body has always seemed to be a surefire way to kill them. It kills vampires. It kills zombies. It kills Highlanders. There's nothing like a beheading to make sure that something stays dead. But how long does it take to die? More »
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The Beijing Institute of Technology's BHRs (Beijing Humanoid Robots) can shadow-box, do tai chi, and brandish a mean broadsword. Of course, you've got to hand the 'bot the sword first, but we're just one glitch away from wholesale decapitation. More »
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This picture is just so . . . awesome. Seriously, there is fire, and a giant angry horse with spikes, and knights of the multiverse, and swords plus chains. More »
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