Modern tech swords

[Crzyraccoon]

Swords are commonly used in low tech settings (TL1-4) and some ultra tech settings (TL9-12) have laser swords or plasma blades (Star wars, phantasy star online, Metal gear rising), put what are swords like in both a realistic and fictional sense in modern tech (TL7-8) escpecally in TL8, how would they be made? With modern material and engineer, how effective would they be? How superior would they be compare to low tech swords, and what different types would they be? If there is any resources of modern swords I would like a link.

[PTTG]

High-tech has rules for modern replicas of weapons from earlier TLs. To paraphrase: x1/2 the cost, 2x the DR/HP, and x1/2 the weight. Pick two, plus get "stainless" for free.

HOWEVER. This doesn't cover weapons built in a hypothetical TL4+4 setting where gunpowder wasn't invented (or something). It's possible that there'd be some special and interesting alternative weapons...

[Nyarli]

Originally Posted by PTTG

High-tech has rules for modern replicas of weapons from earlier TLs. To paraphrase: x1/2 the cost, 2x the DR/HP, and x1/2 the weight. Pick two, plus get "stainless" for free.

HOWEVER. This doesn't cover weapons built in a hypothetical TL4+4 setting where gunpowder wasn't invented (or something). It's possible that there'd be some special and interesting alternative weapons...

This does not apply to weapons, only to armor (and not compatible with armor from Low-Tech book). Instead rules in both Basic set and High-tech provides this: at TL7+ listed price is for fine veapon (+1 damage) or for stainless wweapon (not both). Very fine (non-stainless) is +3 CF instead of +19. Ceramic is triple cost, half weight, unmodified damage, always treated as cheap for breakage purposes. Titanium is double cost, 2/3 weight unmodified damage always treated as very fine for breakage purposes.

And TL4+4 would have gunpoweder by default (unless specifically stated that propellant technology is not even up to TL4 standards)

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Crzyraccoon

what are swords like in both a realistic and fictional sense in modern tech (TL7-8) escpecally in TL8, how would they be made? With modern material and engineer, how effective would they be? How superior would they be compare to low tech swords, and what different types would they be? If there is any resources of modern swords I would like a link.

Per B274, you can get Good, Fine, and Very Fine weapon for a lower price at TL 7+. There's nothing particularly unrealistic about that.

In terms of effectiveness, the short answer is 'not effective enough for anyone to bother making them, at least as weapons'. No conceivable TL 8 sword, wielded with human strength, will penetrate armor that can stop rifle bullets (in fact, this probably should apply upwards -- any tech you can use on a sword can also be used on armor and bullets, so armor that stops TLn military weapons will stop any conceivable TLn sword).

[sir_pudding]

Stainless steel is a terrible material for actual swords (as opposed to pretty wall hanging sword like objects) and should probably be treated as Cheap for purposes of breakage (but not cost). They are easier to maintain as decorations, which is why they are made ("beater" high carbon swords need to be cleaned and oiled on a regular basis).

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Stainless steel is a terrible material for actual swords.

Stainless steel is not a single material; a sword made of a modern high carbon stainless steel would probably be perfectly fine.

[DanHoward]

I can't think of a sword maker who would recommend any kind of stainless steel for a sword that was intended for anything other than display.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Stainless steel is not a single material; a sword made of a modern high carbon stainless steel would probably be perfectly fine.

I don't know a lot about materials science or metallurgy but I do know a bit about swords. I'm fairly certain that the weapons you are describing here do not exist for any price. Why is that?

[Green-Neck]

Originally Posted by DanHoward

I can't think of a sword maker who would recommend any kind of stainless steel for a sword that was intended for anything other than display.

Not even one if the modern brews like s30v?

[DanHoward]

Originally Posted by Green-Neck

Not even one if the modern brews like s30v?

From the specs it seems like it might make a decent sword but I can't think of a single sword maker who would want to work with it.