[ANSTHRLD] ISO Badge Graphic - Scribes Badge

[Alasdair MacEogan]

That has generally been a rule of thumb, but as far as I can find there 
is nothing specifying it specifically.  Basically if it does not have a 
specified default orientation then it needs to be blazoned.  The 
Glossary of terms defines default postures for specific types of 
charges, not groups (ie all tools).

There is a default orientation for knife, it says see sword.  Sword 
default is point up.  There really is nothing specifying that different 
types of the same charge type will have different orientations.  So the 
question is would a calligraphy knife be treated differently than other 
knives.   I can find no specific ruling stating that the default 
orientation of a knife is different based upon its purpose.

I went to look in OSCAR for the word knife and came across 6 submissions 
with the word knife in them.  One is a kindjal knife which was point up 
(as expected since it is a weapon I believe).  4 are half-moon knives 
which are tools so I would class them with the calligrapher's knife and 
it was also point up.  Finally there actually is one calligraphy knife 
submitted through an-tir in 2009. The device has a per bend field so the 
knife is also in per bend, but the blade is at the chief side of the knife.

I would say that unless someone can point me to some sort of precedent 
saying that not all knives are equal in the eyes of blazon for 
orientaiton then  by default all knives should follow the same 
orientation.  Barring that every knife would be need to be listed in the 
glossary of term with their default orientation or be required to be 
specifically blazoned.

Just my quick 2 cents.
Alasdair

On 4/26/2012 2:51 PM, Diane Rudin wrote:
> My vague memory of the rule on tools (swords, pens, etc.) is that they default to the "use" orientation -- in other words, swords default to point-up because that's the direction in which the point is usually held when using them, whereas pens are point-down because that's the direction in which they're used. Therefore, unlike an ordinary knife, which would be point-up by default, a calligrapher's knife would default to point-down because that's the direction in which the knife is used. (Trust me, downward IS the direction in which the knife is used to cut quills.)
>
>
> Thoughts?
>
> --Serena
>