Were-Cat's claw sheathing mechanism

[Shadowhawk]

Here you have some links to cat's claw sheathing mechanism. Either Fel got it wrong, or I have misunderstood him when explaining things in "Weavespinner", Chapter 1:

• Cat claw sheathing mechanism at John Yesko: Veterinary illustration, dog and cat anatomy.
• Muscles of the Leg and Paw at Max's House, courtesy of Hudson/Hamilton - Atlas of Feline Anatomy for Veterinarians.

[Knight314]

just because that's how it works here... does that mean it has to work that way on Sennadar?

[Shadowhawk]

just because that's how it works here... does that mean it has to work that way on Sennadar?

As far as I know physics is the same here on Earth, an on Sennadar. And if claw was to retract into sheath like switchblade/stiletto it would be less suited to slashing. The real claw sheathing functions somewhat like folding knife. Guess which kind is better for cutting...

[Weresmilodon]

But that isn't how a humans claws (nails) works...

Remember, the Were-cats are a mix of human and cat.

[Shadowhawk]

But that isn't how a humans claws (nails) works...

Remember, the Were-cats are a mix of human and cat.

Human's nails don't sheathe... erm I mean the cannot be hidden.

That is the simple matter of physics. Claws has to sheathe in such way as to be strongly connected with fingers/paws/hands, don't hinder their strength... and of course added movability is a bonus. So no X-Men Wolverine like claws hiding - sorry, no bonus.

[AdamX]

Here you have some links to cat's claw sheathing mechanism. Either Fel got it wrong, or I have misunderstood him when explaining things in "Weavespinner", Chapter 1:

• Cat claw sheathing mechanism at John Yesko: Veterinary illustration, dog and cat anatomy.
• Muscles of the Leg and Paw at Max's House, courtesy of Hudson / Hamilton - Atlas of Feline Anatomy for Veterinarians.

Okay, wait a minute, are you talking about the "Cat's Claws", the weapons that Jenna made for Tarrin while he was a human again, or the way Fel explained the Were-Cat's claw-sheating mechanisms?

[Shadowhawk]

Okay, wait a minute, are you talking about the "Cat's Claws", the weapons that Jenna made for Tarrin while he was a human again, or the way Fel explained the Were-Cat's claw-sheating mechanisms?

The latter. I was talking about the way Fel explained the Were-Cat's claw-sheathing mechanism.

[Fel]

Were-cat's claws and fingers aren't the same as a cat.

Cats' claws fold back like a folding knife.

Were-cats' claws are nested between a split pair of fingertip bones, and work more like a stilleto in how they extend and retract.

If Were-cats had claws that retracted the same way as a cat's does, their fingertips would be absolutley huge.

[Shadowhawk]

That is probably why there aren't any Were-Cats on Earth . It is damn hard to think up a good, reasonable from the biological point of view (i.e. only bones (and claws), different kinds of joints (rotation points), and muscles which can pull only) and "mechanical" point of view (i.e. fingertips not too large, claws curved at least slightly, set well in fingers when unsheathed, well locked and avalable to transfer forces when swipe-clawing). There are as far as I know no biological equivalent of pushing piston.

Besides, claw of cats aren't exact copy of folding knife: the claw doesn't hide between bones (as could be for Were-Cats).

[Greymist]

No No No!

Tarrin was just delusional when he said he felt the claw moving up, it's really just an aspect of their shape changing nature, when they extend their claws Were-Cats are just really shapeshifting their hands only.

;D

[Shadowhawk]

Tarrin was just delusional when he said he felt the claw moving up, it's really just an aspect of their shape changing nature, when they extend their claws Were-Cats are just really shapeshifting their hands only.

;D

It was Kimmie (explaining it to human Tarrin), actually.

Nice idea, though. And it would work... if shapeshifting was fast enought...