Moldvay, magnificent lordosisさんのイラストまとめ

Surviving hand to hand combat comes down to 3 things:
1. Not being hit
2. Armour protecting you if you are hit
3. Stopping your opponent before you are hit.
Nearly any weapon can be lethal.
RPG Damage should be armour-based rather than weapon based.

More Chris Achilleos covers

AD&D rules assumptions:
“Here’s the rules we enjoy playing to give a campaign a certain feel, reflecting these fantasy works. Try it, it’s fun!”

B/X rules assumptions:
“Here’s a set of rules to serve as a framework for your own creativity- modify at will. Try it, it’s fun!”

@TriceratopsMr Along those lines, every DM needs to read Rafael Sabatini. His novels are an absolute gold mine for campaign material.
Pirate campaigns will particularly benefit from the three Captain Blood novels.