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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 7:12:44 GMT
Just for discussion purposes, If every day carry swords were required.... perhaps in some far-fetched scenario like a zombie apocalypse or road warrior-post-apocalyptic what have you, What would your top 3 three styles of blade would you choose to carry? I know it's hard to only pick three, but if you HAD to only choose three, which would they be? They don't necessarily have to be beater production swords. I'm looking more for what style of sword you guys would want rather than specific brands. Here's my list: I'd like to have these is said situation if we're speaking strictly for fighting purposes. I think I'll post again with either a survival/outdoors-oriented top 3 and/or an all purpose top 3. 1) Maguindanao Kris... Because they're gorgeous. The signature fighting blade of the Moro Warriors of the Mindanao region of the Phillippines. What the Katana was to the Samurai, the Kris (or Kalis as it was locally pronounced) was to the Mandirigma (or 'warrior'). It was symbolic of many things: religion, status, individual taste. Kris from the Maguindanao region in particular are very interesting to me. they seem to be more battle-oriented. PLUS the design makes a lot of sense to me. I also would like one in either a horse hoof pommel or a kakatua pommel as shown in the pic. I'm having a replica made with a horsehoof pommel. 2) Hu Die Dao, or Butterfly Swords. I have some experience with Wing Chun and my training in doble baston in escrima could benefit the use of a pair of these. Great close range weapons. The ones in this pic, made by kris cutlery btw, is more a design intended for those who practice choy li fut. The fatter ones with close to no stabbing point would be suitable for the wing chun man, but I prefer the look of these, simply because stabbing is a possibility... and because I'm vain. 3) Parang Nabur, I own this particular one sold by Valiant Co and I love it. Easily one of my favourite blades, from the balance to the feel to the length of the blade. Great stuff. The only issue i have with it is that I'd like this one to have a d-ring type guard like the Hudiedao. there are historical examples of parang nabur with this and a Parang nabur with a D-type guard is the norm, so it wouldn't deviate from traditional design.
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Post by johnlundemo1 on Sept 24, 2009 12:51:14 GMT
Hi, any one of those would maybe kill a zombie if you stuck it through an eye. But, you gotta cut off a head or cleave in a skull to stop a zombie. So, I would think a broadsword, one hander bastard or two hander or heavy saber much better suited. I large katana would be fine but no time to worry about tecnique:)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 12:52:09 GMT
Im thinking a good falchion cleave their heads in half with the axe like force of a falchion
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 13:37:33 GMT
#1: Longsword, something akin to: www.angustrimdirect.com/models/unamed_30/unamed_30.htmA bit awkward to carry, but I know how to use it best and it should be effective at laying waste to those armoured zombies out there. #2: Dagger. Something that can stab and cut well. Likely a double edge rondels or cruciform dagger with ~ 12 inch blade. #3: Cut 'n' Thrust sword w/ buckler for tight quarters. Enough protection to stop the fire axe, not so big to get in the way.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 13:51:07 GMT
A dao would work great for me.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Sept 24, 2009 14:36:07 GMT
I would chose
a big type XIII something for the zombies especially if they were the old fashioned slow zombies. Ask Shooter Mike about the cutting power of his XIIIa flared shoulders Gus Trim. in a word: amazing. great for zombie splitting, maybe not so much for mad max
OR
a pair of fast cut-and thrust like a pair of AT1557 this would be good for moder Turbo Zombies or Mad Max world
Or a shield and my trusty MHAT type XII - great all around. got the shield to old back the zoms whist I hack them up and it's also good to stop all the funky mad max weapons the bad guys will no doubt have (except the random gun)
of course a sword should not be the only blade or only weapon carried in such times but you only asked about the swords.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 14:54:27 GMT
XIVs for close up probable the 1557 like tom said I <3 that sword
a Nice Type XIIIe for distance sword
and then gladi for reeel close
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Post by ShooterMike on Sept 24, 2009 15:01:13 GMT
My three choices would be:
1) A (my) falchion
2) A heavy Type XII single hander with a very sharp edge on both sides.
3) A Type XIII or XIIIa longsword with meaty, yet very sharp edges.
I think that's what I would choose in the way of swords, especially if limited to what I already have. Add to those a lightweight shield, a 9-10" buckler, a big dagger, and a good 5-7" blade knife.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 15:01:38 GMT
I would go with a XIIa, like a Kriegschwert, for example, to give me some distance. When they close in (and you know they will), I'd opt for a shorter, curved cutlass and buckler; you could punch with both, and still have the cutting power needed for close-in fighting.
I would do my best to avoid this but if necessary, for CQB I'd also carry about 6 other knives, one of them will have a long, single edge curved blade, the rest would be shorter- for either throwing, stabbing or prying those effers off of me. I'd also carry a short hammer or mace- just in case they've got some form of body armor, I'd opt to try and crush them in it. Maybe with a telescoping haft for extra length/leverage?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 15:10:26 GMT
1. pair of L6 ripping swords ;D 2. L6 Katana 3. Tinker GSOW
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 15:23:19 GMT
I'd have to go with: 1) an well made(like HC) L6 katana for fighting off the zombies. That way I don't need to worry so much about breaking/bending the thing while cutting up zombies 2) a good solid axe for general purposes like breaking into buildings, chopping up firewood or construction wood etc. and well it's good at chopping off zombie body parts in a pinch. 3) a good machete, for getting around, cutting up brush and clearing ways when I have to cut cross country to avoid the towns where all the zombies are looking for "braaaaiinnss"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 15:34:20 GMT
It would depend somewhat on what everyone else is packing, but I believe my top three choices would be:
1: Straight-bladed backsword with custom designed open guard. (This is kind of my idea for the ideal sword, and I'm working on a prototype for the guard.)
2: Medium sized infantry saber, half-basket or spadroon-style guard.
3: Custom bastard saber/John Lundemo-style "warder."
(Incidentally, I don't recommend engaging zombies in close combat - at least not the viral kind - regardless of what kind of sword your carry. Getting showered in zombie blood sounds like a good way of getting yourself infected.)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 15:36:53 GMT
I agree with Tom. A type XIIIa would be best for the zombies. Pure cutting is all that is needed. And maybe a falchion as a side weapon. A machete would make a good general tool and good zombie cutting instrument in emergencies.
For the Mad Max scenario I would have to go with a XVIa for its cutting and thrusting ability. Or maybe a Type XIV with a shield. And a dagger for the close-in work.
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Post by sicheah on Sept 24, 2009 15:39:30 GMT
If I am limited to bringing only swords, I will go with gman's suggestion. Very practical suggestion IMO. However I would happily replace my primary sword with a well made spear. A spear much less sexier than a sword but it has a very nice reach to keep those zombies from biting me. (Assuming that once you are bitten, it is game over ;D) Edit:spelings and grammer
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Sept 24, 2009 16:49:07 GMT
EDC swords, eh? Heck, I'll play----I've done variations on this theme in other fora from time to time ("time to time" can be read "incessantly" by the perceptive).
Given the world we live in, I'd be prone to choose shorter blades. Even a relatively short Euro sword (like an arming sword, pretty much exactly like my VA AT303S) can be pretty clumsy if you're getting into and out of cars all the time. If the shortness of my sword choices ended up getting me killed, well, my shade would chose a longer blade next time!
Since you specified three choices, I'll list three answers, in no particular order, and with some overlap as to purpose. I'm influenced by the fact that, at present, almost no one in the West has thought much about fighting with a sword.
My choices?
First off I like the Windlass Qama. This short blade is reminiscent of the gladius, with a wide, thin, double edge tapering to a nasty point. It's a one-way ticket to stabby-town, but also cuts surprisingly well.
Second, I am enthusiastic about the Hanwei Practical Kung Fu sword. I picked up mine "gently used" (thanks, Shadowhowler!) and really like it. In my imagination it's a Mongol sword, but what are you going to do? Powerful shearing strokes from a fairly light and well balanced weapon. This choice isn't as much on the point as the edge, but it pokes pretty well for all of that.
Finally, a sword I don't have and haven't played with! I'd take a long hard look at the Kris Cutlery Ninja-to. I really like what I've read about KC up to this point, and I really like my Korean Sword that I picked up from them at a steep discount. With a short 21" blade, chisel point and a probably quite good edge, it could take tactical from new school to ye olde school.
More experience might make me change my mind about some or all of the foregoing.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 16:58:34 GMT
That's funny, I had a pair of Qama listed as secondary weapons, before I decided on the knives. I may go with the Qama instead, just because it is such a no-nonsense weapon.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2009 20:24:14 GMT
. That's easy. I have only one and it is a proven (more or less) Zombie master. Musso Bowie. The first pic is the original. The second is Gil Hibben's copy. 14 inch blade. That's carryin' sword enough for me. I call it America's Excalibur If forced to pick a stand by, it would be the similar in persuasion Kopis in the third pic -- 15 inch blade. Chris
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Sept 24, 2009 23:47:53 GMT
That's funny, I had a pair of Qama listed as secondary weapons, before I decided on the knives. I may go with the Qama instead, just because it is such a no-nonsense weapon. Loves me my qama, Ebon! Although after checking Doctorxring's post, I'm thinking I should have put a Bowie on the list. Every time I check out the review of the D-guard, I think I need one (and a buddy of mine is saving his pennies even as we speak).
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2009 0:06:58 GMT
nice to see valiantco getting some love, now if they'd just take more realistic photos of their weapons.
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Post by kidcasanova on Sept 25, 2009 0:28:30 GMT
Hmmmm this is a good question.
If the Albion Knight is as good as Mike says it is (and I have faith in his judgment), then it will probably be my arming sword of choice once it shows up and I get a feel for it. The AT1315 would be pretty close to tied. If I could get my hands on the new Antioch from Fletcher (maybe I'll get to handle Tom's some day) then it'd probably beat out the Knight, from what I hear.
After that would be a big XIIIa, preferably from Tinker, I think I'd go with a somewhat shorter grip than the GSOW prototype, though. But something right around 37" of blade for powerful cuts in an end of the world scenario.
Lastly, I really don't know. Perhaps a shorter cut-and-thrust like the AT1557. I'd like this and the Tinker to be peened. In the end of the world, I'd like to not worry about allan wrenches.
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