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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 20:44:40 GMT
Ric, there isn't much difference, but this guy's talking about carrying it on the modern battlefield so a katana would probably be too bulky and unwieldy when attached to his pack.
Random, the redneck toothpick comes to mind when you talk about these smaller gladii type knives...just hope its well made. I saw one in a MRL , make that ACC catalog.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 6, 2009 20:48:46 GMT
I'd just get a Ka-Bar.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 20:59:09 GMT
Think he's got one...or something similar. I remember wanting to get my brother a tac-gladius when Gus was making them but he told me he would've gotten in trouble trying to carry equipment that wasn't cleared by command.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 21:22:09 GMT
I don's see much difference in the hand guard on a kat as opposed to a gladius, protectionwise I mean. The big difference I see, and maybe I don't know enough about blade to blade combat, is at least the guard on a Kat presents a flat surface 90 degrees to the blade, which would stop a blade better than the nice, round part of the Gladius that would seem to just smoothly continue the other blade's progress onto the hand  One thing I like about my Oniyuri is its larger than normal tsuba  but the main gauche and various basket hilt swords and cutlass are tops in hand protection. The few Warder swords I have seen look pretty good too, kind of like Katanas with additional guards |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2009 22:56:51 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 6, 2009 23:17:50 GMT
It took entirely too long for somebody to correct the misconception surrounding gladii guard. They certainly do have one and it is more than efficient, after all the design withstood centuries of warfare; clearly they did it right.
The "redneck toothpick" is precisely the design I was referring to. There are dozens of similar patterns available in a multitude of names from a fair number of outlets but you're right, getting a good one is tricky.
I'm a knife guy, though, so whatever they give me would suffice for my needs.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 0:15:48 GMT
After I looked at your link, I see you are correct, but it is tiny even when compared to the tsuba on a kat. The handle would be a pain too, if it was too short for a larger hand. I guess I an just not a Gladii person. I do like the blade though, just with a nice wide downturned guard and a handle that better accomodated large hands |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 0:18:40 GMT
It took entirely too long for somebody to correct the misconception surrounding gladii guard. They certainly do have one and it is more than efficient, after all the design withstood centuries of warfare; clearly they did it right. The "redneck toothpick" is precisely the design I was referring to. There are dozens of similar patterns available in a multitude of names from a fair number of outlets but you're right, getting a good one is tricky. I'm a knife guy, though, so whatever they give me would suffice for my needs. Then why do all later swords have so much larger and better guards  |
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Post by sparky on Nov 7, 2009 0:22:40 GMT
'Cause we live in a "super size" it world.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 0:32:07 GMT
I can see the advantage of a knife in tight spaces over a regular length sword, but I would think a Ko-Kat or a tactical Wak would be short enough to work in tight spaces, unless you were trying to fight in a telephone booth  , give you a reach advantage of a few inches, and in the case of the Ko-Kat, allow the overwhelming power of a two hand driven strike that would beat down a single handed knife tactic while remaining just out of reach of the knife wielder.  or maybe this is an example of two different battle philosophy and each one with its strengths and weaknesses  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 0:34:54 GMT
'Cause we live in a "super size" it world. I think Supersize came way too late to influence all those dark age, medieval, and Renaissance sword guards  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 0:51:56 GMT
I doubt the jihadists will be drawing out swords of their own, and even if they do, I don't think it will come to a swordsman style duel. iiibarakaiii- based on the information you've presented, I'd go with the Gen 2's Roman Wasp Waisted Gladius as my first choice now. Granted it has a round handle, but edge alingment means squat when you are going stabby stabby. Also, the review on it sings praises, so it would make a great utility cutter if needed. And if you come across a sword wielding enemy, rest assured that it has the same hand protection as any katana or waki out there. |
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 7, 2009 1:03:39 GMT
It took entirely too long for somebody to correct the misconception surrounding gladii guard. They certainly do have one and it is more than efficient, after all the design withstood centuries of warfare; clearly they did it right. The "redneck toothpick" is precisely the design I was referring to. There are dozens of similar patterns available in a multitude of names from a fair number of outlets but you're right, getting a good one is tricky. I'm a knife guy, though, so whatever they give me would suffice for my needs. Then why do all later swords have so much larger and better guards 1) Not all. See the Russian shasqua for one example. 2) Different wars, different places, different people, different methods, different weapons. Easy. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 1:12:26 GMT
I doubt the jihadists will be drawing out swords of their own, and even if they do, I don't think it will come to a swordsman style duel. iiibarakaiii- based on the information you've presented, I'd go with the Gen 2's Roman Wasp Waisted Gladius as my first choice now. Granted it has a round handle, but edge alignment means squat when you are going stabby stabby. Also, the review on it sings praises, so it would make a great utility cutter if needed. And if you come across a sword wielding enemy, rest assured that it has the same hand protection as any katana or waki out there. Probably not a sword wielding enemy, but don't most men over there carry a Jambiya? Just to be sure, I looked at the Actium link again, no way there is as much guard on it as any Wak or Ko-Katana, or even several Tanto I own. Maybe someone with a Gladius needs to measure the guard on both sides of the blade, and at the top and edge sides of the blade, and I will do the same on my katanas, Oniyuri, and tantos (I don't own a Ko-Kat or Wak yet, so maybe someone who does could contribute) and settle this with facts |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 14:12:03 GMT
Thanks again for all your information. All of you have been a great help.
I do rock a Ka-bar, but was looking for a sword to add to my arsenal.
Different situations, different tools. Why limit yourself to one weapon?
I am going to frankenstien it out so the guard and handle will be changed.
Sheath is going to get a make-over too.
I have written down all the helpful info you all have gave me and will conduct my research again about the quality of the several companies, the metal quality, the tempering quality, and individual sword quality.
I will post a new tread once I get a sword and change it for my purposes. Pictures will be included.
Thank you so much for your help.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 16:32:02 GMT
military, intending to stab more than slice and length restrictions, why not go for a smatchet? It proved itself in wars and is as effective a thruster as a gladius, though you can get it in a smaller package with just as much thrusting potential. also a good strong blade that hovers somewhere between a short sword and a knife and can do more jobs than just stabbing stuff.
You could also look into a ginunting which is used by philipine special forces and is an effective shorter sword, there is a company called typhoon gear that look to make really good ones, however they are currently experiencing some technical difficulties.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2009 17:20:04 GMT
If you haven't read the thread that I linked, you should. Please keep us updated on your decision.
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Post by alvin on Nov 7, 2009 17:32:58 GMT
The Smatchet would be a fine "mini-Gladius" if a soldier felt the need for a good cutter and a great stabbing knife in a fairly small, and light weight, package. Leaf shaped blade....10" long and 2 3/4" wide at the widest point. POB of 1" and 1 lb. 7 oz. Mine came scary sharp. My Smatchet is one of the older Boker versions ( 1 of 1200 ) with micarta handles and a heavy-duty nylon sheath. In hand, this knife just feels mean. There are pdf copies of Fairbairn's WWII fighting manual Get Tough online showing some very simple cuts/thrust as well as use of the pommel. Below is a copy. There is a little section further down titled The Smatchet. www.vrazvedka.ru/main/learning/ruk-b/fairbairn-01.shtmlA photo of mine.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2009 20:24:11 GMT
How about the spartan lakonia? www.sword-buyers-guide.com/spartan-swords.html Don't worry about the shiny handle. After using it a bit, the bronze just darkens and becomes somewhat brownish. Good stabber, decent cutter, and comes in a small package, PERFECT for close quarter combat. Federico |
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Post by sparky on Nov 8, 2009 22:12:19 GMT
How about the spartan lakonia? www.sword-buyers-guide.com/spartan-swords.html Don't worry about the shiny handle. After using it a bit, the bronze just darkens and becomes somewhat brownish. Good stabber, decent cutter, and comes in a small package, PERFECT for close quarter combat. Federico That is really kinda nice, short and sweet. Now I have another sword to put on my list. |
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One thing I like about my Oniyuri is its larger than normal tsuba 
but the main gauche and various basket hilt swords and cutlass are tops in hand protection. The few Warder swords I have seen look pretty good too, kind of like Katanas with additional guards 
, give you a reach advantage of a few inches, and in the case of the Ko-Kat, allow the overwhelming power of a two hand driven strike that would beat down a single handed knife tactic while remaining just out of reach of the knife wielder. 
or maybe this is an example of two different battle philosophy and each one with its strengths and weaknesses 
