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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 21:40:53 GMT
This might seem like a silly question but I think it might have some relevence. The firearm is by far regarded as the best all round self-defence weapon but there might be situations where a sword could become a better option.
The chaos from events like Hurricane Katrina make me think about the possibilty of needing a sword as a weapon. If a national crisis were to occur and chaos spead throughout the nation or world, a sword might be a handy weapon to have.
In the event of a crisis I would want some firearms (which I do have) but say the national guard comes around and takes everyones guns (like they did in Katrina). Then a sword would be handy. Or say the chaos lasts so long people start running out of ammo.
So my question is, what would be some of the best self defense swords in a crisis?
My first pick at this point is the Cold Steel 1796 LC saber. I'm talking about novice users and the sword would be used against any type of weapon. What do you guys/gals think? Opinions?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 21:56:46 GMT
I have a machete and a katana. Indoors, i'd go with the machete because of potential tight spaces. If I had to bug out, I'd take the machete. It's less conspicous, low maintanence, more durable. The katana would be more of a formidable, but I see it more as a tool for organized warfare, which I'd try to steer clear of. The katana/saya would not do so well after being dropped or run over; the spring tempered machete would shrug it off.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 21:57:08 GMT
If you look back far enough, there is a thread about a tactical sword. It is over ten pages long, and hard to miss. I am certain that it will answer your question.
[EDIT] Here it is, on page 16 or 17. /index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=11848&page=1
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 22:13:24 GMT
Ohhh boy here we go again....
It's all subjective. What constitutes a "good self-defense" sword is completely subjective. What is your training? Durabilitity is subjective, balance is, what it is useful for is. I mean, in case of national emergency, I'd really rather have a machete I can do multiple things with. Maybe even a semi-custom one.
As a matter of fact, because the choice of what the best "in case of Zombies or Katrina" is subjective, come up with what YOU want.
And if you want it made at a reasonable price, contact Archerout at scorpion knives. He does great custom work for cheap. He could probably even help you if you weren't sure.
However, as it stands, simply picking a sword saying "that looks good" and taking it isn't what you're going to want to be doing. Moreover, the situation of "national emergency" might change.
NOOOW on a side note, as a Canuck, I'm not so concerned with all this stuff, and really, to us non-Americans, these concernes sound so stereotypically American.
Sorry, it's just a side-note I'll duck and cover now. And not stir the pot any more.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 22:27:22 GMT
What is happening in Haiti mirrors a lot of what happened Katrina. I guess you guys up north don't have to worry about natural disasters.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 22:31:49 GMT
What is happening in Haiti mirrors a lot of what happened Katrina. I guess you guys up north don't have to worry about natural disasters. Except the snow, in which case a sword ain't much help ;D A good metal shovel on the other hand....
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 23:30:46 GMT
...Or, in Alaska, an earthquake even bigger and longer than the one that hit Haiti (several times bigger and longer), or volcanoes, or tsunamis, or forest fires or...
I'm getting a flanged mace as soon as I can afford a good one.
As Americans, Somewhat, we have experienced localized disasters (well, some of us have), and as a nation, we have experienced self-inflicted, widespread, general disasters (the Revolution, The Civil War, the Great Depression...) Yeah, we talk about what to do in case of these things a lot. Maybe even a little more than we talk about self-inflicting another disaster...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2010 23:54:31 GMT
Ok I looked through the old thread. I guess Somewhat is correct, this topic is subjective. I was hoping for some kind of semi consensus but do not see one.
At this point the cavalry saber has my attention becasue they apprear to be easy to use, lightweight and frightfully effective (especially the 1796 saber). I really like longswords too. The CS simitar is tempting since it's so lightweight and handy plus it probably has a strong intimidation factor.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 0:05:53 GMT
...Or, in Alaska, an earthquake even bigger and longer than the one that hit Haiti (several times bigger and longer), or volcanoes, or tsunamis, or forest fires or... I'm getting a flanged mace as soon as I can afford a good one. As Americans, Somewhat, we have experienced localized disasters (well, some of us have), and as a nation, we have experienced self-inflicted, widespread, general disasters (the Revolution, The Civil War, the Great Depression...) Yeah, we talk about what to do in case of these things a lot. Maybe even a little more than we talk about self-inflicting another disaster... Having lived through, and remembering the Alaska earthquake, I can assure you that no weapons of self defense were needed in those times nor during the 6+ volcanic eruptions here.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 0:06:27 GMT
...Or, in Alaska, an earthquake even bigger and longer than the one that hit Haiti (several times bigger and longer), or volcanoes, or tsunamis, or forest fires or... I'm getting a flanged mace as soon as I can afford a good one. As Americans, Somewhat, we have experienced localized disasters (well, some of us have), and as a nation, we have experienced self-inflicted, widespread, general disasters (the Revolution, The Civil War, the Great Depression...) Yeah, we talk about what to do in case of these things a lot. Maybe even a little more than we talk about self-inflicting another disaster... That reminds me of something. Say Taran were you near Harrisburg in '02 (I think it was) when there was 28" of snow in one night? That was a fun one.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 19, 2010 0:40:59 GMT
28" in one night is pretty decent snowfall. I remember the winter of...'98? Where I lived in Chambersburg, we had an average of 3-4', and a 10-15' drift (we never bothered to measure it, but it covered a second-floor window...) up one side of our house. That was a fun few days.
I don't foresee any "disaster" or what have you wherein a sword would serve any purpose. In the likes of the Haiti earthquake or Katrina...I dunno, but I don't see a sword being a handy thing to have. I'd rather have clean water... One thing to say, though; no matter what happens, anybody comes to me and says "we're here for your guns," they aren't getting them. Likewise the swords.
Of course, if we're referring to actual, personal self-defence with a sword...it's just not a practical case at all as we've discussed many times in the past. Guns, where you can have them, are better in some cases...in others, a handy stick or rock. I keep knives for handy tools, but if somebody lunges at me, armed or no, I'm figuring my best bet is beating them down with their own arm...
Edit: I think it was actually '96 in Chambersburg; I'd been in VA by '98, I think. Though it was either '98 or '00 that had some nasty snow and ice in VA, too... Still no use for a sword; but this was no earthquake or hurricane...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 0:40:56 GMT
Nope. That winter I was experiencing 12" in Norfolk... And while I don't disagree with you Oogway, having been through 2 separate volcanic eruptions in Alaska, it does keep fresh in peoples' minds that [Stuff] Happens...
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Jan 19, 2010 1:04:17 GMT
You can call it a walking stick, but George Silver would have called it a quarterstaff. I primarily identify with the Celtic side of my Anglo-Celtic heritage, but, dang, a good stout staff could come in mighty handy. A sword's a sword----a staff can be a stick.
"All this uneven terrain after the earthquake, good sirs---it's for my balance."
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 19, 2010 1:12:26 GMT
Then there's that. Liam can tell us more about canes and such, I'm sure. ;D
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Avery
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Post by Avery on Jan 19, 2010 1:21:25 GMT
No sword for in that situation. A good machete and a handaxe will do fine. A sword would get confiscated just as quick as a handgun. Whereas a 24" machete is concealed easier and has more functions than a sword. A sword = defense/offense A machete = utility.
Swords aren't designed for hacking tree limbs, stricking flint off of, digging holes if need be.
Actually scratch my above recommendations. I'll take a S/F utility shovel. Doesn't have the reach of a sword or machete, but they are just as deadly in a post-apocolyptic or a castrophic disaster and has more functions.
Having said all that, if its a good sword you really want to survive through those days, look for a cutlass or a "D" guard Bowie. Both can be small, light, compact and easily maintained.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 1:35:26 GMT
the D-guard bowie is a good idea. I think I'll get one and keep it in my truck. The cutlass is also tempting. Reviews of the cold steel cutlass suggest that maybe its too heavy. I don't know, I've never handled one. I was thinking that if I'm going to pack that much weight I might as well get the extra length of the 1796 saber.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 1:50:36 GMT
Anybody have a recomendation for a quality D-guard bowie? In regards to the machete, its a must have for any outdoor enthusiast but as a weapon it lacks the stifness for a good thrust.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Jan 19, 2010 1:55:33 GMT
Zelder:
/index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=5465&page=1#85806
If Razor's review of the Windlass D-guard bowie doesn't make you want one . . . umm, I'm not sure what it means. Everyone I've ever shown the review to ended up wanting one, and that includes my licensed clinical social worker sister, who ain't big on blades.
Edited to add: I think you can pick the D-guard up for under $100, and Windlass gets really good marks on the shorties from RicWilly (King of All Gladii!), and I'm completely enthusiastic about my Kindjal and Qama from Windlass. On the other hand, dude, that's liable to freak people out more than a Glock 19 would.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 4:27:33 GMT
I'm interested in that windlass bowie. the blade is described as high carbon steel. Exactly what type of steel is it?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2010 5:12:42 GMT
I think I'd personally go with a sturdy falchion, since it could probably double as a machete fairly well, and wouldn't be too long for use indoors if it were necessary.
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