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Post by Federico on Oct 1, 2010 5:34:55 GMT
hehehe, just keeping the old thread alive. Nice looking new forum btw!
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Post by f.m. on Oct 2, 2010 9:46:41 GMT
Hmm, what kind of exact cutting situations were you thinking of?
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Post by Federico on Oct 3, 2010 0:22:10 GMT
Ohh, I was just keeping a old thread from the old forum alive. It was basically a thread where the OP gave his opinion on what would be a good modern combat sword, and we just gave our opinion on it. Here, let me paste my last post on that thread: "But, yeah, another interesting design in a more modern context : www.museumreplicas.com/p-1277-d- ... knife.aspx This design was actually used during an era where firearms ruled the battlefield. I'm really fond of the guard. AND, it also doubles as a tool. Here's a review : sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... ge=1#85806 I still find it a bit long for today's standards though... A similar design that I own : It's the Jung Bahadur, from Kukri house online. Maybe I should review it some day...one thing's for sure, it requires Arnold like pipes to be handled properly, and I don't have them "
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 3, 2010 0:41:21 GMT
A good survival/combat sword would probably be a Cold Steel Spear Point Machete, available in 12" and 18" models. They're technically discontinued, but they're still available on Knife Center, though I don't know for how much longer: www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... =CS97SP12S www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... =CS97SP18S Either would give you a good, solid chopper for clearing brush, maybe chopping firewood if you baton it, but still has that nasty point for fighting, as well as the edge. There's also the Condor Golok Machete, which would be a mean hacker/slasher: www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... =CN41014HC Or, if you want something a little longer, there's the Condor Bush Cutlass. It's roughly patterned after the 1796 Light Cavalry Saber, but shorter, lighter, and presumably, faster. It has the flex of a machete for clearing brush, but the spine for other chores, such as hacking up things: www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... =CN41014HC Finally, if you're feeling that none of those really suit you, there's the Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi, which, while it probably wouldn't handle brush clearing as well as the others, would definitely serve the purpose of 'modern combat sword': www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... +Wakizashi With all that said, I'd also want a good spear at my side for hunting and general fighting, as it's always better to keep someone at some kind of distance if you can.
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Post by Salmoxis on Oct 4, 2010 23:26:18 GMT
I'd say that a single edged knife with a blade somewhere around 5"-12" would be best, with a removable D guard (so it doesn't get in the way of survival tasks) and a hammer pommel. Larger knives tend to be a bit unwieldy for survival, and the D guard could possibly help in defense if you were to fight someone else with a knife or a sword. Maybe a WASP Injection System too, if that can hold up in a knife used for survival situations. Some places to help lashing it to a pole would be good as well, because then you can make a spear (though you wouldn't really be able to use the WASP System).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2010 0:20:04 GMT
A sword is a tool just like an axe or a wrench. You wouldn't try to change your car tire with an axe nor cut down a tree with a wrench. However, both could be used as weapons of opportunity if need be (as axes often were). The whole plethora of swords reviewed here speak to the vast range of possible contexts or jobs that people use(d) them for. I would argue for defining your definition of "tactical" along with your ideal sword for that job. Example: Zombie apocalypse and Cheness Kaze (an L6 katana would be better but well over $300). Personally, I'd say that a traveling or hiking disaster would be the most likely situation that I might use a tactical sword for survival purposes until I get back home. For that purpose, I wouldn't need anything especially fancy like a katana but something strong enough to cut wood (if I don't have a axe) or clear paths and the worst case scenario of fending off the local fauna (excluding zombies). Given that context, I think a good machete or heavy knife would suffice. Jerry Hossom's ( www.hossom.com) custom kopis would more up to the job ( list.valvesoftware.com/Hossom_Kopis02-ww.jpg ). I don't think he makes it anymore but made with S30V steel would cut down practically anything you put in front of it. It'd be $650 at least but not in the $6000 price range of a custom L6 sword. Even so, I'd probably keep a Hossom custom up on my wall instead of in the trunk of my car or strapped to my backpack. So, I'd probably take a D handle machete (no saw back) like OKC for $22 bucks. www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=ON8520A number of reviews say it comes with a dull blade, but I can solve that myself without too much trouble. With a 1095 blade, it should keep an edge a little better than Cold Steel's machetes.
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Post by Mike U. on Oct 6, 2010 2:30:20 GMT
Yeah, I'm thinking the best survival/combat sword might be a machete or a khukuri. The machete is short enough to do the mundane survival chores, but, big enough to effectively defend oneself with should the need arise. Look at how well native South Americans utilize the machete. It's their ultimate do-it-all tool. Hmmm... maybe even one of Cold Steel's two handed machetes. I have the two handed Khukuri and the grossly misnamed "Katana Machete" machete. They are hack and chop machines. (I use the two handed khukuri the most when it comes to tree and brush chopping. It does a better job for me.) I imagine they'd do well as an emergency weapon too.
Barring the machete as a candidate, I believe I'd go with a Himalayan Imports Khukuri. Maybe their Sirupati, since it's fairly nimble and lightweight for it's overall length. Yet, it's plenty stout enough to do most anything you could ask of it. With a blade length of 14", I believe it would be classified as a short sword, at best. One of the beauties of using a Khukuri is, they normally come with a small utility knife. That could be downright handy to have.
At any rate, my choice would be a short sword of some sort. Seems to me to be the best candidate for an all purpose kind of blade needed in a survival scenario. That is, if a sword is the ONLY option.
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Post by Odingaard on Oct 9, 2010 19:13:23 GMT
Moved to proper area for further discussion.
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Post by Freebooter on Oct 26, 2010 6:59:32 GMT
Hello all, I really like that D-Guard Bowie knife.
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Post by adtharp on Nov 30, 2010 22:07:13 GMT
I was actually kind of intrigued by the Hanwei Dadao for this purpose. Someone posted a video of it cutting wood pretty well. It seems like it could be used for fighting pretty effectively, but could also cut down a small tree if necessary. What do you guys think?
Drew
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Post by Larry Jordan on Dec 1, 2010 3:54:23 GMT
I whole heartedly concur. I find my 12" spear point indispensible: trimming trees, felling small trees and clearing the aftermath.
All the machetes in this series are 3mm (the Latin's are 2.5mm). They may not be as effective at "batoning through wood" as a .25" bowie would be according to nutnfancy in the following video knife review, but more than acceptable IMHO.
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Post by Tendrax on Dec 1, 2010 7:26:41 GMT
One more vote for the Cold Steel machetes.
I have the magnum kukri one myself. They call it a kukri, but the profile shape is a lot closer to a falcata or a kopis, IMO. Great chopping blade. Only downsides are that out of the box they have the black coating on the edge rendering it useless, and the sheaths suck. At least on the kukri models. Other ones might be fine. But a little work with some sandpaper on the edge and the coating comes off. It's definitely my go to blade in case of zombie apocalypse.
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Post by padric101 on Dec 2, 2010 3:21:22 GMT
I have two banshees, from Hanwei, both perform well as a long machete.
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Post by f.m. on Dec 14, 2010 12:11:29 GMT
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Post by bloodwraith on Dec 14, 2010 12:33:28 GMT
I think a modern interpretation of a sica would be be excellent. I mean a roman style sica with the acute angle to the upper portion of the blade.
The one thing that worries me about scorpion knives and swords is that the handles always look a little boxy and for someone with small hands that is problematic. Though that tactical is really nice, would love to see them make like a short scimitar type blade in tactical.
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Post by Earncynn on Dec 14, 2010 15:37:57 GMT
I once owned ( stupid me :cry: - again ) a Becker Knife & Tool Patrol Machete and thought that it could fit the bill as a working/survival/combat tool. Approx. 14 inch blade and a TOUGH handle. I really don´t understand the reason why, but apparently it is no longer made.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Dec 17, 2010 22:14:12 GMT
Sorry for coming up late to thsi thread.....
Anyway, I saw that Becker machete on the internet in the past, it seemed like a fine blade. It is sad that Ka Bar (the current owner of Becker, AFAIK) stopped making it. Becker's models are timeless classics IMHO.
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Post by tom on Dec 22, 2010 4:51:30 GMT
My view is that a "survival" sword would be one for when the ammunition runs out or things get really close. Even if you have the skill necessary to wield it properly, if there are any goblins with loaded guns, you're probably toast. Knowing how to run an AK or AR-15 in CQB would be best (with a pistol as a backup). In my mind, there are two groups of swords: 1) swords you carry with your tactical gear next to your rifle and 2) swords that you'll use because it's TEOTWAWKI and ammunition sources have finally dried up. I am thinking that a "tactical" sword is more in line with a long dagger or bowie up to a gladius or Katzbalger. www.armor.com/sword149.htmlA parrying dagger with 12 to 16 inch blade would probably be just fine. These would fit on a war belt or pack. Personally, I'd choose this: www.armor.com/dagg070.htmlFurthermore, a modern design isn't really needed. It is my belief that the ancient makers already went through what "tactical" means. All we need to do is update the materials and apply a dark colored finish. Group two would simply be any sword you know how to use and are willing to fight with. A final option would be to use a tomahawk. It's a tool that can be used in combat. Most are also significantly lower priced than quality swords.
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Dec 22, 2010 5:02:49 GMT
Hello Tom I think you are right. Except in very specific places and situations, I think a well-used firearm will beat a sword anytime in CQB. However, beeign a bunch of sword nerds and collectors, we like playing with the idea of a sword having a small place on the modern battlefield Like you said, I think a conveniently-sized sword/large knife would be the best and there are many types of blades from many cultures who could easily fill that niche. Personnaly, I'd take a 14'' or less machete from the Phillipines or Indonesia, or a 9-10'' bowie knife... Very theorical questions and answers for me since I will likely never be on or even near a battlefield.
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Post by tom on Dec 22, 2010 5:34:10 GMT
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