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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 6, 2010 23:29:42 GMT
I have two of the DF dao on my list and I used to have a jian, as well, but I decided after looking at it again and again that I just didn't like it as much as I originally did. Despite their completely untraditional nature, I'd rather the Cold Steel Jade Lion Gim as opposed to the DF ones, simply because it looks nicer and has what appears to be a sturdier blade.
Well, actually, they may not be swords, but there are apparently soldiers who have the mindset that they'd like a sword on the battlefield. That's how the CRKT Hisshou came about and it's a foot long wakizashi styled blade; it came into being because soldiers were wanting longer knives. So, who knows, maybe swords will one day be part of a soldier's standard gear again.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2010 3:59:16 GMT
Hmm...let me guess. It's these two: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... road+Sword www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... Guard+Dao+ Ah, I have a couple jians, myself. One is actually my very first sword, and it's an antique my parents bought for me back in Okinawa. Unfortunately, it seems the scabbard isn't the original one. The current scabbard is either a replacement, or simply a fake. Considering the likeliness of the two, I'd have to say it was probably a replacement, though the scabbard is still fairly old, considering that much of the wood has rotted away. The other jian I have is Adam Hsu jian from Hanwei. I vied for the fiberglass version, mostly for the increased durability. It is a fun practice sword, but it is definitely not built for any cutting. Plus, I can't figure out how to tighten the nut. It doesn't seem to want to turn at all, and I can't get any tools in to loosen or tighten it because the "tassel loop", or whatever it's called, is blocking it. I, too, would love to have the Jade Lion Gim, but I am hesitant both due to the price and Cold Steel's new pommel nut. They are using the same semi-recessed nut that is on their new Great Swords. I've also noticed that this new nut is on several other swords of theirs. There was a thread about it on the old forum, and I emailed Cold Steel about it, with a link to the thread. This was several weeks ago, and I've yet to get a reply from them. Anyway, that is cool to hear. I'm glad that swords may still have a chance, especially considering that I'm working up to being a bladesmith myself, and I'm going to need some sort of income. However, I wouldn't call the Hisshou or Hisatsu swords. Not even in the slightest. To me, they are just tantos, or o-tantos. But even then, it's still something. I would love to support our military by providing them good, real swords for the modern-day battlefield. That is also why I am interested in learning more about metals and materials. My goal in life is to help bring swords back to their former glory, as well as improve the art and technology beyond what has been used for thousands of years.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 8, 2010 4:07:39 GMT
Hot damn, right in one. I actually have the wood handled Adam Hsu on my list, but I may change it to the fiberglass, though the main reason I want it isn't actually practice... I kinda want to use the hilt design for a certain custom sword I've been dropping hints about. As for the nut, I don't think it would make much of a difference since the hilts are epoxied to the tang. Hmm, well, hopefully, but the time I have the money to get one it'll be fixed. Either that or the Jade Lion will be discontinued. Yeah, the Hisshou and Hisatsu are just large knives, but it's a step in the right direction. Same with Cold Steel and their officer's sabers they came out with this year to replace the stainless pieces of junk they wear. Now if we could just find a blade design that would work well. I'm torn between a gladius, a wakizashi, or a curved kindjal, which is kinda the best of both worlds. I figure a one handed sword on the battlefield would be best as it would probably be used in a last ditch situation or when going from room to room, where a longer sword would be detrimental.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2010 23:13:39 GMT
Haha, yeah, I figured those were the ones you liked, simply because those are the two I like. Great minds think alike, eh? ;D
Hmm...I see...well, I should probably warn you that the grips on those jians are a bit narrow. They allow for great control, but I was hoping for something a bit bigger. The fiberglass is pretty nice, though. I know a lot of people prefer the traditional stuff, but I am fond of the use of modern materials in swords. And yes, I believe it is epoxied, but the handle is starting to jiggle a little bit during use. If I can't tighten that nut, then that's really going to bother me. I do hope they don't discontinue the Jade Lion anytime soon, though. It really does look nice. But even if they don't change that nut, I already thought of a way to fix it. All you need to do is take a rotary tool and cut a small slit in the head of the nut just big enough for a flathead screwdriver. Then you can just use a screwdriver to tighten or loosen it.
As for the swords...I'd have to go with the gladius, actually. I don't really like most gladii, but as far as purposes go, they would probably be very effective in close quarters combat. After all, that is what they were designed for in the first place, right? Not to say that a wakizashi, or even kodachi, wouldn't be as effective...but a gladius seems to be more utilitarian, because you could use it for a variety of things, rather than just fighting.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 9, 2010 23:20:47 GMT
I'd say.
Well, I didn't mean that exact size, but the same style. Hmm... I believe I asked if the sword was able to be disassembled on the old forum and the answer I got was to boil the end or something like that, which should loosen the nut. I'm not sure. I'd have to go look up the topic again. I'm with you; I hope they don't discontinue the Jade Lion. For one, it's a nice sword and for two, there's not enough quality Chinese swords on the market.
I agree, though I'd actually have to go with the Georgian Kindjal instead of the gladius because it has a reinforced point that would aid in piercing armor as well as any utility tasks you might need it for. It's also about the same size, but the handle is more ovular so you have better edge alignment in the cut. However, lest we get too far off topic, I would like to point out that I think the Tactical Wakizashi could probably be used as a machete or wood splitter due to its resilient blade. It probably wouldn't be the most effective, but it would serve.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2010 1:21:58 GMT
Boiling it? That seems a bit difficult to set up, but I would think that freezing it would work better. The cold tends to weaken bonds in adhesive greatly, which should work on the epoxy, and the steel would contract, loosening the grip on the threading. However, freezing it would seem even more difficult than boiling.
Anyway, yes, the Tactical Wakizashi could be used as such, I figure, but in that case, why not just use a machete? Even good military machetes are cheaper, and usually more effective than a wakizashi or kodachi would be when it comes to chopping. And as for what you were saying about the kindjal, why not just combine that reinforce point feature of the kindjal with the gladius?
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 11, 2010 6:23:51 GMT
That would make more sense. I'm just trying to remember the advice I got on the old forum.
Definitely. I think, in such a situation, it'd be 'make do with the tools you have rather than wish for the tools you don't' kinda thing. The TacWak would make an adequate machete or axe, but adequate would be the best you could hope for given its geometry. It's primary function, of course, would be as a way to kill the enemy; otherwise, it wouldn't have a bohi, so it could perform those other tasks more efficiently. As for the kindjal and gladius, well, they're essentially one and the same. The only real difference is that reinforced point (on some models, but I believe there are gladii with reinforced points, like the Albions) and the handle. The Gladius handle is round and usually made of bone and wood with a really big pommel, whereas the Kindjal handle is smaller, slightly rectangular, made of wood, bone, ivory, whatever, with accents on it, and its pommel is smaller.
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Post by bloodwraith on Oct 11, 2010 6:29:13 GMT
The filipino special forces are still issued with a ginunting so the sword is still present on the modern battlefield, it is just that for the most part a knife is far more practical for a combat situation where your main weapon is a firearm of some description. Better than either a gladius or a kindjal would be a khyber knife.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 11, 2010 6:55:55 GMT
Possibly, but maybe a Filipino weapon would be better since they are still in use. Like the Kris or Espada y Daga combination; it'd give you that knife for the uses you need a knife for, be it combat, utility, or what have you, but you still have a longer (albeit still pretty short) sword if you need it, such as if your weapon jams or you run out of ammo.
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Post by Odingaard on Oct 11, 2010 23:20:57 GMT
I just purchased one of these; I'll do full review when it arrives. As for me, I can see the application of this little sword in the right situation. However, coming from many years of both .mil and LEO experience, the practical field application of this tacwak is zero to me. I'd rather have a good 5"-6" fixed blade knife and a quality e-tool. The wak is a great, historically-proven weapon - don't get me wrong. It's just that I'd prefer to have something more suited for CQB if I were rolling around on the ground with an enemy that I could actually draw quickly (the knife) and a tool that I could do field work with, such as digging, cutting, hammering in addition to using it as a weapon (the e-tool) than one single purpose blade that takes up a good amount of room on my gear. However, if there is a zombie apocalypse, I can promise you - my new tacwak will be attached to my bug-out bag.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 12, 2010 2:54:58 GMT
That's pretty much what my line of thinking was, Jon. It'd really only be useful in certain theaters and there its use is limited, but if it's all you've got, you certainly make the most out of it. If I were in a situation where I might be wrestling a man to the ground while trying to kill him, I'd personally want the Benchmade CSKII on my gear, since that's the POU it's meant for; I'd probably want the HD LFK as backup. Yeah, it's a folder, but it's got a big, beefy, fixed sized blade and deploys in an instant.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 4:10:07 GMT
Ugh...so many abbreviations! I can't understand what knives and stuff you're talking about! :lol: Anyway, I suppose I can see why a knife would be more practical in many ways, but as a person who favors swords over just about anything, and as someone who will probably never be in the military, I would have to go with a good sword. As for zombie apocalypses, I'd say this sword should be standard equipment for anyone. XD
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 13, 2010 7:17:26 GMT
CSKII: Combat Survival Knife, Mark 2. POU: Philosophy of Use. HD LFK: Harley-Davidson Large Folding Knife (manufactured by Benchmade - www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store ... ?s=BM13220). I'd never be in the military, either, but I'd have a few knives, a sword or three, a good axe, an E-tool, a good spear, a quality bow, and probably a sling bow in my gear for the apocalypse. The tac-wak would most likely be one of those swords. The others would probably include the Hanwei Banshee, and the Windlass Kindjals (the Cobra Steel and Russian models). It'd be a lot to carry in addition to the rest of my gear, but I'd have to find a way to do it without electronics or gasoline, since those wouldn't last long after any kind of apocalypse.
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Post by MTmind on Oct 13, 2010 7:25:27 GMT
If you need to communicate you can always write something down with your new tactical pen. globalgear.com.au/prod4029.htm Not sure if it has a blade, but it sure could have one.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 13, 2010 7:40:18 GMT
Bah. There's no way I could convince myself to ever carry something like that. It just seems so gimmicky.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 17:12:36 GMT
Ah, alright, thanks for clearing those up for me. That is quite a lot of weapons, though. It seems to me that all of that would slow anyone down beyond practicality.
Uh...I don't think I'd bother buying that either. Besides, I just checked out their prices for some other things, and they're outrageous! I can't believe they're asking $670 for Cold Steel's LC saber! Or $460 for their 1860 HC saber! You can get them cheaper than that from Cold Steel's own website, and even THEIR prices are too high! Seeing that, I don't think I'd ever buy anything from them.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 13, 2010 17:21:29 GMT
Yeah. CSK and LFK are the actual Benchmade names for them, but I get POU from watching Nutnfancy on Youtube a little too often.
It probably would slow you down, but in an apocalyptic situation, you'd probably want everything you could. For the most part however, most of it would stay in/around the camp when you set up for the night. I couldn't really imagine anyone wanting to carry all that more than necessary. Still, at least a good axe, the tac-wak, a spear, a bow, and an E-tool would probably be essential, though I suppose you could debate on the spear unless you wanted to hunt big game.
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Post by Odingaard on Oct 14, 2010 19:28:44 GMT
I got the sword today. I took the photos and all for a review, I will work it up tonight - then link back here.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 14, 2010 19:35:01 GMT
In the words of Bill & Ted: "Excellent! *air guitar*"
But I won't need the link back since I'll be looking forward to it.
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Post by Odingaard on Oct 15, 2010 7:29:55 GMT
Most of your fellas know, but the review is now up in the Reviews Section. I'll hopefully be doing some cutting later today to give it a good once over.
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