Newbie Question on sword selection
Jun 2, 2012 19:00:31 GMT
Post by Catvalet on Jun 2, 2012 19:00:31 GMT
Hello: I am a newbie here and have a couple questions on sword selection. If caught, my wife will make me write, "I will not begin another expensive, aquisitive, competitive hobby" at least a thousand times on the blackboard, but here goes.
I guess I could be catagorized as a libertarian, survivalist, NRA gun nut. While one hangs out in gun shops for decades, you can develop a fascination with sharp things, resulting in about a dozen of which residing in my gun safe. This has recently grown into an interest in acquiring a couple swords. Since I have a TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) is coming perspective, I am interested in swords that would compliment my weapon armoury and be functionally useful in potential interpersonal confrontations. (Someone here posts a phrase "When I run out of ammo, I still have options" which is my thinking, although I do have lots and lots of ammo.) I realize that every manufacturer's website cautions against actually hitting something metallic with a sword, which is understandable in our litigious society, but such is my interest.
Since my entertainment world includes both interest in fantasy and historical fiction, and movies such as The Last Samurai and Kill Bill , I would like both a Katana and a Medieval two endged sword. For the medieval sword, I am currently focusing on the Atrim Zombie Slayer and the Tinker Pearce Bastard Sword and VA Practical Longsword. The Zombie Slayer to my amateur mind, seems to need a wider hilt and a thicker, stronger grip. I would consider a micarta type grip and perhaps a bronze hilt machined to fit over the existing hilt.
For the Katana, I think either the SBG katana in the $330 price range or the Hanwei Practical Plus are the best options for me. I am leaning strongly to a differentially tempered blade if for no other reason than the hamon is so attractive; although someone here may tell me that for my purpose, a through tempered blade is more practical.
I would appreciate any feedback on my selections and if they are appropriate choices for my "parabellum"criteria. Many thanks.
I guess I could be catagorized as a libertarian, survivalist, NRA gun nut. While one hangs out in gun shops for decades, you can develop a fascination with sharp things, resulting in about a dozen of which residing in my gun safe. This has recently grown into an interest in acquiring a couple swords. Since I have a TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) is coming perspective, I am interested in swords that would compliment my weapon armoury and be functionally useful in potential interpersonal confrontations. (Someone here posts a phrase "When I run out of ammo, I still have options" which is my thinking, although I do have lots and lots of ammo.) I realize that every manufacturer's website cautions against actually hitting something metallic with a sword, which is understandable in our litigious society, but such is my interest.
Since my entertainment world includes both interest in fantasy and historical fiction, and movies such as The Last Samurai and Kill Bill , I would like both a Katana and a Medieval two endged sword. For the medieval sword, I am currently focusing on the Atrim Zombie Slayer and the Tinker Pearce Bastard Sword and VA Practical Longsword. The Zombie Slayer to my amateur mind, seems to need a wider hilt and a thicker, stronger grip. I would consider a micarta type grip and perhaps a bronze hilt machined to fit over the existing hilt.
For the Katana, I think either the SBG katana in the $330 price range or the Hanwei Practical Plus are the best options for me. I am leaning strongly to a differentially tempered blade if for no other reason than the hamon is so attractive; although someone here may tell me that for my purpose, a through tempered blade is more practical.
I would appreciate any feedback on my selections and if they are appropriate choices for my "parabellum"criteria. Many thanks.