Talon
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Post by Talon on Jan 19, 2013 22:51:15 GMT
A falcata/Kopis,or Kukri would all make for extremely nice survival blades,i have a british service tora blade kukri which i've used extensively in the woods and in the kitchen.It's very tough and holds a very sharp edge,it could remove a head as easily as splitting wood for a fire. I really want to put my durer bastard sword forward but as much as i would pick it before any other sword i own,it only has one purpose (to kill people) In a survivalist situation weight and mobility matter,my longsword is my go to anti personel blade but i would go with my kukri or my tomahawk as a good compromise between utility/weight and practicality.After all i'll be packing a crossbow,a sawn down 20 gauge shotgun with 100 shells and a sturdy fixed blade knife.(There's only so many weapons my frame will carry)
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Post by Rifleman Lizard on Jan 19, 2013 23:43:27 GMT
You should keep that sawn "down" stuff quiet, Dave. Same, as much as I'd like to swing around the family claymore... Those sorts won't last long when it comes to survival. Hydration, nourishment, information, concealment. Ya know, actual survival? :lol: You sword wielding fighter types have got your priorities wrong. To increase your own odds, you should run from any open conflict or fix it with stealth and deception. That's just good survivability. Someone sees you with an actual sword and you'll find it much harder to makes friends. The smaller weapons/tools have the edge when it comes to mobility, stealth, ease of use, versatility, maintenance, the list goes on.
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Post by Onimusha on Jan 19, 2013 23:56:16 GMT
You can legally saw a shotgun down as long as you don't saw it below 18 inches.
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Post by Rifleman Lizard on Jan 20, 2013 0:07:20 GMT
Not in the UK.
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Post by Onimusha on Jan 20, 2013 0:25:28 GMT
It would be quicker to list what you CAN do with guns in the UK.
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Post by oolong dao on Jan 20, 2013 0:35:44 GMT
IMO Machetes are swords. I can think of more modern groups that use them than one that use longsword (of which there is only jack thompson) i've used my machete to chop through 3 inches of christmas tree until it was small enough for the fireplace.
Now if shtf i have two choices a katana or a machete, I live in PA and i KNOW no fancy european bastard or japanese bastard will out preform my panga. the second someone tries to go all HEMA on me they get free slug and i get a antiquated piece of scrap that i can pawn. longswords are about as practical as plastic lightsabers and WILL make you look like tron guy.
but you are right about kukri, one could arm a small group with them and some mosin nagant for about 3000. I wouldn't use one myself though until i'm sure it's reputation isn't based on rabid orientalism.
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Post by oolong dao on Jan 20, 2013 0:36:06 GMT
IMO Machetes are swords. I can think of more modern groups that use them than one that use longsword (of which there is only jack thompson) i've used my machete to chop through 3 inches of christmas tree until it was small enough for the fireplace.
Now if shtf i have two choices a katana or a machete, I live in PA and i KNOW no fancy european bastard or japanese bastard will out preform my panga. the second someone tries to go all HEMA on me they get free slug and i get a antiquated piece of scrap that i can pawn. longswords are about as practical as plastic lightsabers and WILL make you look like tron guy.
but you are right about kukri, one could arm a small group with them and some mosin nagant for about 3000. I wouldn't use one myself though until i'm sure it's reputation isn't based on rabid orientalism.
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Post by Rifleman Lizard on Jan 20, 2013 1:24:25 GMT
You're happy to use a katana as a survival weapon of choice, but you're unsure of the khukuri in case its reputation is based on "rabid orientalism"? Do you not realise the irony in that?
Even so, machetes just don't have the blade steel to fight with for any length of time. I would prefer something with more meat on it, making it more durable and easy to keep.
The khukuri, by its very design is an effective tool and strong weapon. The forward heavy and reinforced curved blade makes it perfect for splitting, chopping and hacking wood and heads alike. It has been used for centuries and is still used in front line service by the Ghurka Rifles.
The katana is massively romanticised as a weapon and its only suitable application is overt killing, something to avoid in a survival scenario, so I'm just not seeing your point. I also don't understand your view on European swords. Again, based on what exactly? Nobody is going to "go HEMA" on you because back in the real world survivalists aren't walking around with swords.
One thing is for sure; Anything is better than nothing.
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Post by lamebmx on Jan 20, 2013 2:12:39 GMT
Well Cheness tenchi's are pretty durable. Worn traditionally, it is quite surprising how unobtrusive a full daisho is. So just one of the two is pretty easy to manage with. Even more so if you drop the length requirement and carry a waki. By unobtrusive I do mean that in a relative sense, you know keeping something over 1 meter long accessible, not being carried in a hand to tire the arm and not banging into with every step.
I still have to try the different ways to wander around with a bastard sword.
And of course the OP knows there are better options, but this is a sword forum after all!
Oh, with 2 khukri's sitting around here, they have earned their reputation. Go with the traditional style handle, it handles a ton better with that bit of pommel mass to counter the blades mass. The other one here has the american knife style handle with finger grooves. Its more forward heavy on the blade and the finger grooves dont fit anyone hands I know, unless you happen to have 5 thumbs on one hand.
There is a huge negative, their sheaths are a bit of a pain reducing the ability to have it out quickly. They also have a weird forward mass to them. Be good in the survival sense that it can replace a hatchet decent, but I would hate to take one up against a 1 handed sword.
Just my 2 cents in the pot before I have to lug them around in the woods on the OP's apocalypse scenario!
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Post by oolong dao on Jan 20, 2013 3:21:18 GMT
I own a katana and a machete and would choose machete every time is what i ment. Not european swords, just long swords in general for their small amount of uses.
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Post by KentsOkay on Jan 20, 2013 3:52:24 GMT
I can tell you haven't looked at many European swords.
Honestly, skill over hardware everyday. Swords where not designed to chop wood, machetes where not designed to go edge to edge with other tools/weapons. Groups that use machetes as weapons use them as tools of terror and slaughter, not combat against other armed opponents. In the world of sharp sticks, firearms have the longest reach and jab the hardest, and that's what people will use until ammo is expended. Then the guys that didn't waste ammo will be unstoppable.
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Post by oolong dao on Jan 20, 2013 5:50:07 GMT
unless im gunless and fighting errol flynn i wont ever have to go edge to edge with someone. cant think of anywhere in the US where someone will have a sword and know how to use it effectively. even so i got a axe for that.
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Talon
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Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Jan 20, 2013 7:05:22 GMT
What i meant was i have a nice uk legal 20 gauge (24.5 inch barrel atm) that will be meeting the hacksaw if the world turns to $%^& :lol: .I wouldn't risk 5 years locked up in durham nick. Truthfully though as much as i love a good survival discussion i'm under no illusions.I think it takes a certain type of person who could truly survive.And apart from the odd scrap outside of newcastle pubs i have no combat/survival experience(playing in the woods and knowing how to make a fire doesn't make me Bear Grylls).
Also i have my fammily ,girlfriend and my cat to worry about ,i would do better to pack a can opener and a crowbar to break into houses and supermarkets than pack a sword.These talk's on what sword/knife/gun would you carry are fun,but for me it's fantasy.I probably wouldn't last a month if the sh%$ really did hit :?
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Post by KentsOkay on Jan 20, 2013 7:35:03 GMT
That's a bold statement.
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Post by GUEST on Jan 20, 2013 8:14:22 GMT
Talon you can always eat your cat. like you Brits use to say with enough curry you can eat almost anything.
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Talon
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Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Jan 20, 2013 8:16:12 GMT
Rabid orientalism :roll: Well this is the internet i really shouldn't be suprised
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Talon
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Posts: 2,554
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Post by Talon on Jan 20, 2013 8:21:17 GMT
:lol: Yup thats true,still i wont be making a korma out of a crisis
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jan 20, 2013 11:06:41 GMT
Do you actually hear yourself talking? There are PLENTY of HEMA groups in the US and in every group there is probably at least one guy who would kick your a** with a longsword if you came along with your machete or axe.
As it has been said, a machete is a tool. It can double as a weapon but as one it will ALWAYS be inferior to something actually designed for the job (i.e. sword). The reason many prepper chose a machete is not because they disregard the sword's fighting potential, far from it, it actually is the most lethal melee weapon for unarmored combat. However, it requires lots of training and does poorly as a tool, even worse than the machete does at fighting and for fighting most people rightfully rely on their guns (and maybe knifes for close-quarter stuff).
The question I have been pondering for long is what sword I want to take with me if SHTF. Like Talon, I'm very tempted to go with my bastard sword. It is the absolute pinnacle of sword evolvement and designed for unarmored duels. I can think of no sword I'd rather have with me if forced to fight for my life. However, it is long(-ish) and doesn't just fit in my backpack as a shorter blade would. I don't own any firearms but I still have to carry a crossbow, hatchet and knife so weight and size certainly is something to consider. I guess it comes down to this: Do I hope never to encounter a situation where I have to go up with a sword against someone and go with what's lighter, easier to carry? Going that route, I know I could well die if forced to fight and lacking the weapon best suited for the job because I deemed it too much of an hassle to take with me. On the other hand, carrying around a sizable sword sure doesn't contribute to being low-key and could also get me killed, apart from generally being cumbersome and awkward to carry. So what is it? I sure as heck don't know...
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Post by demonskull on Jan 20, 2013 14:23:17 GMT
I havn't seen anyone mention a Kyber knife. A large Kyber knife is a great survival tool, beefy enough for some chopping and and butchering and a damn fine fighting knife. The equivilent of a short sword.
What about an artilery short sword. A stocky Gladius with a guard and a saw blade, the original multitool.
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Post by oolong dao on Jan 20, 2013 17:37:00 GMT
I think you are seriously overstating the amount of HEMA practitioners in the US compared to non members. Bringing a longsword is likely to get you robbed by people with guns, go with machete they are cheaper and simple to use. I would only grab a longsword if i were expecting to run into Mamluks, Mongols, and Highwaymen. otherwise a machete or axe makes a perfect companion to a rifle sized firearm.
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