pgandy
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Post by pgandy on May 26, 2016 19:53:00 GMT
I wasn’t sure where to place this “Sword Reviews” or “Other Weapons and Amor”. As there are two parts I even considered placing a part in each but as that would cause the reader to jump around I consolidated them and placed in “Sword Reviews” as I think most people that buy this buy the HDSC for its blade. If a modulator sees fit to move do so. This video is done differently than what I customarily do. In the past I’ve uploaded a video to YouTube in order to download to a forum and of course the video remains on YouTube for anyone surfing to view. After watching videos on YouTube concerning Cold Steel’s Heavy Duty Sword Cane made by people doing what I call a glowing syndrome report, that is writing about the good characteristics, or what they perceive to be, and ignoring the rest giving a somewhat distorted picture I decided to put it in what I consider a more correct perspective. To tell the truth, with all due respect, I question the credibility of some of those YouTube authors but for the sake of argument let’s just say we have differing viewpoints. So in this case I made the video for YouTube and since the video is there I decided to add it to this forum as a review. I apologize for the length. I saw that it was going to be long so I divided it in two dedicating Part 1 to the cane and Part 2 to the sword. And each part still turned out long. Sorry about that. In Part 1 I neglected to state a beef I had with the cane’s tip although I did discuss the tip. The reviewers pointed out that the original tip can be replaced when worn out by a readily available after market tip, implying a simple operation. I saw no evidence of anyone having done that so they probably are not speaking from personal experience. Cane tips wear out, that’s a fact of life, and need to be replaced. With all of Cold Steel’s infinite wisdom they elected to glue their tips in place. Obviously a result of someone’s brain fart. I have never experienced such a thing before. It had to be cut off and that was no easy task. Hopefully in later models they corrected this. This is the worst designed cane I’ve come across. I think most people that buy the HDSC will buy it for the blade giving little thought to the cane itself and will see it only as necessary vehicle in which to transport the blade so consider the cane only of little importance. I differ viewing the cane as of primary interest and the blade secondary, but important. Let’s face it, the average person will carry that cane daily where legal and in all likelihood never draw the blade except for inspection and oiling. I carry a cane daily and have fought robbers and dogs with it. Used it as pest control killing insects to rats. I have discovered numerous tasks that it is capable of including pulling me out of ditches by hooking trees. It also helps in gathering food as in pulling down tree limbs in order to pick the fruit. To me a cane is very much a part of my everyday life. And as for combat I’d rather use the cane rather than the blade as the blade has more of a chance of involving the police. In Part 2 I discuss the sword. As I know it, the HDSC has a 1055 steel blade. However, that may change as this is an ad from their website. HD Sword Cane.docx (177.94 KB) They did a good job on the blade. This is not surprising as CS is a renowned blade company that unfortunately knows little about canes. How one sees the blade will depend on their style and preferences. While excellent, I do not hold it in the high esteem that the other viewers did. I find the HDSC as a whole a good buy and a welcomed addition.
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on May 27, 2016 5:12:53 GMT
Thanks for the excellent review. You gave me a new insight into the cane as a multiple purpose weapon. I spend some time in Mexico and can concur that the ditches there turn up in the stanged of places, especially at night after a visit to the local tequilla fountain.
Cheers.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on May 27, 2016 7:18:34 GMT
Ah, the tequila fountain. I had not heard it put that way. With all of the cane we grow rum is more common. We have no agave so tequila is imported making it more expensive. I do like my tequila, preferring mezcal which is impossible to get here. I have numerous times at night on a tequila run used my cane as a blind man would, feeling the ground before taking a step.
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harrybeck
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Post by harrybeck on Feb 9, 2017 18:35:01 GMT
always loved my mezcal, blasphemy considering I'm a scot and don't care greatly for scotch
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Post by howler on Feb 9, 2017 22:15:49 GMT
Thanks for the excellent review. You gave me a new insight into the cane as a multiple purpose weapon. I spend some time in Mexico and can concur that the ditches there turn up in the stanged of places, especially at night after a visit to the local tequilla fountain. Cheers. Haha, the words "tequila" and "fountain" in the same sentence will naturally include "ditch".
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 10, 2017 18:19:05 GMT
I don’t blame you for not setting through that whole mess. The review turned out longer than I would have liked. Towards the end of the second video dealing with the blade I did discuss the scabbard.
Ya, I think the CS did a good job on the sword side, but fell short on the cane design. It will work as a cane and nonlethal weapon but would do much more in both cases if the handle was designed better. They did a better job with the sword aspect. What I objected to was the glowing report syndromes the reviewers were giving it on YouTube. Both mostly centred around the blade’s length and cutting ability. While quite good, I don’t consider it to the level the reviewers were portraying it. As for the length, I have no idea if it’s good or bad. Nor do I think there is a definitive answer, but I certainly do not agree that it is as great as the reviewers claim. The long blade has its disadvantages as I pointed out. It will out cut other sword canes and is demonstrated many times on plastic bottles, etc. How effective this will be in actual combat is questionable and I tried to point that out. The one time I did draw a blade (different sword cane) I was all set for a thrust if necessary but he couldn’t figure out how to get around the point to close. It can be done, he just didn’t know how.
Here’s another short video showing the advantage of a shorter blade. There is no way that I could draw a HDSC or longer blade, both arms were pinned. In this case I was using a Windlass Buffalo Horn Cane w/17” blade.
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Post by seriouslee on Feb 10, 2017 18:33:45 GMT
I have a cane made from Olive Tree. I have driven golf balls over 100 yards with it and not a mark. Mind you, it's close to 45 years old.
It is the hardest wood I have ever encountered. I'd be willing to bet it would curl the edge of most of my blades before breaking.
Nice review.
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harrybeck
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Post by harrybeck on May 22, 2017 2:49:16 GMT
i have an old CS purpleheart wood replica of a french fighting cane and my ferrule was glued on as well, of course it eventually fell off and i got them to send me a replacement and drilled it straight up from the bottom and ran a wood screw up into the shaft of the cane and it's not moved since.
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Post by Freebooter on Feb 26, 2018 23:30:07 GMT
I have this sword cane and actually use it as a walking cane as I am 62 and have knee trouble from both arthritus and injuries. It is a sturdy and useful cane for every day use and luckily I have not had to use the blade for self defense. It is a very sturdy, well made can and weapon. I would not hesitate to use it for self defense if I had to.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 7, 2018 3:49:01 GMT
Freebooter you’re right it is a good, sturdy cane and I’ve carried mine, never to draw the blade. I did once with another and was glad to have been carrying it. I have no qualms about depending on the CS HDSC. My main objection is the shape of the handle, and I can live that although it could have been designed in another way making it more useful. My main objection is not with the cane but those giving it such high review ratings on YouTube, a glowing syndrome report if you will. It is not God’s send to those wanting such a device. To use a Matt Easton’s term it depends on the “context” of the scenario. It has it’s good points as those not so good.
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Post by vanna on Jul 22, 2018 16:55:10 GMT
Good review , Thank you , I bought a Cold Steel Sword Cane a while back from Bud K was $95. I had read that they were made from 1055 steel, but the box says 3CR13 which is a Stainless steel. Any way it is sharp as any one would want, or could get, and I doubt it would break easily. It is a little too long for me,and i am thinking about cutting the open end off with a tubing cutter to shorten it, but looks like i can take off only 1.5 inches, unless I shorten the blade at the hilt. I would worry about carrying it in Mexico not sure if it is legal an all. As for the USA legality goes State by State , So check your state laws before you carry a concealed weapon. In Alaska we can carry Sword Canes , guns just about anything concealed or open. with or with out a permit.
I also bought a Honshu cane, was only $58 at Bud K. They call it a blade in advertising , But I would argue it is a spike as it has no edge. The whole thing feels better in your hand, really solid, well built, and the bottom end can be cut off easily and a shortened a lot. I do believe a spike can be legally carried concealed in all 50 states.
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Post by howler on Jul 22, 2018 19:32:35 GMT
Good review , Thank you , I bought a Cold Steel Sword Cane a while back from Bud K was $95. I had read that they were made from 1055 steel, but the box says 3CR13 which is a Stainless steel. Any way it is sharp as any one would want, or could get, and I doubt it would break easily. It is a little too long for me,and i am thinking about cutting the open end off with a tubing cutter to shorten it, but looks like i can take off only 1.5 inches, unless I shorten the blade at the hilt. I would worry about carrying it in Mexico not sure if it is legal an all. As for the USA legality goes State by State , So check your state laws before you carry a concealed weapon. In Alaska we can carry Sword Canes , guns just about anything concealed or open. with or with out a permit. I also bought a Honshu cane, was only $58 at Bud K. They call it a blade in advertising , But I would argue it is a spike as it has no edge. The whole thing feels better in your hand, really solid, well built, and the bottom end can be cut off easily and a shortened a lot. I do believe a spike can be legally carried concealed in all 50 states. Strange the box would say 3CR13 steel, so you may want to look into it being legit. Don't forget that the handle can be used in the off hand as a shield and club.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jul 22, 2018 19:47:50 GMT
My CS catalogue 2017 says: HDSC: 3Cr13 Alu Head SC and Pistol Grip SC: 1055 Quick Draw SC: 420J2
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Post by Freebooter on Jul 23, 2018 0:41:15 GMT
Freebooter you’re right it is a good, sturdy cane and I’ve carried mine, never to draw the blade. I did once with another and was glad to have been carrying it. I have no qualms about depending on the CS HDSC. My main objection is the shape of the handle, and I can live that although it could have been designed in another way making it more useful. My main objection is not with the cane but those giving it such high review ratings on YouTube, a glowing syndrome report if you will. It is not God’s send to those wanting such a device. To use a Matt Easton’s term it depends on the “context” of the scenario. It has it’s good points as those not so good. I agree. Than handle should bit longer and more so that youhand can mold into it.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 23, 2018 1:45:24 GMT
It appears that some companies are switching to SS blades from their traditional carbon steel. Windlass, for instance, is now using SS in their Cobra line.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 23, 2018 2:14:08 GMT
Good review , Thank you , I bought a Cold Steel Sword Cane a while back from Bud K was $95. I had read that they were made from 1055 steel, but the box says 3CR13 which is a Stainless steel. Any way it is sharp as any one would want, or could get, and I doubt it would break easily. It is a little too long for me,and i am thinking about cutting the open end off with a tubing cutter to shorten it, but looks like i can take off only 1.5 inches, unless I shorten the blade at the hilt. I would worry about carrying it in Mexico not sure if it is legal an all. As for the USA legality goes State by State , So check your state laws before you carry a concealed weapon. In Alaska we can carry Sword Canes , guns just about anything concealed or open. with or with out a permit. I also bought a Honshu cane, was only $58 at Bud K. They call it a blade in advertising , But I would argue it is a spike as it has no edge. The whole thing feels better in your hand, really solid, well built, and the bottom end can be cut off easily and a shortened a lot. I do believe a spike can be legally carried concealed in all 50 states. I did that review because I got tired of seeing those glowing report reviews by people who have no idea of what to expect in a fight. While pointing out the cane’s virtues those same virtues can work against one. The HDSC is good but not God’s send that many make it out to be. I do not advise cutting the sheath’s tip. You have the right idea using the other end. CS’s rubber tips do not have sufficient adhesion in my opinion and I change them all for commercial after market replacement tips. I thought it would be a simple job to slip off CS’s tip and on the replacement. Not so. I had to cut it off. Most surprising as cane tips wear out, it’s the nature of the thing. I’ve never experienced a glued on tip before and even by cutting it was difficult to remove. The surprise came after removing. I was expecting to see the end of a hollow tube. CS saw fit to fill the end. I don’t know how far up the tube the fill goes, but it is not a hollow tube. If you cut do it from the throat with a tube cutter as you plan but be very careful of your measurements as not overshoot so that the blade does not fit. I have no knowledge of the Honshu cane and for a long time looked down on spikes such as spike bayonets. Now with more knowledge I see them in a different light. Unfortunately they make a smaller hole than a blade but are better at penetrating, something to think about especially in cold weather.
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Post by Freebooter on Jul 23, 2018 9:29:01 GMT
PGAndy, As for sword canes using stainles rather than carbon steel, I think that is ok because no one uses a sword cane to cut or fight with. It stays prdomently in its sheeth, the cane. I bought my Cold Steel "Heavy Duty Sword Cane" several years ago strictly as a novelty item. But over the last year or so I have developed serious problems with my knees and have had to resort to using a cane. So now I use it any time I walk and it has proben to be a good viable sturdy cane. If one did have to use a sword cane for self defense it would be mainly to thrust with so SS would be no problem to me.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 23, 2018 14:11:34 GMT
PGAndy, As for sword canes using stainles rather than carbon steel, I think that is ok because no one uses a sword cane to cut or fight with. It stays prdomently in its sheeth, the cane. I bought my Cold Steel "Heavy Duty Sword Cane" several years ago strictly as a novelty item. But over the last year or so I have developed serious problems with my knees and have had to resort to using a cane. So now I use it any time I walk and it has proben to be a good viable sturdy cane. If one did have to use a sword cane for self defense it would be mainly to thrust with so SS would be no problem to me. I agree with you that a SS blade in a cane would make little to no difference. I’ve carried the HDSC as a walking device many times especially coming down this mountain at night. The HDSC fills the walking stick roll well, but if they had designed the handle differently it would do better. Only had to draw a blade one time and it was not with that cane and drew no blood. Truly sorry about your knees. In the long run I’ve found that a wood cane from Cane Masters to be much more versatile and is my first choice, wouldn’t leave the house without one. They have a web site. FWIW the surname is Gandy, no problem. Have a good day. As I was closing this out I remembered that my $700+ Burger cane has a SS blade.
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Post by Freebooter on Jul 27, 2018 17:11:39 GMT
Thanks Pgandy, I have thought of gtetting a good wooden cane with curved handle. I have seen in a movie how they also can be uswed for self defende. Either by kitting with it or using the curved handle as a hook to snatch someone's leg out from under them their arm or hookl their neck. I need to get me one.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jul 27, 2018 18:08:29 GMT
Thanks Pgandy, I have thought of gtetting a good wooden cane with curved handle. I have seen in a movie how they also can be uswed for self defende. Either by kitting with it or using the curved handle as a hook to snatch someone's leg out from under them their arm or hookl their neck. I need to get me one. I can indeed be used as a weapon. I’ve fought robbers and dogs both with mine. But there are dozens of everyday uses it will fill while combat, if ever, is rare. I’ve been left alone now for several years now. Maybe word has gotten around not to mess with the Americano. Damn earthquake! I’ll have to watch the news to know more. We have about 7,000 trembles a year, most go unnoticed. Hazel just got on the phone to check on certain people. TV news responded almost immediately. It rated 4.7 over in San José, an adjacent providence. I felt a good thump here. Too soon for a damage report. The area is full of active volcanoes and frequent quakes. One of my instructors said the crook is good to know but the shaft will be used more in combat and so far he’s proven correct.
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