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Post by howler on Apr 30, 2017 20:00:46 GMT
The great weakness of large swords is their relative impracticality as tools. Add to this the weight you must bear, assuming your humping it any large distances, and one would be quite mad in having one. The only real appeal of the CS small sword is its weight (that of a large knife), at less than 24oz (less than the Natchez). But the Natchez would make an excellent wilderness tool, while the small sword...a lunatics fireplace poker (imagine lugging around a pound and a half fireplace poker when there are sticks all around). Well are we talking about multipurpose tools or swords? If you play your cards right, then both. Bolo, barong, parang, heavy machete, kukri, large bowie or long knife, etc...all sport blades of relatively long (and varying) length. You can also go hatchet/tomahawk route as well as spear, if you shy away from the sword definition but still want a utility weapon. I think that utilizing a large bladed weapon that can serve you in your day to day needs is the "secret sauce" in solving the riddle of how to justify a large blade when traveling. Then again, maybe it would be fun to carry my Cold Steel English Billhook and pretend I'm an extra on the movie set of a fantasy movie like Krull, Conan, Zeena Warrior Princess, Beast master, LOTR, etc...wait...I do too much thinking about that stuff anyway .
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 30, 2017 20:16:27 GMT
Machete/tomahawk vs. small sword? (both bowie offhand) ... or virsa veci
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Post by howler on Apr 30, 2017 21:00:40 GMT
Why not both a bowie and a small sword? Would make an excellent pair for duel wielding, and the bowie can be used as a tool. Wouldn't be too heavy with a proper harness either, even in long distances. I made myself a harness that consists of a belt and two straps that go over the shoulders. This bears weight evenly pretty efficiently. That (small sword/long blade) would make a rather nasty combo in a fight. Still, your kukri, and maybe a tomahawk or whatever, would be a better choice when tromping through the wilderness than a small sword.
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Post by howler on Apr 30, 2017 21:01:53 GMT
Machete/tomahawk vs. small sword? (both bowie offhand) ... or virsa veci Virsa veci sounds a lot like "very thirsty" (drunk).
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 30, 2017 21:10:06 GMT
Freudian sip!
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Ifrit
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Post by Ifrit on Apr 30, 2017 21:24:35 GMT
Why not both a bowie and a small sword? Would make an excellent pair for duel wielding, and the bowie can be used as a tool. Wouldn't be too heavy with a proper harness either, even in long distances. I made myself a harness that consists of a belt and two straps that go over the shoulders. This bears weight evenly pretty efficiently. That (small sword/long blade) would make a rather nasty combo in a fight. Still, your kukri, and maybe a tomahawk or whatever, would be a better choice when tromping through the wilderness than a small sword. That is the main reason I would want it. In a survival situation, it is just so practical. Its wide blade makes an excellent shovel, its forward weight makes an excellent hatchet, its sharp inner edge is great for stripping bark, its point is great for making holes in wood and over all, the entire thing can be used as a variety of tools. I love my kuks
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Post by howler on May 1, 2017 1:57:08 GMT
Sometimes a beer is just a beer. Gulp
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harrybeck
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Post by harrybeck on May 1, 2017 3:19:20 GMT
i carried a kukri on my TA50 back in the 80's and it was an incredible tool.
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Post by jackcorbett on May 1, 2017 5:43:10 GMT
I'd go with my Mark Morrow Roman Gladius. 20 inch double edge blade and razor sharp. Much easier to maneuver than a Katana (unless one were very well trained in its use). Other possibilities include my 14.5 inch Spartan sword. Double edged and lightning quick. Also my Tora Blades Mark 1 Kukri. Only 23 ounces with close to a 15 inch blade. Very quick and immense cutting power for its size.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 1, 2017 8:00:10 GMT
I thought about my gladius too, but if I'd carry a dedicated sword I'd want more reach and the round handle on mine isn't good for edge alignment.
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Post by jackcorbett on May 1, 2017 10:11:52 GMT
Going through all the other posts, it looks like I'm not the only one going for a Kukri. As others have mentioned it is a great all around tool. I will also say that the Tora Blades Kukri are more authentic to the historical blades actually used in war time. They are light enough to be worn or carried everyday. But they can easily lop off legs or heads, crack skulls, and can do a variety of tasks. It would be difficult to top a kukri in this scenario.
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Post by bluetrain on May 1, 2017 10:27:07 GMT
Although I understand what you're getting at about having something with more utility than a smallsword, it brings up the question of the efficiency of combination tools or tools with more than one purpose. A war hammer can be used to pound tent stakes and it is a fairly good weapon, I imagine. Assuming here that we're going to have the sword in the first place or else not going to join in the discussion, the question becomes, what good are the other items suggested. And where is this wilderness we're talking about? Not all of us live all that close to a real wilderness or for that matter, even close to the woods. So an axe isn't always that useful, although it certainly is in a lot of places. So is an axe, especially a hand axe or hatchet, as good a weapon as a sword--any sword?
I mentioned the Cold Steel small sword because I have one. But I'm not sure it would be my first choice, although in a sense, it was. Even though some sneer at them, I rather like the spadroon-type sword because it has an edge. The reality may be that they aren't any better. There are a few other Cold Steel sword that I might like better, though. Possibilities abound.
It doesn't follow that one would necessarily limit one's self to just a sword, of course. You'd invariably have a pocket knife and as far as I'm concerned, you could still have a small hand axe, too, without becoming overburdened.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 1, 2017 15:58:26 GMT
I'd prefer a blade with an edge over a pure thrusting design too (Silver rulez! ). I think some more reach than a kukri or machete would give me a better chance.
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Post by howler on May 2, 2017 20:00:29 GMT
Although I understand what you're getting at about having something with more utility than a smallsword, it brings up the question of the efficiency of combination tools or tools with more than one purpose. A war hammer can be used to pound tent stakes and it is a fairly good weapon, I imagine. Assuming here that we're going to have the sword in the first place or else not going to join in the discussion, the question becomes, what good are the other items suggested. And where is this wilderness we're talking about? Not all of us live all that close to a real wilderness or for that matter, even close to the woods. So an axe isn't always that useful, although it certainly is in a lot of places. So is an axe, especially a hand axe or hatchet, as good a weapon as a sword--any sword? I mentioned the Cold Steel small sword because I have one. But I'm not sure it would be my first choice, although in a sense, it was. Even though some sneer at them, I rather like the spadroon-type sword because it has an edge. The reality may be that they aren't any better. There are a few other Cold Steel sword that I might like better, though. Possibilities abound. It doesn't follow that one would necessarily limit one's self to just a sword, of course. You'd invariably have a pocket knife and as far as I'm concerned, you could still have a small hand axe, too, without becoming overburdened. Yes, tool combination for sure. And fitting the environment (like machete instead of axe in sparse locations) is also logical.
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Ifrit
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Post by Ifrit on May 2, 2017 21:21:57 GMT
A kukri is also nice and compact. Pair that with a short sword, and I feel like you got everything a minimalist would need. Not the most advantagous or specialized equipment, but I would feel comfortable, both physically and defensively, with my Kukri and either my O-Tanto or my Canadian issue 1903 Bayonet
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Post by Cosmoline on May 3, 2017 18:26:10 GMT
The problem with short hacking blades as weapons is that you're almost certain to get torn up yourself in any fight even if you win. You have to get quite close to make them function, which means your own body is vulnerable esp if the opponent has a longer weapon. Being able to reach out and get them before they can hit you is a major advantage.
This doesn't necessarily mean a rapier or smallsword, but it does suggest reach is important. A full size arming sword at a minimum, or better yet a pole arm or sword and buckler.
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Post by howler on May 3, 2017 18:58:15 GMT
The problem with short hacking blades as weapons is that you're almost certain to get torn up yourself in any fight even if you win. You have to get quite close to make them function, which means your own body is vulnerable esp if the opponent has a longer weapon. Being able to reach out and get them before they can hit you is a major advantage. This doesn't necessarily mean a rapier or smallsword, but it does suggest reach is important. A full size arming sword at a minimum, or better yet a pole arm or sword and buckler. Your correct point is why people keep bringing up the spear. If you can only bring a sword, and assuming your carrying stuff for long distances, the sword will probably shrink to a parang, barong, bolo, heavy bowie/long knife, kukri, heavy machete, etc...(all short swords) for both ease of travel and day to day utility. Honestly, something like the Cold Steel Bushman that you can use as a large knife while being able to attach to a stick and use as a spear is the way to go. But the Bushman isn't even close to being a sword.
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Ifrit
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Post by Ifrit on May 3, 2017 21:31:03 GMT
The problem with short hacking blades as weapons is that you're almost certain to get torn up yourself in any fight even if you win. You have to get quite close to make them function, which means your own body is vulnerable esp if the opponent has a longer weapon. Being able to reach out and get them before they can hit you is a major advantage. This doesn't necessarily mean a rapier or smallsword, but it does suggest reach is important. A full size arming sword at a minimum, or better yet a pole arm or sword and buckler. Your right. But same deal is likely to happen with swords as well. From what I hear, double hits were quote common in duels. duelling is the last thing I would do in this type of situation. It's too exerting, and giving an opponent a fair chance is a risky thing to do when there are no hospitals. I would resort to anything else before a face to face equal standing duel if my goal was survival. It's probably bound to happen anyway, but I consider getting in a duel to be almost equivalent to dying, as there's a good 50/50 chance you will sustain a life threatening injury. Even a cut to the arm can get infected Guerilla warfare, bear mace, glass shavings thrown in the face, or any sort of surprise would be my ideal way to survive. And if I can, I would like to spot them before they spot me. If I have to engage one on one, I'm as good as dead.
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Post by howler on May 4, 2017 0:06:26 GMT
The problem with short hacking blades as weapons is that you're almost certain to get torn up yourself in any fight even if you win. You have to get quite close to make them function, which means your own body is vulnerable esp if the opponent has a longer weapon. Being able to reach out and get them before they can hit you is a major advantage. This doesn't necessarily mean a rapier or smallsword, but it does suggest reach is important. A full size arming sword at a minimum, or better yet a pole arm or sword and buckler. Your right. But same deal is likely to happen with swords as well. From what I hear, double hits were quote common in duels. duelling is the last thing I would do in this type of situation. It's too exerting, and giving an opponent a fair chance is a risky thing to do when there are no hospitals. I would resort to anything else before a face to face equal standing duel if my goal was survival. It's probably bound to happen anyway, but I consider getting in a duel to be almost equivalent to dying, as there's a good 50/50 chance you will sustain a life threatening injury. Even a cut to the arm can get infected Guerilla warfare, bear mace, glass shavings thrown in the face, or any sort of surprise would be my ideal way to survive. And if I can, I would like to spot them before they spot me. If I have to engage one on one, I'm as good as dead. Yup, the "Trap Door Spider" way. A true duel (death and/or serious injury) is a nasty thing. In survival, your looking for advantages, not equality.
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Ifrit
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Post by Ifrit on May 4, 2017 0:20:53 GMT
Your right. But same deal is likely to happen with swords as well. From what I hear, double hits were quote common in duels. duelling is the last thing I would do in this type of situation. It's too exerting, and giving an opponent a fair chance is a risky thing to do when there are no hospitals. I would resort to anything else before a face to face equal standing duel if my goal was survival. It's probably bound to happen anyway, but I consider getting in a duel to be almost equivalent to dying, as there's a good 50/50 chance you will sustain a life threatening injury. Even a cut to the arm can get infected Guerilla warfare, bear mace, glass shavings thrown in the face, or any sort of surprise would be my ideal way to survive. And if I can, I would like to spot them before they spot me. If I have to engage one on one, I'm as good as dead. Yup, the "Trap Door Spider" way. A true duel (death and/or serious injury) is a nasty thing. In survival, your looking for advantages, not equality. Exactly. Anything I can use as an advantage I will. Including preemptive strikes. I know there will always be stronger, faster and larger people than myself. My strength is dwindling. So the only thing I can rely on is thinking and the unorthodox. Sure there is much smarter than myself, but I wouldn't realistically expect myself to be the last person standing in any situation. But doesn't mean a person can't try anyway. Trap door spider
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