pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 16, 2018 18:05:27 GMT
I'm pondering if it's possible to mount a slingshot on a cutlass machete... Would you settle for a common machete? From one of my favourite characters, Joerg Sprave. I was pondering on suggesting a speargun. Living on the sea this wouldn't raise unwanted questions.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Dec 16, 2018 18:09:57 GMT
Ohkaaaay.... I thought if firearms are out perhaps a heavy slingshot could be a possible defense weapon.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 16, 2018 19:06:41 GMT
After blowguns I briefly took an interest in slingshots. Both can be lethal to man. Both will require constant practice to maintain any efficiency. Early this week I had need of my blowpipe for the first since I can’t remember when and was terrible, I couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn and the muscles needed for power had vanished. At one time I could hit a fly on the wall. I took out many a rat, mouse, even a raiding ‘possum one night amongst others. It would be the same if I now tried a slingshot. I made the video below after numerous complaints that broad head darts made with X-acto blades weren't accurate.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 16, 2018 23:26:45 GMT
Croxton, I just thought of something that will get around the firearm ban, a flare gun. The older ones that I’m thinking of are deadly, I don’t know about the know stuff they sell today. Get one for everyone. Something to think about.
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Post by elbrittania39 on Dec 16, 2018 23:29:30 GMT
Croxton, I just thought of something that will get around the firearm ban, a flare gun. The older ones that I’m thinking of are deadly, I don’t know about the know stuff they sell today. Get one for everyone. Something to think about. How about a crossbow?
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Post by randomnobody on Dec 16, 2018 23:42:22 GMT
Personally I'd go with a short, single-hand sword and some kind of shield. Something bullet-proof, if you can. A nice riot shield, maybe, that you can hide behind and still see through.
Otherwise, pull up that anchor and get out of there. Frankly, while guns may not be an option for you, the other guys have already shown they're far less burdened with this. I'd say it's in your best interest to try and get your hands on one, somehow, and worry about repercussions later.
Meanwhile, there are other implements that work well in tight quarters that also aren't swords or spears. Far more innocuous things, like a nice metal baseball bat or some such.
Some of the newer suggestions on the second page (which I've only seen while writing this) are also worth considering.
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Ouroboros
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Post by Ouroboros on Dec 16, 2018 23:42:32 GMT
In all seriousness, I would never have any idea of what it might be like to face someone invading my boat. Ignore any suggestions I might make as "thought experiments" only. Btw, pgandy awesome vid man....damn.
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Post by zabazagobo on Dec 17, 2018 0:08:47 GMT
After blowguns I briefly took an interest in slingshots. Both can be lethal to man. Both will require constant practice to maintain any efficiency. Early this week I had need of my blowpipe for the first since I can’t remember when and was terrible, I couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn and the muscles needed for power had vanished. At one time I could hit a fly on the wall. I took out many a rat, mouse, even a raiding ‘possum one night amongst others. It would be the same if I now tried a slingshot. I made the video below after numerous complaints that broad head darts made with X-acto blades weren't accurate. Wow, that was really cool.
Great choice for low collateral defense. Especially if they were augmented with a tranquilizer for non-lethal incapacitation.
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Post by zabazagobo on Dec 17, 2018 0:09:30 GMT
Croxton, I just thought of something that will get around the firearm ban, a flare gun. The older ones that I’m thinking of are deadly, I don’t know about the know stuff they sell today. Get one for everyone. Something to think about. How about a crossbow? This is exactly my thought. Crossbows are quite good at what they do.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 17, 2018 0:18:49 GMT
Croxton, I just thought of something that will get around the firearm ban, a flare gun. The older ones that I’m thinking of are deadly, I don’t know about the know stuff they sell today. Get one for everyone. Something to think about. How about a crossbow? I had thought about a bow and crossbow. A crossbow would take less practice than a bow. Being on boat I think one can count on many arrows $$$ being lost overboard during practice. For the life of either they should not be left strung. A bow can be strung faster than a crossbow, so neither is something that can grab and used in an instant. Thanks Ouroboros. But if you could have seen me the other day after a few years layoff you wouldn’t believe that was me in the video.
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Post by croxton on Dec 17, 2018 0:35:15 GMT
Ok so just reading this has made my day its so funny but practical but here is what I've got so far. Ok so I purposely haven't gotten a crossbow for 2 reasons, first is we already have one and that is what my Best friends wife uses when things go South and we run into the problem that seawater REALLY doesn't like bowstrings and after using them a bit as our ship rocks back and forth destroys our little crossbow, and second I am a HORRIBLE shot. Also I have settled on a 5160 spring steel katana,(considering buying a second wall hanger) relizing that I can't get it all. Also I have placed an order on a alright cutlas for around a 100 bucks. And for whoever asked for me to get a pole arm or flammable substances. My ship is 56 feet long and is a sailing vessel so we have a problem with that. The shield Idea I read (I'm sorry I would quote you if I knew how) is a great idea and will definitely take that into consideration. And for the time being as much as I would like to leave these waters (which I'm keeping disclosed in fear of my paranoid wife smashing my head in) sense my buddy has been shot we have been stuck in costal waters till he recovers and till be get a few bullet holes in our ship buffed out. But guys keep the suggestions coming im loving reading your comments and taking your suggestions. You guys are the best!
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Post by elbrittania39 on Dec 17, 2018 0:36:50 GMT
I had thought about a bow and crossbow. A crossbow would take less practice than a bow. Being on boat I think one can count on many arrows $$$ being lost overboard during practice. For the life of either they should not be left strung. A bow can be strung faster than a crossbow, so neither is something that can grab and used in an instant. Thanks Ouroboros. But if you could have seen me the other day after a few years layoff you wouldn’t believe that was me in the video. Im by no means an expert, but I think some modern synthetic crossbows can be left strung. Its also more compact which seems like a big plus over a bow if we're talking about ships. Also, if it is a synthetic material like fiberglass, the water and salt shouldn't effect the crossbow at all. Finally, some modern crossbows have been designed with "tactical" use in mind and have rails that you can mount scopes, lasers, etc. on.
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Ouroboros
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Post by Ouroboros on Dec 17, 2018 0:53:23 GMT
😁
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 17, 2018 2:19:05 GMT
My thought was to target the man with the flare gun but shooting at their vessel first may be a good deterrent. With each of you having one and plenty of flares putting up a heavy wall of fire should be discouraging to any pirate. It is of course a close range weapon. You mentioned that you were considering a shield. That would make a great companion for the cutlass you ordered. I’ll leave the type up to you. I have a round centre grip, a heater, and a 12" buckler. I find all useful but my favourite is the round shield. Not because it’s round or centre griped but I made it and kept the weight down to 5 lb. The heater as well as I remember is 9. Those few pounds make a big difference, something to keep in mind when shopping. An advantage you’ll find with the cutlass is that you will have a free off hand that can be used for a shield, dagger, or ...
Just thought of another weapon to consider when thinking of my video with the blowpipe, since this thread is turning into a think tank. A strong laser and aim for their eyes. It can be put in action long before they are in range to use the firearms. I have red and green, but neither the strength that you will need. I find the green is better for bright light conditions where I find the red difficult if not impossible to see. But then you are on a rocking boat which is a poor firing platform making it difficult to concentrate the beam on your target for any length of time. I just threw that out there for thought.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2018 3:33:28 GMT
Get familiar with the laws of the places you go to. (USA) MA is restrictive as hell but we can do more or less whatever we want with "primitive arms". Surprised this hasn't been suggested. If you're likely to be shot at by no-joke pirates, give yourself every advantage you can find or start hanging out in safer places.
Maybe a silicone cloth would be a good idea? I've seen mixed reports on its rust preventative qualities. From what I hear L6 would be one to avoid - it's strength is in returning true from lateral stress and garbage cutting and it's not so hot at edge retention or corrosion resistance.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Dec 17, 2018 3:56:50 GMT
All I can add to this conversation is that if I were in a similar situation where I traveled the world on a boat and had a high probability of encountering pirates...well, all I can say is that there are plenty of places on a large boat to hide a gun. I would take my chances with the local authorities rather than face modern pirates with nothing more than a sharpened chunk of metal. Besides, what happens on the ocean, stays on the ocean- if you get my meaning.
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Zen_Hydra
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Dec 17, 2018 4:03:20 GMT
As long as we are seriously considering swords as a deterrent for piracy, may I suggest a combination of bloodstained leather apron and chainsaw? Who knows, after a couple encounters you might become a living legend, and the sound of a chainsaw starting up is a hell of a lot more universally intimidating than some dude unsheathing a sword. Bonus points is you practice doing the crazy, spinning chainsaw dance from the end of TCM.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Dec 17, 2018 4:06:04 GMT
..... A strong laser and aim for their eyes. It can be put in action long before they are in range to use the firearms. I have red and green, but neither the strength that you will need. I find the green is better for bright light conditions where I find the red difficult if not impossible to see. But then you are on a rocking boat which is a poor firing platform making it difficult to concentrate the beam on your target for any length of time. I just threw that out there for thought. Interestingly I did a research topic on this very subject as part of my Masters thesis. Without going into a lot of boring detail, I can tell you that if you used a laser in this manner as a non-lethal weapon, then most likely you will be branded a war criminal or worse. As it stands, the international laws regarding these kinds of weapons classify them as "torture devices" since they inflict pain and suffering as a way of modifying behavior. Yes, I know its better to give a bad guy a bad headache with what is called a "green dazzler" (which is the actual name of the device) laser rather than kill them, but the law hasn't yet kept pace with advancing technology- so as it stands you are less likely to get in trouble if you kill an assailant dead over chasing them away by using pain inflicting device as a motivator. Even local police forces are walking thin legal lines when they use bean-bag shot and tear gas- but for them the local jurisdiction make their use legal in limited application. I would rather be caught with a gun (which would most likely just be confiscated) than an illegal torture weapon.
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Post by legacyofthesword on Dec 17, 2018 4:16:27 GMT
I'll second (third?) what pgandy and randomnobody said: a bulletproof shield sounds like a really good idea. That and some body armor: if you're taking on guns with a melee weapon, I'd think some kind of protection against bullets would be essential. Here's a basic shield that holds up quite a bit:
Other ideas: taser, super high-power tactical light, tear gas grenades + gas masks for you and the other passengers (probably edging into extremely restricted territory there though, haha), heavy duty slingshots with steel ball bearings....
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 17, 2018 17:32:05 GMT
..... A strong laser and aim for their eyes. It can be put in action long before they are in range to use the firearms. I have red and green, but neither the strength that you will need. I find the green is better for bright light conditions where I find the red difficult if not impossible to see. But then you are on a rocking boat which is a poor firing platform making it difficult to concentrate the beam on your target for any length of time. I just threw that out there for thought. Interestingly I did a research topic on this very subject as part of my Masters thesis. Without going into a lot of boring detail, I can tell you that if you used a laser in this manner as a non-lethal weapon, then most likely you will be branded a war criminal or worse. As it stands, the international laws regarding these kinds of weapons classify them as "torture devices" since they inflict pain and suffering as a way of modifying behavior. Yes, I know its better to give a bad guy a bad headache with what is called a "green dazzler" (which is the actual name of the device) laser rather than kill them, but the law hasn't yet kept pace with advancing technology- so as it stands you are less likely to get in trouble if you kill an assailant dead over chasing them away by using pain inflicting device as a motivator. Even local police forces are walking thin legal lines when they use bean-bag shot and tear gas- but for them the local jurisdiction make their use legal in limited application. I would rather be caught with a gun (which would most likely just be confiscated) than an illegal torture weapon. That's good to know information. Thanks.
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