Who Likes Swords?

[Anthony]

I don't buy junk like Expendables Bowies or Bilbo's Dwarf Axe but I do have a sword.

It's a Patton pattern straight cav sticker - an actual fighting sword not a replica or drill sword.

It's 44" long and if I put the point to plywood and push lightly it punches through. I only sharpen the first few inches but I believe it would penetrate kevlar.

If I had a burglar in the house I'd stick him rather than wake the neighborhood with one of my guns.

As for knives my favorite is the Schrade Old Timer 1870T Arkansas Toothpick. I like it even better than my expensive Kbar. It holds an edge like a bear and if I had to go mano a mano it would be my choice.

[gripper]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

I'm an old knife guy. I never studied the sword, but it's always held interest for me.

[Anthony]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

The one I have can be more accurately described as a rapier. Big as it is I can flick it around with a light grip - the dang thing is supernatural.

Patton became the richest general in the army by designing that sword. The last cav action I know of is when a Phillippine Scout unit with PPs charged and routed a Japanese infantry unit.

I saw a photo of a royal commando officer leading his troops in an assault with a claymore (that's your sang froyd for ya) but I bet the farm boys from Munchen took to their heels when they saw that.

Can't see lugging it in the field but it makes a good home defense weapon.

Welcome to my home Dummass! schtiiiick

[Herr Walther]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

I have a Museum Replicas Ltd. hand-and-a-half German bastard sword. It is a copy of a late mid-Renaissance sword found near the Rhine in southern Germany. It dates from approximately 1530.

It is a large sword with a blade length of 37" to the guard. The guard and grip comprise another 8".

It is for two handed use without a shield or buckler. It is a formidable weapon once you get that much steel moving.

Watermellons and plastic soda bottles were favorite targets when I used to actually practice positions and movement that included advances and parrys.

For someone without a firearm to defend themselves against this type of combat you would not likely survive.

[Anthony]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

The broadsword became obsolete with the advent of the rapier due to its quicker, easier handling. While rearing back for the sledgehammer blow the rapier zips in and stabs the armpit.

The rapier became obsolete with the advent of the court sword and foil, which are even lighter and quicker than the rapier.

With swords victory goes to he who gets there firstest with the leastest.

[jefferson101]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

If I'm in the position of not being able to have a firearm, I might think about swords.

I've occasionally noted that if I have a Cavalry Saber in my right hand and an Aluminum T-Ball bat in my left, I'm going to give anyone who doesn't have any non-contact weapons a seriously hard time for a while.



Assuming that I can't chop or stab you with the Saber, I'll just whack you alongside the head with the T-Ball bat. They'll know they've been in a fight, for sure.

[paintballmagnet]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

Determining what is a useable blade vs junk is not easy in all cases. I've found that most swords that are good are also expensive, out of my price range for something I would hope to never have to use. Not that I wouldn't love having one...So, cheapskate me has settled for some decent machete types, I can at least hack with one while out fooling around in the woods without spending more than I can really afford.

[RT]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

You can sharpen up 420 and 440 stainless on a belt sander pretty well using super fine sanding belts and polishing compound. My choices for legal home defense are pretty limited, so the Ninja-To and a can of pepper spray are the first and second lines of defense against unwanted visitors.

A really good European style rapier requires some really tricky metallurgy. The closest you get to some of that kind of cutlery is ww1 bayonets and they all tend to run a bit too short to repurpose as that kind of sword, but in close quarters, that used to be the thing.

[Herr Walther]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

Stainless steel is too brittle to be used in any sort of sword that will actually see battle. There's a reason why most of them cost $39.99.

[Anthony]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

Stainless steel is too brittle to be used in any sort of sword that will actually see battle. There's a reason why most of them cost $39.99.

Oh gawd one of those organized people
- scary.

That sword shows the beginning of "fencing" as opposed to hack and smash.
That ornate guard can be used to trap the point of an opponent's sword and disarm him. Mine has a large solid steel guard that could knock out a moose.

I don't like shooting in the house and I wouldn't want the police swarming my house, so if I saw some chump creeping around my house in the dark I'd put 12 inches of it through him quick and quiet - then arrange a private interrment.

Saves money on that "final expense" stuff too.

[Herr Walther]

Re: Who Likes Swords?

Yes. I do things in a neat, organized military fashion around here.