Don't bring a sword to a gunfight...

[Aguila Blanca]

He was waving the thankfully unsharpened sword around and mouthing off to his friends. He said, and I quote:

"Yeah, if anyone ever broke into my house, I would pull out my katana and say, 'You can leave now...or you can leave later...'

'IN PIECES!'

I ran out of the store, LMAO.
Unbelievable - someone actually tried this lunacy!

No, even worse. They left ... and the moron FOLLOWED THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE.

Some people don't know when to quit. Instead of looking like a hero for chasing them away, he comes off looking like the idiot he is for getting himself shot. He's just lucky the bad guys weren't better shots.

 

[50 Freak]

I think the individual may well have shot himself, and made up a highly creative story about it. It just has that certain not quite real feel.

You know, I was thinking the same thing. I pictured in my mind's eye he was cleaning his Lorcin and shot himself in the ass somehow and rather admit he's an idiot, came up with this story of how he "fought" off 50 home invaders with nothing but a butter knife.

 

[ezypikns]

Anyone remember the scene....

from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" where this giant Arab is threatening Harrison Ford with a huge scimitar (sword), flashing it around and doing tricks with it. Harrison Ford just gives him a tired look, pulls out a .38 revolver (I think), and shoots him dead. Then he hardly watches the guy fall before reholstering and getting on with his business. Great scene.

 

[mustanger98]

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" where this giant Arab is threatening Harrison Ford with a huge scimitar (sword), flashing it around and doing tricks with it. Harrison Ford just gives him a tired look, pulls out a .38 revolver (I think), and shoots him dead. Then he hardly watches the guy fall before reholstering and getting on with his business. Great scene.

Actually, the gun was a S&W Triple Lock (1st Model Hand Ejector) in .44Special.

The reason they did the scene that way was because Harrison Ford was sick as a dog (disentary) during that part of filming on location in, IIRC, Tunisia. He didn't feel anywhere near good enough to go through the routine they had planned. IMO, the movie turned out better, the scene being a lot more memorable the way it was done.

This scene has given rise to the term "Graduate of Indiana Jones School of Swordsmanship".

 

[solive]

Bugei is a makes great swords but you have to wait to get your sword sometimes up to 18 months. They make swords in the old ways here is ther site http://www.bugei.com/

If you cant afford those swords, yo can get one of these they are forged and hardend just not folded the are made for cuting practice they could easily cut someone in half you just can not perry another sword with one http://www.mantisswords.com/practical_katanas.htm

 

[Taurus 66]

Police are looking for three men, described as a black man, a Hispanic man, and a white man.

Not them again!! That's the second time this month.

 

[Lupinus]

Ok...moron.

I could see a throwing knife...but a katana? I mean it's better then nothing but sheesh. I got into an argument with a "I can kick your gun weilding ass" scotsmen a few day's ago durring a debate on gun law's. These are the same type of people that say the same of the martial art's and then get thier ass handed to them and a trip to the hospital.

But see there was his problem. he had a katana. Now if he was smart he would have had a gladius

 

[MachIVshooter]

I believe you can own a replica cap and ball revolver as a felon.

Technically, nothing that is considered a deadly weapon. This includes muzzle loaders, bows, etc. Not that there is anything in place to enforce this prohibition.

 

[mnrivrat]

It just has that certain not quite real feel.

They were wearing ski masks and dark clothing from head to toe, including black gloves and black windbreaker pullovers, deputies said.

Police are looking for three men, described as a black man, a Hispanic man, and a white man.

I'm also thinking this doesn't pass the smell test - maybe more info needed than what was written . Like - how do they know what race men they are looking for when they were covered from head to toe in black garb ?

Interesting read though - I'll be sure to be watching out for the trio , but I don't own a sword . Guess what I will have to make do with ?

 

[Trebor]

Mike Z Williamson is a smith who makes custom blades and swords. He posts here under "Mad Mike." There's a link to his website on his profile. He should be able to make you a REAL sword, as opposed to a wall hanger.

If you have an unlimited budget, Jim Hsilaries (sp?) is a well known blade maker who makes truly amazing functional swords. We're talking several thousands of dollars though. He's the author of "The Complete Bladesmith," Do a search for that book on Amazon and you'll get the correct spelling of his last name. From that you'll find his website. He's probably among the best in the world, seriously.

 

[Trebor]

Actually, the gun was a S&W Triple Lock (1st Model Hand Ejector) in .44Special.

There actually were two S&W pistols used by Indy in, "Raiders of Lost Ark."

The pistol used for filming in Tunisia and England was supplied by the Bapsy prop company from the U.K. (They also supplied the weapons for "Star Wars")
That pistol was a S&W Hand Ejector 2nd Model (HE2) in .455 Eley. It had the barrel cut down to four inches.

The pistol used in the scenes filmed in the U.S. was supplied by Stembridge Gun Rentals. It was used in the scene where Indy tosses his pistol in his luggage and also in the opening scene of the movie that was filmed in Hawaii. (The scene with the Idol and the giant boulder, etc) That pistol was also a HE2 cut down to 4 inches. I'm not 100% sure on the caliber though.

Go to www.indygear.com for more info on the firearms, props, costumes, and general "gear" used in the movies. Those guys are to Indiana Jones prop trivia what we are to guns.

 

[LaEscopeta]

RaggedClaws wrote:

LaEscopeta, that scene was in the book Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

Thanks for this source. I assume this book is fiction?

Anyone remember the scene....
from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" where this giant Arab is threatening Harrison Ford with a huge scimitar (sword), flashing it around and doing tricks with it. Harrison Ford just gives him a tired look, pulls out a .38 revolver (I think), and shoots him dead. Then he hardly watches the guy fall before reholstering and getting on with his business. Great scene.

I’m pretty sure Benny Hill did this gag first. Don’t know if he stole..err, I mean borrowed it from some one earlier.

 

[Camp David]

THANKS to everyone that shot me a PM on good sword vendors! I was swamped with very good recommendations... now to pair these with my checkbook and see what can be done!

Thanks guys!

 

[middy]

From Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson (censored for Art's gramma):

It is that guy from the movies. What’s-his-name. Oh, yeah!

Ronald Reagan has a stack of three-by-five cards in his lap. He skids up a new one: "What advice do you, as the youngest American fighting man ever to win both the Navy Cross and the Silver Star, have for any young Marines on their way to Guadalcanal?"

Shaftoe doesn’t have to think very long. The memories are still as fresh as last night’s eleventh nightmare: ten plucky Nips in Suicide Charge!

"Just kill the one with the sword first."

"Ah," Reagan says, raising his waxed and penciled eyebrows, and cocking his pompadour in Shaftoe’s direction. "Smarrrt —you target them because they’re the officers, right?"

"No, ****head!" Shaftoe yells. "You kill ’em because they’ve got ****ing swords! You ever had anyone running at you waving a ****ing sword?"

The whole book is online here

 

[armoredman]

"Mr None" has a very familiar air about him....

A good short sword is a great backup if you can afford the space and weight to carry one.

A cap and ball revolver is considered a firearm by state laws - AZ would prosecute a felon in possession of a blackpowder firearm. Check your local laws carefully.

 

[mbs357]

Camp David: http://swordstore.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/02nav/1jpsword.html
Not sure if you were looking for Japanese swords or not, but this site will custom make you a sword designed for actual use.
By the way, Japanese swords aren't really made for smacking against other hard objects. ;D

 

[Byron Quick]

Go running out after burglars waving a sword and get shot...who woulda thunk it? Tell you what though, if he had gone running out after them waving a pistol, guess what would have happened?

The problem isn't his choice of weapons. The problem is that he was not seeking the tactical advantage.


Tell you what, guys. I'll take a Japanese white oak bokken (wooden practice sword that is a deadly weapon in its own right), safety glasses and helmet. You take the Airsoft weapon of your choice, safety glasses, mouthpiece, and helmet. Follow me into the woods at night.

I'm not saying that I'll meet someone at twenty paces at high noon and take them with a sword when they have a gun.

But let me choose the terrain and the time and the dynamics of the matter will shift dramatically.

Had eight guys follow me into the woods at night once. They were counting on their numbers. After all, what can one guy with an old sawn off shovel handle do against eight guys? You couldn't pay one of them to follow me into the woods at night again.

Different weapons shift the dynamics of a fight into different shapes. But tactical advantage rules. If you've got a rocket launcher firing thermonuclear missiles and I've got a brickbat in my hand standing directly behind you...who's got the advantage over whom? And what, exactly, does the fact that you have a supposedly 'superior weapon' matter as your brains splatter out of your head. Then I pick up your super dooper weapon and go looking for the the tactical advantage on the rest of you. While keeping my brick.

Ain't no such thing as a dangerous weapon. There are only dangerous human beings. And a dangerous human being is dangerous as long as he has one working arm and hand. You get in range of that arm at your peril.

 

[mbs357]

Stuff

+1

 

[Tokugawa]

Camp David, look on "Sword forum" for info. For an unbelievablely wide and deep look at swords , go to Richard Stiens "japanese sword index"- not just japanese, but links to about 8 jillion info sites, connercial sites, museums, etc. both eastern and western. There are folks out there making real working swords that cut. And it would be a shame to ruin that 14 century Hizen katana on a burglar.......

 

[Dr.Rob]

also this week a Boulder CO couple was cleared of any wrongdoing in a home invasion/break in. The couple engaged the would be robber with a base ball bat and then stabbed him to death with a kitchen knife... the suspect has yet to bve indentified.

I'd agree chasing the bad guys OUT of the house... not a good idea.

 

[Bart Noir]

The Cold Steel knife company also makes swords, and they are first rate! Well, not that I know that personally, but their ads say that is so.

Here is a site that sells some of those swords, but not all at this time. The prices are a tenth what some of those custom makers want. I think they may be made in China but don't know that.

http://www.1sks.com/store/cold-steel-swords.html

Bart Noir

 

[mustanger98]

If I were choosing a sword, it'd be either an M1860 US Cavalry saber, or its Confederate counterpart.

From Byron Quick's remarks:

The problem isn't his choice of weapons. The problem is that he was not seeking the tactical advantage.

He probably didn't have a clue about tactics. It's kinda like Col. Cooper said, "owning a gun makes you armed like owning a guitar makes you a musician". Except in this case, owning a sword don't make you a ninja or samurai.

I'm not saying that I'll meet someone at twenty paces at high noon and take them with a sword when they have a gun.

Which goes back to the point of this thread- don't bring a sword to a gunfight, but, in light of...

But let me choose the terrain and the time and the dynamics of the matter will shift dramatically.

...I recall what Louis L'Amour wrote in "Ride the Dark Trail". He wrote Logan Sackett as saying "don't sidestep a fight, but be the one to choose the time and place" (or words to that effect, it's been a while since I read it). When you do that, if you choose wisely, you have all the advantage.

Had eight guys follow me into the woods at night once. They were counting on their numbers. After all, what can one guy with an old sawn off shovel handle do against eight guys? You couldn't pay one of them to follow me into the woods at night again.

This, I think, is a good illustration of what Col. Troutman was telling the sheriff in "Rambo: First Blood". "You can send a company of Rangers in there and he'll kill every one of them."

Ain't no such thing as a dangerous weapon. There are only dangerous human beings. And a dangerous human being is dangerous as long as he has one working arm and hand. You get in range of that arm at your peril.

This reminds me of some salt water fishing shows I've seen where they pulled up sharks. If you don't shoot the shark before you bring it on board, it's liable to take your leg off. People and animals accustomed to fighting to survive...

 

[Red Dragon]

There are several factors that we don't know about. If this guy did actually get shot by someone else, it is entirely possible that when he was running after these guys that he didn't know that one of them was armed, the sword may have been a weapon of convienience. many other people keep baseball bats in reach for intruders. Also those who haven't had training in potential combat situations don't always think tactically. He was probably running after them because the adrenaline was flowing so fast through his system that "fight or flight" kicked in and he felt the need to fight.

As far as those of you who are knocking swords as weapons, I personally have been collecting swords since I was 14 years old and now have 24 swords in my collection, some of which are fully functional and I would use as a weapon of self defense if the situation needed it. Although I do own 7 firearms I live in a condo complex so I keep most of them in a gunsafe at my father's place. If I was in a situation where my options were a sword or nothing, I take the sword.

Of course, use of swords as weapons requires the same effort as using firearms as weapons. If you are gonna use it, get some training and learn how to use it safely and correctly.

to sum up, as the saying goes, "hindsight is 20/20" If the guy knew that the baddies were armed with firearms, he most likely would have thought twice before chasing them out on to the lawn.

ok. rant over

 

[Byron Quick]

The guy probably did just let his outrage and adrenaline run his butt into trouble.

I realized one night that I had come home and cornered a burglar. In the days before I carried. He and I each had a big problem. Mine was that he was between me and the firearms. His was that I was between him and the exits. I didn't like my tactical situation. So I initiated a tactical advance to the rear that resembled teleportation. I snatched my intruder baseball bat as I flew out the door. Then I was in the darkness by the shrubbery at the corner of the house where I could see the front door and the side door. I liked that tactical situation much better. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I would be able to see him better than he could see me immediately after exiting a door. So I waited in anticipation of braining the burglar. Alas, he was a pretty good tactician himself. He decided that it would likely be unhealthy to exit via the doors. The house had jalousey windows that he couldn't use for exit. So he picked up a recliner and threw it through a window in the back of the house. Thus creating an exit that was fast and as far away as possible from where I was likely to be waiting. I refrained from following him through backyard. Too big a chance that he would turn the tables and be waiting to ambush me.

I was just 21 when this happened. No tactical training. I had had Army Basic but I was a truck driver. The kids in my neighborhood had some pretty rough running rock and BB gun fights though. For years. I was well acquainted with the concept of ambush. And staying off of trails. Our boobytraps were non-lethal but could cause injury. Pitfall traps mainly.

 

[Roadkill Coyote]

There is something worse than bringing a sword to a gunfight, and that would be bringing a fake gun, as it might turn out to be a baseball game!

No two violent confrontations are completely alike, and I would say that the true measure of success is the outcome, no matter what was used.