Hand Weapon for Untrained Person

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Large Sword vs Crowbar

I should think that in close quarters the crowbar would have the advantage.

My fencing days are way long ago, but as I recollect, the proper use of a long blade requires some space without walls and stuff to snag the blade.

I might be able to employ an épée (point-only weapon) in a confined space, but I'd feel pretty handicapped.

Up close a short cutlass or kuhkri or machete might fly.

Large bladed sword? Not so much.

 
Don't forget, re: pepper spray "collateral damage" (to yourself): I'd rather have a disabled attacker AND a disabled me, than a non-disabled determined violent attacker, and non-disabled me.

Neither is ideal, but remember, it's the "violent aggressor" that needs to be stopped from aggressing, not you. You are only "aggressing" in self-defense. If the violent aggressor is stopped cold (on the ground rubbing his eyes), then there is no need for you to defend yourself, and hence in theory it doesn't matter much if you are also on the ground disabled temporarily. This theory could work in practice in a public area where undoubtedly someone will come to your aid soon; in a one-on-one isolated scenario, then whoever *recovers* first will win, which is a tossup.
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It is unlikely that you will catch as much as your attacker will.

That being said, there are many people who can take a face full of pepper spray, and, while they will not be able to see, can still blindly attack with a knife or other weapon. Pepper spray is far from a guarantee of dropping someone to the ground, even for awhile.

I should think that in close quarters the crowbar would have the advantage.

My fencing days are way long ago, but as I recollect, the proper use of a long blade requires some space without walls and stuff to snag the blade.

I might be able to employ an épée (point-only weapon) in a confined space, but I'd feel pretty handicapped.

Up close a short cutlass or kuhkri or machete might fly.

Large bladed sword? Not so much.
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I think most any short sword would do well. I'd be hesitant on something like the machete against a large blunt weapon like a crowbar, I've seen alot of machetes that will simply bend or break against something like that.

But yes, a short sword is much preferable in a somewhat confined space like a home. Even if you have the room to swing a big sword, it still may not be your best bet. They were designed for armored opponents. They can cut through alot of stuff, but they are a slow weapon. If you miss someone the first time, if they can duck out of the way, there's a good chance that they can close that distance before you can swing again, and then even an attacker with a small knife could do you in.
 
For me the Cane is the best choice for a close range weapon. If I don't have time to get my CCW in action, which you wont if someone attacks you from very close, the Cane is my next choice. I can be holding a Cane and be ready to defend myself without brandishing a weapon or threating someone. I can also take my Cane where I can't other weapons.
 
I wouldn't suggest most people in this day and age keep a large blade for defense.

HOWEVER, even a large sword doesn't require "swinging" to be effective. A thrust does nicely, and the wider the blade, the more effective even a single thrust is. I am certain I have more experience than most here, but I can say even a spear would be useful inside, so a sword will be even more so.

Back in current reality-land, always try to think of tools that will keep attackers at distance.

John
 
So what do you think about the Assegai with a very short D-handled shovel handle on it instead of plain wood? Seems like it'd be quite a good thruster.
 
knives, swords, crowbars, canes (the kind with a U-shaped handle) and hammers all have the serious disadvantages for "untrained" people that they have irregular shapes and weight distributions and thus have to be held, swung and oriented skillfully to have effect.

Heavy, circular objects such as a heavy flashlight, length of pipe, walking stick (without an odd-shaped head) can easily and intuitively be swung with effective force by most untrained persons.

Long, straight objects such as a length of pipe or walking stick can also be used to block some kinds of attacks by holding near the ends, with reasonable effectiveness by untrained people.

Odd-shaped and oddly weighted objects take a lot of practice to grab in the right place, orient in the right way, swing properly, aim accurately and and hit forcefully.

For example, a sword can only be held at one end (not anywhere along its length like a pipe can), must be gripped correctly (with the hand in the proper place on the grip and with the blade rotated to align with the direction of swing), has to be swung such that the blade edge is aligned with the direction of movement, and must hit with the edge square to the target. It takes a lot of practice to do all that well even under controlled conditions; much less from an odd angle, on the spur of the moment, in reaction to an attack. Thus I would not recommend a sword as a good defensive implement for an untrained person.

On the other hand, there are lots of guys who have enough experience chopping wood or hacking brush with a machete that they probably have adequate "training" to use a machete with adequate skill, but nowhere near enough for, say, a samurai sword (which takes a lot of practice and a number of distinct skills to use effectively).

IMHO, FWIW
 
For folks that suggest larger weapons it's advisable to get a simple wooden rod of the length of weapon you're proposing and try swinging it in the confines of your home. The limitations will become obvious pretty quickly. It's advantages for thrusting will become apparent also. Purchase and practice accordingly.
 
but, again, it's wise to think of not only your action fantasy, but the aftermath. If a marginally less effective weapon will look much better to the police and/or a jury, choose accordingly.

John
 
I have a fish bat that works well within a confined area, it also has a strap to secure it to your wrist. In the HOOD the baseball bat is the weapon of choice, after the handgun and knife, and has become a major problem for LE in many cities.
 
lets start with lethality... if some one attacks you your life is more inportant than blood. one of my dads detectives shot a guy 13 times with .45 jhp to put him down. so a can will hurt but if your attacker is on dope the your screwed. when the person attacking you is on a drug the only option is to destroy his bodily functions. aka knife to the quad will stop every person on earth from walking or running at you of after you. a knife to the tendons in wrist and they can't hold any thing.... i suggest an m21 g10 for $50 bucks your good.
 
Before I owned any firearms, I used to keep this bad boy under our bed within easy reach. It is a great personal defense weapon for a couple of reasons:

1) I don’t think anyone has trained on how to defend against something like this for a few hundred years

2) I am so curious as to what would happen if I actually hit someone with it that all fear of home invasion left me. ;)

The picture of this really doesn’t do it justice – this thing is nasty.

IMAGE_002.jpg
 
Confined Spaces?

Somehow that doesn't, uh, strike me as a weapon for confined spaces.

Don't you need a bit of room to swing that thing?

 
It's actually not too bad - I have practiced with it a little bit.

I figured I would have to be careful if I were in a hallway, but a pretty tight overhead strike is definately possible. The bedroom is more than open enough for this to work well. Just need the wife to stay back a distance.
 
Gentelmen,
I Have an axe. Actually I have 5 axes. Four are Firestorm , model 1211 weigh under a pound and are right at 12" long. I have skinned muledeer and hog with a choke on the handle and using it as a knife. I have set up camp and used it as a hammer. I am a woodcarver and find a number of uses for it in rough shaping. They split kindling. There is one in each car as part of an emergency kit. You can stab with it, you can chop with it, you can bash with the back, once you have your hand on the handle it is almost impossible to take away from you, especially if you put on a lanyard strap. I can sink the blade wih one turn at thiry feet, it fits in a briefcase and weighs less than a S&W model 10. IT ONLY COSTS AROUND $35. If you like the cheap one try a model 1201 and prepare to fall in love all over again.

blindhari
 
A can of Raid Wasp & Hornet Killer. This stuff has a stream range of about 20 feet and a good shot to the face will stop a bad guy in his tracks. Thus allowing you to take the hickory stick and vigorously subdue the aggressor.

Oven cleaner is also reputed to work, but requires you be much closer to the attacker.
 
My apologies my axe is Firestone belt axe, not Firstorm. I must be feeling my age, Just google Firestone belt axe and you will be directed to web sight. It is a lot like a gransfor bruk carving axe but a lot less money and seems to work just about as well for my purpose. An axe has never been questioned as a part of my emergency kit for offroad or hiking, my short shotgun has been. Take a look and think about the possibilities.

blindhari
 
McGowan Firestone

Found it.

McGowan Manufacturing.

Their "Sportsman's Tools" page is here.

Their "PocketAxe" is interesting . . .
1213.jpg

As is their "HandAxe" Model 1211 . . .
model_1211.jpg -- fs1211.jpg

Cutaway view of tang embedded in handle:
cutaway.jpg


Their BeltAxe, however . . . at $160 . . . had better be a serious piece of hardware.

 
That axe does indeed look interesting.

Matrix, I like your weapon there - a morning star, is it called? Surely looks mean and intimidating. I agree that it wouldn't take a LOT of room to use it, but certainly some. One thing you could potentially do with a weapon like that for use in the home - just take out a few links from the chain to make that part shorter - you'd give up SOME momentum/effectiveness, but you'd gain several pluses: (a) ability to swing in more confined spaces like a hallway without hitting a wall, door jamb, ceiling fan, etc., (b) ability to swing more rapidly, and (c) [arguably most importantly] Reduced likelihood of complete incapacitation of your own weapon due to a possible "wrap effect" - i.e. if the chain were to completely wrap around the attacker's arm or his own weapon's, and then tie itself up and get stuck - then you're toast - the shorter the chain, the less likely that is to happen.


But, I still say that for home defense short of a firearm, you cannot beat the short or medium spear, such as my shovelassegai, for EITHER the trained or untrained, with the possible exception of a chisa katana in the hands of a *well-trained* weilder.


Thus allowing you to take the hickory stick and vigorously subdue the aggressor.
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That made me laugh.
 
If you haven't practiced extensively with a morning star you're about as much a danger to yourself as the BG. They're not easy weapons to use well.
 
I have a heavy, 7 link chain in my car door pocket. I would think a hit from that would be like being hit by a freight train.
 
I'll take a 2x4 or a stick that is about an inch thick, but still has some give in it. The combination of it whipped to the side of the head, with a little give will make the blow lethal everytime.

You wouldn't believe the number of people that die from getting hit with a 2x4 every year.
 
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