Modern Scenarios When a Sword Would Be Preferable to a Firearm

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

Since starting my study of martial arts in Modern Arnis (and its subart Espada y Daga) this past June I have become quite enamored with the power of the blade. Before studying Arnis I was well aware of the abilities of a knife in capable hands, but the gravity of it never quite hit me until I started sparring with practice knives and swords in a range of sizes.

In the past, I viewed the knife as a requisite part of my rollout kit as both a tool and a weapon. This usually constituted a tactical folder or medium sized (5 1/2 inch) fixed blade model.

On the other hand, the sword was obsolete in my eyes.

After training with it for seven months I am beginning to see it more as a niche weapon and (depending on the sword) tool.

Although I have thought of several scenarios in which I might bring one along I was wondering what scenarios you might include one.

Do any of you keep swords or extemely large knives (e.g., machette) in your rollout kits? If yes, what style and kind?

If you don't do so currently, but would like to include one what style would you pick?

What scenarios do you envision in which the sword would be preferable to a firearm?

- Anthony

 

[MacPelto]

Cutting heavy brush?

 

[sw442642]

Vampire or monster attack. Basically any creature that can't be stopped unless dismembered.

Of course, you can come up with scenarios for anything. I carry a knife or two but not a sword.

 

[Knives]

I carry two knives already and will be applyinf for my concealed carry permit in about 5 months when I turn 21 at which point I'll continue to carry both knives as well as a gun.

That said, I can't really see any situation where you'd want a sword over a gun. If they're far enough away for you to be able to draw a sword then you should be able to use a gun... in my opinion.

Not that being able to use a sword wouldn't be extremely cool, it's just that it's not very practical these days.

 

[Anthony]

Come on guys (and gals)!

There are some scenarios. :banghead:

How about fight CQB all alone against multiple opponents with a handgun in one hand and a sword in the other?

Providing static security in a place in which gunfire isn't an option for various reasons (e.g., thin walls, flammable materials)?

Local laws make firearms possession extremely difficult and a sword is a nice alternative?

I'm certainly not advocating that the sword is superior to the firearm, but it can serve as a wonderful stopgap on the "use of force" scale in the middle of the huge gap between the handgun and the fixed blade knife. It is a niche weapon at best.

Sorry...should have clarified that to begin with.

- Anthony

 

[Knives]

I'm not sure. As far as the security thing goes an extendable baton seems like a more reasonable choice. Less training involved, easier to carry... Unless whatever you're guarding requires that you kill whoever happens along. Just my opinion though.

 

[Correia]

Maybe stuck in an elevator with a couple of bad guys?

Sorry, I don't really see the usefullness. You can carry a lot of ammo or other usefull gear in the 3 feet of space that a sword is going to take up.

Don't get me wrong, I think that all weapons are neat. But I think their time has passed.

 

[Moondancer]

Sword Cane?

When a gun is just not an option. Of course, a sword cane probably wouldn't be either. In that case how about just a cane. Watch some Hapkido cane masters sometime. And that's not even talking about it's use as an impact weapon!

 

[Frohickey]

Um... lemme put the thinking cap on for a good scenario.

You are in a gas station, pumping gas. Another guy is filling his plastic gas jug on the ground. Transient comes by and offers to clean your windshield for $1. You said no, and you think he leaves to try another customer. He asks the guy filling his plastic gas jug. You go and put the nozzle back on the gas pump, and go to the counter to get your change back.
When you get back from the counter, and approaching your car, the transient and the guy that was pumping the gas into the gas can got into an argument, and are tugging at the gas can. Its a pretty old gas can and all three of you are doused in gasoline.
Whats worse, now, the transient is beating the guy with his squeegie.

 

[Nathaniel Firethorn]

In the same vein,

You encounter an arsonist who has blown out the pilot lights and turned on the gas.

But the heck with the sword. Gimme a crossbow!

- pdmoderator

 

[sanchezero]

I've carried a sword often...















during my guest appearances on Buffy the Vampire Slayer

 

[knowledgegreen]

Perhaps when I run out of ammo.

 

[PATH]

It looks cool in the movies! The officer leading his men with sword in one hand and pistol in the other. On the other hand I don't think my wife will agree to the sword business. It is hard enough with the guns already.

I can explain why I need the guns. I don't have any reasons I can think of that will fly when it comes to swords!

 

[Chris Rhines]

I like swords (a lot) but I can't see a realistic scenario in which I'd prefer a sword to a firearm.

Now if I had to fight Balrog or something, that's a different deal...

- Chris

 

[Jim March]

Frohicky, that was one of the funniest dang things I've seen all week .

On a more serious note, any number of "shortswords" have some potential utility indoors, esp. if it's tight quarters, in the dark, with lousy backstops all around. Even then it's a real stretch.

Against a gun, if some idiot tries to draw on you at too close a range (say, a mugging), in my opinion the knife is a better answer. It can be brought to bear quicker and is hideously effective at "zero range" (grappling distance).

 

[keano44]

In a real, old-fashioned sword fight!

 

[Frohickey]

I can explain why I need the guns. I don't have any reasons I can think of that will fly when it comes to swords!

You could offer to do all the turkey carving next Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[Frohickey]

Gasoline used as a weapon

 

[PATH]

I'll give it a shot but I think she is going to use some unneccessarilyrudelanguage! I took a stand on my guns. THis....oh brother.......

Do you really think I can carve the turkey with it?

 

[45R]

When I run out of bullets.

 

[bogie]

I can't take a gun to work, which is likely a good thing, because the next time this large format printer pukes all over a job (at the end, of course...), I'd like to mangle it... Haven't tossed it out the window yet, but have considered it... At around 3:00 ayem one night, one of our security folks told me he'd help... but I declined... Dagnabit!

I wonder if I could get away with an "ornamental" battle axe on the wall of my office?

 

[vertigo7]

A sword never has to be reloaded, so I'll wear a sword on my belt / over my shoulder just as soon as I run out of ammo. Also, it could be useful if stealth was a requirement and sound suppressors for firearms were not available. Funny you should bring up swords and the martial arts.. a friend's been bugging me to join a kenjutsu / kendo class with him. Still thinking it over.

 

[sonoranjack]

How does 1 conceal a sword?

 

[Wakal]

Easy, just get one of those Highlander trench coats...the knee length ones than can hide a katana sheathed at waist level, even when running/jumping/falling...



A

 

[Cal4D4]

If you will allow very short, concealable swords - say around 5 or 6 inches like Mr. March's Sifu - I can think of a number of scenarios. In a dark movie theater against multiple opponents, at your kid's soccer game against a raging parent twice your size and built like a TV wrestler. During the opera where a shot in the balcony would surely draw attention. Anyplace where ranges are short and no clear fields of fire.

Train hard and play nice.