Not that most of us will buy a sword

hso

hso

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with an eye to using it, but this may be the perfect sword on foot.




I own several swords, antique and modern manufactured and custom, and fenced saber and trained in a range of "practical" sword styles. I find no flaws in this conclusion in the video about "C.J.M." pattern swords save one. I would add a slight curve to facilitate cutting while keeping the tip in line with the ricasso.
 
I've always admired the knowledge on that channel.

I would argue the most modern design swords would retain the greatest utility in the present age -- and that would be a cutlass like the 1917 USN cutlass (edit: corrected to 1917). Consider that this arm was designed and employed by the US Navy more recently than the M1911 pistol was introduced. Furthermore, it was commissioned in the age when there was essentially no remaining pretense for the use of the cavalry. Indeed, it is very unlikely that any of us would use a sword on horseback, or in a duel, or against an opponent with steel armor, in a formation of soldiers with shields, or on an open field of battle, or in any of the other various historically relevant contexts. On the other hand, home defense isn't that much different than combat below decks in the early 20th century when the cutlass was still considered relevant. I am not going to make the case to commend the cutlass for home defense, but I can't think of a historical sword that is more relevant in the modern context.
 
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westernrover said:
I've always admired the knowledge on that channel.

I would argue the most modern design swords would retain the greatest utility in the present age -- and that would be a cutlass like the 1918 USN cutlass. Consider that this arm was designed and employed by the US Navy more recently than the M1911 pistol was introduced. Furthermore, it was commissioned in the age when there was essentially no remaining pretense for the use of the cavalry. Indeed, it is very unlikely that any of us would use a sword on horseback, or in a duel, or against an opponent with steel armor, in a formation of soldiers with shields, or on an open field of battle, or in any of the other various historically relevant contexts. On the other hand, home defense isn't that much different than combat below decks in the early 20th century when the cutlass was still considered relevant. I am not going to make the case to commend the cutlass for home defense, but I can't think of a historical sword that is more relevant in the modern context.
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Agreed, the naval cutlass remained a legit fighting weapon for several decades after their land-based counterparts became status symbols. The French Navy Chatelleraut patterns are perhaps the last, best European swords meant for actual use, IMO.
 
I like swords, I'm a fan of the Prussian 1852 Sabre, and have a copy of said sword. First year I had it I practiced with it almost daily, but now I have slacked off. Took it on a long hike in the mountains once, (over-nighter in fact) figured I could put the hurt on a cougar, or on a wolf or two, maybe even give a bear something to think about. (well I had my .44mag with me) And nope, no one saw me. :)

Jeff G that's a beautiful Gladius. I'd love to have something like that. I have a Cold-Steel Gladius/machete, which one could say is just a cheap Gladius shaped machete, which it is, but I sure like it, it's a fearsome weapon, great feel and balance. Excellent steel. Very light with that thin blade. With it's needle point, and razor sharp edges I think it's pretty capable. I did the handle with bow-handle-wrap, and decorated it with brass brads. It's pretty cool. Not beautiful, but again, I like it.
 
You know, we always think of Swords in the context of war, or man-against-man, but just think what an advantage to ancient man, when swords became common, when out in the wilderness where the wild beasts were a real problem. I'm thinking a man could walk alone in the wilderness with a little more confidence with a good sword on his side, and a spear in hand.
 
JShirley said:
A big knife and a spear will work against anything smaller than a lion.
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Truth. But a sword is the biggest knife of them all! :) I wonder, with six wolves closing in, would one pick a spear over a sword, or visa-versa?
 
A spear is almost always better than a sword in one-on-one combat. Even a quarterstaff is often a superior weapon against a single swordsman. This has been demonstrated by HEMA experts countless times. There is no question which one would be preferred in most encounters with wild beasts. I am sure there are unique scenarios where a sword would be favored, but we should prefer to keep the danger of even minor injuries in the wilderness at the greater reach of the spear.

I did not make a recommendation for a sword in my comments on home defense, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so for a pole-arm. While a firearm is the most practical defense against home invaders armed with guns and their use is a valid response to home invaders otherwise armed, bullets are not a physical barrier to the advance of an attacker. Consider the Tueller drill. Distances in a home invasion are often even less. Gunfire has a low probability of enforcing a safe distance. A polearm can be more effective than a gun at stopping an advance. The effective use of the polearm is greatly assisted if the attacker must come through a doorway. A homeowner's response doesn't need to be complicated by a variety of tactics. Having several options doesn't hinder them, and the cost of a can of pepper spray and a long stick are easily worth the value they add.
 
hso said:
with an eye to using it, but this may be the perfect sword on foot.
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Certainly a neat sword, but for me, a long time ago I settled on the colichemarde as a favorite, should I ever "need" a sword. Perhaps we'll all be revisiting swords for defensive purposes after the next few rounds of gun control laws.

I have an old 1860 heavy cavalry saber that was my introduction to the sword as a young boy as well as some repros of my favorite designs. Mostly for display but any could be pressed into service. A couple of old foils from my entry into the fencing world in college (after Robert Heinlein's books led me to believe that every man should learn the art of the sword).

westernrover said:
I would argue the most modern design swords would retain the greatest utility in the present age -- and that would be a cutlass like the 1918 USN cutlass.
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I'm a fan of the cutlass as well, owning two.
pirate.jpg
 
Old Dog said:
Certainly a neat sword, but for me, a long time ago I settled on the colichemarde as a favorite, should I ever "need" a sword. Perhaps we'll all be revisiting swords for defensive purposes after the next few rounds of gun control laws.

I have an old 1860 heavy cavalry saber that was my introduction to the sword as a young boy as well as some repros of my favorite designs. Mostly for display but any could be pressed into service. A couple of old foils from my entry into the fencing world in college (after Robert Heinlein's books led me to believe that every man should learn the art of the sword).

I'm a fan of the cutlass as well, owning two.
View attachment 1133632
Click to expand...

Who made that cutlass?
 
I gave my Katana to my daughter not long ago deciding I could do with just my Wakizashi, but the one I have (Cold Steel Crane) is rather heavy for a one handed short sword. It doesn't have a fuller, giving the blade more weight, also better cutting power. While this does make it cut like a beast, it's not quite as nimble in hand as I'd like.

I had my knife guy do up a custom handle for a Pattern 1907 bayonet. This is only a couple inches shorter than the Wakizashi, (17" blade) but with it's fullers, and more narrow blade, is much quicker handling. It cuts almost as well as my CRKT Hisshou, (that also has a custom handle) but it is 4" longer, and is better for thrusting. The CRKT Hisshou, at 13" is more of a long knife, than a short sword. OK, NOTHING cuts like that Hisshou, not even the wakizashi. That thing is just amazeballs. I'd buy another if they didn't discontinue them, just didn't like the handle on it. However, helped along by it's blinding speed (and the fact that my knife guy sharpened it to a razors edge) it does do remarkably well, for what was intended as nothing more than a stabby rifle attachment over 100 years ago.

I have a second bayonet I'm making into a sword cane soon... I hope.

D6Z5ipo.jpg
 
Space Ghost said:
I gave my Katana to my daughter not long ago deciding I could do with just my Wakizashi, but the one I have (Cold Steel Crane) is rather heavy for a one handed short sword. It doesn't have a fuller, giving the blade more weight, also better cutting power. While this does make it cut like a beast, it's not quite as nimble in hand as I'd like.

I had my knife guy do up a custom handle for a Pattern 1907 bayonet. This is only a couple inches shorter than the Wakizashi, (17" blade) but with it's fullers, and more narrow blade, is much quicker handling. It cuts almost as well as my CRKT Hisshou, (that also has a custom handle) but it is 4" longer, and is better for thrusting. The CRKT Hisshou, at 13" is more of a long knife, than a short sword. OK, NOTHING cuts like that Hisshou, not even the wakizashi. That thing is just amazeballs. I'd buy another if they didn't discontinue them, just didn't like the handle on it. However, helped along by it's blinding speed (and the fact that my knife guy sharpened it to a razors edge) it does do remarkably well, for what was intended as nothing more than a stabby rifle attachment over 100 years ago.

I have a second bayonet I'm making into a sword cane soon... I hope.

View attachment 1133732
Click to expand...
Nice! Also a fan of the 1907 Pattern.
 
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