Not that most of us will buy a sword

[Switup]

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.
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How do you keep it sharp… ever though of it sheath ?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

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

The Glory Road awaits.....

 

[Old Dog]

How do you keep it sharp… ever though of it sheath ?

It's pretty forgiving carbon steel, almost easier than sharpening a much smaller knife (especially the harder stainless steels). My Ken Onion Work Sharp works well (need a second person to hold it for a sword, though).

The Glory Road awaits.....

That's the book that convinced me that learning to fight with a sword was part of earning my man card... well, that and the old flicks with the swordfights between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone...

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

The Glory Road awaits.....

"Got any dragons that need killing..?"

 

[Ugly Sauce]

"Got any dragons that need killing..?"

So many dragons, so little time.

 

[CapnMac]

I have a Marine Corps M1859 NCO sword

Familiar with that--had to get the requisite Model of 1860 of being promoted to LCDR:

Ugh, hard to remember being that young (funny how the memory is a blurry as the photo . . . )

 

[BanjomanMI76]

It may have a point, but probably lacks a cutting edge. More for show.

You are absolutely correct it is a ceremonial weapon. It does quite the job on a Birthday Cake on November 10th.
It takes a lot of discipline to master sword drill however.