Bladed weapons

[cichlidfan]

Since I am still up at almost 5am I thought I would post something interesting, to some of you at least.

 

I am not a gun person. I do believe in defending myself but I lean toward large sharp bits of metal for that purpose.

 

Last night a friend of mine wanted to see these so I unpacked them.

 

This is my idea of a weapon.

 

 

This is what I keep by the back door as a varmint defense (in case racoon or possum ends up in my yard). You can scale based on the remote controls next to it, but that is an 11 inch blade. Unfortunately, that one and my combat knife are illegal to carry, almost everywhere.

 

 

Oh, and I really love black blades. I have two folding knives and a U.S. Marine Ka-Bar that are also black. It makes it harder for the bad guy to see it coming.

 

My theory is that if someone is in my house, and the dogs haven't already subdued them, that I might not be able to take them down at a distance but I will certainly leave them needing significant surgery.

Edited December 22, 2016 by cichlidfan

[TomOnSteam]

Are you trained to use those swords? :)

[cichlidfan]

The training required to properly use a blade of that length is considerable. However, the short blades I have had training for and it is a completely different skill. Knife fighting seems a lot like boxing. Lots of jabs and parries, just with pointy things.

 

I actually would never use them for defense. You can't deploy a blade of that length, effectively, inside a house. Ceilings are too low and walls are too close. Well, in retrospect the short one would be usable, and the skill needed to stab an intruder is completely separate from the skill needed to fight someone using the same weapon.

 

I will admit that you could probably scare the hell out of someone with them.

 

Seriously though, until last night they were packed away. It is good that I took them out, since they need cleaning and greasing before being repacked.

Edited December 22, 2016 by cichlidfan

[WinterH]

Nice collection :).

 

I am more into European swords myself, and longsword is my all time favorite kind of sword. But I still appreciate a nice sword from all cultures.

 

For defense though, firearms would take the cake, even though I am not a hundred percent gun person either.

 

And yes, even the shortest kinds of swords require ample space to use effectively. Inside a corridor or a small room, a knife would be much more dangerous than a sword.

[cichlidfan]

And yes, even the shortest kinds of swords require ample space to use effectively. Inside a corridor or a small room, a knife would be much more dangerous than a sword.

 

That is why this is in my nightstand, next to the bed.

 

 

The european swords are just so damn heavy. The Katana just seems easier to move with.

 

EDIT: I would not call it training but I have a friend who is a retired SEAL and he picked up the skill in Japan. From everything he showed me, I would probably hurt myself before I hurt someone else. Long blades are hard to fight with unless you really know what you are doing.

 

EDIT2: Short blades are hard to fight with as well, but it is a skill that I am comfortable with. Shielded blades still hurt, so you tend to learn quickly Luckily I am right handed since the left hand is not trustworthy anymore.

Edited December 22, 2016 by cichlidfan

[The Black Swan]

Very nice, are any of those from Cold Steel? I'm a fan of their stuff...

[cichlidfan]

Very nice, are any of those from Cold Steel? I'm a fan of their stuff...

 

Ka-bar.

[Buzzles]

Interestingly enough as you mentioned the whole defence angle, I personally found when I was training martial arts and did a bit of anti-weapons training, a long blade was much harder to defend against than a short blade when unarmed. It's down to the weapon reach and when unarmed the only way to stop your opponent is to control their wrists and arms, which are much harder to get to when against a long weapon.

 

It's a surprising tradeoff that the easiest to use is also the easiest to stop.

Edited December 23, 2016 by Buzzles

[cichlidfan]

Well, the shorter the blade the less there is to stop.

 

If you live in a castle with giant hallways then a long blade can be useful. If you live in a modern house it is a completely different situation.

 

My weapon of choice is the Kukri knife. It is heavy and is quite long (too long to carry in public) but it packs a big punch when it hits someone. When I was learning how to use it I broke two ribs of an opponent and that was with a blade with a guard on it.

Edited December 23, 2016 by cichlidfan

[Buzzles]

I dunno, I think a long blade is fine in a small corridor or room like your house, you just have to get rid of the whole swinging notion and focus on the thrusting aspect.

 

If we're talking swords, obviously that means only certain types are appropriate. You're not going to have much luck swinging a cavalry sabre around.

[cichlidfan]

I dunno, I think a long blade is fine in a small corridor or room like your house, you just have to get rid of the whole swinging notion and focus on the thrusting aspect.

 

If we're talking swords, obviously that means only certain types are appropriate. You're not going to have much luck swinging a cavalry sabre around.

 

That is a valid point but a 30 inch katana is not that easy to manage in the stairway coming up to front door. I prefer the short blade because you can make it go anywhere and change direction in a heartbeat.

 

My Kukri is heavy but at only 11 inches it is highly maneuverable. I love my big blades but for home defense, I prefer the short ones.

 

To each their own. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to large sharp bits of metal. It really depends on what you are used to using.

 

As someone around here said, they are not as good as a solid handgun but they are still my preference.

 

I am unlikely to ever own a gun so I work with what I know.

Edited December 23, 2016 by cichlidfan

[cthulhu68]

Not a conversation piece but I like Kershaw Leek knives. Like a lock-blade but spring-loaded and opens with index finger. Also pictured M Tech camo hunting knife.

[cichlidfan]

Not a conversation piece but I like Kershaw Leek knives. Like a lock-blade but spring-loaded and opens with index finger. Also pictured M Tech camo hunting knife.

 

 

Like this one.

 

 

I have two of these. One is in the tool bag and the other is in the desk. Fast, easy to flip open and reasonably deadly. I carry one when I walk my dogs, since the other blades are a tad illegal to walk around with.

 

As I said before. I like my bladed weapons very much, even if they are small.

 

Even a small blade is useful if you know what to do with it. The big ones are a different story but the small ones I have had extensive training in their use and feel comfortable with them as well.

 

EDIT: Yes the pic sucks. I could not find a spot where the knife would show well against the background.

 

The funniest part of my current issue is that I shattered my left wrist about ten years ago (very interesting X Ray since there are now ten screws and a titanium plate in it), so it was already a bit of handicap. My medical issues just made it a bit less useful than it was before. I used to be able to switch hands and have equal dexterity with a blade but not anymore.

Edited December 23, 2016 by cichlidfan

[Mtnbiker1998]

Since the conversation has taken a Kershaw-y Turn I'll chime in with my Favorite folder, the "Blackout" 1550ST

 

But I almost exclusively carry a Leatherman Wave, obviously not good for as a weapon (It would take far too long to draw/open) But its usefulness as a tool is unparalleled.

 

At some point I gotta pick up a Ka-Bar, or a Bayonet of some kind. Big knives are fun :D

[cichlidfan]

At some point I gotta pick up a Ka-Bar, or a Bayonet of some kind. Big knives are fun :D

 

I love my Ka-Bar Kukri. It has a great amount of weight to it but it is still well balanced. I know that I would not want to face an opponent with that blade.

[agrasyuk]

That is why this is in my nightstand, next to the bed.

while I do like blades long or short, in my nightstand I prefer to keep a handgun (locked in velocity vault actually). "Guns for Show, Knives for a Pro" and i'm no pro :music_whistling:

 

 

which brings me to a question, do we have "firearms of DCS'ers" chitchat thread?

 

my Christmass gift from holyland :D

not bladed but still a weapon

 

 

Edited December 25, 2016 by agrasyuk

[cichlidfan]

Very nice Anton,

 

I am not a pro, by any stretch, but considering that I have only fired a gun a handful of times in my entire life, I have a much better chance of successfully doing damage with a blade.

 

In reality, the chances of me having to defend myself, in my home, are probably slim. My 4yo beagle will be barking before they actually enter. After that there is the alarm system that will be screaming.

 

I would end up being more upset about being woken from a sound sleep than anything else.