Survival Swords?

[Herk]

I was reading a depressing article on the impending financial collapse and the following sentences caught my attention - "Another aspect that people don’t think about, is edged weapons. Amazon has some amazing deals on Wakizashi-type swords (like miniature samurai swords) made of 9260 spring steel, which can be wielded one-handed by an adult or two-handed by kids, if needed. They can be made razor sharp, don’t require ammo, and are quiet. Finally, they don’t require background checks." So anyway - I've been thinking about swords and I was wondering if any of you have thought about or own a sword for actual use if necessary? I've had a nice Cold Steel Kukri for a while. Must confess - I did order a Wakizashi after reading the article.

 

[Catfish]

If a machete counts, then yes. Its a weapon or a tool.

 

[GymB]

I think very hard to use well, and silent only to the point that someone is screaming as they get hacked on. Firearm is better in most ways, suppressed firearm is better in all.

 

[Hellquest]

I carry a machete and small tomahawk. Along with my bushcraft knife. Firm believer in right tool for the right job.
Swords are designed for a different purpose but can be used for survival stuff.

But nothing is silent in use against a human. Swords had a place in history but a fighting knife can be a better choice today. Even a sword cane has more overall uses then a sword. If you don't have 3 uses for it then no reason to carry it long term.

 

[Ferrisfan]

Speaking just for myself, I would opt for a 24" felling axe or a long-handled tomahawk. I am at least mildly proficient in axe use, as opposed to training with a blade that is not a machete.

Plus I have more plausible deniability for why I have an axe with me than a sword.

 

[Diablos]

Speaking just for myself, I would opt for a 24" felling axe or a long-handled tomahawk. I am at least mildly proficient in axe use, as opposed to training with a blade that is not a machete.

Plus I have more plausible deniability for why I have an axe with me than a sword.

the quickening, for in the end there can be only one

 

[Herk]

I think very hard to use well, and silent only to the point that someone is screaming as they get hacked on. Firearm is better in most ways, suppressed firearm is better in all.

I agree. But the article was talking in addition to firearms - therefore the curiosity.

 

[RR]

I can think of about 1000 other things that are likely more useful following a societal collapse.

And I own a katana. If won't be coming along for any Mad Maxx style adventures find myself on....

 

[GymB]

I do have several kukri, obviously for use as machetes. The Cold Steel one is very nice.

One other thing, I’m not good enough to use all the ammo I have stashed before I’d get dead in the scenario, so dropping back to something that requires more skill would be foolish. But the Kukri is good for lots of stuff. I’ve cleaned fish with a hatchet, everything has multiple uses…a sword not so much. I don’t know if it’s true that commoners were not allowed to own swords on old tyme Japan, but I always think of farmers shrugging their shoulders and saying so what, they just aren’t practical.

 

[Dan0311]

I can think of about 1000 other things that are likely more useful following a societal collapse.

And I own a katana. If won't be coming along for any Mad Maxx style adventures find myself on....

Absolutely. Ounces are pounds, and pounds are pain.

 

[GeorgeBush]

Some of the Cold Steel stuff is pretty nice, I own several of their machetes... talk about last ditch though.

I think the primary advantage is "unlimited ammo."

 

[willpgn]

Take you pick…only a 6-7 month wait. Order quick to get it before the zombies get you!!! 🤣

Zombie Tools

Zombie Tools makes battle-ready axes, knives and swords.

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They do have some interesting designs!

 

[RR]

I do have several kukri, obviously for use as machetes. The Cold Steel one is very nice.

One other thing, I’m not good enough to use all the ammo I have stashed before I’d get dead in the scenario, so dropping back to something that requires more skill would be foolish. But the Kukri is good for lots of stuff. I’ve cleaned fish with a hatchet, everything has multiple uses…a sword not so much. I don’t know if it’s true that commoners were not allowed to own swords on old tyme Japan, but I always think of farmers shrugging their shoulders and saying so what, they just aren’t practical.

Yup..... I won't outlive my ammo supply.

 

[RedneckFur]

A purpose made sword? I have no need.

I do have an old US Ontario machete though. It can also be made razor sharp, and is easy to use one handed. Its main purpose is clearing brush, cutting up small sticks for kindling, and dispatching vermin, but I imagine in a situation with no ammo, it would do quite a number on flesh. My 2 cents: don't skimp out and buy a walmart machete. They're pretty trashy. The US Ontario machetes are much better.

I've often thought in a last ditch, hand to hand weapon sort of situation, it would be hard for the average person to beat a high-school sized baseball bat. Most folks are somewhat familiar in how to swing one, and they hit hard.

 

[Herk]

 

[Hellquest]

Personal a boar spear from cold steel is a great choice. Long arms are better then anything short and edge. But a tomahawk is my go to for the SHTF carry.

 

[Timfoilhat]

Sword? Nope. My wife has a fencing foil. She took classes for fitness purposes a decade ago.

 

[Jayne]

I did arnis for a while, and have a machete that's the correct length for me (and the same length as my escrima sticks) as well as a few long knives that are also the correct length for me.

That said, in SHTF there is a 0% chance I'm going to use any of that stuff. It's fun, but a glock is better and as others have said I'll be dead before I'm out of ammo. My EDC knife is there for grapple purposes only.

OK I take that back. If I'm somewhere I can't have a gun and SHTF, then I'll try for a 8-12" kitchen knife. Available in most places, large enough to fight with, small enough to CCW (sorta).

 

[Alabamacoastie]

View attachment 459110

I can see she has two very good points...

 

[RR]

You are the ammo. If you're not able to swing it a couple times before getting winded, your ammo supply is low.

I think people who contemplate and write articles using edged weapons in life or death situations might not realize how brutal, taxing, dangerous, and messy it is.

There's a quote that stuck with me over the years and from my limited real world experience on the matter it's mostly true.

The quote comes from the technical consultants hired for the movie "The Hunted." There were two, they were experts in various Filipino knife and stick fighting styles and in their discussion around the various injuries sustained in the final fight scene one said something to the effect that "Two guys engage with blades, one guy is going to the hospital and the other is going to the morgue."

Think about that for a minute in the context of a societal collapse and decide how long you think you'll survive swordfighting. Even if you're good at it.

You're gonna get cut. Cuts with no medical resources = bad juju.

Or you're gonna pull your sword to find out the other guy still has ammo left. You won't outlive his ammo supply.....

Better stuff to stock up on and worry about. More ammo, weapon training, trauma medical training, pathfinder or other bushcraft type survival school.

 

[pirate]

I've been thinking about swords and I was wondering if any of you have thought about or own a sword for actual use if necessary?

Never even thought about it.........


I like hacking up stuff......more for fun, but that said I do think there is a place for edge weapons. I have more than enough guns and ammo to keep me engaged for a good long time but you never know when you might have to take a head or two.......


A quality machete would be my choice since it has "tool" value too. I do have a few swords but they would not stand up to SHTF long term use as well.

And don't forget hawks......

 

[ronn47]

Given my choice between a sword and a crowbar, I'll take the crowbar.

Because the crowbar has an actual valuable purpose in its primary function.

Because if I win, I WILL ply that gun from your cold dead hand.

 

[turkeydance]

well, since i know a little epee fencing, i have tried swords.
calvary, katana, etc. they just do not work well enough for me.
a machete is what i use, mostly...but SHTF: tomahawk/hatchet.
mainly for the "hammer-head" on the other end.

 

[pirate]

Because if I win, I WILL ply that gun from your cold dead hand.

Or just separate it from the wrist.....you can wear the hand around your neck as a sign to your neighbors that you are the true warloard of your neighborhood.

 

[pirate]

Think about that for a minute in the context of a societal collapse and decide how long you think you'll survive swordfighting. Even if you're good at it.

You're gonna get cut. Cuts with no medical resources = bad juju.

Same could be said for any gun fight you get in also.......it will all be brutal and dangerous by nature. The object is to avoid any fight (Gun or blade or whatever) if at all possible and only get in ones where you have an tactical advantage and better than good chance to win. Play dirty to win and be mean as heck.

 

[REELDOC]

Never even thought about it.........


I like hacking up stuff......more for fun, but that said I do think there is a place for edge weapons. I have more than enough guns and ammo to keep me engaged for a good long time but you never know when you might have to take a head or two.......


A quality machete would be my choice since it has "tool" value too. I do have a few swords but they would not stand up to SHTF long term use as well.

And don't forget hawks......

You need intervention............. I do like the throwing hawks though.

 

[Mitch Rapp]

There's a quote that stuck with me over the years and from my limited real world experience on the "Two guys engage with blades, one guy is going to the hospital and the other is going to the morgue."

This must be a common saying in their culture and cirlces. My Eskrima Guru used to say the same thing to us almost verbatim back in the early 2000s

 

[RR]

And though I won't carry one strapped across my back in a SHTF scenario I do appreciate swords. They're a lot of fun. I have several of the se ones @pirate posted up thread.

I even made one.....


I've kinda beat the hell out of this one so it kinda passes the SHTF test, but I'd revert to my Kershaw Outcast (D2 steel) or Expat Darien (1075 steel) over this (1084 steel) if all hell breaks loose.

 

[NCLivingBrit]

I've got a handy little tomahawk and a rehandled Kbar blade as well as a small rehandled Frost Cutlery Mora blade side knife. Those are my woods security blankets and while I am no Mohican I imagine I can make a stand.

I have a Cold Steel Gladius machete that would make a mess but it needs a better sheath. I'd really like one of those big D Guard "Confederate" Bowie knives, but that's just because.

 

[pirate]

You need intervention............. I do like the throwing hawks though.

Remember....this is just the stuff I let you guys see.....

 

[Trevillian]

Yeah, sharpened implements are tools, not for offense in reality... Nothing wrong with being skilled in the offensive use of anything. But come on... Firearms win... Off grid situation, whoever bleeds less gets to die second.

Sword master vs. granny with her shotgun at 20 paces.... Boom. She wins and now has to figure out if she can chop wood with the sword.

Carrying a knife, axe or hatchet for utility? Naturally. Those are tools that are needed daily. If I'm caught unawares and I'm fighting for my life. Darn Skippy, I will use any and all of the above to stop the aggressor before I die.

But a sword.... No thanks.

 

[J R Green]

A sword is just like a gun in one respect, it works best if you are the only one that has one.

 

[RR]

A sword is just like a gun in one respect, it works best if you are the only one that has one.

To quote/paraphrase a friend and firearm trainer..... "I prefer shootings, 'gunfight' implies that bullets are flying both ways."

 

[Dale Gribble]

 

[pinkbunny]

Ronin Katana Medieval Warsword - Euro Model #3

This Late Medieval Sword by Ronin Katana has a sharp blade fashioned from 1075 high carbon steel; it is fitted through the hilt and peened over the pommel to create an overall robust hilt construction. The crossguard and pommel are stainless steel and the grip is cord over a wood core with a...

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Type XVIIIc, insane for cutting things.

 

[Inglis]

In case anyone needs one I sell bricks.

Better than a sword.

 

[cchioda3]

I can see value in carrying something double edged that’s longer than a dagger. Wouldn’t want it to be the only thing available in a face to face battle but if I were sneaking around like some badass in an action movie it would be more useful than my many hatchets or machetes. Of course assuming I don’t have access to a firearm.

I’d carry around something like this. Not exactly this one but size and style anyway.

Reapr 11005 Meridius Machete | Free Shipping at Academy

Pull out the Reapr 11005 Meridius Machete for the problems that require increased strength. The 420 stainless-steel construction with an oxide finish provides enhan...

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[Inglis]

Bayonets work great too.

 

[Herk]

In case anyone needs one I sell bricks.

Better than a sword.

You think so???? I have dodged a few bricks in my time but thankfully no swords. 2 ways I'd rather not go out is cut or burned.

 

[Mr. Bggs]

I always think about this topic when watching the patriot
Then i remember I'm unskilled and out of shape. I'd probably be better off hiding with a ghillie suit. That and stocking up on wearable components for my guns and of course ammo are my best chance.