Monday, June 16, 2014

The Utility of a Bastard Sword

A long time ago I bought a combat bastard sword.  Understand this isn't a dress up play time sword.  it isn't a presentation sword.  Its neither pretty nor light.  Its a true one and a half hand bastard sword that is fashioned exactly like those from centuries ago... except the steel is better.  It takes and edge faster and holds that edge longer.

The sword lives near the door.

So a dear female friend was carrying my beloved daughter into my house... and curled up in the corner next to the door between my house and my garage... was a ground rattler.   My friend freaked...  as she hates snakes and it was inches from her sandled feet.  She yelled for me to come and showed me where the little bastard was... and I spent a few seconds figuring my options.  Shooting was not one of them.  It was surrounded by concrete and nice walls that I'd rather not replace.  Then I remembered... oh right...  The bastard sword by the door.

Look...  I'm just saying...  do you really need a sword?  Maybe not.  Then again...

14 comments:

Outlaw X said...

Are swords legal to carry in Alabama, they are not in TX. I don't have a sword but always wanted one just to play with. I would like one of those cane swords since I am a cripple, pretty cool, but illegal in public.

Outlaw X said...

When I worked for a surveyor, we carried machetes to cut line, they were good snake killers.

Nate said...

its illegal to carry swords in bama as well... but... I own a cold steel cane sword. And who knows... maybe I make a mistake and grab it by accident.

Anonymous said...

Not going to buy another blade...
Not going to buy another blade...
Not going to buy another blade...
Not going to buy another blade...

dammmit

Need to save for the Loaded SAI M1A we just got in. It needs a home, and it's real purty...

toothy

Nate said...

I think the sheer utility of a sword is a overlooked these days. The idea is that its an outdated weapon. In reality there is no such thing.

people think "renfest nerds" and with good reason. Never the less... why not have a gun AND a sword cane?

patrick kelly said...

Post pics or it's not real.

(I just want to see it)

JDW said...

http://imgur.com/a/NzMjP

Res Ipsa said...

Nate is a little stingy with the pics. A dead rattler with the buttons, and a bloody sword would have made a great pic.

Russ said...

European swords > Katanas. European medieval swords were built to deal with armor, not unarmored rice farmers. They are better balanced. European metallurgy was superior to even late period Japanese technology. Longswords were designed to be thrusting weapons, which is a more deadly attack, as it can easily bypass things like ribs and destroy organs with less force than a slash.

Katanas have much fatter blades, and are shorter. Their curved design makes them less suited for thrusting.


I also like tomahawks and Viking era axes. I once made one rabbit into two rabbits with my Cold Steel trench hawk.

Nate said...

agreed. the fashination with oriental weapons is not even remotely justified.

Oh that's a cute little katana. Look.... I have a two-handed long sword.

Splat.

patrick kelly said...

Not a sword, but seen this? : NewDPMS308AR

Summary: Smaller, lighter .308 AR with more compatibility with standard 5.56 AR parts.

Russ said...

I think the best sword ever made for fighting unarmored enemies is the Rapier. Extremely light, long, and ideal for thrusting attacks. Made with flexible yet hard steel, I think it's probably the pinnacle of blade technology, unless your enemy has plate armor, which is why you'd probably want something heavier like that hand and a half sword. When are we going to revive the tactical rapier?

WaterBoy said...

And if a bastard sword isn't available, even a katana will do.

Daniel said...

That free men cannot carry swords under the law is a greater trespass on liberty than any current restrictions on firearms.