From his lair in chilly Scotland, Longtime Reader and Friend Quentin S. asks the following intriguing question:
I saw a post on Quora about swords and open carry which piqued my interest and might pique yours. I understand that open carry of swords is actually legal in many US states. So, suppose you were no longer able to carry a gun, which sword would you choose? And which would you recommend?
I’m guessing that you personally would choose a sword-stick, but how about for someone younger and fitter? A rapier? A cinquedea?
The fact that I had to look up “cinquedea” to see what it was reveals my abysmal ignorance of cutlery. For those of similar ignorance, here’s what it is (with a link in the pic should you want to buy one… hmmm):
I have to say that as a gunnie, I’d never given much thought to what I might select should the bitter question ever come to pass (“If we aren’t allowed to carry guns, how about swords?”).
If it came to just a bladed instrument I already own, I’d be caught short because my interest has confined itself to knives. Although my Fox 685 survival machete (also of Italian origin, coincidentally) might do in a pinch:
…it’s a tad short and much too heavy for (shall we say) those social occasions.
No; just as one night choose a rifle over a handgun in order to keep an enemy at a distance, a sword would definitely be preferable to a knife — and that cinquedea, lovely as it is, is more of a dagger than a sword and to be honest, I have that area covered, in spades.
So which long-bladed implement would I choose?
At first impulse, I might indeed chose a sword-stick, as Quentin surmises. Here’s an example (once again, link in pic):
I have to tell y’all, that looks extremely tasty. Hmmmmm… (Yeah yeah, I know: “Wait a minute Kim; you mean you don’t own a sword-stick already?” Shuddup already; I carry a 1911, FFS.)
Here’s my problem, though. While that sword looks lovely, and in a pinch the stick could even be used as a light cudgel, I don’t have the faintest idea how to use one. Never got interested in swordplay outside childhood, so here we are. And I’m not sure I’d want to learn, at this my advanced age. It does strike me, however, that if you don’t know how to use a weapon, it could prove to be problematic should you actually be required to use one in extremis. And if I’m about anything, it’s about training and practice when it comes to lethal weapons.
So if not a dagger or rapier-type of sword, what next?
How about a more slender, slashy version of the Fox 685: a cutlass?
But it’s kinda long (nearly 3 feet) and clanky, innit? I’d want something just a tad more controllable, something that would be as handy for slashing as for stabbing. As always when I’m searching for answers, let me learn from history: what was used in antiquity, back when they didn’t have SMLEs or 1911s?
Ha! When in doubt, see what the Greeks used, when slaughtering Persians and other assorted fuzzy-wuzzies. Here’s the xiphos (linked):
OMG I think I just fell in love. 24 inches of sharpy goodness, curves that would make Sophia Loren envious, and all the heritage and history rolled into one. It’s like the E-type Jag of swords:
…only a lot more reliable. I think I may just sell one of my seldom-used guns to get my hands on a xiphos because it’s beautiful and also unlike the E-type, affordable.
Any reason why I shouldn’t?
A xiphos! I should have guessed, what with you being old school and all.
When it comes to pointed sticks, spears tend to beat swords, especially if the bearer hasn’t done much training.
The Roman Gladius would be a nice option also, it as a good record.
Japanese Katana. Then watch the Kill Bill movies and Walking Dead for the sword moves. ON the other hand, I don’t think I could tolerate watching that much wet rubbish.
That greek thing does look inviting dudn’t it?
More so if it had the, uh, “ears” sticking out where the handle meets the blade.
You know, sort of a “depth stop” so you don’t go in too deep and get tangled in them entrails and such.
Back when I was hunting I had a large Ghurka kukri strapped to my day pack. At first the forward curve blade looked sort of strange, but with a little practice I learned that those little guys from the Himalayas developed an almost perfect utility and if necessary fighting blade. I used mine for clearing brush and splitting kindling and found it to be well balanced and handy. For more serious purposes the kukri is a very effective slashing weapon and has enough of a point for stabbing. Even the big ones are fairly short so you’d have to get up close but that style of fighting never bothered the Greeks or Romans.
Your concern about training – or more specifically lack thereof – is valid. I just turned 60, and I’d hate to be relieved of my blade & have it turned against me. I’m getting old enough that a walking stick wouldn’t raise too many eyebrows, and the range it it affords is appealing. I did competitive martial arts once upon a time, and the staff was my favorite of the weapons we trained with for that reason. Much less training required to be effective, particularly with a pointed end. Daniel knows whereof he speaks.