What is your number one go to blade?

[Kevin L]

I’m thinking 3’. For defense that’s the minimum to how close I want to be to someone. As far as use, something that can chop small trees, split kindling, handle like a working machete.

Then study an Indonesian/Malaysian martial art called Silat.

The techniques work very well with the blade that you're describing, it's less formal than kenjutsu and/or iaido, and qualified instructors are easier to find. The Phillipines have a blade culture that's influenced by Silat (and Arnis de mano, which is a stick in each hand, but also uses blade techniques).

The training is--by far--a million times more beneficial than just buying a blade.

 

[Kevin L]

This is my daily abuser..View attachment 9757



Here’s my back up
View attachment 9758


And finally my self defense
View attachment 9759

The last, curved blade seems like (I'm speaking as an experienced medic) it would cause horrible wounds and internal injuries that would be extraordinarily difficult to treat......but how is this knife as far as utilitarian tasks go?

I like my many ka-bar knives (and the closely related Camillus marine utility knife, of which I have two) as they seem useful for digging, batoning, cutting open packaging material, I've skinned a rabbit with one (it difficult and awkward, but doable), and so forth.

Does the curvatureand geometry of this particular blade preclude and/or complicate these more mundane tasks?

 

[Roninsensei]

It’s a machete but with enough thickness to be similar to a short sword. It’s my personal favorite.

 

[Brent S]

https://www.coldsteel.com/products/machetes/sword-style-machetes/chinese-war-sword-machete.html

https://www.coldsteel.com/products/machetes/kopis-machete-with-sheath.html

https://www.coldsteel.com/products/machetes/jungle-machete-with-sheath.html

I like the shape of the first one and the handle of the third one. Are these blades any good considering their cheap prices?

 

[BillMasen]

I like the shape of the first one and the handle of the third one. Are these blades any good considering their cheap prices?

Cold Steel are world class blades, and are supposed to have the toughest locking mechanisms, I have two Voyagers ( some place)

 

[GaRp58]

I’ve actually been thinking about buying a sword. Any suggestions on a quality one that’s nice enough to hang on the wall and actually be used if ever needed would be appreciated .

Get into the e-bay in China. I got a great double sided Chinese sword at 72 cm full length. They make many of these copies for the Jet Li type movies and some (like mine) were quite good and absolutely functional. The wife made me sell it after she saw it cut a wrist thick branch off a tree with one swing and no problem. There are even some original WW II Japanese officers swords on the internet with serial numbers...GP

 

[JackDW]

Generally, I carry a small 3 blade "Buck" knife just for 'all around' use. Not specifically for protection but as a utility tool. I have recently been carrying a folding box cutter instead of the knife. Been doing a lot of repair/remodel work around the house and the box cutter just seems to work better.

Again, it is not for protection but it would be better than nothing, if confronted.

 

[Roninsensei]

They are machetes. Thicker than normal but still machetes.

 

[Roninsensei]

Or if you want a sword Brent something like this?

http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AK008

 

[Brent S]

Get into the e-bay in China. I got a great double sided Chinese sword at 72 cm full length. They make many of these copies for the Jet Li type movies and some (like mine) were quite good and absolutely functional. The wife made me sell it after she saw it cut a wrist thick branch off a tree with one swing and no problem. There are even some original WW II Japanese officers swords on the internet with serial numbers...GP

I’m really into antiques anyways. That’s a great idea. That way I get the look I like and if it was good enough to last a hundred years it was made pretty well.

 

[Brent S]

Or if you want a sword Brent something like this?

http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AK008

That’s actually a nice looking tool.

 

[Brent S]

They are machetes. Thicker than normal but still machetes.

That thing is badass!

 

[KateMTx]

That thing is badass!

I might need to get me one of these.

 

[Roninsensei]

https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Steel-C...5336621&sprefix=Chinese+war+sw,aps,234&sr=8-1

It’s a beast of a chopper

 

[DrHenley]

Leatherman Sidekick

 

[Roninsensei]

I made a customized chopper for a friend out of the jungle machete.

I made the head less wide and added the two spikes on the spine for bludgeoning and breaking coconuts.