best economical tactical knives/swords?

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vigiliante2468

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Dec 7, 2014
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So I'm in the need of a decent (20" to 25") knife, sword, or machete for my bug out bag. I'm looking for something that could easily be used for self defense or camp/survival purposes. I always prefer a carbon blade if it's possible. Any suggestions for something that seems to fit the bill?
 
Check out Cold Steel Machetes. You should be able to find one that suits your fancy.
 
In machetes, in a big fan of the 20" Tramontina. And, at about $25 with a canvas sheath, it's definitely economical.
 
+1 to Tramontina and machete suggestions in general.

A sword does not a good survival/self-defense tool make. Without proper training, which extremely few people have.
 
Cold Steel's Cutless Machete seems to combine the best of both worlds. A 24"carbon steel machete blade, and a proper handguard.
 
Take a look at the bolos or other edged stuff at Kris Cutlery, if you are interested in handmade products.
 
A machete can make an acceptable sword, but a sword doesn't make an acceptable machete. :D
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I have a two handed cold steel machete and it can definitely hold its own. I am actually looking for something more in the self-defense line. Apologies if my original post was alittle misleading. I've been looking at the cold steel hisshou, but I'm just not sure if shelling out $200+ is worth it. Any thoughts on the ka bar "zombie" series? Knives like the 'war' sword and swabbie. I own a few ka bar knives and they've never let me down so all I can hope is that this line of blades if the same quality.
 
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a valiant golok is an excellent tool that is very fast and effective if needed for self defense (for cutting not stabbing)(I have had a couple and settled on 15.75" blade "valiant survival golok L"). If you need a working tool as well as for self defense (not sure about SD applications of such big knives however as they are way too big for concealed carry) the golok is a design used by those who rely on it daily for several centuries. It's cheaper too.
 
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vigiliante2468 said:
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I have a two handed cold steel machete and it can definitely hold its own. I am actually looking for something more in the self-defense line. Apologies if my original post was alittle misleading. I've been looking at the cold steel hisshou, but I'm just not sure if shelling out $200+ is worth it. Any thoughts on the ka bar "zombie" series? Knives like the 'war' sword and swabbie. I own a few ka bar knives and they've never let me down so all I can hope is that this line of blades if the same quality.
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You mean the CRKT Hisshou? I think $200 would be well outside the range of a economical tactical knife/sword. I suspect it would be a very effective weapon if you have the skills to use it, but certainly not a budget one. At 13" it's not as large as you originally indicated though. You could buy a few Gladius machetes for that price.
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
You mean the CRKT Hisshou? I think $200 would be well outside the range of a economical tactical knife/sword. I suspect it would be a very effective weapon if you have the skills to use it, but certainly not a budget one. At 13" it's not as large as you originally indicated though. You could buy a few Gladius machetes for that price.
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Yes, CRKT was what I ment. For some reason I was thinking cold steel. But the price was my issue. Any suggestions for a gladius? I have seen a few that seem like they are a good piece.
 
RedLynx said:
A sword does not a good survival/self-defense tool make. Without proper training, which extremely few people have.
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Anybody that has a fair amount of training can very likely wield a 5" knife and be more effective than sometime with a 20" sword/machete and No training.

Your best defense is in your noggin. See what is available in your area and spend your coin on some training you can use with Any hand held item.
 
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vigiliante2468 said:
Yes, CRKT was what I ment. For some reason I was thinking cold steel. But the price was my issue. Any suggestions for a gladius? I have seen a few that seem like they are a good piece.
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I was thinking of the Cold Steel Gladius machete which appears to have been designed as more of a weapon with double edges and a stabbing point. However there may be other tools that would be just as good.
 
Check out the united cutlery combat gladiator sword. It is 1060 carbon steel and priced at 20-25 bucks with a decent sheath. Overall it looks quite bit better than the cold steel gladius machete and is cheaper. The blade stock is also a bit thicker if I am not mistaken.
 
I am with the people mentioning that a sword is not a good choice if you don't know how to use one. A machete is easier to use, which is why so many historical swords from the Kopis to the Scramsax to the Kukri have machete mechanics. I would guess that for your purposes a Kukri might be a good option. There are a lot of options, maybe a British Service Issue Kukri.

I would also suggest thinking about maybe an axe. Very useful, and they were also used very effectively in battle throughout history.
 
The Condor Viking is 22". The Parang is 18" I believe. Have both. These would certainly be better for chopping, with some self defense options. Have the Cold Steel Cutlas sword. It might be okay. Tough blade.

Good swords start at about $450 and go up. I bought one as a present once and it ran $750 as I recall.
 
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