Gladius: Point me in the right direction

Beprepared, I can vouch for the CS gladius's durability. It is a mean hacking machine, especially with the wasp waist. It makes the secondary point bite like a kukri. The tip is sharper than any dagger I own, surprisingly. I might actually grind the tip off into something duller, so as to give it more strength, but other than that, it sounds perfect for you
 
BePrepared said:
there may come a day when i need to use something pointy in the manner for which it was designed... when that time comes (and we all hope it doesn't) i'd much prefer to have weapons that i can trust to be both lethal and durable.

I don't buy guns that don't shoot bullets, i don't buy chainsaws that don't cut wood, i don't buy knives that don't hold an edge, and i don't buy swords that can't be used to kill a person if such is needed

I'm a collector, but only inasmuch as i have lots of toys... but i take my toys very seriously.
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True enough, bro. I guess I'm weaning myself off the collecting side of things. It gets expensive. However I still get obsessed with finding THE perfect knife.
 
RemyKaze said:
It's illegal to carry a sword in public, or even in your car. If you get pulled over, you can be called into account for that thing, thus it would probably be sitting in your trunk.
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Not where I live. While you'd get some strange looks it's totally legal in Maine to wear a sword on your hip. No blade length limit, no double edge restrictions, and open carry is fine.

Just sayin'. :D
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Not where I live. While you'd get some strange looks it's totally legal in Maine to wear a sword on your hip. No blade length limit, no double edge restrictions, and open carry is fine.

Just sayin'. :D
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Looks like I'm heading to Maine. Machete on my person at all times! Lol.
 
I don't plan to start carrying a sword even if it's legal... i carry a Glock 22 plus 2 spare mags... if i can't kill it with 51 rounds of .40 TAP ammo, i seriously doubt a sword is gonna help.
 
RemyKaze said:
Looks like I'm heading to Maine. Machete on my person at all times! Lol.
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I keep a 13"-bladed Mora #333 machete lashed to the side of my EDC bag. No joke. I love my state. :D

BePrepared said:
I don't plan to start carrying a sword even if it's legal... i carry a Glock 22 plus 2 spare mags... if i can't kill it with 51 rounds of .40 TAP ammo, i seriously doubt a sword is gonna help.
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Bingo. Swords are what you might call "recreational weapons" these days. Will they still work in a pinch? You better believe it! But their primary role in the modern world is to just be awesome and fun. :p:thumbup:
 
BePrepared said:
don't care in the slightest about historical accuracy

i actually prefer modernized versions.

the PERFECT gladius IMHO is the Busse Gladius, but i can't afford $2000
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What does this even mean? You have no clue what you are talking about.

Skip the gladiator movies education and learn the history and reason why the Gladius was an efficient tool of Empire.

The Gladius Iberius was a thrusting sword (that means it was designed to stab). It wasn't a chopping sword at all. It wasn't used in "sword fights" since the Roman Legionary used his shield to protect himself against enemy attacks. It wasn't cool or glorious, but methodical. Those trained in Gladius combat used their swords to come in low and thrust into the stomachs and inside legs of their enemies, and rarely into armpits or throats of foes. This use was only effective in large units employing shield-wall tactics to hold back their enemies until an opening was forced. The Romans won battles due to their discipline and not because of individual skills or exploits.

So what does a "modernized version" even mean? You planning on attacking a Gaulic warband somewhere?

I suggest you take Esav's advice above.
 
CWL said:
The Gladius Iberius was a thrusting sword (that means it was designed to stab). It wasn't a chopping sword at all. It wasn't used in "sword fights" since the Roman Legionary used his shield to protect himself against enemy attacks. It wasn't cool or glorious, but methodical. Those trained in Gladius combat used their swords to come in low and thrust into the stomachs and inside legs of their enemies, and rarely into armpits or throats of foes. This use was only effective in large units employing shield-wall tactics to hold back their enemies until an opening was forced. The Romans won battles due to their discipline and not because of individual skills or exploits.
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This is true, but the wasp-waisted Mainz gladius with it's recurve is still quite the chopper
 
Yes, but secondary and not intended design use.

The probable main use of Gladius swords by Roman Legionary was to sharpen stakes for their nightly fortified camps.
 
BePrepared said:
I don't plan to start carrying a sword even if it's legal... i carry a Glock 22 plus 2 spare mags... if i can't kill it with 51 rounds of .40 TAP ammo, i seriously doubt a sword is gonna help.
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What's "it"? Your mindset appears to be all about killing things. What would you need two spare mags for? :confused:
 
If i knew how many rounds I was going to need when i left the house this morning, i'd be carrying exactly that many, but since I rarely get written notice of an impending life and death situation, i choose to BePrepared for whatever might happen. There are days when i don't use my pocket knife, but you'll never EVER see me in public without it...

the same principle applies to my firearm. I don't expect i'll ever even need ONE round, but since my holster holds 2 spare mags, that's how many I carry. I can say for damned certain that if i was carrying ONE mag, and needed 18 rounds, i'd be SOL... so I plan for the worst, and hope for the best.
 
CWL said:
What does this even mean? You have no clue what you are talking about.

Skip the gladiator movies education and learn the history and reason why the Gladius was an efficient tool of Empire.

The Gladius Iberius was a thrusting sword (that means it was designed to stab). It wasn't a chopping sword at all. It wasn't used in "sword fights" since the Roman Legionary used his shield to protect himself against enemy attacks. It wasn't cool or glorious, but methodical. Those trained in Gladius combat used their swords to come in low and thrust into the stomachs and inside legs of their enemies, and rarely into armpits or throats of foes. This use was only effective in large units employing shield-wall tactics to hold back their enemies until an opening was forced. The Romans won battles due to their discipline and not because of individual skills or exploits.

So what does a "modernized version" even mean? You planning on attacking a Gaulic warband somewhere?

I suggest you take Esav's advice above.
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Now you're just being silly. Busse makes a kukri that does everything a kukri should do, and doesn't use ANY of the materials of a traditional kukri, they do the same with a gladius. These are PURE FUNCTIONALITY weapons... they do not take into account tradition, they only concern themselves with maximum efficiency

I'm not a gladiator, and i'm not interested in how a gladius was used over 1500 years ago, but i do care how that particular blade shape might offer unique utility in my own life.

so again, i don't give a flip for historical accuracy. I care about function
 
I honestly think that the Busse calling itself a gladius is a bit of a lark. It's a short double-edged sword, yes, but I don't really think it bears much resemblance to a gladius beyond that.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I honestly think that the Busse calling itself a gladius is a bit of a lark. It's a short double-edged sword, yes, but I don't really think it bears much resemblance to a gladius beyond that.
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I agree. The gladius's hallmark is being wide
 
Have you considered a Smachet? I am actually really suprised Cold Steel hasn't copied that yet.

I mean it isn't a gladius, but it would be a ton more handy than a Gladius, plus you get slashing, smashing, and chopping to go with stabbing!!
 
BePrepared said:
I am seriously considering the Windlass Qama... does anyone have one? I'd like to hear impressions of it as an actual combat weapon.

here's a picture of the Qama


img0003rk.jpg
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I don't own any swords but for $50 that thing is a little tempting. Like others have said, I wouldn't mind having swords as decorations but they would have to be "real swords".

An interesting listen - small puncture wounds did the job:

http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/episodes/2011/10/13/the-ghosts-of-cannae-2/
 
At this point I would seriously recommend modifying a lawnmower blade to fit your "needs". Grind a point, sharpen both edges, and fit a handle. The Busse custom Gladius may go for around $2000, but I've seen the powder coated ones go for as low as $700 here on the forums and on other forums. Save some dough and get what you want. Start a WTB thread and you'll get offers.

If you don't absolutely need a Gladius then you can always opt for a Scrapyard Scrapizashi or a Swamp Rat Waki or Rucki. Why does it need to be a Gladius anyway?
 
lol... i was wondering if that question would come up

I want a gladius, because i don't HAVE a gladius. I have katanas, i have a 5160 Wakizashi, i have a couple of really good 12-14" choppers, i have tomahawks... but no gladius

so I want one ;)
 
Gotcha. I would still recommend the CS Gladius Machete. Cheap enough that if you don't really like it then it's no big deal or you can even unload it here on the forum for about what you paid. Just a suggestion.

BePrepared said:
lol... i was wondering if that question would come up

I want a gladius, because i don't HAVE a gladius. I have katanas, i have a 5160 Wakizashi, i have a couple of really good 12-14" choppers, i have tomahawks... but no gladius

so I want one ;)
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