Home defense?

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The Magician

The Magician

Illusionist
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I touched on this topic with Robert Marotz in chat, but did not get to discuss it. In a situation where A gun is not an option would a sword be a good weapon for home defense? If so any input as to size or style would be great. Thanks.

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Have you noticed that time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas ?
 
If you hung around longer to hear me continue my sentence on that topic...

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.
 
but why!!!???

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Have you noticed that time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas ?
 
Because a gun will be more effective and easier to use. AND because if you slice up a home intruder, you are likely to face some Serious criminal charges.

Even if you shoot an intruder you may be in trouble. The law usually only allows you to use a weapon if you are in immediate danger of bodily harm or death. Simple breaking and entering does not qualify.

Get yourself a pump loading shotgun. There are very few thieves who will want to have a confrontation with you after hearing the pump chamber a shell.

Paracelsus
 
My reasons behind it are different than those Para stated...

A knife would be better for home defense than a sword. A baseball bat would be a nice cheap choice too.

It is disrespectful and impractical to seek a sword for home defense. Even with guns out of the picture, I simply do not condone the use of swords in this way. And I mean no offense but you also probably do not know how to use a sword properly in the first place. I've made posts before about this kind of thing.

Shinryû.
 
Robert,
You are correct. I don't know anything about using a sword as a weapon. Thanks para for the good advice. I will not buy a sword for defense.

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Have you noticed that time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas ?
 
On the other hand, with a sword you no longer need to worry about overpenetration/harming innocent bystanders, so you are reducing liability at least in that category.

Also with that whole bit about firearms vs. cutlery within 7 yards I think this discussion could go either way.

Personally, I'd go with a .38 and a khukuri, but then I live in a reasonably safe neighborhood.

-Dave
 
I would think a sword could prove hard to manuever inside your home. A knife seems a more practical solution.
 
You really need to consider two things.

First, what do the laws relating to home defence in your state allow? They may not specifically mention knives of swords, but you should consider that whatever is illegal to do with a gun is also illegal with a knife or sword. Some states are more relaxed about home defence than others, but some have very strict guidelines about what is legal and what is not.

Second, stop and think about how competant you are with a sword or knife in a fight, and how much space you have inside your home.
A longsword may look cool hanging on the wall, but if you're trying to use it in a narrow hallway it may hinder you more than help you (get a nice halberd instead *grin*).

Personally, I'd rather not try to threaten an intruder with a knife or sword and have him pull out a handgun at me. A shotgun may be the best choice. That's if defending your home with deadly force is legal where you live.
 
I have thought about this myself, and I think a sword is a poor home defense choice as well. As Gareth mentioned, a narrow hallway makes it hard to use a sword (Claymores are out!
wink.gif
) anyways, and throw in the "groggy" factor. For me, I know my dog will probably be running out to investigate whatever I am investigating and I really don't want to have her trip me and slice her or myself (of course, this is a risk with a firearm as well).

I think a shotgun is the best choice: doesn't over penetrate, can be non-lethal, is a relatively accepted home defence weapon (unlike a sword, whip, thumb-screws, board with a nail through it, etc.), and can be pointed effectively rather than aimed.

YMMV, of course...

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
Thanks for all the great advice guys. I think some of you missed the part about guns are not an option

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Have you noticed that time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas ?
 
Believe it or not, guys, in this modern world, even if you're not a badguy, using a firearm for self defence may well be an impossibility, or at least impracticality. Depending on where you live, you might not even be allowed to own one.

And yes, depending on the style of swordplay you study, the layout of your home, and the sword you choose, a sword may very well prove to be as effective a means of home defence as you have available to you. After all, they were used in this facility back when swords were the common weapons of the day.

Swords are sort of like muskets, in that respect. They are both obsolete, but were once powerful military weapons. They can both still do everything they ever could. And a sword will do anything a baseball bat will, and then some.

I think the idea that swords are useless is mostly political. I understand the sentiment, but we're being disarmed anyway. They're not going to forget swords, knives, basball bats, boards with nails in them, etc, so it doesn't really matter, honestly.

Getting politicaly active would be much more effective than pretending that swords can't hurt anyone. The firearm enthusiasts are discovering how futile it is to point out that inamminate objects have no will of their own, can't magicaly influence inoccents into commiting acts of violence, and really can't be blamed for the actions of evil men.

Of course, it's none of my business. I just find irony in that there's an entire industry that markets shortblades as weapons for self defence, that these forums are rampant with posts about fighting and defending oneself with edged weapons, but here they are impotent.

Oh yes, and I do know how to wield a sword.

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http://schoolofarms.tripod.com
 
It seems short sword may be a good option if one knows how to use it, I do not. Feel free to continue this thread at will. I am going to start a new thread in the tactical forum to find a better choice for myself. Thank you all for your advice. Brian

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Have you noticed that time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas ?
 
C.D.

Regarding shotguns . . . you still gotta aim that puppy!

(I know you know that, but some newbies to the tactical life might not)

Frank
 
Robert's objections are noteworthy, but...
(didn't you know I was gonna say that?)
When I was stationed in Spain, obviously keeping a firearm in the home as a US Citizen living abroad, was not an option.
Our area was experiencing a massive seasonal influx of Gitano, (gypsies) and hot prowls (breakin while home owner is present) were the order of the day. Often, these hot prowls resulted in knife wounds to the resident, and so with this in mind, I bought a slightly better than junk Spanish made "Katana." With a great deal of effort, I managed to get a workable edge on it, and kept it as a home defense weapon. I will admit that I do NOT feel confident to go one on one against a Master of Kendo, but I do feel competent to face a man or three who are armed with knives.


One night, hearing a noise in the living room, I grabbed the sword and went to investigate. I entered the living room and there was a small statured Gitano male trying to force his way through the anti-burglery bars. (window was open, due to summer heat and lack of A/C) I could see that his accomplices were not within view of the large picture window, and stepped close enough to ensure that he could see the blade he was about to face if he should make his way through the window.
He withdrew wordlessly and went about his way.
The next day, I noticed an odd symbol carved into my front door, and when I asked a friend of mine who was a retired Guardia Civil Sgt. Major about it, he told me that my home had been marked as one to avoid.

So I'll respectfully submit that respect for the sword is a distant second to the safety of my family and myself, and practicality is largely dependent on the situation.

Do I keep that sword (or any sword) as a self defense tool now? HECK NO! Because I once again live in the "Land of the (temporarily) free" I've got a whole load of really great guns that fill that purpose quite nicely.

biggrin.gif

YMMV

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Tráceme no sin la razón, envoltura mi no sin honor
Usual Suspect
MOLON LABE!
 
Well I agree with everyone here who says that a sword isn't really a good option for home defense for practical reasons. The bone I have to pick is with Robert.
smile.gif
Could you clarify that "disrespectful" remark?
 
In Canada, a sword would be a great home defence weapon. Easy to get and not as taboo to use as firearms.

Which sword? A short one. A little Filipino training will go a long way and picking up a nice kris styled blade would do the job.

Swords are better than bats. You need room to swing a bat. Less room is needed to swing a sword. Our knives bite us with a little movement, and a sword shouldn't need much room either to reach out and bite someone. Also, thrusts with a bat don't hurt that much!

It doesn't take that much training to gain enough confidence and competence with a short sword to make it a good home defence weapon. Even more trining would obviously be best.

I doubt that the groggy factor would apply much. Adrenaline does wonders at 3 AM with home invaders lurking about!

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"Come What May..."
 
Actualy, thrusts are great for indoor use. Better than cuts under many circumstances. You can thrust effectively with a suprisingly long blade, even in a narrow hallway, where there isn't always room to swing a sword for a cut.

The most practical cuts are generaly those that are more vertical than horizontal, since you've usualy got more overhead clearance than side-to-side, and even if you don't, it's cheaper to patch your popcorn ceiling than replace your Ming vase...

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http://schoolofarms.tripod.com
 
I recall reading some months ago about a "hot prowl" in the UK. The old guy grabbed a Naval blade off the wall and routed the punks. He was mad and was looking to kill anyone who invaded his home.
The article didn't mention whether it was a Naval sabre or cutlass, real cuttin' iron or a dress-pretty.

Remember, me boy-o's, a cutlass was developed for close contact hackin' and slashin'. Did somebody just mention a knukle-guard short machete? -Brian
 
Actually, I wasn't entirely joking about getting a halberd. They're a type of axe on a 6 foot pole. They usually have a long spear type point for for thrusting/stabbing, plus you can hook the head around behind someone's leg to pull them off their feet. The length also gives you a chance to control the distance and keep them well away from you. You can also turn it around and jab with the blunt and of the pole shaft. The width of the head also means that in a confined space like a passageway you can more easily prevent someone trying to get past the head and get close to you.

Here's a link to an example of what I'm talking about.

www.lutel.cz/obrazky/20021.jpg
 
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