Professional Warrior Would Like Insight/feedback

G

Gypsy Cossack

Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
2
Hello to all

I'm a Canadian military service veteran currently pulling a cheque as a private security contractor. My sword experience is mostly with reproduced, (production level of quality) European medieval broadswords. Both hand and a half and single hand. My Cossack warrior ancestors were married to the medium cavalry-style swords known as the shashqua and similar to the shamshir. I'm a foot soldier, strictly hand to hand, up front and personal. So the cavalry blade does not meet my required applications on several points.

Hence my desire for a new direction in a personal field sword that will expand my sword fighting skills repetoire. And that is why I am posting here today and hoping to "pick the brains" of anyone who has some input on Cold Steel's O KATANA in particular and their "Warrior Series" in general. I want to spend under $1,000.00can. for something that I may very well lose/abandon in the field. Yeah I know this is a brute when it comes to traditional-style katanas. The weight is extreme, it is a production forged blade, and most people are put off by Lynn Thompson's personal demeanor/marketing style. I'll buy a sword from the Devil if it meets my tactical/cutting requirements. Nuff said.

Feedback?????????
Gypsy Cossack
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

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Gypsy Cossack said:
Hello to all

I'm a Canadian military service veteran currently pulling a cheque as a private security contractor. My sword experience is mostly with reproduced, (production level of quality) European medieval broadswords. Both hand and a half and single hand. My Cossack warrior ancestors were married to the medium cavalry-style swords known as the shashqua and similar to the shamshir. I'm a foot soldier, strictly hand to hand, up front and personal. So the cavalry blade does not meet my required applications on several points.

Hence my desire for a new direction in a personal field sword that will expand my sword fighting skills repetoire. And that is why I am posting here today and hoping to "pick the brains" of anyone who has some input on Cold Steel's O KATANA in particular and their "Warrior Series" in general. I want to spend under $1,000.00can. for something that I may very well lose/abandon in the field. Yeah I know this is a brute when it comes to traditional-style katanas. The weight is extreme, it is a production forged blade, and most people are put off by Lynn Thompson's personal demeanor/marketing style. I'll buy a sword from the Devil if it meets my tactical/cutting requirements. Nuff said.

Feedback?????????
Gypsy Cossack
Click to expand...

Dude,you want a khukuri.
HI makes some of the best.
They have a Forum here
Sword power in a size you can carry.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=739
 
Gypsy Cossack said:
I want to spend under $1,000.00can. for something that I may very well lose/abandon in the field.
Click to expand...

Ummm....ok, I've got to ask. What security company out there is going to let an employee pack a katana around in the "field"? I'm betting none.
 
I'm with the others on whether this would be practical, but I'll play along for now. Perhaps a kindjal would better suit your needs, and also pay homage to your ancestors.

kindjal.jpg
 
In this age of modern firearms, a long sword is anachronistic.

:thumbup: for the Khukri
:thumbup: for the kindjal
:thumbup: also consider a yataghan
 
I've owned a Windlass reproduction of a Russian Kindjal for about ten years. (curved double edged blade of about 18", brass and rosewood full-tang hilt). Some of Windlass's stuff isn't that great, but their kindjal is pretty good for the money.
 
I own a lot of CS products and find them to be a good value for the price.

The CS O-Katana is long for a "Field Sword". it is going to be a great sword for beating up (not too expensive, so you won't feel bad about using it), but I just don't see actually carting it around on a "modern battlefield". If weight/size are not an issue why not, but that sword will be longer than your rifle. kinda cumbersome.

I have read reviews on the CS Katanas, and the reviewer was surprised how durable they were for a mono-tempered sword.
It would make a good beater/cutter for play/cutting training.
Now, as a zombie killer, I think the CS O-Katana might be a great option. (that said, I think there are some other good options in this price range from other makers that might be lighter but just as strong).

I also think that a modern Kukri would make a great field/battle knife (if you are not limited on length that you can carry)
take a peak at http://www.dervishknives.com/ (there are some great knifes/swords there, including some Wak's that you might be able to lug around. maybe even strap to a pack and call a "machete" if some one questioned carrying a blade that big in battle. some one above already mentioned the Yataghan which is a nasty looking modern kukri/falcata sp? design from Dervisknives
 
I just got a yataghan from Dervish and it is awesome. It's a modern interpretation of the Greek kopis. Very sweet short sword.:thumbup:
 
To all replies;

Thanks for your comments/insight. Will research kindjal,yataghan. Torm, I'm an independent and therefore pack/arm as I please and am offered quite a variety of assignments requiring quite a variety of tools. I don't sub-contract out to large corporate entities due to my political/moral convictions. Nuff said. (Will check back in a week or so.)
Gypsy Cossack
 
Gypsy Cossack said:
...I don't sub-contract out to large corporate entities due to my political/moral convictions...
Click to expand...
Yeah? I'd say it was because you're a massive liability, if any of this is true.

You may find work in private employment, especially for personnel protection, but as contract security help, I would advise my clientele to stay clear of anyone who elects to carry a sword as a viable security weapon.
 
Grappler1911 said:
I'd like a Kindjal myself.
Where can you get a good one?
Click to expand...
It really depends on what kind of kindjal you want and how much you are prepared to spend. You can buy a decent kindjal on eBay - but watch for modern stainless steel replicas. There are two or three decent dealers from Georgia (that is Caucasus, not GA) - and I bought some of my kindjals from these guys. Some of these daggers (or I would rather call them short swords) have old, authentic blade recently re-mounted and often a new scabbard, but it is possible to easily figure it out, and some 100% authentic. Also, the curved kindjal mentioned in another post is a so-called bejbut - it is curved and double-edged, this is not an authentic Caucasian kindjal (especially the Windlass' replica) but the Russian Army standard issue artillery kindjal. I have two of them from different arsenals and they are extremely functional. Also, please keep in mind that there are two types of authentic Caucasian kindjals: one with the grip for the whole hand, and another has a grip to accommodate three fingers only - this is not a "child's version", it is also a fully-functional "adult-size" dagger. Interestingly, some of the Daghestani shashka swords also have a grip for three fingers only.
 
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