Requesting a Long Knife/short sword/staff recommendation

I moved this here from Knife Reviews. We get the occasional wild animal story in our Great Outdoors forums. Welcome to Bladeforums -- don't let these guys spend all your money on their favorite brands! :D
 
Clearly you are after a long blade, but honestly bringing a sword into the bush is a bit out of kilter. I think the spear idea isn't practical unless you carry the knife on a spear all the time, you'd never have time to rig it up. If you carried the spear on a shaft all the time you are likely to get harassed by a game warden thinking you are hunting with it. I would suggest getting a practical long blade, one that you are comfortable using for a variety of tasks. Since you will be carrying this sucker a lot (otherwise it defeats the point of the OP), then I'd recommend a machete. A stout 12" x 1/8" thick machete will be lighter and easier to carry, faster in the hands and well up to the tasks including the useful ones like baton splitting, digging, clearing trail ect. Longer machetes are better at vegetation clearing but you won't get too much use out of that function in Canada. Good luck.
 
I agree with kgd on the long blade. I might go with something a little longer, though. I have a Cold Steel 18" Barong that would be my choice for such a scenario. Yeah, it's heavier, but still can be wielded one-handed. And it's pointy, which might come in handy. I'd also carry the Assegai, if I was really worried. Might be worth the ranger hassle, if you're really concerned. And finally, bear spray is a great choice. Against wolves, it would at least keep some out of the fight while you work on a few others. Or, you could just climb a tree and blast them from on high until they lose interest, or until someone else happens along:D
 
My first choice would be either the Cold Steel Kopis or Bowie machete, both now, unfortunately discontinued, followed by just about any other good quality machete with a spear point or barong style blade. There are plenty of good ones available for well under $50 (I know, you didn't mention a price range, but it's definitely a factor to consider, as long as lower price doesn't equal lower quality). I personally wouldn't consider anything outside a minimum 10" and a maximum 18" blade, with preference going to the shorter version just because it would be easier to carry. If you want a spear, Cold Steel makes several good ones, just pick what suits you.
 
For a short sword (and this is a bit of shameless self promotion, but I DID kind of design it for this kind of dual purpose) I'd like to put forward my prototype Oberst sword/machete hybrid.

yhst-129988217023674_2170_5899736
 
I was not pushing the Busse products over the Scrapyard or the Swamprat (just saying what I had).

They (swamprat/scrapyard) will have a better pricepoint to performance ratio for sure. Really, I feel with the Busse, you are just getting a basically stainless steel (it is not completely stainless, just almost). The sr101 might even edge out the infi on edge retetion. It is modified 51200, so is higher maintenance than infi (but no more so than any other high carbon steel, or even medium carbon steel used in most machetes).

Something as big as the boar spear is pretty heavy to lug around. But with the head and sheath on it is still below the 5lb mark (lighter than any hunting rifle I own!). And, it can double as a walking staff. Just something to think about.

The long Assagai spear is going to be much lighter.

Some good thoughts posted.

My one issue with most machetes is the lack of rigidity. For poking things. I have a magnum CS Khukri machete that is pretty thick (at 2.75 mm) and has a nice pointy tip (the longer version does). With an 18 inch blade it is pretty capable and still relatively light. Especially with edge work. Won't hold a candle to a Swamprat waki, or ruki for piercing and outright durability (but cheap enough to loose and not care about).
 
I like the version 42B is prototyping...ideal as a tool/weapon. I think a slashing weapon wouldn’t quite be as effective as a stabbing weapon. Boar, bear, wolves/dogs, cougar are all pretty tough-skinned. If you don’t get to vitals quickly, you may not survive long enough to see them bleed out.

My only other recommendation would be something that can be carried with you comfortably and often. If it’s a big blade that gets let in the pack or back at camp as you collect firewood or explore, than it’s not an effective design. Even a smaller fixed blade is more effective if the sheath system is one that is with you always.

ROCK6
 
I would be another vote for a hiking stick with spear tip, kydex cover over the tip. I would prefer to have 5' of reach that 12" of slash or poke. The idea is that the animals momentum does the impaling. Bear spray is a good edge and a solid fixed blade of 6-7 inch need not weight a ton and has many uses. Well tempered and design is could be thin as 1/8", light and razor sharp as a last resort that also does duty around camp- so it is always on you.
Good luck.
Bill
 
I could be wrong but i thought wolves traveled in packs, so whatever you carry short of a gun, other than the bear spray, will only slow them down.
You could get sprayed by a skunk, That would stop most animals from bothering you, people to for that matter.
 
darkaether
Thanks for the reply. I ended up getting a Rucki in grey and black.

parbajtor
Thanks for the reply. Interesting tip, thanks!

Orion
Thanks for the reply. The spears are good price but shipping a big item to Canada can kind of get silly, I ended up grabbing a Bowie Bushman and will try make my own. I really wish a local dealer had a Boar Spear so that I could handle it though.

Esav Benjamin
Good call, thanks for being cool about it.

kgd
Thanks for the reply you raise some good points.

white avenger
Thanks for the reply. Bear spray is definitely a must.

FortyTwoBlades
Thanks for the reply. No worries about the self promotion, that looks really cool, definitely something to consider for a future purpose.

Bigfattyt
Thanks for the reply. I ended up going with a Swamprat Rucki. Second hand market is too ridiculous. I would love to try INFI so maybe next time I see something at a more reasonable price I'll go with it.

ROCK6
Thanks for the reply. All very good points.

Imalterna
Thanks for the reply. I ended up buying the Rucki but decided to grab a Bowie Bushman as well since everyone was recommending bowies and Bushmans.

trailbum
Thanks for the reply.

EVERYONE!
Thanks for all the replies. I ended up getting a Swamprat Rucki with grey blade and black g10 scales. Also decided after to get a Bushman Bowie since they were so cheap, now just have to find a good shaft for it. There were lots of other great replies in this thread and I bookmarked a couple of them. I actually just got a raise at work yesterday so there will definitely be some new additions in the future.
 
it would be good to hear from those of us that have actually fought off a wolf attack with a knife.

.......anyone? Hello?

Dang, I guess I'd just carry that can of DEET for the black flies. :D
 
Mannlicher said:
it would be good to hear from those of us that have actually fought off a wolf attack with a knife.

.......anyone? Hello?

Dang, I guess I'd just carry that can of DEET for the black flies. :D
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I've only had a couple of encounters with wolves and they were both very skittish...one was pretty decent sized, but quite a ways off and very shy. Now, hybrid coyotes are another matter. I've run into singles and packs down here in GA and can attest to an extremely large, aggressive coyote-domestic dog mix. They're much more aggressive than other coyotes I've hunted in the PNW. I'll stick with my Glock 23 for sleeping comfort:D

ROCK6
 
The Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi would certainly work, you just need to know how to use it. It will be hefty.
 
Walkabout
Thanks for the reply. Blowguns are illegal in Canada otherwise the Crawford staff would be cool.

kfgk14
Thanks for the reply. I already ordered a Swamprat Rucki but the Tac Waki looks like a great deal, will probably get that in the future.
 
Animatronic Fireman said:
Walkabout
Thanks for the reply. Blowguns are illegal in Canada otherwise the Crawford staff would be cool.
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Hi,

I don't use the blowgun feature... I think I actually threw them away. The hidden knife might be an issue, however I only use this in the bush, and I doubt that I'll be randomly stopped by police or a park ranger and the staff disassembled.

I'm in Canada as well
 
Walkabout
Thanks for the reply. I remember looking at the staff awhile ago and seeing the blowgun feature dismissed it so when it was recommended again here I dismissed it. Looking at it again, it actually look like it would work perfect. Did you have any problems shipping it to Canada?
 
Kaizen1 said:
While I do think the Swamp Rat Rodent Waki and the Busse AK47 are great tools, they seem to be more about toughness rather than being combat focused. The OP seems to be asking for something he could use as a last ditch self defense tool and that comes down to the ability to use it quickly and with great control. The Rodent Waki and the AK47 can take probably more abuse than other blades that are a similar size and weight, but they seem to be heavier than swords or blades that are designed primarily for combat.
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I agree about their weight. The full tang of my Waki makes it tough, but very heavy in the handle. A traditional sword would be faster for fighting.
 
Animatronic Fireman said:
Walkabout
Thanks for the reply. I remember looking at the staff awhile ago and seeing the blowgun feature dismissed it so when it was recommended again here I dismissed it. Looking at it again, it actually look like it would work perfect. Did you have any problems shipping it to Canada?
Click to expand...

Hi,

I had no problems with shipping to Canada. That was about 10 yrs ago, but I don't think things have changed much. I think sometimes it's the luck of the draw when it comes to such things.
 
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