Self defense Sword

May I suggest... THE SMATCHET! Everyone knows they are the ultimate self defense sword... and practically home grown for one living in England...

9 out of 10 British home defenders with swords use a smatchet!

Saddam Hussein? Killed with a Smatchet!

The Titanic? Sunk with a Smatchet!

Tacoma Narrows Bridge? Brought down with a Smatchet!

JFK? Other shooter? Using a Smatchet!

Lindbergh baby? Stolen by a Smatchet!

Last American Idol? A Smatchet!

D.B. Cooper? Escaped with a Smatchet!

The Spartan 300? All used Smatchets!

You too should own a smatchet! (or maybe move to a country where self defense is legal)

B-A-F578S.jpg
 
the smatchet is an excellent choice. the cold steel shanghai shadow is a small smatchet of very sharp high carbon steel. it's a cut and thrust weapon but i think it excels as a very nasty chopper. it can be found online for $17.50. a bargain
 
I am not a lawyer but I do have a lot of experience of the law (from the right side I might add)
You should be extremely wary about using a sword to defend yourself, even in your own home.
There is a very strong probability that you would be prosecuted if you injured somebody even if they had broken into your home.
You might be OK if they were armed and you could demonstrate that you were in fear for your life (or that of your family)
English law does allow the use of force for self defence, providing it is “reasonable and proportionate” - you would have to be able to demonstrate this in court should you be prosecuted.
Seriously injuring someone who had broken into your house but did not threaten or injure you in any way would not be seen favourably in an English court.
If you feel the need for a weapon then I agree with the others who have contributed to this thread – get something that could be classed as a tool – preferably a blunt instrument.
By the way whatever choice you make, don’t be tempted to chase the intruder down the street with your weapon in hand – you will be prosecuted for having an offensive weapon in a public place.
 
Gotta agree with Rat on this one.
Be better damned sure of the Laws over there. Else you may end up defending the poop chute from turd burglars instead of defending the flat against rogues...

Besides, I'd be very apt to think that if you took classes to learn to use a sword specifically for defense, then bought said sword for said purpose that you be setting yourself up for a fall...

UK is a veeeeeeery different animal than the US. They don't seem to value an individual's right to life as much.
 
Siiiiigh. Triton's post about the Smatchet is unquestionably my favorite post so far of 2008.
 
"...someone who had broken into your house but did not threaten or injure you in any way would not be seen favourably in an English court."

And they'd likely take his word for it that he didn't threaten you too :barf::barf:

...Although you might want to try a smatchet.
 
If I where yuo, I would consider a large Khukri, like a 20 inch Sirupati or Kumar Kobra, I have a 18 inch Kobra and can tell you without any doubt that the are very few thing more......... effective in this planet.

Best Regards,

Alejandro.

If you are interested in places to buy:

Himalayan import s in the US
Tora in the Uk (i`m not sure if they have very large khuks)
Ghurka house

Oh, if you don`t want a Khuk, Kriscutlery is a good option, I have a few of their swords and they are a very very very good deal for the money
 
Triton said:
May I suggest... THE SMATCHET! Everyone knows they are the ultimate self defense sword... and practically home grown for one living in England...

9 out of 10 British home defenders with swords use a smatchet!

The spartan's weapon of choice? The smatchet!

Saddam Hussein? Killed with a Smatchet!

The Titanic? Sunk with a Smatchet!

Tacoma Narrows Bridge? Brought down with a Smatchet!

JFK? Other shooter? Using a Smatchet!

Lindbergh baby? Stolen by a Smatchet!

Last American Idol? A Smatchet!

D.B. Cooper? Escaped with a Smatchet!

The Spartan 300? All used Smatchets!

You too should own a smatchet! (or maybe move to a country where self defense is legal)

B-A-F578S.jpg
Click to expand...


:thumbup:

Smatchets make me smile.
 
Watchful said:
Siiiiigh. Triton's post about the Smatchet is unquestionably my favorite post so far of 2008.
Click to expand...

;) I just feel that it is my calling to preach the gospel of smatchets to all those that somehow manage to escape the confines of practac and bring their tactardness to this little corner of the world. Look for many more smatchet posts in 2008. After all it IS the ultimate self defense sword in a troubled time. I hear that smatchets work well against zombies, vampires, werewolves and Britney Spears as well....
 
Nothing works against Britney Spears. :grumpy:

For anyone contemplating a gladius for home defense, the smatchet is the perfect companion weapon.
It is a close working copy of the ancient Roman pugio.

pugioreconstr.jpg
pugio.jpg
 
OK
1st-fencing does not equal being able to use every kind of sword. There are no rules of engagement in home defense, and fencing knowledge won't do you a bit of good with anything other than a rapier which are only good for thrusting - a rapier does not have a sharpened edge only a point.

2nd-any type of saber, or katana would not be effective as they are design for hacking/sashing attacks only and are rather long which in the confines of a house probably won't work to well unless you have a huge mansion which if you have the money for that then forget the sword and higher security guards. the same goes with most things that most people use the blanket term of broad sword for (there are some "broad swords" that were designed for thrusting into the creases of plate armour like the estoc.) A cutlass might work as a true cutlass typically only has a blade length of 20" as they were designed for close quarters combat aboard ships, but a machete would do the same thing and be far far cheaper.

3rd-unless you are using a projectile weapon you are going to be involved in close quarters combat which if that's the case razor sharp is very dangerous, if for no other reason it puts you into very close proximity to the assailants blood which who knows what they may have and could pass on to you or a loved one. A duel(ish) sword used properly is a devastating bone breaker and as one of my old fight schools used to saw "no matter how duel the steel, when flesh meets steel, flesh yields."

I don't know what the UK laws are on things like pepper spray or tasers/stun guns are but that may be an option.

5th-a good blunt object like a bat, baton, cudgel, night-stick, shillelagh, what-ever you want to call it are great for defense. They can administer crushing blows, agonizing and internally damaging jabs (just ask Rodney King) have reach and if things get way to close for comfort can be used in grappling for joint locking and manipulating pressure points.

6th-if you want a projectile weapon think about a good sling shot which I know are legal in the UK. A good sling shot can do some serious damage. I've seen sling shot pellets shot through 1/4" plywood.

After all of my ramblings you still want a sword specifically for home defense one of the best modern sword makers that I know of is Angus Trim.

Don't get me wrong I encourage you to buy a sword, I own many I love them and I think they are great amazing things, just don't buy one just for home defense. And above all else use the best weapon you have your brain. And while it may take them 30min-1hr for them to get there the 1st thing you should do is call the police and if possible stay on the line with them the entire time and if a confrontation does occur just drop the phone and do what you have to do.

Cheers
-Ronan
 
Bare Rib said:
1st-fencing does not equal being able to use every kind of sword.
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No, but it can help a lot. Sport fencing can teach some bad swordsmanship habits if you aren't careful, but if you learn it from the right perspective you can get an incredible headstart towards expertise with a variety of weapons. Even if you completely ignore every single technique of fencing the skill gained in timing, judging ranges/distances, and reading your opponent are invaluable.

There are no rules of engagement in home defense...
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Many rules of engagement exist, both legally and practically.

...and fencing knowledge won't do you a bit of good with anything other than a rapier which are only good for thrusting - a rapier does not have a sharpened edge only a point.
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Wrong on all counts. First, understanding fencing strategy helps with all long weapons. Secondly, sport fencing done with a sabre does count cuts and slashes for points. Finally, historical rapiers have a great variety of edge styles. Some rapiers have no edge. Some have an unimpressive edge that is only really useful for debilitating cuts to the opponent's face and extremities. Quite a few rapiers can cut bad enough to quickly kill or disable with a single stroke without requiring any special strength or technique. Don't believe me? Consider the fact that early rapiers could be over an inch wide.


2nd-any type of saber, or katana would not be effective as they are design for hacking/slashing attacks only...
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Nope. Sabers and katanas (and tulwars and such) are extremely dangerous at thrusting and making quick cuts. Anyone who knows a couple of basic fencing principles can be quickly taught to be one mean bastard with a katana or sabre.

I don't feel like discussing "broad swords" or cutlasses tonight except to say that a good cutlass is an entirely different beast than a machete. They are similarly sized, but the difference in liveliness and usefulness as a weapon is quite significant. I covered my views on the subject of long weapons and the confines of interior space in a recent thread in the practac forum.

Most of the rest of your post I agree with. I don't know much about Angus Trim. Slingshots can have an intimidating learning curve, but very few weapons are as fun to use as them. Some slings (depending on how securely the pouch holds the stone) can also be used as impact weapons. Just leave the stone in there, hold the sling much closer to the pouch, and whack away.
 
How about a Cold Steel smallsword?

Plenty of reach, very quick and agile and very light.

But I'd suggest you join a local fencing school and learn to use it properly and effectively.
 
I bet it would be fun to grind a sharp edge onto a cold steel smallsword.

Cold steel's smallsword is an interesting piece. If you want something more authentic a better choice would be Arms&Armor's or Godwin's smallsword, but it would surprise me if either of those were as tough as Cold Steel's.
 
AfterTFD said:
I bet it would be fun to grind a sharp edge onto a cold steel smallsword.

Cold steel's smallsword is an interesting piece. If you want something more authentic a better choice would be Arms&Armor's or Godwin's smallsword, but it would surprise me if either of those were as tough as Cold Steel's.
Click to expand...

I have Cold Steel's 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre and it's tough as nails.
 
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