Originally posted by cut finger:
get a machete from Ontario or some other company. ... also useful as tools around the yard... machetes are clearly tools and in case you had to use it, the burglar's lawyer would have a harder time portraying you as some one waiting for an opportunity to engage in some sort or sword and sorcery fantasy ... consider a baseball bat... substantial blunt trauma that can incapacitate an intruder without causing him to bleed to death like a large blade would. .
Interesting and wise advice by cut finger. You may make it through criminal court after defending yourself with a big sword if you were defending you and family in your home.
Civil court is an entirely different ballgame, where the greezy lawyers would indeed have a field day with a sword "murder" and compensatory damages that would ruin your life.
I know you asked for sword advice. Hossum's stuff looks amazing. Out of 3V? Awesome.
But I honestly believe an 18" legal barrel length shotgun with #3 (20 ga) or #4 buck (12 ga) is your best primary home defense weapon. I wouldn't argue with any ammo choice that says "buck" in front of the shot size. Mine carries a single front tritium bead. You can miss with a shotgun at close range if you don't aim. No pattern spread. Muzzle velocity of 20ga and 12ga are nearly identical. My wife handles the 20 ga much better, so be it. Sold. Splitting hairs about pellet count and caliber in 12 vs 20 is moot ... the perp won't know the difference.
2nd to a shotgun, a large caliber pistol that you know how to use, and that is totally reliable. My preference runs to 1911 styled Kimber's with night sights and 230gr Hydrashoks, and a couple "one round down" Wilson magazines. I wouldn't argue about 185 gr CorBons either.
3rd: the second 1911.
4th: big blade. Several in various spots around the house, but only if I can't get to shotgun and 1911's (plural).
The machete can be something more defense oriented than say the big bellied machete's we are used to seeing, like my Ontario D-Guard by Blackie Collins (which at 18" is a bit much for my ceilings in this house), and yet still totally utilitarian. I.e., it can have a pointy point and still be a normal working machete.
Check out these ATS-34 machete's by Ross Aki. One has a rather pointy tip version (clip point machete), the other is of thicker stock called Parang. Either in a 12" to 14" could be useable indoors, and 99.99% more likely, outdoors in the yard or woods as well. And far more defensible in civil court. Ross will make them to your desired length:
www.macheteman.com
Automobile AND house: the big Mag Light flashlights are the most legal of clubs/batons I can think of, and totally defensible. And short, easily swung and controlled. I ended up at the 5 cell in "C" cell size as the most deployable for me (the 6 cell in "D" is pretty heavy and slow). No sense in risking an illegal police baton or other martial weapon of questionable intent (lawyers again).
And if you win the lottery, Scott Slobodian for swords. Art work meets total functionality.
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 06-23-2000).]
[This message has been edited by rdangerer (edited 06-23-2000).]