Those Bigger Blades...

Jerry Hossom

Jerry Hossom

Joined
Aug 1, 1999
Messages
3,036
Is there a non-weed whacking role for machetes and/or short swords in combat? Lots of indigenous troops use them to good effect, but do they offer a role in modern armies? I'm generally speaking of weapons in the 15-18" range. Something like this 15-incher perhaps...
 
Not everyone get's issued a suppressed crew served hand gun like the Mk23 - so their's plenty of space for enlarged matter seperators like what you've pictured above.

If asked, I'd say it was a gardening tool - perfect for limb removal... :D

Kevin
 
Kevin, Kevin, just when we were getting along so well...... :D

Gardening tool? How about a hedge trimmer?
 
Jerry,

That sword gives me a hard-on every time I see it. Should I consult a psychiatrist? :)

As far as combat goes, I can't offer a valid opinion since I've never served, but I'd logically think a 15" blade might be pushing the envelope for a chopper to be carried constantly.

How big are the average Khukris carried by Gurkhas?
 
That "knife" weighs about 16 oz., so it's not a heavy load. Lots of smaller tools weigh more.

Frankly my curiosity centers on the idea that a large slashing weapon requires less precision and skill than a knife. This blade will easily remove "limbs", even the one on top. If it misses the intended target, it will still do considerable, probably terminal damage to the "trunk". Eventually it will nearly always prune a tree or other object to the desired size. :)
 
Mr. Hossom,
I wish I'd met you back in the day, that is a beautiful knife and I'd have happily lugged it over hill and dale forever!
 
Jerry, my biggest concern with a blade that large, especially as Close Quarters with other friendly people around is overtravel and maybe taking a chunk out of Mrs. Parker or my dog or my troop, etc.

I am at largest comfortable with a 10 inch blade, MDK Panther, weight about the same with the same mission profile.

Regardless of skil level there is always the neat effect of the big knife on the human eye and the guy receiving a view of that blade from the pointy end, and perhaps less skil is overcome by the bigger blade, but control is a factor too with the bigger blade. I do know a boxer with a seriously bent personality whose only preferred blade is a machete "so he can just go nuts with it."

Still all in all that is a seriously impressive knife/ sword/ pruning tool.

Tom, a khukri is a heavy tool with lots of momentum involved, good for whacking thru things but the recovery is very difficult without a lot of practice. Good tool/ weapon combo if it works for you tho.

Parker
 
Originally posted by truck
That knife only weighs 1 pound? Incredible!
Click to expand...

truck,

All of Jerry's steel is lightning fast with amazing balance. You have to get one in your hands to truly understand.
 
Jerry,

Like the short sword/bushwhacker.
Don't really envision much of a role for it
in the modern army tho, for the reasons listed
below:
1. The difficulty in carrying it along with every-
thing else. Soldiers apparently carry 80 lb.
packs (100 lb. recently in Afghanistan). You would
still need to carry bayonet or shorter belt knife.
2. Odds are overwhelming that you'll never need it.
3. If you do really need it, something has already
gone horribly wrong and it probably won't keep you
alive more than a few minutes at most. It is doubtful
that the enemy will engage you in H2H if they have
a gun that shoots.
4. Difficulty in moving with it. It would require a
special harness/scabbard system to keep it from clanking
or snagging as you walk with it. And running?

It does seem to me that perhaps a larger/longer bayonet
/knife than what is currently issued to our trooops would
be in order. Perhaps something in the 9-11" range.
Not sure at what point blade length becomes a movement
hindrance.

For special situations, like hacking thru jungle, it would
seem to me a better choice than regular machete, and
perhaps that should be its role.
 
A true craftsman can make 'em light, long, and therefore fast in the hand and easier to carry.

Dat looks like a nice whacker, brother-man.

Triple canopy jungle requires cut down machete. 14" blade max. Has to be thin and light. Quarters too close and the work in tropical heat is a killer for any length of time.

WEEZ allknow the larger the blade the better the cleaving, in general. However, one has to train the skills and then train the weapon. Hence whacka, whacka, whacka.

With all the stuff one lugs into combat these days, to include necessary light body armor, having the necessary mounting / movement space (one does move and equipment does need to move, too) on the harness is precious concern. I'd rather have two more M26 baseball grenades than an extra few inches of steel this way and that. 9" is about max for comfort and realistic tote consideration, and that's pushing it, in my opinion.

Whacka Whacka Whacka
:D
 
Back in 1993-94, In Rwanda (Africa) a civil war occurred between two local ethnic groups:the tutsies and the hutus. That war resulted in numberous mass slaughters in which children, women and oldies were killed, principally by people using machetes. These were not high quality machetes like the one pictured above, but hand made ones, that were really basic but sharp edged.
The machete is a terrible weapon: I saw wounds to the head that were really deep but didn't kill avery time, limbs half cut and deep slashes to the legs. Many people died but many others survived and were handicapped for the rest of their life.
So, can we say that the machete is suitable as a CQC weapon? I'd say yes and no, it all depends what kind of weapon your opponent is using, whether he has one of course
:D
 
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