Every Normal Man...

[Tabasco]

At times must be tempted to spit on his hands, raise the black flag, and start slitting throats. H.L. Menken

With this in mind and a little wine in me, I bought one of these:

http://www.coldsteel.com/1917-cutlass.html

Great reviews and good price at Midway USA ($160.00, free shipping). How cool, I've always wanted a "real" sword. Why, well see above. It arrives at the end of the month. Aarrggh... shiver me timbers! Hopefully it's as cool as it looks. Need a flintlock too, but that's for later...

[FPS]

Carry blade? ;)

[SeriousStudent]

I do enjoy a nice sword. Mine was a bit more expensive, and the delivery time took quite a while longer than initially promised.

http://www.marlowwhite.com/swords/marine-nco

[Tabasco]

Carry blade? ;)

Backup carry blade.:cool:

Apparently, the 1917 Cutlass was still in Navy inventory until 1949. Wonder what happened to all of them after that? Civilian Swordsmanship Program? Smelter? :(

[Vinnie Bagadonuts]

You're gonna have printing issues.

[voodoo_man]

In the spirit of this thread I may buy one of those sweet Viking axes and carry that around...

[1slow]

If you like Viking axes look up Elmer Roush. He is a Vietnam veteran who forges Viking axes and other Items. Great guy, forges beautiful axes etc....

He also teaches a class on forging Viking axes, spears etc.... It is a very good class, I enjoyed it a lot.

[hufnagel]

I smell the theme of another get together. :D

[voodoo_man]

If you like Viking axes look up Elmer Roush. He is a Vietnam veteran who forges Viking axes and other Items. Great guy, forges beautiful axes etc....

He also teaches a class on forging Viking axes, spears etc.... It is a very good class, I enjoyed it a lot.

My wallet thanks you.

[hufnagel]

At the beep:
draw
engage 1st target, 2 to the body, 2 to the head
holster
run to 1st table and grab cutlass
engage 2nd target, crossing slashes at midsection
run to second table, drop cutlass and grab ax
engage 3rd target, drive ax into head of dummy
draw pistol and strong hand only shoot 2-head/2-body 4th target
4 points down if no guttural roar at end of stage

[Dropkick]

At the beep:
draw
engage 1st target, 2 to the body, 2 to the head
holster
run to 1st table and grab cutlass
engage 2nd target, crossing slashes at midsection

Funny you should mention, there was actually a KSTG stage a long time ago that involved a foam Cutlass.

[hufnagel]

foam? how will you know if you scored hits?
I'd think a Failure to Disembowel should be worth a -6 at least.

[Malamute]

Interesting that this came up, Ive had an odd jonesing for a medieval dagger. The Cold steel arming dagger is a nice shape, I think I could dismantle it and polish all the steel parts.

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=CS88ARDM&name=Cold+Steel+%2D+Man+At+Arms+Collection+%2D+Arm ing+Dagger

In looking at them I saw another makers piece I like, they are made in Canadia. In general reviews and info about blade steel and construction method, the Darksword Armory stuff seems well made for the price point, and made in North America.

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DSA1801BKS&name=Darksword+Medieval+Knight+Dagger+%2D+Black




http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/sword-steels.html

[Grey]

Cold Steel always has the best "testing" videos. Never know when you need to hack up that pig carcass at your backyard pit!

[Hambo]

I've got an antique 1860 US Navy cutlass, and it's pretty fucking cool.

http://www.thepirateslair.com/9-m1860-naval-cutlass.html

This is a link to 1869 and 1906 Navy manuals. The attacks are to stab, not slash.

http://www.navyandmarine.org/cutlassmanual/index.html

[Wondering Beard]

1582415823

[Dropkick]

foam? how will you know if you scored hits?
I'd think a Failure to Disembowel should be worth a -6 at least.

Target was IDPA cardboard with a circle cut of of the middle. From hold the saber, at the beep stab the hole, discard the saber, draw pistol, engage all other targets.

If I remember correctly, it was around July 4th and the match theme was related to the Revolutionary War.

[Slalom.45]

You know, intellectually I should have realized how nasty a weapon a cutlass could be, but until watching that demo video I never really thought about it. I would hate to see someone coming after me with that thing... Of course now I want one!

[SamAdams]

For 'serious ' business maybe this video provides food for thought :) (I know zero about swords so don't know how knowledgeable this guy is or not. I'm 'Murican, dang it, and I prefer tomahawks !)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03LmsM_XEkQ

[Joe in PNG]

There's a part of me that wants a genuine Wootz steel talwar- kind of as a reaction to all the weeaboo nonsense about the supposed metallurgical superiority of katanas (shut up, Chad!).

[peterb]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL0RYY8t0gEFH6hbkw4wZ1gzAWc7mtVlSe&params=OAFIAVgO&v=VrE7Y1JmwXM&mode=NORMAL

Start at 3:15

I saw this many years ago, and it made an impression....

[Drang]

At times must be tempted to spit on his hands, raise the black flag, and start slitting throats. H.L. Menken

With this in mind and a little wine in me, I bought one of these:

http://www.coldsteel.com/1917-cutlass.html

Great reviews and good price at Midway USA ($160.00, free shipping). How cool, I've always wanted a "real" sword. Why, well see above. It arrives at the end of the month. Aarrggh... shiver me timbers! Hopefully it's as cool as it looks. Need a flintlock too, but that's for later...
I've held off due to fears about the steel involved, so I look forward to your review.

EDIT: Following SeriousStudent's link, I don't know what surprises me more, that there is an Army NCO sword (http://www.marlowwhite.com/swords/army-nco)--you'd think I would have heard about it in 20+years--or that there are Air Force swords (http://www.marlowwhite.com/swords/air-force?___SID=U).

(I note that the Navy and Coast Guard CPO swords are cutlasses.)

[blues]

I've held off due to fears about the steel involved, so I look forward to your review.

1055 is often used for larger pieces since it is less apt to break / chip compared to say, 1095.

I used to know a maker of Japanese knives and swords who used it on his pieces and they were intended for more than just display.

[SamAdams]

Every Normal Man At times must be tempted to spit on his hands, raise the black flag, and start slitting throats. H.L. Mencken ...

I just gotta give a thumbs up for any post with an H.L. Mencken quote

[SecondsCount]

1-Sword 3-Gun?

[Tabasco]

1055 is often used for larger pieces since it is less apt to break / chip compared to say, 1095.

I used to know a maker of Japanese knives and swords who used it on his pieces and they were intended for more than just display.

I won't be hacking up any pig carcasses or ribs. If I have any of those hanging around they will be on the Weber. I'll find something though...

[Maple Syrup Actual]

I'm 'Murican, dang it, and I prefer tomahawks !

Even as a rather flamboyantly non-American, I also have a weakness for tomahawks. I can't quite get into the pricing structure on the big-name tactical tomahawks, though.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[SamAdams]

Even as a rather flamboyantly non-American, I also have a weakness for tomahawks. I can't quite get into the pricing structure on the big-name tactical tomahawks, though.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Well you crazy Canuks have a pretty solid history with the tomahawk too ! :)

I actually use mine mainly as a light axe during warm weather months when I don't want & need to carry a larger/heavier axe. The tomahawk helps feed my light portable wood stove & the head can be used for some knife tasks. Though I usually carry a moderate length sheath knife. With small folding saw, I'm pretty well set for what I like do. I don't buy 'tactical hawks'. Just all-rounders that work as tools. They are based on designs from the 1600s-1800s that were used as weapons when needed, so I guess they're 'tactical' in that sense.

[Maple Syrup Actual]

Well you crazy Canuks have a pretty solid history with the tomahawk too ! :)

I actually use mine mainly as a light axe during warm weather months when I don't want & need to carry a larger/heavier axe. The tomahawk helps feed my light portable wood stove & the head can be used for some knife tasks. Though I usually carry a moderate length sheath knife. With small folding saw, I'm pretty well set for what I like do. I don't buy 'tactical hawks'. Just all-rounders that work as tools. They are based on designs from the 1600s-1800s that were used as weapons when needed, so I guess they're 'tactical' in that sense.
Well, anything axe-like is useful in about three quarters of the terrain here which is very foresty, the remainder being a combination of canola fields and actual arctic tundra, where the only useful tool is a bush plane so you can gtfo.

My main user is actually a small axe:


https://www.amazon.com/Wetterling-Axe-20H-Wetterlings-Axes/dp/B00025ZC0G

Tuned up a bit and sharpened to razor or chisel standards, it does everything. I actually took down a bunch of foot-thick hardwoods with it last weekend because it was the sharpest axe on hand, even though it was smaller than what you'd usually want for the job. But it bites and throws chips beautifully and it's not overly tiring to swing when you're working on steep ground at weird angles.

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[SamAdams]

Well, anything axe-like is useful in about three quarters of the terrain here which is very foresty, the remainder being a combination of canola fields and actual arctic tundra, where the only useful tool is a bush plane so you can gtfo.

My main user is actually a small axe:


https://www.amazon.com/Wetterling-Axe-20H-Wetterlings-Axes/dp/B00025ZC0G

Tuned up a bit and sharpened to razor or chisel standards, it does everything. I actually took down a bunch of foot-thick hardwoods with it last weekend because it was the sharpest axe on hand, even though it was smaller than what you'd usually want for the job. But it bites and throws chips beautifully and it's not overly tiring to swing when you're working on steep ground at weird angles.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

Yep, I have that Wetterlings Lg Hunters axe, and also the GB version. I prefer the Wetterlings. They're both nice axes.
That's most likely what I'll carry during fall & winter when more wood may be needed.
I like to back pack in to remote country. I bowhunt and fish. I try (not always successfully) to lighten up the carry load as
much as possible.

[Drang]

Even as a rather flamboyantly non-American, I also have a weakness for tomahawks. I can't quite get into the pricing structure on the big-name tactical tomahawks, though.
The Cold Steel Rifleman's 'Hawk is a handy home improvement tool. (https://thecluemeter.blogspot.com/2009/05/he-must-be-skinner.html)
15882

[Sherman A. House DDS]

My Son and I take weekend day drives to Smoky Mountain Knifeworks in Sevierville TN (off the freeway next to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg). If you haven't been there, check it out. I rarely walk out of there for less than a grand...

We bought a couple of spears (Cold Steel). The, "Boar Spear," and the, "Short Assegai." Both will be used to harvest Russian Boar here, shortly. However, I'm sure that either would perform admirably in terms of antipersonnel roles, if needs dictated. They'd also work great on zombie from a long way away...at least outside their, "reach." The swath that these spears cut, just by function of their width, and weight, is pretty amazing. From a surgical perspective, it would be challenging to repair the damage from these, if it were even circumstantially feasible.


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[Totem Polar]

We bought a couple of spears (Cold Steel). The, "Boar Spear," and the, "Short Assegai." Both will be used to harvest Russian Boar here, shortly. However, I'm sure that either would perform admirably in terms of antipersonnel roles, if needs dictated. They'd also work great on zombie from a long way away...at least outside their, "reach." The swath that these spears cut, just by function of their width, and weight, is pretty amazing. From a surgical perspective, it would be challenging to repair the damage from these, if it were even circumstantially feasible.


God made the Nguni people, but Shaka made them equal. :cool:


Do you know the story about the African name for the shorter spear? It's an onomatopoeia for the sound heard when you pull them back out of an opponent's wound...

[Sherman A. House DDS]

God made the Nguni people, but Shaka made them equal. :cool:


Do you know the story about the African name for the shorter spear? It's an onomatopoeia for the sound heard when you pull them back out of an opponent's wound...

Yeah, I don't see someone limping off after taking one of these to the chest or to mission control.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Duelist]

I've held off due to fears about the steel involved, so I look forward to your review.

EDIT: Following SeriousStudent's link, I don't know what surprises me more, that there is an Army NCO sword (http://www.marlowwhite.com/swords/army-nco)--you'd think I would have heard about it in 20+years--or that there are Air Force swords (http://www.marlowwhite.com/swords/air-force?___SID=U).

The only time I ever did anything with an NCO saber was for weddings. One time, I had the honor of being the designated NCO to swat the bride's behind with the flat of the sword as she passed under the arch of swords (last man in line's job).

Hadn't ever thought about buying one before. Hmm.

[blues]

I had the honor of (very lightly) cleaning up the West Point cadet sword which belonged to my friend and neighbor's grandfather who went through the USMA in the early 20's. It had been lying forgotten for decades in her late mother's attic.

It was a privilege to get to spend some time with it before returning it to them.

Image from wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Point_Cadets%27_Sword#Model_1922):

15888

[SeriousStudent]

The only time I ever did anything with an NCO saber was for weddings. One time, I had the honor of being the designated NCO to swat the bride's behind with the flat of the sword as she passed under the arch of swords (last man in line's job).

Hadn't ever thought about buying one before. Hmm.

Many moons ago, I spent a month doing funeral details at several national cemeteries in Southern California. We'd usually perform several each day.

I got to be pretty good at sword drill. It was the final gesture of respect from the Corps to a deceased Marine and their family, and I did not want to screw it up.

I still have my sword. I did show my granddaughter a few things the other day, and now she wants one of her own. I am honestly not sure how I feel about that.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Even as a rather flamboyantly non-American, I also have a weakness for tomahawks. I can't quite get into the pricing structure on the big-name tactical tomahawks, though.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk


Do they have Home Depots in Canada?

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hand-Tools-Axes-Mauls-Hatchets/Estwing/N-5yc1vZc97wZiu/Ntk-SemanticSearch/Ntt-axe?Ntx=mode+matchall&NCNI-5

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hand-Tools-Axes-Mauls-Hatchets/SOG/N-5yc1vZc97wZ8gy/Ntk-SemanticSearch/Ntt-axe?Ntx=mode+matchall&NCNI-5

I'm out of my lane, but I kinda like the Estwing 'hawks and double bit axes. "Ain't nothin' but a tool."

[Sherman A. House DDS]

Do they have Home Depots in Canada?

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hand-Tools-Axes-Mauls-Hatchets/Estwing/N-5yc1vZc97wZiu/Ntk-SemanticSearch/Ntt-axe?Ntx=mode+matchall&NCNI-5

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hand-Tools-Axes-Mauls-Hatchets/SOG/N-5yc1vZc97wZ8gy/Ntk-SemanticSearch/Ntt-axe?Ntx=mode+matchall&NCNI-5

I'm out of my lane, but I kinda like the Estwing 'hawks and double bit axes. "Ain't nothin' but a tool."

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170425/4c1c0e8eed0bb131e3908533a72044b7.jpg

I have this one...and about five other Estwings going all the way back to one I inherited from my Grandfather that must've been made in the 50's or 60's.



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[Maple Syrup Actual]

They do indeed and I have actually been eyeing those up now and then. Might have to give one a go now.

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[1slow]

God made the Nguni people, but Shaka made them equal. :cool:


Do you know the story about the African name for the shorter spear? It's an onomatopoeia for the sound heard when you pull them back out of an opponent's wound...

I have read the name is something like Ikewa .

[Drang]

God made the Nguni people, but Shaka made them equal. :cool:


Do you know the story about the African name for the shorter spear? It's an onomatopoeia for the sound heard when you pull them back out of an opponent's wound...

600314 - Zulu Iklwa Short Spear - $44.96 (http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=600314)

[Tabasco]

Got my Cutlass today, looks exactly like on the Cold Steel web site. Deep blue finish, the whole cutting edge is sharp (a little work with a steel made it scary sharp), the wooden grip is perfectly fitted, everything is tight. Tested sharpness just like I do with a chef's knife; standard weight paper start with tip and cut entire length of blade. There should be no snags or tearing. After using the steel, it passed with flying colors. Came with a flyer stating it passed the "British Proof Test" and was signed by Shiva Joshi who conducted the test. The test consists of hitting a wood block hard with the cutting edge, spine, and on either side. Then the blade is bent 5" in either direction. After this, if the blade is not still straight, it fails the test. Apparently this tests if it has been heat treated properly. So far, quite happy. Now time to have some grog and watch "Master and Commander".

[Tabasco]

Got another one, the first Cutlass I purchased was the "Improved" version that has a larger hand guard. I found the original Cold Steele 1717 Navy cutlass on Amazon for $144.00. Arrived with a much heavier coat of grease, Break Free CLP thins it out and helps remove it. Scary sharp 1055 carbon blade, a little work with an AccuSharp and steel cleans up the edge. The bluing on this one was beautiful, compatible with my 1988 S&W M-36. Easier to wear with the scabbard as the hand guard is smaller, dosen't flop around as much. This one has a brown scabbard with brass hardware, looks more 'old timey'.

[RevolverRob]

1582415823

Tell me more, because I've recently gotten a severe itch for a Zatoichi Katana...

[Wondering Beard]

I bought some 5-6 years ago at the NY-NJ annual knife show. The company was Angel something or other Blades. The guy I bought it from claimed that their steel manufacture was harder than anything else and that it had been shown on one episode of Myth Busters. I didn't really buy that shtick, I just really liked that short sword anyway.

It's sharp enough, for a sword (i.e not razor sharp), but it won't slash well as the width is only 3/4 inch at the choil, gets a gentle recurve as it keeps narrowing down to the point and the balance is really close to the hand. It's single edge with a spine somewhere between 1/4 and 1/3 inch. The whole sword is 39 inches OAL and 25 inches of sharpened edge.

It's essentially a thrusting sword that one could use with rapier like techniques rather than katana ones (I'm no swordsman so this is a guess) and it draws surprisingly fast. It's primarily a fun show piece for me.

Is there anything that I haven't covered that you would like to know?

[Malamute]

At times must be tempted to spit on his hands, raise the black flag, and start slitting throats. H.L. Menken

With this in mind and a little wine in me, I bought one of these:

http://www.coldsteel.com/1917-cutlass.html

Great reviews and good price at Midway USA ($160.00, free shipping). How cool, I've always wanted a "real" sword. Why, well see above. It arrives at the end of the month. Aarrggh... shiver me timbers! Hopefully it's as cool as it looks. Need a flintlock too, but that's for later...

Midway has these on sale for $135.99 right now. :(

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1152447976/cold-steel-1917-cutlass-sword-25-1055-carbon-steel-blade-hardwood-handle-brown

[FrankinCA]

At the beep:
draw
engage 1st target, 2 to the body, 2 to the head
holster
run to 1st table and grab cutlass
engage 2nd target, crossing slashes at midsection
run to second table, drop cutlass and grab ax
engage 3rd target, drive ax into head of dummy
draw pistol and strong hand only shoot 2-head/2-body 4th target
4 points down if no guttural roar at end of stage

That's from the ECQB (Extreme Close Quarter Boarding) Class. The instructor had a peg leg as I recall..

[Drang]

That's from the ECQB (Extreme Close Quarter Boarding) Class. The instructor had a peg leg as I recall..

Since Tom prefers we don't imbed images from elsewhere online: Sand Pebbles - Repel Boarders (http://www.imfdb.org/images/thumb/3/33/Sand1.jpg/600px-Sand1.jpg)

[Tabasco]

Just used mine to deal with the post T-Day/Halloween pumpkins we had for decoration. Worked real good. Fed the results to our chickens.

[hufnagel]

http://commentpics.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2072.jpg

[Hambo]

No he doesn’t. :)

http://www.imfdb.org/images/thumb/3/33/Sand1.jpg/600px-Sand1.jpg

Phony cutlass and a Star pistol. :(