Is there such a thing as a modern sword?

golok

golok

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Oct 20, 2000
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Swords are always linked to history and ancient battles.

These days, sword and the making of it are still considered a relic and practice of days long gone.

This prompts me to ask: Is there such a thing as a modern sword?

If there is such a term, what do we equate this long sharpened weapon to? How do we define the modern sword in present-day circumstances?

Nobody really carries a sword anymore unless he takes part in a tournament (fencing).

Modern sword - how do you view it?
 
By modern do you mean one made of currently avialable materials or in keeping with some modern stylistic look? The basic function of a sword is to cut/pierce flesh and bone. The "old guys" seem to have had a lot of practice at making such and they got it right. A good reproduction medieval sword will do the job as intended.

As a weapon, the sword has been replaced by more efficient means. No real reason to carry a sword when a handgun/rifle/shotgun is available. Carrying a sword in most places will get you unwanted attention from the authorities. Now this isn't to say that a sword isn't an effective weapon. I suppose that in places where modern weapons are not available having a sword might make sense.

From my standpoint, I like the old designs. There are several makers of repoductions that turn out first class fully functional swords. Modern enough in my book. :D
 
You can make a modern styled sword that mearly looks modern and has the functionality of something tat has the potential to hack people up, but so do knives and machete and whatnot. There is no use for the sword in modern society and thise cultures that use them use what they have used for centuries. You see a sword is a tool that changes shape and form according to its what the user requires the tool to do. SInce there is no use for a sword the only reason for mankind them stronger and lighter and more asthetically pleaseing is because we can!! Thats just human nature. Also as discussed on other forae recently your average reproduction sword is more "perfect" then the origionals were. If you collect swords because you like them then the modern sword has a place with these collector. If you collect swords for thehistorical aspect then they have no place. If you use your swords in martial arts then they may have a place also for personal use in kata. They also have a place for the appriciation of a work of skill and art.

So they do have a place. Modern record decks are way better now then they were before records became obsolete.

ANy way just my rambling taughts on this..

C
 
In the Philippines bolos and other large blades such as barongs are still used as weapons. During the Zamboanga invasion many neighbors gathered at my uncle's house and all were armed with bolos. Terrorists with assault rifles tried to enter the house but a friend of mine with a 1911 pointed it at them and told them to leave and they did even though they wad the advantage in firepower and numbers. True, they armed themselves with bolos because they had no firearms. But it is better than nothing. Large blades are in common use in parts of Asia, South America, and Africa. In Rawanda about half a million people were killed in a matter of weeks by thugs using machetes. Large blades are common tools in many parts of the world so it is only natural that people will use them if attacked (or to attack). Therefore it is useful to know both how to use a sword and how to defend against one. Similar skills would also work with things like baseball bats. I read an article in the paper some time ago about many people buying baseball bats in countries where nobody plays baseball.:D

There have been times when traveling to places where firearms are restricted that I carried a bolo, barong, or katana for defense, but only at my destination or hotel room. I did not put one on my belt and walk around town. Usually I just carried a folder.

IMO a firearm is usually better if you have one, but a blade or stick in the hand is better than the firearm you left at home because it is illegal in the state you are visiting. If you choose a sword over a firearm just because you think it is cool, re-watch "Raiders of the Lost Ark." :D
 
well, machetes are a necessity as utilitarian tools. their cobat applications are likewise appreciated. however, a sword seems to connote a purely combative application. thus i'm a bit at a loss. one thing is clear though, a sword is definitley a desirable weapon to have close at hand (whenever that's possible).

my own receipe for a modern sword:

1. single-hand wielding
2. primarily thrusting but must also possess a keen edge for kali work (and emergency cutting jobs)
3. concealability is desirable but not required
4. easy maintenance (anti-rust, sharpening, handle repair and maintenance)
 
The khukuri. It is an sword and axe in a knife package. Tough and useful for many tasks that would destroy a sword, and lighter and more agile than an axe. It is also a hammer, prybar, hatchet, drawknnife, and jaws of life.

Czech out Himalayan Imports (also on makers and manufacturer's forum on Bladeforums) for some wonderful modern Nepali made khuks.

Oh, and they make the toughest swords on the plannet. Falcatas, katanas, and my fave, the HI Taarwar.

Keith
 
Originally posted by Jebediah
I agree that no one in his right mind should choose weapons on the basis of 'coolness', but take issue with the example given. A firearm, especially a low-powered firearm, is only better than a long blade IF you have it AND can discharge it multiple times at your opponent who is a sufficient distance away from you so as not to inflict a deadly blow. 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' was a fictional movie. No one really believes a man trained in knife or sword fighting would stand and calmly wait for death while an opponent unlimbers his pistol from a flap holster. More likely, Indiana woulod have been cleaved from head to toe into two equal portions. Anyone within 20 feet of a knife or sword-armed opponent is in very serious danger.
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The Indiana Jones example was partially a joke. Indiana did have a bullwhip, though, which could be a very nasty weapon. It all depends on your skill and the skill of your opponent, but firearms are easier to become competent with than swords. I did say that it was better to have a sword than not have a gun with you, and also said that there were time I carried a sword for protection when I couldn't carry a firearm. Also a sword can have an advantage in close quarters such as inside a house, assuming the shooter does not know CQC tactics. Even then, if you have a sword but understand CQC you might still have a chance. I do know a few people who carry swords and other martial arts weapons even though they can afford firearms and can legally carry them. Even though they are skilled, I think there is a bit of fantasy involved in this.

In some of the more unusual training I've done, we had paintball vs shinai/bokken war games. When the paintball guys had no firearms skills but the swordsmen had sword skills and good taijutsu, the swordsmen usually won. But when the guys with paintballs were trained they usually won. Of course, this was in the woods and rocky terrain so stealth and concealment played a big role too. It would be much harder in one of those indoor paintball facilities where people use their guns as bullet hoses.
 
Originally posted by hank_rearden
1. single-hand wielding
2. primarily thrusting but must also possess a keen edge for kali work (and emergency cutting jobs)
3. concealability is desirable but not required
4. easy maintenance (anti-rust, sharpening, handle repair and maintenance)
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Some barongs are small enough to fit in a daypack. I would not use stainless. My 5160 Bonifacio Bolo has been through a lot of yard work and has needed little maintenance. All I did was use a cold blueing solution on the blade and sometimes wipe it off after use. Since you want one mainly for thrusting, a Kris Cutlery Gladius or Kris might be a good idea.
 
In keeping with some earlier recommendations, I'd say you want the kinnd of kives you'd find commonly inn the Phillipines and related areas. Bonnifacio, Bolo, Espada, Golok, keris, etc. Kris cutlery makes a wide range of affordable blades in the Indonesian category.

Keith
 
How's about one of these as a "peoples" piece...
 

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The Bonifacio Bolo IMO would be the closest thing to a "people's blade." Andres Bonifacio, the leader of the KKK (Katipunan) rebellion against the Spanish, ordered the mass production of these blades since they were equally useful as a weapon and a farming tool. These or similar weapons/tools have served in filipino conflicts from ancient times to the present. I carry one behind the seat in my car. I got my two from Kris Cutlery at $35.00 each. Too bad they were discontinued. I've never killed anyone with mine:D but I have used mine as a tool and it works better than the machetes and survival knives I used with it. I don't have a picture of one but it looks much like a 15" Bowie with a slightly foreward swept blade.
 
The modern sword has dwindled into the knife/bayonet in the modern military applications. While there are still machetes, I wouldn't classify them as swords in the common sense.
In America, the sword, (while retained for officers)evolved into the military saber, Arkansas Toothpick, and large Bowie knife designs in the 1800's. From there the evolution has basically been to the knife/bayonets now commonly in use. Repeating firearm basically spelled the general end of the sword in modern warfare (at least in Western armies, of course they are still in use in some "Eastern" armies).
Interesting enough, firearm restrictions are causing some civilians to use knives and swords for self-defense in western countries, while lack of firearms/cash causes many of those in poorer countries to carry knives and machetes for self-defense. Also reinactments and just general interest have caused a general resurgence in sword making in the last 20 years or so. Hence I would say that to catergorize sword-making as a relic of days long ago is incorrect, as RECREATIONAL USE has revived swords and sword-making (note how also the same thing has occured with muzzle-loading firearms; we have far more of them today than we had 50 years ago, and more manufacturers also).
 
A"modern" sword is to a lot of people a hybrid between a machete/bolo/european hunting sword/wakizashi/dha etc. Ken Warner used to call it a "bush-sword" in the "Knives" annuals.Blade lenght 14 to 20", constructed a bit heavier than a "normal" sword, suitable for work (hacking) but also for the thrust and defence against human predators.I like them a lot, mostly the scoss between a scandinavian machete (available from Martiinni)and a wakizashi. This shape can be considered a "tool" in a lot of countries where "swords" are illegal (not posession but when found in a car, or in a backpack).

Jan
 
This prompts me to ask: Is there such a thing as a modern sword?
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I am not sure I understand what you are asking. Swords were never what Hollywood likes to make them out to be. Even in ancient times they played a secondary role to missile weapons and pole arms. In combat, it has always been better to reach out and touch someone.

They were however used by the elites to give them an advantage over the peasants. The elites were armored and they were trained while the commoners could afford neither. Over time the sword evolved into a symbol of authority, eventually becoming as much an item of formal dress, as a neck tie.

So are you asking us whether we have a modern formal badge of elitism? or a weapon?

The modern practical equivalent of a sword is the handgun. It is the short range sidearm weapon of military officers and specialist, and the tool most often employed by officials (police) to control the masses. It effectively replaced the last vestiges of the edge sidearm about 150 years ago.

We do have some short swords that continue in use. Things like the golok, machetes, and khukuries. But, these are primarily edged tools which can sometimes be pressed into service as last ditch weapons. So my short answer to your question is: No, and perhaps there never was.

n2s
 
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