Short sword suggestions

J

JohnnyRockets

Joined
Nov 19, 2006
Messages
92
I'm looking to purchase a short sword that will be a display piece as well as something to grab if I'm caught offguard by a home invader. Any suggestions?
 
JohnnyRockets said:
I'm looking to purchase a short sword that will be a display piece as well as something to grab if I'm caught offguard by a home invader. Any suggestions?
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Here are some places to start

Albion...http://www.albion-swords.com/
Angus trim....http://www.angustrimdirect.com/
Arms and Armor......http://www.armor.com/
Bugei.......http://www.bugei.com/
Del Tin......http://www.deltin.it/home.htm
Busse....http://www.bussecompanystore.com/
Ontario.....http://www.ontarioknife.com/


Odin Blades......http://www.odinblades.com/


MRL....http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/Home.aspx



Bors
 
I just happened to notice your thread; I don't know what price range your looking to stay in, but I've got a Rob Criswell wakizashi posted in the exchange right now.
 
why not get the smallsword from Arms & Armor with a sharpended tip? They are very light & fast, just like modern epees.

I ordered my & it should be coming next week or so.

cheers
 
Try a khukuri. They are easy to wield, deliver a devastating blow, and good ones can be had from Himilayan Imports, and other vendors.

n2s
 
I would recommend an Albion gladius of some sort. Then get someone such as Triton to make you a proper period appropriate scabbard for it. Whether or not you store the gladius in its scabbard is another question, but having one is a good idea, especially for carrying it around. I note that Albion will sell you a scabbard for their Pompeii-style gladius.
 
The problem with the one that was shown is that it is a pure chopper/slasher and nothing else. I cannot see it being an effective stabbing weapon, whereas the Roman gladii of all types were intended as stabbing weapons first and then as chopping/slashing weapons. The Roman swordfighting style at the time when they were in use was very much a stabbing style. The problem with having something that requires chopping and/or slashing is that in sword length, even in shortswrd length, such maneuvers require a good bit of room and leave you open for attack while you are delivering your chop or slash. A thrust does neither.
 
Just FYI, If you are referring to the Tibetan short swords, they are indeed stabbing as well as slashing weapons. Mine has full flat grinds and is distal tapered in both directions (width and thickness). It weighs in at 45oz with a POB 4" in front of the guard. You do NOT want to be standing in front of it.
 
Mr. PATIENCE+ said:
Personally, I've had a weakness for HI Tibetan Short Swords lately.

http://www.himalayan-imports.com/sword.html
(a bit down the page)

Sometimes you can get a deal on the Himalayan Imports forum.

Rich
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It has katana influence in it's design. The katana is both a cut and thrust sword can be used one or two handed and can be effectively used in close quarters. A cold steel chisa katana might be worth consideration.


Bors
 
I do not see any true short sword among the pictures to which you linked, Mr. Patience. The closest is the BirGorkha Tarwar, which I do not consder a true short sword, not with a 29" blade. The others are, as Bors said, forms of the katana, which is essentially a cutting weapon that can be used as a stabbing weapon if I understand Japanese sword arts correctly. I sincerely doubt that the Tibetan Sword could be caled a short sword from the appearance of the item as being held by the man in the photo. It is in the class with a medieval broadsword. Yes, capable of thrusting, but intended for cutting.
 
Hi FullerH. The sword I am referring to is in the sixth picture down. That's the one HI calls the Tibetan Short Sword. The one the fellow is holding is considered their long sword.

The links on this page might show the differences a little better:

http://yhst-7333098713883.stores.yahoo.net/swords.html

Short sword has considerably more point and a 23 inch blade. (BTW HI describes their swords by OAL. The 31-32" is for the entire sword)

You might also have a look at the Patang - about 1/3 of the way down on this page:
http://www.himalayan-imports.com/one-time-knives.html

Blade is about 14 inches.
 
Was hoping Mr. Rockets would chime back in with a bit more info. If this is mainly something he just wants to look good on a wall, then obviously his personal taste in aesthetics will play a big role in what he eventually gets. Through the world and time, many very different looking designs have been made that could conceivably fill the role well enough.

I really like Fuller's suggestion of the gladius, or something like it. Something that can cut or thrust with aplomb, rather than leaning too much to one or the other. There was recently a huge thread about swords for home defense here, and I did my best to stay out of it.

The problem with having something that requires chopping and/or slashing is that in sword length, even in shortswrd length, such maneuvers require a good bit of room and leave you open for attack while you are delivering your chop or slash. A thrust does neither.
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I'm not so sure I can agree with this; at least in the western sword arts, the sword was considered both the weapon and shield. The attacks were devised so that they would close off the opponent's line of attack at the same time.

Likewise, considering the context of modern home defense, I don't think either style (cut vs. thrust) has any real defensive capabilities against a firearm. But in terms of offense, an attacker could likely still pull a trigger even after being skewered, but he could not do so if a cut removed his arm, head, or cut through the torso to the spine.
 
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