No. Or to be more precise there was never an all-around king of the hill. Different swords are better suited for different combat situations, styles, and environments (social, geographical, or otherwise). The production capabilities of different regions has also historically played a tremendous role in sword design and use. Just compare the evolution of warfare between Japan and europe and you'll see what I mean.
It's also important to remember that as tools of battle swords were never the stars of the show. Artillery, archery, and spears thrown or held have all had a much more significant role.
A barong machete from cold steel. Whether to go with the 12 or 18 inch blade depends on the person. There's no need to go spending hundreds of dollars on something you'll probably never use for anything except amusement.
A barong, even cs' inexpensive version of it, is a fearsome piercing and slicing weapon. It wouldn't take any remarkable skill or strength to take someones arm or head off with it (assuming a good edge). Don't assume from the price that a cs barong machete is a less deadly weapon than a "real sword".
That's a fun question. I think a long barong with a handle big enough to hold with both hands would be the best pick for me. It would be well suited to stabbing through kevlar, it could chop/shear in a mean way, and it wouldn't get in the way in tight quarters. Furthermore it's not a fragile weapon so if I felt inclined to beat at my enemy's weapon or helmet or whatever I could do so without fear of breaking it.
Here's a video that shows very well how little space is required to cut someone up with a barong.
[youtube]Q5ltL33ClKk[/youtube]
Now I must make an important clarification- I would rather go with a good old fashioned medieval longsword if I had the training to use it properly. Those weapons are far more formidable than most people imagine in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing. I am not such a person.
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