Tactical Swords versus historical re-creations -- myArmoury.com

Nicholas Allan Wilson

Just wondering what people's opinions were on the various tactical sword models.

How do you think they perform when compared to more historically accurate designs?

What do you think of the quality and durability? Since the tac models are not mounted with traditional fittings, do you think they are more durable, less, or equal?

~nic

Maurizio D'Angelo · Posted: Fri 03 Jul, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject:

I don't think that a tactical sword can have the perform of a historical sword.
A tactical sword can last as a historian. If it built well
The problem is to understand if, it has been built well.
Often the qualities of a sword are hidden and not visible.
The assemblage of the hilt is visible, the finish is visible, the fuller is visible.
If these elements are introduced in summary way, motives have been founded for holding
what rest is also built equally. Happy

Maurizio

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Fri 03 Jul, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject:

Tactical swords are black and look like they are for video games.

Historical swords are not.

That's the main difference as far as I see it.

Nicholas Allan Wilson · Posted: Fri 03 Jul, 2009 6:55 pm Post subject:

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Fri 03 Jul, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject:

I'll take a look. . . Thanks. Happy

Nicholas Allan Wilson · Posted: Fri 03 Jul, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject:

the mentioned swords are on pg 10 btw

Anders Backlund · Posted: Fri 03 Jul, 2009 11:38 pm Post subject:

I can't comment the practical applications, having never used one, but frankly I've always found the term "tactical sword" to be kinda silly. I mean, when is a sword not tactical? They're weapons; you'd think that part is implied.

Anyway, someone once likened them to fantasy swords, in that they are non-historical swords designed to invoke a specific aesthetic impression - albeit the direct opposite one to regular fantasy weapons. In my mind this is different from making a contemporary sword with a modern perspective. For the most part, tactical swords look more "modern" then they need to be.

That said, I'm sure there are both good and bad examples of this style around, same as with all other swords.

Nicholas Allan Wilson · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 12:39 am Post subject:

I agree that the term 'tactical' is unnecessary . All weapons regardless of the time period they represent are used tactically when implemented. However, I wouldn't necessarily use the term 'fantasy'. I think 'contemporary' is more accurate.

~nic

Bennison N · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 3:47 am Post subject:

I've always thought they were labelled "tactical" for the simple reason that they look like they would go nicely with a "tactical" assault costume, which I have noticed are usually black, balaclava, helmet, 10-up boots and an SMG or handgun loaded with all the lasers and lights and sights attached.

So, in other words, a sword to raid a drug lab with, or fight terrorists holding hostages or something...

Nathan Gilleland · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 5:14 am Post subject:

That was my impression as well. I always got the impression of a "Splinter Cell" style with swords that are labeled "tactical". Generally speaking, they remind me of a contemporary "ninja sword".

David Lewis Smith · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 5:38 am Post subject:

some one on SFI wrote in referance and a warning about safety with swords during practice, 'Never forget that a sword has developed to commit homicide in the most efficient manner possible".

Tactical swords are just another step or branch in this development. Do I think they are good swords? well that depends on how I am looking at them. They are ugly in my opinion, on the other hand they are very hardy blades and will last through abuse and misuse very well.

Nic is right, 'tactical' is redundant as most swords are designed for tactical use. Remember Soldiers Sailers, Airman and Marines in every country clean up their weapons for parades. Bennison, as well in that tactical swords go well with a 'costume'

Having served in the army for the last 20 years or so I also think that calling them tactical, and trying to say that Soldiers should carry them in to combat is just ridiculous. Today's tactical situations do not provide for sword use in close combat situations. I carry a big honking knife, two actually. One is a Cold Steel Recon Tonto that has killed more Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) than I can count, frankly the things are nearly impossible to get into with out a knife. I have used it for any number of things for 18 years. It is a really good knife with a eight inch blade that takes abuse and keeps on ticking. The other is a Model De Argentine with an 18" blade, I use it for shock and aw, that might sound odd but an 18" knife makes a good pointer when you want to 'point out the fact you are unhappy with someone's actions. If you are wondering why that works, most people in Iraq and Afghanistan know you 'cant just shoot them' when they get in your face but are unsure about what you can do with knife. I have found that it just hanging off my kit gets peoples attention.

Have I ever used either knife in combat?
Yes, the Recon to cut off a shirt on an Iraqi so we could treat him for gunshot wounds. I used other knife when I was in a small FOB and three wild dogs came in over our berm, one cannot start firing a M4 inside ones own base. If you are up close and personal in a room or city street your not going to have time or to pull or swing a sword. Carry a good knife, pistol or tomahawk. One of my buddies did get in a situations where some one grabbed him and was slam up against him and my buddies M4 was stuck between him and the other guys so it was out of the fight. It got real nasty for my buddy for a second or two but than he did what he needed to do, and no sword involved.

Gabriele A. Pini · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 6:02 am Post subject:

What are the "standard" dimensions of a tactical sword? I know that there isn't a law, but and idea?

I have see some old pictures of italians Alpini and some of them were carring what, in my opion, where very long knives, approx. the length of a forearm+hand, even if I don't know if they were intended for combat.

Dave is not the first person that I hear speaking of the impression of knives on second and third world people, even if more for the simbolism of a man carring heis weapon than for the pratical possibility of a fight. It's as they don't think to firearms a proper weapons (more possibily as tools): I would like to hear if it's so even in places with a longer gun tradition, like Arabia or Egypt, or it's proper only of places where firearms where only recently widespread... I think that's a cultural thing, like the wastly different judgement on carring a firearm in public in Japan, Europe and USA.

L. Clayton Parker · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 10:55 am Post subject:

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 11:08 am Post subject:

What would be useful in my opinion in some specialized close quarter fighting or for the intimidation factor mentioned is the
Smatchet made in WWII, it would have weapon and tool usefulness, might be pressed into use as an entrenching tool, useful as an axe or machete.

Not so large as to be difficult to draw up close I think.

On the other hand even in WWII the use of these was more theoretical than practical and many soldiers might have ditched them to lighten their load if they didn't personally find them useful/essential or find some psychological reassurance having a big nasty blade close to hand. Wink

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smatchet
http://www.gutterfighting.org/smatchet.html

Modern version: http://www.elinemerchandising.com/B-A-F578S.html

I have one of these of the original production run and it is scary impressive ! Now a real soldier might have a different opinion about the usefulness of carrying one of these if already overloaded with kit.

L. Clayton Parker · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 12:07 pm Post subject:

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject:

David Lewis Smith · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject:

if I were going to go medieval on some ones body I would use one of the new tactical tomahawks with the small cutting edge, 3" edge about 6" from the haft and a nasty little back spike about 2" long.

down by the grip if you grind just right you can put a handy bottle opener as well.

By the way I have one of Gus' tactical blades I am working on, i bought it off Ebay as an unfinished 'sword' it still had the flat edges. Gus has couched me along a bit in finishing it but I am doing it for the fun and challange of the build rather than using it. I actually intend to make it a La Tene "short sword" out of it, the hilt seems to fallow those lines well enough.

Nicholas Allan Wilson · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

It would seem that the tactical varieties are stripped down to be as light weight as possible. This is probably done to make them easier to carry by military personnel. Due to their light weight nature I have a difficult time seeing them outperform re-creations mainly because re-creations generally have more mass. Swords of past eras were seen more as primary weapons instead of as backups. Any other thoughts on this?

~nic

Daniel Sullivan · Posted: Sat 04 Jul, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

In reference to swords; seems to me that the term "tactical" would be applied to how a weapon is wielded during use rather than how it appears. I learn new thing every day, but frankly never heard of a tactical sword until this post.

Bill Gandy....maybe you can chime in on this??

Dan

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team