cant beat a British WW2 bayonett...always gets the point across....boom,boom
I have a number of swords all have live blades mainly Japanese. I also study and teach Japanese martial arts
I had a full size katana from when I was a kid I recently cut it right down and remove the long handle and para rapped it.it's great short machete sized one handed blade for home protection.
I have a Katana, but I would never cut it down, far too good a sword for that.
I agree with highlander plenty of cheap machete type blades on the market
I'm a fan of Viking and early medieval style swords,i have a few knightly style blades.I do have one Katana that I converted into a Swiss style sabre.None of them would really be any use for prepping. They're all too focused as weapons.None of mine would be any use as dual purpose tools.
A Kukri /Hatchet or Bill Hook would work better for me.