dispelling Myths about medieval Combat

[bigpaul]

yes, well thankfully I left all the druggies and gangs behind when I left the city, the worst round here is a bit of "whacky baccy"! crime wise its very quiet around here which is how I like it.

[NorthernRaider]

I noted a report from a uni, could have possibly been KCL but not sure who pointed out that many recent young male migrants from North and Central Africa place great cultural significence in owning a good sized, panga / machette, its a symbol of status among many gang bangers in Londonistan to have a large blade, where as the same age group from places like central and south America, the West Indies etc place greater status on a gun.

[Tartar Horde]

The Machete like you pointed out NR is a cultural icon for many African and South American countries. Viciously effective as are most bladed agricultural tools.

[bigpaul]

hence the "machete" used in the Woolwich attack.

[NorthernRaider]

My edge sharpened entrenching shove trumps pangas and machettes

[Timelord]

This is why I was trying to express that the UK will be more blade focused PSHTF than gun focused - the opposite of the USA. Some ability in this area with blades larger than average knives would be a wise foresight. Don't forget - it is not just blades. Any hand held weapon that gives a few feet of reach is a formidable opposition, like NR's entrenching shovel etc.

[NorthernRaider]

In the improvised weapons stakes for self defence after a collapse of L & O I'll probably fabricate a short stabbing / stashing spear like an Asagi, which being long and skinny will compliment my bow and arrows for transportation, but 9/10 the weapon or tool you will have to use to save your own life is still very likely to be your EDC blade.

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Now I'm thinking can I still get hold of one of those budget one piece rolled Cold steel Bush Knifes??

[Tartar Horde]

Rudimentary training with any blade will be time well spent. Here's a set of videos from Llynn Thompson of Cold steel on basic self defence with Sabre or Cutlass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7VBxc8WsXc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LRwY2dJEPk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJPtAolyzhU

NR, here's a cutlass that will get the job done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVhV8ENwIBY

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The Quaterstaff is an overlooked weapon that anyone who regularly goes into the countryside could use openly. It is just an oversized walking stick really and does not look like a weapon at all. They are very effective as both an offensive and defensive weapon (remember Little John who kicked Mr Hoods arse lol). In Japan they are known as JO staff, but it's the same thing really.

[Mandlaka]

(25 May 2013, 10:43)Tartar Horde Wrote: The Quaterstaff is an overlooked weapon that anyone who regularly goes into the countryside could use openly. It is just an oversized walking stick really and does not look like a weapon at all. They are very effective as both an offensive and defensive weapon (remember Little John who kicked Mr Hoods arse lol). In Japan they are known as JO staff, but it's the same thing really.

It can also be very easily transformed into a nasty short spear that is longer than an assegai. Even a small 2 inch blade will do horrible damage when attached to a staff. Hence the 6 broom handles I have at home ready along with my regular set of kitchen knives...

looks like most of us have access to some potentially very nasty sets of blades most of which, if used right, can drain with one wound the biped vermin who are stupid enough to attack when tshtf...

[Talon]

I have a bit of an aversion to Llynn Thompson.
Here is a guide for the polish sabre,though it works just as well for the 1796 light cavalry sabre (one of the finest cutting swords ever made)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ubsfz17mo4glwo...20HEMA.pdf