Heres a tool many dont consider for when TSHTF

[Timelord]

Thankyou Scythe, I was only concerned for your welfare in the use of sword or axe. It is a longtime study of mine. Pls see the final paragraph.TL

The axe when used as a tool by inexperienced people can well cause serious injury to the user and this is why it has a reputation so. With very basic care, as similar to using a bushcraft knife, then this can be overcome. Obviously all edged tools must be used with care and not to be overconfident also.
As a weapon, the axe is used very differently. the swings & arcs of attack/defence are not the same as when using it as a tool, so the tool use injuries, where one is usually chopping downward at a fixed wooden object are not really encountered. It is unusual to strike ones own legs or shins. The axe is in fact quite a simple weapon to use and most blows or blocks will be projected forward of the user. A fighting or similar suitable multipurpose axe should be light enough to wield without the weight geting away from you. I am sure some similar considerations would be needed with a sword for the new user. A combat axe is easy enough to redirect and is actually surprisingly efficient in close quarter combat. the range of swing oudoes any normal knife. It is unlikely you would come up against someone wielding a sword. The axe can also be used to block and hook opponents weapons or limbs and so then manouvre to the side or disarm. The axe can be used to punch and combat axes often have a rudimentary thrusting point. An axe will cut through many armours whereas a usual civvy type sword probably will not.
It is in fact true that swords are historically provenanced to be more dangerous to the user than an axe would ever be when used for combat. A sword needs some reasonable level of skill to wield effectively and in close quarters can become entangled. A sword can be broken more easily and the edge is more prone to damage.
A short sword is an excellent all round weapon that can be used efficeintly and well at close quarters. It is less prone to entanglement or damage. A heavier blade can be used which is more effective and robust.
During the Napolionic Wars, it was found that infantry used there short swords 100 times more for cutting up firewood and other camp tasks than they ever did for actual combat. The swords they had were getting damaged & rendered useless anyway due to this, so a new design was introduced. It was just a short sword more like a long knife that was v.heavy duty. Basically a v.shortsword version of a V.heavy duty machete with a point. Single edged. This could be used for camp duties and effective combat at close quarters where the foot soldiers often ended up. There is something to be learned from this nowadays. For the soldiers who had to march everywhere, In trying to reduce the amount of kit and make it multifunctional and if needing a multipurpose utility / weapon, then a compromise between a short sword, axe and big knife was the result. For us preppers, then this is wise knowledge to take into account in our considerations.
I would be happy to show any members how to use the axe for combat or a sword for that matter. (as a recreational historical study of course) I don't get enough practice these days.

---

(16 March 2012, 09:38)NorthernRaider Wrote: Cold Steels blades are made in Sieko City Japan and Taiwan I believe

Ah yes, their website says 1055 carbon steel. Maybe that is true . I am not sure. Anyway, I just remebered, all this about steel types is superflous relating to their swords anyway. I took my Norse sword apart a few months back, as I always suspected the hilt was compromised. Sure enough, inside trhe badly fitted hilt was justa screw thread tang welded onto the swords own stub tang. this is another of those American knife making legacies that is common place. This design is ok for knofe blades if you wish to speed up the manufacturing process and no serious physical forces are expected. for a sword it is an unequivable - NO!! Absolute tosh. A few hits in anger and the srew tang can shear off at the weld. rendering the sword defunct and seriously increasing the odds of ones own immediate demise. I am going to rework the blade, but at the price they are new, this is not acceptable in the trade. Cold steel make such a big deal about quality and steels etc, but in reality this is basic schoolboy engineering stuff - not even that - just crap. Beware!!