WHAT is the BEST SWORD for HOME DEFENSE??

[Chris Ouellet]

I would personally invariably kill an armed assailant in my own home irrespective of laws. If they're armed, I wouldn't risk the chance that they're out for simple robbery. The risks of going to jail outweigh the potential damage to myself or more importantly to my wife. Simply injuring them means it's your word vs. theirs and if they're trying to rob/rape/murder then they will have little compunctions lying on any witness stand to their benefit and your detriment.
I also have little doubt that my training would kick in full gear and the attacks would land on vital targets without much time for pause and reflection.
A medium weight curved two handed blade such as a katana is my prefered choice (this home defence system is already in effect... ). Curved blades tend to do better against cloth and flesh in general. I say medium weight because a light one could have its impact thwarted by a watch, jewelry or thick winter clothing.

[Jaron Bernstein]

I would personally invariably kill an armed assailant in my own home irrespective of laws. If they're armed, I wouldn't risk the chance that they're out for simple robbery. The risks of going to jail outweigh the potential damage to myself or more importantly to my wife. Simply injuring them means it's your word vs. theirs and if they're trying to rob/rape/murder then they will have little compunctions lying on any witness stand to their benefit and your detriment.
I also have little doubt that my training would kick in full gear and the attacks would land on vital targets without much time for pause and reflection.
A medium weight curved two handed blade such as a katana is my prefered choice (this home defence system is already in effect... ). Curved blades tend to do better against cloth and flesh in general. I say medium weight because a light one could have its impact thwarted by a watch, jewelry or thick winter clothing.

All I am saying (in the US at least, can't speak for other countries) is that if you kill someone, or even seriously harm them (regardless of the circumstances) you will encounter the legal system. Entering the legal system as a potential criminal suspect is like high stakes Russian roulette. A game to be avoided if at all possible. A favorable fact pattern (a now dead armed guy breaking into you house at 3:00 a.m.) is only a small part of the equation. Do your state laws allow you to defend yourself? I would hate to try a self defense argument in Massachussets. Do you have a very good lawyer? Are there political considerations for the prosecutor? Is the court a member of the ACLU or a "hanging judge"? Do the police charge you with a crime (of varied severity) or not? Is self defense preferable than seeing your family harmed? Sure. But, your troubles have only begun when the fellow is bleeding on your living room floor. So it had better be worth it.


Jaron

[Shane Smith]

I would personally invariably kill an armed assailant in my own home irrespective of laws. If they're armed, I wouldn't risk the chance that they're out for simple robbery. The risks of going to jail outweigh the potential damage to myself or more importantly to my wife. Simply injuring them means it's your word vs. theirs and if they're trying to rob/rape/murder then they will have little compunctions lying on any witness stand to their benefit and your detriment.
I also have little doubt that my training would kick in full gear and the attacks would land on vital targets without much time for pause and reflection.
A medium weight curved two handed blade such as a katana is my prefered choice (this home defence system is already in effect... ). Curved blades tend to do better against cloth and flesh in general. I say medium weight because a light one could have its impact thwarted by a watch, jewelry or thick winter clothing.

All I am saying (in the US at least, can't speak for other countries) is that if you kill someone, or even seriously harm them (regardless of the circumstances) you will encounter the legal system. Entering the legal system as a potential criminal suspect is like high stakes Russian roulette. A game to be avoided if at all possible. A favorable fact pattern (a now dead armed guy breaking into you house at 3:00 a.m.) is only a small part of the equation. Do your state laws allow you to defend yourself? I would hate to try a self defense argument in Massachussets. Do you have a very good lawyer? Are there political considerations for the prosecutor? Is the court a member of the ACLU or a "hanging judge"? Do the police charge you with a crime (of varied severity) or not? Is self defense preferable than seeing your family harmed? Sure. But, your troubles have only begun when the fellow is bleeding on your living room floor. So it had better be worth it.


Jaron

The flip side of that is this; What are our families lives worth to us? At my house I will make every effort to stop any aggressor who enters with whatever force is necessary to include lethal force. I see staying alive as job one and then explaining it to a judge later as a very distant 7th place. I have made my decision and am resolved.

I recommend all of our guys to make their mind up in advance on these sorts of things. Indecisive action when an assault is underway will get you killed. I will be decisive and deal with the consequences after job one is accomplished.

[Francisco Urbano García]

I recommend all of our guys to make their mind up in advance on these sorts of things. Indecisive action when an assault is underway will get you killed. I will be decisive and deal with the consequences after job one is accomplished.

Yeah, I agree on that with you. We'd better decide in advance because, among other things, that will determine the weapons we use to protect our home.

As for me, I think that If I catch them by surprise I would try a cut on their wrist but, otherwise, I don't think I would go easy on them (head or neck)

[Brent Lambell]

I agree with you Francisco and Shane, mental preparation is probably as important as physical preparation. When I was younger I remember my dad talking to me about this. I had always thought that I would want to shoot the guy in the leg to wound him. But I had to ask myself, what would the intruder do to me if he had the chance? Although I believe every situation calls for a certain amount of personal judgment, I would also argue that having it set in your mind could be helpful. I feel prepared to use deadly force if someone comes into my home uninvited. I hope to never NEED to defend myself, but I have spent a lot of time considering possible scenarios.

Now I have no actual combat experience myself, but I am interested to hear from those who have. How important do you the mental commitment to using your self defense skills is in an actual conflict? Sorry this question is a little off topic.

[Scott A. Richardson]

I think one thing to remember is all this isn't so much what Renaissance weapon would work best for home defense, but which would work well and be legal in Spain. After all, I doubt he wants to be able to easily skewer an intruder only to be charged for "violating" the rights of some thug trying to break into his home simply because he has an illegal wapon.

From that point of view, then, perhaps it makes the most sense to improvise weapons based upon Renaissance ones. For instance, a pool ball in a sock makes an effective flail analoge, and I'm at least assuming that both socks and pool balls are legal in Spain. A piece of rebar of the appropriate length could be used as a longsword analoge, which again I'm assuming is legal to be lying about in one's home.

Of course, this still has no bearing on whether one would be prosecuted simply for defedning oneself, as has already been stated. That, I'm afraid, is always a hit or miss affair based upon the locality and the prosecuter's crankiness at the time. But at least the "weapon" used won't contribute to any possible charges, making a purely self-defense argument more readily acceptable.

[Francisco Urbano García]

For instance, a pool ball in a sock makes an effective flail analoge, and I'm at least assuming that both socks and pool balls are legal in Spain...

hahaha... Yeah, still legal in Spain, in fact following your idea of building up weapons with legal stuff, how about baseball bat with really long nails going through to make a spiked club? But honestly this I have to check and that club is perhaps too deadly.

I also found a sword seller with models designed for home protection!!! for American buyers then slogan is "When the bullets run out". you can check here:

http://www.angustrimdirect.com/tacswords.htm

They're not very pretty but I guess they're just made to go to the point, though I am not sure what is the point to spend money on those when, for little less, you can get the pretty equivalent sword. Anyone knows about this tactical swords? Does "tactical" means ugly?

[CalebChow]

I think tactical means it's meant purely 100% for functionality and efficiency in military/martial application...

Although in this case the maker might be referring more to the miltary-style of appearance and construction because by that definition the replicas from Albion would be "tactical" as they were originally designed for full military functionality as well.

I've seen angus trim before, and I've heard a couple good things about it but not much more than a few comments. I'm guessing it's because the weapons aren't actually used much, but if you can afford an angus trim you can probably afford an Albion, which has a clear good reputation.

[Shane Smith]

Usually, anything that is painted/finished in black is sold as "tactical". That's all it seems to take to fool the consumer

[Sal Bertucci]

In my experience, anything "tactical" means it minimal. Like you buy a full tang blade, usually wrapped in cord, or as shown above wood slats for the handle.

[Jonathan Newhall]

Tactical refers to its use in combat tactics, theoretically speaking that is. I'm not entirely sure how well a sword would apply to a modern tactical situation, but I guess it's better than nothing, eh?

[Sal Bertucci]

but not in edged weapon sales.

[Sal Bertucci]

For example:

http://budk.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_17+BK430

http://budk.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_17+BOBO216

http://budk.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_43+BK906

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/battl ... words.html

I know there are some exceptions, but when I hear someone trying to sell a "tactical" sword, these are generally what I see.

[CalebChow]

I agree...it looks like "tactical" is now just a commercial term for a certain style.

[Steven Blakely]

I know its not very reny. but you might want to consider the cutlass.
its short design makes it i think the best choice for close quarter fighting.and it nice hand guards make a very nice set of brass knuckles.
for a projectile weapon i would go with the pepper spray that comes in the huge fire extinguisher size. ColdSteel sells it.
I must however suggest getting unarmned training. in the situation that you would be in you have to fight like a rabid wolverine. Give them no quarter and asking for none. you might also consder a tomahawk, not for throwing but for fighting with.its extremely distructive.