Knives, Swords, and everything in between.

[Dotini]

Pretty nice, I wish if I had the chance to practice tossing the knives to stick on the wall in a distance or at least to gather some classical sorts of daggers of my own too... whereas my country and the age (or in perspective of morality?) would not serve me to do that any way.

In Japan, there is the tradition of shuriken. On youtube, I have seen shuriken spikes thrown with no spin at almost incredible distances.

 

[a6m5]

One night last week, I couldn't sleep, so I was online for hours looking for new pocket knife(work sucked the next morning lol).

As I mentioned before, I want my next knife to be a spring-assisted pocket knife, but unbelievably, I could not find one that I was happy with.

They were either over $160("max" I'd want to pay), didn't like the looks of it, there was question with reliability, something, something, etc. I just couldn't believe I spent that kind of time, and knife I came closest to buying was a made in China Kershaw, which cost $30. It had excellent reviews & rating, but I don't want that to be my go-to knife.

Search continues.......

Pretty nice, I wish if I had the chance to practice tossing the knives to stick on the wall in a distance or at least to gather some classical sorts of daggers of my own too... whereas my country and the age (or in perspective of morality?) would not serve me to do that any way.

It's because of such trend I will never move back to Japan. Code, regulations, restriction on every little thing.

P.S. I sometimes practice hitting the target with my birdshot. I think I'm hitting the bullseye, but I'm not sure, because there are holes everywhere.

 

[Brett]

Both of my Spydercos were made in Seki City, Japan. That would be a good choice.

 

[a6m5]

Both of my Spydercos were made in Seki City, Japan. That would be a good choice.

I didn't know Spyderco made knives in Japan too, but no, I don't like 'em.

I did try one(mentioned it in this very thread), but it was a Chinese one, and I think the blade became off-center? It was scraping against something every time I folded/unfolded it, and I could hear it. This happened within hours of me owning the knife.

Another strike against them was way they(or Spyderco fanboys) manipulated ratings on Amazon. I reviewed the knife with much respect, gave it three star, and I got bombarded with negative feedbacks, which I hadn't seen before. I start looking at other reviews, and it was very clear that no matter how justified, well written the reviews were, if you gave it three stars or less, there were people going around, without any kind of comment(usually seen with negative feedbacks given) just going around voting against them.

So the first & only Spyderco I ended up returning to Amazon. After observing the Spyderco crowd on Amazon, that pretty much turned me off to their knives. Don't worry, I still like you, Brett.

On my knife search, I forgot to mention that one of the finalists were kicked off for being too big. I have a full-size pocket knife called Benchmade Griptillian. It's pretty big. Couple of the knives I liked were made by company called Zero Tolerance. Sister company of Kershaw. Those knives were full inch longer than my already big Benchmade. I could already picture myself in handcuffs if I ever had to take a bus or other transportation carrying one of those knives.

 

[Dotini]

As I mentioned before, I want my next knife to be a spring-assisted pocket knife, but unbelievably, I could not find one that I was happy with.

My everyday carry is a SOG Flash II, blade 3.5", handle 4.5", weight 3 oz.
Under $50, locally made, excellent reviews. What's not to like?

 

[a6m5]

My everyday carry is a SOG Flash II, blade 3.5", handle 4.5", weight 3 oz.
Under $50, locally made, excellent reviews. What's not to like?

I was looking at Aegis, last time around. Design was OK, but some reviews gave me the impression that it's not exactly bulletproof. If it's U.S. made, that's definitely a plus. I'll check out the Flash II. 👍

 

[Michael88]

Bought a sword sheath belt holder for my Cold Steel ''Grosses Messer'' so I don't get tired from holding my sword when I'm having a short break from zombie slashing.

Still need a historically correct leather belt, but this one will do for demonstration purposes:

 

[a6m5]

Damn. No handgun, but you have a sword!? Tight though. Both the sword & the sheath. 👍 I'd pay to see some zombie slaying with a weapon like that!

I forgot to post on here, but I finally bought my first Leatherman Tool.

Very basic model called Rebar.

I had it mailed to my work, and of course, it turns into Leatherman Tool convention, with three of us breaking open the tools & handling them, comparing them.

 

[Slash]

Bought a sword sheath belt holder for my Cold Steel ''Grosses Messer'' so I don't get tired from holding my sword when I'm having a short break from zombie slashing.

Still need a historically correct leather belt, but this one will do for demonstration purposes:

I'm jealous.

 

[Dotini]

I've begun taking instruction in the French foil at a local fencing academy. It starts with footwork, and I can see that it's going to build up my strength, flexibility and agility to complete what I anticipate to be several years of instruction. After I gain proficiency in the French foil, I may move to the Italian or Spanish rapier - or even the broadsword.

This looks like a fun way to meet some interesting people, maintain eye-hand coordination, compete in a reasonably priced sport, and maybe do it til I'm 85 years old.

 

[a6m5]

I wanna see Omnis versus Dotini on pay-per-view.

 

[Dotini]

Well, I can report that I've completed 5 weeks of training in the French foil. I've met some nice people, learned some stuff, and I'm having fun.

I've quickly learned two big lessons:
1) The foundation of fencing is footwork - stepping forward and back, lunging and recovering, etc.
2) As all these movements are done with the knees well bent, sometimes almost into a quasi-squatting posture, endurance issues arise with the quadriceps and hamstrings.

I don't know, but I suspect that these lessons apply to all forms of swordplay.

When I started, I was reasonably fit generally, walking briskly three miles 2-3 times/week. Since then I have added stairs workout and squats with high repetitions. So far, so good; but it will be important for me to take care of my health and not overdo anything.

I'm looking forward to continuing my lessons. I can see this a multi-year work.

 

[Sting]

Bought a replica of Conan's sword while at Collectormania on the weekend.

 

[a6m5]

That is badass, even if only a collectible. 👍 *whistles Zelda theme*

 

[phillgt2002]

You people scare the **** out of me. Awesome knives and swords!

 

[Michael88]

I'm jealous.

Don't remember if I have already posted the sword itself here, in case I haven't:

 

[a6m5]

SWEET. 👍 If you had posted this baby before, I'm sure I'd remember it!

 

[Michael88]

Thanks! Coldsteel sure as hell don't screw round with the sharpness of the blades they sell, both my sword and my CS safe maker are so sharp I could use them to shave my beard off.

 

[KTalloutdrags]

There's my collection. This thread seems to have died, but I figure why not revive it?

Feel free to ask questions or if you guys would like to see more

 

[Slash]

MOre!

 

[KTalloutdrags]

MOre!

Here are some nicer pics ive gotten over time.

 

[Slash]

Nice man. I had quite a few but I seem to have lost em all. :/

 

[KTalloutdrags]

Nice man. I had quite a few but I seem to have lost em all. :/

Dang, I try to keep mine all together but when I start flipping they get placed everywhere lmao. The 2 that I always keep at my side are the silver ones in the middle of the pic with all of them and one of them is on the granite in the second post. See if you can guess what they are

 

[Michael88]

How do you carry your self defense knives? Today the belt clip of my cold steel safe maker broke so I had to secure it onto my belt using a leather string...and it works way better that way! Rock solid and quickly to draw. I just hope it doesn't draw too much attention if I carry it like that, but it doesn't look like a knife anyway, more like some tool.

 

[Dotini]

Purely as a physical and mental discipline, I am attending a fencing academy and taking lessons weekly. The lessons start with the French foil and build upon a foundation of footwork. Lessons go far beyond foils and include knife fighting for advanced students.

A few months ago, when I first began, I had occasion to watch a 5' tall Asian female student, a college sophomore, defend herself against a variety of weapons in her 5th year test at the academy. She was assaulted by French foil, French small sword, Spanish rapier, Italian rapier, English longsword and knife over a grueling 3 hour test. I am here to tell you this lady can defend herself with these weapons; she impressed me enough to sign up for lessons.

This is the best school I ever attended.

 

[Slash]

How do you carry your self defense knives? Today the belt clip of my cold steel safe maker broke so I had to secure it onto my belt using a leather string...and it works way better that way! Rock solid and quickly to draw. I just hope it doesn't draw too much attention if I carry it like that, but it doesn't look like a knife anyway, more like some tool.

Sometimes I'll clip it on my waist but pointing down if I feel like showing it off, but 99% of the time it's concealed in my inside coat pocket.

 

[KTalloutdrags]

How do you carry your self defense knives? Today the belt clip of my cold steel safe maker broke so I had to secure it onto my belt using a leather string...and it works way better that way! Rock solid and quickly to draw. I just hope it doesn't draw too much attention if I carry it like that, but it doesn't look like a knife anyway, more like some tool.

I carry my fixed blade, my butterflies typically stay at home unless I don't have my Winchester with me in which case I will carry one in the standard benchmade sheath on my left side. (No, I don't carry my $350 Benchmades lol) so if needed I can reach over and grab it, unlatch, and quickdraw in a smooth quick motion.

And I wear shirts that cover it so it's not exactly visable. And thankfully according to my states law, butterflies are legal and the blad has to be under 4 inches so I ride the limit with mine but hey.


@Dotini hmmm that's something for me to consider. I would rather like to get into some type of class like that, is there any minimum age requirement or anything of the sort? I may just have to find a school like that down here.

 

[Dotini]

@Dotini hmmm that's something for me to consider. I would rather like to get into some type of class like that, is there any minimum age requirement or anything of the sort? I may just have to find a school like that down here.

The youngest student I have seen appears to be about 12!! Naturally, he is there with parental consent and support.

 

[KTalloutdrags]

The youngest student I have seen appears to be about 12!! Naturally, he is there with parental consent and support.

No kidding?! Well I'm currently 15 and id like to start early. It seams like something that could come in very good use at some point in my life and if not, it's better to know it and not need it that to need it and not know it.

 

[Dotini]

No kidding?! Well I'm currently 15 and id like to start early. It seams like something that could come in very good use at some point in my life and if not, it's better to know it and not need it that to need it and not know it.

If you sought lessons at a respectable fencing academy, it would likely impress your parents with your responsible approach, and they would be more likely to sponsor and support you. The academy I am attending is not unique, I think it is part of a global system. Also, often local universities will have associated fencing clubs which take students.

It should go almost without saying that if you are interested in weapons enough to carry them, then you should know exactly how to handle them. Otherwise...one can only imagine.