Swords in a modern military role?

[ArmasTermin]

I was thinking--in close combat our current rifles don't double as clubs. And knives have a short reach. And no one fixes bayonets anymore. So I think a simple sword would actually be a viable tool in the modern soldier's arsenal.

I was thinking a simple tanto blade style with a two foot-something blade and a simple cord-wrapped handle, like this, but without all the lame curves and dips and pointless stuff.



The back could be fully serrated to act as a saw and I'm sure someone could stick a bottle opener and a screwdriver on there somewhere. Maybe the end of the handle could be made into a crowbar head. It would serve all the functions of a knife but with an added combat effectiveness. Japanese soldiers sometimes used swords in combat for close-range work, and I'll bet they worked. So before you play the weeboo card, think and consider.

MGS4 trailers of Raiden spinning around with katanas gave me this idea a few years ago. I still think it's viable.  

[Desert_Fox_Rommel]

What about a machete? It's already designed to chop through foliage so multi purpose tools are a must have for soldiers. The big question is the battlefield effectiveness. The big problem I see is that it isn't so good for stabbing.

If some sort of dagger or short sword or whatever were to be invented it should hopefully be good for chopping foliage and flesh alike as well as stabbing.  

[ArmasTermin]

The sword would be capable of machete duty and be able to stab. It's a perfect multi-purpose tool and can replace several others.  

[Fresnel]

ArmasTermin

The sword would be capable of machete duty and be able to stab. It's a perfect multi-purpose tool and can replace several others.

Swords aren't weighted properly to be an effective machete. Machetes, on the other hand, are a time-honored tool of slaughter and genocide.

The ANZACs actually made a bayonet for the SMLE that doubled as a machete. Some day, I will get a repro.  

[OO23OO]

I like the idea. I wouldn't mind owning something of a tactical sword myself, but sadly I lack the funds...  

[Desert_Fox_Rommel]

Fresnel

Swords aren't weighted properly to be an effective machete.

That's what I was thinking.  

[Stoic Socialist]

I take it you guys haven't heard of the Busse AK-47?

http://www.tritonworks.com/reviews?content=reviews&review=busse_ak47

It's 2.2 pounds, so it actually weighs more than most machetes. If you youtube it then you can see a guy cut a 2x6 lengthwise with it.

http://www.coldsteel.com/chinesewarsword.html
^
I think that could be a decent design, though. Heavy, and not too long.

Although, a Kukri can be pretty deadly, and it's incredibly multipurpose.  

[Fresnel]

Stoic Socialist

If you youtube it then you can see a guy cut a 2x6 lengthwise with it.

That's cheating. Cutting WITH the grain is easy.  

[Orkronos]

IV debated this too. I like the idea of having a mid sized blade to do mid sized jobs. The Army Rangers had a good idea and took the tomahawk, its a step in the right direction anyway.  

[Stoic Socialist]

As much as I'd hate to say it, I've really been wanting to buy a sword to take to Renaissance Faires and all that fun stuff. Some of the "beater" Swords, as they're called, actually seem to be fairly tough.

Take this sword as an example. It's fairly strong (to say the least), is inexpensive, and only 3 pounds. Add a pound or two and it's 5 pounds for a decent sword. This isn't much considering that the standard load is what nowadays, 70 pounds? I don't know about the drop-leg holsters and if stuff would get in the way of a decent draw time, but I could see it feasibly happening. Kind of.

This is only semi-related, but I've been thinking (for a while now) that the squad should have an additional fireteam specializing in room-to-room style fighting. I'm not sure how much the sword would be used for the original intent to kill or maim humans with, but intimidation can be a force multiplier in itself.  

[ArmasTermin]

Stoic Socialist

As much as I'd hate to say it, I've really been wanting to buy a sword to take to Renaissance Faires and all that fun stuff. Some of the "beater" Swords, as they're called, actually seem to be fairly tough.

Take this sword as an example. It's fairly strong (to say the least), is inexpensive, and only 3 pounds. Add a pound or two and it's 5 pounds for a decent sword. This isn't much considering that the standard load is what nowadays, 70 pounds? I don't know about the drop-leg holsters and if stuff would get in the way of a decent draw time, but I could see it feasibly happening. Kind of.

This is only semi-related, but I've been thinking (for a while now) that the squad should have an additional fireteam specializing in room-to-room style fighting. I'm not sure how much the sword would be used for the original intent to kill or maim humans with, but intimidation can be a force multiplier in itself.

I really like that one you posted the link to. I have a few cheap, stamped steel POS swords from eBay and the like. I've told myself the next time I buy a sword it will be a real one, but then I think "For $300+ I could buy a gun, so..." and usually end it at that. Some day, though. some day.  

[Stoic Socialist]

Well, if you can ever justify a sword over a firearm, I suggest the Kult of Athena. Their prices are cheap, and they inspect each sword before they ship them out. Besides, they're located about 40 minutes away from me. I haven't visited them in person, though.

SMG and SBG, two connected websites with plenty of unbiased reviews  

[ArmasTermin]

Stoic Socialist

Well, if you can ever justify a sword over a firearm, I suggest the Kult of Athena. Their prices are cheap, and they inspect each sword before they ship them out. Besides, they're located about 40 minutes away from me. I haven't visited them in person, though.

SMG and SBG, two connected websites with plenty of unbiased reviews

Some from that site look very nice. But the prices make me skeptical. Are the $80-120 ranges actually any good? Sounds too cheap to be anything but a nicer cut steel POS like what I have.  

[Fresnel]

WANT A KATANA STRONG ENOUGH TO CUT A TANK IN HALF?

Well, they're not that awesome, but Badger Blades makes one hardy ******** blade. If I put all my strength into bending it over my knee, it springs back to straight again. Also, I could put mine through a car door with little trouble.  

[Stoic Socialist]

ArmasTermin

Stoic Socialist

Well, if you can ever justify a sword over a firearm, I suggest the Kult of Athena. Their prices are cheap, and they inspect each sword before they ship them out. Besides, they're located about 40 minutes away from me. I haven't visited them in person, though.

SMG and SBG, two connected websites with plenty of unbiased reviews

Some from that site look very nice. But the prices make me skeptical. Are the $80-120 ranges actually any good? Sounds too cheap to be anything but a nicer cut steel POS like what I have.

Hanwei is supposedly pretty good. Windlass is okay, but some of their swords have problems with being too thin and floppy. Generation 2 and Valiant Armoury are supposed to be pretty good, as well.

Fresnel

WANT A KATANA STRONG ENOUGH TO CUT A TANK IN HALF?

Well, they're not that awesome, but Badger Blades makes one hardy ******** blade. If I put all my strength into bending it over my knee, it springs back to straight again. Also, I could put mine through a car door with little trouble.

You have a Katana? wink

Personally, I'd rather go for a European or a Chinese style sword, but whatever works for you. Although, an Odachi would be kind of cool. Or a Wakizashi.

Here's a link to that SBG/SMG guys own store. He has an "if I wouldn't buy it, I won't sell it" kind of mentality. Self proclaimed, at least. I'm posting the link because he appears to like Katanas...