Sorry to debunk your romantic 19th century fantasy BUT people today would wear pink HelloKitty Sword, Baggy Swords with stupidly long hilts and of course the iSword with Wifi, Bluetooth and built in MP3 Player....
All too true. Made in Thailand el-cheapo swords too. Someone with a real sword would fight them and their sword would just break in half. Or the knock-off sword. You think it's a real sword made of real steel but it's not. Oops, blade broke in combat. You're dead.
I can actually imagine swords being used in space. Lets say someone wants to capture or hijack a spaceship. The way spaceships are made now would render projectile weapons extremely hazardous; one misfire and the hull gets ruptured. If we ever get to a point where spacecraft durability lags behind the advent of space conflict, I could imagine space marines using swords. Also on distant planets and outposts, ammo for projectile weapons might be hard to get.
You know, this is a good point. What with the fragility of space ships to ballistic impacts, as well as the havoc the recoil ballistics of even a moderately powerful firearm would inflict in low-to-null gravity, bladed weaponry might see something of a resurgence once we get into common space travel. Because of space constraints, I suspect they would be relatively short and favor either short chops or stabbing motions, which would suggest that the main swords to benefit would be blades like cutlasses and modern variants on the court sword. I could totally see a ship's crew fending off hijackers using hangers with ceramic blades and carbon fiber basket-guards. As for the original question, I could honestly see wearing swords make a comeback if enough people did it. I live in the southeast US (where carry laws are pretty darn lax) and I see people toting firearms and pocket knives quite often. I think most people don't carry swords for two reasons. One, they're relatively hard to get (and even if you can, you can't really be sure if they're actual weapons or just display pieces); and two, the mentality has shifted away from blades toward easy-to-use firearms (even though even the smallest of pistol still has a minimum range to be useful). I think that, if people started wearing swords again, they might actually find that they could be useful (the average firefight with pistols is held at under five feet, and swordfights rarely spanned a greater distance, after all). Personally, my blade of choice would be a cleaver-style falchion with a Z-type guard.
Swords won't be used in space, mainly because of the 2nd law of motion (action-reaction). If you hit someone with a sword in space the only thing you'll do is push him away, since he's not braced against anything, and neither are you. Swords work on Earth because you're both rooted to the ground by gravity and friction, both of which are severely reduced in space.
fat4eyes I would actually say that your argument would be more suitable for blunt weapons (clubs, maces, etc), since they rely almost entirely on doing damage via impact over a relatively wide area. Also, the First Law of Motion would apply as well, since any momentum on one or both combatants will want to keep moving, thus leading to injury from a strike. And you do bring up a very good point: in space, you will not be standing there slugging it out like you would on the ground. Melee combat would have to evolve as well to deal with the fact that you are not anchored into a specific spot. At a guess, I would suspect that piercing weapons (rapiers and so on) will see more of a resurgence in use than slashing weapons, at least at first; in a confined, three-dimensional environment a stabbing motion would be a lot more effective (being able to launch yourself off a surface straight at your target would impart monstrous force to the point) than slashing, although if you miss the word "overcommitted" would be a massive understatement. As room in space craft expands, slashing weapons would become more common, although if piercing weapons establish a solid enough foothold early on cutting blades might never flourish.
It is more likely we will see an evolution of tasers and energy transmission based weapons. Microwave painray etc... Melee weapons require training back here on earth to be wielded effectively. Now using them in space is EXTRA training time needed. Aint nobody got time for that.
First, boarding a spaceship in reality is very hard. It took the space shuttle about a half hour to dock with the ISS. It's not practacle to send over borders. But if you did... Simply depressurize the docking section of your ship and blow the assholes into space.
Depends on where you are, here in Holland there is a limit on how big your knive is legally allowed to be. I don't think anyone would consider a Ka-Bar a sword but it would be taken away from you all the same.
Short answer: I'd wear a rapier because I believe most people would carry an evolution of the small sword. Long Answer: When approaching this question, what springs to mind for me, is civilian carry of firearms (I'm from Texas where it's legal with a permit). I work at a firearms dealer, and so i get to see what type of guns are most popular. And for carry, the most popular are small concealable .380s and 9mms, as opposed to giant high caliber revolvers. The reason for this is apparent, if you're going to carry it all day every day, you want it to be comfortable, and so, there is a trade-off between comfort and protection. In Texas there is relatively little need for protection, so micro-guns are popular, but in Alaska, there is a greater need for protection, so full-size guns are often carried. This same principle could be applied to swords. For instance in Africa one might commonly see longswords(or more likely polearms) carried, but in the US and Europe where there is much less danger, it would be unlikely that anyone would carry something that cumbersome. This trend can be seen in the very evolution of the small-sword, thus I believe that if the carrying of swords had continued, it would have stuck to the same path of getting smaller and lighter and generally more comfortable to wear. There are of course those few people who carry a full-size firearm everyday, and there is of course the 1% or so that carry something excessive like a Taurus Judge, and so there would be those who carried a longsword or a two-handed sword, but these would be the minority. I however am in the camp of those who carry a .357 snub-nose, small enough to be carried with only a little more discomfort, but with enough stopping power to hold it's own with the big boys. And that's why I'd carry a rapier. For those of you who took the time to read this, I hope you enjoyed it.
+RobertHudson13 I'm the same on knives as well, most people either carry a 3" folder or a 7" bowie(where that's legal), I carry a 5" Schrade Golden Spike.
+RobertHudson13 The smallsword is an evolution of the rapier - the rapier was in widespread use between c.1550-c.1680 and the smallsword from c.1650-c1800.
+RobertHudson13 I've just noticed that my short version says "evolution of the small sword," and then my long version proceeded to talk about an actual small sword. Anyway, my comment of course presumes that sword technology has advanced in material, for any sword. But it also ignores possible evolution in design, because I couldn't begin to predict what new designs could have evolved had civilian sword carry remained socially acceptable.
+RobertHudson13 I have to agree the mentality that goes along with concealed carry pistols would match that of swords. Sure, there would be people who would carry a broadsword, but would you really want to carry that everywhere, all day, every day? Walk in the door, *clunk*, turn around in the supermarket aisle *clunk*, get in the car, *oh crap*. Come to think of it, that's probably how the smallsword came to be. With our new instant global culture, people would likely carry a far more varied set of swords than that of old Europe, as all types of swords would be readily available for individual preference. However, I believe that the short, wide blades (14-20 inch or 35-50 cm) would replace longer swords like rapiers simply because of their ease of carry indoors or while seated in, say a restaurant booth. Also, with the rise of the fascination with the katana since the 70s (?), the Wakizashi and ko katana / chisa katana would be quite popular. Same with kukris. In rural areas, a sword would have to see some utility purpose as well, so we would see things such as lengthened Bowie knives and the like. As for materials, I agree that the rubber grips would be popular, as would para cord wraps, just because of their "tactical" look and cost. I do have to add one point regarding stainless; With daily wear and sheer convenience and low maintenance being a concern, a thin thermal spray coating of stainless could protect the blade from everyday rust without sacrificing too much performance. Or more likely, a coating like some pocket knives or tools (modern wood cutting axes, etc.) have would do the same job cheaper. Maybe in all kinds of bright colors/designs if we are being fashionable. So TL;DR, short, wide blades of all kinds from all over the world, with rubber and paracord handles and rust proof coatings.
+RobertHudson13 If you think about it, too, we're not wearing heavy armour for the most part so there's not really any advantage gained by carrying a large blade that could slash through, say, boiled leather armor or something similar, so a rapier or a smallsword might be all you need to really go through clothing and maybe a heavy jacket in colder months. With that said, I'd most likely carry something like a falcata or a saber, but then, I like slashing blades and things that cut like axes. Nothing wrong with a good cut-and-thrust leaf-shaped blade, either.
couple things. a katana is primarily a two handed weapon and is long as im sure you know but yet you said we should have a short weapon primarily one handed, am i reading that wrong? also the other thing, if swords were still the norm i am pretty sure clothing would be different, you know i think we would still wear doublets with modern advancement somehow in there. if i were to pick a sword for modern day, i would more than likely agree with a messer or kukris with modern advancements
In a 1 on 1 in close range, youd lose to the person with a seax or dagger simply due to draw time. Large daggers would probably be most effective in common urban encounters.
Likewise...i have a musketeer rapier from windlass wchich i nicked a fortnight ago , and now i have designs to bung some quids for a main gauche dagger to compliment it along with.
I say no self respecting Scotsman would go into battle without a Scottish broadsword. I am confident Lt Colonel John Malcolm ‘Mad Jack’ Churchill would have agreed.
Evan Friend Because it'd be heavy as shit haha. Coming from an Infantryman, small things you carry over long distance quickly become heavy. Heavy shit can go jump off a bridge.
Fuck Yo Couch I carried a 35 lb. Browning M1919 GPMG, and alternatively a 33 lb. Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless rifle, In the Royal Regiment in 1983. The GPMG damn near killed me.
Jason Johnson i havnt looked any further into it, but according to the instructor at the concealed weapons class i was at in wisconsin, batons, clubs, saps, and blades over 3 inches are allowed if you have a ccw permit, so technically swords would be covered by that, though much like with a firearm, i'd feel like a total tool carrying one without having at least a base level of efficacy with it.
40 inch rapiers with pommels designed to catch blades, carbon steel blades, all the rest is made out of titanium and whatnot. Designed to be as light as possible. Likely be under 2.5 pounds. Literally the middle ages worst nightmare. Super thin pommels that appear ornate but actually are convex and still are supported by the metal "strings" for lack of a term.
David The Gnome If there is titanium on your sword it would be a greater risk of carrying it because people would rob you than not wearing a weapon at all
I don't know but if I had to wear a sword both for fashion purposes and practical reasons I would wear a sort of jian. They are so elegant, they look like a true gentleman's sword.
Tinker Bell I've got what amounts to a switchblade in my pocket right now. The answer to question really is knives like the Kershaw Blur and fixed blade "utility" knives. At least here in the States. Keep in mind that you couldn't exactly carry a Buck knife in an office or past security at the airport. Bank maybe?
TSO Liot Sword. Not big ass Bowie knife, not utility knife, not Buck knife, not switchblade comb, not torque wrench. Those are knives. Some of them, anyway. A sword is a knife but a big knife is not a sword. Damn Texans think everything is bigger than is actually is.
I live in Oregon, and you quibble. A sword is a tool, just like a bowie knife. Also, what does grosse messer translate to, if a sword is a knife but a big knife isn't a sword?
I'd imagine katanas would be exceedingly popular due to the fascination with Japanese culture, plus the myth that Katanas are super magical and the best sword ever.
They are an over hyped sword, but still were good at what they were made for. There's a fairly large body of knowledge with an emphasis on unarmored fighting. Rapiers and smallswords would also be popular, as they fulfilled that purpose for hundreds of years. Now that's an interesting thought experiment, katana against rapier...hmmm
QbertEnhanced There were cases of Japanese pirates or soldiers attempting boarding actions on Portuguese and English ships where the Katana encountered rapier and dagger style combat, the japanese lost badly, but wether or not it was due to the weapon, the relative skills of the users, or the environment is, of course, lost to time. I would bet that it was the alien style of fighting to the Japanese and an evident inability to adapt quickly that led to them being repelled.
Everyone's thinking about materials, but forgetting why people wore swords. Depending on the period, they were mostly for show, as marks of status and manhood. So, as far as materials go, look at a Rolex and think ent. Mind you, I bet if you went to council estates they'd look more like some 'sick' CoD skins had been applied: gold plating and neon pink camo patterns.
Personally I believe a modern sword for open carry would look something like the Patton Saber. It had a narrow, stiff blade meant for the thrust and a very protective basket shaped guard. The sword was very light and the point of balance was much closer to the hand than on normal sabers, making it rather nimble. I believe we would probably see a grip made of textured plastic or rubber to cut weight and perhaps the guard would be made of a light composite but I do not believe steel would be replaced. And I don't think anyone besides weeaboos and katana fanboys would carry a katana - much less use it effectively. I'd put a modestly trained saber fencer against the most hardcore katana fanboy any day.
Well everybody has their own preferences and style for sure, if arming sword and buckler is your comfort zone, then by all means roll with it! I myself would rather have a curved cavalry saber, something akin to the British 1796 or the French Year XI (which I actually already have) but I think the common "tactical sword" would look like the Patton Sword.
If people carried swords today, the important question imho would be what kind of armour would they also carry. If carrying a sword became common, swords that can easily cut trough the many layers of different clothing would be useful, along with the capacity to penetrate at least a kevlar shirt or other kind of light kevlar armour. I imagine either Rapiers with a basket hilt, or a Rapier and a parrying dagger with a basket hilt would be the most common choices. Also, in the winter months, it wouldn't be hard to conceal a thin titanium or ceramic mail under one or more layers of clothing. Hoodies with a thin but well padded interior could also conceal one of these kinds of mails, with the bonus that with the hood on, you get the benefits of a coif and usage in all but the warmest months and climates. TL;DR.: I think that if they are going to be used in a fight, the choice of sword depends more on how concealed armour evolves that the actual evolution of swords.
I don't think carrying equals using, though. But if I had to guess then advances in materials would mean the light, cutting blade would be done away with, as a cut-proof vest weighs far less than a bulletproof one and could be worn at all times with minimal encumbrance. That means we'd see piercing blades take the fore until the commercialization of recent advances in stab-proofing that are just now hitting the market. At that point swords with enough bulk to inflict crushing damage would become superior.
I actually had a collection of modern armour. In various materials.. I make my own clothes and have studies sword techniques both oriental and western. I have a German flectarn vest. It has a minimum 9mm ballistic protection. It covers the flanks neck and shoulders very well. On test cutting the plates and stabbing it's near impossible to get through. It's actually lighter than a leather jacket. I also aquire 8 kevlar plates that would stop 357 magnum round. I made a covert vest from them. So the type of armor would be a nice flexible kevlar armour that can be worn anywhere with not to much bulk.
Will nonya I think the best martial art that covers Machetes specifically would be Filipino Martial Arts, or FMA. I mean, they teach it to U.S. Special forces... just dropping in with something you might be interested in researching .
It worked in a shield wall, but as far as swords go, the gladius is shit. WHy do you think no one has used them in like 2000 years? Because better swords were invented.
The problem with a gladius is that it is a short sword. If you don't also carry around a shield, you are very vulnerable to longer swords. Most swords are longer than a gladius.
Steven Reckling Excellent point However, since we're having a reasonable intelligent conversation, I must point out that I would also have a shield, a legionnaire's helmet, a Roman phalanx to lock shields with, and General Claudius Maximus to direct our movements should the need arise.
I’d say it’ll come down to a mix of the messer, saber, rapier/smallsword, and the sidesword. All seem perfectly fine for fashion and defense. Personally I’d go with the sidesword as it offers hand protection and the fact you can wrap your index finger over the crossguard for control and thrusting, yet still have a adequate edge compared to a rapier. Basically a good middle ground for thrusting and cutting, and for looks.
I love this question, and I've gone back to it a few times. The first thing to consider is what is practical in this day and age to carry around with you. Most people drive cars nowadays, and to be quite honest, wearing a longsword or rapier in your car is...not particularly comfortable. You could of course design cars to have a side compartment to hold your sword, but then you'd have to take it off and put it back on whenever you got in or out of the car, and unfortunately there are a lot of lazy people in this world who wouldn't want to do that. So there would be two different types of people, the ones who carried really small swords for convenience (gladius size likely) and the ones who were more serious about it and carried larger blades and took them off their hips when they got in and out of their car. I don't think that rapiers would be common, since I think that a lot of self-defense use would involve dark alleys and close quarters, which a rapier isn't really well suited for, so I think that the most popular style would be something that would develop out of sabers and backswords or sideswords. I think that since a lot of modern use would be very general, where you don't really know what the situation might call for, I think that a very general sword that can be of use in a lot of situations would in turn be the most popular, so likely the backsword, which is not too long, not to short, and pretty good at both cutting and thrusting, would be the go-to sword. This would of course vary from person to person. I think that if swords were still carried, a lot of times they would be used as status symbols, so I think that a lot of big business CEOs and whatnot might actually carry ornate rapiers, more to show that they can rather than because of use. Whereas poor people living in crime-ridden ghetto areas might carry something like a cutlass which is short enough to be quickly drawn and used against a guy who tries to corner you in a back alley somewhere. There'd be the tacticool people who would want a super-modern looking sword even if it lost some of it's usability just because they thought it made them look cool, and they'd probably have something like the swords that Deathstroke uses in the tv show Arrow. There'd be antique lovers who would swear by the tried and true and might carry around military sabers or even arming swords or longswords. It's an excellent question...and likely has more elements that I haven't even considered.
Here's a question that might be even better. Consider that we had a culture where not only were swords commonly worn and carried around, but it was expected of people. Every citizen was meant to carry around a sword and was at minimum basic training from middle school through high school in whatever style of swordplay they preferred. How would this change effect the rest of our culture? How would other things be different today because of this?
I think I have to comment on your first post, then your comment. These are all true, except you missed the fact that technological and scientific advances would give us new breakthroughs in sword technology as well, and so the "modern-looking" swords may actually have some benefit if they are accompanied by modern technology. Your comment brings up the idea that all British men, in the 17th century, were expected to own and be trained with a longbow. There would be a time slot in everyone's day to train, and it would be outside of school, yet still expected. It could be administered by the school, but it would definitely take place after the school day ended. I do think people would resort to swordplay in certain situations (rather than a brawl in a bar, we'd have some drunks about to swing katana at greatsword). Pop culture would also be different, as celebrities would have name-brand swords, and manufacturers would always be trying to outdo one another with new breakthroughs and advertising would be much different. I love the question you pose, and I think I'm going to write a treatise on it, and maybe make a video regarding it (With the video I might make answering this question in the first place..). Thanks for your prompt!
Kyle Flanagan In Arrow Deathstroke uses a katana (a pretty long one no-dachi might be) : thecwarrow.tumblr.com/post/81545366771/deathstroke-is-gearing-up look at the last gif.
Fitch501 I was referring to the one he used back on the island when he was still a good guy. static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/2/20720/3528113-slade+sword.jpg That one is definitely not a Katana.
I think the types of sword would vary a lot. Common brutes and "tough guys" would probably use machetes, whilst people with a more refined fashion taste would carry sabres. You would also see a lot of katana fanboys around.
Yep, all the things you'd find on a clearance sale in a BUDK magazine, that's what everyone would wear if swords were socially normal. Personally I think that would be hilarious.
Tom Farmer Are you aware, that GLOCK is making knives. They even have a black blade (the plastic is most often a greenish brown, but black is also available). So producing sword would be not completly new for them.
I'd like to see how you can deflect a constant stream of laser that's flicking around as fast as my wrist can flick it. Just one screw up and you're dead, and you ain't no Jedi.
For the concealed carry sword, I’d go with a spadroon hidden in the shaft of an umbrella. With the umbrella made from very strong fibers and struts that would allow you to use it as a shield (if only to obscure your sword arm a bit.) I liked the idea of an electric stunner built into the blade that someone else suggested.
Coming from an American perspective where almost everyone carries pocket knives, and where I have actually seen people wearing swords around town. I think if swords were fashionable today they would be short and durable with a utilitarian design.
Fun topic. I look at it like this - In the very real world, there are many cultures that carry weapons that are more or less sword like. The Machete, some types of Khukuri... Bowie knives (some are more like short swords). Go to certain third world countries, and there are people who prize their machete more than they value their wives. Where their machete is a prime symbol of their manhood. In many of those 3rd world locations, firearms are not unheard of, and a brutish thug might carry an AK 47 and a machete. To be fair I think there are a bazillion (scientific term look it up) reasons why people don't carry swords or machetes everywhere they go like they do in the third world. But assuming we did away with at least the social stigma reasons, and made it more of a tradition that carried on to the modern times... Lets also assume that cultures around the globe were less restrictive of firearms (I think thats fair in that if the society is willing to let everyone go armed with swords... then it follows a firearm would likely be allowed as well). I expect that any swords we would see today would all be of the shorts sword, or large knife variety. Weapons that would NOT get in the way of the use of firearms, or create any unnecessary stress in daily activities. For example carrying around a 3-4 foot long sword all day every day in modern society would be just tedious and troublesome. Assuming you are worried about self defense, you must remember that you can discretely hide any number of firearms in your pants, or jacket. Or openly carry just about any larger firearm. There is a popular myth that the firearm is "useless" under 20 feet against a melee attacker. I counter that in real life, presuming the firearm operator has just a few hours or proper training, they can minimize that advantage a melee attacker would have to make it nearly negligible save for surprise sneak attacks. The smaller the blade, the more you need to rely on surprise to attack someone. The larger the blade... Well, nobody bothers with them in the modern world because someone with a gun would see it coming much sooner and not hesitate like they might if someone is just walking up to them with their hand in their pockets. In such surprise encounters, a sword or big knife would be no more useful than a firearm. Ask yourself for example how you would defend against the knockout game? That is the reaity of most knife attacks... So the problem is, arguing for WHY the word would still be worn in a world with firearms and small blades... The only reason I can think of is style and social status. That would mean the sword would likely be a small decorative object, no doubt expensive and serving as a weapon on a secondary level only... So... Going back to my 3rd world reference before, I Think a smaller weapon, either a concealed Cane weapon... OR A small (under 24 inch) decorative blade, designed more for show than use (that doesn't mean it wouldn't be functional!). For the military I would expect it to be less decorative, and more functional, probably more like a fancy weaponized machete so the soldier would have some justification in carrying it in the field. You have to remember, the modern warrior carries a LOT of weight with them, and they won't want to carry something they never use unless it weighs nearly nothing (like a deck of cards for example). A 1-3lb blade that is only useful for killing other humans, is competing with the space and mass that an extra magazine of ammo could take up. Let me tell you... Most soldiers if given the choice would choose the extra mag, or a tool or rations, every time if they HAD to carry the weight. Many soldiers DO however carry melee weapons, forced entry axes, machetes, all kinds of things, some are standard issue, others are bought privately. The swamprat Katana (I think they call it the Rodent Ruki Now) for example has seen some use by some soldiers I have spoken too online, because it is both a tool and a weapon. But if the military is remotely as pragmatic as it is today... I would just assume a true sword would just not be worn, even if it was traditional and socially expected in the civilian world. It just isn't practical... A modern combat soldier knows ways to deploy a firearm that defeat all but the most personal of CQC encounters, and even then, their firearm is often their best option. While an AR15/M16 (whatever variant you want to talk about) is certainly more flimsy than the rifle muskets of the past, they still pack a considerable melee wallop, and provide a lot of leverage. Consider lastly, that to employ a sword while you still have possession of a rifle is just a bad idea... that rifle will be swinging around you violently unless you hold it in one hand. But then it will be getting in your way... It's just NOT practical as a weapon in practice. Now in a world where the Firearm was never invented... and we still fought wars with melee weapons and comparatively primitive missile weapons like bows and crossbows... I would expect the crossbow/compound bow to be at least as capable and advanced as today's bows. Even with some modernized ideas, the aimed fire rate of even the best archer is limited, and so is ammo, so the sword would still be important. However, in this hypothetical world without the firearm, we would also have little reason to get rid of armor... So the sword... would occupy a less central role in warfare, and instead return to how it was worn and used in the cities and countryside. So... the more modern swords being used up to the 19th century or so... would likely be the ones employed, both by the military, and the citizenry. But they would have more space age designs with better materials. I have little doubt that if the sword and other bladed weapons had remained important to the modern era, someone would have figured out new alloys or ways of making bladed weapons that would likely mean even the best Alloys of today would be inferior. Just my 2c :)
+Doreen Green Titanium doesn't actually hold an edge as well as steel, it just has a better weight-to-strength ratio, and hardness and toughness are what determine how well a material will hold an edge. Strength determines how much stress a material can bear, hardness determines how easily it holds its shape, and toughness determines how much shock a material can take before it breaks.
+Another original name: you are correct about titanium. This is exactly the cause, why military helicopter armor is made of titanium - because it's lighter than steel and still offers some protection, even if far less than steel. Were I to choose a blade for myself, I would seriously consider carbon nano rod mentioned before, maybe nano rod-steel weave as a base - however, as for edge material... i'd opt on synthetic corundum, if i was very rich maybe even diamond nanorod, sharpened with molecular precision. But if I were to make a sword for myself, right now... that would be military-grade steel in a ninjato design - however, I would swap tsuba for a more protective guard.
I suspect there would be a merging of swords from around the world because of multiculturalism where some would have flavours from different parts of the world. Maybe there's be a technological twist with things like electrification such as 'stun swords' or little bulbs near the hand to possibly shine into ones opponents eyes to prevent them from seeing, etc.
One aspect you'd see is in scabbard design. You would have a scabbard that allowed the sword to be drawn in a parry stroke rather than having to draw it out on the length. The handgrip would be customized for the user. You might even see composite swords, with only steel cutting edges.
+Boar's Tooth Historical Fencing Are you comparing a gun in a holster to a sword in somebody's hand? It takes just as much time to draw a sword as it does to draw a pistol. I usually carry a pocket pistol when out and about, because they conceal easier and weigh less. One of the major advantages of them is that I can have my hand on my gun in my pocket, therefor deescalating the problem at hand but also preparing to draw if necessary. I would take the gun any day of the week.
Most swords would be unfeasible to draw and strike smoothly in the same motion, but katanas, sabers and small swords, probably. If you're within a distance to draw your gun and aim, the person you're shooting is within range to knife you. The Tueller Drill demonstrates this. If the swordsman needs to charge 15ft, he's dead. If he's within 7ft, well, a swordsman would train more with his sword than your average criminal would with his knife, and 7ft has still been demonstrated as a dangerous range. It's about equal, man, unless you train your quickdraw faster than your opponent's thrust, you should be good.
"Swords are secondary to firearms" this stopped being true after about World War 1 with guns being ultra reliable and easy to change out high capacity magazines. It would be far better to have a smaller gun as a secondary weapon regardless of skill with a sword. For proof, no modern military or police dept uses a sword as backup.
Lower-class swords would, I think, be similar to machetes or Bowie knives. Simple and utilitarian. Higher-class swords, on the other hand, would probably be much showier, and have aesthetics similar to what we see on contemporary luxury cars. Blades would probably be short, single-edged, highly polished, and have little to no curve. Hilts would be ergonomically designed and made of fiberglass (or something similar) with rubberized grips, while scabbards would be similarly constructed of fiberglass with a leather (or faux-leather) interior and have some sort of latch mechanism which locks the blade into place when you sheathe it and pops it out easily when a switch is pressed for easy drawing. The hand guard would be an extremely wide, domed sheet of metal that extends from the grip to cover the whole fist from the front, almost like a narrower version of the boss on old circular shields. I don't think we'd go in for excessive ornamentation, if trends in cars and smartphones are any indication, but the overall aesthetic design would be sleek, stylish, and highly polished, while still looking very functional and deadly.
likely to have some sort of purpose too, apart from being stabby cutty doom sticks in the form of sharpened steel. would we see survival swords, like survival knives?
Since no one really needs "utilitarian" swords, most can realistically afford a sword in a modern developed country (much more so if everyone owned one) and they're relatively simple tools (definitely not comparable to cars), probably the swords of the not-very wealthy would look like cheaper versions of the most expensive fashionable swords: cheaper materials, cheaper-to-make blades and maybe less details (if modest designs are not already the fashion). The types of sword would be defined by fashion, not by prize.
I can see some well of people, mainly the rich and the famous carrying sabers with bejeweled handles, and blades with beautiful inlays. I would also expect that we would have a lot of colored blades. I mean we would find a way to get the steel to have more colors then black, grey, gold, blue, and white.
Also, we live in an age of composite materials. I would expect we would have swords that were not even metal, but carbon, and fiberglass. They would be so light, and cost effective to make
Also adding that we would have ways to resharpen, and put blades back on carbon and fiberglass blades if we still carried swords like they used to in the past. As the sword would evolve so would the sharpeners for the swords.
HamsterPants522 For the main bulk of the blade--where durability are paramount, you want something durable, for which steel and bronze are still probably our best material. For the edge of the blade, however, I could see it being coated in a harder material, like tungsten Carbide (the material used for power tool bits), so it can hold a sharp edge for longer.
Swords were the handguns of their day, and they evolved depending on the needs of the weilders and evolving combat styles. Right now in handguns the demand is for ever lighter and smaller handguns, and small handguns in higher power calibers. That says to me that right now concealability is the deciding factor these days. As more and more people carry a firearm, they want to have one that's easy to carry, as the gun that's easy to carry is going to be carried more often, and be more likely to be on hand when it's needed. In that case, I'd say if swords had remained the weapon of choice instead of firearms, then I think they'd have seen a similar demand placed upon them throughout history. Rapiers, weapons for long range piercing, and one on one dueling, gave way to sabers, weapons for quick slashing and were employed up through much of the 19th century, and even the early 20th before swords entirely fell out of military use. But what about civilian use? Well big knives were popular in the 9th century including the Bowie knife, and the Arkansass toothpick. These things were huge fighting knives, and I dare say borderlined on being short swords, and meanwhile in other parts of the world the Khukri was spreading its popularity. I think that gives us a hint that like firearms are doing today, bladed weapons were moving toward concealability. These things were no pocket knives, they were fighting weapons, so I'd less call them knives that got bigger, but rather swords that got smaller. I think weapons like those, sitting somewhere on the boundary of dagger and short sword is where swords would be among self defense carriers. The weapon you have on hand beats the weapon you don't, and these were big enough to do the job, but small enough to conceal, striking a balance between the vaneer of nonviolent civilization, with simple pragmatism. Militarily I think swords would continue to fall out just as they had been doing already pushed out by more effective specialized pole arms, and archers, save for sabers carried by mounted cavalry, and close fighting short swords as backup.
I think the desire for concealment has more to do with law than anything. Most places do not have open carry. If were talking about as a society deterring crime, i think millions of law abiding citizens with guns on their hip deters a criminal more than most people not carrying, and those that are hiding it under clothing, which takes a bit longer to draw. Which store would you rob? The one with people sporting rifles and 45s? Or the one where nobody is openly carrying, and maybe 1 has a 38special subcompact
A modern day civilian sword would utilize some sort of Tazer functionality allowing the blade to become electrified. A mere tap of the blade would be enough to disarm an opponent and incapacitate them. The blade would still retain a lethal edge if in the event deadly force was needed.
Decorative scabbards. They could have the Chanel, Gucci or Louis Vuitton designs on them. Maybe Burberry would have one with plaid grips and a tassel on the pommel. Brooks Brothers would have a few for sale as well.
I think the most common blade people would carry would be a form of short sword with a blade ranging between 16 to 24 inches long. Blade and hilt features would vary with the user's training and needs(single edge, double edge, clip point, tapered, etc.). I say this because the short sword is a very utilitarian weapon that can be carried easily on the hip or under the arm pit in a shoulder rig, on an every day basis. For fashion it can be prettied up and customized to one's taste or bank account.
MolonLabe Exactly! When I was in the army during the first Gulf War, big huge Rambo knives became the panic purchases of guys deploying to the Gulf. Everybody had heroic fantasies of hacking their way through the Iraqi hordes if they ran out of ammo. Most of these knives were of the Bowie type and two sported a 12 " and an 18" blade respectively. One company even advertised a longer 24" Bowie Sword in tactical black.
I was looking at Cold Steel's re-release of their bowie machete. 12" blade, carbon steel and if it's like their other machetes it will get razor sharp.
For self defense? Something short, simple and sturdy, like a cutlass or gladius, especially in tbe military or law enforcement capacity. Something that you could spend a lifetime mastering, but is simple enough where you could just hack or stab at an attacker with minimal training. I could also see smallswords and rapiers making a comeback, sort of as a bridge between form and function, beceuse they look nice and get the job done. As for status or fashion? The katana is pretty popular, aesthetically, and could be viewed as exotic. Longswords and greatswords could be popular with people trying to appear more imposing or masculine. Obviously these swords are great in trained hands, but people may default to them without the proper strength and experience, or even customize them to be so big or heavy as to be unwieldy in exchange for looking badass. Military officers will likely carry on as they do now, with ornate but deadly militart swords, while politicians, monarchs and socialites will keep beautiful, if not necessarily practical, swords at their side. There is also the cultural aspect. We're obviously assuming these swords will be produced with modern technology and technique as to be fully functional, but traditionalists may have their sword in the image of an older sword. So someone with pride in their Chinese culture or heritage may wear a modern Jian, while Indian police officers might carry tulwars. Ultimately this is all speculation, as we have no real idea of how armor would develop and be implemented in a society where sword wounds are a real concern, and it goes without saying that weapons develop to counter armor, and vice-versa.
John G I have practiced with a Vikingstyle longsword for a few years and lately cut it down to more of a long Gladius style with no guard, very maneuverable and light enough to wear say on a night down the local tavern, definitely not pretty enough for Clubbing though :-D
The greatsword would never be carried by a civilian. With it's immense size and weight it would be too unwieldy to be worth having. You wouldn't even be able to fit one into your car.
Can you do a video on UK laws on owning swords, polearms etc.? I think of would be beneficial for viewers to know whether they can legally own a bladed weapon.
If civilian swords were still carried today, the most important element would be the same as two hundred years ago: fashion. If I think of car fashion, I feel like we like slightly larger vehicles with no straight edge, all curves everywhere, all aerodynamic, and a very minimalist and professional look. I feel like the most popular office sword would be a Katana or Wakizaki nowadays. For some reason I feel like black metals would be in vogue, like our foldable knives. But I have to say the italian rapier with the fancy guard would probably have its market, although, probably as a smallsword. Something to match with a double breasted long winter coat made out of black whool, and a nice suit. That would be fashionable. Something like what Vergil from DmC4 wears in the real world. Heck, I'd wear that if it was socially acceptable.
They would carry iSwords, who are $400 more expensive than what they do, may only be serviced at licenced iForges and will bend if you carry them around in your pocket. And we'd have the word "swordfie".
If people were still carrying swords today, an important question I think, is whether or not people expected to use them or not. Because if they were just fashion accessories, you might see broad and fancy blades, so you could pretty up the scabbard really well, as well as much thinner swords etc. that you could wear with more casual clothes. The blades may not even be sharpened, because you're not about to use it, and it would just end up as fancy jewelery. At that point the grip might be made out of some fancy wood, bone or other neat stuff, and engraved to look really cool. The handguard etc. would be artistic masterpieces and what not. But swords in themselves may not even be sharp, because nobody wants to use them to hurt other people with.
I'd say short swords (2/3 to full arm length) would be most seen these days as most people don't have enough space on them to carry large personal effects of any type. Just imagine a man carrying laptop pulling a long sword from somewhere... Or stuffing with other people in the public transport if all of us where carrying a blade. As for the materials... CM 420 stainless as its easy to sharpen and light, the grip could be G10 or something even better. A proper ergonomic will be "a must" as if this was a common personal effect (as the computer mouse for example) most companies would adopt everything that would sell better. And of course a proper scabbard should be considered too... something really strong so if you fall or be part of a car accident you would not be killed by your own blade.
I feel like strait sabers with more substantial blades would have been big for most of the 1900s. basic short swords for the working class through the depression and red scare. Big damn barbarian short swords seem to have been big in the 80s. 90s would probably have swords with holes in them for no good reason or terrible ratting katanas. The internet might have brought more variety in 2000-2010.
+Mason Rudesheim Spring/mechanism assisted pommel unscrewing system, plus automatic rocket charge with additional computer guidance (maybe gyroscopes as well) that goes off once the pommel is a safe distance from the person throwing it (as we remember, throwing is another essential part of the technique). I warn you what this technology could spell for humanity, use it rightly.
Russian mobster variants with contrasting alloys of steel, enamel inlay, platinum on the hilt, big fat showy blades, scabbards made of exotic woods. There would be a more tactical variety that would basically be a saber but with a rubberized grip, a Kevlar guard and and a scabbard made of some kind of lightweight heavy duty acryllic, the strap would be woven nylon, and the blade and scabbard would both be covered in dark camo paint. There would be a fancy but understated one with polished brass fittings, a leather grip and a black enameled scabbard for fancy occasions.
I actually carry a sword with me in day to day life, it makes things a bit hard getting in and out of the car, but is managable. Like you said, it isn't really socially accepted, but i do it anyway. though it isnt welcomed to carry a sword, it doesnt really freak people out that much,last week i went to a resturant, and when i walked in, nobody batted an eye. trust me, i know, because everytime i go somewhere i make it a bit of a game to see how many people notice, and it would suprise you how few do.personally, i carry a Condor Tactana, which fits the description of a modern day sword quite well in my opinion, not overly cumbersome, but still a decent sized short sword.i carry it mounted on my belt using the paracord loops on the scabbard, and it feels like they were made to be looped through a belt. besides me, there must be other people who carry swords normally, so reply to this if you are one of those people or know somebody who is
Main question: what would be the purpose, status symbol or actual combat weapon? In any case I think we would use folding hilts as were used in officer's sabers to allow more comfortable carrying.
If I would wear a sword nowadays, what I actually would really like to do but well it is not very acceptable *sigh*, I would definitelly choose to carry a rapier.
I would wear a straight bladed medium sabre, sharp only halfway down the front from the tip, one third at the back, for maximum strength and blocking. The straight sabre can both cut and thrust, is light enough to fence, but accurate for a disabling cut to the face or forearm. On modern materials, perhaps a composite carbon-fibre blade with a bonded ceramic cutting edge may be tried, I'd still prefer real sharkskin for the grip though.
+Travis7060312 Not wrong that something extendable would be convenient given issues like getting into and out of cars, buses etc. raised by other commenters. Maybe instead of a blade just something more like the extendable police batons.
the Isword,made by apple. A smartphone and a sword in one that can fit in your pocket. The most important part of the sword is the size of the screen and how fast you can update your Facebook status with it.
Oh, and with OS7 it becomes break-proof and has a new frying pan, electric stove and portable nuclear-bunker apps. And the iSword 2 will even have it's own laser-guided missile launcher utility!
I think we would see a great variety of swords and many of very high quality and good appearance since they would become a fashion accessory or personal statement as much as a defensive tool.
With so much weeaboos nowadays, the modern sword to wear would be fucking katanas i bet. Maybe not the standard sword but most people would carry one around to where it would seem like it was... probably not even made with good metal ether, got to be authentic as possible if you want to be a super ninja samurai warrior with your washashis and iotos!
Riko Wolfin Let the weeabos have their trendy mall sword. It'll help thin out their ranks if it gets down to duelling because a lot of them think that just having one will make them invincible.
To me thinking of a modern day military sword and it being anything other than a tactical hatchet, being a veteran of the army and knowing first hand how useful a hatchet can be.. As far as a longer blade I'd have been interested in carrying a katana or ko katana *I believe a longer one is called, for the purpose of say needing to take down an enemy sentry very quietly with a head or neck strike. Or just having a fast backup weapon for weapon malfunction or no ammo scenarios. Yea, definitely a katana. As far as a modern civilian sword other than a katana Again, I'd have to say that a scimitar would be more my style on looks alone and a rapier on functionality alone. Great vid, made me think and laugh a good bit thinking of folks strutting around with various blades on display... More interesting question to me is if everyone was strapped with a sword, shouldn't we then bring back dueling between consenting parties? I say YES
I think we'd see something very much like the cutlass or hanger being carried most often. Light, easy to wear, great for use in confined areas or at close quarters. What's not to love? I just bought an antique Dutch police hanger for that reason.
I think by now we'd see an astounding divide between functionality and fashion. It might have been curbed for a while when Paul Lynde died because his Andy Warhol-designed sword broke in a duel, but substance cannot beat style forever. Functional modern blades would probably be as you describe them, with new materials rising and falling as challengers to spring steel. Fashion swords would still be usable, but might more closely resemble mid-level catalog swords today, but with a much wider range of decorative styles.
mikael meland For purely decorative purposes, sure; caring a greatsword in your back is about as useful as putting a gun in an enclosed handbag on your shoulder.
For steel, I'd say case-hardened tool steel (probably drop forged, but maybe CNC milled) with some wild anodizings. The wild anodizings is why I'd suggest that steel may have been left by the wayside for a good ceramic (or plastic) blade that they can "bake in" patterns and/or wild colorations: even the best parkerized finish can chip
Personally, I'd carry around both a sword, a gun/taser, *and* a shield. In the hypothetical scenario described, I imagine bullet-proof shields are much more easy to access than they are now, and that affordable customer models, designed to be possible to take out in a hurry and use in protection against assailants' bullets in the spur of the moment. Of course, in a world like this, I'd want to have a Kevlar vest as well. The place sounds pretty darn scary.
ryarod No such thing as a bullet proof shield.... The closest you can get (Without encumbering your day to day life) would be a clear riot shield, but it can only stop small rounds (Like a 9MM). A .357 or a .45 could get through it. A Ballistic shield is the closest you could get, it's capable of stopping rounds as large as a .308, but the damn thing can weight up to 16 pounds. Some models can get so heavy you need to attach a cart to wheel it around. It's just not practical for a day to day life, imagine trying to lug that thing to the bank or to Mc Donald's.
milkduds1001 Hm. A good point. Still, technology has made great advances up to now, and I'm sure that a less heavy (keyword being *_less_*, of course) Ballistic Shield could be invented. Of course, as you point out, they're pretty darn heavy, and even with the advances I'm suggested, it'd probably be *at least* fifty years from now before a personal bulletproof shield ever comes into play. However, I personally value safety over convenience, and if my neighborhood were to be one wherein I'd have reason to fear gunfire, I'd carry the shield around anyway- if and when I even had to go out to begin with. That said, you're right in that it could interfere with most daily activities- especially ones that involve travelling indoors. One more reason to go out as rarely as possible in this hypothetical world.
***** I'd like to believe so, sir. Unfortunately, Incidents proving the contrary are all too common for me to have faith in that. At any rate, let us let that be the end of that thread of conversation. This is a discussion of possible sword use in the modern day, not politics.
Lyra Booey A cutlass would seem more sensible then, as Japanese swords lack decent hand protection (because they were designed for armoured samurai to use).
scholagladiatoria not to mention that iaidō and kenjutsu had very blade intensive manoeuvring. both defence and offence began and ended with the blade. The hand guard was really only there to protect the thumb..
Much like the civilians of long ago. Even back when wearing a swords was considered fashionable civilians still didn't go around wearing armor, at best they'd carry a buckler but it's not like they were wearing coats or even vests of mail under their doublets.
Riceball01 I get your point, and I am making my assumption that the society that is carrying these modern swords is some sort of dueling society that allows for some sort of protection (you can wear cloths, but hardened armor is a nono?) Keep in mind how expensive mail was, or even allot of other armor, Then remember that the folks who were wearing swords around also wore puffy sleeves, which one could use to catch blades. They wore the armor that was practical to wear in daily life and not the less practical and insanely expensive and heavier alternatives.
Composity of some sort. Carbon fibre box section blade with internal corrugations to keep stiff, metal point and separate but blended together cutting edge. Guard could stow as cross guard, but pop out on deployment maybe Kevlar to fill any gaps in that pop out mechanism. Short slightly curved sabre shape.
I like the English Back Sword or the Spanish Espada Ropera. They are good cutters, have a good stiff point for thrusting, and have a relatively encased guard around the hand. Scottish Broad Sword would also be good but a little more flashy with that red velvet in the hang guard.
Sorry to debunk your romantic 19th century fantasy BUT people today would wear pink HelloKitty Sword, Baggy Swords with stupidly long hilts and of course the iSword with Wifi, Bluetooth and built in MP3 Player....
Wow, you took the words right out of my mouth lol. But yes I agree :/
isword with wifi bluetooth and mp3 palyer, make it happen.
Don't forget the diamond studded golden swag swords and rusty retro hipster swords.
spot on
All too true. Made in Thailand el-cheapo swords too. Someone with a real sword would fight them and their sword would just break in half. Or the knock-off sword. You think it's a real sword made of real steel but it's not. Oops, blade broke in combat. You're dead.
I wish it were socially acceptable to carry functional swords.
Vaughn Fletcher it’s legal in Texas. Open carry blades of any kind, be it smallsword or Dane axe.
same in Alaska
If it's legal, start doing it. Eventually people will get over it. Civil Rights are expanded in such ways, and by Civil Disobedience as well.
I carry a 16th century saber with some frequency. I love Oregon knife laws!
@@kyleheins Taste the freedom! Be vigilant and ready to fight for it, or it will be taken from you.
My modern sword would double as a wifi hotspot.
Maybe a modem sword?
+Ken Clark haha.
I can actually imagine swords being used in space. Lets say someone wants to capture or hijack a spaceship. The way spaceships are made now would render projectile weapons extremely hazardous; one misfire and the hull gets ruptured. If we ever get to a point where spacecraft durability lags behind the advent of space conflict, I could imagine space marines using swords. Also on distant planets and outposts, ammo for projectile weapons might be hard to get.
You know, this is a good point. What with the fragility of space ships to ballistic impacts, as well as the havoc the recoil ballistics of even a moderately powerful firearm would inflict in low-to-null gravity, bladed weaponry might see something of a resurgence once we get into common space travel. Because of space constraints, I suspect they would be relatively short and favor either short chops or stabbing motions, which would suggest that the main swords to benefit would be blades like cutlasses and modern variants on the court sword. I could totally see a ship's crew fending off hijackers using hangers with ceramic blades and carbon fiber basket-guards.
As for the original question, I could honestly see wearing swords make a comeback if enough people did it. I live in the southeast US (where carry laws are pretty darn lax) and I see people toting firearms and pocket knives quite often. I think most people don't carry swords for two reasons. One, they're relatively hard to get (and even if you can, you can't really be sure if they're actual weapons or just display pieces); and two, the mentality has shifted away from blades toward easy-to-use firearms (even though even the smallest of pistol still has a minimum range to be useful). I think that, if people started wearing swords again, they might actually find that they could be useful (the average firefight with pistols is held at under five feet, and swordfights rarely spanned a greater distance, after all).
Personally, my blade of choice would be a cleaver-style falchion with a Z-type guard.
Swords won't be used in space, mainly because of the 2nd law of motion (action-reaction). If you hit someone with a sword in space the only thing you'll do is push him away, since he's not braced against anything, and neither are you. Swords work on Earth because you're both rooted to the ground by gravity and friction, both of which are severely reduced in space.
fat4eyes I would actually say that your argument would be more suitable for blunt weapons (clubs, maces, etc), since they rely almost entirely on doing damage via impact over a relatively wide area. Also, the First Law of Motion would apply as well, since any momentum on one or both combatants will want to keep moving, thus leading to injury from a strike. And you do bring up a very good point: in space, you will not be standing there slugging it out like you would on the ground. Melee combat would have to evolve as well to deal with the fact that you are not anchored into a specific spot. At a guess, I would suspect that piercing weapons (rapiers and so on) will see more of a resurgence in use than slashing weapons, at least at first; in a confined, three-dimensional environment a stabbing motion would be a lot more effective (being able to launch yourself off a surface straight at your target would impart monstrous force to the point) than slashing, although if you miss the word "overcommitted" would be a massive understatement. As room in space craft expands, slashing weapons would become more common, although if piercing weapons establish a solid enough foothold early on cutting blades might never flourish.
It is more likely we will see an evolution of tasers and energy transmission based weapons. Microwave painray etc...
Melee weapons require training back here on earth to be wielded effectively. Now using them in space is EXTRA training time needed. Aint nobody got time for that.
First, boarding a spaceship in reality is very hard. It took the space shuttle about a half hour to dock with the ISS. It's not practacle to send over borders. But if you did... Simply depressurize the docking section of your ship and blow the assholes into space.
Tactical Messer. "No Officer, a sword in a city? Never! This is a knife, totally legal!"
Depends on where you are, here in Holland there is a limit on how big your knive is legally allowed to be. I don't think anyone would consider a Ka-Bar a sword but it would be taken away from you all the same.
It was a joke, based on the reason Messers were carried in historical times.
In my home state, carrying a sword is perfectly legal
In Texas it is legal. Was silly to ban a blade when open carry of guns is legal.
Tactical Messer with a laser-sight, bayonet, and grenade launcher.
A pimp cane that doubles as a sword. That is all I want in life.
They are called sword canes and yes they were pretty damn popular in Victorian period.
Danzig Rulze I know. I'm not talking about just any cane, I'm talking about a pimp cane.
Will Abby There was actually real Snoop Dogg style pimp cane with sword in it, i can't remember who was making those though.
@@danzigrulze5211 one with a golden dollar sign on top
Short answer: I'd wear a rapier because I believe most people would carry an evolution of the small sword.
Long Answer: When approaching this question, what springs to mind for me, is civilian carry of firearms (I'm from Texas where it's legal with a permit). I work at a firearms dealer, and so i get to see what type of guns are most popular. And for carry, the most popular are small concealable .380s and 9mms, as opposed to giant high caliber revolvers. The reason for this is apparent, if you're going to carry it all day every day, you want it to be comfortable, and so, there is a trade-off between comfort and protection. In Texas there is relatively little need for protection, so micro-guns are popular, but in Alaska, there is a greater need for protection, so full-size guns are often carried. This same principle could be applied to swords. For instance in Africa one might commonly see longswords(or more likely polearms) carried, but in the US and Europe where there is much less danger, it would be unlikely that anyone would carry something that cumbersome. This trend can be seen in the very evolution of the small-sword, thus I believe that if the carrying of swords had continued, it would have stuck to the same path of getting smaller and lighter and generally more comfortable to wear.
There are of course those few people who carry a full-size firearm everyday, and there is of course the 1% or so that carry something excessive like a Taurus Judge, and so there would be those who carried a longsword or a two-handed sword, but these would be the minority. I however am in the camp of those who carry a .357 snub-nose, small enough to be carried with only a little more discomfort, but with enough stopping power to hold it's own with the big boys. And that's why I'd carry a rapier. For those of you who took the time to read this, I hope you enjoyed it.
+RobertHudson13
I'm the same on knives as well, most people either carry a 3" folder or a 7" bowie(where that's legal), I carry a 5" Schrade Golden Spike.
+RobertHudson13 The smallsword is an evolution of the rapier - the rapier was in widespread use between c.1550-c.1680 and the smallsword from c.1650-c1800.
+RobertHudson13 I've just noticed that my short version says "evolution of the small sword," and then my long version proceeded to talk about an actual small sword.
Anyway, my comment of course presumes that sword technology has advanced in material, for any sword. But it also ignores possible evolution in design, because I couldn't begin to predict what new designs could have evolved had civilian sword carry remained socially acceptable.
+RobertHudson13 I have to agree the mentality that goes along with concealed carry pistols would match that of swords. Sure, there would be people who would carry a broadsword, but would you really want to carry that everywhere, all day, every day? Walk in the door, *clunk*, turn around in the supermarket aisle *clunk*, get in the car, *oh crap*. Come to think of it, that's probably how the smallsword came to be. With our new instant global culture, people would likely carry a far more varied set of swords than that of old Europe, as all types of swords would be readily available for individual preference. However, I believe that the short, wide blades (14-20 inch or 35-50 cm) would replace longer swords like rapiers simply because of their ease of carry indoors or while seated in, say a restaurant booth. Also, with the rise of the fascination with the katana since the 70s (?), the Wakizashi and ko katana / chisa katana would be quite popular. Same with kukris. In rural areas, a sword would have to see some utility purpose as well, so we would see things such as lengthened Bowie knives and the like. As for materials, I agree that the rubber grips would be popular, as would para cord wraps, just because of their "tactical" look and cost. I do have to add one point regarding stainless; With daily wear and sheer convenience and low maintenance being a concern, a thin thermal spray coating of stainless could protect the blade from everyday rust without sacrificing too much performance. Or more likely, a coating like some pocket knives or tools (modern wood cutting axes, etc.) have would do the same job cheaper. Maybe in all kinds of bright colors/designs if we are being fashionable.
So TL;DR, short, wide blades of all kinds from all over the world, with rubber and paracord handles and rust proof coatings.
+RobertHudson13 If you think about it, too, we're not wearing heavy armour for the most part so there's not really any advantage gained by carrying a large blade that could slash through, say, boiled leather armor or something similar, so a rapier or a smallsword might be all you need to really go through clothing and maybe a heavy jacket in colder months. With that said, I'd most likely carry something like a falcata or a saber, but then, I like slashing blades and things that cut like axes. Nothing wrong with a good cut-and-thrust leaf-shaped blade, either.
i looked at the comments to see cool ideas of futuristic swords all i got were katana cultists and jokes
couple things. a katana is primarily a two handed weapon and is long as im sure you know but yet you said we should have a short weapon primarily one handed, am i reading that wrong? also the other thing, if swords were still the norm i am pretty sure clothing would be different, you know i think we would still wear doublets with modern advancement somehow in there. if i were to pick a sword for modern day, i would more than likely agree with a messer or kukris with modern advancements
***** No amount of winter coat would stop a sword cut it's not hardened leather
Roger Horsemen whats the difference
A Plasma bladed Sword with a Depleted Uranium pommel. That would be beautiful and may be trendy
Broadsword, kilt, face-paint, bagpipes.
NoQuestionsAsked you beat me to it.
NoQuestionsAsked why not a big claymore ?
***** scottish broadsword technically are claymores
tom02061997 I meant a big medieval 2-handed claymore
tom02061997 www.medieval-weaponry.co.uk/acatalog/hanwei-claymore-sword-sh2060.html Claymore
www.coldsteel-uk.com/store/Scottish-Basket-Hilt-Broadsword.html
Scottish Broadsword
Scottish broadsword = definitely not a Claymore
speaking realistically i would definitely pick a rapier
I would probably go with some kind of sabre, people don't tend to wear heavy clothing here in Australia so anything that cuts well would be good.
+Lance oGii
From your profile picture I'd have suspected a vibro-katana. : 3
Taxtro lol
In a 1 on 1 in close range, youd lose to the person with a seax or dagger simply due to draw time.
Large daggers would probably be most effective in common urban encounters.
Likewise...i have a musketeer rapier from windlass wchich i nicked a fortnight ago , and now i have designs to bung some quids for a main gauche dagger to compliment it along with.
I say no self respecting Scotsman would go into battle without a Scottish broadsword. I am confident Lt Colonel John Malcolm ‘Mad Jack’ Churchill would have agreed.
I love Mad Jacks, I don't wanna say story because it sounds disrespectful, but story!
Evan Friend Because it'd be heavy as shit haha. Coming from an Infantryman, small things you carry over long distance quickly become heavy. Heavy shit can go jump off a bridge.
Fuck Yo Couch I carried a 35 lb. Browning M1919 GPMG, and alternatively a 33 lb. Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless rifle, In the Royal Regiment in 1983. The GPMG damn near killed me.
I’m happy you brought him up.
People would probably be rocking the iSword.
+LordofDragns lol iSword.org is the bible O_o.
Yemeth42pis All hail the glorious iSword!
oh how i wish sword carry was perfectly legal and socially acceptable
i think id wear a rapier or something like a sabre or small sword
Jason Johnson i havnt looked any further into it, but according to the instructor at the concealed weapons class i was at in wisconsin, batons, clubs, saps, and blades over 3 inches are allowed if you have a ccw permit, so technically swords would be covered by that, though much like with a firearm, i'd feel like a total tool carrying one without having at least a base level of efficacy with it.
of course
cool though
Legal? In many places, yes.
Socially acceptable? In some places, just (sadly) not many
it should be legal, as long as people keep it in their scabbards and don't take it out in public
40 inch rapiers with pommels designed to catch blades, carbon steel blades, all the rest is made out of titanium and whatnot. Designed to be as light as possible. Likely be under 2.5 pounds. Literally the middle ages worst nightmare.
Super thin pommels that appear ornate but actually are convex and still are supported by the metal "strings" for lack of a term.
+Shit Slapper 3000 Tang, that's the word you are searching for.
David The Gnome If there is titanium on your sword it would be a greater risk of carrying it because people would rob you than not wearing a weapon at all
I don't know but if I had to wear a sword both for fashion purposes and practical reasons I would wear a sort of jian. They are so elegant, they look like a true gentleman's sword.
Anonymous87916 I feel so offended
***** Weaboo as well? Now my life is over.
***** But if I'm already dead, how can I kill myself? I feel so confused.
Jian are chinese swords, not Japanese. He can't be a Weeaboo.
Ashuvain i guess jian is a good sword. i'd personally like a cutlass.
Bowie knife is socially acceptable and could be considered a short sword.
Texans know about this.
Chris B Same here. Damn 'Murica sounds like an awesome place
Tinker Bell That's 'cause it is.....mostly.
Tinker Bell I've got what amounts to a switchblade in my pocket right now.
The answer to question really is knives like the Kershaw Blur and fixed blade "utility" knives. At least here in the States.
Keep in mind that you couldn't exactly carry a Buck knife in an office or past security at the airport. Bank maybe?
TSO Liot
Sword. Not big ass Bowie knife, not utility knife, not Buck knife, not switchblade comb, not torque wrench. Those are knives. Some of them, anyway. A sword is a knife but a big knife is not a sword. Damn Texans think everything is bigger than is actually is.
I live in Oregon, and you quibble.
A sword is a tool, just like a bowie knife.
Also, what does grosse messer translate to, if a sword is a knife but a big knife isn't a sword?
I'd imagine katanas would be exceedingly popular due to the fascination with Japanese culture, plus the myth that Katanas are super magical and the best sword ever.
Well you can't deny they are beautiful looking swords. But yeah, not the best sword ever made.
***** Yeah, I can't imagine there would be many people who would deny a good katana's beauty.
They are an over hyped sword, but still were good at what they were made for. There's a fairly large body of knowledge with an emphasis on unarmored fighting. Rapiers and smallswords would also be popular, as they fulfilled that purpose for hundreds of years. Now that's an interesting thought experiment, katana against rapier...hmmm
QbertEnhanced interesting, but it is a bit strange to put a cutting weapon against a trusting weapon
what would the tests be?
QbertEnhanced There were cases of Japanese pirates or soldiers attempting boarding actions on Portuguese and English ships where the Katana encountered rapier and dagger style combat, the japanese lost badly, but wether or not it was due to the weapon, the relative skills of the users, or the environment is, of course, lost to time. I would bet that it was the alien style of fighting to the Japanese and an evident inability to adapt quickly that led to them being repelled.
People would go with a rapier with integrated Iphone case
Everyone's thinking about materials, but forgetting why people wore swords. Depending on the period, they were mostly for show, as marks of status and manhood. So, as far as materials go, look at a Rolex and think ent.
Mind you, I bet if you went to council estates they'd look more like some 'sick' CoD skins had been applied: gold plating and neon pink camo patterns.
An iSword of course, full aluminum body, no headphone jack and a big apple sign in the pommel.
omg, pls stahp. i can actually see that happening which makes me sad
it doesn't come with the blade, you will have to buy it separetly and use an adaptor and it is still going to feel sorta wonky
Nah, the pommel is shaped like the Apple logo
Pommel sold separately for $1000, with expertly engineered threads and shape
I suppose i would carry a saber i got from my grandad after he died.
Personally I believe a modern sword for open carry would look something like the Patton Saber. It had a narrow, stiff blade meant for the thrust and a very protective basket shaped guard. The sword was very light and the point of balance was much closer to the hand than on normal sabers, making it rather nimble. I believe we would probably see a grip made of textured plastic or rubber to cut weight and perhaps the guard would be made of a light composite but I do not believe steel would be replaced. And I don't think anyone besides weeaboos and katana fanboys would carry a katana - much less use it effectively. I'd put a modestly trained saber fencer against the most hardcore katana fanboy any day.
I'd prefer the good old arming sword+buckler combo.
By George, I think he's got it!
HamsterPants522
me too
HamsterPants522
Me three.
Well everybody has their own preferences and style for sure, if arming sword and buckler is your comfort zone, then by all means roll with it! I myself would rather have a curved cavalry saber, something akin to the British 1796 or the French Year XI (which I actually already have) but I think the common "tactical sword" would look like the Patton Sword.
If people carried swords today, the important question imho would be what kind of armour would they also carry. If carrying a sword became common, swords that can easily cut trough the many layers of different clothing would be useful, along with the capacity to penetrate at least a kevlar shirt or other kind of light kevlar armour.
I imagine either Rapiers with a basket hilt, or a Rapier and a parrying dagger with a basket hilt would be the most common choices.
Also, in the winter months, it wouldn't be hard to conceal a thin titanium or ceramic mail under one or more layers of clothing.
Hoodies with a thin but well padded interior could also conceal one of these kinds of mails, with the bonus that with the hood on, you get the benefits of a coif and usage in all but the warmest months and climates.
TL;DR.: I think that if they are going to be used in a fight, the choice of sword depends more on how concealed armour evolves that the actual evolution of swords.
I don't think carrying equals using, though. But if I had to guess then advances in materials would mean the light, cutting blade would be done away with, as a cut-proof vest weighs far less than a bulletproof one and could be worn at all times with minimal encumbrance.
That means we'd see piercing blades take the fore until the commercialization of recent advances in stab-proofing that are just now hitting the market.
At that point swords with enough bulk to inflict crushing damage would become superior.
I actually had a collection of modern armour. In various materials.. I make my own clothes and have studies sword techniques both oriental and western.
I have a German flectarn vest. It has a minimum 9mm ballistic protection. It covers the flanks neck and shoulders very well.
On test cutting the plates and stabbing it's near impossible to get through.
It's actually lighter than a leather jacket.
I also aquire 8 kevlar plates that would stop 357 magnum round.
I made a covert vest from them.
So the type of armor would be a nice flexible kevlar armour that can be worn anywhere with not to much bulk.
HominidMachinae not necessarily imagine riot armour for example with a kevlar cover.
Secondly it depends on tactics involved.
All armour has weakness.
Well, they have bullet resistant clothing now. So the thrust would probably be best. A stiff sharp blade that can be drawn quickly.
Aren't Machetes technically stilled carried in modern day times as swords and not just as a tool?
I saw a video about machete master in central or south America. Can't remember clearly. It was an interesting art, sort of like saber fencing.
Will nonya
I think the best martial art that covers Machetes specifically would be Filipino Martial Arts, or FMA. I mean, they teach it to U.S. Special forces... just dropping in with something you might be interested in researching .
Alexander Webb I've dabbled in Filipino stick. Interesting thing, its based off Spanish sword play from when the Spanish occupied the Philippians.
Will nonya You might want to look up a few other stick methods. Portugal and Egypt have some wonderful styles.
V Guyver
The Portugese art, Jogo do Pau, is very cool. What is the Egyptian style called?
LONGSWORD! I don't even care about reasons. hahahahaha
If I was allowed to carry a sword, I'd carry a Roman gladius. Short, good cutter, good thrusting, light, fast, and compact.
It worked in a shield wall, but as far as swords go, the gladius is shit. WHy do you think no one has used them in like 2000 years? Because better swords were invented.
The problem with a gladius is that it is a short sword. If you don't also carry around a shield, you are very vulnerable to longer swords. Most swords are longer than a gladius.
Steven Reckling
But would all people carry long swords?
Steven Reckling Excellent point However, since we're having a reasonable intelligent conversation, I must point out that I would also have a shield, a legionnaire's helmet, a Roman phalanx to lock shields with, and General Claudius Maximus to direct our movements should the need arise.
Зиновий Варенников My gladius has a Mossberg 590 attached to it. You lose.
I’d say it’ll come down to a mix of the messer, saber, rapier/smallsword, and the sidesword. All seem perfectly fine for fashion and defense. Personally I’d go with the sidesword as it offers hand protection and the fact you can wrap your index finger over the crossguard for control and thrusting, yet still have a adequate edge compared to a rapier. Basically a good middle ground for thrusting and cutting, and for looks.
I love this question, and I've gone back to it a few times. The first thing to consider is what is practical in this day and age to carry around with you. Most people drive cars nowadays, and to be quite honest, wearing a longsword or rapier in your car is...not particularly comfortable. You could of course design cars to have a side compartment to hold your sword, but then you'd have to take it off and put it back on whenever you got in or out of the car, and unfortunately there are a lot of lazy people in this world who wouldn't want to do that. So there would be two different types of people, the ones who carried really small swords for convenience (gladius size likely) and the ones who were more serious about it and carried larger blades and took them off their hips when they got in and out of their car.
I don't think that rapiers would be common, since I think that a lot of self-defense use would involve dark alleys and close quarters, which a rapier isn't really well suited for, so I think that the most popular style would be something that would develop out of sabers and backswords or sideswords. I think that since a lot of modern use would be very general, where you don't really know what the situation might call for, I think that a very general sword that can be of use in a lot of situations would in turn be the most popular, so likely the backsword, which is not too long, not to short, and pretty good at both cutting and thrusting, would be the go-to sword.
This would of course vary from person to person. I think that if swords were still carried, a lot of times they would be used as status symbols, so I think that a lot of big business CEOs and whatnot might actually carry ornate rapiers, more to show that they can rather than because of use. Whereas poor people living in crime-ridden ghetto areas might carry something like a cutlass which is short enough to be quickly drawn and used against a guy who tries to corner you in a back alley somewhere.
There'd be the tacticool people who would want a super-modern looking sword even if it lost some of it's usability just because they thought it made them look cool, and they'd probably have something like the swords that Deathstroke uses in the tv show Arrow. There'd be antique lovers who would swear by the tried and true and might carry around military sabers or even arming swords or longswords.
It's an excellent question...and likely has more elements that I haven't even considered.
Here's a question that might be even better. Consider that we had a culture where not only were swords commonly worn and carried around, but it was expected of people. Every citizen was meant to carry around a sword and was at minimum basic training from middle school through high school in whatever style of swordplay they preferred. How would this change effect the rest of our culture? How would other things be different today because of this?
I think I have to comment on your first post, then your comment.
These are all true, except you missed the fact that technological and scientific advances would give us new breakthroughs in sword technology as well, and so the "modern-looking" swords may actually have some benefit if they are accompanied by modern technology.
Your comment brings up the idea that all British men, in the 17th century, were expected to own and be trained with a longbow. There would be a time slot in everyone's day to train, and it would be outside of school, yet still expected. It could be administered by the school, but it would definitely take place after the school day ended. I do think people would resort to swordplay in certain situations (rather than a brawl in a bar, we'd have some drunks about to swing katana at greatsword). Pop culture would also be different, as celebrities would have name-brand swords, and manufacturers would always be trying to outdo one another with new breakthroughs and advertising would be much different. I love the question you pose, and I think I'm going to write a treatise on it, and maybe make a video regarding it (With the video I might make answering this question in the first place..). Thanks for your prompt!
Kyle Flanagan In Arrow Deathstroke uses a katana (a pretty long one no-dachi might be) : thecwarrow.tumblr.com/post/81545366771/deathstroke-is-gearing-up look at the last gif.
Fitch501 I was referring to the one he used back on the island when he was still a good guy.
static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/2/20720/3528113-slade+sword.jpg
That one is definitely not a Katana.
Right
I think the types of sword would vary a lot. Common brutes and "tough guys" would probably use machetes, whilst people with a more refined fashion taste would carry sabres. You would also see a lot of katana fanboys around.
Go home, Kenneth
I would carry an arming sword or a longsword.
These days? a sword that doubles as a selfie stick.
a pata with a bunch of katanas welded to it
i am become death destroyer of worlds
They carry very short swords named knifes.
Smalless Messers.
@@southernknight9983 ...Kurzmesser/Kleinmesser.
I'm guessing; Shitty black Katana, machete hybrids with plastic hilts- completely smeared with abuse of the word 'tactical.'
Yep, all the things you'd find on a clearance sale in a BUDK magazine, that's what everyone would wear if swords were socially normal. Personally I think that would be hilarious.
New! SWORD by GLOCK! (Capitalization at mfg's request). Part sword, part tupperware, with only a 33% chance to break upon using, but it's BLACK!
Tom Farmer
Are you aware, that GLOCK is making knives.
They even have a black blade (the plastic is most often a greenish brown, but black is also available). So producing sword would be not completly new for them.
First we had sticks... then swords.... then guns... and soon.... swords made of light.
Why have a sword made of light when you can have a pen that shoots a laser beam straight through anything?
Michael Nyholt Because do you wish to be a boy, or a man?
Michael Nyholt And as we all know, lasers are deflected by light sabers.
I'd like to see how you can deflect a constant stream of laser that's flicking around as fast as my wrist can flick it. Just one screw up and you're dead, and you ain't no Jedi.
Michael Nyholt You have no proof that im not a jedi.
For the concealed carry sword, I’d go with a spadroon hidden in the shaft of an umbrella. With the umbrella made from very strong fibers and struts that would allow you to use it as a shield (if only to obscure your sword arm a bit.) I liked the idea of an electric stunner built into the blade that someone else suggested.
Coming from an American perspective where almost everyone carries pocket knives, and where I have actually seen people wearing swords around town. I think if swords were fashionable today they would be short and durable with a utilitarian design.
And of course the ocassional blinged sword with gold and jeweled handles and pommels.
Gold, jeweled pommels engraved "End him rightly!"
Fun topic. I look at it like this - In the very real world, there are many cultures that carry weapons that are more or less sword like. The Machete, some types of Khukuri... Bowie knives (some are more like short swords).
Go to certain third world countries, and there are people who prize their machete more than they value their wives. Where their machete is a prime symbol of their manhood. In many of those 3rd world locations, firearms are not unheard of, and a brutish thug might carry an AK 47 and a machete.
To be fair I think there are a bazillion (scientific term look it up) reasons why people don't carry swords or machetes everywhere they go like they do in the third world.
But assuming we did away with at least the social stigma reasons, and made it more of a tradition that carried on to the modern times... Lets also assume that cultures around the globe were less restrictive of firearms (I think thats fair in that if the society is willing to let everyone go armed with swords... then it follows a firearm would likely be allowed as well).
I expect that any swords we would see today would all be of the shorts sword, or large knife variety.
Weapons that would NOT get in the way of the use of firearms, or create any unnecessary stress in daily activities.
For example carrying around a 3-4 foot long sword all day every day in modern society would be just tedious and troublesome. Assuming you are worried about self defense, you must remember that you can discretely hide any number of firearms in your pants, or jacket. Or openly carry just about any larger firearm.
There is a popular myth that the firearm is "useless" under 20 feet against a melee attacker. I counter that in real life, presuming the firearm operator has just a few hours or proper training, they can minimize that advantage a melee attacker would have to make it nearly negligible save for surprise sneak attacks. The smaller the blade, the more you need to rely on surprise to attack someone. The larger the blade... Well, nobody bothers with them in the modern world because someone with a gun would see it coming much sooner and not hesitate like they might if someone is just walking up to them with their hand in their pockets. In such surprise encounters, a sword or big knife would be no more useful than a firearm.
Ask yourself for example how you would defend against the knockout game? That is the reaity of most knife attacks...
So the problem is, arguing for WHY the word would still be worn in a world with firearms and small blades...
The only reason I can think of is style and social status. That would mean the sword would likely be a small decorative object, no doubt expensive and serving as a weapon on a secondary level only...
So... Going back to my 3rd world reference before, I Think a smaller weapon, either a concealed Cane weapon...
OR
A small (under 24 inch) decorative blade, designed more for show than use (that doesn't mean it wouldn't be functional!).
For the military I would expect it to be less decorative, and more functional, probably more like a fancy weaponized machete so the soldier would have some justification in carrying it in the field.
You have to remember, the modern warrior carries a LOT of weight with them, and they won't want to carry something they never use unless it weighs nearly nothing (like a deck of cards for example).
A 1-3lb blade that is only useful for killing other humans, is competing with the space and mass that an extra magazine of ammo could take up.
Let me tell you... Most soldiers if given the choice would choose the extra mag, or a tool or rations, every time if they HAD to carry the weight.
Many soldiers DO however carry melee weapons, forced entry axes, machetes, all kinds of things, some are standard issue, others are bought privately.
The swamprat Katana (I think they call it the Rodent Ruki Now) for example has seen some use by some soldiers I have spoken too online, because it is both a tool and a weapon.
But if the military is remotely as pragmatic as it is today... I would just assume a true sword would just not be worn, even if it was traditional and socially expected in the civilian world.
It just isn't practical... A modern combat soldier knows ways to deploy a firearm that defeat all but the most personal of CQC encounters, and even then, their firearm is often their best option.
While an AR15/M16 (whatever variant you want to talk about) is certainly more flimsy than the rifle muskets of the past, they still pack a considerable melee wallop, and provide a lot of leverage.
Consider lastly, that to employ a sword while you still have possession of a rifle is just a bad idea... that rifle will be swinging around you violently unless you hold it in one hand. But then it will be getting in your way...
It's just NOT practical as a weapon in practice.
Now in a world where the Firearm was never invented... and we still fought wars with melee weapons and comparatively primitive missile weapons like bows and crossbows...
I would expect the crossbow/compound bow to be at least as capable and advanced as today's bows. Even with some modernized ideas, the aimed fire rate of even the best archer is limited, and so is ammo, so the sword would still be important.
However, in this hypothetical world without the firearm, we would also have little reason to get rid of armor... So the sword... would occupy a less central role in warfare, and instead return to how it was worn and used in the cities and countryside. So... the more modern swords being used up to the 19th century or so... would likely be the ones employed, both by the military, and the citizenry. But they would have more space age designs with better materials.
I have little doubt that if the sword and other bladed weapons had remained important to the modern era, someone would have figured out new alloys or ways of making bladed weapons that would likely mean even the best Alloys of today would be inferior.
Just my 2c :)
Swordstick, with the ability to use the scabbard as an additional weapon
That formal wear with the sword is quite a combo visually.
Lightsabers obviously!
Or some kind of futuristic carbon nano rod sword with titanium edge
+Doreen Green Titanium doesn't actually hold an edge as well as steel, it just has a better weight-to-strength ratio, and hardness and toughness are what determine how well a material will hold an edge. Strength determines how much stress a material can bear, hardness determines how easily it holds its shape, and toughness determines how much shock a material can take before it breaks.
+Another original name: you are correct about titanium. This is exactly the cause, why military helicopter armor is made of titanium - because it's lighter than steel and still offers some protection, even if far less than steel.
Were I to choose a blade for myself, I would seriously consider carbon nano rod mentioned before, maybe nano rod-steel weave as a base - however, as for edge material... i'd opt on synthetic corundum, if i was very rich maybe even diamond nanorod, sharpened with molecular precision.
But if I were to make a sword for myself, right now... that would be military-grade steel in a ninjato design - however, I would swap tsuba for a more protective guard.
light saber....oh that's future then.
I suspect there would be a merging of swords from around the world because of multiculturalism where some would have flavours from different parts of the world. Maybe there's be a technological twist with things like electrification such as 'stun swords' or little bulbs near the hand to possibly shine into ones opponents eyes to prevent them from seeing, etc.
One aspect you'd see is in scabbard design. You would have a scabbard that allowed the sword to be drawn in a parry stroke rather than having to draw it out on the length. The handgrip would be customized for the user. You might even see composite swords, with only steel cutting edges.
Swords are secondary to firearms but by no means obsolete for those that practise their skills
Very true-in the hands of a trained person
+Boar's Tooth Historical Fencing Are you comparing a gun in a holster to a sword in somebody's hand? It takes just as much time to draw a sword as it does to draw a pistol. I usually carry a pocket pistol when out and about, because they conceal easier and weigh less. One of the major advantages of them is that I can have my hand on my gun in my pocket, therefor deescalating the problem at hand but also preparing to draw if necessary. I would take the gun any day of the week.
Most swords would be unfeasible to draw and strike smoothly in the same motion, but katanas, sabers and small swords, probably. If you're within a distance to draw your gun and aim, the person you're shooting is within range to knife you. The Tueller Drill demonstrates this. If the swordsman needs to charge 15ft, he's dead. If he's within 7ft, well, a swordsman would train more with his sword than your average criminal would with his knife, and 7ft has still been demonstrated as a dangerous range.
It's about equal, man, unless you train your quickdraw faster than your opponent's thrust, you should be good.
"Swords are secondary to firearms" this stopped being true after about World War 1 with guns being ultra reliable and easy to change out high capacity magazines. It would be far better to have a smaller gun as a secondary weapon regardless of skill with a sword. For proof, no modern military or police dept uses a sword as backup.
Swords never run out of bullets or malfunction:)
Lower-class swords would, I think, be similar to machetes or Bowie knives. Simple and utilitarian. Higher-class swords, on the other hand, would probably be much showier, and have aesthetics similar to what we see on contemporary luxury cars. Blades would probably be short, single-edged, highly polished, and have little to no curve. Hilts would be ergonomically designed and made of fiberglass (or something similar) with rubberized grips, while scabbards would be similarly constructed of fiberglass with a leather (or faux-leather) interior and have some sort of latch mechanism which locks the blade into place when you sheathe it and pops it out easily when a switch is pressed for easy drawing. The hand guard would be an extremely wide, domed sheet of metal that extends from the grip to cover the whole fist from the front, almost like a narrower version of the boss on old circular shields. I don't think we'd go in for excessive ornamentation, if trends in cars and smartphones are any indication, but the overall aesthetic design would be sleek, stylish, and highly polished, while still looking very functional and deadly.
likely to have some sort of purpose too, apart from being stabby cutty doom sticks in the form of sharpened steel. would we see survival swords, like survival knives?
This is an excellent response to the question asked in the video.
Since no one really needs "utilitarian" swords, most can realistically afford a sword in a modern developed country (much more so if everyone owned one) and they're relatively simple tools (definitely not comparable to cars), probably the swords of the not-very wealthy would look like cheaper versions of the most expensive fashionable swords: cheaper materials, cheaper-to-make blades and maybe less details (if modest designs are not already the fashion).
The types of sword would be defined by fashion, not by prize.
I can see some well of people, mainly the rich and the famous carrying sabers with bejeweled handles, and blades with beautiful inlays. I would also expect that we would have a lot of colored blades. I mean we would find a way to get the steel to have more colors then black, grey, gold, blue, and white.
Also, we live in an age of composite materials. I would expect we would have swords that were not even metal, but carbon, and fiberglass. They would be so light, and cost effective to make
Also adding that we would have ways to resharpen, and put blades back on carbon and fiberglass blades if we still carried swords like they used to in the past. As the sword would evolve so would the sharpeners for the swords.
Luggstern Carbon steel and bronze are definitely the only good materials for swords. I don't think anything else would be very practical.
well I have seen carbon knifes, yes they are crap, but I think the technology would be there to make a good sword out of them.
HamsterPants522 For the main bulk of the blade--where durability are paramount, you want something durable, for which steel and bronze are still probably our best material. For the edge of the blade, however, I could see it being coated in a harder material, like tungsten Carbide (the material used for power tool bits), so it can hold a sharp edge for longer.
Defenitely a weapon of more civilized age, a lightsaber!
*SW theme starts*
The one I have, a cold steel messer, the short one with the shell guard. Very practical for everyday carry.
Swords were the handguns of their day, and they evolved depending on the needs of the weilders and evolving combat styles. Right now in handguns the demand is for ever lighter and smaller handguns, and small handguns in higher power calibers. That says to me that right now concealability is the deciding factor these days. As more and more people carry a firearm, they want to have one that's easy to carry, as the gun that's easy to carry is going to be carried more often, and be more likely to be on hand when it's needed.
In that case, I'd say if swords had remained the weapon of choice instead of firearms, then I think they'd have seen a similar demand placed upon them throughout history. Rapiers, weapons for long range piercing, and one on one dueling, gave way to sabers, weapons for quick slashing and were employed up through much of the 19th century, and even the early 20th before swords entirely fell out of military use. But what about civilian use? Well big knives were popular in the 9th century including the Bowie knife, and the Arkansass toothpick. These things were huge fighting knives, and I dare say borderlined on being short swords, and meanwhile in other parts of the world the Khukri was spreading its popularity.
I think that gives us a hint that like firearms are doing today, bladed weapons were moving toward concealability. These things were no pocket knives, they were fighting weapons, so I'd less call them knives that got bigger, but rather swords that got smaller. I think weapons like those, sitting somewhere on the boundary of dagger and short sword is where swords would be among self defense carriers. The weapon you have on hand beats the weapon you don't, and these were big enough to do the job, but small enough to conceal, striking a balance between the vaneer of nonviolent civilization, with simple pragmatism.
Militarily I think swords would continue to fall out just as they had been doing already pushed out by more effective specialized pole arms, and archers, save for sabers carried by mounted cavalry, and close fighting short swords as backup.
I think the desire for concealment has more to do with law than anything. Most places do not have open carry. If were talking about as a society deterring crime, i think millions of law abiding citizens with guns on their hip deters a criminal more than most people not carrying, and those that are hiding it under clothing, which takes a bit longer to draw. Which store would you rob? The one with people sporting rifles and 45s? Or the one where nobody is openly carrying, and maybe 1 has a 38special subcompact
A modern day civilian sword would utilize some sort of Tazer functionality allowing the blade to become electrified. A mere tap of the blade would be enough to disarm an opponent and incapacitate them. The blade would still retain a lethal edge if in the event deadly force was needed.
TheTruthIsGonnaHurt What event would that be then? What situation would justify killing a fellow human being over stunning them?
@@wahngott4711 _"What situation would justify killing a fellow human being over stunning them?"_
Replying to a 2 year old comment.
@@1FatLittleMonkey Your hypocrisy is so stunning you wont have to
Decorative scabbards. They could have the Chanel, Gucci or Louis Vuitton designs on them. Maybe Burberry would have one with plaid grips and a tassel on the pommel. Brooks Brothers would have a few for sale as well.
If it was socially acceptable to carry a sword I would carry a gladius.
I think the most common blade people would carry would be a form of short sword with a blade ranging between 16 to 24 inches long. Blade and hilt features would vary with the user's training and needs(single edge, double edge, clip point, tapered, etc.). I say this because the short sword is a very utilitarian weapon that can be carried easily on the hip or under the arm pit in a shoulder rig, on an every day basis.
For fashion it can be prettied up and customized to one's taste or bank account.
A Bowie knife? Ha!
MolonLabe Exactly! When I was in the army during the first Gulf War, big huge Rambo knives became the panic purchases of guys deploying to the Gulf. Everybody had heroic fantasies of hacking their way through the Iraqi hordes if they ran out of ammo. Most of these knives were of the Bowie type and two sported a 12 " and an 18" blade respectively. One company even advertised a longer 24" Bowie Sword in tactical black.
I was looking at Cold Steel's re-release of their bowie machete. 12" blade, carbon steel and if it's like their other machetes it will get razor sharp.
For self defense? Something short, simple and sturdy, like a cutlass or gladius, especially in tbe military or law enforcement capacity. Something that you could spend a lifetime mastering, but is simple enough where you could just hack or stab at an attacker with minimal training. I could also see smallswords and rapiers making a comeback, sort of as a bridge between form and function, beceuse they look nice and get the job done. As for status or fashion? The katana is pretty popular, aesthetically, and could be viewed as exotic. Longswords and greatswords could be popular with people trying to appear more imposing or masculine. Obviously these swords are great in trained hands, but people may default to them without the proper strength and experience, or even customize them to be so big or heavy as to be unwieldy in exchange for looking badass. Military officers will likely carry on as they do now, with ornate but deadly militart swords, while politicians, monarchs and socialites will keep beautiful, if not necessarily practical, swords at their side. There is also the cultural aspect. We're obviously assuming these swords will be produced with modern technology and technique as to be fully functional, but traditionalists may have their sword in the image of an older sword. So someone with pride in their Chinese culture or heritage may wear a modern Jian, while Indian police officers might carry tulwars. Ultimately this is all speculation, as we have no real idea of how armor would develop and be implemented in a society where sword wounds are a real concern, and it goes without saying that weapons develop to counter armor, and vice-versa.
This is what I was thinking as well - exactly what I was thinking. Personally I'd likely carry a cutlass, due to my profession as a pirate.
John G I have practiced with a Vikingstyle longsword for a few years and lately cut it down to more of a long Gladius style with no guard, very maneuverable and light enough to wear say on a night down the local tavern, definitely not pretty enough for Clubbing though :-D
The greatsword would never be carried by a civilian. With it's immense size and weight it would be too unwieldy to be worth having. You wouldn't even be able to fit one into your car.
If it was acceptable to, that’s exactly what I thought. I’d love to carry my cutlass around
Can you do a video on UK laws on owning swords, polearms etc.? I think of would be beneficial for viewers to know whether they can legally own a bladed weapon.
Laser pointer in the crossguard to show perfect edge alignment!
If civilian swords were still carried today, the most important element would be the same as two hundred years ago: fashion. If I think of car fashion, I feel like we like slightly larger vehicles with no straight edge, all curves everywhere, all aerodynamic, and a very minimalist and professional look. I feel like the most popular office sword would be a Katana or Wakizaki nowadays. For some reason I feel like black metals would be in vogue, like our foldable knives.
But I have to say the italian rapier with the fancy guard would probably have its market, although, probably as a smallsword.
Something to match with a double breasted long winter coat made out of black whool, and a nice suit. That would be fashionable. Something like what Vergil from DmC4 wears in the real world.
Heck, I'd wear that if it was socially acceptable.
They would carry iSwords, who are $400 more expensive than what they do, may only be serviced at licenced iForges and will bend if you carry them around in your pocket.
And we'd have the word "swordfie".
If people were still carrying swords today, an important question I think, is whether or not people expected to use them or not.
Because if they were just fashion accessories, you might see broad and fancy blades, so you could pretty up the scabbard really well, as well as much thinner swords etc. that you could wear with more casual clothes. The blades may not even be sharpened, because you're not about to use it, and it would just end up as fancy jewelery.
At that point the grip might be made out of some fancy wood, bone or other neat stuff, and engraved to look really cool. The handguard etc. would be artistic masterpieces and what not.
But swords in themselves may not even be sharp, because nobody wants to use them to hurt other people with.
'Fighting' Jack Churchill: Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed
Looking real _sharp_ there, man.
Get it? Heh heh... heh... ahem...
...okay, I'll _cut_ it out.
I'd say short swords (2/3 to full arm length) would be most seen these days as most people don't have enough space on them to carry large personal effects of any type. Just imagine a man carrying laptop pulling a long sword from somewhere... Or stuffing with other people in the public transport if all of us where carrying a blade. As for the materials... CM 420 stainless as its easy to sharpen and light, the grip could be G10 or something even better. A proper ergonomic will be "a must" as if this was a common personal effect (as the computer mouse for example) most companies would adopt everything that would sell better. And of course a proper scabbard should be considered too... something really strong so if you fall or be part of a car accident you would not be killed by your own blade.
I imagine a sword storage area in your car would be a thing in at least luxury cars. Somewhere it wouldn't get driven into a passenger in an accident.
carbon fiber scarbards, grips can be carbon finer too
Jerry: I can't carry a sword.
George (sneering): 'Cause of society right?
Jerry: Yes, George because of society.
Romantically I love the idea of a pirate type cutlass as my sword of choice
I feel like strait sabers with more substantial blades would have been big for most of the 1900s. basic short swords for the working class through the depression and red scare. Big damn barbarian short swords seem to have been big in the 80s. 90s would probably have swords with holes in them for no good reason or terrible ratting katanas. The internet might have brought more variety in 2000-2010.
allso why not carry a sword with a rocket propelled pommel? fired while in the scabbard. like a riffle. hahaha.
They don't do that because you need to unscrew the pommel to end your opponent rightly.
+Mason Rudesheim Spring/mechanism assisted pommel unscrewing system, plus automatic rocket charge with additional computer guidance (maybe gyroscopes as well) that goes off once the pommel is a safe distance from the person throwing it (as we remember, throwing is another essential part of the technique). I warn you what this technology could spell for humanity, use it rightly.
Something similiar to the messer but maybe with a hand guard that went round from the crossguard to the pommel to form a mean knuckel duster
i believe that a hugely diverse set of dwords would be availabe do to trends that change over time as well as influences from other cultures
Russian mobster variants with contrasting alloys of steel, enamel inlay, platinum on the hilt, big fat showy blades, scabbards made of exotic woods. There would be a more tactical variety that would basically be a saber but with a rubberized grip, a Kevlar guard and and a scabbard made of some kind of lightweight heavy duty acryllic, the strap would be woven nylon, and the blade and scabbard would both be covered in dark camo paint. There would be a fancy but understated one with polished brass fittings, a leather grip and a black enameled scabbard for fancy occasions.
That's probably as close as anyone is going to get.
I actually carry a sword with me in day to day life, it makes things a bit hard getting in and out of the car, but is managable. Like you said, it isn't really socially accepted, but i do it anyway. though it isnt welcomed to carry a sword, it doesnt really freak people out that much,last week i went to a resturant, and when i walked in, nobody batted an eye. trust me, i know, because everytime i go somewhere i make it a bit of a game to see how many people notice, and it would suprise you how few do.personally, i carry a Condor Tactana, which fits the description of a modern day sword quite well in my opinion, not overly cumbersome, but still a decent sized short sword.i carry it mounted on my belt using the paracord loops on the scabbard, and it feels like they were made to be looped through a belt. besides me, there must be other people who carry swords normally, so reply to this if you are one of those people or know somebody who is
Main question: what would be the purpose, status symbol or actual combat weapon? In any case I think we would use folding hilts as were used in officer's sabers to allow more comfortable carrying.
"An elegant weapon... for a more civilized age."
Isn't it obious, Ligthsabers :D
If I would wear a sword nowadays, what I actually would really like to do but well it is not very acceptable *sigh*, I would definitelly choose to carry a rapier.
The age old dilemma of cut vs thrust. I like both. I carry a retractable blade Stanley knife and a posidrive screwdriver. Handy for a bit of DIY too!
I would wear a straight bladed medium sabre, sharp only halfway down the front from the tip, one third at the back, for maximum strength and blocking. The straight sabre can both cut and thrust, is light enough to fence, but accurate for a disabling cut to the face or forearm.
On modern materials, perhaps a composite carbon-fibre blade with a bonded ceramic cutting edge may be tried, I'd still prefer real sharkskin for the grip though.
lightsaber
Bingo
Light sabre, no Star Wars
+Travis7060312 Not wrong that something extendable would be convenient given issues like getting into and out of cars, buses etc. raised by other commenters. Maybe instead of a blade just something more like the extendable police batons.
A magic sock that bends time and space
the Isword,made by apple. A smartphone and a sword in one that can fit in your pocket. The most important part of the sword is the size of the screen and how fast you can update your Facebook status with it.
Oh, and with OS7 it becomes break-proof and has a new frying pan, electric stove and portable nuclear-bunker apps. And the iSword 2 will even have it's own laser-guided missile launcher utility!
that's what they say but it will just get flatter and have a larger screen.
I think we would see a great variety of swords and many of very high quality and good appearance since they would become a fashion accessory or personal statement as much as a defensive tool.
Go ask cossacks, they still carry their traditional sashka (technically a long knife).
Texas recently passed a law allowing the carrying of any bladed weapon up to and including swords and spears.
Lee Schmedthorst West Virginia you just can’t conceal carry large blades. But other than that, I’m free to carry my blade lol
i would totally buy a halberd online and carry it just for the absurdity.
With so much weeaboos nowadays, the modern sword to wear would be fucking katanas i bet.
Maybe not the standard sword but most people would carry one around to where it would seem like it was... probably not even made with good metal ether, got to be authentic as possible if you want to be a super ninja samurai warrior with your washashis and iotos!
Riko Wolfin if swords were acceptable, apple would make them fashionable by introducing the iKatana
Inkompetentia Did you mean: iCut One?
Riko Wolfin Let the weeabos have their trendy mall sword. It'll help thin out their ranks if it gets down to duelling because a lot of them think that just having one will make them invincible.
The obviously all kinds of swords. We have 15 kinds of Potatoe Chip.
The bulk of People would wear Hello Kitty Katanas ... I'm quite certain of it .
Modern swords would propably be hitech fashion accesories like cellphones and apple would be one of the leading companies making them.
iSword?
Gilmaris Exactly!
Gilmaris Just killed a guy across the street from starbucks lol #badass #iwantmycoffee #yolo
Gilmaris i like it. Hacking and slashing to the latest tunes
To me thinking of a modern day military sword and it being anything other than a tactical hatchet, being a veteran of the army and knowing first hand how useful a hatchet can be.. As far as a longer blade I'd have been interested in carrying a katana or ko katana *I believe a longer one is called, for the purpose of say needing to take down an enemy sentry very quietly with a head or neck strike. Or just having a fast backup weapon for weapon malfunction or no ammo scenarios. Yea, definitely a katana.
As far as a modern civilian sword other than a katana Again, I'd have to say that a scimitar would be more my style on looks alone and a rapier on functionality alone.
Great vid, made me think and laugh a good bit thinking of folks strutting around with various blades on display...
More interesting question to me is if everyone was strapped with a sword, shouldn't we then bring back dueling between consenting parties?
I say YES
Being a Navy vet, I'd say cutlass all the way.
I carry my bolo/sundang around in my truck at all times.
Mostly for gardening, but also if I need it in a pinch
I think we'd see something very much like the cutlass or hanger being carried most often. Light, easy to wear, great for use in confined areas or at close quarters. What's not to love? I just bought an antique Dutch police hanger for that reason.
I think by now we'd see an astounding divide between functionality and fashion. It might have been curbed for a while when Paul Lynde died because his Andy Warhol-designed sword broke in a duel, but substance cannot beat style forever.
Functional modern blades would probably be as you describe them, with new materials rising and falling as challengers to spring steel. Fashion swords would still be usable, but might more closely resemble mid-level catalog swords today, but with a much wider range of decorative styles.
dont know about you guys but id be wearing a big ass greatsword of some kind :p
mikael meland You're going to have to walk everywhere then.
ill skateboard everywhere with it on my back :)
mikael meland Long sword , it's practical , it's functional and badass
:)
mikael meland For purely decorative purposes, sure; caring a greatsword in your back is about as useful as putting a gun in an enclosed handbag on your shoulder.
Peter Pan and heavy
For steel, I'd say case-hardened tool steel (probably drop forged, but maybe CNC milled) with some wild anodizings. The wild anodizings is why I'd suggest that steel may have been left by the wayside for a good ceramic (or plastic) blade that they can "bake in" patterns and/or wild colorations: even the best parkerized finish can chip
I'd go with a lange messer and a rondel probably. Always good to have a buckler handy too.
If people carried around swords in this day and age I would carry around... A gun. You never said guns don't exist in this scenario.
Personally, I'd carry around both a sword, a gun/taser, *and* a shield. In the hypothetical scenario described, I imagine bullet-proof shields are much more easy to access than they are now, and that affordable customer models, designed to be possible to take out in a hurry and use in protection against assailants' bullets in the spur of the moment.
Of course, in a world like this, I'd want to have a Kevlar vest as well. The place sounds pretty darn scary.
ryarod No such thing as a bullet proof shield....
The closest you can get (Without encumbering your day to day life) would be a clear riot shield, but it can only stop small rounds (Like a 9MM). A .357 or a .45 could get through it.
A Ballistic shield is the closest you could get, it's capable of stopping rounds as large as a .308, but the damn thing can weight up to 16 pounds. Some models can get so heavy you need to attach a cart to wheel it around.
It's just not practical for a day to day life, imagine trying to lug that thing to the bank or to Mc Donald's.
milkduds1001 Hm. A good point. Still, technology has made great advances up to now, and I'm sure that a less heavy (keyword being *_less_*, of course) Ballistic Shield could be invented.
Of course, as you point out, they're pretty darn heavy, and even with the advances I'm suggested, it'd probably be *at least* fifty years from now before a personal bulletproof shield ever comes into play.
However, I personally value safety over convenience, and if my neighborhood were to be one wherein I'd have reason to fear gunfire, I'd carry the shield around anyway- if and when I even had to go out to begin with.
That said, you're right in that it could interfere with most daily activities- especially ones that involve travelling indoors. One more reason to go out as rarely as possible in this hypothetical world.
ryarod The best shield is friends with guns, an armed society is a polite society.
***** I'd like to believe so, sir. Unfortunately, Incidents proving the contrary are all too common for me to have faith in that.
At any rate, let us let that be the end of that thread of conversation. This is a discussion of possible sword use in the modern day, not politics.
i think that the modern sword would resemble a wakazashi due to the lack of armor worn by civilians in the twenty first century.
Lyra Booey A cutlass would seem more sensible then, as Japanese swords lack decent hand protection (because they were designed for armoured samurai to use).
scholagladiatoria not to mention that iaidō and kenjutsu had very blade intensive manoeuvring. both defence and offence began and ended with the blade. The hand guard was really only there to protect the thumb..
civilians don't wear armor because ppl don't use swords. if they did that would change.
Much like the civilians of long ago. Even back when wearing a swords was considered fashionable civilians still didn't go around wearing armor, at best they'd carry a buckler but it's not like they were wearing coats or even vests of mail under their doublets.
Riceball01 I get your point, and I am making my assumption that the society that is carrying these modern swords is some sort of dueling society that allows for some sort of protection (you can wear cloths, but hardened armor is a nono?)
Keep in mind how expensive mail was, or even allot of other armor, Then remember that the folks who were wearing swords around also wore puffy sleeves, which one could use to catch blades. They wore the armor that was practical to wear in daily life and not the less practical and insanely expensive and heavier alternatives.
One that is both functional and visually appealing and light and easy to carry would be best suited for us to use today
Composity of some sort. Carbon fibre box section blade with internal corrugations to keep stiff, metal point and separate but blended together cutting edge. Guard could stow as cross guard, but pop out on deployment maybe Kevlar to fill any gaps in that pop out mechanism. Short slightly curved sabre shape.
People still carry talibongs in the Philippines. Still works to this day :P
balisong :-)
That's a knife though not a sword. But yes they do carry them around
I would carry a Zweihander.
I like the English Back Sword or the Spanish Espada Ropera. They are good cutters, have a good stiff point for thrusting, and have a relatively encased guard around the hand. Scottish Broad Sword would also be good but a little more flashy with that red velvet in the hang guard.
My guess would be some type of cane swords, stylish yet still practical to a degree.