   swords
  Soon I will be doing much outdoor stuff, and I need a machete or sword.  Machetes would work, but I like the look and feel of these better Click.  Since I do not know much about steel, would these swords hold up as well as a machete?  The machete I am considering is on the same site as the swords, made by the same company. 
  You''re planning on using a sword as a tool for "outdoor stuff"... care to elaborate?Two points:1) Swords are designed for combat, not for for working with wood.2) Machetes and parangs are dangerous and difficult to control, and as such their use is pretty much limited to the rainforest and similar environments.The relevant axes, knives and saws for the environment should suffice.   ;  A sword would be a bad idea. For one thing, it''s blade is too sharp, making it too brittle for use in chopping through folliage and word and the like. Also, it''s too long, you won''t be able to apply as much solid force. The blades are too narrow along the swing plane, you can''t hit as solidly with then. The blades are too thick perpendicular to the swing plane, you won''t slide through things easily. Swords are pretty much useless for this purpose.A machette is not dangerous or hard to controll, just make sure your feet are clear of your follow through swing (that is, only swing across your body, not straight down in a chop). Make sure everyone is clear. ;  ......Shaba'' ! ;  Machetes are excellent and important utilities that can come in handy in situations you dont expect.  They can often replace hatchets.  The reason I considered the sword is there is the possibility of combat with larger animals, as I will probably be alone a good amount of time.  But I pretty much decided on the machete anyway.  Much cheaper.  Plus I dont plan on being in combat.  If it comes to it, a machete should do enough damage to make me not worth a meal. The chances of combat is very slim too.  In the many years of being outdoors, I have only encountered one large dangerous animal (bear).  It mostly ignored me.  Probably couldnt do much to a bear with any blade before it tackled me anyway . ;quote:Original post by Witchcraven  The reason I considered the sword is there is the possibility of combat with larger animals, as I will probably be alone a good amount of time.There''s guns for this type of stuff. ;  Guns would work if I wanted to carry around a lot of extra weight and ammo.  Plus they are not good for close range.  If I actually have time to see the predator, I will avoid it.  Plus guns do not make good utilities. ;  If a frontiersman had told his buddies "Hey Davy, this Gun thing sucks. I''m just gonna use my hatchet to get through whatever comes my way in the deep woods." He probably would have been slapped with a fish. Unless you are running long distance, if you envision yourself encountering ANY wild and dangerous animal, you should be licensed for, and carrying, a hunting rifle at the least. We made tools like guns to use them for their benefits.;  Im honestly not too worried about it.  Plus the weight would be bothersome.  Its not like I will be hunting.  If I happen to encounter a bear, any gun I could bring along anyway would be insufficent.  Plus there are easier ways to handle nature than shoot it.  I also dont like guns much.  My primary question was if that particular sword could take a beating like a machete, as I do not know steel.  I have no intention of getting into guns vs swords.   ;  Doesn't jason use a machete in Friday the 13?  Have you seen how much ass he kicks with that thing?  Is he using a Katana blade?  No, i don't think so. trust your instincts though. If you feel you may encounter ninjas, then the katana might be the better choice, because of balance.  Don'r foget the throwing knives either.  You will need those.SO, to sum up:machete = GOODkatana = BADUnless encountering ninjas thenmachete = BADkatana = GOOD ------------------------------------------ [edited by - MrBeaner on February 6, 2004 2:44:11 AM]