General

[TrojanMan]

It's been mentioned but they're not legal to carry anywhere. Strictly novely.

Cold Steel makes some OK products but nothing really that great. They bill themselves as very tactical/martial arts but it's just a sales gimmick. I do have to admit that I love watching the videos where they chop up clothes filled with meat.

[HP_Lovecraft]

If the legal limit for a blade is 5", then what the hell do cooks use?
Most of my carving/cutting blades for cooking are 8-12"
Yes the PURPOSE is different, but physically there is no difference in the blade.

So get the concealed sword cane, but if you get in trouble, just claim its for slicing bread. French bread.

nick

[ehalcik]

Originally Posted by HP_Lovecraft

If the legal limit for a blade is 5", then what the hell do cooks use?
Most of my carving/cutting blades for cooking are 8-12"
Yes the PURPOSE is different, but physically there is no difference in the blade.

So get the concealed sword cane, but if you get in trouble, just claim its for slicing bread. French bread.

nick

You dont carry your steel exposed in public .... carrying a set of chef's knives wrapped up in your apron and tied up is generally ignored unless you are in a situation where a knife would come into play ... I've carried my carving set to a gig but never out in the open ... Use common sense here ...

[Walking_Target]

huh, so i suppose a 6" bowie knife is illegal to carry then... kinda silly in my opinion.

Really, i find that weapon laws are not effective in the least, all they do is keep weapons out of the hands of law abiding citizens. Criminals, the people who would use them, don't care about concealed carry laws, they'll still stick you or knife you...

That being said, a sword cane is not a good idea, crappy, crappy idea actually. the cane/mace is a much better idea (polycarb or nylon shaft with a weighted head). If you have the need to carry a knife for some reason, look into your local laws and then choose a blade from a reputable manufacturer.

KaBar (USMC 'fighting' knives) are always good, as are chisel-pointed tantos (look at Ontario Steel for those) Leather or paracord handles are a must, and for the love of Velcor, if you ever plan on using a knife in self defense, take a damn class in it!

Fighting with a knife is close, brutal and usually very quick. You don't get second chances and you *will* get cut. period.

The best choice is to either carry pepper spray or a tazer, if either are legal in your area, and if you have the chance, run.

[LK-13]

it's Texas,
get a permit and carry a pistol for crying out loud!

oddly enough,
you can carry a Sword of any kind in public in Canada;
PROVIDED, that the Sword is in it's scabbard and a locking device is in place.

in other words it must be locked into it's case so your carrying a fancy club with a blade at it's core.

ya hoo! the Canadian way!
bring a knife to a gun fight.

[MarkT]

Here in Michigan it is a weapon if you use it as a weapon. If you defend yourself with a pen and the police want to charge you with carrying a concealed weapon they can. I expect the same is true in many states, if they feel like charging you they will. Getting a permit to carry is a better idea.

[DeTrevni]

Hah. I was prepared for all the "you must be silly" comments! Like I said, there is a novlety aspect involved. From a functional "why a cane?" standpoint, while I may not have House's limp, I do have horrible feet, and can't walk any extended distance without pain, so for walking around town, it may be quite functional.

And for the actual blade aspect, I will admit, the novelty is a large part of it. However, I don't see how having an extra blade will hurt you, if it's legal. Not to mention, it's probably quicker on the draw than a knife or a gun, as it's already in your hand. Besides, if you've had any basic training with a blade (i.e. fencing), it can become an efective weapon, especially the blade style (if it's even a blade...) that Cold Steel uses.

Besides, the original concern was would a sharpened square piece of metal be considered a blade?

[sloonan]

5" blade is the limit?
I guess my Khukuri shouldn't be worn then, I think it has a 13 or 14 inch blade.

[DarkArmorPB]

Originally Posted by Walking_Target

Fighting with a knife is close, brutal and usually very quick. You don't get second chances and you *will* get cut. period.

Some knife fighting instructors teach you how to take a cut when you learn to knife fight as it will be an almost certainty. And yes, it is extremely brutal.

DA

[John Satclaire]

As a classically trained epee fencer who wanted a functional pair of matched small swords, I can happily plug Cold Steel as making a decent product. I'd like the fitting to have been more careful, the scabbard should be thrown out and a new one made, and the balance is nothing special, but their product provided a very solid base (well forged triangular blade, wide tang contruction) for someone with a dremel and some serious attention to detail to work from. Their boar spear also did what it was supposed to, at a time when the weapon failing would have been really bad for me (those things have serious tusks). Basically, if all you need it to do is pierce and do so reilably, they make a good product--which leads me to think their sword canes might actually do a good job: they won't cut worth a damn, but if you draw it and lunge, it won't bend on a button or a sternum.

I also like their handmade folders in San Mai III, and carry either the caledonian edge or the spectre (which did need a hollow ground edge applied right out of the box--no reason to have a ****ty saber grind on layered steel) over my matriarch/civilian or my emerson.