I sometimes wonder, what would swords look like in the 21st century if they continued to evolve as valid battlefield weapons?
To some degree, the humble Machete is the result of the evolution of swords and continues to see use in many conflicts across the world, from Africa, Latin America and anywhere else where hand to hand combat still plays a signficant factor in warfare.
But throughout history, and especially in Europe, the sword evolved and changed many times, from the Gladius to the Spatha, Viking single handed swords, arming sword, longswords, estoc, rapiers and finally sabers..
But, except for WWII with the Japanese Gunto, the sword pretty much stopped being widely carried on the battlefield with the 1917 saber and became mostly a dress weapon..
But what would have happened if it had not stopped there? What would the sword look like?
ENTER COLD STEEL
Love them or hate them, their is little doubt that Cold Steel is an innovative company. Not only do they produce a very wide assortment of swords of almost every major type ever used throughout history, but recently they started their own drive to “evolve” the sword – taking the best of history and combining it with modern technology to produce the next generation of swords.
It started in 2010 with their “Katana Machete”..
And continued with their highly effective re-invention of the Gladius, the aptly named Gladius Machete, which we have just added to the store (the Katana Machete has been available at our store for a while now, click here if you are interested).
Click here for more information
But now in 2015, it continues with 3 new “evolved” swords as below.
CHINESE WAR SWORD MACHETE
Related to the two Machete above, the new Cold Steel Chinese War Sword Machete is a variation of the Chinese Daodao, or great sword.
This sword was made infamous by its use dutring the Chinese boxer rebellion circa 1899-1901 and was used again against the Japanese in the Sino-Japanese war and proved to be extremely effective in those comparitively recent times.
Training with the Dadao
Newly released in 2015, the Cold Steel Chinese War Sword Machete takes this highly effective, devestatingly powerful blade and combines it with ultra modern polypropelyne, Cor-ex and plasma cutting techniques to bring it firmly into the 21st century – and at an extremely affordable price point..
Click here for more information
THOMPSON SABER
Now as mentioned, the Saber was the culmination of Western swords – and pretty much ceased to be a weapon of war in 1917 during WWI. But as Sabers have a special fascination for Cold Steel President Lynn Thompson, it should come as no surprise that he might one day decide to design his very own Saber, and this is the result..
Bringing the Saber into the 21st Century – the Thompson Saber by Cold Steel
Here is what Lynn had to say about it – in his own words:
“I wanted to make a battle sword. Not a dueling sword as such, but a true sword fighter’s sword for the modern martial artist. I believe that the edge is superior to the point when facing multiple opponents. You have more opportunities to defend, counter, riposte and move without becoming transfixed on an opponent for a vital second – therefore, while it does thrust well, the Thompson Saber is a cutting tool first and foremost, on foot or on horseback.
Its ground to my exact specifications; hair shaving sharp for the first six inches from the point, then gradually less sharp down through the rest of the blade, leaving enough material to block, parry and even bludgeon an opponent’s blade. It’s deeply blued to aid in rust resistance, but also to make the blade harder to see in the fast paced cut and thrust of combat.
It has a modified 1904 Saber guard, offering amazing hand protection and a sizeable ray skin wrapped handle that will accommodate even big modern fencer’s gloves.
I designed this sword to be able to make deep cuts even with a flick of the wrist, and it makes monstrous cuts when “drawn” through the target. If you study bladed arts and appreciate the combative potential of the sword, I’m sure you’ll love this saber!”
Click here for more information
CHAOS KHUKRI
And finally, a zombie hunters dream – the Chaos Khukri..
The Khukri (or Khukuri, Kukkri, Kukri depending on how you wish to spell it) was made famous by the Nepalese Gorkha and is to this day a much respected, fearsome sidearm with tremendous chopping power as 40 bandits reportedly discovered for themselves as recently as 2010 when a lone, retired Indian Ghurka soldier named Bishnu Shrestha was claimed to have killed 3 of them, wounded 8 more and caused the rest to flee!
Whether or not this story is true, there is little doubting the basic designs effectiveness. And Cold Steel have brought it screaming into the 21st century by adding a comtemporary, heavy duty steel knuckle duster style trench knife guard to it that is an effective weapon in its own right..!
Definitely ultra modern looking and easy to carry, this would have to be a perfect choice for when the zombie apocalypse hits..!
CONCLUSION
Whichever way you look at it, these new designs are most certainly interesting and we are proud to offer you another option to the SBG sword store, bringing them to you at heavily discounted prices.
Enjoy!
