Does anyone carry a sword on the AT

[soccersoldier13]

Is carrying a sword on the AT a good idea?? Heck yes; it shows you have skills! The ladies only like you if you have skills...bow-hunting skills, nunchuck skills, heck, even sword skills! Oh baby, I'll definitely have one with me the next time I hit the trail.

[RagingHampster]

Cool down Napoleon

[The Old Fhart]

Is carrying a sword on the AT a good idea? Reminds me of a limerick which goes:

There once was a pirate named Gates;
Who liked to rubma on skates.
He fell on his cutlass;
And now he is ***less;
And practically useless on dates.

[Mouse]

When I went backpacking in the Ventana Wilderness a few years ago with two other women, one of them actually DID carry a


Cold Steel LTC Kukri

It did a fanstastic job of cutting firewood.

[JLB]

When I went backpacking in the Ventana Wilderness a few years ago with two other women, one of them actually DID carry a


Cold Steel LTC Kukri

It did a fanstastic job of cutting firewood.

One very important no-no when using one of these: don't put a lanyard through the handle, and around your wrist when doing any kind of brush clearing. I read an article where the guy missed what he was trying to cut at, and the Kukri left his hand, but the lanyard did it's purpose, but kept the blade swinging right on around, and into his thigh. He's lucky he didn't bleed out.

The Gurkhas scared the crap out of their enemies in hand to hand combat with these weapons, as they would easily take off a limb.

[Mouse]

That was the creepy part. It has SO much momentum from the wide blade that she could cut thick branches like butter. Still, a bit heavy for thruhiking.

[JLB]

That was the creepy part. It has SO much momentum from the wide blade that she could cut thick branches like butter. Still, a bit heavy for thruhiking.

It's really more the design of the blade. Every thing you hit is at an angle, and you get a sliding cut, versus a straight edge cut.

[ocourse]

Heck no, no sword here. I use my blunt knee for breaking firewood (often a mistake). I carry a tiny pocket knife for chores. I carry a firearm when legal for protection.

[JLB]

I carry a firearm when legal for protection.

I have no opinion on that matter.

[SGT Rock]

LOL, that is a good one

[-MYST-]

I don't know, I got to know the weights before I can make up my mind. I like the hidden sword in the hiking stick idea the best.

[Teatime]

Why not simply carry a "Pen"? After all, don't they say that "the Pen is mightier than the Sword"? Also, it is a heck of a lot lighter and can be used for writing in Shelter logs, etc.

[Hyway]

Penn? I hate him as an actor. If had to share a tent with him I think I would need the sword anyway for hari Kari (SP).

[Dances with Mice]

Penn? I hate him as an actor. If had to share a tent with him I think I would need the sword anyway for hari Kari (SP).

I prefer Teller. But Penn can swallow swords and catch bullets in his teeth.

[Hyway]

You may be right. that invisible thread could come in handy.

[Tim Rich]

I wish some threads on this board were invisible.

[lbbrown]

Check out the Tom Brown Tracker knife--Now thats a blade!
Also seen in the movie "THE HUNTED". Available at www.trackerschool.com.
Every hiker should have one. They are only $300.

[Jester2000]

Congrats to all on one of the funniest threads I've read. And I agree with SGT. Rock. I've known plenty of people who were "very serious" about their thru-hike. But the people who seemed to complete most often were the ones who had fun and possessed a sense of humor (and a sword).

[steve hiker]

Only the men carry swords. The women carry sheathes.

[lumpy]

My second post here on Whiteblaze. Yes, I always carry a very, very sharp Samurai Sword with me at all times. The "Sword" was taken from a Japanese Colonel on Tarawa in WWII and will not be returned to their family as it desecrated my family. This is an ancient Samurai Sword adorned with the Bushido Code and other inscriptions that date to the 1700's (I had it appraised and dated). I consider it a family heirloom and trophy and will protect it with my life, if necessary. I also carry other projectile weapons that enhance my offense if need be. So beware, I come bearing arms!