tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post6521996307449633556..comments2024-02-28T20:56:23.768-06:00Comments on Sipsey Street Irregulars: Of Civil War sabers and cavalry tactics: two sources.Dutchman6http://www.blogger.com/profile/09935420042995679958noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-35629891881833487952010-07-19T00:37:38.092-05:002010-07-19T00:37:38.092-05:00Something peripheral to the saber is the mention o...Something peripheral to the saber is the mention of horse condition. I'm not sure many people realize how much work it is to keep a horse in good condition. Few people will have the ability to make use of a horse, and fewer still will be able to keep it in a usable condition.<br /><br />Work animals(from rabbits for meat to horses for work) would make an interesting PRAXIS post. There's meat animals, but it would probably focus on dogs and horses, mules, etc. A good dog can be very useful, and would be a far better investment for most people than a horse or mule.Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843550881990596267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-4317009609864418672010-07-19T00:32:03.290-05:002010-07-19T00:32:03.290-05:00Have you considered mules? I betcha a mule doesn&#...Have you considered mules? I betcha a mule doesn't eat as much as a horse, and is tougher. Now, where to find mules these days, and people who can handle them, well, that's another question or two.Justthisguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17277333206171756636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-12371010722295949242010-07-18T20:43:53.322-05:002010-07-18T20:43:53.322-05:00Funny that anonymous wrote that about his Louisvil...Funny that anonymous wrote that about his Louisville Slugger. While I was reading the article I was wondering if those early war cavalry untrained in saber would have been better equipped with maces. Not to mention the ones that didn't have sabers at all. A mace would have been just as easy to make as a lance.Michael Gilsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-60755984174987251062010-07-18T18:39:01.200-05:002010-07-18T18:39:01.200-05:00Well all thing's considered My ole Louisville...Well all thing's considered My ole Louisville slugger would be as handy if not more so for a 2 in the Am rumble with an intruder,,,Oh screw it just buy more ammoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-63773456248173142072010-07-18T13:13:28.824-05:002010-07-18T13:13:28.824-05:00The Dutch used the Klewang (a short cutting sword ...The Dutch used the Klewang (a short cutting sword like the US M1917 cutlas) all the way through the war in the East Indies after WW2 where it was still quiet useful for close combat. The soldiers would fire their bolt action carbines, drop them, and finish the job with their Klewangs. After the self loading rifle came on the scene, its utility vanished. That said, if I was in NY, Chicago, DC, or somewhere else modern arms were restricted, I would consider an M1912 Klewang for close home defense. For offensive use these days, forget it. The weight and space are better spent on extra ammo. Also, a good sword costs more than a good gun with a few hundred rounds of ammo. Lastly, most people don't realize it, but swords break easily. If you want a good non firearm weapon, it is better to go with a tool such as a spade, billhook, or woodman's pal. The Russians taught the use of the spade in WW2.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7575061201749703300.post-69257554937649736112010-07-18T11:53:05.425-05:002010-07-18T11:53:05.425-05:00Great piece, Dutchman. The skirmish line data is ...Great piece, Dutchman. The skirmish line data is good reference material for us 10%ers who will be defending ourselves so we can provide support/assistance.<br /><br />I don't know if you saw it or not but Gunny Ermey tested whether a curved sword is better than a straight one for a slashing attack. Turns out that a curved sword is a much better slashing weapon - hand-and-a-half and two-handed monsters like claymores not withstanding - than a straight one. Maybe that is why both the scimitar and the katana were/are curved?<br /><br />I personally prefer, all things being equal otherwise, to stay out of the kill zone of any edged weapon - i.e. 7 yards. I personally have no problem bringing a gun to a knife fight - or a fist fight for that matter. When it comes down to "him or me", "me" wins hands down.<br /><br />Oh, and that nonsense about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? No freaking way! I prefer to keep my enemies beyond 7 yards. Remember, so long as it is not so severe that it paralyzes you paranoia is survival positive.<br /><br />Bad Cyborg XBad Cyborgnoreply@blogger.com