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Ever since history was recorded for the first time by our ancestors in caves. Men stood above others with their tools. Perhaps we elevated those tools as they did elevate us.

As an alchemical symbol the sword is a symbol of purification. Here we experience the metaphorical sword cleanly piercing the spiritual soul of man. This symbolic action sacrifices physical bondage to release a path to ethereal (enlightened) freedom.

In Buddhism the sword symbolism deals with discrimination of thought. In this light, swords cut away ignorance.

The swords of the Congo tribe in Central Africa are deeply symbolic of transition.

In Chinese symbolism dreams of swords indicate birth gender.

Freud would have us believe the sword in our dreams is a phallic symbol.

FOCUS: Please, do you share your opinion on meaning of handheld weapons. Perhaps share your favourite one (factory made assault rifles, nukes and aircraft carriers, while admirable piece of technology, do not count). How do they make you feel? Do you believe men should feel comfortable with them?

https://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/482/images/464-4-1411300054.jpg

Swords and axes are good for the purpose of posing for photos, but in practical situations they are useless (especially if your enemy owns an assault rifle). Personally, I don't own a gun. But I would feel more secure and safe, if I could get hold of one of them.

I'd also like to own and master one, though I'd probably go with guns for sniping. I feel those go along with my personality more.  ;D Yup, guns are great, but if we're ever in a post-apocalyptic scenario, melee weapons would become useful again once everyone runs out of ammo.

Personally, I'd prefer being proficient with a spear or ax rather than a sword. A warhammer would look cool though, impractically it may be now. (It was primarily used to crush people wearing chain mail.)

The era of hand held weapon is gone for defence as even the most backward nation of the world never arm its citizen or soldiers with this implement the reason for that is not far fetched. Our lives have been greatly regulated by governments and its agent. Aside that, even if I am an expert in handling this weapon, I still cannot carry based on the fact that they are mostly outlawed in most spheres of the society because how do I go to office with my suit on and still hold a knife or sword. They are used as symbol of authority and nothing else.

You are not right. When a person is good with a knife is also a very serious weapon in our time. I have a pistol and assault rifle. I know whereof I speak. If you have a gun, and the enemy is proficient with a knife is at a distance of ten meters from you, believe me you do not have much of a chance.

As for me I instinctively feel about swords with respect and fear. I am frightened by their destructive power on the human body, but they have some kind of beauty, especially japanese handmade swords, which are works of art.

Not to mention, knives are concealed weapons, that's why they've always been associated with stealth and assassination. IMHO, children should be taught martial arts in school and that included use of these weapons and tactics to disarm them. Gun classes then come later in high school.

Tools have been used to separate us from the lesser species the primitive species and to develop and grow our society through efficiency over time.
The sword is a good weapon it keeps unity with the body and the soul can be fluid or liquid soft or hard for me a handheld weapon has a use to protect. In this modern era the weapon may not be a traditional blunt tool object to kill but one to protect in that case my favorite one is a BOOK and we should be comfortable with applying our knowledge as that is the ultimate weapon ^^.

Thus it is necessary not to forget to educate children so that they their knowledge is not directed against people, though of course if children are well-behaved then the ability to use weapons they do not need.

I always liked swords and other weapons. When I was a kid my friends and I would make our own. We used wood and would sand the edges and paint the swords to make them look more real. Then we would have mock sword fights. Not that we knew what we were doing.. I wonder if these games are just ingrained in our subconscious from past dna or its programming from the movies we watched.

These days you just order your swords and other medieval weapons online, sharpened or dull your preference.

http://www.handmadesword.com/
https://www.reliks.com/

I find it interesting how different cultures have very different designs of melee weapons. From scimitars from the Middle East, kukris from Nepal, medieval weapons such as morningstars, war hammers and flails, Japanese katanas, the list is exhaustive. Also many weapons were designed with specific warriors in mind - heavy, bludgeoning weapons for large, strong soldiers, and lighter, sharper weapons for the more nimble fighters.

Similar to modern weaponry, it seems that war has always been a catalyst for new and experimental technology. I'm sure that even in ancient times, the manufacturers of the best weapons would have been very well paid.

It's worth mentioning that ranged weapons, such as spears and longbows, would have been a significant technological advantage (both for hunting and war) when they were developed, and may have significantly changed history.

However, more recently the saying "the pen is mightier than the sword" is certainly becoming truer than ever. While originally the pen was literally writing and drawing propaganda, in these modern times the pen is a metaphor for the video camera. And its moving pictures can be spread within moments across the entire globe, edited to follow certain agendas and ideologies.

What's more, we are currently in an era where a computer and webcam have huge amounts of power and influence, I'd go so far as to say the keyboard may be the next evolution in handheld weaponry. Here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohmajJTcpNk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohmajJTcpNk)

A rounded shield and an axe are the symbols of the nordic people, raw winters and strong life are the simbolic of this tools or weapons they used to survived, not ever tools perfect created.

Very difficult to agree with you. But then, I have to admit that I have never used either a knife or a gun. Anyway, if I use either of these weapons, it will be for self-defense only. Perhaps for that purpose, a knife is more suitable when compared to a pistol.

I'll try to keep my agreement with you short. True wars are not fought in the battlefield but in the hearts, minds and belly of people.

First i would like to say that like most of men out there i also like guns and all other kind of weapons. Second is that i work with weapon every day, because i work as an security officer. There for i do not take any kind of weapon likely. We all have different opinions and understanding about weapons or guns, call them how you like. I like to keep my opinion on minimum and basic purpose of guns. People tend to say they are for protection, i always say they are made to kill and nothing more. Weapons are dangerous stuff, and they have sole purpose... too kill.

Aside from guns of course, a sword would be my favorite.  It feels like you are a warior from the Roman empire.  It really feels like something special and you are so strong.  The fact that it is made from metal and requires special skills to use it.  Another favorite is bow and arrow.  It would feel like you are robin hood.  It feels really different.

I started the thread mainly because of metaphysical aspects of these tools of death  ;) but, I am picking up the glove, Sithara.

Swords and axes are not merely used for posing on photos - they are still used today as they were used for thousands of years. As a sidearms. Because they work.

Ranged weapons were preferred even by our stone age ancestors for obvious benefit of staying out of harm. With spear being among the oldest known tools. Obviously, today (especially, if you live in United States and not restrictive socialist state like most of humanity) there are even more potent tools for death, guns, but that doesnt degrade meaning or usage of the former. It complements them.

Attacker with a knife can cross 5 metres (16 feet) in less than second, thats not enough for you to draw and point a gun, but perhaps enough to draw a knife of your own.

http://cdn.hiconsumption.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Best-Tactical-Tomahawks-0.jpg


You make a good point. Swords didnt fall out of fashion, because everyone and their grandmother owned assault rifle. They fell out of fashion, because they stopped being socially acceptable. Matt Easton cites that as primary reason, why 19th century Americans and Englishmen started to wear bowie knives (which did fit under coats) and concealed sword canes.

https://images.knifecenter.com/thumb/1500x1500/knifecenter/coldsteel/images/CS88SCFD_LS1R.jpg

Weapons are just mere tool to fight other men, but I think these tools are useless, it may be made from gold or sillver, diamond or other else, but the important weapon a man has is what they are fighting for, without these goal, weapons are useless.

It's not surprising at all everything we do we must have a way to make it deadly,  we always looking for new ways to kill our fellow men all because we want to be feared.

You use a battleknife + handgun in CQC. Never played MGS or did a special training in the army? :P

I can't agree with your post. We mostly use weapons for self-defense. Weapons give us more confidence and a feeling of safety. 99% of us don't want to kill our fellow human beings. And we also don't want anyone to fear us.

This is an element of the gun debate here in the U.S. that is overlooked in my opinion.  Overlooked by both sides.

People spend vast sums of money and take significant risks to enjoy a feeling of safety and security.  Airbags in cars, taxes for police and fire, alarm systems in homes, pharmaceutical products, etc.  Feeling this way is a fundamental quality-of-life issue.

Having access to a firearm for personal protection certainly gives a lot of people a noticeably enhanced sense of safety and security, and it is more-so in instances where friends and neighbors have had problems with crime or where one has had to take out a restraining order on someone and so forth.

It is important to note that whether, statistically, guns are more of hindrance to safety than a help, they do add substantively to many people's quality of life.  Especially those who are physically disadvantaged and thus more often targeted by scummy criminals.  This should be an important element of the discussions here.

I believe that the weapon of being a man is his body. It was being forged by pain and endurance. Pain from hardwork like running, push ups and lifting. We also need to consider their diet because it is being part of endurance, focus and strict discpline. I just want to share my experience from being 90kg, I am down now to 75kgs and it really gives me so much confidence. Hearing good things from others puts additional confidence to myself. Its the best weapon for the reasons that it will help you to be successful in life because you will be no longer afraid of trying something since youre body itself is fully equiped already.

I think sword is a very mighty weapon if we are in  Victorian era or something, it will be very useful for sure but now it is only for decoration and for other entertainment purposes and also sport and it's very awkward if you actually carry a weapon like a sword for protection in public people might not take you seriously, they might think you are a cos player . I prefer to carry a small knife instead or a balisong (a Philippine weapon).

Undoubtedly, you are right, especially when you pull Machete from behind your belt and hit someone with your paws a couple of times to break the bones, I do not think that someone else will contradict you. Only radical measures can stop the chaos.

I'm guessing that this will be the sales pitch behind having all humans be fitted with a neural lace.  End violence, and dangerous behavior generally.  Basically, a AI computer will be monitoring everyone in real-time and can stop them from doing anything 'bad.'  Of course certain trustworthy people (e.g., the wealthy, higher level technocrats, etc) will not need one.

I'm sure your average soccer-mom would be all for it.  Her kids will have a safe environment to grow up in with no bullying and that sort of thing.  Many pros, and the cons (e.g., that the controllers would ever mis-use their power) are mostly crazy conspiracy theories.

If we're talking about melee weapons, it has been proven that japanese swords are superior. They cut into almost any material and are even able to withstand a bullet from a modern gun, so if you're lucky it's possible to shield yourself from a rifle shot with a katana :)
Swords and knives can still be very dangerous weapons in crowded areas. Think what a skilled swordsman could do in a train or a busy street during rush hours.

And I want to be feared. But have to fear criminals. They should always know that at any moment a victim can become a hunter or some of the bystanders may help to resist. Then crime will be less. All comes from the impunity, while on every corner the police will not put.

An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.

- Robert A. Heinlein


I dont think pen (or camera) makes good comparison. Men argued each other since dawn of time, tools of war were then employed where agreement failed. Just as camera is complementary to the word of mouth, assault rifle is complementary to the kukri or indeed hatchet.

Yes, research of historical weapons is as rewarding as study of religion systems. Both, reflected mindsets of the people, who used them.

Remarkably, men-at-arms - easpecially in Europe in middle East often took both sharp and bludgeoning weapons. As did weapons evolve, so did armor in evolution of combat. You cant cut through plate armor, but you might be able to crush it. Yet, unarmored opponent with sword will have far more reach, than your war hammer. - so you need armor too.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CNiYqmFxtI8/maxresdefault.jpg

https://media1.britannica.com/eb-media/11/91511-004-E7DA647B.jpg

Said man, whose life is dependant on other men willing to kill for his safety  ;)

Try to buy those:

http://www.hatefree.cz/images/blog/isis2.jpg


You might be interested in HEMA (historical european martial arts) then. There are several knowledge able youtubers on this topic. For example Matt Easton or Skallagrim. Sparring with real weapons with properly trained people moves entire exercise onto whole new level. Not to mention its great for your fitness level.

http://70.40.196.100/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/382282_10151257946780493_1232302655_n.jpg

Oh this guy reminds me nero of devil may cry, big game

My father is military I always caught some guns... I like colt 1911, caliber 45.

Many guns I see when I play call of duty and many other electronic war games

Picture is from Dark souls, another great game. However, this piece of armor is historically accurate. Maxmillian type was used in late medieval times to a great effect, protecting its owners against virtually anything but cannonballs and high powered long guns. Remarkably it was light too, 25 kilograms (55 pounds) is less, than soldiers these days carry into battle and it was suspended all over the joints, not hindering movement.

http://henricusmilitia.com/cm/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/maximilian.png


Agreed. Lindybeige made a great educational video on the fact, that vast majority people in the past wars actually aimed above head of their opponents. Missing them on purpose basically. Militaries than started to train people differently, ingraining into them to aim "too low". Even in war only a minority kill other human beings on purpose.

Shooting to kill:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zViyZGmBhvs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zViyZGmBhvs)

I think it's really about responsible gun ownership. The way guns are looked upon now, it seems like it's treated more as a weapon of power and violence rather than an instrument of order. If everyone's gonna get a gun at one point though, it'll seem, well - commonplace. I remember here in my country, there's a province where people are said to carry their butterfly daggers like they'd wear undies. Consequently, they were polite coz things could turn into a knife fight if they don't keep their heads cool.

I also think the issuing of a personal gun when someone reached a certain age and level of mastery acts as a sort of rite of passage, imbuing the gun with a deeper meaning.

Man has always been drown to weapons, from swords to guns. Also weapon sometime represent status, so the better (Expensive) weapon you have, the more wealthy you are, but that does not mean that you know when and how to use it, and that is the biggest problem. Most of people have access to a weapon, but did not take time to learn how to use it properly. Now days people do not take weapon too seriously, and they should.

When it comes to swords and men who revere and was revered through them, I can only think of the Japanese samurais. There have been a lot of civilizations and warriors of different nation but I think none would come close to how samurais value the katana. It is well known that these people consider their swords as brothers of their souls and that it defines basically who they are, living and dying with these weapons preferably in their hands.

When you said status, I suddenly remembered feudal Japan where commoners can't have swords. Weapons are mass-produced now and their easier than ever to get.

IMHO this is why the state should be more engaged in education people on not just using it but using it responsibly. This might require a cultural change though. I mean, the Swiss are well-armed but they don't have mass shootings like in the US.

Why are nations with gun abundance mostly 3rd world and civil war countries?

The USA is polite? Does a polite nation go to (senseless) wars 224 out of 241 years of existence?  ???

They have one of the highest gun deaths per year per 100.000 people.


Edit

Why do swiss have so much weapons any1 know and can explain? :)

They have extremely liberal gun laws compared to the rest of Europe. You just register the gun and that's all, while in most EU countries you have to undergo a strict background check and sometimes even psychiatric evaluation.

There are many countries with a relatively high ownership ratio and very small number of gun crimes. Guns don't kill, people do. If you give guns to people in an unstable environment, where there's a lot of crime, not much work, and kids are spending their days pickpocketing or getting high, you'll have high gun crime numbers.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f9/e4/79/f9e479db168e5a6316fcd2210d6ff34a.jpg

Low number of guns doesn't necessarily mean low number of gun crimes.
Compare disarmed countries like Japan or South Korea with Norway or Iceland.
Norway has 30 times more guns that SK, but only 2 times the number of gun crimes.

Wait i though the nr. 1 narrative of guns for everyone is that it makes everything safer?!
The graphic and the arguments you use contradict that narrative strongly.

Also: holyshit how comes the scadinavian rape for all nations are actually packed with guns.
The finns even have as much guns as the swiss luls
Something isnt right ???

Probably because of hunting. There is a lot of wildlife in those countries. The funny thing is that when you look at this list of 10 best countries for gun owners: http://www.gunsandammo.com/network-topics/culture-politics-network/best-countries-gun-owners/ you will see Finland at nr. 9, Sweden nr. 7 and Norway at nr. 5.

Because in America you need to kill for a good life..
With so many people only the few make it without doing a crime..

They don't like the word socialism so the kill each other to capitalise ..

If your government sells all your public assets to private owners then no money getting made for your public services ..
The money made all goes to one guy or his company not the public for nice new what ever the public needs ..
Now if you want nice stuff for the public I.E in roads schools hospitals..

Because they have sold all our assets off      we have to have private owners charging us what ever they like for the services our government sold on us to private buyers..

So now because of the government selling our assets to there friends to they get a cut
we will be paying for everything NOTHING will be FREE..

They have put our FUTURE children in so much debt and so they keep raking the money in of the future children..

When all along those ASSETS they had no right to SELL they was our ASSETS..

STOLEN BY GREEDY POLITICIANS and sold to line there rich friends and there pockets..

But because we now need money for everything like hospital medicines doctors    rent sky high
university debt OUR FUTURE CHILDREN are FUCKED..

WE WILL STOP THIS CRAZY GREED VERY SOON ..

Our children will not be in debt to pay for education or medical ..

SO STICK THAT UP YOUR ASS HOLES..

We will never be like AMERICA THE LAND OF THE MURDERERS ..
They have to be get anything in life ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

USA is a dog eat dog world..
So expect if your country follows the American way you will see many deaths and poverty like you ain't seen before ..

I think it was a documentary about Clinton i think BUT never in my life would i of dreamed of doing this OR even coming up with the IDEA :o ..

A guy would knock on an old poor person home and say do you want to donate to charity ..
The poor person would say i got nothing ..
Then they say it's ok we will pay the insurance to the charity when you die ..

So the poor person would think well who cares i am dead and i am giving to charity when i die..
So they sign the contract ..

Then the guy would come back and kill them and claim the 50K and keep the money for themselves
and i believe 100s got killed for this insurance scam ..


ONLY IN AMERICA..TOTAL CAPITALISM..

Go look at your presidents what many done for there monies ..
Slaves drugs murder all to make money and power..

And which ever country follows the AMERICAN way will have many deaths.
And many SHIT HOLES..

To the uk government our children will now vote for FREE education free hospitals and a free life
just like you snooty people got in the 1950s you got paid to go to university..

I never paid for my college or if i chose uni i never would of had to pay ..
My sister never paid anything my parents never paid anything..

SO OUR YOUNG ADULTS will not be paying for education ..

Little tip get your university degrees and move to another country and get a job no paying it back..

THE WHOLE WORLD comes to UK gets a degree and move. no paying it..

How do they do this?..

I left my country in Pakistan because my village will kill us for blasphemy please help me UK..
So they give them a 1 bed room flat ..

But all along the women is pregnant and she has that child it goes to school then goes to medical school gets it's degrees and the leaves the UK to go to USA and get paid big doctors wages..

While all along they only come for a free medical university degree off the UK tax payer..

Now poor little people around the world you now know how to come to the UK and get a free life
even though our government thinks you are paying you will not because you leave with no job..

Thus having no job you pay no UNIVERSITY BILLS..
Then go to the USA and get massive doctors wages..

PLENTY OF DEATH ..plenty of doctors needed..Don't pay you DIE in america and the UK soon..

I am a doctor what's up :)      well i have a brain tumour   8)    well give me 100k or DIE.. ;D

                                                                                        THE AMERICAN WAY^^

I see swords, knifes and other combat knife as a tool to kill but this tools nevertheless their pretty much useful when cutting things in the past heroes with swords has viewed this kind of tools as a way to obtain honor and glory. There's no point into speaking to a killer who takes pride in such things, knights cannot save this world such illusions shown by heroes throughout history has led countless young men to their bloody deaths, all for the sake for this honor and glory. They call certain methods of figthing good and evil acting as if there is some nobility in the battlefield. Who knows we might need this weapons in post apocalyptic type of situation.

It's my dream ever since to own a sword because for me it symbololizes courage like what King Arthur have showcased a long time ago. But now in the modern technology having a sword against a group of guys handling guns can make your life easier because obviously, a sword needs a body contact with the enemy for it to be able to damage while guns, you can fire at any range that gives it an advantage. Right now, I want to learn handling guns for safety or a leisure time like shooting range.

Swords are very beautiful and effective in battle, but this is the last century. Now with a sword you do not intimidate the person who owns the gun.

Mastering the sword is an art. And this is philosophy. Now the interest in forgotten culture is reviving. I have seen many young people who are ready to learn martial arts with the use of the sword

Exactly, feudal Japan is good choice. Quality of katana sword was in some cases status representative, and was expensive so commoners did not own them in most cases. And i also agree on second matter as well. There should be more education of people about weapon and their usage, for safety reasons only and better understanding of same.

Right now, swordmanship is preferrable to become a hobby and sport like in Japan though they don't actually use real swords but a wooden sword also known as bokken. But I like swordmanship than any other else.

Weapons are used to hurt others so due to this more weapons are made that are more effective to secure against these weapons used to hurt others which again would develop a more effective weapon and again and again. Just a simple stone can be used weapon, a knife that is used to cut ingredients for a delicious dish can be used to hurt others. Basically anything can be used as a weapon and weapons to protect exist due to weapons that hurts.

Are they afraid of getting cut if they use a real sword? The Japanese society has changed a lot since the American occupation which began more than 7 decades ago. What is the point in using a wooden sword? A sword made out of wood is not a real sword. It is more like a wooden sail or a toy.

A bokken sword can cause a lot of injuries to an unprotected man, it even can be a deadly weapon in professional hands. But I prefer machete, axes and throwing knives.

Throwing knives like used by ninjas, like shuriken.  Yeah, I also like swords feels like ninja and knights during whatever period is that.  It is more of showing strength compared in using guns which doesn't show strenght but power and skills on firing it.  Archery is good also and it feels like you are part of soldiers protecting the castle.

Two different things, guys.

Scandinavians indeed have long (very long) history of hunting wild life. Teenage girls, who go to night clubs dont pack hunting rifles  ;) and muslims are packed around the coastal cities, not in rural areas. You would see massive drop of criminality outside of places like Stockholm.


Swiss fought major powers, that tried to take control of strategic alpine region (their home) for generations. As result most men have mandatory military training. Then, they are allowed to keep their issued combat rifles in their homes, should need to call them arise.

You cant really compare that to gang bangers from Detroit, those men learn how to handle and treat firearms as part of their militia training, in service of their country.

You can in cave in skull with bokken, it is not a toy, but finely balanced club, Sithara  ;) thats why Kendo and HEMA practicioners wear protective gear aswell. The point is sparring, getting better at fighting in these full contact sports without killing your training partner. In HEMA blunt steel swords are used instead.

Besides, keeping history alive...

You are getting more fit.

You learn about self defense, that has nothing to do with firearms.

You are socializing.

This is what I mean by full contact sport. Thai box is child play next to it, thats why those men wear proper plate armor in events. They have to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK4sU9ysphc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK4sU9ysphc)

http://botn.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/26-08-Bugurt-PIC1-title.jpg


I completely agree.

I don't like cold steel. I am more used to firearms. For me, it's an anachronism.

A warrior with a sword was steep many years ago, but now it's just useless when there are many effective weapons.

Using a gun is much easier to kill someone than a sword , more practical and safe as you eliminate your opponent from distance.Moreover is less psychologically painless as you defeat your opponent fast with some bullets and not with a face to face fight where you have to beat him continuously and see the blood.

Couple of points, because I see others doing the same logical mistakes aswell.

1. Swords were not primary battlefield weapons of your ancestors. Bows and, halberds and pikes were. Your ancestors were not stupid and knew, that having distance from opponent is advantageous. Swords were equivalent of tactical knives and/or handguns today. Back up tools for personal protection.

This is battlefield weapon: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/33/d4/51/33d45157b4262b2301c5560b989a00f3.jpg

2. No. If you are willingly taking someones life it is stressful regardless, if you are clicking buttons on your computer or smashing hammer on their skull. Guns are truly making men equal, it doesnt matter, that you are facing 80 years old woman with Parkinsons, as long as she can point a gun at you, you are a toast. For the better? I dont know. Anciet warrior cultures used to have code of honor, that is all but extinct today.

3. You can also notice, that thanks to firearms, walls and bastions become redundant. Before, cities and towns were closed off from outside world.


Interesting question. How many people do own guns for personal protection outside of United States? Here in Europe, guns are almost never used for petty criminal acts. Knives and clubs are.

And I love cold steel very much. I have a few knives in the collection. These are not combat knives, they are not officially considered a cold steel.
I know the history of making these knives. They are unique and each has its own character.
I really like Damascus steel machetes

Actually, the statistics aren't that specific. They are showing the number of gun deaths, so the criminals are included. Defense can also lead to the death of the attacker and doesn't say much about whether guns are saving lives or not. Maybe without them a number of knife or baseball bat deaths would've been bigger.

If you started doing this statistics in a gym, where kids are working out without any equipment, just running around and doing pushups, and you give them punching bags, the statistics will show an increase in the number of injuries. Does it mean punching bags are dangerous?

Damascus steel is nothing more than a name brand. Now technology is such that you can make edged weapons from composite materials is much better than Damascus steel. It's more tribute to tradition than a tribute to the quality.

Damascus or pattern welding is still used for aesthetics, though. It can be functional, if properly heat treated.

Crucible spring steel, that is today considered standard for industrial applications was first developed in northern Europe about 1200 years ago.

http://www.hammaborg.de/bilder/archiv/test_cutting/thru_chest_570.jpg

Absolute bottom could be considered stainless steel (both brittle and hard), followed by wrought iron.

Piece of forgotten US history.

Bashford Dean (October 28, 1867 – December 6, 1928). Dean’s principal challenge was to devise a helmet that would provide superior protection, while being light and comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time, and which could be efficiently and economically mass produced.

Weighing 13 lbs. 12 oz. (6240 g) and highly specialized in its design and intent, American Helmet Model No. 7—Sentinel’s Helmet, was meant to be worn only for short periods of time, with an accompanying breastplate, in exposed or forward positions where heavy enemy fire was expected (2013.583). Its construction was based directly on that of the Italian armet, a type of helmet that was popular during the late fifteenth century (42.50.2).

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_08_2015/post-34986-0-84504600-1440897243.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9b/1b/d7/9b1bd7dfca277ec1a255f55842a39b05.jpg

http://flashbak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Screen-shot-2015-03-23-at-21.11.55.png

Vast majority of dead and wounded was suffered becuase of debris and shrapnel (artillery), not gunfire. This was effective defense against it.

You're right. I have a knife made of such steel, but it is not very good in functionality. Due to the fact that this steel contains a large amount of carbon, I have to take care of the blade and make sure that it does not rust

Those are two different things, friend  ;) best kind of knives are made of high carbon steel (regardless, if they are pattern welded aka damascene). Carbon content in iron makes mechanically superior tool, making it tougher, of high tensile strength aswell as resilient to all kind of abuse. All that is asked of you is just a little bit of care in the form of oil.

Stainless steel on the other hand is extremely hard and brittle - it is difficult to even make it of proper sharpness. It is never used for swords (or armor) for those reasons, long blades would just break apart mid flight. Stainless steel blade is really only useful in your kitchen.

Why do you only talk about steel? Now there is a material much harder than steel and prone to rust. For example carbon fiber or carbon fiberglass. I generally don't like melee weapons. I even do not watch movies about those times when they were knights.

It is pity, that you choose to not "like" them. Honest. They are not just melee weapons, but tools, pieces of our history and status symbols, but alas your choice :)

Good question about the steel.

There is no better material for bladed tools. I double checked, trust me.

Bronze has many interesting properties - and was used for a very long time also for tools, but ultimately it is quite soft and heavy.

Titanium is remarkably strong and light, but too brittle. Same thing for aircraft grade aluminium.

Carbon/glass fiber has good tensile strength but becomes brittle once solid. And it cant really hold edge. Ultimately it is textile, albeit tough, plastic one. Good blade should be of reasonable weight, tough, holds edge for a long time, flexible enough to not break upon impact yet stiff enough to not bend like a whip.

High carbon/chrom vanadium steel is the only material known to man, which can do all of those things at the same time.

https://www.techwalla.com/articles/properties-of-chrome-vanadium

Well these melee weapons helped shape society as it is now. Back then, you have to have courage to face your enemy face to face knowing that there's a chance they can gut the life out of you. Today's warfare is fought from a distance though more dangerous because of mass weapons. Before the use of guns, these steel weapons are respected as much as their wielder

You might be onto something there, sure. Warfare used to be far more prevalent (with nearly all major settlements having manned walls and guard towers) yet comparatively less deadly. Also culturally close tribes often fought not to kill the opponents but to hold them hostage.

Ranged weapons (javelins, bows) were used to also to a great effect, but as you correctly pointed out - it took a skill. You werent able to efficiently kill or win tournaments after single afternoon operating ak-47.

Grant I will agree with you in a that plan, that with a shooting-iron feel safer. Only before to give out permission on his use, it is needed more careful to check up a man.

I am very fond of any weapon if sword and weapon, but in my country is prohibited to carry weapons or the like, sword is good, more cool because it is comfortable in grasp and very hard to use, but for today many people use piatol because the range can be far about Targets, ancient example, the knights wielded swords for battle, the knights templar. Weapons used in the modern era.

The best weapon of all the time in a whole worldwide history are intelligence and communication.

No checks when selling guns to people will protect you from the fact that these weapons will be directed against you. If you do this it will be easier if the weapon is legal it will quickly find its owner. Can a person from stress to disrupt the psyche at any time. But I still advocate that every person should be able to defend themselves with weapons.

I really like katanas...
Because they are made with great conviction and dedication by master swordsmith...
If you follow the painful process of making one you will truly understand why katanas are so beautiful...