Home defense: axe better than gun? (from another forum)

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The oddest part was many posters insistence of the "selectable lethality" of the tomahawk.

Things like: "It's quick enough that I can turn the blade at the last second and make it a non-lethal hit", or "I can choose whether to kill instantly, or whether to disable him temporarily, you can't do that with a gun".

Brings up the question: what is he doing 14" away from you, where it's perfectly okay to clobber him with a chunk of metal, but a blade would be excessive? Nobody specifically mentioned beaning someone with the flat of the axe, but even in the military the use of blunt objects to the head qualifies as lethal force.


Glad to be back here amongst sane people, that thread had me wondering. It was about as bad as some other chap who insisted that a skilled guy with a short-bladed katana (those washikazi things) would always beat a gunman within the confines of an apartment.

The oddest part of the "blades are better" machismo is the people who insist that they are somehow morally superior for using a blade, or part of some honorable lineage of warriors. I don't know if that's some psychological rationalization for not knowing how to use a gun, not being able to afford one (or not old enough to have one), or for living in a gun-unfriendly state/country.

Me, I'm perfectly content to sully myself by using firearms.

-MV
 
Things like: "It's quick enough that I can turn the blade at the last second and make it a non-lethal hit", or "I can choose whether to kill instantly, or whether to disable him temporarily, you can't do that with a gun".
Click to expand...
That sounds like the edged version of "I'm such a great shot, I'll just shoot him in the knee/hand!"

In any case, no matter what level of training I would always prefer to remain several feet or even yards from my attacker rather than inches away.
 
Glad to be back here amongst sane people, that thread had me wondering. It was about as bad as some other chap who insisted that a skilled guy with a short-bladed katana (those washikazi things) would always beat a gunman within the confines of an apartment.
Click to expand...

There could be a case made for a wakizashi if both guys were locked in a largish closet. If neither attack can be avoided, the wakizashi's superior stopping power would probably win or tie. Talk about your low probability situations though...

The oddest part of the "blades are better" machismo is the people who insist that they are somehow morally superior for using a blade, or part of some honorable lineage of warriors. I don't know if that's some psychological rationalization for not knowing how to use a gun, not being able to afford one (or not old enough to have one), or for living in a gun-unfriendly state/country.
Click to expand...

Nah. I think it is mainly due to Hollywood portrayal. Martial arts users are always shown putting lots of time and effort to gain their skills. Guns are seen as a "quick fix" and even total novices can easily kill with guns. For example, you never see Jack Bauer or James Bond putting in major time at the range and FOF training, but do see Bruce Wayne wandering the world for years in search of martial arts skills.
 
Hmm. Tomahawk or Pistol?

I guess I'd put a few 9mm. rounds through the intruder, then question him with the tomahawk.
 
hso and sm;
Thanks for the welcome.
hso; I think; "On the internet no one knows you are a mouth-breathing moron. Until you post. "
Not exactly the welcome my Mom would've given me.
 
I'm afraid there are times that I might just qualify.
Has anyone tried the Federal EFMJ ammo?
I've heard that sometimes .45s' have a hard time digesting JHP ammo and the EFMJs' may present a very viable alternative.
 
I grew up throwing hawks at mountain man rendezvous. I've put in considerable time with one in my hand and I know what they are capable of. Ditto felling axes.

If something goes bump in the night, I'm grabbing my Ithaca 37 or my Glock 21, whichever is closer. Distance is your friend.
 
hso
Thanks for the ammo forum info. I'm still not certain which forums allow which discussion.
I agree that a cutting weapon is very formidible, although I wouldn't want a BG to get that close. In a real tight situation a sharp blade is going to be a very nice option.
 
RE: Home defense: axe better than gun?

If you like your attacker up close...yes, it's better then a gun. For me; I like to keep distance between attacker and me, so i prefer the gun. if you are worried about noise - just get a tube for your gun.
 
The only thing that blades have over guns is the fact that they never run out of ammo. If you had a gun and I had a sword and I had the drop on you I'm pretty confident I could come out on top, but beyond that you guys can keep your mystic warrior stuff.

Blades have their places and very few of them are as replacements to guns.
 
Assuming you're in the U.S. and can legally own a gun in your area, is there any circumstance under which you would prefer to have a tomahawk or axe rather than a gun for home defense?
Click to expand...

If I was being attacked by a gang of tree branches or firewood, I may fleetingly consider an axe, but would probably grab the scattergun.
 
Old mountain men would always have a tomahawk and a bowie
at their side for use in a fight when their gun was empty.
when their gun was empty

What weapons are actually used in self-defense?
The only breakdown is in a stat so limited I hesitate to use
it but:

2001 FBI UCR Killing of a felon during commission of a felony
by a private citizen as adjudicated by crime report. Table 2.17

215 total
176 with firearms
- 136 with handguns
- 10 with rifles
- 13 with shotguns
- 17 firearm type unknown
25 with knives or cutting instruments
6 other dangerous weapons
8 personal weapons (hands, feet, etcetera)

Actual justifiable homicide as adjudicated by grand jury, trial
jury and appellate court is more on the range of 1,000 to 3,000
a year, but this UCR stat does give a weapon used breakdown.

The idea of home defense with an ax conjures up images of
Bette Davis or Joan Crawford in a bad 1960s horror flick.

(By the way, the justifiable homicide by police officer by crime
report had NO police justifiable homicides by knife or cutting
instrument. The last justifiable homicide by local police was
charged as voluntary manslaughter and not adjudicated as
justifiable until the grand jury heard the eveidence.)
 
"If you like your attacker up close...yes, it's better then a gun. For me; I like to keep distance between attacker and me, so i prefer the gun. if you are worried about noise - just get a tube for your gun ."

Believe me!! I agree wholeheartedly. If I had my choice the BG would be 300 yds. away carrying a penknife with a 2 inch blade.
How do you see a penknife with a 2 inch blade at 300 yards?; you may ask.
Through a Leupold 3x9 decorating the top of my Rem.7mm.mag.
And HOW do you get that indented "Quote" thing?
 
And HOW do you get that indented "Quote" thing?
Click to expand...

Copy the quote into your message, hit "Control A", and click on the yellow "balloon text-looking" icon 4th from the right on the toolbar at the top of the "message" box . . .
 
Quote:
And HOW do you get that indented "Quote" thing?
Copy the quote into your message, hit "Control A", and click on the yellow "balloon text-looking" icon 4th from the right on the toolbar at the top of the "message" box . . .
Click to expand...

I've been wondering the same thing. Thanks, Koja.
 
Copy the quote into your message, hit "Control A", and click on the yellow "balloon text-looking" icon 4th from the right on the toolbar at the top of the "message" box . . .
Click to expand...
Here goes...
Edit #1...It Worked!! It Worked!! errr... sorry it doesn't much to make me happy.
 
Yeah...try not to get too wild with it.

There's a history of folks copying whole posts when they only actually address a small part.
 
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