Tactically the best hand weapon

CS Assegai and Ontario Black Wind Katana are right there for me. Both are compact and well built, plus the Assegai can be fitted to a variety of shafts for different roles.
Hah, but of course I also am a Medievalist with functional armor, shields, bows, axes, maces and swords so all of those would have to be included.
What can I say, I was SCA in college and I plan to be ready for a "Dies The Fire" scenario.
 
CS Assegai and Ontario Black Wind Katana are right there for me. Both are compact and well built, plus the Assegai can be fitted to a variety of shafts for different roles.
Hah, but of course I also am a Medievalist with functional armor, shields, bows, axes, maces and swords so all of those would have to be included.
What can I say, I was SCA in college and I plan to be ready for a "Dies The Fire" scenario.

You gonna' go all "Merry met, blessed be the lady, let me get my kilt"?
 
Going with a machete. No stab potential but I've used them in woods-clearing a feel comfortable with them.
 
I would use a bow and arrows with explosive tips. Like, in Rambo 2
 
You gonna' go all "Merry met, blessed be the lady, let me get my kilt"?

No kilt, we're talking high middle ages here, specifically Germany based upon the Fechtbooks of DeLiberi, and Tallhoffer: Harnsfechten and Blousfechten as well as kampfrigen. Taught some seminars in Lansing Mich, Toronto and Chicago about it. Really an amazingly effective skill set that rivals any of the other traditions of armed combat, and I say this as a Lacon Guru in Arnis, and a full instructor in Alliance Kali.
 
Machete. I'll show you bitches how we roll in the Third World.

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Seriously? I have seen the Gladius mentioned a few times. The Gladius is a great weapon, but it has severe limitations as well. I do not think any "one" hand to hand weapon is ideal for all situations. The gladius for instance would have to be broken down into Mainz, Fulham, and Pompei types and all of them have a limited cutting ability. They are a good thrusting weapon, but so are other later period swords that can cut as well. I would love to be able to claim that the Romans were clearly superior to any other military culture as they were my ancestors, but that would be premature. Remember that the Gladius's effectiveness was for close formation combat when paired with a Scutum for thrusting. Even the Romans transitioned to the Spatha in the later Empire.

I am just curious how many people here actually own the weapons and have had training with what they are claiming as "best". Not being rude, just genuinely interested because some of you might be surprised with what you find. I have always loved military history and actually collect higher end weapons and armour. I have actually performed tameshigiri with an Albion "Allectus" gladius that I own and was pleased with its ability, but it did not compare to the cutting ability of the Bugei Crane wakizashi I own, much less the Crane Katana, the Albion Knight or the Albion Vinland. Even the Cold Steel Gurka Kukhri cut better than the gladius. Results were somewhat different than expectations.

I own spears, swords, axes, maces, modern weaponry, lances, etc. and I do not think any ONE would be ideal in all situations. If I had to pick only one for a CQB weapon, I would personally pick my Bugei wakizashi (which is what you were thinking Westside) or my Kukhri. It cuts well, has great balance and is extremely responsive. It is also small enough to still be in effective weapon indoors and in close quarters. Like I said earlier though, put me against someone with a Yari, spear, or other polearm in open space, and I might think differently. They all had there time and place.

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Nice collection
 
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