Antique Sowrd Walking Canes
Antique Sword Walking Canes
--- A Fashion Statement and Self-Defense Weapon for a Victorian Gentleman
Historically...
Though the safety of the city was drastically got better during Victorian days, quite a few gentlemen still carried some sort of weapon for protection. Having a sword was no longer in style so, even though canes were not initially made as a weaopn but for fashion (including the collectors' antique walking sticks found today), they were the de facto choice of weapon for quite a few gentlemen. Though most did not have any training in fighting, there were in fact some schools teaching "cane-fighting". Methods trained in these schools were based on the regular European style of stick-fighting, and other sword-fighting systems. There were quite a few manuals written in the 18th and 19th centuries, and you can even find some written in the early 20th century. One of most notable cane-fighting books of the early 20th century is a C. Cunningham's. "The Cane As a Weapon" and original copies can still be discovered occasionally in used-book stores.
Not surprisingly, some walking sticks in fact had a long sword hidden. The sword cane turned more popular as the the carrying of swords declined and firearms replaced them as the main weapons. The popularity of these sword canes peaked around the mid-18th century, but they were still used into Victorian times. The length of the blade changes drastically among diverse kinds of sword canes. Some sword canes are more like a knife cane. Some have a double blade, others have a single blade, and still others have a sharp point for thrusting, but not for cutting. Because it was simple to construct, the last type, a sharp-point sword, is currently most commonly found in antique sword walking sticks from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Since the sword canes, like walking canes in general, were also a display of the owner's taste, they were frequently substantially decorated. From ancient times, most dangerous weapons have often been artistically decorated, as you can find in various museums. The same is true of the sword sticks. quite a few cane handles were made from ornate silver, carved wood, the finest ivory, and even embellished with jewels and crystals. These ornamentations actually created the sword canes difficult to use as weapons, but many chosen appearance over functionality.
Not surprisingly, some walking sticks in fact had a long sword hidden. The sword cane turned more popular as the the carrying of swords declined and firearms replaced them as the main weapons. The popularity of these sword canes peaked around the mid-18th century, but they were still used into Victorian times. The length of the blade changes drastically among diverse kinds of sword canes. Some sword canes are more like a knife cane. Some have a double blade, others have a single blade, and still others have a sharp point for thrusting, but not for cutting. Because it was simple to construct, the last type, a sharp-point sword, is currently most commonly found in antique sword walking sticks from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Since the sword canes, like walking canes in general, were also a display of the owner's taste, they were frequently substantially decorated. From ancient times, most dangerous weapons have often been artistically decorated, as you can find in various museums. The same is true of the sword sticks. quite a few cane handles were made from ornate silver, carved wood, the finest ivory, and even embellished with jewels and crystals. These ornamentations actually created the sword canes difficult to use as weapons, but many chosen appearance over functionality.
Today...
Sword canes, nonetheless impractical in modern times, still attract many men's imaginations, and are often put to use in films. Recent Victorian-era films, including "Sherlock Holmes" and "Wolfman", exhibited incredibly attractive sword canes. In "Sherlock Holmes", Jude Law, as Dr. Watson, carries around an ornate round-head bachelor walking cane with a slim blade. It's a very handsome thing for a young professional to carry. In "Wolfman", Anthony Hopkins, father of the wolfman, has a greatly decorated wolf-head sword walking cane with a thicker blade - more like a saber. This walking stick was, again, very suitable for an established old gentleman.
You can still acquire many models of sword canes, but the majority do not come with a sharp edge for very good reason! These are actually for decorative use, and often used in theater. Some sword walking canes come with a stainless steel blade that could be sharpened (if It's not already sharp). They are not "real" swords, but sharp enough to cut though quite a few things.
You can still acquire many models of sword canes, but the majority do not come with a sharp edge for very good reason! These are actually for decorative use, and often used in theater. Some sword walking canes come with a stainless steel blade that could be sharpened (if It's not already sharp). They are not "real" swords, but sharp enough to cut though quite a few things.
However...
You need to be careful, nevertheless, about purchasing and carrying sword walking sticks. The sword walking cane is considered a concealed weapon and if your state has strict rules you will find also heavy fines for breaking those laws. Some states, for example Massachusetts and New York, forbid sales of sword canes and you cannot obtain them from here. you can acquire sword canes out of state and may take themhome, but you can't carry them outside of the house (which in fact makes it tough to bring back the sword from out of state to your home). Please pay attention for your state's laws regarding the sword cane.
In any case, please appreciate the antique sword cane as an art form, not As a weapon. The most deadly thing may be a most beautiful art form - or the other way around - depending on its use. I hope that you appreciate the beauty in its creation, rather than its potential for destruction.
In any case, please appreciate the antique sword cane as an art form, not As a weapon. The most deadly thing may be a most beautiful art form - or the other way around - depending on its use. I hope that you appreciate the beauty in its creation, rather than its potential for destruction.
