Wakizashi for Home Defence
by clint
(Petaluma, CA, USA)
QUESTION: I was considering purchasing a Wakizashi for home defense, as I'm opposed to guns. I'd love something that's both ornamental/display worthy, and something that's fully functional. I really like the look of the Hanwei Bushido Wakizashi, but I'm not quite sure how to tell how functional it is. I see that it's listed as being "folded" and "forged." I'm not planning on using it for backyard hack and slashing, but I'd like to have faith that it'd stand up well to a home invasion, and that it's balanced for use. Please let me know if you think it's not really a practical blade, and if my money would be better spent on the PK series.
Thanks
Clint
QUESTION: Hi Clint,
This is a tricky question to answer, and there are actually quite a few reasons (both legal and practical) why it would NOT be a good idea to select a Wakizashi over a gun as a home defence weapon...
But, if we treat this as a hypothetical - I wouldn't trust my life on this particular product... Personally, I wouldn't even use a Wakizashi but rather a Ko Katana/Chisa Katana.
Because of the inherent problems associated with fighting indoors (lack of room, adrenalin included swings hitting walls, etc) you would want something extremely strong yet with powerful cutting abilities. As such, I would have to say that the Cold Steel Chisa Katana or the Cheness 9260 Spring Steel Ko-Katana would be your best bet...
Both of these are very tough swords (the Cheness Ko Katana, being made from 9260 Spring Steel is a bit stronger and more impact resistant) and the two handed grip means that there is minimal risk of a sweaty hand losing hold of the tsuka.
Ultimately though, I think that for home defence, the best choice is a baseball bat for driving off an attacker - or a shotgun if lethal force is called for...
Unless you are a trained killer, facing off against another human being with a sword can cause a moment of hesitation, while with a bat - you can go to town on them. And a shotgun, well - that one is pretty self expanitory.
I could go on, but must keep the Q&A short. But feel free to extrapolate in the comments! :-)
Kind Regards,
- Paul