Antique sword staves – a fashion statement and self-defense weapon for a Victorian gentleman

Although the security of the city improved significantly during Victorian times, many knights still carried some type of weapon to protect themselves. Carrying a sword was no longer in fashion, so although walking poles were not originally designed for orthopedic use but for fashion (like the vintage walking poles from collectors seen today), they were the choice. de facto weapon for many gentlemen. Although most had no training in fighting, there were actually some schools that taught “baton fighting.” The techniques taught in these schools were based on the traditional European club fighting system 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 the most famous baton fighting books of the early 20th century is “The Baton as a Weapon” by AC Cunningham, and original copies can still be found from time to time in used bookstores.

Not surprisingly, some poles had a long blade installed. Sword staves became more popular as the bearing of swords declined and firearms replaced them as primary weapons. The popularity of these sword staves peaked in the mid-18th century, but they were still used in Victorian times. The length of the blade changes significantly between different types of sword staves. Some sword staves are more like a knife stave. Some have a double blade, some have a single blade, and some have a sharp point for pushing but not cutting. Because it was simple to build, the latter type, a sharp-pointed sword, is most often found today in ancient sword staves from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Since sword poles, like walking poles in general, were also a token of the owner’s taste, they were often highly decorated. Since ancient times, most deadly weapons have been artistically decorated, as can be found in many museums. The same goes for sword staves. Many cane handles were made of ornate silver, carved wood, the finest ivory, and even adorned with jewels and crystals. This ornamentation actually made sword staves difficult to use as weapons, but many preferred appearance to practicality.

Sword staves, while impractical in modern times, still attract the imagination of many men and are often used in movies. Recent films from the Victorian era, such as “Sherlock Holmes” and “Wolfman”, featured extremely attractive sword staves. In “Sherlock Holmes,” Jude Law, as Dr. Watson, carries an ornate round-headed bachelor’s cane with a thin blade. It is a very nice thing to wear for a young professional. In “Werewolf”, Anthony Hopkins, father of the Werewolf, has a heavily decorated wolf head sword staff with a thicker blade, more like a saber. This cane was, again, well suited for an established elder.

You can still buy many models of sword walking sticks, but most don’t come with a sharp edge for good reason! These are more for decorative use and are often used in theater. Some sword staves come with a stainless steel blade that can be sharpened (if not sharpened already). They are not “real” swords, but sharp enough to cut through a lot of things.

However, you must be careful when purchasing and transporting sword staves. Sword staves are considered a concealed weapon and if your state has strict rules, there are also heavy penalties for violating those laws. Some states, like Massachusetts and New York, prohibit the sale of sword staves and they cannot be purchased from here. You can buy sword staves out of state and take them home, but you can’t take them out of the house (which actually makes it difficult to transport the sword from another state to your home). Pay attention to the laws in your state regarding sword walking sticks.

In any case, enjoy the ancient sword staff as an art form, not a weapon. The deadliest can be a more beautiful art form, or the other way around, depending on its use. I hope you enjoy the beauty of its creation, rather than its potential for destruction.