| While not originating in any particular culture, we | | | | often ill suited for extended exchanges due to the |
| cannot ignore the media popularized "Cane Sword" or | | | | difficulty in reinforcing the weapon's stability. They |
| "Stick Sword". Most commonly depicted in samurai or | | | | often fell apart or snapped after just a few swings, |
| Japanese oriented films, the cane sword made its | | | | though there were a few exceptions when a few |
| home in many places worldwide as either an | | | | swordsmiths began making them exclusively, thus |
| accessory of fashion with an extra use, or as a | | | | spending all of their time and resources improving this |
| method of concealing ones weapon. It became a | | | | tool. In the end, there were quite a few quality |
| particularly popular gentleman's accessory in Europe in | | | | swords available that could indeed take quite a |
| the eighteenth century, and was commonly found in | | | | beating, though they never reached the standard of |
| most wardrobes owned by the wealthy, only losing | | | | durability that most true swords enjoyed. |
| steam as the popularity of carrying a gun increased, | | | | As of modern day the sword cane, for the most |
| thus replacing the sword cane with simple canes. | | | | part, only exists as a novelty. There are a few |
| Feudal Japan also found great use in this tool, | | | | companies here and there that offer quality cane |
| particularly during the reign of Meiji, whom outlawed | | | | swords, but they are generally considered a single- or |
| the Samurai from carrying a sword on their person in | | | | rarely useable item. Also, unfortunately, many |
| public. Samurai found that cane swords were an | | | | countries have outlawed the carrying of this weapon, |
| effective method of loopholing this rule, and were oft | | | | considering it (Rightly so, I suppose) a concealed |
| found carrying these. It also found use amongst the | | | | weapon, and a civilian found to be wielding one can |
| Ninja, Japan's elite league of assassins, where the | | | | incur quite a steep fine. |
| weapon was a welcome addition to their tactics of | | | | While not as glorious as many swords throughout |
| misleading and shadow. Some modifications were | | | | history, the cane sword definitely held an important |
| made at some points in regard to the methods of | | | | position, offering utility and versatility in whatever |
| ninja, adding often chains and hooks, or even | | | | country it touched upon. Certainly worth looking into, |
| concealed blinding powder. | | | | and has a rightful position in any collectors shelfspace! |
| From a functional standpoint, the cane sword was | | | | |