The Register reports on some convenience store hold ups in Colorado Springs, probably not an unusual event. Except the criminal in this case attempted armed robbery with a Klingon Bat’leth (the ‘sword of honour’). Asked for comment Commander Worf declared “this man has no honour.” Can you imagine the police foto-fit? Presumably it will look something like Bill Bailey with a Cornish pastie stuck to his forehead… A quick Google search reveals there is something of a Klingon criminal fraternity here in the UK as well – a Bat’leth was recovered by police during a knife amnesty, according to this May 2006 article from the Daily Mail, complete with their usual restrained, objective reporting (“horrifying five foot weapon”… “it’s an extremely dangerous weapon” said a martial arts expert (conveniently un-named and presumably not overly familiar with replica film and TV props)). Expect the usual tabloids to demand politicians act now to end the menace of violent Star Trek fans. Won’t someone, please, think of the children…
February 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I have a friend who works with weapons, doing ceremonial displays with swords and such like things, and he says that the Bat’leth is actually pretty much impossible to fight with. You need to keep changing your grip on it, which would easily allow your opponent time to stick something sharp into you.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Well as someone with years of fencing experience I’d have to say I’ve always thought it a clumsy looking weapon and certainly not my idea of a sword, imagine from the way it is held and swung it would be very simple to step inside the guard and lunge at the weilder.