Or so the saying goes.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/01/state/n110902D76.DTL

My favorite quote from the article- "Evidently, he always goes hiking with a sword," Barker said Monday.

It's funny, I've never heard of a sword being one of the 10 essentials. Maybe it's a little further down on the list, like #14 or so, right after the battle axe.

I don't know about most people, but my #1 rule is never go hiking with someone who always carries a sword. Followed closely by rule #2, never go hiking with someone who always carries a baseball bat. I always make it a point to tell my friends to leave their battlefield implements in the car when we go hiking.

Yikes, those must be some scary hiking trails...

Actually, I do bring a sword where firearms are forbidden. I HATE snakes!!!!!

this link tells a very different story.

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_7067800

oh, and let's add pepper spray to the mix, too...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-sword2oct02,1,1921227.story?track=rss

And of course it happened in L.A. County. Why do I suspect that drugs were involved???

Yeah, don't go hiking with people wearing tinfoil beanies...

"Yeah, don't go hiking with people wearing tinfoil beanies... "

Of course not. And just in case I run into one on the trail, I always pack my trusty light saber.

Frank2135

Hi Nighthiker.

Oh, Had enough aye.
Look you stupid bastard you've got no arms left
Yes I have.
Look
Just a flesh wound.

As it happens I have a folding shovel/entrenching tool. First thing I did was sharpen the blade. Makes it easier to dig with.

It also throws quite well. Over distances of one to ten body lenths, which is the maximum distance that I can be sure of throwing it and hitting what I am aiming at, it always arrives buisness end first.