/AKM/ - Guns, weapons and the art of war.

Or would it depend on what environment you are talking about here? Would the blades on the left side perhaps be better in tight spaces where not much of a swing is possible?

When it comes to melee defense if its the only option somebody has, most conclusions or discussions on martial arts have narrowed down the two most effective to be either the leaf blade vs the gladius. Blade length being up to 40-ish anything to smaller 50s at most?

With the most effective maintenance oil being 3-in-one + Metal Glo for polishing when it comes to steel/wrought iron.

Rapiers would only be useful in places like gardens or very long spaces, idk about a cutlass however.

If your country bans blades, you are left with the axe or spear.

Can a physically weak person also get an advantage over 1 - 2 physically strong people attacking them if that is the only thing they can use?