My thoughts after sitting through the nine-hour Hobbit Marathon

swords for all

Ok

Swords are cool. They're not very practical for everyday carry anymore, sadly, but fortunately knives still are. Check out the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program for some pretty good techniques: http://www.marines.mil/News/Publications/ELECTRONICLIBRARY/ElectronicLibraryDisplay/tabid/13082/Article/126855/mcrp-3-02b.aspx