@LiJun This hits an issue with HEMA manuscripts- they are mostly "review manuals" for people who got trained at that school/with that master. There are some HEMA manuals that talk about mounted combat, but I would have to look if they specifically talk about more than simply using spears...

I suspect you lived up to your name, LazyReader. I specifically asked for buying guides or resources for acquiring sharp, functional swords. Oakeshot's typology, while useful, doesn't really apply here. Also, the idea that brutal sword play is performed by bastard swords shows a distinct lack of appreciation for the various fighting systems and possibly a little confusion on what a rapier is. To many of us, "rapiers" are straight-edged, one handed, thrust centric weapon for war, not a smallsword or fencing foil, which are for civilian use.

The question is still looking at measuring the practicality of a martial art, not just which one is most effective. For instance, if I choose to say that "Kenjutsu is the most effective martial art" (which is silly), is it practical to carry around a katana all day?

This seems to be a non-answer. Yes, competency in a martial art is important, and I'm glad you made that point, but you don't put forth any recommended measurements for measuring "practicality" or "bullet-proof"-ness.

@SahanDeSilva I am pretty sure "effectiveness" is situational as well. I'm also not sure how anyone could objectively measure "effectiveness." Time to disarmament? Time to incapacitation of one party? Relative damage (and then how do you measure "damage" on a person)?

@DaveNewton Sadly, I am unsure where to find evidence to backup such a claim. Do terrorists have little or no formal weapons training? Says who?