it all depends on the situation...no one can ever anticipate all of the countless scenarios in which one would be in close combat. Guns are more powerful than swords, but depending on the situation, it might be to ones advantage to use a sword, or a walking stick...I personally feel as though guns are more powerful than sticks. Thats where the difference comes in sandy, you are using swords as the example, this is with an umbrella, or a cane... and unless you have one of those spy canes that unsheaths to become a sword, i think you might be in trouble...