Why, oh why, the bat'leth?

[Lord Manitou]

I don't see the need for the extensive argument since it is only the Klingons who believe in the use of non-energy weapons. Also, perhaps, the Gods explained in TOS and they would have a dislike for them.
You should see the fact that these wonderful weapons work because of complicated micro-circutry and precision just like a digital camera. The only difference is that the ray-gun has no need for moving parts. Just press the place where the safety goes on and off and then apply pressure to the trigger part.

 

[Lonemagpie]

I was reading an online article where a weapons expert discussed the bat'leth. He asserted that the Klingons' use of this unwieldy weapon was rather archaic in an age of phasers and long-range, planet-busting weapons, and I agree.

So I was curious: Can someone come up with PRACTICAL scenarios that would realistically justify using bat'leths in 23rd centruy intergalatic combat?

Oh, don't even get me started... It's not just that the things are archaic, but they're also pretty crap *as* offensive weapons!

I did an article on this in Star Trek Magazine earlier in the year...

 

[The Castellan]

The better question is: would phasers or a bat'leth be more effective than a sonic screwdriver?

Depends. For removing fastening items like screws, bolts and so on, sonic works good. Same for shorting out electrical devices, and it does have some built in scanning devices, like in "Death to the Daleks".