@TheStarHawk, in Texas its perfectly legal to carry one around. I kept a katana in my car. Only ever had to bring it out once when I was almost run off the road. I'm a very skinny 20 year old guy. My defense is brandishing a sword and screaming as loud as I can.
@YaBoiDoodleBob, Mine is getting naked, grabbing a gun and spear, then running at whoever is attacking me while screaming about eating their soul. Works every time.
I legit kept a longsword behind the seat of my El Camino for a couple months just to show it to friends. Sadly not a Royal Knight edition.