Blades and Zombies

[Bob]

It's long but worth the time to read over.


STEELS USED BY KNIFE MAKERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by Bob Engnanth
0-1 is perhaps the most forgiving of any knife quality steel other than the very simple alloy types, and produces a blade of excellent quality for most normal use. It can be heat treated very easily. Further references? Well, the ole' master, Cooper, used it for many years and folks do love his blades because they're tough. Awhile back, one of the best of the blade smiths said that well treated 0-1 would out cut any Damascus, and no one argued with him. Edge holding is exceptional. 0-1 is precision ground unless you're lucky enough to stumble across some mill bar. Goof up the heat treat and 0-1 will let you try again as often as you like, as long as you don't overheat the metal. Tough on grinding belts.

0-6 is the next step up from 0-1 easy heat treat but pure hell to grind. It's significantly tougher, with finer crystalline structure and hard graphitic particles that resist wear. Stock is both hot rolled and precision ground. Hot rolled prices are reasonable. Very tough to grind. Edges are incredible, lasting even longer than the best Damascus and even 0-1. Has an odd, rather orange spark.

W-1, W-2, and the series of 10-- steels from 1045 through 1095 are the ultimate in simplicity and very shallow hardening so they may be used to make a selectively hardened edge as one sees on old Japanese swords. Toughness is outstanding, with
these alloys being used for grader blade edges, truck springs and files. Uses up grinding belts at quite a rapid rate. Edges are acceptable with 1045, good with 1060, nice with 1084, and excellent with 1095, W-1 or W-2. Those last two are often referred to as O-F, old file. It is very easy to get the higher carbon end of this series way too hard to make a good knife.

5160 is a common spring steel, basically 1060 with one per-cent of chromium added to make it deep hardening. (It may still be selectively drawn with a softer back, if desired.) An excellent steel for swords, or any other blade that will have to take some battering. The choice of Jim Hrisoulas who makes some of the finest working swords in the business. Long blades are best around the mid 50's on the Rockwell scale, while small, working blades can be put into service at a full 60 RC. Forged blades with a well packed edge seem to cut forever! Rough on grinding belts. Jokingly called O-C-S, old chevy spring.

52100 is a ball bearing steel, generally not found in useful grinding sizes, but terrific in edge holding and toughness. 52100 is 5160 with an attitude, more alloy and more carbon that makes it harder and tougher. Like 5160, throws a brilliant yellow spark. Ed Fowler has developed a superior heat treating technique for this steel.

L-6 is the band or circular saw blade steel used in most lumber mills and downright hard to find in any other form. Hardens in oil to about RC 57 and takes a fine edge for most cutting, particularly where the edge might be steeled back into shape. Outstanding where flexibility is needed but rusts easily, like virtually all of the simple carbon steels. L-7 is the same stuff with a little more carbon.

A-2 is an exceptional steel, with fine wear-resisting qualities plus excellent resistance to annealing and warping. Grinding is noticeably harder than 0-1 but not extremely difficult. Sawing is tougher and relates to the five percent of chrome in this steels
chemical make up. Really nice to finish with the grinder and very little grain appearing in buffing. Excellent flexibility. Phil Hartsfield get incredible cutting ability out of this steel. Several other of the A series will also make fine blades.

D-2 offers another air hardening tool steel, but with 12% chrome and excellent, if not superb, wear resistance. The resistance also holds true in both sawing and grinding, even while the steel is fully annealed. While using belts up at a faster rate than average, D-2 is not particularly hard to grind with fresh belts. Using old belts causes enough heat to work harden the steel. D-2 anneals at somewhat higher temperature than A-2 and will not take a true, mirror polish. Definitely a steel for the advanced craftsman. It's major drawback is the orange peel appearance of the surface when finished to a high gloss. One knife maker is often quoted as saying that D-2 takes a lousy edge and holds it forever. Often found as surplus wood plainer blades. D-4 and D-7 are also good cutlery alloys, but darn hard to find in the right sizes. Air hardening steels can work harden while you're grinding them if you get the stock too hot. This doesn't mean much on the grinder, but when you try to file a guard notch, the file will just slide.

M-2 is a high temperature steel made for lath cutting tools, which has darn little to do with knives, but allows you to really cook the blade in finishing after heat treat without annealing it. M-2 is perhaps a bit better in edge holding than D-2. It is also rather
brittle and not recommended for large knives.

440C was the first generally accepted knife makers' stainless and remains quite popular, particularly since the sub-zero process was developed to add toughness. On the grinder, it's gummy and gets hot fast, but it cuts a lot faster and easier than any of
the carbon steels. Your belts will cut about 2 to 3 times as much 440-C than 0-1. Using hand hacksaws on it will wear out a lot of blades in a hurry. But with the proper care, good heat treating and finishing, 440C produces an excellent, serviceable
and durable knife, even for the new knife maker. Anneals at very low temperature. Please note that 440A and 440B are similar alloys, often confused with 440C, but not worth a damn for knife making use. Commercial knife companies often mark blades
440 when they're one of the less desirable versions, giving the real stuff a bad name. 440C is also available in more sizes and in more places than just about any stainless alloy suitable for knives. It is also essential to remember that collectors hate to see
one of their prizes turn brown in the sheath, and 440C handles corrosion resistance very well. While the variation, 440-V doesn't seem to get quite as hard, but holds an edge for much longer and is much more difficult to grind.

154 CM was considered by many to be super-steel, if you can find some of the old production stock. The new batches are not manufactured to the standards that we've come to expect for knife steel. While excellent in use, 154 CM eats up the finest
hacksaw blades in one across-the-bar cut of 1-1/2". It's machining and grinding qualities are similar to 440C and won't win it any awards for ease in working. In use though, this alloy has a definite advantage in both hardness and toughness over 440C.
154 CM is not an accepted standard grade designation, rather a manufacturers trade name.

ATS-34 Japanese made stainless considered the equal of 154 CM. Import restrictions have been eased somewhat, although they were forced to raise the price by 50%. Cleaner than the 154 CM. (154 CM is no longer used in government specified
applications and is not the vacuum melt product that we once appreciated.) ATS-34 is virtually the exact same alloy as 154 CM, minus 0.04% of one of the less essential elements. ATS-34 is double vacuum melted and very clean. It also comes with a hard, black skin that will put a shine on your grinding belt before you know it. We recommend knocking the skin off with old belts before tapering the tang or Vee grinding. One fellow tried to take the skin off with an industrial motor driven wire
brush wheel. All he did was polish it. We now stock a belt the is specifically designed to remove this scale. ATS-34 is a trade name. The three, 154 CM, ATS-34 and 440-C, all have a small, reddish spark that has a distinct, but hard to see carbon fork.
ATS-34 is also a trade name. That super hard black skin on some of these steels, as well as forging scale, can be "pickled" to remove it. Buy a gallon of inexpensive white vinegar, and leave the steel in it overnight. Works like magic. If it doesn't work, or
makes the shop smell like a salad, blame Doug Brack, who gave me this hint.

AEBL seems to be about 440B. Extremely easy to grind, in fact, I think I may have set a world record with it a few years back, over a hundred blades from bar stock to 220 grit within eight hours. Heat treat like 440C. Edge holding is best when heat treating includes a freeze cycle. Very easy to polish and buff. Very nice choice for miniatures, kitchen knives, etc. AEBL has several quirky habits in grinding that make it difficult to use on thicker or larger knives. Makes nice kitchen knives. "Hoss" uses this in his beautiful stainless Damascus and reports that it holds up very well.

420 modified stainless, has been successfully used by some commercial knife producers, but availability is not practical for the hobby knife maker since darn few of us order steel in mill rolls.

VASCO WEAR is rather expensive but very, very good in edge holding. Resists grinding very well too! You'll swear your belts have all gone dull when you try it. Do everything you have to before heat treating, cause you sure aren't going to be able to do much afterward. Priced like lobster tails, when you can find it. Try Vasco-Pacific in the Los Angeles area. Vasco - Pacific uses their own series of names for their alloys.

DAMASCUS steel is such a widely made product that it is impossible to make too many general statements about it, other than it seems to catch collectors better than any other type. Each smith does his in a slightly different way, ranging from the fellow who toughs it out, starting with three layers, to the guy who welds a 300 layer sandwich of shim stock into a billet with one hit in a 40 ton press. They're all pretty. Reese Weiland suggests that the last etch of a Damascus blade be done with
phosphoric acid, which will sort of, parkerize the metal and help protect it. He said that you have to play around with the concentration of the acid and immersion times a bit, depending on the steel you're using. This will also work on most carbon steel blades. If a Damascus blade has been hardened with a softer section at the spine or guard, you will get a much better looking etch if you use muriatic acid first, to get the depth you want, and then ferric chloride for adding color.

STELLITE 6-K fits into the same category as Vasco Wear in the wear resistance area, but doesn't need heat treating since there is no iron in it at all. The trick is exceptionally hard particles embedded in a rather soft alloy. Very flexible and easy to
bend. Virtually cannot be brought to a mirror finish. Stellite blades are very much in demand by some collectors. The alloy best suited for knives now must be ordered from Canada and costs about a hundred bucks a pound. Part of Stellite's toughness
comes from the rolling process used to form the bars. Cast Stellite is not nearly as tough.

TITANIUM is only a marginally acceptable metal for a knife blade. It cannot be hardened much past the mid 40's of the Rockwell C scale, and that's spring, or throwing knife territory. Aside from that, I'm sure that there will soon be collectable
titanium knives on many custom makers tables, designed to catch collectors, and not for cutting.

Copyright ©1997 By Blades 'N' Stuff - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
We expect folks to copy and distribute this information without restriction as long as we're listed as the source.

http://users.ameritech.net/knives/index.htm

[Dave Of The Dead]

Nice info there Bob. All of my blades that I use constantly are made of 5160 carbon steel. They stay sharp, flex when they need to, and hold up to the punishment you put them through. Highly recommend this steel for blades. Not to mention, its's cheap!

[Noc]

Yeah, I have been looking at the Cold Steel ones, they seem quite good for the price, and at the moment that is about all I can afford.

[Dave Of The Dead]

All right im looking to buy me a combat knife for no more than 30 dollars does anyone have an idea of a good knife in that price range?

Well, if you're looking for a quality blade, you'll be spending just a bit more than $30. Here are some kukris for around the $30, but god knows that shipping is for coming from Nepal. 1, (http://www.khukuriblades.com/products/details.php?id=313132fc98) 2, (http://www.khukuriblades.com/products/details.php?id=3935f87) 3, (http://www.khukuriblades.com/products/details.php?id=313531fecc3) 4, (http://www.khukuriblades.com/products/details.php?id=313036f1676) 5, (http://www.khukuriblades.com/products/details.php?id=313038f45c9) 6. (http://www.khukuriblades.com/products/details.php?id=313438fc5113) I buy from here and like their quality. Shipping takes a while though.

[hotlead]

Look in pawnshops and antique stores for used KaBar type knives, make sure they're made by either KaBar or Camilus and are in decent shape.

I got used KaBar in an antique store for $20 in real good shape, once.

[kiltedninja]

A new KaBar goes for around 45 for the smaller ones, 50-70 for the larger ones.

[mattifikation]

Somebody asked about a "combat" knife for under 30 dollars. Take a look at this: Remington Sportsman fixed blade knife. 15 bucks, 5 3/8 inch blade.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693998

While it's not a "combat" knife technically, if you can't fvck somebody's day up with that knife then changing the style of the handle probably isn't gonna help you.

[Noc]

Wow, those kukri's were really nice, I liked 2,4, and 6.

[Dave Of The Dead]

Wow, those kukri's were really nice, I liked 2,4, and 6.

They're heavy weapons, but they do a hell of a lot of damage.

[homelitexl]

i found a reallynic mhete the other day in a barn the old man let me have because it needed a new handle i got a guy making a oak handle now for it]the blades sharp ad the steel is good quality

[bandits1]

i found a reallynic mhete the other day in a barn the old man let me have because it needed a new handle i got a guy making a oak handle now for it]the blades sharp ad the steel is good quality
How do you know the steel is good quality?

[Bob]

It's probably stamped Cold Steel.

[hotlead]

He knows because he trimmed all ten toenails with it, and it stayed sharp enough to cut the roadkill meatloaf he had for dinner that night.

[mattifikation]

i found a reallynic mhete the other day in a barn the old man let me have because it needed a new handle i got a guy making a oak handle now for it]the blades sharp ad the steel is good quality

What the fucl<?

[Dave Of The Dead]

Yeah, I'd steer clear of that guy from now on.

[mega moose]

i have a vietnam era combat knife with the compartment in the handle that holds a few matches some fishing line a few hooks and 5 water purification tabs that attaches to my belt strap that could kill a few zeds, but i doubt i'd like to risk splatter or possibly cross contamination. idk if thats been covered yet but we gotta be smart about that. if you use a knife that killed a zed to skin/cut/gut food you could infect yourself.

not the way i wanna go out :x

[Dave Of The Dead]

Yes that brings up a good point. Clean your blade after every use. Keep it maintained as well. Early signs of damage can save your life in the future.

[mega moose]

witch reminds me i need to throw and extra sharpening stone in my BOB, thanks

[Dave Of The Dead]

No problem. Does anyone here like carbide sharpeners over sharpening stones? I know the edge doesn't last as long, but if you work it with a sharpening stone afterward, it works better.

[kiltedninja]

I have both, and I prefer my stone over the carbide, but it's because the edge is better.

[bandits1]

All right im looking to buy me a combat knife for no more than 30 dollars does anyone have an idea of a good knife in that price range?
I'd jump on this (http://www.amazon.com/United-Cutlery%C2%AE-Pathfinder-Tactical-Compass/dp/B000Y2VS9Q) deal for under $30:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/811/51xiydekuclss500.jpg

[Noc]

That's a pretty good deal for $22.

Has anyone thought about using a naginata, I imagine they would be quite durable, and originally were used by women so they wouldn't be to heavy.

Yes, I have no formal training, nor have I ever seen a 'battle ready' version, but I'm just brain storming so don't call me a 'Mall Ninja'. :)

[Dave Of The Dead]

That's a pretty good deal for $22.

Has anyone thought about using a naginata, I imagine they would be quite durable, and originally were used by women so they wouldn't be to heavy.

Yes, I have no formal training, nor have I ever seen a 'battle ready' version, but I'm just brain storming so don't call me a 'Mall Ninja'. :)

You NEED formal training to use something like that. Otherwise, you're just wielding a clumsy stick with a sharp piece of steel on the end.

[kiltedninja]

Noc, if you're looking at using a spear then go with using a shorter spear like an assegai or a boar spear or even a Jo with a knife fixed to the end and a shield. I've been entertaining the idea of finding a way to reinforce a tobogan type sled with something harder, and using some 550 cord as a sling while you hold a handle. But again, you need some practice, but not extensive training.

[bandits1]

You NEED formal training to use something like that. Otherwise, you're just wielding a clumsy stick with a sharp piece of steel on the end.
Formal training would, of course, be nice - but for use against unarmed zombies, not entirely necessary. It's not like he's going to be doing kata or fighting with other naginata-wielding opponents. I'd say as much time as one could put in swinging that thing around and actually cutting stuff might suffice to build up the necessary muscles and develop a feel as to what the weapon can do and how it moves.

[detpat]

IF you survive long enough you'll begin to develop your own style and technique. it's the "survive long enough" part that's hard!!

[Noc]

Noc, if you're looking at using a spear then go with using a shorter spear like an assegai or a boar spear or even a Jo with a knife fixed to the end and a shield. I've been entertaining the idea of finding a way to reinforce a tobogan type sled with something harder, and using some 550 cord as a sling while you hold a handle. But again, you need some practice, but not extensive training.

Yeah, the assegai looks like it would be a pretty good choice. They look quite sturdy.

To, Dave of the Dead.

Speaking of training, yes it's ideal, but thats not to say I would be less effective with a katana or naginata than without one. People kill people with weapons they have no training in all the time. But I can see why you would be annoyed if someone wanted to dual wield katana's:lol:

[homelitexl]

everyone if someone etions a katana then ttell them to use a chainsaw that way when tey get eaten i get more parts f mine and we have naturalselection goin on natures way of weeding ou the noobs

[Dave Of The Dead]

everyone if someone etions a katana then ttell them to use a chainsaw that way when tey get eaten i get more parts f mine and we have naturalselection goin on natures way of weeding ou the noobs

I did not understand a word you just said, hoss.

[kiltedninja]

If someone questions a katana, tell them to use a chainsaw because they get killed faster, I get more parts for mine, natural selection will weed out the noobs.
I think that's about what he said. I can't tell though, I'm a little rusty on my translating monkey speech.

[Dave Of The Dead]

hmmm... well I hope natural selection works to my favor instead... weed out the cavemen like it should have done a long time ago.

[Bob]

You have some sort of problem with us knuckle draggers?

[kiltedninja]

Bob, you're one of them more evolved cavemen, like the one from the Geico commercials.:lol:

We like your kind. We don't like the less evolved type of cavemen. They drag you guys down.

No, but honestly, I was cutting shit with my knives yesterday, and realised how messy using a knife at close quarters with a zombie would be.

[Dave Of The Dead]

Very true. That's why you need something a little larger and more powerful so you could get it done quickly and less messy.

[kiltedninja]

It's effective, but I think having something larger would be good. My brother gave me a jo, maybe if I tied the knife to it, I'd be set.

[mattifikation]

http://i34.tinypic.com/148dlw0.jpg

[ERiKDude]

Where did you get that picture of my future wife?

[kiltedninja]

That made me lol Matt. As soon as I can get a good knot for making a spear, I'll post a picture of me with my jo/Ka-bar spear.

[hotlead]

You have some sort of problem with us knuckle draggers?

When Mrs. Hotlead made me start wearing shoes my knuckles didn't reach the floor anymore, my hands and feet are a lot cleaner too.

[IMPYEMU]

What would be a more effective bladed weapon? A katana or a machete?

[bandits1]

What would be a more effective bladed weapon? A katana or a machete?
Whichever one you're better at handling. For 99.9999% of the people on this planet, that's probably the machete.

[Bob]

Well I have to go with Latina Katana.

[kiltedninja]

I'm gonna go with my machete sword. Or William Wallace.

[Dave Of The Dead]

I'm buying you a REAL machete for your birthday.

[kiltedninja]

I'm getting one anyway. I'm gonna get a Cold Steel Latin style Machete. Or a tomahawk.

But it's in a couple months if you wanna get me one.:)

[Dave Of The Dead]

Nice, the latin machetes from Cold Steel are very nice.

[kiltedninja]

I like them because of their shape.

But what's up on that birthday present? Either a machete or nudes of Jessica Alba.

[Dave Of The Dead]

lol I'll have pictures of Jessica Alba laser etched into the blade.

[kiltedninja]

They have to be nudes though. If you do that, I'll give you my left testicle. That's worth a lot considering I'm a southpaw.

[mattifikation]

Jessica Alba has herpes.

http://www.gambling911.com/Did-Yankees%20Derek-Jeter-Give-Jessica-Alba-Herpes-081107.html

Now it's well worth it, in my opinion, but I just thought I'd warn you.

[kiltedninja]

Well I'm not trying to fvck her, I just think she's hot. Plus I've got a girlfriend.

[Darkness]

"Ok, back to talking about Blades and ZOMBIES." :roll:

[Dave Of The Dead]

You should always attach a wrist loop, or whatever those are called, to your blade. Tight enough that you won't loose your blade if it slips from your grip, but loose enough for it to be slipped on quickly. You probably wouldn't need it for every fight, but for the times you know that you'll be using it often. Make sure you practice your style with whatever blade you have. Work on swing speed, accuracy, and whether you're hitting directly with the edge or do you swing with the blade angled slightly. Compensate and train yourself for maximum damage.

[MallNinja]

Anyone here into RMJ Forge?

[Dave Of The Dead]

Anyone here into RMJ Forge?

Not a tomahawk fan. They look cool, but definitely not worth their price.

[MallNinja]

Not a tomahawk fan. They look cool, but definitely not worth their price.

Oh I don't know. They are kind of a mainstay for me. Aside from being a weapon, I've used my crash to break into and out of buildings and cars, flatten tires, and so on when I was over seas. And it came in pretty handy for butchering sheep and goats.

[bandits1]

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/4936/brt6a.jpg

[Bob]

Bandits

What is that?

[Dave Of The Dead]

Bandits

What is that?

I know right? Tell us before I drown in my own drool.

[bandits1]

Bandits

What is that?
The "SERE Rescue/Survival Tool" from Mineral Mountain Hatchet Works (http://www.mineralmountain.com/sere.htm). I've posted a couple of their blades waaaay earlier in this thread. They make pretty cool stuff. And they give a military discount.


...here's the one-handed version "Mete Jr". It's $100 less than the SERE - only $300!

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/4448/metejr2.jpg

...and here's a their version of a wakizashi(now discontinued :-():

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/4465/wak.jpghttp://img107.imageshack.us/img107/6739/shasqclose.jpg

[Dave Of The Dead]

Again, still not worth their price.

[bandits1]

Again, still not worth their price.
Not as far as utility goes, but they seem very well-made, and it's obvious if you want the really cool-lookin' stuff you're gonna have to pay extra for it. If I still went hiking and camping a lot, I'd consider shelling out the cash to get me one(the longer one).

And I know I've posted this one a couple times before, but after looking at all these neat blades we've posted, this one is still my favorite. The "Tactical Sword" by MacKenzie Knives (http://www.mackenzieknives.com/index.php) :

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9828/sword04.jpg

...they also make their version of the machette that everyone seems to love so much:

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9941/ghillie03.jpg
...probably costs $1018342308932, though.

[kiltedninja]

It looks cool. I've seen a lot of machetes like that though.

Oh, and Dave, you may not trust my machete sword, but I've used that thing to cut down small trees that are three inches in diameter, and it's still intact and reasonably sharp. Plus, I don't know why it's so fun, but have you ever filled up a 2-liter with water and cut it in half? It's so much fun.

[Bob]

Very kool.
I am still puzzling over which AR to get so cutting implements are on the back burner for now.

[bandits1]

Very kool.
I am still puzzling over which AR to get so cutting implements are on the back burner for now.
I'm a lefty, and I've only seen a couple of companies that make a left-handed upper. That would greatly shorten the amount of research I'd need to do. How is Stag Arms' products?

[Darkness]

"This is not a thread about guns, guys." :naughty:

[homelitexl]

He knows because he trimmed all ten toenails with it, and it stayed sharp enough to cut the roadkill meatloaf he had for dinner that night.

no because i took it too a knifecollector he said it was some heavy dty steel and yes i did cut meatloaf with it ony to see howsharp it was if yousaw my moms meatloaf youd be amazed that stuf deflects bullets

[kiltedninja]

It doesn't promote proper grammar however.

[Dave Of The Dead]

It doesn't promote proper grammar however.

It looks like its getting worse, doesn't it?

[kiltedninja]

Hey Homelite, where did you say you lived again? Stone Mountain was it?:lol:

[hotlead]

If you turn the hooked on phonics tape over, there's a lot more stuff to learn on the other side.

[Darkness]

"Okay! We all know that homelitexl has trouble spelling/typing/grammar/whatever. We don't need to comment on it in every conversation." :roll:


"Back to Blades and Zombies, please.":naughty:

[homelitexl]

If you turn the hooked on phonics tape over, there's a lot more stuff to learn on the other side.

really i didnt know that :lol: damn 8 tracks

i love that machete

[Stankynuts]

Alright so i am looking to increase my zombie killing arsenal and i need help on deciding which of these machetes would best fit zombie killing.

http://www.coldsteel.com/machetes.html

Thats the machetes i have to choose from and im liking the heavy machetes because im a big guy and can handle to big knife with some weight. So please help me decide what to get, Thank you.

[Dave Of The Dead]

Get one of the Kurki machetes. I own one from cold steel and its one of my babies. The magnum is great for chopping as well as stabbing, but the shorter one may carry a bit more power behind a swing.

[kiltedninja]

I'm looking at the regular kukri, or maybe the latin machete to get the ball rolling, since I do love that shape.

[Bob]

Latina Katana!


http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3223/csstoreonline2062342206.gif

[Stankynuts]

Thanks for the advice guys but im not really a fan of the kukri it feels awkward in my hands. Im not sure why, I think im still going to go for the heavy machete.
I also found that they sell Tomahawks which I am liking the vietnam one very much. Heres the link

http://www.coldsteel.com/vito.html

[homelitexl]

:cry:i wonder if hooked on fonicks maid anothur tape the one i had broke :x

[Dave Of The Dead]

Well if you don't like the way the kukri feels, try the Bolo machete. Slightly less advantageous than the kukri, but more power behind the blade than others.

[Trumble0]

If the Kurki is the best zombie blade then I know who I want on my side.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Gurkha_IOC_3.jpg/399px-Gurkha_IOC_3.jpg

The Gurkhas :lol:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Gurkha_IOC_1.jpg/450px-

[hotlead]

I don't care who you are, Gurkhas are asskickers, and standup individuals too. As long as you aren't their enemy, they'll be the nicest folks you'll ever meet, very polite.

[Trumble0]

Like-a the spas

I think it's actually an 870 with a Spas Style top folder setup... which is weird. Most Asian police forces do have Spas'... What I wouldn't give for one... My grandpa has an authentic Kurki though, his brother got it for him from the pacific theatre in WWII.

[Dave Of The Dead]

Yeah, the Ghurka are pretty hard core. You should read some first hand accounts of them in combat during war. They were notorious for decapitating people with their kukris.

[Bob]

What is up with my posts disappearing?
Twice I have posted a picture with text about the stock on the shotgun the Gurkha is holding.

[Trumble0]

What is up with my posts disappearing?
Twice I have posted a picture with text about the stock on the shotgun the Gurkha is holding.

Maybe Darkness is deleting them cause itss a "Blade" thread, I think the only reason she didn't delete mine is cause I talked about my Grandpa's Kukri after.

[kiltedninja]

I'd be a happy man if I had the Gurkhas on my side.

Yes Bob, I was thinking of getting a latina katana. I'm still entertaining the idea, and it's looking to be the one I'm getting.

[homelitexl]

getting an arkansas machete aka a chainsaw

[ERiKDude]

http://www.soonerstateknives.com/G-1972A-Gerber-MarkII-70th-Anniv.jpg

[Bob]

My Mark II is no where near that pretty, it's early years were hard on it though.

[CAVU45]

Same with my Mark I. It shows mcuh hard use with a knocked and chipped blade. I wouldn't trade it for any other though.

[ERiKDude]

Neither is my dad's, i just got that picture off the internet.

I'd guess that very few of the old ones are pristine, not if they were used properly anyway.

The Mark II has to be one of the most badass knives out there in my opinion

[hotlead]

Unfortunately, illegal in my state.

[kiltedninja]

The Mark II was designed by Lt. Colonel Rex Applegate, who trained in the UK with William Fairbairn before WW2. It's actually based of the Fairbairn and Sykes fighting knife. Applegate went on to create the combatives system used by the US military during said war, and up until Vietnam. Special Forces units today are still using it. I managed to get my hands on a copy of the manual, it's brutal, dirty fighting.
Funny thing about the Mark II, I live in Portland, the home of Gerber knife co. and I've never actually held one. I do want one though.

[mattifikation]

What's so great about it?

[MallNinja]

What's so great about it?

Its sharp on both sides, so the things you stab get extra stabbed, unlike a regular one sided knife, which only regularly stabs things.

[kiltedninja]

The Fairbairn and Sykes or the Mark II? Both are just fighting knives, but that's about it. the F&S is like the Royal Marine Commandos' version of the Ka-bar. The Mark II is just a fighting knife basically.

[Bob]

Matt
It was just one of the early next gen fighting knives.
The original Mark II had an angled blade but so many morons complained the blade was bent that they made them straight.

In those days the Randal was the one to have, I knew a guy who carried one 24/7 the brass on his bullets was always really shiny too...

[mattifikation]

I didn't know a knife could be next gen... What separates a next gen fighting knife that's sharp on both sides from a 500 year old dagger?

[homelitexl]

just about anyone im more partial to the bowie kni=fe myslef

[Bob]

Materials primarily design to some degree.
However there are only so many sensible ways to shape a knife blade and they were all probably covered long before modern manufacturing techniques.
There is a lot of technology in a good modern knife blade.

[kiltedninja]

My CRKT First Strike is about twice as thick as a Ka-bar of the same length(5.5 inch blade), the blade holds an edge better than anything I've ever used, and it's made here in Portland. I gotta say that it's my favorite knife ever.

[MallNinja]

Boker for the win.

I carried a boker WWII boot knife/trench knife in my boot as a last ditch throw down spike. Full tang, sharp as all hell, better balance than a sykes, one sided edge so I could use my thumb for more leverage when using it as a car opener. Skull crusher on the ass end and a grip I could really grab onto. God bless Otto Skorzeny when he decided that the WWII commando spike should have a hilt ramp for popping the cerebral spinal column off the brain stem.

[mattifikation]

God bless Otto Skorzeny when he decided that the WWII commando spike should have a hilt ramp for popping the cerebral spinal column off the brain stem.

That sounds particularly useful against a zombie.

[Bob]

MN

Which of these boker knives are you refering to?

http://www.agrussell.com/boker-plus-us-m3-trench-knife/p/BOhhh1943hhhM3/

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Brand&Brand=13&CatalogName=&PriceStart=&PriceEnd=&Feature=&Cat=&filter=&SearchText=&list=50&range=1&order=Default&SKU=BK121918

[kiltedninja]

That sounds particularly useful against a zombie.

I second that.

[speedhacker]

Hey guys I’m new to the site so I would appreciate any replies and help.

I was wondering what do you think the best type of knife (no swords) would
be and how could it help me in the zombie apocalypse? I need something that
can help with different tasks but also for defence.

Any help in the matter would be awesome.

:lol:

[Bob]

Easy answer.
Classic K-Bar.
Large wide heavy blade can be used for fighting or utility purposes.
Blade is not brittle nor is it soft.
Holds a decent edge.
Mine was recently stolen out of a car, now I must buy another one.
I wish I had seen the Zombie that stole it.
I would have introduced him to the 54" Sjambok in the trunk.

He or she got my K-Bar and about a dollar in mixed change.

[Dave Of The Dead]

Yeah, a K-Bar would be good, but for combat uses, I would rather take something a little more hefty. A good ol Nepalese Kukri with a 10" long blade that's 1/4" thick like the one I have will smash through anything that it doesn't cut. It's pretty much a hatchet/ knife/ machete hybrid. I love it.

[bandits1]

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7941/ucgh5008.jpg

[rogeneck]

bandits thats a very pretty knife but has no stabing tip. you would have to just keep on hacking the crap out of zombies.

the only blade i would think of using is my "survival" knife. so this knife is just one of those cheap 15$ knifes that you find at harbor freight. this knife used to be just a buck knife with a cheap "saw" blade on the top(worst thing ever). so what do I do with my 13 year old mind, i chuck it at a tree to see if its balanced. being as good as i was at knife throwing back then i miss and hit a rock. the tip of the blade bends. at first i think waist of 15$ and i toss it at the bottom on my self. a year later i had an idea. i should just fix it. so i take it to my bench grinder and i look at what i hate about this thing. its front heavy its not sharp enough its to big that saw part gets stuck in sh*t. so i make a rough sketch of how to fix all this. so i make the knife into 2 parts 1blade 2dager. the blade is about 4 inches long and its sharp enough to cut a single pice of flimsily paper. nothing all that great. in front of the blade is the dagger part. its 1 3/4 inches long. its just a sharp pointy impact point. why use a blade when you could just use a pick. so this not being enough a decide that i should make it "combat ready" i dipped the tip in old oil and set the oil on fire(this make it more brittle and less flexible so it wont bend)i took the nylon sheath and i cut it off so that all that was left was the belt strap and the strongest part of the blade guard. i just slip my hand in the old belt strap and make it into a hand guard. perfect for zombies bite protection skull stabbing action.
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=90714&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

take a look at how crappy this thing used to look. shinny pice of junk

[Dave Of The Dead]

Nice. This one is my favorite.

http://www.khukuriblades.com/images/images_product/enlarge1/191_108-310-x-210.jpg

[mattifikation]

Rogeneck, I used to have a knife that was very similar to that. I'm guessing it's just a different make of the same model as yours.

I got fed up with the craptasticness of mine, and tested it against a crowbar. Guess what won?

[kiltedninja]

I'd recommend a CRKT First Strike if you can find one, they're discontinued except through military connections, so if you're military, then you're set, if not, look online. Other knives made by CRKT are good as well, I've had several.

http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx168/kiltedskin/Knives.jpg

Ka-bar's are easier to find, I have a small one, and I like both of them, and I'd recommend a small one because I've broken two large ones.

Pros of Ka-bar:

Good balance

Comfortable grip

Cross guard

Decent edge holding capabilities

Strong blade

Cons:

The edge won't hold if you make it really sharp

Hollow ground edge

Do Not Throw Ka-bars

Overall, I like it.

Pros of CRKT First Strike:

Convex grind which results in superior edge

Good throwing knife

really sharp when honed well

Good grip

Sheath clip is detachable, and there are screw mounts on all sides of the sheath for multiple methods of attachment

Thick blade(6mm)

Pointy spike thing on the pommel.

Cons:

The sheath has no strap for securing knife

No Cross guard

No serrated edge.

...that's all I can think of.

These are the only two styles of fixed blade knives I've ever used or had, so it's all I know. Look on Google and I'm sure you can still find the First Strike.

[bandits1]

bandits thats a very pretty knife but has no stabing tip. you would have to just keep on hacking the crap out of zombies.
It's not supposed to have a "stabing tip", it's a machete. And when trying to break through skulls to destroy brain matter, I think hacking > stabbing.

[Bob]

You should not throw any knife not specifically designed for that purpose.

Besides what if you miss?
What if it does not go deep enough (which it probably won't) to stop your target.
Why give your opponent a weapon.
Throwing the average knife for fun is just going to ruin it.
If you must throw something then throw caltrops or shuriken .

[hotlead]

Friends don't let friends buy stuff from Harbor Freight.

It's like a 99cent hardware store.

[mattifikation]

I want to get some of those throwing needles and get good with them.

[Dave Of The Dead]

It's not supposed to have a "stabing tip", it's a machete. And when trying to break through skulls to destroy brain matter, I think hacking > stabbing.

Yeah, thats how it works. Its safer to hack and slash than it is to stab, unless you're REALLY good with your knives and machetes. And with a four inch blade that you were talking about, Rogeneck, stabbing wouldn't really do much anyway. If we go back to our whole discussion regarding the brain and zombie's use of it, then its pretty safe to assume that just stabbing into the outer brain will not kill it. If the goal is to cause as much trauma to the brain as possible, then chopping will be your safest bet.

[slayer1222]

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7941/ucgh5008.jpg

I am in love

[bandits1]

I am in love
It's called the "Gil Hibben IV Combat Machete" and I've seen 'em for as low as $75.

He also has this "Gil Hibben IV Machete":

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/9818/5cautoimages5cucgh5007l.jpg

[Darkness]

"How long is the blade?"

[bandits1]

"How long is the blade?"
^^11 3/4" blade - 18 3/8" overall.


http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7521/41tki36eilss500.jpg

[Darkness]

^^11 3/4" blade - 18 3/8" overall.

"Not bad, handy size." :)

[CAVU45]

Damn! Gil Hibben blades are the shit!

[kiltedninja]

Bob, I know you're not supposed to throw it. I still do it, but I haven't in a long time.

[rogeneck]

if your plan is to hack the crap out of a zombies head or neck you might as well just use a hammer or http://www.rmjforge.com/Tactical%20Tomahawks.htm (50 buck discount for all us armed forces) saves you the space of having to carry a knife and other tools. only weighs 1 pound 12 oz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOZ5gLSefhY its a crapy example from the maker but that just shows how good this is. if he can beat the crap out of a car like mean exgirlfriend then you can to.

[bandits1]

Those tomahawks were posted waaaaaaay back somewhere in this thread.

[Bob]

Thats the problem with super threads, people only read the last couple of pages.

[slayer1222]

It's called the "Gil Hibben IV Combat Machete" and I've seen 'em for as low as $75.

He also has this "Gil Hibben IV Machete":

http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/9818/5cautoimages5cucgh5007l.jpg



i cant find them any where in the uk i have lost the love of my life:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:: cry:

[Bob]

Have some one in a free country buy one for you and ship it.

[slayer1222]

Have some one in a free country buy one for you and ship it.



i dont know anyone in a free country hey wait a min u wanna ship me a machete

[Dave Of The Dead]

There's probably some law in place keeping you from buying that machete.

[slayer1222]

There's probably some law in place keeping you from buying that machete.


the only one i can think of is my age but anything i get is brought by my parents and they give em to me

[bandits1]

the only one i can think of is my age but anything i get is brought by my parents and they give em to me
Ask your parents to order one online with their credit card and pay them back in cash. Tell them it's for "yardwork".

[kiltedninja]

My mom doesn't really question what I buy with my money. When money and opportunity line themselves up, I'm going to get a Cold Steel Latina katana.

[Bob]

I always told my kids they could buy anything they wanted bad enough to save up for as long as it was not illegal.
In other words it was ok to save for a computer, a sword, or an air gun but not a bag of dope.

[kiltedninja]

Eh, I don't really like weed anymore, it's not that much fun anymore.

I've always had to save my money for anything I wanted beyond my basic needs, or make it.

[MallNinja]

MN

Which of these boker knives are you refering to?

http://www.agrussell.com/boker-plus-us-m3-trench-knife/p/BOhhh1943hhhM3/

http://www.smkw.com/webapp/eCommerce/product.jsp?Mode=Brand&Brand=13&CatalogName=&PriceStart=&PriceEnd=&Feature=&Cat=&filter=&SearchText=&list=50&range=1&order=Default&SKU=BK121918

It looks like the second one. But mine is longer and wider, according to the web page. I'd say its around 40 years old.

[MallNinja]

Smash>anything. bandit is right. Unless you can get a knife through the sinus cavity or brain stem your going to have a very loud kill, zombie or otherwise.

[Dave Of The Dead]

Smash>anything. bandit is right. Unless you can get a knife through the sinus cavity or brain stem your going to have a very loud kill, zombie or otherwise.

Are you talking in terms of stabbing?

I would never use a knife against a zombie. Machete is about as small as it gets for me.

[slayer1222]

Ask your parents to order one online with their credit card and pay them back in cash. Tell them it's for "yardwork".


thats what i normally do but they know i collect kknives and other such weaponry so they dont mind i just cant find anywhere that will ship it to the uk
and my parents say i can have what i want as long as i pay for it

[mattifikation]

A lot of that stuff is illegal in the UK, isn't it? That's probably why they won't ship it there.

[Bob]

MallNinja

Kool
Was it handed down to you or did you find it somewhere?


slayer1222
I can't do it because "contributing to the delinquency of a minor" is a big deal.

What is the max power of laser devices available to the public in your country?

[slayer1222]

What is the max power of laser devices available to the public in your country?


what do you mean

[slayer1222]

A lot of that stuff is illegal in the UK, isn't it? That's probably why they won't ship it there.


ye you cant do or get shit here but the machete isant illegal in the uk they are all american companys so they really have no business shipping to the uk

[Bob]

5mw is the max here.

[JakAttak]

you could strap some blades to a motorbike and that might work. eh probably not but it would be funny

[MallNinja]

MallNinja

Kool
Was it handed down to you or did you find it somewhere?


slayer1222
I can't do it because "contributing to the delinquency of a minor" is a big deal.

What is the max power of laser devices available to the public in your country?


I found it 20 some odd feet under Baghdad. The end.

[Bob]

The end...

[rogeneck]

the end.......

[mattifikation]

Something tells me somebody didn't live happily ever after.

What's with the laser questions? Bob, we can get >5mw. Taken from Wiki:

* Class I/1 is inherently safe, usually because the light is contained in an enclosure, for example in cd players.
* Class II/2 is safe during normal use; the blink reflex of the eye will prevent damage. Usually up to 1 mW power, for example laser pointers.
* Class IIIa/3R lasers are usually up to 5 mW and involve a small risk of eye damage within the time of the blink reflex. Staring into such a beam for several seconds is likely to cause (minor) eye damage.
* Class IIIb/3B can cause immediate severe eye damage upon exposure. Usually lasers up to 500 mW, such as those in cd and dvd burners.
* Class IV/4 lasers can burn skin, and in some cases, even scattered light can cause eye and/or skin damage. Many industrial and scientific lasers are in this class.

Or did you mean MW (MegaWatt?) Oh, what I'd do with a 5 MW laser...

[Bob]

I want a 35 to 55 mw laser sight fer to put on an AR
Next I will be looking for a disco ball.

Anyone know where I can get keychain sized disco balls?

[slayer1222]

I want a 35 to 55 mw laser sight fer to put on an AR
Next I will be looking for a disco ball.

Anyone know where I can get keychain sized disco balls?


the shop down the road from me

[mattifikation]

Sounds like somebody wants to make a light show.

[Darkness]

"Okay, back to talking about Blades and Zombies, please."

[mattifikation]

Sounds like somebody wants to make a light show while cutting up zombies with his blades.

[Bob]

I wonder how many watts of power it would take for a laser beam to become a laser sword or knife?

[mattifikation]

Well, in order for the laser to terminate at a specific point you'd have to actually use multiple low-powered lasers. Each of these lasers alone would be harmless. You'd have to get it so that by focusing all of these lasers on a single point, you achieve destructive temperatures. In order to achieve a visible beam, you'd need enough of these lasers to ionize the air at the point where they focus. Once you have a single point of ionized plasma, it would simply be a matter of moving that point back and forth between the base and tip of the weapon's intended blade.

If the combined power of the lasers is high enough, and you oscillate that point back and forth fast enough, you will create a blade of laser light that terminates at a specific point.

[MallNinja]

Are you talking in terms of stabbing?

I would never use a knife against a zombie. Machete is about as small as it gets for me.

If you can smash the brain case, then great. But knifes are a real part of modern warfare, especially in parts of the military I come from. A three inch knife at the base of the skull will separate the brain from the rest of the body/fighting unit, zombie or not. smashing a whole head will do the same.

[homelitexl]

then get a polesaw dude it wouldd werk just as good

[Bob]

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7162/49267594.jpg

[hotlead]

That's awesome.

[Dave Of The Dead]

Amen. Those guys are hard core.

[homelitexl]

yeah dude they put my bowie knife to shame

[kiltedninja]

The gurkhas would make you look like a retard with safety scissors Homelite.

[homelitexl]

The gurkhas would make you look like a retard with safety scissors Homelite.

yeah and they would make you look like a scottish crossdress with a toothpick dude:lol:

[kiltedninja]

a Scottish crossdresser with a toothpick is still more dangerous than a retard with safety scissors. And a Gurkha is more dangerous than both.

[snakebite]

A machete can absolutely cut off a freakin' limb--arm, leg or otherwise. Just ask all the Hutus that were butchered by them in Rwanda! They've been used for years by Colombians and Mexican violent criminals.
HI kukri's are cool but stupid heavy. I really wouldn't want to put my life on swinging that thing all day. Blades? Go with a hammer or a bat. Better yet, a gun. Don't get me wrong, I love knives but there's a time and a place.

[Darkness]

"And this conversation, about Blades, is neither the place, or the time, for Gun Talk." ;-)

[kiltedninja]

Could the shinbone be counted as a blade? I have a friend that can break a piece of three inch thick bamboo with a kick. He was a professional muay thai fighter in Thailand, so I think he's got magical powers of some sort, but those legs and arms are definitely weapons at the very least.

[Darkness]

"No, but I would definately include that in Zombijitsu." :lol:

[snakebite]

The Indonesian Kopassus and the Phillipino SF use large parangs and goloks a lot. They train very hard in using these large blades. Everyone has a hard-on for the Gurkas but they are only one of many blade-oriented cultures out there. Not that I'm knocking them by any means! I really dig kukris and I love my Cold Steel Gurkha, but they get awfully heavy when you start getting to the larger ones out there. I'd definitely use something lighter and longer.

[J Dub]

i'd still take a claymore or a good heavy blade of about 16-20 inches. machetes are slicing tools mostly, not good at dismembering with one shot/cut as they are too light and flimsy.
but a claymore with a bit of gumption will take 2 or 3 with a single swing, if you do your part.:evil:

[kiltedninja]

i'd still take a claymore or a good heavy blade of about 16-20 inches. machetes are slicing tools mostly, not good at dismembering with one shot/cut as they are too light and flimsy.
but a claymore with a bit of gumption will take 2 or 3 with a single swing, if you do your part.:evil:

Machetes are a chopping tool, not a slicing tool, and only cheap ones are flimsy. As with most things, you get what you pay for.

[homelitexl]

polesaw chainsaw wood axe fire axe double bit axe ect, bout all ill use

[SuperJuggernaut13]

I would be very well adjusted to blade style combat seeing how I fight in the SCA with sword and shield style combat. I am familiar with the way one quick swipe and lung back with a blade/arm combination would work well enough. If you have the arm strength to kill the zombies that r in your way theres no sense in staying to kill the rest. Just get the hell outa there and get to a good hiding spot.

I can see where a well sharpened blade would come in handy.

[kiltedninja]

In Kali, our teacher would bring in riot shields every once in a great while, and we'd do sword and shield style fighting with our bastones, and I'd definitely say it was great fun, and a shield would be fun, but I dunno about having one.

As for a well sharpened blade, it's quite obvious where a good blade would help.

I'm starting up Kali and Muay Thai training again soon.

[Thing]

Well...

Not sure if I would be brave enough to use it in a vs. Zombie situation.

But I would say my Balisong.
I own a model 52 w/drop point blade.

http://www.bladehq.com/images/knives/brand/bmbalipln.jpg

[mattifikation]

Since balisongs don't have tangs, I don't think they'd ever hold up against a skull. I also imagine they'd be tough to use under a high-adrenalin situation.

[kiltedninja]

Yeah, but they're still a lot of fun to play with.

[Bob]

So are girls...

[hotlead]

At least you'd have something to look at besides bellybutton lint.....

[Odd Rob]

Don't know how prevalent they are, but I saw a segment on some show on The History Channel or Nat Geo about the flying guillotine. It's a round projectile on a length of chain that one tries to loop over a target's head. Once this is accomplished, a good yank is the target's passport to decapitation city.

[kiltedninja]

I saw that too, it's pretty much an assassination weapon only, if effective at all. The chinese have a habit of making shit look really crazy, but it's rarely effective when it looks that crazy.

[Thing]

The chinese have a habit of making shit look really crazy, but it's rarely effective when it looks that crazy.

I agree.
But I still wonder at it's effectivness.

I understand that in Cantonese the name of that weapon was the Blood Dripper, (血滴子). I can of course imagin why.

http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews/ab3219/master_of_the_flying_guillotine.jpg

[homelitexl]

chainsaw nuff said

[kiltedninja]

I dunno if it qualifies as a blade though. I mean it cuts, but would it necessarily be a blade? A serrated chain sounds like a more accurate description of a chainsaw 'blade'.

[Darkness]

"No, a chainsaw does not count as a blade."

[kiltedninja]

"No, a chainsaw doesn't not count as a blade."

Wait, are you saying that it doesn't count, or that it doesn't not count as a blade?

[homelitexl]

but each tooth has a blade on it take that into acount darkness have you ever ran one

[Darkness]

"Actually, yes I have. And They fall into the Saw Catagory, not the Blade Catagory."

[Dave Of The Dead]

You're telling me that I never have to read the word "chainsaw" in this thread ever again? :drool: HOLY ****ING YES! :drinking:

Well, I bent the edge of my Cold Steel Kukri Machete a couple weeks ago at a bonfire. It was dark, I was drunk, and I'm pretty sure I was trying to cut a rock instead of wood. But anyway, it really isn't that hard to fix as I thought it would be with the steel being as high gauge as it is. A few goes with the carbide sharpener, then a few minutes with the stone and the thing is back to its beautiful state.

I was watching some show the other day between classes and it was the Military Channel or something like that where they take one good old fashioned weapon from back in the day (this time it was a katana) and compare it to a newer "modified" version. Well the guy made a katana that was all really tough tool steel and it compared perfectly if not better than the original katana in all but one area. When cutting the straw mats, the modified version was two inches short of cutting an 8 inch mat. They ruled out that it was the polish. The guy didn't polish his blade. This creates drag and makes it harder to cut. So I'm thinking about buying another CS Machete and seeing if I can make that thing shine like a mirror and then testing my polished and unpolished against each other.

[kiltedninja]

Definitely do it, and tell me how it work.

[Bob]

I took piece of stainless steel and polished it with various grits of sandpaper till you could use it for a mirror.
The problem I ran into was the metal was too soft, it was an alloy suitable for stainless ductwork.
The softness caused it to scratch to easily.
You should go ahead and start polishing the one you have.
That way if it tarnishes later and looks like crap the new one will still have it's coating.

[neoanderson9318]

My dad actually has a couple of Philippino swords... I'd just use those. Maybe I'll try and upload pics sometime...

[kiltedninja]

My dad actually has a couple of Philippino swords... I'd just use those. Maybe I'll try and upload pics sometime...

Did he practice Kali? I'd love to get some of those swords when I get better.

[WEREWOLF HUNTER]

I think i prefer a 36 inch huskivarna chain saw with the rough ripper blade...and the external 5 gal backpack gas tank for close up work
on multiple targets.... If it starts to get ugly you can always
whip out the frag grenades, full auto 12 gauge with dual 50 round c-mags... Or just a good old weed sprayer filled with jp-4 and some
matches...lol

ps... Gasoline mixed with styrofoam till gooey and filled into mason jars with lid sealed and a strip of gas rag duct taped along the side
of the jar is always a crowd pleaser at zombie outbreaks !!!

PPS.. DONT TRY THAT STUFF AT HOME !!! DO IT AT YOUR NEIGHBORS HOUSE !!!! LOLOLOL

PPPS... I DONT THINK ID DEPEND ON A SAMURAI SWORD.. THOSE GUYS WENT EXTINCT..JUST A FYI...LOL

[rogeneck]

the only person that is allowed to use a chain saw here is homelite. and how would you know how well your Molotov cocktails work on a moving zombie if you haven't tried it on real people(unless you have found a zombie horde before). if you have frag grenades at your house then god save us all. if you trust something that has never been used in war before that can stop working at any time, over the worlds best sword then you are nothing but a child who doesent know how the real(i know this is a fake scenario) world works. hopefully i never meet any one like you when the world ends.

[mattifikation]

Fire + Zombies = Flaming Zombies, flaming surroundings, and flaming you.

Chainsaw + Zombies = Zombie gore splatter in your face, wasted gasoline, and hundreds of other zombies drawn to the noise.

Think, man. Think.

[Faran Brigo]

rofl @ Werewolf hunter's whole post

Lighten up guys, there's not much you can teach a n00b.

Anyway, I saw a gardening tool last week on a shop that looked a bit like a poleaxe, it was quite sturdy. I think it would be pretty good against zombies, will try to get a picture of it and post it here.

[Darkness]

"This thread is about Blades. Please take the Chain Saw Chatter to the Close Combat Weapons Thread."

[homelitexl]

whats a ww2 kabar worht i found one fer sale

[rogeneck]

i have no clue what he just said some one please help me. the only word i didn't understand was the worht. what? work? is a . supposed to go after the kabar.

[Darkness]

whats a ww2 kabar worht i found one fer sale

"What's a WW2 Kabar worth? I found one for sale."

[the_velociraptor]

Fire + Zombies = Flaming Zombies, flaming surroundings, and flaming you.

Chainsaw + Zombies = Zombie gore splatter in your face, wasted gasoline, and hundreds of other zombies drawn to the noise.

Think, man. Think.

A few years ago, I would have flew into NERD RAEG at someone suggesting such a thing.

Now, after playing way too much Dead Rising, Dead Frontier, and battling off The Empress in House of the Dead 4...

It's only somewhat practical in home defense, when you're already mobbed. If you have a group, it may serve as a morale-booster, purely on the rule of cool, but you'll need a strong grip and even stronger arms to keep sawing away at zeds. Otherwise, a waste of fine resources.

[Darkness]

"Chainsaws DO NOT belong in this conversation. PLEASE take that topic to the Close Combat Weapons Thread." :naughty:

[Satariel]

Hello guys. First time poster here, here are my preferences:

My primary weapon would be the Darksword Armory 12th century medieval sword and as secondary weapons a machete and a gladius. I'd wield the machete in my main-hand for chopping and slashing, and the gladius in the off-hand, for stabbing purposes. Also, I'd carry one or two trench spikes with me because they're way too practical not to.

[Bob]

Oh here we go again with the swords...

[Noc]

They're better than chainsaws sticky-taped to a broomsticks.

[Darkness]

"He has just as much right to prefer a sword, as homelitexl has to prefer a chainsaw."

[Satariel]

It's the bladed weapons thread. What did you expect people to choose, the pizza wheel ?

[homelitexl]

yeah you all know my wepon of choice is a chainsaw and duh im named after my favorite one

[the_velociraptor]

They're better than chainsaws sticky-taped to a broomsticks.

They're better than other unwieldy shit or crappy find-anywhere chopping knives.

Dual-wielding, however, is just stupid.

[Surviving ZDay]

I'd use a big 2 handed axe. easy to get em right between the eyes. But i hope I never come to that, I hope to evade all zeds, fighting is the last option.

[kiltedninja]

Hello guys. First time poster here, here are my preferences:

My primary weapon would be the Darksword Armory 12th century medieval sword and as secondary weapons a machete and a gladius. I'd wield the machete in my main-hand for chopping and slashing, and the gladius in the off-hand, for stabbing purposes. Also, I'd carry one or two trench spikes with me because they're way too practical not to.

So then, since you're so sure of what you'd use, how much practice with those blades do you have?

[the_velociraptor]

I'd use a big 2 handed axe. easy to get em right between the eyes. But i hope I never come to that, I hope to evade all zeds, fighting is the last option.

Better to use a hatchet or a fire axe. No need for fancy stuff.

[Satariel]

I've practiced kendo since I was nine and started training in European swordsmanship almost 3 years now, so I think I'd be pretty well prepared against unarmed opponents. Trust me man, I wouldn't even dream of carrying something that I don't know how to use.

[the_velociraptor]

No need for dual-wielding, then. Carry the machete as backup, the sword'lll do enough damage on its own.

[Satariel]

Depends on the numbers you're fighting I guess. I mean the two-handed medieval sword is going to do a lot of damage, but it will be way slower than a machete, so it would probably better to use it on smaller groups, while one-handed short swords are more maneuverable and considerably faster. So they're probably gonna be more useful while fighting zombies that come in greater number. Keep in mind though that I've never sparred against a group of people that were unarmed, could feel no pain or fear, and their only weakness was their heads.

[the_velociraptor]

You're also going to have to consider the amount of length (is that the right term for it?) require to swing the blade enough to do damage.

[Hunk]

okay dont get me wrong but blades dont need reloading, if a zobie apocolypse is imminent then ammo would be mimimal and blades would be practical. but you want to put the most distance between you and the zeds. but a blade is neccesary to a survival kit. a bowie longer than 8-in or a machete is key

[CAVU45]

...blades dont need reloading

Straight out of the ZSG. Blades would be handy...for those who know how to use them. Blades also put one within spitting distance of the intended target. Why would ammunition be "minimal"?

[Bob]

I think minimal would depend on how you look at it.
If I had to leave my home on foot with only what I could carry that would be relatively speaking a minimal amount.

However if I had even just a little red wagon I could have a substantially larger amount available.

[CAVU45]

I agree. I get the impression though that ZombieAddict meant "minimal" as in scarce or hard to find or obtain.

[homelitexl]

hahah take your pathetic bullets just leave me the gas for my saws and ill show you killing power

[Bob]

Cav
Oh Duh


ZombieAddict
Hell boy you must not be from the South.
All my friends count their ammo by the thousands of rounds.
If you ask them how much 223 they have and they say 10 they mean 10,000 rounds.

[Darkness]

"I said, take the Gun Talk to the Gun Threads. This one is about Blades." :naughty:

[Noc]

What about a big industrial scythe, maybe you could hamstring some zombies..:drool:

[Satariel]

The blades on those don't look strong enough and they won't hold for long.

[CAVU45]

How about a bayonet on the end of an assault rifle? Stab the target and shoot it off if the blade gets stuck. Look at some of those blades, especially like the old Enfield and Mauser bayonets. Those things are long! And made for combat.

[rogeneck]

those would hold up well but bayonets are made to go in-between the rib cage to get at the organs. depending on your zombie that is little to no use. if we're going back in time here then i think any sword with a curved edge would do perfect on horseback. with a little extra leg protection you would be unstoppable in open places.

[CAVU45]

Bayonets are made like any other edged weapon and can be used accordingly. To say one is only used for going in between ribs ignores the complete history of the weapon.

[kiltedninja]

What about a big industrial scythe, maybe you could hamstring some zombies..:drool:
My step mom has one of those.

[Hunk]

Straight out of the ZSG. Blades would be handy...for those who know how to use them. Blades also put one within spitting distance of the intended target. Why would ammunition be "minimal"?

well if you were about a year into it, gun shops will either be looted or inacessable, and once you start running out of your own stash it would be "minimal"

[CAVU45]

well if you were about a year into it, gun shops will either be looted or inacessable, and once you start running out of your own stash it would be "minimal"

That's quite an assumption. What do you base it on?

[Satariel]

It would probably be way harder for countries where fire arms are more difficult to obtain, even outside a zombie apocalypse setting. Even if I had a gun, I'd probably keep it as back-up and use it only if I am too tired to cut zombies or if I'd be running cause guns (and ammo) is very scarce 'round here.

[mattifikation]

:lol:

:shotg::zom2:

[Darkness]

"Kiltedninja, You have a complaint, take it to PM. It does NOT belong in the Topic Threads."

[CAVU45]

He made a complaint? Where? I don't see one.

[Darkness]

"I removed it. Now please get back on topic."

[mattifikation]

Now I have some out of place smilies.

[angekfire]

I've been training with various bladed weapons for years now. Weapons I have studied, or am currently studying

-Rapier
-Bastard Sword & Shield
-Katana
-Miao Dao
-Dao (Also twin nandao)

I would probably choose the dao, or 2 dao as my primary bladed weapons. They gain momentum quickly and are good for hacking off parts, or heads. I have 1 battle-ready one kicking around, which I'd probably use with a shield as my primary choice.

A katana or Miao Dao if I had access to a very high quality one would probably be choice #2. With minimal effort you could decapitate a zed if you know what you're doing. Miao Dao is longer ranged, which could be advantageous or a disadvantage, depending on the scenario.

Bastard sword & shield is what I'd probably end up using as a secondary choice. Good for bashing, not so much cutting. Shield would offer up good protection. Plus, I happen to have a handy battle-ready one at home if it came down to that.

I find melee weapons are better for the sheer fact that they don't run out of bullets. Obviously if I had a gun I'd use it, but I'd need to be prepared for the inevitable fact that eventually, I WILL run out of ammo. I've never really fired a gun (apart from airsoft & painball), plus they are harder to find around here.

[kiltedninja]

So do you know how to care for a katana or cut properly? If you don't then I'd suggest you use your chinese blades.

[angekfire]

So do you know how to care for a katana or cut properly? If you don't then I'd suggest you use your chinese blades.

I know how to cut properly, and I know how to keep a katana oiled, but other than that, no. Besides, I don't have a battle-ready one sitting around to begin with, so it would only be something I'd use if I happened to come across it, but wouldn't actively seek one out.

I'll be learning the Jian soon, but that would be largely ineffective. It can't get enough momentum to sever limbs or break bones, it is more used for cuts & thrusts, which obviously wouldn't be at all effective. Much like a rapier, I wouldn't use it in that kind of scenario. I would almost me more comfortable empty handed than with one of those 2.

A staff would be a good weapon too (and one I'll be learning soon as well), since it can be used in a number of ways, and is easy to find or make.

[Undead Jackal]

I would use my trusty claymore!
But only as a sidearm. The suppressed MP5 is the only main weapon for me!

[Dave Of The Dead]

Train now because you won't be able to after the zombies show up. And if you don't have or can't get proper training, use a simpler weapon. A machete is always a good choice when you really don't know any necessary forms of more complicated blades. I feel most styles of the machete family can be adapted to personal and more complicated forms.

[unnamedbaby77]

me and a friend were discussing the usefullness of a heaft double edge(assuming you were at least competent with it) as a good zombie weapon

these are nice to !!! I traded mine off and regreted it since, they have a beautiful geometry and are really easy and natural to manipulate!

http://www.swordsofmight.com/images/products/detail/Paul_Chen_Banshee_Sword.jpg

[Satariel]

This is the Hanwei Banshee. It's a really durable sword, you made a huge mistake by giving it away.

[unnamedbaby77]

This is the Hanwei Banshee. It's a really durable sword, you made a huge mistake by giving it away.

I am aware of this, thanks for reiterating....dick :)
I DID however get a SOG and a bunch of other gear outta the deal so.....

I am going to buy another one eventually , its really the only thing I can see me carrying out of all the blades I have collected over some 15-odd years of being a weapon collector.....maybe this betty(mine is a different number but the same design)

http://arms2armor.com/Bayonets/fre1842b.jpg