Blades and Zombies

[Darkness]

"Gun shy? Not skilled in those style weapons? Or do you just prefer the feel of cold sharp metal? For whatever reason you're slicing and dicing, here's where you can talk about your bladed preferences."

"I collect knives and swords myself, and though I fully agree that there are better Zombie Slaying weapons out there, sometimes you use what's handy, or what you're just better with."

"So come on in, Blade Fans! Let's talk sharp shiny metal toys!"

[stonyman65]

That would be cool. The only problem is that using a knife requires close quaters - something not very smart with zombies. I prefer to pick them off at a distance. But, that doesn't mean I won't bring my trust KA-Bar with me.

I'm a bit of a knife collector too, I have quite a few, a couple tactical Lock back folders, a USMC Ka Bar (the real one), a butterfly knife, replica WWII Nazi daggers and stilletto, a crap load of multi-tools and a Stilletto switch blade.

[detpat]

Bladed devices and tools are a vital part of any survival kit, zeds or not. I too would probably not pick a bladed weapon as my first choice, if i was stuck with a broadsword or rapier i would not just sit down and give up in tears.

I have studied renaissance combat techniques all my adult life and have a pretty good collection of weapons and tools. Humans should be able to fight with anything from knuckles to nukes.

[AN OLD SHOE]

well since my guns are at my uncles place in georgia...a 5 hour drive

i would use my Ka Bar its 7 inches of fury and well thats good enough for me

i also have a sharpened samurai sword in my closet

hey i would want a gun first chance i get...but im sticking with melee weapons at first

[zmbvan]

Originally Posted by AN OLD SHOE

i would use my Ka Bar its 7 inches of fury and well thats good enough for me

Nice! I have one of those as well. It is a great knife that is for sure. I definitely enjoy my blades.

I think that blades are necessary, but not practical in killing zombies. Maybe killing one zombie, but not multiple.

[Devilspaintbrush]

HI Khukuri is by far the best choice of a battle blade/zombie killer/tool

15" BAS or WWII makes killing zombies easy AND you can look great doing it...HI IS THE bar that all others attempt to reach

http://bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=739


The humble machete really has its place here as well...re profile the edge (convexed) and it is a cutting machine and easy to sharpen to boot and doesnt break the bank AND you can have several stashed all over the safe house

I have been thinking of making a zombie blade...gotta get around to it once i get caught up on orders..ahh someday

1095 steel
18" blade
slashing profile instead of an abrupt point
canvas micarta scales that stay grippy when they have blood on them

[mattifikation]

If I were stuck with a blade, I'd go with an ax if I could. Swords and knives are cool and all, but with zombies you need something that will make it through a skull!

[detpat]

a real sword will make it through A skull with no problems at all, that's what they are made for after all. not trimming grass and brush.

[Darkness]

"Especially Blades like the machete, which are designed for felling small trees."

"Plus, if the blade can behead a body, it can kill a Zombie."

[detpat]

I think that i may have mentioned that I've seen what happens when you strike a moving dynamic target with a flat overly flexible blade. It often isn't what you expect. sheetmetal blades often flex in unexpected directions. when using a blade in a real life and death situation for defense you need it to do exactly what you expect and go exactly where you want it to. Machetes are just not reliable and certainly not the sort of tool you want your life and the life of loved ones to depend on.

Get the proper tool for the task. machetes are shaped the way they are so you can swing them for hours on end and cut through vegetable matter. A corpse does not have those properties no matter how old or stale or dried. There are MUCH worse times to learn these lessons!

[Darkness]

"I don't know about that, detpat."

"I've seen a well made machete slice through a sapling, that was larger than the average neck, like it was butter. I don't think its whether you use a machete. I think its more a matter of how well the machete you're using is made, and how well you have kept up its condition."

[detpat]

Don't take this the wrong way, but until you've observed it done to a human you may have an informational gap on this one.

If it's the only thing you have.........use it, but if you have the luxury of planning and preparing, do the right thing and get the right tool.

[Darkness]

"All I'm gonna say to that is, that tree was a lot harder than any neck made of flesh, spine and muscles. It wasn't a young tree, with a soft trunk. It was an aged tree, just a type of tree that doesn't grow very big. He was having fun testing his collection, of blades and swords, for strength and sharpness."

"I should add, it was a blast to watch."

[detpat]

that sort of thing is always fun, try using a machete on a hog carcass. I'm just sayin, from experience, that a machete is unsuited to personal combat. they have thin whippy blades that have no lateral stiffness. use a fighting blade. slashing isn't gonna be an efficient way to kill zeds anyway.

gotta go pick up the wife now, see ya later.

[Darkness]

"The key question still hasn't been asked....."

Question: "Darkness, what do you consider a 'well made machete'?"

Answer: "One that is made to order."

"This was not 'an off the shelf' machete. It was one of five machetes, made from an old riding lawnmower's blades, mounted in brand new heavy duty hatchet handles. They were not your usual fighting tools, and stood up to a lot more than the average machete."