[mattifikation]

Sorry, but a tool is an object made to help accomplish a task, and a weapon is a tool because it helps accomplish the task of killing things. "Weapon" is just a specific type of tool.

Saying a weapon isn't a tool is like saying a car isn't a machine, or a shed isn't a building.

[bandits1]

When we say "crowbar" we're actually talking about a 24"-36" wrecking bar, right? Not a little flat pry-bar or nail-puller?

I, too, would be interested in seeing what could destroy a crowbar. We have a couple that are decades old and have seen many rough battles with tile and moss rock walls, wood framing, etc..., and while the tips are pretty worn-down, I don't see them breaking or becoming unuseable any time soon.

[Onslaught]

mattifikation said:

Sorry, but a tool is an object made to help accomplish a task, and a weapon is a tool because it helps accomplish the task of killing things. "Weapon" is just a specific type of tool.

Saying a weapon isn't a tool is like saying a car isn't a machine, or a shed isn't a building.

i absolutely agree matt.

i was considering that thought while writing my original post, but decided to let it go. glad someone mentioned it.

any tool (weapons included) will fail faster when pressed into hard service that they were not designed for.

knives don't last too long as prybars, swords don't last too long as shovels, shovels don't last too long as halberds, modern urbanites don't last too long as medieval warriors. you get the picture.
when anything is placed under stresses that it was not designed to handle it will break.
you can walk around all day, carry enormous weight on your shoulders, and your knee will be fine. place stress perpendicular to the knee joint in the form of a kick and watch that knee joint fail.

bandits, it's hard to subject a wrecking bar to any sort of stress that it wasn't designed for.

[Cenobite]

bandits1 said:

When we say "crowbar" we're actually talking about a 24"-36" wrecking bar, right? Not a little flat pry-bar or nail-puller?

I, too, would be interested in seeing what could destroy a crowbar. We have a couple that are decades old and have seen many rough battles with tile and moss rock walls, wood framing, etc..., and while the tips are pretty worn-down, I don't see them breaking or becoming unuseable any time soon.

Yes we are talking about a hefty sized wrecking bar.

Also, one may think that when they say 36" crow bar, that all crow bars are the same. They are not, Ive seen ones that are really thin and others thick so there is also that.

Finally, I never said steel tools were forever, yes crow bars bent but I worked with them and they went through concrete, steel, wood, gravel, you name it, the usual tasks and sure they had some dents in them and chipped/bent edges at the ends. But are you saying a human skull is stronger than concrete? I mean to bash a skull...and to crack a concrete wall....see what breaks cracks first.

How many zombies do you plan to go through that you would damage a tool that was made to go through much rougher surfaces.

BOTTOM LINE! Im pretty sure I can part with my "broken" crowbar and replace it almost anywhere. Where does one replace their expensive sword/ mace.

[Onslaught]

Cenobite said:

BOTTOM LINE! Im pretty sure I can part with my "broken" crowbar and replace it almost anywhere. Where does one replace their expensive sword/ mace.

the same place i got that sword or mace.

my garage.

[Cenobite]

Onslaught said:

the same place i got that sword or mace.

my garage.

What, did you rob a museum? :scare:

I meant for an everage person.

[Onslaught]

Cenobite said:

What, did you rob a museum? :scare:

I meant for an everage person.

what's not average about oxy-acetylene welding?

[Faran Brigo]

Well, in Mexico and apparently in the U.S. you can have acetylene in your house. NFPA Hazard Label (health-fire-reactivity): 0-4-3. That makes it about as safe as propane, used as cooking and engine fuel.

[Cenobite]

Behemoth said:

It's not the gas as such. It's the tanks that hold the said gasses. I would be surprised if the fire department ( i am talking about cities ) didn't take a dim view of individuals storing tanks in their basements.

Important thing is that a system of tanks like that is a hobby to some. Hobbies are expensive.

Average person doesnt have a welding station in their garage, basement...I dont.

Wouldnt mind having one to experiment with steel.

[Faran Brigo]

Behemoth said:

It's not the gas as such. It's the tanks that hold the said gasses. I would be surprised if the fire department ( i am talking about cities ) didn't take a dim view of individuals storing tanks in their basements.

What do you think propane and cooking gas are stored in? cardboard boxes or gas tanks?

But yes it's illegal for them to be indoors, they're supposed to be outdoors and connect indoors through tubing here.

[Darkness]

"Okay, guys, you're getting a bit side tracked, time to get back to the topic." ;-)

[Faran Brigo]

Right, right. Anyway the point was that it's easier (to an extent) to repair bludgeons and edged weapons than firearms, all other things being equal. I'm pretty sure you could also repair bludgeons and edged weapons with an arc welder, those are relatively common and if you still have access to electricity you're good to go. It does take a bit of skill and a steady pulse to get things done carefully that way though.

[Cenobite]

Behemoth said:

Why bother repairing broken ones, just make new ones. A simple club/spiked weapon can be made with out electricity. Items required: 1) Scaffold pole, 2) Two nuts ( nylock ) two bolts ( "9/16 ) 3) 40 guage ( or any guage, just use layers ) sheet steel. Tools required: 1) Hacksaw. 2) Drill 3) File.
Those items should be easy to find & carry along. Would they break? Sure, but just make another, easy.

Another idea would be.

Get a small dumbell. 5lb or so. Cut one weight off at the base.

You find a nice, sturdy steel pipe that will fit over the existing handle, mark and drill several holes along and through the pipe and dumbbell handle inside, bolt them together.

You got yourself a nice basher.

Beauty of maces, theyre so easy to make.

This post has been edited by Cenobite: 25 August 2008 - 10:33 AM

[Dave Of The Dead]

I don't know how I would feel about a hollow handle holding a heavy ball at the end. It would bend relatively easy after repeated use, I would think.

[Cenobite]

Dave Of The Dead said:

I don't know how I would feel about a hollow handle holding a heavy ball at the end. It would bend relatively easy after repeated use, I would think.

Thats why I said a small 5 lb dumbbell and sturdy steel pipe, about 1/8" in thickness. Trust me, theyre tough.

Making it tougher than some of the battle-ready replicas you find in stores.

Its not pretty but it works.