Something that just may give you a chance at hand to hand.

[SlingsVaqueros]

I was refering to eitther the camp axe or the hatchet (from estwing). Both can be used with one hand.

If you think the nanoseconds differance in recovery time between an camp-axe and a katana is too much, you must have the life span of a mayfly. Like I said, the sword was designed for a specific use, cutting and sometimes thrusting. These manuvers are for cutting flesh and tendons, or causing organ damage in the case of thrusting. You need something with the ability to pierce the skull. The axes and picks designed for war were designed to cleave through light armor that was tougher than the skull. Hammers and other blunt trauma weapons were designed to crush the armor around a subject, compacting it onto/into the body in a very uncofortable position, or to break bones (see where this is going?) on lightly armored foes. The weapons with more weight on the business end, wether for crushing or cleaving, focus the impact and kinetic energy on a smaller point of impact, therefor achiveing a greater amount of damage than the length of a sword.

The same phiosophy was adopted with swords as well. A curved blade has a smaller amount of surface area in contact with the target, with a narrow edge, but without the force of a weight-driven weapon. The scimitar, cutlass, and saber are better for cutting, but still lack the force to reliably break bones when used in their proper style.

If you pick a target on the body, and subject it to the hypothetical strike of these weapons, you could easily imagine which would do more harm. This is not an invitation to start the point/counter-point debate on each part of the body, only to allow your own realization of what these weapons were designed to do.

In closing, a sword is a marvalous weapon that has stood the test of time, been romanticized in popular media, been a symbol of strength and virility, and won wars for a thousand years in human history. Zombies are not a part of that.

Get an axe. Leave the swords on the wall.

[raptorman]

I suppose I can give sling some quarter here. I am a staunch supporter of not fighting the undead hand to hand, but I suppose I would swing an axe before swinging my empty carbine...but it's almost a tie.

[Ivan]

The Celts took a hand axe into battle, but for the most part as a single-use weapon. They would throw it at an enemy and if they lived (the thrower) they would retrieve it from the corpse afterwords. They say that those axes would go through a shield, the arm holding the shield, and into the chest.

The nice thing about an axe or hatchete, at least it will cut wood. There is no way I would try and use a sword on a zombie. I don't know how to use one and I don't have time to learn. There are more important skills out there.

[jamoni]

I do know how to use one, and i still wouldn't. I'm happy with a metal truncheon.

[SlingsVaqueros]

Jamoni, I wouldn't question your choices, you seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Most of these pro-axe posts are to combat the sword-lovers. A crowbar, club, or mace are just as good.

I'm just tired of Zombie Sergeants fluff-posts. Maybe I should just lay off. I have to resist the ranting...

[jamoni]

I guess my philosophy is to save weight by making my hand to hand weapons the same as my camp tools. If you use an axe in camp, that's your backup. If you carry a machette to clear brush, backup. A crowbar to get through doors, ditto. A sword doesn't do multiple duty, so it stays at home.

[kyle]

A sword doesn't do multiple duty, so it stays at home.

You can slice salami with a sword.

[-Jason-]

I don't like axes, I am not saying their not good in the right hands. Which arent mine. I am not weak but if I used an axe it would probably become stuck like it does when I chop wood. I asked why they were bad because of something I read about melee weapons on the ZS page. I didnt say they were bad for everyone. Use them if you have the strength.

[Red Panda]

If only I could get a hot pink grip for it, my gf would be more than willing to carry it.

I'd take it with me everywhere if I had one with a hot pink grip.

You're not joking, are you?

Ghostface,
The Camper's Ax is 26". It would probably be your main weapon, due to the size. I just like it cuz it can be used to chop wood, hammer nails, bust doors, etc. At one time, I planned to carry a 14" crowbar, as well. I'd probably revise that to a pry bar now, though.

[Ashnack]

A sword doesn't do multiple duty, so it stays at home.

You can slice salami with a sword.

Actually if TV has tought me anyhting its that you can run a Samurai Deli with a katana.

Where would we be without Belushi

[michelle]

If only I could get a hot pink grip for it, my gf would be more than willing to carry it.

I'd take it with me everywhere if I had one with a hot pink grip.

You're not joking, are you?

Of course I'm not. I'm sure the library would love for me to show up with a hot-pink handeled axe strapped to my back.

[-Jason-]

If only I could get a hot pink grip for it, my gf would be more than willing to carry it.

I'd take it with me everywhere if I had one with a hot pink grip.

You're not joking, are you?

Of course I'm not. I'm sure the library would love for me to show up with a hot-pink handeled axe strapped to my back.

I think you need a color that matches the libary better.

[jamoni]

Just tell them it's for zombie defense. They'll be cool.

[Valarius]

In regards to the first post and the hand spikes:

As a last resort, I would use them to pluck out my eyes so I couldn't see the zombies eating chunks of my neck flesh.

I doubt they're good for climbing either.

[MonksHuid-AgA]

id rather have a good machete or broad sword then a heavy asualt rifle any day

[Horatio_Tyllis]

id rather have a good machete or broad sword then a heavy asualt rifle any day

Warning: Flamebait

[HamJob]

*Gets matches* You are SO cooked!
But really, that was the most retarded thing I've ever heard. I won't even go into details.. it's just too damn obvious...

[kyle]

id rather have a good machete or broad sword then a heavy asualt rifle any day

I wonder if the darwin awards will suvive the apocalypse.

[Horatio_Tyllis]

Monkshuid... do you enjoy getting a rise out of people? Or have you just not read through the rest of the boards?

If you're just new and learning the ropes, i'd suggest going back and reading older posts, and getting to know how things work around here. We'd love to see you as a contributing member of this forum. Also, feel free to PM just about any of us if you have some questions about conduct and appropriate behaviour.

If you're here just to get a reaction, go away.

[MonksHuid-AgA]

i posted my opinion on my weapon of choice in which i was being completely honest. 1.Asualt rifles are heavy as hell 2.bullets are going to be hard to find 3. if you do find bullets for it im sure it will be even harder to find a reloader for that caliber.so if your gunna be fucks and flame then go right ahead but thats my opinion.

[Horatio_Tyllis]

i posted my opinion on my weapon of choice in which i was being completely honest. 1.Asualt rifles are heavy as hell 2.bullets are going to be hard to find 3. if you do find bullets for it im sure it will be even harder to find a reloader for that caliber.so if your gunna be fucks and flame then go right ahead but thats my opinion.

Good show old man.

Nah, i'm totally cool with that being your actual opinion, and i encourage you to argue your points. We've had plenty of problems with people who are just trying to cause shit. You're welcome here as long as you're legitimately partcipating in discussion. It's just that your opinion is generally not very popular if you've read through previous posts, so i figured you may be trying to stir things up. If not, then by all means man, post away!

[kyle]

i posted my opinion on my weapon of choice in which i was being completely honest. 1.Asualt rifles are heavy as hell 2.bullets are going to be hard to find 3. if you do find bullets for it im sure it will be even harder to find a reloader for that caliber.so if your gunna be fucks and flame then go right ahead but thats my opinion.

Nothing wrong with having a back-up but if you make a point to choose a weapon that puts you within 10 yards of a zombie you're signing your death wish.

As long as you live in the US of A you won't have a real hard time finding most of the common calibers.

Rifles aren't that heavy. Have you ever fired a rifle? If you don't have the upper body strength to carry a rifle then try a hand gun.

[michelle]

If you don't have the upper body strength to carry a rifle then try a hand gun.

If you don't have the upper body strength to carry a rifle you probably don't have the upper body strength to wield a sword.

edited cuz i jacked up my tags.

[grim]

Its true a gun would be ideal and is my main defence tool, but I think its just as important to practice regularly with a melee weapon that you can feel comfortable using, the only problem with that is whether you can carry it and not let it get in the way.

If your not sure if something would make a good zombie melee tool than try taking a board or 2/4 and see how much damage you can do, if it can smash through a board or chop the shit out of a 2/4 than it will probably work well on a skull, But I still dont see a sword completing either task, at least not without serios damage.