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Location: Melee Weapons
Discussion: Machete - yes or no?
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 deathvalley55 |
Machete - yes or no?
Feb 26 2008, 2:37 AM EST The machete may be considered a holy grail, but is it actually the tool you should use. Use this thread to state your opinion. My opinion...no. It's a blade, and a blade will get stuck in that skull. Also, it won't sever the head in one swoop. I would have to go with the preventional powers of your own fists (shoving and pushing your way out over melee fighting. Use a gun at long range, works better). Also, in terms of brush cutting and that nature, I don't think that will matter as much as thought. The majority of people (on here perhaps) are the city-dwelling variety, and most (if not all) will bunker down in the city. There will be no need for a machete to cut brush in the concrete jungle, and in rural areas brush cutting might not be that important. 9 out of 15 found this valuable. Do you? |
 wulfgar87 |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Feb 26 2008, 10:19 AM EST Also, no Maybe once i was knee deep in spent brass and couldn't find a hammer id go for a kukri. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 Toomin |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Feb 29 2008, 2:21 PM EST I'd have to say yes. I agree that in the city it's almost useless. It won't sever a head or go right through a skull. But if you're leaving the city and going into the wild it could be very useful. Much more useful than bare hands. If you're not travelling on a beaten path, brush and foliage can really get in the way. A machete would make travelling much easier and less tiring. Although it won't cut a head off, a properly sharpened and looked after blade could easily sever the spinal cord, making a zombie a biting head attached to a dead body. So I wouldn't use one as my main weapon but, it could definatly come in handy. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 tebben |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Mar 15 2008, 11:12 PM EDT One thing that a lot of people seem to ignore is the issue of infected blood. When using a machete against the undead, anything but a direct shot to spinal cord will require at least a couple chops. Each chop will result in significant blood spray/splatter (depending upon the extent of coagulation of course). I feel that a machete, while a good tool to have on hand, would not make a good melee weapon. Even though blunt objects will also cause blood splatter, it is much less likely than with a machete. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 Legion12 |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Mar 28 2008, 10:46 AM EDT The machete is a very close weapon, closer than I care for. You need some room to get a good swing. No one seems to be talking about the bayonet. Might take a little work to make one of the older, longer ones fit a new rifle, but now your ready for long and short range. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 CyprusBill |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 6 2008, 1:09 AM EDT I like a good machete as much as the next guy, but against zombies, I'm a little iffy about bladed weapons in general. If you have goo on the blade, and you knick yourself, you're as good as dead. I'm more fond of the blunt/bashing types of weapons:bats, clubs, maces, etc. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 CaptainTerror |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 11 2008, 11:46 AM EDT Absolutely. Not only is it a fantastic melee weapon, but unlike a gun, trench spike, grenade, or otherwise, it has amazing non-combat uses. The only weapon better in non-combat situations is the crowbar. Just make sure to hit hard, and try not to get stuck. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
 Talon12 |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 13 2008, 9:49 PM EDT How many people have used a machete for any length of time? I have to use one to clear blackberries off the fence for up to two to three hours in the summer. BLISTERS and my arm doesn't work the next day. Fighting blackberries at the height of my head or over is not happy and the blackberries fight back. AND the blackberries are holding still! The other thing, it's not like I do not use my arm, I'm a swordwomen and have fought on stage, hours of pratice. I kicked Legion's butt. LOL 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 SuperSoldierRCP |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 14 2008, 10:16 PM EDT NO IT SUCKS BALLS 1 out of 5 found this valuable. Do you? |
 Kelen_Moonhunter |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 23 2008, 7:31 PM EDT I personally would use a machete. I have trained for the past eight years of my life, since I was ten, in the study and use of melee weapons. That is my specialty. Anything you can think of I have put some time into training with: pencils, pens, chains, swords, axes, hammers, sledges, machetes, polearms, and all manners of other weaponry (improvised and non-improvised). I for one see the machete as a useful utensil IF you chose the right one. Such as the ones I have. They aren't terribly long so close quarters fighting doesn't negate its use, the metal is strong AND firmly attached to the hilt. And the blade is meant for hacking which is great for dismembering and cleaving. Sure there is the chance of getting your blade stuck when you go for that lethal skull cleaving blow but, as any well trained swordsmen knows, there is a certain method to swinging into (sometimes through) a body or barrier and withdrawing the blade in smooth and efficient movements. And as before stated it makes an excellent tool, especially for me who lives out in a rural and forested area. I vote yes. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Legion12 |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 24 2008, 11:53 AM EDT I go for NO. All edged weapons, machete, my favorite 2 handed sword, knifes are made to cut. Why cut something that does not bled? In all my training with a sword a good head cut is not taught. In a live person the head is the fastest moving target. A person can move their head out of the quickly, and with out have to move the whole body. Also the head is the most armoured spot on the human body. If you have to go melee with a weapon, I would got with a good staff with about 1 to 2 feet of steel pipe on the each end. You can push a foe back, and use the bayonet drill and fight with both ends of the staff. With any one handed melee weapon you have to pull you arm back before each strike. 1 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
 spraymachine |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 24 2008, 12:13 PM EDT I used a machete when I was in the Amazon, and you get tired hacking and slashing all the time. Unless you practice calisthenics, using a machete is going to be tiring, and the lack of weight is going to be an issue. Machete works great on little branches, small vines, and chopping small things down (takes a while), but I can't see you getting even through the spine on the back of the neck without having to use a rock or something to smash the blade in like a hammer hitting a nail. As for human combat, humans feel pain and bleed. Machetes are slashing weapons and will do some major damage if you go for the pressure points on the body. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Kelen_Moonhunter |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 24 2008, 1:42 PM EDT I see the points presented by both Legion12 and spraymachine so I have a few questions that may or may not have an effect on the way I view the machete. For Legion12: What kind of training have you undergone and for how long? And, what is your preferred weapon style? For spraymachine: I'm going to assume that you were/are in the military so I'm going to assume you've got quite a bit of physical training, correct? In the Amazon, the climate is much different and it is true that it has a lot to due with effecting a human performing strenuous activity, am I right on that? I've never personally been but, I have also done random studies into random areas and I think that it would. Then there's also the fact that you were cutting through layer and layer of foliage in the Amazon and I don't know how often you stopped to catch your breath but, most people would not think of engaging too many zombies at once in melee so, depending on the situation, you could in theory effectively render a zombie harmless either through a few precise strikes (not looking for pain points but more looking for points that would negate movement and attack ability such as legs and arms). And then, in my experience there is an easy in and out to the skull and brain through the bottom of the jaw, that soft patch behind the chin, correct? 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Legion12 |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 24 2008, 2:05 PM EDT Started real training I Great Britian. The main starting weapon was a Foil (which sucks ) and as the training went on it became the standard one handed long sword, also know as the Norman style, or class, dependeing on the school. This is one main sword I teach with. There are some renactment swords made in this style that can take a lot of punishment, but cheaper than cold steel swords.After a year or so with one handed weapons in worked into the hand and a half. That was great still had the speed of a one hand but more power, and a lot better blocks. With light armour for safety, non-traditonal armour, It became the 2 handed sword. More of a German style than Claymore. It was more of a total weapon system, hiting with pommel and hooking with quillions as well as normal cut and slash moves. The states in my area at the time ,LA, Kendo was around. The swords were fun and flashy, but shorter than I like. My wife's rapier is longer than my Katana. Tried a saber, didn't like it too hard on the wrist, as with as the baskethilt Clamore. At over 6 ft tall, I give up speed for power and a two handed sword is best for me, good reach, faster block, and just plan more power. If any one has a few years to send in Great Britian and has time on their hands, Join a school. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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spraymachine |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 24 2008, 7:22 PM EDT I'm not military for another couple months, then I'll be Air Force. I went to the Amazon on vacation along with the Galapagos. At the time I was rock climbing a couple times a week in a gym so I had very good arm strength and endurance, but slashing with anything repeatedly makes your arm sore. I fenced Sabre for a while (which is heavier and more slashing than foil/epee) so I also had the endurance and power from that. As for the climate effecting me, it didn't have that much effect even though it was as humid as the Southern USA and warm. We didn't have to do too much continuous slashing but it is still tiring slashing alot, just keep that in mind. As for stabbing the brain through the soft tissue in the Mandible (lower jaw), you also have to go through the whole Sphenoid (nose/eye area) and I am not sure how hard it is to stab through that. The machete with it's large blade might have trouble getting through all that bone. You would have to have a blade of at least 6" to even get to the brain, I think an 8" stiletto would work well for this type of stab. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Kelen_Moonhunter |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 24 2008, 10:05 PM EDT I agree with you on the whole uppercut through the bottom. To be honest, I really couldn't tell you how much bone is there through that area but, I do know that is effective and a much easier in and out than a chopper over the skull. Thank you for your imput, I'll be sure to keep it all in mind. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Talon12 |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 24 2008, 10:41 PM EDT I believe it is the heavy tip, the off balance, of the machete that wears you out. I do like the hand and a half for me as a power blade because the two handed are heavy. The katanas are manuverable and if a good quality very sharp and strong( my back up for blackberries) but the rapier is my fastest. I have to be fast so I don't get hammered by Legion. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 onekoolkat200 |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
Apr 28 2008, 6:35 PM EDT yes. here's why. first pick the right machete like a gurka or kukri machete they are made for chopping all day and night. heavy bladed but the angle they are bent at puts all the force towards the fat end of the blade. in a melee fight you can sever small appendages, fingers wrist ankles. yes the blade will stick so practice chopping and pulling in one fluid motion. a quick comment on the rapier yeah your dead if you use one. get mobbed and your blade is not heavy enough for hack and slach and you can't stab every zombie at once in the eye to kill them. plus good luck trying to hit the head at all on a moving target. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 Numaul |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
May 24 2008, 6:02 AM EDT As a tool: Absolutely. There are all sorts of uses... So many that I don't care to type them all down. As an anti-Z weapon: Absolutely Not. Too many things can go wrong if the user is not properly trained. I have had training with (and own) a Ninjato but would still not use the machete in this way out of respect for my personal well being. As an anti-human weapon: As long as they're using a melee weapon as well... why not? We feel pain and can bleed out so even a few quick and/or lucky strikes can render a human foe incapable of further self-defense. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
 DaveBall |
RE: Machete - yes or no?
May 26 2008, 9:55 AM EDT Personally NO, unless thats all I could grab at the time. I would rather retreat than get that close. But if you do use a Machete use protective equipment. Meaning 1) Good Gloves: leather, or rubber, full finger (don't try and look cool by cutting off the fingers, your going to cut your self on the handle and get infected,) 2)Goggles: So blood doesn't splatter in your eyes and infect you. 3) Painters mask (or respirator, gas mask) so you don't get blood in your mouth. 4) Heavy clothing: If your that close, they may be able to get a hold of you. Do you find this valuable? |
