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Discussion: Melee Weapons 101 with Museigan
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Museigan |
Melee Weapons 101 with Museigan
Mar 21 2012, 1:56 AM EDT
As I browsed the forums I noticed many posts about favorite weapons, favored weapons, and many more about interesting weapons. But I also realize that many people unfortunately lack formal training on even the more basic hang ups many of our weapons have, as well as 'active use wear' [AUW for this post].This will span several posts that I will try to cover many different weapons I can fathom a person even having on hand, as well as a 1-5 star rating on why I, personally, would or would NOT carry such a object with me. ***Swords*** Swords are seen by many as the ideal and epitomized melee weapon; but often times this is Hollywood over inflating the blade itself. An object of grace over power built to slice and cut, and sometimes stab -- it is a very messy weapon. This will get all swords a loss of 1* strictly due to the risk of blood spatter being enormous. But before I start, i'd like to say I am a blade man myself, I just realize this particular foe calls for creativity and thorough thinking. Note: Hitting a bone with a sharp blade, practically destroys the blade, so keep this well in mind. Machete: The "Brush Blade" -- fairly durable, easily obtained, easily replaced, easily made, and most importantly -- easily used. This blades main rating is garnered not from awesomeness, but rather because as far as blades go it's most likely you can get one, and it's reliable. Rating: 3.5 [4 if you upgrade to a Barong] Eastern Swords: Beautiful, graceful, elegant, and used by samurai in the past and fantasy to unleash devastating iai-jutsu upon foes, these are not something i'd ever propose taking to a zombie battle. While a great weapon the katana is also one requiring great amounts of skill and care in usage, likewise despite fantasy depictions, meeting a bone with a katana will wear it down very quick -- and you'll be doing it a lot. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Museigan |
1. RE: Melee Weapons 102
Mar 21 2012, 2:03 AM EDT
Western Swords: Thicker, stronger, and not quite as 'refined' some might think as the eastern sword, these blades in history had to be used on large scale battle-fields and were made to last through a good portion of the battle. Not to spark a flame war on 'the ultimate sword' as that depends on the hand, not the weapon itself -- the western [english/european] swords were made to hack and slash, and can withstand it better than many eastern counter-parts or a machete. So *were* you to take a sword into the Z-day Fray, one of these are a object to consider. ***DAGGERS*** Generally, as a rule of thumb. "If they can bite you while you are using it. Dont." With Zed's the name of the game is to avoid biting/grabbing range, and daggers simply don't follow this rule, while people out there exist who can devastate with them, it's true that they cause considerable splatter. So it's wise to avoid these or keep them for usage as tools and a quick emergency-weapon NOT a primary/secondary. Traditional Knives: Do not even consider taking a knife from your kitchen unless you are a highly trained master-killer, or you don't even have bats or table-legs available, they're flimsy, not made for destruction, and pain *will not slow Zeds down*. Ballistic Knife: I give this *knife* a solid 5. For those unaware, the ballistics knife was designed for use by members of the russian KGB and were not only reliable in hand to hand combat, but could shoot with good accuracy and penetration from 10-25 feet and the blade can be reloaded into it -- making it a combat replacement for a crossbow if you have a bandolier of them. Note: Ballistic knives are illegal in 48 states and many countries. You've been warned. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
shadowmancer |
2. RE: Melee Weapons 102
Mar 21 2012, 2:06 AM EDT
| Post edited: Mar 21 2012, 2:08 AM EDT
A real claymore can bend a real Katana. That is the only thing I can add to this rather excellent post.-Edited for a rouge N- 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Museigan |
3. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 2:13 AM EDT
Dirk: If you have to use a knife and DO NOT want contraband. Take one of these, they're longer and thicker than a knife, often have a solid pommel or spike on the bottom for bludgeoning with, and are quite durable. A well made dirk can serve as a great weapon, survival tool, skinning tool, and is light weight.***MACES/BLUDGEONING*** This will likely be, by far, my most hit on melee weapon field -- as it's no secret a steel ball welded onto a metal pipe can rain down death in anyones' hands, but not only that -- bats/pipes/rebar/table legs and many other maces are so easily obtained not having one can only be chalked up to laziness. Downside: Easily grabbed. Staff/Bat/Boken/Log/Table Leg/2x4: Covering anything *Wooden* the first three objects are far preferable to anything coming after them, but it's important to bear in mind with these the durability is flawed and even in petrified wood or mahogany -- they're going to break. Metal Bat/Lead Pipe/Crow Bar: These are all a step-up in the 'mace' world from wooden weapons. The Crow Bar probably being the most durable amongst these as well as halfing as a tool. Mace/Steel Cudgel: It goes without saying, short of a crowbar for effectiveness, these are going to carry you through melee-combat with zombies for a long time. And a single hit to the head or neck will most assuredly take down the Zed in question. ***HONORABLE MENTIONS*** Shields: I'd avise a buckler for anyone going into melee, but I likewise warn that zombies love to grab and bite. And two zombies grabbing and pulling on a shield attached to your arm can be as pretty well damning as them having your arm. Likewise -- they're heavy as hell. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Museigan |
4. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 2:19 AM EDT
| Post edited: Mar 21 2012, 2:21 AM EDT
Spears: Normally i'd preach to everyone how amazing and great reach is -- except with the spear we're giving a assumption that our halbadier knows anatomy, can literally impale through something, and even knows to 'stab and twist' to avoid being caught in it's target. But the spear screws itself in the sense that, like the shield, zombies love to grab things, and a grabbed spear is a screwed spear, likewise usage is pretty situational to open non-swarmed areas.... and we're talking about Zeds here... so that's unreasonable. Tazer: If you brought a tazer to a zombie fight, you might be onto something in hoping to fry electro-magnetic pulses that control the body or at least to disorient is a great idea. On the other hand with no solid testing on ZEDs, this could get you bitten. If you can't guarantee it works on your foe. DONT use it. Sap Knuckles/Plate Gloves/Brass Knuckles: Do you love punching things? These might seem like a great idea to use, as they're proven to destroy things you punch with either, but due to proximity issues these are things I'd suggest only in wearing to help protect yourself and as a emergency weapon. Axes: Axes are a great idea to grab, and go along the lines of a sword/mace, but these are messy weapons. Better than a sword or knife, i'd still advise a mace, but these also part as survival wood gathering tools. END NOTE: I invite other people to add their views and thoughts and experiences onto this -- but personally as mentioned earlier; if you're taking a sword, get a good barong-type or a claymore. If you're taking a mace, get a solid steel-mace, if you're taking a dagger. Get a dirk. Avoid things that suggest the fight needs any prolonging -- if it cant kill your ZED in under 5 seconds as the fight starts, you may be taking too much time. Happy Surviving! 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
brandon_a_boyer |
5. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 7:39 AM EDT
Posts like this make my morning.
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HeldUpInCostco |
6. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 1:29 PM EDT
"Posts like this make my morning."^ this 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
LJ126 |
7. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 1:45 PM EDT
"^ this"Seconded. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
TreeLegs |
8. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 5:03 PM EDT
Though I disagree on most of your points, I do give you props for putting together your information in a easily read format. I might have to ask you to change your 103 to a 101 however.
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timberrattler |
9. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 5:28 PM EDT
This has been a joy to read.
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=jesse= |
10. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 5:37 PM EDT
Does anyone else walk through the tool aisles in Home Depot and think to themselves "yea...I could f*ck some zombies up with these...."Every time I've needed a hammer or crowbar or any other item that could be used as a melee weapon, I always find myself getting off the original purpose of the tool, and thinking of how I can use it against zeros (thanks LJ) 4 out of 4 found this valuable. Do you? |
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TreeLegs |
11. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 21 2012, 5:42 PM EDT
"Does anyone else walk through the tool aisles in Home Depot and think to themselves "yea...I could f*ck some zombies up with these...."Every time my friend, every time lol. Side note: I'm liking this Zero name change a lot. Members seem to be picking it up as well. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
Sharpie41 |
12. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 22 2012, 12:16 AM EDT
"Does anyone else walk through the tool aisles in Home Depot and think to themselves "yea...I could f*ck some zombies up with these...."Me too. I like zeds, zero kinda sounds...off to me Do you find this valuable? |
Braydonn |
13. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 22 2012, 5:37 AM EDT
I also commend you for writing that, it's really quite easy to read.I don't think that a ballistic knife would be a good replacement for a crossbow at all. A good crossbow can shoot a bolt a ton further than one of those stupid knives. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Museigan |
14. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 22 2012, 12:54 PM EDT
"I don't think that a ballistic knife would be a good replacement for a crossbow at all. A good crossbow can shoot a bolt a ton further than one of those stupid knives.The reason the ballistic knife[s] makes a adequate replacement is when you begin factoring in the fact as human beings our endurance and stamina is *limited*, zeros to our knowledge -- are not. Crossbows are bulky, no matter how you look at it you are carrying something you notice being on you, so while the crossbow IS a superior weapon over-all, and a ideal replacement to a pistol if you need silence, the ballistics' knife has it's place as well. chances are the person at home with a cross-bow, will also appreciate and covet the ballistic knife as well. But as long as Zed is Dead, we're all winners. :P 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Sharpie41 |
15. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 22 2012, 1:17 PM EDT
"The reason the ballistic knife[s] makes a adequate replacement is when you begin factoring in the fact as human beings our endurance and stamina is *limited*, zeros to our knowledge -- are not.Legality is something to be considered here too, if you're caught with that you will be prohibited from owning weapons in the future 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Museigan |
16. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 23 2012, 1:07 PM EDT
Very true Sharpie, though here again in the event of a 'true zombie apocalypse*' then the present world wide laws and concepts of honor/civility will be revised to fit the emergency. * - A True Zombie Apocalypse is one that is major and a threat, if a single lab got infected and a military dispatch steam rolled them. This clearly doesn't count. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Sharpie41 |
17. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 23 2012, 2:05 PM EDT
"Very true Sharpie, though here again in the event of a 'true zombie apocalypse*' then the present world wide laws and concepts of honor/civility will be revised to fit the emergency.Also true, but here we have a saying, "if you dont have it before SHTF, dont expect to have it after SHTF" If you can find a ballistic knife, great, but chances aren't good that you would find one 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
Filadog |
18. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 23 2012, 4:09 PM EDT
I had a friend back in the 1980s that had a Ballistic knife this was befor they were banned,Interesting after they were banned you could buy ones but they shot a batton or grapple hook and then other people sold the replacement blades. I think the govement got wise and stopped the import of all of it. Anyway his was supposed to be russian surplus but I don't know but was made OK I guess. Had a strong spring and loading the blade in could be a bit of a bear, we had to find a hard surface to push against to load it At the range of 10 feet or so would stick the blade in pretty far in a hay bail. At 20 feet less so and much past that good chance it wouldn't hit point first. Accuracy was of course non existant because you are just sort of pointing it. I could see how it might be effective at range of 10 feet or so but if the target was moving would still be possiable to miss it pretty easy. No comparison between it and a Crossbow As a regular knife it was pretty poor and I was always scared that It would accidently shoot myself with it, If I remember right had a trigger you flipped out Just like a throwing knife I have to question of the wisdom of giving up your weapon by tossing it at somebody. Good armchair commando weapon maybe and was kind of neato 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
White76Knight |
19. RE: Melee Weapons 103
Mar 28 2012, 8:54 PM EDT
"Does anyone else walk through the tool aisles in Home Depot and think to themselves "yea...I could f*ck some zombies up with these...."LOL - Guilty as charged, in fact I have gone so far as to ask Home Depot if they could order in particular tools that I feel would f*ck up zombies better than those they already have. 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
