Best close combat weapon

[Onslaught]

You may also want to look into the meyerco hatchet/machete. It's a little short, 18"OAL 12"blade, but it is not your typical brush blade. It's 1/4" thick at the tang.

[Littlejon126]

Honestly, the best "close combat" weapon is your pistol. The zombie isn't going to try to disarm you like a human attacker would, nor do they know Krav Maga, nor are they going to reflexively dodge the muzzle. All you have to do is squeeze the trigger with the barrel a few inches away from his temple. Practical range of a pistol isn't much more than about 10 yards, and 3 yards can be easily closed on foot by a human in less than a full second from a dead stop.

Not to deviate from the obvious theme, I would honestly say that a real deal medieval polearm would be your best choice - and yes, you can still purchase quality ones. I'm an informal ARMA study (and former SCA poleman), and one of my favorite retailers sells them, but they aren't cheap - but these things are TOUGH. You might want to purchase a couple of extra handles to keep on hand or learn to make your own. Every continent has used some variation of polearm, and some private military forces still use them ceremoniously - the Pope's Swiss Guard being the most noted example.

There are plenty of resources online regarding learning how to use them but that's not really necessary. You really only need to know two or three basic strikes (downward, upward and across at eye level) and a little bit about ranging - that's it. It's not even hard to practice either as a common tire swing makes for a great polearm target. Anyone could efficiently dispatch small groups of Zeke using a polearm as long as they played it smart and were strong enough to properly use it. This is all assuming that you're not a total lard*ss or couch potato because it requires decent cardiovascular endurance and a lot of strength to be effective, but all melee weapons do.

PROS:

• Arguably better than anything else for "melee" zombie work in open areas
• Very lethal against armed human raiders
• Range and power
• Easy to learn
• Defensively and offensively balanced

CONS:

• Expensive (anywhere from $200-500)
• Requires advanced proficiency when used indoors or in very close range
• Physically demanding - requires a lot of strength to be effective.
• Greater maintenance requirements (wooden shaft, rust prevention)
• Nerd factor - almost as nerdy as the katana-wielding wannabe samurai, but this could be a PRO too?

[Darkness]

"Yes, but we have threads on Pistols, Rifles, Shotguns and stuff already."

[rickbreck]

Okay, with all due respect to the swords and axes and spears, whenever I think "close combat" or "melee" weapon I always think improvised weapon, and I always think of the dangerous implements out in my garage (okay, it's my ex-wife's garage now, but that's beside the point.)

I have two garden implements that I'd consider for Zack attack:

1.) The sharpshooter or drain spade. Long narrow blade, 14-16" x 4-5", on a stout hickory "D" handle. I'd probably saw off the "D" part, maybe drill a hole thru the end for a wrist strap. I think that just as it comes out of the tool bucket I could swing it overhand and split a skull. I think that sharpened, and with practice, practice, practice, a person could thrust it and split a skull - maybe lop off a head.

2.) The potato fork. A four tined fork for digging up potatoes or other root vegetables (or for just turnining over the garden soil.) The tines are tempered steel, kind of flat, not needle-like like a hay fork. I think you could cut off the outside two tines, at the back, right where the steel makes it's right angle bend toward the point. The 3-4" nubs left behind you could sharpen like an axe. Sharpen the two remaining, center tines and you've got a thrusting weapon that would go thru the eyes into the brain, or an swung like an axe it would either split the skull or puncture it, and since the "blade" isn't flared like an axe, I dont' think it would stick too badly.

But just in case, there's also an axe, an aluminum bat, a 36" crowbar and a 48" section of 1 1/4" closet rod dowel standing in the same tool bucket.

[AZombieAttack]

Again... sorry to beat a dead hourse... but melee weaopns that incorperate puncturing a zombie...IMO bad Idea. Sure if you are facing 1 zed you could probably take him down easy....however..... faced with 3 or 4, you would run the risk of loosing valuable seconds (or even your weapon) should it become lodged in the zombie and not easily removed for attacking the next. Give me a 5 pound sledge any day over the famed katana of sharp weapon.

1 hit (anywhere) will do the trick with no worry of being slowed down by trying to pull a sharp object out of a zed.

[Manus]

I'd probably stick with a shovel at first. Nobody in my home really plays sports, and I'm the only person in my house who's willing to commit an act of violence, so we have no real weaponry. I'd snag a shovel from right outside the door and then try to upgrade to a bat or a gun as quickly as possible. If a shovel was unavailable, I'd grab an alternate blunt object and improvise a lightweight weapon. most likely the fire-poking crowbar, or a... aw damn, crowbar is the only option other than a shovel.

[kiltedninja]

Look for a means of getting a machete manus, a hammer, or a louisville slugger. You don't need to be a baseball player to have a bat, alot of people have them. a shovel...I'm not sure how good as a weapon it would be, due to the angled head, and the lack of a real edge, you'd probably fvck it up real quick.

Even a little hatchet or an axe is good.

[homelitexl]

manus get a chainsaw its a good weapon

[Littlejon126]

Originally Posted by homelitexl

manus get a chainsaw its a good weapon

Not really. A chainsaw is not meant for flesh and bone, it's meant for wood. It's awkward, a logger's chainsaw can't be used effectively with one hand because it's big and requires fuel, not to mention maintenance for the chain. Blood, brains and guts would foul it up pretty quick too, just like wet wood does. It's loud too, and screams to anyone or any zombies listening "I'm here and I have a chainsaw."

Let's think logically here... Try using a chainsaw to cut up a pumpkin, and then transition to the rifle on your shoulder. How're you going to drop the chainsaw? Gotta train every time the same way. Just gonna drop it on pavement? Or waste time carefully setting it down? Now try this with your bug out bag over your shoulder, or if it doesn't have a shoulder strap, in your hands... that chainsaw wouldn't get lugged along very far. If I were attacked by some nut with a chainsaw, I'm pretty sure I could outrun them. Try running with a chainsaw.

Good things about a chainsaw - cool factor (who cares??), psychological boost (maybe??), harvesting firewood for winter. That's about it.

KiltedNinja is definitely right; a good baseball bat or a good hammer would probably be your greatest friend if you can't get immediate access to a better weapon. It's also relatively portable too, and super easy to practice with. Durability and reliability are exceptional for both.

I would avoid machete because finding a quality one is much more difficult than you'd think - the one's at walmart are not good. They need to be made out of quality high carbon steel, otherwise they just won't be durable enough for combat against zombies.

[Onslaught]

Originally Posted by Littlejon126

snip
PROS:
CONS:

I agree completely with your first paragraph. It is a "modern dagger".

I have issues with a polearm though. Nobody who has access to a firearm is going to stand around in an open area and dispatch the undead for fun. If it's open enough for a spear/halberd, it's open enough to get the hell out of there. Melee (for the sane, who want to survive) will only happen when one is cornered, or when one is trying to go unnoticed. Carrying a 5'+ spear around for such duty seems a bit inconvenient. There is no doubt that the polearm is THE premier handheld/non-projectile weapon. However it is much like the shotgun of the melee world. It is extremely powerful, but unwieldy and inconvenient to the point that it becomes a burden given the task at hand.

[DarthJoe8]

Originally Posted by Littlejon126

Not really. A chainsaw is not meant for flesh and bone, it's meant for wood. It's awkward, a logger's chainsaw can't be used effectively with one hand because it's big and requires fuel, not to mention maintenance for the chain. Blood, brains and guts would foul it up pretty quick too, just like wet wood does. It's loud too, and screams to anyone or any zombies listening "I'm here and I have a chainsaw."

Let's think logically here... Try using a chainsaw to cut up a pumpkin, and then transition to the rifle on your shoulder. How're you going to drop the chainsaw? Gotta train every time the same way. Just gonna drop it on pavement? Or waste time carefully setting it down? Now try this with your bug out bag over your shoulder, or if it doesn't have a shoulder strap, in your hands... that chainsaw wouldn't get lugged along very far. If I were attacked by some nut with a chainsaw, I'm pretty sure I could outrun them. Try running with a chainsaw.

Good things about a chainsaw - cool factor (who cares??), psychological boost (maybe??), harvesting firewood for winter. That's about it.

Littlejon meet homelitexl , homelitexl meet Littlejon.

[kiltedninja]

So I didn't say it like I thought I did, but I meant look for a means of obtaining a good machete. I hear talk that Cold Steel makes a mean ass machete. I'm looking at getting one soon, just as soon as I can get in contact with a friend of mine named spare cash.

[Littlejon126]

Originally Posted by kiltedninja

So I didn't say it like I thought I did, but I meant look for a means of obtaining a good machete. I hear talk that Cold Steel makes a mean ass machete. I'm looking at getting one soon, just as soon as I can get in contact with a friend of mine named spare cash.

The Cold Steel Machete's are EXCELLENT. I have a Bolo, 16 or 17 inches (I think?) Looks to be made from old leaf springs, tougher than nails. All of their entry level "cheapies" are solid and well worth their price tags. The sheaths that they come with aren't half bad either. If you get something like an Accusharp sharpener, they're easy to keep a serviceable edge on as well. I've seen the Bolo model for as low as $11 online.

I have one problem with mine - the handle is pretty inferior. In fact, it's downright dangerous for someone with larger hands as the grip is small. It's also very low traction, and retention in downward slashes is SCARY. To remedy this, I've purchased skate board grip tape (it's like sandpaper that's tacky on the back) and taped a 1 inch wide strip on the sides and back of the handle. Gotta wear gloves to swing it now without eating up your hand, but in the future I might consider regripping it.

All in all, I am quite happy with my CS bolo machete, especially after the pricetag is considered. It's chopping ability is remarkable.

In response to Onslaught regarding polearms:
Definitely true - lugging around a poleaxe is certainly going to be a pain. It's not exactly what one would consider portable, and concealment is completely out of the question. It's not exactly something you're going to be able to pull into a car when you get in....

[kiltedninja]

I was looking at a kukri machete, I have fairly normal sized hands, so I'm not worried about that. But you might want to get something better than grip tape, if you can, I'd get something like electircal tape.

[angekfire]

I like chinese sabers for this purpose. If you know how to use them they require very little space to be effective, since the blade curvature allows you to wrap them around your body easily, and they gain a lot of momentum very quickly, so they can effectively hack of limbs (or heads). They are fairly similar to a machete in that respect.

If you know how to use a Katana, that can easily work too, but it needs to be of the highest quality.

Polearms are likely to be trapped. Trying to defend a doorway with one might work okay, but chances are they will close in past your range fast enough, and you're screwed and either have to retreat, swicth weapons, or die.