Affordable Zombie/Dry Wall Killer?

jayjaygee said:
I am going to be doing some demo work on a house - tearing down some rotted wood and lots of dry wall. I thought it would be useful, or at least a ton of fun, to have a big burly knife to do some of the work. I'd be cutting into dry wall, prying it free, prying off wainscoating, prying out outlets, maybe chopping some copper wires and whatever else is in the ducts. Basically doing everything you shouldn't ever do with a knife, with this knife. I'm even open to other edge tools, like if you know of a particular zombie killer that would work here. In fact, even better if it's one of those things that makes you wish for a zombie apocalypse just so you could use it.

I'm looking to spend <=$150. Ideally under $100 but $150 is okay so long as it also makes the job go faster. I know something like the Winkler Crusher would (ahem) crush it. But it's just too pricey for me. I was also considering the Ontario Air Force knife or the Ka-Bar (the classic fighting knife) as possibilities that are more in my budget. I've never used either of them, but I'm sure a lot of people have. And I'm sure people here have handled lots of other knives that might fit the bill. I don't really care what it looks like - bowie, "bushcraft," military/tactical, whatever. I care that it will hold up to the pressure, not break apart, be comfortable to wield, and be fun. I don't mind if I have to stop to sharpen 2-5 times/day.

Can you recommend something that would do this job and won't break the bank?

If you post a photo, I'd love it if you'd say what the knife is.

(Please note that unlike a prior thread of mine, where I had specific requirements I was trying to fill, this time the question is wide open. Just maybe don't suggest a victorinox slip joint.)
Click to expand...
becker bk3
 
catspa said:
When I have to demo an area of drywall, I use a short handled square nose shovel. The job goes both quicker and easier if you peel off half or quarter sheet size chunks. Even better if you can park your dump truck right outside the sliding glass door and your helper can ramp the debris up in there.

Least amount of handling, is what you’re after.

Please don’t chop through electrical circuits. When you’re chopping into walls blind, you run the risk of severing plumbing pipes also. Once you peel the walls, disconnect them at the home run end, then remove them. Offer your helper the copper for recycle, nice little bonus for him.

Not very knife-y, I know. Your razor knife will come in handy a few times though.

Parker
Click to expand...
Thanks for the good advice. Really I mean that.

Now - does anyone have some bad/fun advice?
 
Cementite said:
You could probably stab a 4x8 sheet of drywall 100,000 times or more with an icepick
eek7.gif
before it finally turned into a pile of gypsum
Click to expand...
BTW I appreciate this point. But a lot of the drywall is soaked/flaking so won't take much. It's a pretty trashed house.
 
When I took out the lath and plaster from my house to move a few walls and switch to drywall, I used a Cold Steel warhammer for it. If the hammer end doesn't make something give up, the spike works well. It pries good too, the long head means you can usually anchor it against something to give the spike leverage.
 
A machete. A big machete.

And edited to add: make sure you turn off the main breaker to the house and that you test those breakers to ensure the absence of current before you start the demo. That’s the right way to do it, especially if you’re going to try messing with home runs and removing conductors.
 
Last edited:
If you just want a knife go with one of these. You could buy 4 for $100, so no issue if you break one or two.

YZ6Zkzn.jpg


GKj3TNG.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top