Anyone have any experience with Zombie Tools?

ooitzoo

ooitzoo

Gold Member
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Oct 2, 2010
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My question is about the quality of the blades. I like the designs but its seems like their prices are pretty steep for 5160 steel.

http://zombietools.net/tools/

I am wondering if anyone owns one and can comment on the quality vs. price. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
 
Sorry, I don't own one but they seem pretty nice albeit a little gimmicky (For me) The Backwood machete looks like a very nice chopper, too. I'm not so sure about their handles though, looks like they wrap them in electrical tape which is kind of a cheap thing to cover the handles with, especially on a +200 dollar blade.
 
Personally I think the Reaper and the d’Capitan 2012 look interesting but I want to find out if they are good blades or just flashy gimmicky garbage.

I hate how so many companies are doing this, I have an interest in the zombie apocalypse thing but all these companies are making these crazy gimmicky things and making it all cartoony. I prefer to think of it as a SHTF type of situation and not a "lets kill millions of zombies like some crazy rambo ninja" thing.
 
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I have read an article that highly rated the grinds and handling characteristics of their choppers...unfortunately for me,spending that sort of money on a (gimmick?) is not how i roll...so i make my own...and these are real cutting tools........................FES

zombies002.jpg
 
If I had the money the extra money I would get a couple. I don't think the prices are too crazy for a custom sword and sheath made in the USA and I like the leather-wrapped handles and kydex.
 
seelow123 said:
Sorry, I don't own one but they seem pretty nice albeit a little gimmicky (For me) The Backwood machete looks like a very nice chopper, too. I'm not so sure about their handles though, looks like they wrap them in electrical tape which is kind of a cheap thing to cover the handles with, especially on a +200 dollar blade.
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My thinking exactly. I want to know if they're actually quality before I make an investment that large. From at least the steel choice it doesn't look to be good value for my money but the designs are quite cool.

billoo13 said:
Personally I think the Reaper and the d’Capitan 2012 look interesting but I want to find out if they are good blades or just flashy gimmicky garbage.

I hate how so many companies are doing this, I have an interest in the zombie apocalypse thing but all these companies are making these crazy gimmicky things and making it all cartoony. I prefer to think of it as a SHTF type of situation and not a "lets kill millions of zombies like some crazy rambo ninja" thing.
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Haha. I'm a big fan of Zombie fiction (e.g. the walking dead, L4D, etc.) so I am ok with the tongue in cheek nature of it but I want to know if they're quality or just all gimmick.

festerfromnzed said:
I have read an article that highly rated the grinds and handling characteristics of their choppers...unfortunately for me,spending that sort of money on a (gimmick?) is not how i roll...so i make my own...and these are real cutting tools........................FES

zombies002.jpg
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Cool knives. What are the specifics? Steel? Grind? etc?

OrdnanceBubbaUSMC said:
If I had the money the extra money I would get a couple. I don't think the prices are too crazy for a custom sword and sheath made in the USA and I like the leather-wrapped handles and kydex.
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I guess I am interested to know if they are truly custom quality pieces.
 
They have been around longer than the recent craze, so they are not as gimmicky to me. A friend of mine has more disposible income than I do, and he's quite happy with the ones he bought. They are truly beaters, they can take it.
 
Even zombie officianados would, presumably, want to know what kind of steel and the hardness of same. Their Kukri seems well executed from the picture...a very traditional blade and only a fair amount of deviation in handle...that would seem to indicate somebody on the manufacturing side knows something about real knives...that may be a good sign.
 
The Hype on those "tools" is second only to our friend Lynn.



But oddball apocalyptic blades seem to be the fashion right now.



They won't get any of my money.




Big Mike
 
Nothing's sexier than "zombie" right now.

These guys might make a good product...I wouldn't know. Their willingness to jump on the "zombie marketing hype bandwagon" has made me not pay attention to them.
 
ooitzoo, have only seen good feedback on quality from people who got one or more. Think the only videos showing them in use are from Zombie Tools themselves, pretty entertaining. Photo close-ups definitely seem better than some other custom swords going for over $300 that you can find around the web. A few are using the same steel and charging over $600 - with no representation that they will be good for anything besides fondling in front of the big screen.

Also, I actually like the whole zombie theme personally - much better than all the fakes out there pretending their stuff is carried by a bunch of military personnel, especially the $200-600 blades.
 
seelow123 said:
I'm not so sure about their handles though, looks like they wrap them in electrical tape which is kind of a cheap thing to cover the handles with, especially on a +200 dollar blade.
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Cheap, but effective. I've got a taped handle holding strong after 4 years of heavy outdoor use. It all depends on what tape you buy :)
 
Those handles are aluminum scales, with some type of wrap over that, I think. The thing that concerns me is their mass distribution. I've watched their videos where they chop through a car hood, great the sword didn't break. Strength does not equal balance and that "alive" feel in hand. A crowbar won't break either, nor is it a sword.
It is also obvious that these guys, in the videos, don't know how to swing a sword, so they wouln't know how to use or make a sword with balance.
I admit that I could be wrong, go hold one for yourself before you buy based on looks.
 
I've had the d'capitain and the Para Bellum. Both felt good in the hand and was built like tanks. I'd recommend them as someday I hope to pick up some more.

The sheaths kind of sucked but they was usable.

Here's the only pic that I have left of my d'capitain prototype.
IMAG0749.jpg
 
I just received an Apokatana from them. I think they're excellent swords. I have not had the opportunity to beat mine up; but fit and finish are very nice, and my kydex sheath is quite good. Based on film and anecdotal experience from others, they seem to be well-built with good heat treat.

It is definitely sturdier built, and that is reflected in the feel and balance. However, that is not an issue. Modern swords are different than period swords; you probably have a wider range of expected "duties" for a modern "tactical" sword, not just personal combat. It's not overly "heavy", at least not for me; and I can wield comfortably with one or two hands. No, I'm not an expert; but that's the point....it's not going to be essential for me; and I'd prefer my swords to be heavier built for strength. That whole "alive" feel? I don't think it's as exact a science as some people make it sound. I've got a wooden handled katana from the Pacific that my grandfather brought back during WWII. I'm sure it's a Showato, not a true Nihonto; but it looks and feels pretty much the same as my Apokatana, given the expected differences between a partial tang wood handle and a full tang aluminum handle. The Apokatana sure as heck is NOT a crowbar.

The "gimmick" is a non-issue...nothing about the zombie-specific characteristics of the blade (finish, design) has any effect or interference at all with the function of the blade. "Hype"..."oddball"....that's just someone's opinion; and it means nothing outside their own choices. Those guys are doing what they like and are having fun at it. The US CDC did the same type of thing with their "preparing for the zombie apocalypse" stuff. People need to get a sense of humor.

As far as price for that type of steel...well, I've never done a survey on "what a 5160 sword should cost"....as far as I'm concerned, that's their art, it's a custom job, and I wanted it. The price is within range for a quality custom sword; and it is a quality custom sword...also, 5160 is a good all-around sword steel. So, I cut out sodas for a period of time and saved; and I won't look back. If I paid "too much", I didn't pay "too much of too much"; and I got what I want. So I'm not concerned.

If you like what you see, I can tell you that in my opinion and based on others' opinions and experiences, the product is a good one. I recommend it if you want it; I know I'll be getting several more!
 
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oitzoo...Kukri has a 15inch blade,3mm wide with a convex edge (re-tempered carbon sawblade)....other is an old German carver,original profile,12inch blade X2 1/4 wide a 2mm thick,,full flat grind carbon.....ring is a nose ring for pigs..................FES
 
Yo Mama said:
They have been around longer than the recent craze, so they are not as gimmicky to me. A friend of mine has more disposible income than I do, and he's quite happy with the ones he bought. They are truly beaters, they can take it.
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What's he done with them? How well does the edge hold? Any issues to speak of?

Big Mike said:
The Hype on those "tools" is second only to our friend Lynn.
Big Mike
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Who's "Lynn"?

OrdnanceBubbaUSMC said:
ooitzoo, have only seen good feedback on quality from people who got one or more. Think the only videos showing them in use are from Zombie Tools themselves, pretty entertaining. Photo close-ups definitely seem better than some other custom swords going for over $300 that you can find around the web. A few are using the same steel and charging over $600 - with no representation that they will be good for anything besides fondling in front of the big screen.

Also, I actually like the whole zombie theme personally - much better than all the fakes out there pretending their stuff is carried by a bunch of military personnel, especially the $200-600 blades.
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I agree that some folks charge more. My interest has more to do with what you're getting for the money.

Ditto on the zombie theme though.

bobbystoney said:
I've had the d'capitain and the Para Bellum. Both felt good in the hand and was built like tanks. I'd recommend them as someday I hope to pick up some more.

The sheaths kind of sucked but they was usable.

Here's the only pic that I have left of my d'capitain prototype.
IMAG0749.jpg
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So did you get rid of them? Do you still have them? How have they held up? Any issues with the steel?

festerfromnzed said:
oitzoo...Kukri has a 15inch blade,3mm wide with a convex edge (re-tempered carbon sawblade)....other is an old German carver,original profile,12inch blade X2 1/4 wide a 2mm thick,,full flat grind carbon.....ring is a nose ring for pigs..................FES
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Haha! Nice!
 
I've seen a ton of owners happy with them over on another forum. There was a time the guys at Zombie Tools gave members of that forum a discount which sold them a lot of blades. Theres videos on you tube if you want to see some of them in action. One is the Zombie Tools guys chopping through a tv and car hood, i believe the sword finally broke while chopping at a concrete traffic baricade.

I was considering ordering one for over a year but ended up dropping $300 on a Swamp Rat Rucki instead. I may pick up a Zombie Tools blade someday, but for now the Rucki fits my needs perfectly.
 
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