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If I was gonna pass one down to my boy it would have to be a Busse Satin Gladius. I am aware that it blows the $300 limit away but it is worthy looking for sure.
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Short sword for battling zombies
- Thread starter agoutihead
- Start date
Why would you even want to use a sword against Zombies? You have to get way too close to them, and your chances of getting scratched, bitten, hurt, or infected are very high. 
The shortest "sword" I would want when facing Zombies would have to be a pump shotgun at the very least.
The shortest "sword" I would want when facing Zombies would have to be a pump shotgun at the very least.
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Ok so lots of great info & suggestions in here, thanks!
It seems there are some people that say 1095 is great, while others say its a bad steel for a sword & suggest a steel like Differentially hardened 5160 or S-7, S-5, L-6? (Dont forget the hopeful budget I'm trying to stay around)
So what is the skinny on 1095 or another steel?
Man that is pretty bad ass actually... I prefer something with a body style more along the lines of the Busse Satin Gladius though. I just love that double edge, symmetrical sword look. But would def consider this one high on the list for samurai swords. And I know SY makes one hell of a product. What kind of steel do they use in this though?
This is pretty bad ass too & pretty close to the Scrapizaski - but what kind of steel is it made from & how does it compare to the Scrapizaski?
Man I wish you didnt tell me about that! Because that is exaclty what I would want... but I cant afford the $1800 price tag. What kind of steel does he use for that?
Are there any other similar style short swords on the market? This is the "Body style" I'd prefer over a samurai looking sword like the Scrapizaski, double edge & symmetrical. But more of a modern look vs the normal medieval short swords that are out there (which I do like & appreciate, but not the look I want if I can avoid id)
This is a design that I do like, but what is the quality of that sword like? Is it just a wall hanger?
Because we have to fulfill our knife, sword & gun fantasies. I've already got the guns I want (minus the .308 I'm currently trying to build)
Now I want to round out my blades!
It seems there are some people that say 1095 is great, while others say its a bad steel for a sword & suggest a steel like Differentially hardened 5160 or S-7, S-5, L-6? (Dont forget the hopeful budget I'm trying to stay around)
So what is the skinny on 1095 or another steel?
Man that is pretty bad ass actually... I prefer something with a body style more along the lines of the Busse Satin Gladius though. I just love that double edge, symmetrical sword look. But would def consider this one high on the list for samurai swords. And I know SY makes one hell of a product. What kind of steel do they use in this though?
There's also the Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi for under $100...
This is pretty bad ass too & pretty close to the Scrapizaski - but what kind of steel is it made from & how does it compare to the Scrapizaski?
Man I wish you didnt tell me about that! Because that is exaclty what I would want... but I cant afford the $1800 price tag. What kind of steel does he use for that?
Are there any other similar style short swords on the market? This is the "Body style" I'd prefer over a samurai looking sword like the Scrapizaski, double edge & symmetrical. But more of a modern look vs the normal medieval short swords that are out there (which I do like & appreciate, but not the look I want if I can avoid id)
This is a design that I do like, but what is the quality of that sword like? Is it just a wall hanger?
Why would you even want to use a sword against Zombies? You have to get way too close to them, and your chances of getting scratched, bitten, hurt, or infected are very high.
The shortest "sword" I would want when facing Zombies would have to be a pump shotgun at the very least.
Because we have to fulfill our knife, sword & gun fantasies. I've already got the guns I want (minus the .308 I'm currently trying to build)
Now I want to round out my blades!
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Not double edged, but this is as real as it gets and fits neatly in your price range.
The steel is SR-77, basically S7 (used for jackhammer drill bits) with a proprietary heat treatment, this stuff is awesome :thumbup: As for killing zombies, this blade is rumored to show up in the AMC series The Walking Dead, so get one while they're hot.
So with no further ado, another vote for this Scrap Yard Scrapizashi:
(Allow a couple of weeks for them to fulfill your order, they are made to order)
The steel is SR-77, basically S7 (used for jackhammer drill bits) with a proprietary heat treatment, this stuff is awesome :thumbup: As for killing zombies, this blade is rumored to show up in the AMC series The Walking Dead, so get one while they're hot.
So with no further ado, another vote for this Scrap Yard Scrapizashi:
(Allow a couple of weeks for them to fulfill your order, they are made to order)
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The Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi is made out of 5160 (a great steel for swords) and given a proprietary heat treatment to maximize toughness. Its blade was based on the Raptor-series wakizashi, so read up on those models to get an idea of what it's designed for. I have it straight from James Williams that he is using a Raptor-series katana for all his test cuts on pig carcasses, and dead bone is hard like a rock! The only complaints I've heard about the Tactical Wakizashi is that some folks have ended up with ones that weren't incredibly sharp. It's not a traditional piece, so don't worry about trying to give it a traditional sharpening job. Just lay a stone flat to the bevel or just shy of and ignore the scratches.
I'd be wary of the Museum Replicas piece. They're functional, but generally ill-balanced and overly flexible. I have a few pieces by them and they look great but they're dead in the hand.
I'm with you on wanting a gladius style, but budget gets in the way.
As posted by others the Scrapizashi is SR77, made in USA with a great lifetime warranty (minus handle wrap). Wait a year or so and the price will only go up.
Hanwei is respected, but still a mass produced Chinese sword made from 5160 spring steel. Good for the price, but not close to the same class as the Scrapizashi.
I even placed and later canceled an order for the Hanwei Tactical Wakisashi while getting anxious about the wait for the Scrapizashi.
This is the longer Scrapizashi video in case you wanted more convincing. Imagine the Hanwei at 1:40 in the video.
[youtube]r9PIPhBqrLQ[/youtube]
Not exactly a "short sword" and a bit cheaper then your other options but...
a kukri on a stick, what more can one ask for?
a kukri on a stick, what more can one ask for?
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Wow thats really good to hear about the Scrapizashi. I dont know, I really do like that sword a lot & that video was great.
But I really would prefer a Gladius style sword.
Isnt Busse & Scrapyard sister companies or something?
Someone else mentioned this in the thread: New Gladius from Busse Combat:
There may be something cool in the $120-ish range available from a certain someone down the road but I'm not naming names because the project is still in development right now. All I can say for now is keep your eyes peeled.
Anyone have more info on it?
I also really like this one and would prefer it since it has a shorter handle area & therefore a longer blade area:
http://www.gagecustomknives.com/Gladius.htm
But @ $950, its out of my league for now. Do they ever go for cheaper? I may be able to justify more than $300 for a super high quality Gladius like one of these two, but I would have to wait longer & save up for it, which clearly would be worth it.
Do any of these Busse Gladius go for under $500? I could have seen people talking about them at some 1500 show for a little over $400? I wouldnt need the fancy satin one, (although that one is my favorite, but I'd probably opt for the all black combat model)
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Only one or two other folks know about it right now, and they're all sworn to secrecy. That being said, buy what you want right now--it may be a while, so you've got plenty of time to save up that $120.
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Yes, along with Swamp Rat Knife Works, who have the awesome Rodent Waki (still a couple left over in their shop):
Too lame to embed the youtube video, so here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRnVY9qLCEE
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Man why are they $200 more than the current Scrapwazhi that is being sold?
Is it different/better material? I realize its like an inch or two longer isnt it? But surely that couldnt warrant such a higher price tag?
I do like the pommel area of the Waki better though, but not $200 better
Your pic didnt show up btw...
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Man why are they $200 more than the current Scrapwazhi that is being sold?
Is it different/better material? I realize its like an inch or two longer isnt it? But surely that couldnt warrant such a higher price tag?
I do like the pommel area of the Waki better though, but not $200 better
The steel is SR-101, again a regular steel, this time 52100, but with a proprietary (differential) heat treat, I don't know what they do to steel at the Busse shop, but it must involve unicorn blood and crushed up pixies, cause just look at that sucker bend and spring back to true.
You pay for that heat treat, the name, the fit and finish (its near custom) and the no BS warranty, if you break it, they fix it or reimburse you. Plus, if you get sick of it, you can always sell it at cost or more on the exchange.
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Yes but the Scrapwaski is still $200 cheaper...
And the Scrap is made with SR-77, that is a supieror steel to the SR-101 isnt it?
The pommel on the Waki is fricken bad ass though!
How does 5160 compare to say SR-77?
I really really really like the Gage Tactical Gladius & that is the steel he used for it.
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They are about $150 more, they were around $400 when they first came out, these are basically left overs from the production run, so the upside is they are shipped immediately.
In my experience SR-101 holds an edge longer than SR-77, but will chip more easily. I don't know anything about the 5160 in comparison.
Most steels are only as good as the heat treatment, so if he treats it well its probably great.
For that kind of money you could get the Busse Gladius, very similar blade, made from INFI steel (completely proprietary blend and heat treat) which some people swear by.
I have the Waki and the Scrapizashi, and they are terrific fun to swing around, you just want to whack something when holding them (good or bad, you decide ).
Ultimately its for slaying zombies, so if you pick something that appeals to YOUR aesthetic, I'm sure you'll be fine
In my experience SR-101 holds an edge longer than SR-77, but will chip more easily. I don't know anything about the 5160 in comparison.
Most steels are only as good as the heat treatment, so if he treats it well its probably great.
For that kind of money you could get the Busse Gladius, very similar blade, made from INFI steel (completely proprietary blend and heat treat) which some people swear by.
I have the Waki and the Scrapizashi, and they are terrific fun to swing around, you just want to whack something when holding them (good or bad, you decide
).Ultimately its for slaying zombies, so if you pick something that appeals to YOUR aesthetic, I'm sure you'll be fine
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They are about $150 more, they were around $400 when they first came out, these are basically left overs from the production run, so the upside is they are shipped immediately.
In my experience SR-101 holds an edge longer than SR-77, but will chip more easily. I don't know anything about the 5160 in comparison.
Most steels are only as good as the heat treatment, so if he treats it well its probably great.
For that kind of money you could get the Busse Gladius, very similar blade, made from INFI steel (completely proprietary blend and heat treat) which some people swear by.
Ultimately its for slaying zombies, so if you pick something that appeals to YOUR aesthetic, I'm sure you'll be fine
hmm but still, even though the Waki might be slightly better at holding an edge, that Scrap for $150 less in price & still high grade materials is probably one of the best deals around.
I actually like the Gage Gladius better than the Busse because the Busse's handle seems to be too big for a single hand & too small for a double hand weild
And since short swords are generally one handed weapons, the Gage seems more appropriate.
Plus with a short handle area, the Gage has a longer blade length. Always a plus
And the kydex sheath is really badass that they come with.I think you may want to hit up some custom makers. It probably won't be under $300, but could very well be cheaper than the Busse.
Justin Gingrich of Ranger Knives made a really nice bush sword to a customer's design. Probably my second favorite short sword.
[youtube]IyLZa4b9kHQ[/youtube]
And lastly, a low-cost option, $149: Kris Cutlery Braselard II
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Why would you even want to use a sword against Zombies? You have to get way too close to them, and your chances of getting scratched, bitten, hurt, or infected are very high.
The shortest "sword" I would want when facing Zombies would have to be a pump shotgun at the very least.
I agree to a certain extent....which may be why the OP specified a short sword.
That is, a longsword wouldn't be worth the bulk and weight.
Whereas a melee weapon capable of delimbing and decapitation might.
In fact an effective melee weapon is arguably more useful than a gun.
Guns are noisy. Survivors are the ones who go unnoticed by the hoard
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So out of these steels - Differentially hardened 5160 or S-7, S-5, L-6
Which one is the best for a short sword like a Gladius?
The sword I'm most interested in is the Gage Tactical Gladius and he makes his out of 5160.
So I'm wondering how that compares to S-7, S-5 or L-6?
Which one is the best for a short sword like a Gladius?
The sword I'm most interested in is the Gage Tactical Gladius and he makes his out of 5160.
So I'm wondering how that compares to S-7, S-5 or L-6?