Short sword for battling zombies

Jeremy Horton said:
I made one or 3.
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.310 Chad Nichols Stainless. Random Pattern. 24"oal. Shadetree composite Kryptonite scales. Thanks. J
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Mr. Horton, if TSHTF then you sir will be slaying zombies in style. Props on both of those blades. I dig that damascus, especially with those glow slabs! That AK setup is sick as well!
:thumbup:
 
Jeremy Horton said:
I made one or 3.
.
.310 Chad Nichols Stainless. Random Pattern. 24"oal. Shadetree composite Kryptonite scales. Thanks. J
.
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That is just incredible. I think I’m going to look for a short sword latter on, I know you’re going to be the first maker I look to.:thumbup:
 
Does 5160 chip or roll on the edges?

My John Gage Tactical Gladius should be here in a couple of weeks and was just curious.
 
agoutihead said:
Does 5160 chip or roll on the edges?

My John Gage Tactical Gladius should be here in a couple of weeks and was just curious.
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With poorly executed heat treatment, it sure can. But so can any other steel.

The advantage of 5160 over say, 1095, is it's great shock resistance. It's a very tough steel and not as pricey as something like L6 or INFI. With 5160 you can get a lot of great performance for the money.

With the right heat treating, it can take and hold one heck of an edge too :cool:
 
In my opinion, your best options are (in no particular order):

Hanwei (virtually anything they make, although their gladius is pretty mediocre, while their Asian products are pretty great). Good heat treat and edge retention, even with some relatively serious cutting. Tactical Waki is popular, I personally like the Chinese Broadsword (dao) for my zombie killing needs.

Scrapyard Scrapizashi is a good buy.

Anything Himalayan Imports (Tibetan sword, or, and surprised you haven't had more recommendations for Khukuri--if you're out to behead a zombie, why not go with one of the greatest chopping weapons of all time--works great against zombies even if you're Milla Jovovich). Probably, in my opinion, the best deal you could possibly find. Where else do you find an indestructible work of handmade art for generally under 200?

However, since you did mention that you wanted a double sided sword that's roughly gladius style, may I recommend Kris Cutlery, either the Gladius or the Celtic sword. Both will fit the bill, are under 300 easily, and very good quality.
 
I actually pulled the trigger on a John Gage Tactical Gladius and couldnt be happier. It was wayyy more than I wanted to spend, but it was exactly what I was looking for.

It should be in my hands in about a month.

I'll post some pics for everyone when I get it.
 
Let us see some pics when you get it. I've been wanting a Gladius, that one looks great.
 
22.5" overall length

5.75" handle length

16.75" blade length

13.75" cutting edge

1.75" wide blade (on average; measurement taken at middle of the cutting edge)

1/8" thick

Materials are through-tempered 5160 blade and osage orange handle. Full scale tang with handle slab attached with hidden pins and epoxy.

Made by Chris Palmer.

I gave the edge a full convex grind by hand and satin finished it with sanding sponges.

Very tough and extremely sharp.
 
www.bugei.com these guys make real world modern Samurai swords and they are HUGELY expensive. Because of this and the fact that real differentially hardened swords bend easily if they aren't used by a skilled cutter they made some through hardened swords for beginners that perform like a high dollar one. http://bugei.com/raptor-series-performance-katana-150-ctg.htm the long sword in this line is within your price range and the Wakizashi comes in well under. If you were really wanting to buy one you can't get them any better and cheaper than this!
 
I just bought this short sword, should be delivered today or monday.

HI TARWAR BY RAJKUMAR

Overall length --29 1/4''
Weight --40 oz
Spine thickness --1/4''
Villager fit and finish spine and edge
Polished blade
Steel guard
Beautifully carved chiruwa style satisal wood handle
Brown leather scabbard
Excellent combat Sword at $265.

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I'm not really sure whether it will be any better against zombies that my 20.5 '' Ang khola khukiri. This is a beast !!
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I don't think a short sword would be good for zombies. A sword is good for cutting and stabbing, but zombies aren't going to stop for that. You either have to smash their skull, or cut their head off to stop them. You just need more IMPACT that a sword can provide.
I would rather have some kind of mace or axe. That way if they don't die, at least the impact would throw them back. Of the two, I would rather have the mace. It won't get stuck in them.

On second thought, you can't cut off a head with a mace. Let's go with the axe. Just be careful not to get it stuck. I would pick an all-steel type. You don't want the handle breaking. Go shorter, for tight spaces, but make sure it's not too light. You want a good head smasher.

Here's the perfect one, an Estwing camp axe. It's super well made, one solid bar of forged steel. Heavy, but not too, and short enough to stick in your belt and not trip your knees up. You can also conceal it with a trench coat.

I sprayed mine with candy-red metallic paint.

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Uath said:
I don't think a short sword would be good for zombies. A sword is good for cutting and stabbing, but zombies aren't going to stop for that. You either have to smash their skull, or cut their head off to stop them. You just need more IMPACT that a sword can provide.
I would rather have some kind of mace or axe. That way if they don't die, at least the impact would throw them back. Of the two, I would rather have the mace. It won't get stuck in them.

On second thought, you can't cut off a head with a mace. Let's go with the axe. Just be careful not to get it stuck. I would pick an all-steel type. You don't want the handle breaking. Go shorter, for tight spaces, but make sure it's not too light. You want a good head smasher.

Here's the perfect one, an Estwing camp axe. It's super well made, one solid bar of forged steel. Heavy, but not too, and short enough to stick in your belt and not trip your knees up. You can also conceal it with a trench coat.

I sprayed mine with candy-red metallic paint.

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Axe gets the nod for overall utility in Zombiecrafting, but I think you are selling the utility of a short sword...umm...short. They are only good for stabbing and cutting. Stabbing is next to useless and runs the risk of getting the sword stuck, but severing limbs is a big plus so long as you are not being mobbed by Zeds -- keeps the little buggers from grabbing you and slows them down when you are running away. A short sword is also faster in recovery than the axe for dealing with pairs and trios of brainsuckers. Makes them much easier to deal with.

Given all the above I'd lean towards a golok, panay tenegre, or pedang. They are all fast choppers without much tip.

That and a boomstick from S-mart will see you through a lot.
 
Unless we're talking mystical zombies, you don't need to destroy the brain to stop one. They are still mechanical structures, so cutting muscles and tendons would render them unable to move. Although stabs may not stop them quickly from the pain, as with a non-zombified person, but they should still bleed to death the same. A fast, sharp shortsword should do the trick for disabling and getting away. If you must, you can come back later with a braining device.

- Chris
 
With a big Khuk you can delimb and dehead a zombie without too much problem. The angle of the blade gives it superior chopping power.
 
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