Bullets versus blades versus zombies (Guns vs. Knives both have their uses)

Examiner.com ^ | July 13, 2009 | Ben Anderson

[appleseed]

This a strange article. The guy has a thing for Wal-Mart. What caught my eye was his mention of a machete. I have several, my favotites are my Ka-Bar and Cold Steel that have blades of 18 inches. I've used those things on brush cutting, tree cutting, splitting small logs, snake patrol, cutting pieces of fence wire, bull rope and once whacked a muscrat the wife's dog had cornered. I have a couple of others also that I have no idea of the make or model, best thing about them is doesn't require a finely honed blade to be effective. A few passes on the grinder or a few swipes from a file and they're good as new. Haven't had to use one on a zombie yet probably because their intimadated by my tresspassers will be shot sign.

Keep in mind the article is tongue in cheek. The guy has obviously had nightmares about zombies. I've never had to use my weapons on a zombie, probably, once again because of the sign. However, if some approached that was public school educated and thought it was some kind of invite to a party, I would probably grab the DPMS AR-15 or AK-47 or mini 14 or Mossberg 500.

[Salamander]

Why even risk getting bitten?

....;]

[and now I want a machete...would a katana or Confederate officer's sword do in a pinch?]

[SIDENET]

Don't forget your "Zombie Hunter" patch!

[appleseed]

Self Reliant/Survivalist Ping List

[fuzzybutt]

Having studied Kendo & Iaido for years as well as being what most folks would call a gun nut I have had this conversation more than once.

The Sword is far better in riots or crowds anytime but the problem you have is blood. Too much and everything becomes slick.

Plus even one drop of Zombie blood in your nose, mouth, eyes or a cut and you are infected.

[SIDENET]

You need a good amount of skill and knowledge to properly operate a firearm. The Zombiclypse is no time to be learning.

Too true.

[appleseed]

Got an old piece of junk replica cavalry sword that I use for practice on cutting off pumpkins and watermelons from the vine. Probably less conspicuous than a flame thrower.

[SampleMan]

What a silly article. Anyone who has ever reached the upper levels in DOOM knows that the double-shotgun is king in dealing with all manner of zombies, gouls and demons.

[Terpfen]

The guy has a thing for Wal-Mart.

Can't blame him. It would be a nice place to outfit yourself in case of zombie attack. Full stores of food, decent-size hardware department, and bikes for transport in case your car is unusable for some reason.

Guns and ammo, too.

[appleseed]

If that’s a real patch, I would love one just to hang up in my work area.

[SIDENET]

It's real. You can order one on the internet.

Just google search "Zombie Hunter patch".

[Eye of Unk]

I realize not everyone has mechanical skills or resources but its not hard to buy even modest affordable torches or to make a home made forge. This last week I took a roller bearing race from a scrap bucket loader, a very BIG race that after a lot of heat and hammering was drawn straight and flat into a piece about 16” long and about 1 1/2’ wide, its 52100 steel that is sought after by many custom knife makers, its different and harder than leaf spring steel. Its normal hardness is around 58 Rockwell for obvious reasons as a bearing material and is high carbon with vanadium.

Its almost finished as a heavy kitchen knife right now after I put some wood handles on it, it makes a very sharp edge and a person can refine it to an even harder Rockwell if desired but in its normalized state is harder than many traditional knifes. I tried to deliberately break another test piece and could not without getting into using a massive hammer and vice, a very abundant material thats been overlooked because people think its only good for bearings. Its hard to shape even when orange and difficult to grind unless its tempered.

Leaf springs can be used but apparently the alloy in modern springs does not create a good knife unless from a European vehicle, however a clean not corroded coil spring can be straightened and used as a material.

People think sawzall blades would make a good knife but the problem is that many blades like that are bi-metal, sure they can be “Knife looking objects” but real knives are works of art. My next work will be taking a broken concrete drill bit (BIG) and wrapping some old chainsaw blade around it and then hammer weld it all together into a flat bar stock. Should creat an interesting damascus effect.

[Irishguy]

funny. reminds me of the book the zombie survival guide and the even better world war z.

[appleseed]

What a silly article. Anyone who has ever reached the upper levels in DOOM knows that the double-shotgun is king in dealing with all manner of zombies, gouls and demons.

Cool. I have a few shotguns. One in each hand. Bring 'em on.

[dangus]

Man, your boy scout troop must’ve rocked! We just got to stake a few vampires.

[appleseed]

I have a modest knife collection and I can appreciate what you're saying. Nothing more beautiful in a blade than a Damascus blade.

[Pistolshot]

[Seruzawa]

Good advice. Especially with the upcoming ACORN zombie attack in 2010.

[Shimmer1]

zombie ping

[xsmommy]

weigh in on zombie control ; )