The closest (but still not exact) replicas of the Two-Handed Maciejowski Bible Chopper Crusader Sword/Falchion that I've been able to find so far are available at: www.bytheswordinc.com/p-4666-two-hand-functional-medieval-chopper-sword-sg-2213.aspx www.outfit4events.com/eur/product/5729-two-handed-falchion-maciejowski/ I wish the presenter would have included a link to where he obtained it from, as it's a really neat weapon.
The best advice I've heard is to get two knives and tie them to your arms. That way when you are turned into a zombie, you can mindlessly hack at the living more efficiently.
I think my favorite part about this video is that you don't have multiple edits per sentence. Your flow and comfort on video is refreshing and engaging and your lack of "um"s and "er"s is likewise very respectable and adds to the confidence the audience can have in what you have to say on the topic. Not to mention your obvious background and expertise. Well done.
"Falchion sucks, its 2 handed and only does 2d4 pff" My Half-Orc Cleric/Fighter used a Falchion. He had the Destruction and Murder domains, I believe. Murder gives you Keen Edge at level 7. You have to understand that once you reach a certain point in the game your damage dice matter a lot less than your criticals and your overall bonus damage. 15-20 crit range is very useful in Pathfinder where critical rules are take maximum possible damage roll and roll again. His crowning moment was blending a purple worm to pieces from the inside out after he was swallowed. It was looking like a fairly real possibility that the worm was going to wipe the party as well.
Why Falchions are good at the zombie apocalypse 1) Durable 2) Will still kill even when blunt 3) You can use it to break windows and doord 4) Your can use it to chop wood
Most falchions have a relatively thin blade made for chopping squishy targets. Not so good for chopping wood, the blade would likely be damaged quickly. For the all-around tool/weapon, a messer, machete or thick edged falchion would be awesome : )
Many modifications on a bat do weaken it or make it more heavy then its worth, best thing to do is get a cheap but effective modification, ie knife blade into a wooden bat, not likely to get stuck, it’s got the range of a bat and effectiveness of a knife but is inherently weaker, you get the pattern
I know it isn't a sword but a poleaxe is a bad ass weapon against zombies. Get armored up and have two bible choppers and shields guys to funnel the zombies into your death zone and you can mow them down. I am always surprised that people don't at the very least make duct tape armor during a zombie apocalypse even if it is just your forearms and wear some sort of gloves. Heh.
Interesting, I've been thinking of buying an upholstered couch like that but I've been wondering about the maintenance. The other day I was checking out a few designs, there's just something about the retro aesthetic that I kind of like.
I'd go with something that goes with a shield. You can make a light, transparent, hell even bulletproof plastic shield today convenient enough to carry around.
Exactly. Modern police riot shields are stronger and lighter than medieval wooden shields and also transparent, giving you full visibility. Ideal for a zombie apocalypse!
Idk the scariest part of zombies is their relentless determination and when their are mobbing under mobbing conditions shield kinda just acts like a giant handle for a few zombies to grab onto to slow you down.
If you have a group of people, shields are great. The Romans held off much higher numbers of armed and clever humans with shield formations. A dozen+ people ranked up and turtled behind shields could do serious work against a mass of zombies. Use a light short sword or dagger to stab zombies over time without wearing yourself out. Spears in the back ranks. It’s what I would do in a group.
i love listening to these videos while i work. great background noise and its kind of fascinating to listen to someone who knows what they're talking about
Hello. I have my grandsons train with a gladius in one hand AND a tomahawk in the other, against 'the woods giant', which is an oak log, with crossarms attached, swinging from a rope. This site is on a slight slope with lots of trip hazards. I expect 3 whacks per log swing. Tomahawk chops, pulls, pushes, and blocks... the sword chops, cuts, stabs, and blocks. Why the Gladius? Hallway, doorway, close quarters limit the arc of longer swords. Run a long sword into a rib age, body drops twisting. You are open at that moment to the pressing horde of zombies! Mundane weapon: ballpeen hammer. Less gore. Cheers.
History teaches everything you want to know. The legionaries had to march incredible distances, carrying all of their fighting and surviving equipment and still be able to engage in a fight at any time. Being so, one can infer that the tower shield, with a gladius hispaniensis and 3 pila would be the way to go. The pilum can work as a javelin or as a medium spear, if you need distance. The gladius and the shield speak for themselves. And, if you manage to get a motorcycle helmet, legs and arms protection, you become the threat to zombies and people alike. Not the opposite.
How about a boar spear and cutlass? I know its not a sword, but seems like using something designed to keep something at a distance would be a good start. And much better point control on spears.
Spears keep people at a distance because they don't want to be stabbed. Zombies don't care. They'll keep advancing even if you skewer them and if there are several (they usually swarm in numbers) you won't have time to extract the spear to stab again...
@Re nato I agree regarding cutting swords like falchions and axes, especially when used with a shield to protect your left side and hands. Maille armour would also be helpful to prevent bites and cuts/stratches. If you're rich enough to afford some kind of plate armor you could opt to use a polearm instead but the plate would slow you down when trying to run away. I suspect there might be modern combat mesh materials which are as strong as chainmail but lighter, so could me fashioned into a modern, lighter form of mail, but modern military body armor obviously focuses on stopping bullets or shrapnel instead, so I don't think it would be useful against zombie bites.
The first sword i thought of for a zombie apocalypse was the Gladius, since i was following the same train of thought as you were with the "better machete, close quarters fighting" etc. But what would work even better in my opinion, are a Falchion or even more a Falcata. Especially a Falcata would have the necessary impact power but retain a higher speed than an axe. But i must say, i would probably prefer your final choice over mine, awesome video! :D
Perfect anti-zombie blade: The ginunting Thank you for the video! However, we should not forget that a) zombies are terminated for good by destroying the brain/chopping of the head b) often show up in huge masses. The perfect blade form for the zombie apocalypse needs to address these two issues. Backward curved blades, like the beautiful 1796 LCS, deal devastating cuts, but severing a head remains a hard thing to do, as you rightfully pointed out. Cutting into a skull with enough depth of penetration to destroy the brain is not easy, either. On the other hand, cutting into a skull or smashing it in (with a pick or axe) always carries the danger of getting one's weapon stuck, which can become a severe problem, if more than one zombie is faced. The perfect blade form against zombies therefore is the Filipino ginunting. The ginunting (many don't know this) was developed during a smaller zombie plague in Northern Luzon in the early 19th century. Its forward curved tip turns the slash into a stab, thus allowing for maximum skull penetration, while at the same time solving the problem of weapon retention. It is short enough to be used one-handedly, allowing for the use of a gun in the second hand, and to be carried as an EDC item. No weapon is of use if you don't have it on your body when the undead rise. panabas.de/blades.html
I will be honest, the bible cutter took me by surprise. I didnt expect you to pull out such a fitting weapon for a zombie apocalypse. That is a sword that any sword newbie can swing it and chop limbs and heads, it is Tough (odds are you will break before it) and you can carry it around quite comfortabily. 9/10 Really liked your pacing and choises, seems I will subscribe hah
I'd like to point out that is a maintz gladius, which in my opinion was the most practical and useful gladius the roman empire ever issued. don't get a pompeii gladius, you will die. I would still rather get a kopis or falcata, but I would sooooo carry a shield. in the immortal words of Gobber the Belch, "If you must make a choice between a sword or a shield, take the shield."
LOL!!! Fuck having a sword in a zombie apocalypse!! Give me a 4 foot length of 3/4" rebar. I don't need to worry about maintaining a cutting edge or blade warpage. And the rebar will literally smash through any walking corpse with ease.
True that being said an aluminum baseball bat will do that good a bit better! But ofc useing something like a Saber and a Pistol on off hand is some scary shit and has some style points!
Actually quite surprised that the Chinese Dao was not mentioned, allot of the broad variants are not unlike an in-between of the beefiest falchions and cutlasses.
In all honesty, I think a sword would not be the best weapon at all for the zombie apocalypse. It has an edge which has to be maintained, and which, once lost, seriously impairs the effectiveness of the sword. You have to get through the skull, and repeatedly cutting through bone is going to take its toll. A mace or a warhammer would be a better weapon for that use. They're not actually heavy at all, there's no edge to maintain, and since they were designed to injure men in armor, they'll crush skulls like eggshells. They'll be effective against living people (and you can target, and break, arms, legs, ribs, etc.) as well, and while you can't fence with them, lets face it, you're not going to be meeting many skilled swordsmen that would require you to do so anyway, even if you had a sword.
That bible chopper, or really any thick blade, doesn't need a sharp edge to get the job done. You could cut someones head off with the edge of a road sign if swung hard enough. And if you're going with a smasher like a warmace, a tire iron or just a steel pipe would do the same job against unarmored people. With the bonus of you can find either at any hardware store, autoparts store/garage, or big department stores like Walmart.
In the military, we quickly learned that a sharpened entrenching tool make a very effective hand-to-hand weapon. It is short, durable, and can cause deep slashes if not sever limbs. Decapitation may be required to kill a zombie, but if you can't get to the head or neck in the first swing, a good chop to the limbs can weaken or cripple a zombie, giving you a better opportunity to dispatch it at a lower risk.
The only problem I have with swords in this zombie apocalypse scenario is practicality and efficience! A sword, mace or spear would add weight that is only useful if you are in combat - remember that you need to carry all your stuff! Axes however are good enough weapons while still usable as tools. Therefor my weapon of choice would be a shepherd's axe!
(Without having seen the video yet) Personally, I'd go with some kind of a saber or arming sword and a buckler. They're kinda best all-around weapons - not too long, but still with a decent reach; not too heavy, but still very capable. Apart from blocking, the buckler can also be used for punching. As for the protection, I'd use chainmail (doesn't impede mobility too much, yet resistant to biting and scratching even if very thin wire is used) and maybe a visored sallet.
I've actually been wanting to get a Maciejowski Bible falchion for a while but I don't know where the best ones are since there's hardly any reviews for them. The Baltimore Knife And Sword Godenak looks pretty decent but are there better options?
I haven't seen those models sorry. It was so long ago that I cannot remember the smith that made my one, but this reseller seems to sell them. They are cheap and robust, through there are prettier examples out there. www.outfit4events.com/eur/product/5729-two-handed-falchion-maciejowski/
These all look fantastic, I'll have to wait a while, though, because I recently bought the Medici falchion from Arms & Armor, but as soon as I have the money I'll be getting one of these.
Nice overview of edged weapons with a bit of a humorous angle. Well done forkeeping a straight face throughout. I'll stick with my Knights Templar Accolade sword and a crossbow or two to keep the zombies at bay.
Want an overlooked antizombie weapon? Grab a 4-5 foot broom handle, put a nail on the point and sharpen it into a small spear. You can effortlessly stab through fences, gates, small windows, etc, for base defence.
I think in this case ts more abot the ability of weapon maintenance so imo an axe or a knife or a spear would be good. I mean mankind has forged the wheels, the carts, the campfires, the houses, and all those things and we started with the axe, knife, and spear. And to be honest you dont NEED a metal weapon to crack a skull, this is a walking corpse you're talking. So i suggest ya'll take the time to learn how to make a stone axe. Trust me this skill will come in real handy.
Wait wait wait. Why do we assume that short is good? Wouldn't you want to keep a safe distance at all costs? Their body fluids are their weapon. And it's not like finding the best weapon against a dagger, because a human selecting a dagger would attempt to rush you immediately and cross the perimeter where he's out ranged in a dash. Zombies not so much. Just pick a halberd, poke them back to safety, trip them with the hook, spike them to the skull, next one.
JakotaDelk Delk A weapon that can thrust effectively can be much more useful in a closed space than some cutlass that you actually couldn't use in a hallway. Enclosed space just ensure that you don't get surrounded, a situation which makes thrust oriented weapon inadequate.
I don't agree with the cutlass, or a halberd. If they happen to get to close a halberd becomes useless. An arming sword or something similar would be a better choice, in my opinion. You can thrust effectively, slash, hold by the blade and bash with the handguard, and break skulls with the pommel if your real close. All the halberd has on that is it's better at thrusting and it's range, which can become useless fast.
JakotaDelk Delk I have a feeling like the real most efficient weapon against zombies is antiseptics and several layers of clothing and face protection. And maybe a pickaxe.
Thanks for your analyzation. I am going to write a zombie apocalypse fiction and I am still thinking whether to let my hero to use a basket hilt sword or a rapier plus a main gauche at the beginning of the story. Your idea is a good advice.
As soon as you brought up the gladius I gave this video a thumbs up. Clearing modern buildings doesn't offer up alot of space which would make the gladius shine. If I had to choose melee weapons for a zompoc my first choice is a spear for out in the open, as combat closes in a gladius and shield. A smaller viking type axe as backup and for survival. And lastly a rugged survival belt knife, mostly just for day to day living but in extreme desperation can be used in combat. Enjoyed the video. Good synopsis.
What about a Katana made with a softer mono steel construction instead of the tradition construction? I feel like the handling and other characteristics of a katana, outside of the long term durability issues, are fantastically suited for a zombie apocalypse. You could get around the durability issues by getting a modern mono steel katana made with something like 1060 or 6150 steel.
If I was going to go with a katana I would choose go with a through-hardened spring steel in a specialized goza cutter configuration, and probably a ko-katana at that. You would end up with a durable weapon, optimized for heavy cutting, and proportioned for close quarter combat. I think it may out perform a gladius in a zombie apocalypse circumstance.
katana arent that great they are deisgned with the poor steel of japan in mind, a tachi has more cutting power and less resistance due to a thinner blade. the best for the zombie apocalypse would probably be a conyer style falchion, shadiversity has a video series on them check it out. they are extremely thin razor sharp blades.
I don't know what you are basing your assessment on, but I actually have a couple of these swords and can attest that they are about as tough as you can make a length of sharp steel and amazingly capable of cutting flesh and bone. I have done destructive cutting tests against steel oil drums, old SCA helmets and shields, and a variety of pig, cow, and deer remains. In my experience the profile of the specialized goza cutter is superior to the more traditional katana, and optimally heat-treated 9260 spring steel is more resistant to damage than any other steel alloy I have tested.
nice video. though i think it would be interesting to talk about armor to. its something i find a lot of zombie survival conversations never stray into and while i will admit that armor making in the zombie apocalypse will very likely be primitive, there will be still those armors in museums and private collections that someone will have to get their hands on. maille is good enough to stop a shark bite, though it doesn't help much for bludgeoning damage, but plate would serve you against both, and might make you immune to zombies. a shield probably wouldn't help to much against a horde though it would give you a safe surface to push your way through (not a perfect solution but better than nothing) and be useful against individual zombies in sparsely infected areas.
Falcata gets my vote. Blade design just screams power cuts and its length seems perfect for the distance you'd likely be in. Plus I wouldn't have qualms using it as a utility tool either.
Personally I am really surprised that I have never seen people mention Viking short axe or tomahawk as a zombie weapon. It is short, light, agile, reliable and easy to maintain. You can even forge one yourself from a railroad spike. On top of that, use a small shield, doesn't need to be the huge Viking shield, even something as small as a buckler is really good. Good thing about shield is you can bash and stun the zombies with it without much danger, and then land an easy kill blow. Or when you are trying to run past lots of zombies, you can just power push them to the side, without a lot of danger of getting gabbed. I am surprised how seldom people think shields when it comes to fighting zombies, it's a remarkably good piece of weapon and really easy to obtain too.
@Academy of Historical Fencing Very good video! My guess is that for an overall "Book of Eli", "The Walking Dead" scenario, I would imagine that among the best choices are a kind of Bolo machete/short sword like Denzel Washington had/used, and/or a Chinese Dao, or a Roman style Gladius or Greek Xiphos. These are all shorter swords, so you are sacrificing a bit of reach - but, you gain A LOT of maneurvability. All of these weapons are great at slashing and you can easily thrust with all of these short sword options as well - plus, you can easily pickup modern tactical versions as well. One or more of those babies would be my personal pick!
Just pick up a hammer. Pointy end for armors, blunt end for bashing skulls. Affordable (chances are, you already have one or two at home), versatile, and no maintenance nor sharpening needed.
I have added ZomPoc to my Christmas wish list, and I certainly hope that some of your discussion was taken directly from the book! This has got to be your most quotable video made yet. “The rapier just sucks…it does look cool though.” “Fear is a factor; and Zombies have no fear.” “But the Zombie does not actually stay at distance. They charge right at you.” “How many people get bitten in the hands by Zombies? A lot.” “…you could dual-wield, because that’s the kind of thing that gets you going.” “The zombies, hopefully, aren’t armed.” “It might look the way an Orc would build a Katana” -Nick Thomas, 2016 I fully expect your citation count to triple following this. =)
I would really argue something like a falcata is a great idea. It combines the cutting power of the axe with the handling of a short sword, and if paired with something like a small-medium sized shield, really works well for massed fighting, close-quarters work, and can be used to stab and slash with minimal training. I've done training with falcata/macahaira-type swords before, and aside from being front heavy, which you eventually get over with enough training, they're really fun to fight with. The biggest downside might be the semi-open guard, but that could be improved on by somebody with metalworking experience and the right tools. Or just use a gauntlet.
I would argue a good equipment set up would be a Polish saber that is much like the 1796 cavalry saber, paired with a kindjal/quama for the offhand or to be used as more of a tool; kindjals are very much like the gladius, and were used in the south like seaxes were in the north. Past this having a nice solid fighting knife as well as a viking style bearded hand axe, which are actually very lively and easy to use, not like other axes. Assuming I have a horse i would probably also have a composite bow for shooting and either a Naginata or Dane axe as a chopping polearm. That would prbably be my ideal equipment.
Monosteel Katana. Easier to carry than long sword. Tougher than long sword. Less issue with edge alignment and getting stuck. More mass behind the cut.
It would be a lot cooler if you didn't contradict your own points by saying that fighting against other swords is a disadvantage for one, but doesn't matter for another...
I'd go with either a Gladius, khopesh or even a sivkle sword. Good chopper and turn it around and you have a point you can swing with instead of stab. More power to get through a skull.
I was surprised that you didn't mention a monosteel katana - it has all the physical advantages of a katana while being just as durable (possibly moreso due to being extra thick) as any other sword.
kind of fitting that the bible chopper works well with undead creatures
Where did you get that flachen?
Hahahaha!
The closest (but still not exact) replicas of the Two-Handed Maciejowski Bible Chopper Crusader Sword/Falchion that I've been able to find so far are available at:
www.bytheswordinc.com/p-4666-two-hand-functional-medieval-chopper-sword-sg-2213.aspx
www.outfit4events.com/eur/product/5729-two-handed-falchion-maciejowski/
I wish the presenter would have included a link to where he obtained it from, as it's a really neat weapon.
Either that or the next best thing: Kangxi Dao: ua-cam.com/video/uTclUGCOpHA/v-deo.html
@@JSharap because you posted. I just saw my post over 3 years ago. I completely forgot about it
The best advice I've heard is to get two knives and tie them to your arms.
That way when you are turned into a zombie, you can mindlessly hack at the living more efficiently.
this gets me every time.
Ha lol ☺😂
Don't forget to wear a helmet!
Finally, a legit reason to DUAL WIELD!
So basically just turn yourself into Galvarino. Minus getting your hands chopped off by Conquistadors and all that.
Spears spears spears wall of short spears. Easy to make. Absolute versatility
SPARTANS
*H A L B E R D*
I hear ya!
Why not a nagamaki or a naginata
Hard to destroy the brain though
I think my favorite part about this video is that you don't have multiple edits per sentence. Your flow and comfort on video is refreshing and engaging and your lack of "um"s and "er"s is likewise very respectable and adds to the confidence the audience can have in what you have to say on the topic.
Not to mention your obvious background and expertise.
Well done.
"bible chopper" - cool name
A viking sword would be a real bible chopper
And a Dane axe is an everything chopper.
That other weapon would be Quar 'an chopper. Chop all the religious books. Which other religions have books?
Buddhism has a lot of books. Lot's of different sects. I should really remember this, I just learned it a month ago in global studies XD.
*F A L C H I O N !*
or a messer, same thing really
Falchion sucks, its 2 handed and only does 2d4 pff
2d4 > 1d8
"Falchion sucks, its 2 handed and only does 2d4 pff"
My Half-Orc Cleric/Fighter used a Falchion. He had the Destruction and Murder domains, I believe. Murder gives you Keen Edge at level 7. You have to understand that once you reach a certain point in the game your damage dice matter a lot less than your criticals and your overall bonus damage. 15-20 crit range is very useful in Pathfinder where critical rules are take maximum possible damage roll and roll again. His crowning moment was blending a purple worm to pieces from the inside out after he was swallowed. It was looking like a fairly real possibility that the worm was going to wipe the party as well.
Why Falchions are good at the zombie apocalypse
1) Durable
2) Will still kill even when blunt
3) You can use it to break windows and doord
4) Your can use it to chop wood
Most falchions have a relatively thin blade made for chopping squishy targets. Not so good for chopping wood, the blade would likely be damaged quickly.
For the all-around tool/weapon, a messer, machete or thick edged falchion would be awesome : )
Wouldn't putting nails in a bat just reduce the integrity of the wood making it a worse weapon? The nails could also get stuck in a person/zombie.
Many modifications on a bat do weaken it or make it more heavy then its worth, best thing to do is get a cheap but effective modification, ie knife blade into a wooden bat, not likely to get stuck, it’s got the range of a bat and effectiveness of a knife but is inherently weaker, you get the pattern
Based on wide usage in Ww1, this isn't a real issue. He called it a trench club for a reason...
I find that wrapping it in barbed wire is more effective.
Oh, that's what the barbed wire is for... 😆
I know it isn't a sword but a poleaxe is a bad ass weapon against zombies. Get armored up and have two bible choppers and shields guys to funnel the zombies into your death zone and you can mow them down.
I am always surprised that people don't at the very least make duct tape armor during a zombie apocalypse even if it is just your forearms and wear some sort of gloves. Heh.
Poleaxe will exhaust you, if theres a horde
LOL you published a survival zombie book AND run a historical fencing club HAHAHAHA that's one like and one sub from me buddy.
Interesting, I've been thinking of buying an upholstered couch like that but I've been wondering about the maintenance. The other day I was checking out a few designs, there's just something about the retro aesthetic that I kind of like.
@moggykirby But hell, 100000 dollars or even more, you'll go bankrupt
I'd go with something that goes with a shield. You can make a light, transparent, hell even bulletproof plastic shield today convenient enough to carry around.
Exactly. Modern police riot shields are stronger and lighter than medieval wooden shields and also transparent, giving you full visibility. Ideal for a zombie apocalypse!
Why no spear and a couple of javelins, or just the spear, if you're good with HEMA, go with the mace
Idk the scariest part of zombies is their relentless determination and when their are mobbing under mobbing conditions shield kinda just acts like a giant handle for a few zombies to grab onto to slow you down.
If you have a group of people, shields are great. The Romans held off much higher numbers of armed and clever humans with shield formations. A dozen+ people ranked up and turtled behind shields could do serious work against a mass of zombies. Use a light short sword or dagger to stab zombies over time without wearing yourself out. Spears in the back ranks. It’s what I would do in a group.
Yes indeed. Shields would become more important than weapons.
Were there ever a zombie apocalypse my kendo would suddenly have a practical use.
"MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN MEN"
i love listening to these videos while i work. great background noise and its kind of fascinating to listen to someone who knows what they're talking about
Hello. I have my grandsons train with a gladius in one hand AND a tomahawk in the other, against 'the woods giant', which is an oak log, with crossarms attached, swinging from a rope. This site is on a slight slope with lots of trip hazards. I expect 3 whacks per log swing. Tomahawk chops, pulls, pushes, and blocks... the sword chops, cuts, stabs, and blocks. Why the Gladius? Hallway, doorway, close quarters limit the arc of longer swords. Run a long sword into a rib age, body drops twisting. You are open at that moment to the pressing horde of zombies! Mundane weapon: ballpeen hammer. Less gore. Cheers.
You're damn right that's how an orc would build a katana! That's a monster of a sword fit for a beast!
This is the most important youtube algorithm output of 2020
This is awesome! Very well thought out!!
Gladius, back sword and buckler is best, it was not difficult to carry 2 one handed swords on a belt.
History teaches everything you want to know. The legionaries had to march incredible distances, carrying all of their fighting and surviving equipment and still be able to engage in a fight at any time. Being so, one can infer that the tower shield, with a gladius hispaniensis and 3 pila would be the way to go. The pilum can work as a javelin or as a medium spear, if you need distance. The gladius and the shield speak for themselves. And, if you manage to get a motorcycle helmet, legs and arms protection, you become the threat to zombies and people alike. Not the opposite.
Gengkhis khan army : am i joke to u?
Nice advice. thank you for the great info.
You have down to earth practical videos/ideas. Very useful👍.
How about a boar spear and cutlass? I know its not a sword, but seems like using something designed to keep something at a distance would be a good start. And much better point control on spears.
Spears keep people at a distance because they don't want to be stabbed. Zombies don't care. They'll keep advancing even if you skewer them and if there are several (they usually swarm in numbers) you won't have time to extract the spear to stab again...
@Re nato I agree regarding cutting swords like falchions and axes, especially when used with a shield to protect your left side and hands. Maille armour would also be helpful to prevent bites and cuts/stratches. If you're rich enough to afford some kind of plate armor you could opt to use a polearm instead but the plate would slow you down when trying to run away.
I suspect there might be modern combat mesh materials which are as strong as chainmail but lighter, so could me fashioned into a modern, lighter form of mail, but modern military body armor obviously focuses on stopping bullets or shrapnel instead, so I don't think it would be useful against zombie bites.
The first sword i thought of for a zombie apocalypse was the Gladius, since i was following the same train of thought as you were with the "better machete, close quarters fighting" etc. But what would work even better in my opinion, are a Falchion or even more a Falcata. Especially a Falcata would have the necessary impact power but retain a higher speed than an axe. But i must say, i would probably prefer your final choice over mine, awesome video! :D
I love falcatas
"it's not subtle, it is awesome" I love it
Great video. Thank you.
Perfect anti-zombie blade: The ginunting
Thank you for the video! However, we should not forget that
a) zombies are terminated for good by destroying the brain/chopping of the head
b) often show up in huge masses.
The perfect blade form for the zombie apocalypse needs to address these two issues.
Backward curved blades, like the beautiful 1796 LCS, deal devastating cuts, but severing a head remains a hard thing to do, as you rightfully pointed out. Cutting into a skull with enough depth of penetration to destroy the brain is not easy, either. On the other hand, cutting into a skull or smashing it in (with a pick or axe) always carries the danger of getting one's weapon stuck, which can become a severe problem, if more than one zombie is faced.
The perfect blade form against zombies therefore is the Filipino ginunting. The ginunting (many don't know this) was developed during a smaller zombie plague in Northern Luzon in the early 19th century. Its forward curved tip turns the slash into a stab, thus allowing for maximum skull penetration, while at the same time solving the problem of weapon retention. It is short enough to be used one-handedly, allowing for the use of a gun in the second hand, and to be carried as an EDC item. No weapon is of use if you don't have it on your body when the undead rise.
panabas.de/blades.html
I will be honest, the bible cutter took me by surprise. I didnt expect you to pull out such a fitting weapon for a zombie apocalypse.
That is a sword that any sword newbie can swing it and chop limbs and heads, it is Tough (odds are you will break before it) and you can carry it around quite comfortabily.
9/10 Really liked your pacing and choises, seems I will subscribe hah
This was entertaining and informative, thanks.
Very intelligent and thorough analysis. I agree. Great presentation.
I'd like to point out that is a maintz gladius, which in my opinion was the most practical and useful gladius the roman empire ever issued. don't get a pompeii gladius, you will die. I would still rather get a kopis or falcata, but I would sooooo carry a shield. in the immortal words of Gobber the Belch, "If you must make a choice between a sword or a shield, take the shield."
Chinese war sword would be a good choice.
a nice selection, and while i was missing the swordspear, overall it was a good selection and conclusion imo ^^ well done =)
Very cool video, a little long but very complete, loved it !
I wonder if you could end a zombie rightly by unscrewing the pommel from the blade and throwing it at their skull
Naruto Uzumaki nope
It's a poor tactic against non humans to be honest.
Haha you have been watching that Scandinavian guy who talks about swords and weapons .
Haha end everyone rightly do what ever it takes .if it works use it .just win .take care everyone .
11:11 I thought that a zombie was about to enter the room. Fortunately you have many swords to choose :)
Great video I loved it!
very thurrough and interesting video, thank you for sharing!
LOL!!! Fuck having a sword in a zombie apocalypse!! Give me a 4 foot length of 3/4" rebar. I don't need to worry about maintaining a cutting edge or blade warpage. And the rebar will literally smash through any walking corpse with ease.
True that being said an aluminum baseball bat will do that good a bit better! But ofc useing something like a Saber and a Pistol on off hand is some scary shit and has some style points!
Actually quite surprised that the Chinese Dao was not mentioned, allot of the broad variants are not unlike an in-between of the beefiest falchions and cutlasses.
I love this video for ALL of the reasons, and so very British! Cheers from the states mate!
your mustache sir! you just became my favourite youtuber!!! glorious!!!
In all honesty, I think a sword would not be the best weapon at all for the zombie apocalypse. It has an edge which has to be maintained, and which, once lost, seriously impairs the effectiveness of the sword. You have to get through the skull, and repeatedly cutting through bone is going to take its toll. A mace or a warhammer would be a better weapon for that use. They're not actually heavy at all, there's no edge to maintain, and since they were designed to injure men in armor, they'll crush skulls like eggshells. They'll be effective against living people (and you can target, and break, arms, legs, ribs, etc.) as well, and while you can't fence with them, lets face it, you're not going to be meeting many skilled swordsmen that would require you to do so anyway, even if you had a sword.
That bible chopper, or really any thick blade, doesn't need a sharp edge to get the job done. You could cut someones head off with the edge of a road sign if swung hard enough.
And if you're going with a smasher like a warmace, a tire iron or just a steel pipe would do the same job against unarmored people. With the bonus of you can find either at any hardware store, autoparts store/garage, or big department stores like Walmart.
Span a rope in a narrow path + lure zombies to trip over it + Finish them of with sharp pole-weapon = Profit
In the military, we quickly learned that a sharpened entrenching tool make a very effective hand-to-hand weapon. It is short, durable, and can cause deep slashes if not sever limbs.
Decapitation may be required to kill a zombie, but if you can't get to the head or neck in the first swing, a good chop to the limbs can weaken or cripple a zombie, giving you a better opportunity to dispatch it at a lower risk.
The only problem I have with swords in this zombie apocalypse scenario is practicality and efficience!
A sword, mace or spear would add weight that is only useful if you are in combat - remember that you need to carry all your stuff!
Axes however are good enough weapons while still usable as tools.
Therefor my weapon of choice would be a shepherd's axe!
Dani F True but if you're in an urban environment a hammer may be a more practical tool.
A good hatchet and machete are probably the most versatile tools to carry.
Axes have the hazard of lodging in the zombie skull!
Bardiche
BardicheBardiche
so enjoyable i subscribed.
And here I was expecting a sabre to be your final recommendation!
Bible Chopper!!!!!! or a 1796 for style
(Without having seen the video yet) Personally, I'd go with some kind of a saber or arming sword and a buckler. They're kinda best all-around weapons - not too long, but still with a decent reach; not too heavy, but still very capable. Apart from blocking, the buckler can also be used for punching. As for the protection, I'd use chainmail (doesn't impede mobility too much, yet resistant to biting and scratching even if very thin wire is used) and maybe a visored sallet.
The Gladiator sword was already my fav, powerful and fast, but I’m impressed with that Bible Chopper, very handy
a basket hilt cutlass is a personal favorite of mine. the sort of cutlass you might find in the navy.
I've actually been wanting to get a Maciejowski Bible falchion for a while but I don't know where the best ones are since there's hardly any reviews for them. The Baltimore Knife And Sword Godenak looks pretty decent but are there better options?
I haven't seen those models sorry. It was so long ago that I cannot remember the smith that made my one, but this reseller seems to sell them. They are cheap and robust, through there are prettier examples out there.
www.outfit4events.com/eur/product/5729-two-handed-falchion-maciejowski/
Try this guy, he has a very good reputation: artofswordmaking.com/
Academy of Historical Fencing made by fabri-armorum.com/english/?id=tesaky.php
These all look fantastic, I'll have to wait a while, though, because I recently bought the Medici falchion from Arms & Armor, but as soon as I have the money I'll be getting one of these.
Ah yes, I should have remembered that. They mostly make heavy re-enactment beaters, but that makes them well suited to constructing a falcion :-)
Realistically you wouldn't want to use a sword you would want some sort of war hammer like a Indian war club or maybe a Viking axe
Nice overview of edged weapons with a bit of a humorous angle. Well done forkeeping a straight face throughout. I'll stick with my Knights Templar Accolade sword and a crossbow or two to keep the zombies at bay.
Back to swords, I would be quite interested how would falcata deal with according to you?
Gonna have to go with a Scottish Baskethilt Broadsword.
I would go with a sgian dubh
@Colin Cleveland no fucking clue, I don't even remember what that is
kilij or the falcuta?????
grosse or lange messer
Monty Bigbore I suggest both well if it's your opinion
What do you think about that Asian Dao sword?
Want an overlooked antizombie weapon? Grab a 4-5 foot broom handle, put a nail on the point and sharpen it into a small spear. You can effortlessly stab through fences, gates, small windows, etc, for base defence.
I think in this case ts more abot the ability of weapon maintenance so imo an axe or a knife or a spear would be good. I mean mankind has forged the wheels, the carts, the campfires, the houses, and all those things and we started with the axe, knife, and spear. And to be honest you dont NEED a metal weapon to crack a skull, this is a walking corpse you're talking. So i suggest ya'll take the time to learn how to make a stone axe. Trust me this skill will come in real handy.
이치고 an axe is a good weapon for use against any ones head there light fast and cut deep .
Wait wait wait.
Why do we assume that short is good? Wouldn't you want to keep a safe distance at all costs? Their body fluids are their weapon. And it's not like finding the best weapon against a dagger, because a human selecting a dagger would attempt to rush you immediately and cross the perimeter where he's out ranged in a dash. Zombies not so much. Just pick a halberd, poke them back to safety, trip them with the hook, spike them to the skull, next one.
GregTom2 until you are in a closed space
JakotaDelk Delk A weapon that can thrust effectively can be much more useful in a closed space than some cutlass that you actually couldn't use in a hallway.
Enclosed space just ensure that you don't get surrounded, a situation which makes thrust oriented weapon inadequate.
I don't agree with the cutlass, or a halberd. If they happen to get to close a halberd becomes useless. An arming sword or something similar would be a better choice, in my opinion. You can thrust effectively, slash, hold by the blade and bash with the handguard, and break skulls with the pommel if your real close. All the halberd has on that is it's better at thrusting and it's range, which can become useless fast.
JakotaDelk Delk I have a feeling like the real most efficient weapon against zombies is antiseptics and several layers of clothing and face protection.
And maybe a pickaxe.
GregTom2 and guns
Thanks for your analyzation. I am going to write a zombie apocalypse fiction and I am still thinking whether to let my hero to use a basket hilt sword or a rapier plus a main gauche at the beginning of the story. Your idea is a good advice.
As soon as you brought up the gladius I gave this video a thumbs up. Clearing modern buildings doesn't offer up alot of space which would make the gladius shine. If I had to choose melee weapons for a zompoc my first choice is a spear for out in the open, as combat closes in a gladius and shield. A smaller viking type axe as backup and for survival. And lastly a rugged survival belt knife, mostly just for day to day living but in extreme desperation can be used in combat.
Enjoyed the video. Good synopsis.
What about a Katana made with a softer mono steel construction instead of the tradition construction? I feel like the handling and other characteristics of a katana, outside of the long term durability issues, are fantastically suited for a zombie apocalypse. You could get around the durability issues by getting a modern mono steel katana made with something like 1060 or 6150 steel.
double post
If I was going to go with a katana I would choose go with a through-hardened spring steel in a specialized goza cutter configuration, and probably a ko-katana at that. You would end up with a durable weapon, optimized for heavy cutting, and proportioned for close quarter combat. I think it may out perform a gladius in a zombie apocalypse circumstance.
katana arent that great they are deisgned with the poor steel of japan in mind, a tachi has more cutting power and less resistance due to a thinner blade. the best for the zombie apocalypse would probably be a conyer style falchion, shadiversity has a video series on them check it out. they are extremely thin razor sharp blades.
Zen Hydra the specialized goza cutter wouldn't be very good against flesh and if you came up against other humans with swords you'd have an issue.
I don't know what you are basing your assessment on, but I actually have a couple of these swords and can attest that they are about as tough as you can make a length of sharp steel and amazingly capable of cutting flesh and bone. I have done destructive cutting tests against steel oil drums, old SCA helmets and shields, and a variety of pig, cow, and deer remains. In my experience the profile of the specialized goza cutter is superior to the more traditional katana, and optimally heat-treated 9260 spring steel is more resistant to damage than any other steel alloy I have tested.
what about sword for Trump Apocalypse?
Just invoke his name, it makes people break out in a case of "the literal shakes".
You don't.
You want to use a hammer in the Trumpocalypse. That way you can break through the ludicrous number of walls everywhere.
Sean Peery HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!
Great video! Please do a video on the Bible Chopper. Thank You.
nice video. though i think it would be interesting to talk about armor to. its something i find a lot of zombie survival conversations never stray into and while i will admit that armor making in the zombie apocalypse will very likely be primitive, there will be still those armors in museums and private collections that someone will have to get their hands on. maille is good enough to stop a shark bite, though it doesn't help much for bludgeoning damage, but plate would serve you against both, and might make you immune to zombies. a shield probably wouldn't help to much against a horde though it would give you a safe surface to push your way through (not a perfect solution but better than nothing) and be useful against individual zombies in sparsely infected areas.
Falcata gets my vote. Blade design just screams power cuts and its length seems perfect for the distance you'd likely be in. Plus I wouldn't have qualms using it as a utility tool either.
got a link to that book? would like to check it out but i'm not having much luck finding it.
www.amazon.com/Zompoc-How-Survive-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1906512337/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477669918&sr=8-1&keywords=zompoc+how+to+survive
Personally I am really surprised that I have never seen people mention Viking short axe or tomahawk as a zombie weapon. It is short, light, agile, reliable and easy to maintain. You can even forge one yourself from a railroad spike. On top of that, use a small shield, doesn't need to be the huge Viking shield, even something as small as a buckler is really good. Good thing about shield is you can bash and stun the zombies with it without much danger, and then land an easy kill blow. Or when you are trying to run past lots of zombies, you can just power push them to the side, without a lot of danger of getting gabbed. I am surprised how seldom people think shields when it comes to fighting zombies, it's a remarkably good piece of weapon and really easy to obtain too.
I would think a short cutlass would be idea. It seems like the most versatile weapon/tool.
A montante would be a huge pain to carry, but it would be quite fun to watch in action.
Machete is hands down the best for the simple fact you can find them every where and can replace broken ones often.
Great 👍 vid. I had a feeling the Falchion was going to be No. 1
"It's not subtle, it is awesome
Hahahah brilliant man... keep it up!
what about a kukri or kopis type of weapon?
Are the sprues in your bat threaded?
@Academy of Historical Fencing Very good video! My guess is that for an overall "Book of Eli", "The Walking Dead" scenario, I would imagine that among the best choices are a kind of Bolo machete/short sword like Denzel Washington had/used, and/or a Chinese Dao, or a Roman style Gladius or Greek Xiphos. These are all shorter swords, so you are sacrificing a bit of reach - but, you gain A LOT of maneurvability. All of these weapons are great at slashing and you can easily thrust with all of these short sword options as well - plus, you can easily pickup modern tactical versions as well. One or more of those babies would be my personal pick!
I will agree with the back sword for the basket Hilt on it and you are functional for both living and dead opponents
Orc Katana is perfect, I instantly thought an Uruk master craftsman would make that blade
Just pick up a hammer. Pointy end for armors, blunt end for bashing skulls. Affordable (chances are, you already have one or two at home), versatile, and no maintenance nor sharpening needed.
what is your opinion on the dadao?
Any opinion on the falcata?
your video was very amusing
I have added ZomPoc to my Christmas wish list, and I certainly hope that some of your discussion was taken directly from the book! This has got to be your most quotable video made yet.
“The rapier just sucks…it does look cool though.”
“Fear is a factor; and Zombies have no fear.”
“But the Zombie does not actually stay at distance. They charge right at you.”
“How many people get bitten in the hands by Zombies? A lot.”
“…you could dual-wield, because that’s the kind of thing that gets you going.”
“The zombies, hopefully, aren’t armed.”
“It might look the way an Orc would build a Katana”
-Nick Thomas, 2016
I fully expect your citation count to triple following this. =)
I would really argue something like a falcata is a great idea. It combines the cutting power of the axe with the handling of a short sword, and if paired with something like a small-medium sized shield, really works well for massed fighting, close-quarters work, and can be used to stab and slash with minimal training. I've done training with falcata/macahaira-type swords before, and aside from being front heavy, which you eventually get over with enough training, they're really fun to fight with. The biggest downside might be the semi-open guard, but that could be improved on by somebody with metalworking experience and the right tools. Or just use a gauntlet.
Where did you get that overnight Bible Chopper?
It is this model, as a sharp
www.fabri-armorum.com/en/p/falchion-maciejowski/
That falchion was a badass
I would argue a good equipment set up would be a Polish saber that is much like the 1796 cavalry saber, paired with a kindjal/quama for the offhand or to be used as more of a tool; kindjals are very much like the gladius, and were used in the south like seaxes were in the north. Past this having a nice solid fighting knife as well as a viking style bearded hand axe, which are actually very lively and easy to use, not like other axes. Assuming I have a horse i would probably also have a composite bow for shooting and either a Naginata or Dane axe as a chopping polearm. That would prbably be my ideal equipment.
Monosteel Katana. Easier to carry than long sword. Tougher than long sword. Less issue with edge alignment and getting stuck. More mass behind the cut.
You used my favourite phrase "you think the katana is a lightsaber". here's me thinking I made it up. ah nevermind awesome vid!
Where can I buy the exact same viking sword?
what if you are light build and cant wield a giant sword ? dont you want to avoid blood spatter because of chance of infection from bodily fluid ?
Neat, when the zombie apocalypse happens I'll know exactly what to pick up when I raid my local museum for swords.
My pick handle with a flanged metal head suits me just fine.
How about a quality tomahawk and long knife? Useful or not?
It would be a lot cooler if you didn't contradict your own points by saying that fighting against other swords is a disadvantage for one, but doesn't matter for another...
I need that book :D
I'd go with either a Gladius, khopesh or even a sivkle sword. Good chopper and turn it around and you have a point you can swing with instead of stab. More power to get through a skull.
I was surprised that you didn't mention a monosteel katana - it has all the physical advantages of a katana while being just as durable (possibly moreso due to being extra thick) as any other sword.
Me myself i have a Scandinavian sword from the 800-1100 era AKA viking sword. Love vikings, medieval and all that goodness.
Where did you get that backsword?
Bonham's auction house. It is an original from around 1620-1640.