Re: Melee weapon appraisals

[Xolotl]

With regard to what Dan said I have to say that I think that ragers are the most likely zombie we could face but I think there won't be only one type, it'll probably be a mix of shamblers and ragers. The shamblers may be older ragers, not like pensioner old I mean like they've been a zombie for a while and their muscles are beginning to deteriorate kinda old, and I doubt magic or voodoo will have anything to do with it. That makes me think that a decent sized axe would work well since it could chop or crush a skull and go straight through a guys chest or leg or whatever. What Jesk was saying about tasers I have to disagree with unfortunately. A tazer would not set someone on fire unless they had just gone swimming in a propane tank obviously, but I personally think that it would be a really useful thing to have with you. A tazer sends electricity through the body making the muscles contract involuntarily. If it hit a zed, whose muscle control is not the best, it would stop him from bothering you for a lot longer than a regular human, which would give you plenty of time to get away from him.

[ramenronin]

Yeah a taser would work, actually I think Jill used one as her defense item in the RE remake for the GC. Probably not the best idea if you're dealing with multiple attackers though, undead or otherwise.

And I'm going to assume we'll be doing a fair amount of digging post zday. There's crops to plant, temp shelters to construct, poop holes to make, landfills, traps, graves etc.

[Jesk]

With regard to what Dan said I have to say that I think that ragers are the most likely zombie we could face but I think there won't be only one type, it'll probably be a mix of shamblers and ragers. The shamblers may be older ragers, not like pensioner old I mean like they've been a zombie for a while and their muscles are beginning to deteriorate kinda old, and I doubt magic or voodoo will have anything to do with it. That makes me think that a decent sized axe would work well since it could chop or crush a skull and go straight through a guys chest or leg or whatever. What Jesk was saying about tasers I have to disagree with unfortunately. A tazer would not set someone on fire unless they had just gone swimming in a propane tank obviously, but I personally think that it would be a really useful thing to have with you. A tazer sends electricity through the body making the muscles contract involuntarily. If it hit a zed, whose muscle control is not the best, it would stop him from bothering you for a lot longer than a regular human, which would give you plenty of time to get away from him.

Yeah a taser would work, actually I think Jill used one as her defense item in the RE remake for the GC. Probably not the best idea if you're dealing with multiple attackers though, undead or otherwise.

And I'm going to assume we'll be doing a fair amount of digging post zday. There's crops to plant, temp shelters to construct, poop holes to make, landfills, traps, graves etc.

So we all agree I didn't think it through?
Xol, you have to consider the possibility that zombies BECOME zombies by bathing in propane (it is a liquid, I assume?), and turn you by dragging you to their place of origin... hey, that means that there will be successful pools with many zombies, and unsuccessful ones with only a few... what if they go to war with each other..? And form alliances?
Ramen, wouldn't we be using actual shovels for that sort of thing? I mean, if we have time to plant crops, we have time to grab an actual shovel... and not just a shade that sort of can act like a weapon.

[Dan Champion]

Propane is actually gaseous while room temperature I'm not sure why Xol said that. Maybe a tank full of gasoline. Or alcohol.
Ah /b/ folder, I salute you. An image for every occasion.

[Xolotl]

I know it's possible to get liquid propane, just a lot harder to find and probably easier to get and use gasoline now that you mention it. That could actually work as a way to get rid of zeds, have a pit they can't climb out of, put a couple of nozzles on a frame and douse with petrol while they walk to you, then shoot them with one of these; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtHi_0Qc3Ts&feature=related

Also Jesk, you type in the same kind of way that I talk. It's really funny and kind of creepy, in a good way obviously. I think you'll fit right in.

[Dan Champion]

Seems like kind of a waste of fuel though

[ramenronin]

Seems like kind of a waste of fuel though

Took the words right outta my mouth.

wouldn't we be using actual shovels for that sort of thing? I mean, if we have time to plant crops, we have time to grab an actual shovel... and not just a shade that sort of can act like a weapon.

I was thinking for more practical things that survival shovels and E tools are used for. Namely making scout pits and field latrines.

The way I see it:
The more things something can do = less things to carry = less things to worry about = less things to go wrong.

[GENJψ Æ 穴☼☢۞҉░]

Seems like kind of a waste of fuel though

Took the words right outta my mouth.

wouldn't we be using actual shovels for that sort of thing? I mean, if we have time to plant crops, we have time to grab an actual shovel... and not just a shade that sort of can act like a weapon.

I was thinking for more practical things that survival shovels and E tools are used for. Namely making scout pits and field latrines.

The way I see it:
The more things something can do = less things to carry = less things to worry about = less things to go wrong.

the only input I have about multi-purpose combat-able shovels is that I wish I could find one designed twice or even three times the size at least length-wise for the big guys like me. I can't remember which brand but an older survival shovel I used to have also had a camp wood saw in its handle too that was fuckin awesome and if I ever catch whoever raided my camp an stole my good gear while I was fishing, I will destroy them and make them one with the earth!!

[Jesk]

I was thinking for more practical things that survival shovels and E tools are used for. Namely making scout pits and field latrines.

The way I see it:
The more things something can do = less things to carry = less things to worry about = less things to go wrong.

the only input I have about multi-purpose combat-able shovels is that I wish I could find one designed twice or even three times the size at least length-wise for the big guys like me. I can't remember which brand but an older survival shovel I used to have also had a camp wood saw in its handle too that was fuckin awesome and if I ever catch whoever raided my camp an stole my good gear while I was fishing, I will destroy them and make them one with the earth!!

http://www.extremely-sharp.com/field-shovel-axe-and-saw-6-in-1-tool.html
something like this?
It's pretty cheap, so there must be some kind of drawbacks?

[ramenronin]

The tactical shovel I posted have a replaceable handle, so I'm sure you'd be able to make a custom one since you carve.

[autonomous]

http://www.extremely-sharp.com/field-shovel-axe-and-saw-6-in-1-tool.html
something like this?
It's pretty cheap, so there must be some kind of drawbacks?

If that's an aluminum handle that would be a major draw back. Aluminum dents to easily, wood or steal are heavier but more durable.

[IronGeneral]

While I like the idea of a multi-tool shovel, I would still suggest carrying a solely melee weapon weapon. Day-to-day jobs would blunt the edge of your shovel and that might fail you in battles to come. But a mace would be pretty good. All it is is a metal-headed club. Simple weapon. I have one which is made for a horseman with a foot long handle. Also, has anyone looked into halberds? that would be something to see.

[ramenronin]

You worry about dulling blades then immediately advocate a blunt weapon?

[IronGeneral]

Well you can't dull a blunt weapon. The dulling of blades was just an example that you should keep your weapon and tools separate from each other. And who wouldn't the advocate the mace lol? It's a very versatile weapon and I mentioned it because someone above did, I can't remember who. I personally am going to use a bastard sword. And I was worried about blunting the shovel. The coldsteel video really advocated that it had major cutting power but if you use that cutting power on wood and other day-to-day jobs all day it might fail you when you really need it. lol I know that was lengthy

[Xolotl]

I personally don't see anything particularly wrong with having a mace but if I were told to choose a blunt weapon then I would have to pick a warhammer, partly because I find it a really nice weapon and partly because the name is awesome! And as a point to the versatility thing, a mace only does one thing and that is hit stuff really hard, of course the actual versatility comes from the guy wielding it and deciding exactly what it is he is going to hit really hard. Choosing exactly what weapon I'll have is really hard, the bastard sword is a really good weapon, and I like using claymores. That reminds me actually, you know when Genju posted about that Deadliest Warrior show, well I went to find those episodes and I found one about the hypothetical fight between William Wallace and Shaka Zulu, and Will had a claymore (obviously) and this fantastic combo of a dirk and a shield with a six inch spike on it. What he'd do was run at his opponent as fast as he could and stab the shield into him, his left arm through the strap the other hand holding the edge, and then he'd get the dirk and shove it through the guys neck. Thoughts on this tactic redirected towards the head?