ZOMBIES!!! The Best Weapons for Obliterating Zombies in the Apocalypse Read Free Page A

to crush a skull if used effectively. Some historical models have a metal loop over the handle and this protects the hands when fighting. Generally, pre-19 th century versions (or good contemporary replicas) are preferred over later 19th century models (arsenal tulwars). These tend to be inferior in quality, and they are less useful for fighting the undead.
     
     
    Sabers have a rich American military history. They were used historically by both officers and members of the cavalry. Because the cavalry had to fight from horseback, they needed a sword that would reach the infantrymen lower down on the battlefield. The saber, with its long, curved blade, fit the bill excellently. Sabers are fairly long and only one side of the blade is sharp. While they are good at slashing and stabbing maneuvers, they are ineffective at head crushing or decapitating a rotting mass of zombie lurching towards you. What sabers excel at is dismemberment. This can certainly aid in halting a zombie, even if you can't effectively kill it.  If someone trained seriously on the saber, and had a good deal of strength behind their blows, they might be able to partially, if not completely, decapitate a zombie. However, this would be a rare instance. It has an excellent looped metal hand guard to protect from biting zombie teeth and to protect your hands from injury. The swords have kept up well through the years. Even a model with two or three hundred years on it can make an effective weapon with a little TLC. You can also get some more contemporary models through the military.
     
     
     
    Rapiers are a light-weight sword with a long, toothpick-like blade. Their art and precision is well known. However, what worked well on the living, (a simple jab to heart was enough for someone to bleed to death), does not work well on the dead. This type of fighting was highly ritualized, and its effectiveness was in having a partner who was also similarly equipped. They came into fashion after the advent of cannons and hand-held muskets made plate armor and chain mail obsolete. While a highly civilized weapon, it was never intended to damage the skull or brains. It is useless against zombies and should be avoided at all costs. You are better off wrenching a heavy table leg off a dining room table and using that then ever using a rapier. Even against the living, it is ill advised. With weapons like bows or guns making this kind of stylized fighting obsolete, there is no real use for this weapon outside safe and civilized sport at your armored compound Rec room. If you do have nothing to use but a rapier, your best bet is to go for the eyes. Once speared in the eye socket, the blade must be moved around in the skull cavity, essentially lobotomizing the zombie.
     
     
     

Japanese Swords: Katanas, Wakizashis, and Nodachi
     
     
     

    Katanas come in a variety of lengths. They were originally developed for use by the Samurai in feudal Japan. They were often paired with a short, ceremonial sword called a wakizashi. The few katanas still around are in museums or private collections. It is unfortunate because for many the katana is the ultimate weapon for fighting zombies. Exceedingly sharp, it was designed to cut the light-weight armor soldiers wore in feudal Japan. Because of the exceedingly fine and sharp blade, this sword could easily decapitate a zombie. Some katanas were so sharp that they claimed to have the ability to slice through one, two, and six bodies easily for the user. Generally, sword smiths placed low-carbon and high-carbon steel together in one blade, giving it strength and flexibility. The top half of the sword is much sharper than the bottom half, so users should slice at a zombie's neck with the top half.
     
     
    It's an impressive piece of weaponry, but there is some skill in using it. Only one side of the sword is sharp. Unskilled users should make sure to use the sharp side when attacking a zombie. Because it's so sharp, there is a real danger of