What is the best Katana for a zombie apocalypse?

[Reqq]

It's a simple smooth spike, it's easier getting that out that trying to free up a blade that doesn't just split the bone yet fractures it around the entire blade. If you're worried about that here's a flanged mace. Same effect as the morning star with less penetration and very little chance if at all getting stuck as the side flangs will prevent the weapon from getting stuck.

Now we're talkin'! Two of those and I'd be in my element! Definitely weld on some knuckle-dusters to the handles though for a bit o' bling.

[The Fiend]

Only reason I'd recommend the morning star over the flanged is the fact the morning star also give you the option of thrusting the top spike if you can't get a good swing in with the flanged. Versatility is king when fighting off zombies.

True enough, but the problem is maiming a zombie usually does not hurt it, so a thrusted spike may only serve to waste energy.

[Iluuni]

Obvious choice ! doubt the artist takes commissions for actual weapons though :P

Morning stars are terrible btw, it takes quite alot of skill to wield them and unless your zombies are wearing armor they are not very effective :P

They would be more effective since you're just hitting flesh and bone rather than adding armor into the equation. As for skill? Are you serious? It's a hammer with spikes on it. Doesn't take much skill.

True enough, but the problem is maiming a zombie usually does not hurt it, so a thrusted spike may only serve to waste energy.

Why would you maim it instead of thrusting the spike into the face/forehead and getting to the brain just as easily as hitting it on the crown of the head?

[tlacoatl]

I train in fencing styles, and from experience from me and my tutor I can say this.

a Martial arts weapon is NEVER a combat weapon, the most combat it will see is a duel.

And you won't be dueling zombies, you'll be fighting many of them.[COLOR="red"]

---------- Post added 2013-01-21 at 11:48 AM ----------

you are kidding right,
I'm not knocking it, any combat style practised well can be effective, but having practised fencing back at uni, I'd not say it would be overly effective.

Your instructor sounds like one of those, probably very skilled, but shortsighted people who think their style is superiour to anyone elses and so dismiss other people's. I've ran into quite a few over the years, they usually fail to adapt when confronted by something new and so fail.

I've always taken the approach than sticking to one style out a sense of purity is silly, take what works from wherever you can find it. If you tried fencing against butterfly swords, you have one chance to take me out with a perfect hit as I close, fail to do so and you wont be able to use your weapon, whilst mine are perfectly suited to a series of incredibly rapid attacks over a large target area and I can easily reverse my grip and strike from various angles whilst you are restricted to recovering between each strike.

Like I said, I've no doubt fencing can be effective, and it usualy comes down to the skill of the practioner more than the style. But I'd advise you losing the "its not a combat weapon" thing, its incredibly restrictive to your outlook. Anything is a weapon and should be treated as such.

[Castiell]

They would be more effective since you're just hitting flesh and bone rather than adding armor into the equation. As for skill? Are you serious? It's a hammer with spikes on it. Doesn't take much skill.

Hmm, might have had it confused for a flail ^^

[Ninaran]

None, obviously.

[Iluuni]

Hmm, might have had it confused for a flail ^^

Yes, a flail would be terrible to use. They take years of practice to be effective and require way too much open space to get a solid hit in. You need to assume you're in a space where you can't really swing a weapon, this is where a thrusting weapon becomes superior and the morning star is the best of both worlds.

[The Fiend]

Yes, a flail would be terrible to use. They take years of practice to be effective and require way too much open space to get a solid hit in. You need to assume you're in a space where you can't really swing a weapon, this is where a thrusting weapon becomes superior and the morning star is the best of both worlds.

I remember when I first picked up a flail. I put it right back down because I knew I was going to hurt someone.

---------- Post added 2013-01-21 at 12:32 PM ----------

Why would you maim it instead of thrusting the spike into the face/forehead and getting to the brain just as easily as hitting it on the crown of the head?

Because that front part has a nice crumble zone of soft bone and fleshy bits, so it can absorb most of the blow and leave the brain intact.

Or worse, your 'star gets wedged.

[Iluuni]

I remember when I first picked up a flail. I put it right back down because I knew I was going to hurt someone.

---------- Post added 2013-01-21 at 12:32 PM ----------



Because that front part has a nice crumble zone of soft bone and fleshy bits, so it can absorb most of the blow and leave the brain intact.

Or worse, your 'star gets wedged.

The front is nice and soft, but a morning star's spikes are usually 4-6 inches long. You find me someone with a brain that protected by 4 inches of face and skull and I'll show you the extinction of humanity.

As for getting wedged? There's literally no way it could get wedged with a thrust to the face, the spike goes in and hits the center mass. It's pretty hard to get a simple spike wedged in a decaying face.

[Boil]

Proper training is key when using a katana to sever a zombie's head from his/her shoulders…!

Bugei Trading Company - Shobu Zukuri Katana

[The Fiend]

The front is nice and soft, but a morning star's spikes are usually 4-6 inches long. You find me someone with a brain that protected by 4 inches of face and skull and I'll show you the extinction of humanity.

As for getting wedged? There's literally no way it could get wedged with a thrust to the face, the spike goes in and hits the center mass. It's pretty hard to get a simple spike wedged in a decaying face.

Pretty sure a zombie is not going to be using their frontal lobes anymore, so a few prongs stabbing it are not going to be harming the brain much. But you do make a good point.

Also, I think a flanged mace would be easier to keep in shape, Morning star spikes would have a habit of falling out.

[krethos]

None, obviously.

Well sure.

If zombies were made out of Metal.

Hurr durr.

[Ishmad]

Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, 'nuff said.

[Castiell]

Proper training is key when using a katana to sever a zombie's head from his/her shoulders…!

Bugei Trading Company - Shobu Zukuri Katana

Its not only proper training, even when you are trained it requires a huge amount of concentration to use effectively.
Unless your a ninja that trained for the apocalypse all his life and acquired a zen like state that he ismable to keep it up for days at a time, a simply sharp enough sword will do more.

[Ninaran]

Well sure.

If zombies were made out of Metal.

Hurr durr.

Why would I want an inferior sword if I could just take a longsword? I just don't get all this Katana hype :I

[Castiell]

Why would I want an inferior sword if I could just take a longsword? I just don't get all this Katana hype :I

Because against enemies that do not fight back with tools and with proper technique it will decimate incoming hordes more quickly than any other hand weapon.
Simply put: its very good at decapitation O:

Also: black chick from walking dead :P

[krethos]

Why would I want an inferior sword if I could just take a longsword? I just don't get all this Katana hype :I

Slashing/Sharpness over Blunt/Thrusting. I would rather a lightweight katana which could slash a zombie in half in a single motion, than a heavy longsword which will mostly just hack and get stuck in their bodies.

Either way, a Leaf Blade beats both. as it takes the strengths of both.

[Castiell]

Slashing/Sharpness over Blunt/Thrusting. I would rather a lightweight katana which could slash a zombie in half in a single motion, than a heavy longsword which will mostly just hack and get stuck in their bodies.

Either way, a Leaf Blade beats both. as it takes the strengths of both.

Isnt that a Pokemon ? or at least a Pokemon attack ?

[The Fiend]

Its not only proper training, even when you are trained it requires a huge amount of concentration to use effectively.
Unless your a ninja that trained for the apocalypse all his life and acquired a zen like state that he ismable to keep it up for days at a time, a simply sharp enough sword will do more.

Actually, you can hack and slash around you with a sword to your hearts content. Proper training is when you wish to swing said sword at a person, not a walking meat stick.

[Verain]

You should totally ask this question, exactly like that, at swordforum.com.