What is the best zombie apocalypse melee weapon to use in an outbreak? This question is the subject of many high-energy debates with a variety of strong opinions. Some argue that the range and accuracy of a firearm is best, as you can pick ghouls off from afar. Others will point out that the noise from a gunshot negates the advantage of range, and you will draw any nearby walking dead to your position. Suppressors will mitigate this effect, but ammo will run out and corrode over time as well. Melee weapons will be necessary and vital for a zombie apocalypse or any other type of SHTF scenario. The right melee weapon in an apocalyptic situation could mean the difference between survival and…well….you know.
A melee weapon will help conserve ammo in a zombie apocalypse situation while not giving away your position, but which melee weapon is best for the coming zombie uprising? Here is a look at some conventional( and non-conventional) choices to take a look at.
Roman Gladius
A Roman Gladius isn’t the most common zombie apocalypse weapon people associate with an outbreak, but there are some aspects that make it an interesting choice. A Gladius is a short-bladed sword with a dual edge and a long narrow point. The guard is relatively small, and the pommel is usually bulbous.
The short length isn’t great for keeping the undead at a distance, but the dual-edged blade makes it excellent for a flurry of quick back-and-forth strikes when you’re in a tight spot. The incredibly sharp tip is also perfect for piercing thrusts through almost anything, including the zombie skull.
Katana
The Katana is one of the more popular and iconic zombie apocalypse melee weapons, thanks to shows like The Walking Dead and High School of the Dead. The curvature of the blade keeps the sword slicing through each slash. The sturdy point is also great for piercing blows through skulls, helmets, and other barriers.
The single-sided blade is a hindrance though, as you can only slash the sword in one direction. The length also hinders the quickness of follow-up strikes. A fair amount of training is necessary if you will be taking more than one ghoul on at a time.
Machete
The Carbon Steel Kukri has been adopted as the machete of choice for many soldiers, campers, and hikers. The broad head and angled blade allow for more chopping power in a compact size.
Machetes usually have a single-edge blade, but the short length allows for quicker follow-up blows. Also, the short, wide blade allows you to grip the back of the blade for leverage.
Hatchet
This Tomahawk-style Hatchet features a handle long enough for a two-handed grip and a sharp spike in the back.
The hatchet is more of a multi-purpose tool that you can also use as a weapon in a pinch. This chopping tool is more than capable of hacking through fences, firewood, limbs, and the like. Some have pikes, hammers, or other tools attached to the head, which can add a variety of uses.
The long handle can be used as a bit, to keep the undead’s jaws occupied on something that isn’t you. The small blade-length can be troublesome though, as your accuracy will suffer in high-stress situations.
Crowbar or Prybar
These prying tools can also be used as weapons if needed. The ability to pry open doors, lids, or whatever may contain valuables will come in handy when scavenging for goods. They are heavy to lug around for long periods, but the available titanium options are stronger and lighter. While the lighter weight will make a crowbar easier to carry, it will also diminish its skull-crushing abilities.
The typical way to use these is a straight bash to the zombie’s skull. However, you can also use the chisel-end in a thrusting motion for a devastating attack. If used in a downward motion with a lot of weight behind it, this thrust can smash through just about anything.
Try a European longsword. Seriously, they are much better options for melee combat than pretty much anything else. Well balanced, efficient, durable.
Thanks for the feedback! I’ll look into european longswords for part two.
Cold Steel makes both a cutlass and a “cutlass machete” (essentially a slightly lighter and significantly less expensive version of their cutlass), both of which are essentially hangers. If you’re going to learn to swing a sword, I highly recommend it. The problem with all blades is that become truly proficient with them is a rather lengthy process.