Weapons: Non-Firearms

Non-Firearms

Choosing the correct weapons will be one of the most important things you will do. It will mean the difference between death and survival. There are many variables to consider when picking a weapon to use against the Undead. Weight, durability, effective range, stopping power, and ease of use are a few of the more vital factors to take into account. Above all else, never carry just one weapon. In this post we will discuss broad fields of weaponry. In another post we will go over specific weapons that you should consider to be your primary goal to obtain. To start off this post, we will go over some general rules first.

1. Obey the law - follow your state's regulations on firearms and explosives, you do not want to have a criminal record when the Undead rise.

2. Train constantly - a well-trained individual with the very basic weapon has a better chance of survival than any novice with the latest firearm; no matter what weapon you choose, it must become an extension of your own body

3. Care for your tools - firearms need to constantly cleaned, and blades/bludgeons also need polish and rust protection; care for your weapon as if it is a living thing, otherwise you will not be

4. Beware display items - some weapons you may come across will be merely for decoration; these will not be nearly as durable or reliable as the actual thing, so find out if it's an original

5. Develop the first weapon... the human body - if cared for and trained properly, the human body is the most dangerous weapon on earth; Americans are known for their lack of physical excercise and bad diet, do not be one of these "ready-to-eat" cattl; know what your body is capable of, and study and master at least one martial art

Bludgeons

This category includes weapons such as: the baseball bat, lead pipe, crowbar, cast iron skillet, carpenter's hammer, and the sledgehammer. When using a blunt weapon, remember that the goal is to crush the brain. Sticks, ax handles, and other wooden clubs are good for knocking a zombie out of the way or beating off an individual attack. What they lack, however, is the strength and weight necessary for a lethal attack. The best bludgeon is the steel crowbar. Its relatively lightweight and durable construction makes it ideal for prolonged close combat. Its curved, semi-sharpened edge also allows for a stabbing motion through the eye socket, a primary target, directly into the brain case. In addition to this, the crowbar can also pry open doors, shift heavy objects, and other tasks it was originally designed to perform.

Edged Weapons

This category includes weapons such as: the ax, hatchet, machete, and the sword. Blades, in any form, have advantages an disadvantages over bludgeons. Those that have enough strength to split the skull rarely stand up after many repetitions. For this reason, slicing, particularly decapitation, serves almost the same function as a head blow. The advantage of slicing over bludgeoning is that it can make killing a zombie unnecessary. Simply chopping off a limb or severing the spine is enough to disable a zombie. Remember, however, that a decapitated head can still possibly bite, and therefore remains a threat. Also, blood from severed limbs can be in large amounts, and there is a large danger of getting infected from this. If any bodily fluid from a zombie (such as blood, saliva, or mucous) enters you, whether through a cut in your skin, into your mouth, or by any other means, you will be infected as if you were bitten. Do yourself and more importantly, your close ones, a favor and shoot yourself in the head. Back to blades, your best bet will be the common machete, because of its size, weight, and availability.

A variety of other hand weapons exist and may serve as useful weapons. If you come across a tool you think may be useful, ask yourself these five questions:

1. Can it crush a skull in one blow?

2. If not, can it decapitate in one blow?

3. Is is easy to handle?

4. Is it light?

5. Is it durable?

Questions 1 and 2 are essential, but 3, 4, and 5 will have to depend on your present situation.

Power Tools

Despite what the movies and games portray, the chainsaw is NOT an ideal weapon. One: fuel supply is finite. Two: Carrying extra fuel cells means extra weight. Three: a single mistake may cause you to tear through your own flesh and bone just as easy as any Undead. Four: like all machines, there will be a ton of noise. 1+2+3+4=zombie dinner. Resist the tempation to pick up any power tool.

Sling

One would need extensive training to be accurate at all with this weapon. Scoring a direct head shot will be near-impossible. You will be better off throwing rocks.

Slingshot

This weapon is much more accurate than the sling, however it lacks punching power. At no range, no matter how close, will any projectile from a slingshot penetrate a skull. Using this will merely alert a zombie to your presence.

Blowgun

Poison has no effect whatsoever on the Undead. Therefore, disregard this weapon entirely.

Throwing Knives

These short-range weapons require weeks of practice to hit something like the human body, and months of practice to accurately hit something as small as the human head. Don't waste your time mastering a third-rate weapon. Use that time instead to learn a decent, conventional weapon.

Long/Compound Bow

Hitting a zombie through the head is a very difficult task. A more practical use is to deliver incendiary arrows to silently start fires at long distance.

Crossbow/Hand Bow

A crossbow is not a firearm. However, the power and accuracy of a modern crossbow can send a "bolt" clean through a skull at a quarter mile. Dubbed "The Silent Killer", its quiet firing will be invaluable to you when attempting to sneak by the Infected and forced to take one out. A one-shot, it is a sniper's weapon and should only be used for a single zombie, not crowds, and only if you are in a group, defending your home, or when no silenced firearms are available, since it is relatively heavy and considered a primary weapon. The hand bow has inferior accuracy, power, and range compared to the crossbow, so use this weapon sparingly.

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Credits to Max Brooks' "The Zombie Survival Guide"
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