Melee Weapons

At melee combat range, you will engage with your attacker at a modestly safe distance, and most likely employ a weapon that falls into one of two categories:

Bludgeons: weapons in this category include any object that can be used to cause a depressive fracture on the skull and penetrate the brain cavity.  They include, but are not limited to formal weapons such as maces, war hammers, and cudgels, in addition to any number of improvised blunt trauma tools.

Blades: any weapon two to three feet in length with a single or double sharpened edge falls into this armament class, and includes swords, machetes, hand axes, and tomahawks.

Bladed weapons of sufficient weight can be used to strike and penetrate the skull. Lighter edged weapons made of thinner steel that may have difficulty penetrating the cranium should focus attacks on the soft tissue of the neck.

Weapons

“Any tool is a weapon if you hold it right.” - Ani DiFranco

Fighting the undead should be always a weapon-based engagement. The necessity of penetrating the skull cavity and significantly damaging the gray matter almost requires the use of some sort of combat implement.

Finding the ideal weapon to use against the living dead is not a “one size fits all” situation. As you continue to train and develop your fighting skills, you will find yourself more proficient at certain tactics and weapons than others. Your preferences for particular combat ranges and techniques will also become apparent.

Due to the inevitability that you will have to engage in combat at any number of distance ranges that are not your preferred method, and because one weapon will not work in all instances, it is advised that you carry at least one weapon to cover each designated combat range.

Our evaluation of weapons will cover the following subcategories:

• Long Range - Pikes, spikes, spears and polearms
• Medium/Melee Range - Bludgeons and blades
• Close Combat - Edged weapons and carry methods
• Improvised Weapons
• Defensive Equipment