I almost forgot one of the best arguments for a short infantry sword/falchion/cutlass, etc...environment. Are you more likely to be fighting in an open field or in the aisle of a supermarket as you and your opponent simultaneously grab for the last packet of Ramen Noodles? What about in your living room? Southern pine forrest? Office building? Would you still want that bastard sword, viking sword or polearm? Hmm...a gladius might be a better all-around choice than even a hanger.

J.L. Weeks, 16th Alabama Infantry, is right there with you, Roger.
(image from http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/18...hotos.htm)

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If I ran out of ammunition (which is unlikely, but this entire scenario is theoretical so lets say I did) I would have to fall back on my ATrim Ranger. This is the only sword I currently own that I would feel comfortable going head to head with a zombie. Although I really can't think of one I would rather have. It may be a 1.5 hander, but it works equally well with only one or two. And it cuts like no other(ok so others cut just as well, but work with me here). I think it would be enough to make any drooling zombie blink at least once.

And if that didn't work I could always run the other direction. Zombies never struck me as being very fast. :cool:

Well, I'd say I'd go with what I'm most learned in. Probably something along the lines of the Albion Next Gen Baron. Actually, to be honest, I'd really take it just because of how badass it is.
But since right now all I own is the Last Legend Ranger (ugg... pitiful, I know,) I'd probably take the sharpened stick lying on my patio.

armor:
Kevlar vest
gamebeson
modern infantry helmet

Weapons:
AT1562, Lady Carmen (as I know what she's capable of.)
Ka-bar tactical fighting knife

Then anything and everything from Craig Johnson and the team at A&A I can find.
Hopefully I can find a Durer Bastard sword, and a 15th century two hander. :D
Same goes for Albion and ATrims. Just remembered I forgot Vince Evans.

Hypothetically...can I take more than one sword? :wtf:

I would take a Schiavona with a heavy basket and a cut and thrust blade. That way I could cut or thrust at arms length and box up close.

ks

give me a sword cane, and ill go make friends with my enemies. keep your friends close, enemies closer and all that.....sharp wits are the only way to beat a sharper blade. and for those with the firearms...................you cant shoot what you cant see.

well since i'd want something that couldnt break easily...I'd want a howard clark L6 katana in Nagamaki Zukuri style. blade length 29.5" and tsuka length 14" :cool:. saya custom made to have a steel outside and wooden core like the gunto saya (purely to prevent saya damage common of plain wooden saya).

There have been some really great replies to this 'scenario'... thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

And yes, you can hypothetically take more than one sword/gun/whatever. ;)

I would take a broad blade schiavona.
Hands down.
Of course, a thorpe-type falchion would also be the ticket, however the tendency to slip from the hand.
Any broad cutting sword would do, but a must would be to have support for the pinky finger of the sword hand or index finger of the off-hand, when in actual killing mode.
Point work would be a given to me anyway, as most all swords despite style can puncture.
But I've never seen a rapier being mentioned as a premier head remover.hehe
Just my two cents.

As I have but a meager collection, consisting of a Cutlery World Longsword, a Cutlery World Short Sword, a couple of OLD epees (blunted), a pair of Indian decorative Scimitars(?), and lastly a poor reproduction of Sting :lol: , I would probably grab them all and use them as armor, strapping them to all parts of my body. But I'd have to use something, so....
The scimitars would be my first choice I think,but they'd most likely break in their first testing. The Sting sword is my next choice.
But I think I'd need to make some weapons from the garage...

My best bet is probably to lay low and hook up with some of you guys. : )

Ah, now this is fun. Outfit for pure combat worthiness:

For a personal sidearm, an H. Clark L6 bainite katana - 32" blade, 11-12" tsuka (handle), saya (scabbard) with long kojiri and semegane in tachi/handachi style (metal chapes and rings and such, for reinforcement).

For a backup weapon - H. Clark L6 bainite naginata-naoshi wakizashi - 20-22" blade, possibly naginata-naoishi.

As a primary weapon - H. Clark L6 bainite naginata, with modern materials for the mounting and a long wicked blade.

From an armament standpoint, the naginata would render me extremely effective against unarmored opponents on foot, with a long katana ready for deployment just in case. And for emergencies and tighter confines, a wak of those dimensions and blade type would still do some major damage. And of course, none of my weapons would be in danger of failing even under extreme stress.

OK, since we can have guns, an M-14 rifle for range and 12 gauge with a 10 inch barrel for the "oh s**t" moment when the zombie pops up 12 feet away.
For the cold steel, I'd go with weapons that suit my style of swordplay, a two handed Swiss sabre for when there's room for manuver and a good hanger for when things get close. Since I have neither and I was stuck with what I own.....My Atlanta Cutlery "dragon" sword. I bought it back in 93-94, it's a 32 inch broadsword, crosshilted, holds an nice edge, will take out saplings, pork roasts and carpet tubes with equal aplomb. Nice teak handle and scabbard, Phillipene made I think. A bit tip heavy, but does have an awesome tip cut. For close work, my 10 inch chef's knife.
Cheers,
Michael

This takes me back to my youth playing FGUs 'Aftermath' :D

Have to have an AK47, for it's rugged build and the huge numbers of spares on the planet.

As for the hand to hand, gotta take my soon to arrive pollaxe (5", 4 pronged maille and 6" bec de faucon) and my old White Rose single handed sword, she has a 24" balde and beutifull balance, just ideal for getting stuck in close in Zombie hand to hand or living adversaries, whether in groups or individually. :cool:

i would choose my Degesse sword and a round shield. The sword is only 35 inches long but the blade is just under 3 innces at the gaurd and come to a fine point like a long triangle. The sword is fast given it weight because of the tapering and yet heavy enough t otake a limb off. The best feature is its fine point for quick kills. Combined with a shield this is the best combination i feel even against pole arms. you can see at this link:

http://www.swordsdirect.com/battle-ready-swords.html

very nice price for a battle ready sword $130

I'm not too picky on sheilds. Sheild should not be same weight as sword for balance. You can make yourself from wood.

well since I'm just facing a few zombies at a time and not an organized army, i would have to say I would rely on a nice stout 6' quarterstaff. Of course for the close combat for ramen noodles I would trust my steel buckler and sgian dubh- yeah it's small but it's fast. I want something small and fast when a zombie is trying to rip my face off!
-james