[TangoFoxtrot]

Originally Posted by Landmonster

Hello all.

I know that this is a gun forum, but this is a survival sub-forum.

There are many conceivable events where a person MIGHT need a melee weapon to survive, if things get bad enough.

For example:

1) You somehow get separated from your firearms and/or ammo in a SHTF event.
2) The government confiscates your firearms and/or ammo, and it is not prudent to resist at that moment (for whatever reason),
3) Your firearms and/or ammo get destroyed (flood, fire, etc).
3) Your firearms break, or crucial parts/accessories break.
4) You eventually run out of ammo, in a prolonged SHTF.
5) Your firearms and/or ammo get stolen.
6) You need a melee weapon to defend yourself without making lots of noise.
7) You need to take weapons into "gun-free" zones.

These are all potentially valid reasons, however unlikely. You can probably think of other scenarios as well.

Now, I've never really owned or researched any modern melee weapons, aside from small folding knives.


What kind of melee weapons would it make sense to stockpile? Are there better types for different situations?

I want the most effective, most practical, most deadly choices. Nothing unnecessarily fancy or expensive.

Discuss.

Number 2 is never ever going to happen..At least mine anyway.

[HexHead]

The Spetsnaz do pretty well with an entrenching tool.

[Haldor]

Originally Posted by thetoastmaster

This.
As much as I love the long blade and pole weapons, how would I carry one around? A full-sized spear won't even fit in my car.

A Cold Steel Bushman make a decent camp knife and you can easily turn it into a spear (assuming there are trees where you live). I have one I vacuum sealed (seal-a-meal) that is part of my emergency kit in the trunk of my car. Cheap and effective.

Amazon.com: Cold Steel Bushman Black SK-5 Steel Cordura Survival Sheath: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Cold Steel Bushman Black SK-5 Steel Cordura Survival Sheath: Sports & Outdoors

[Haldor]

Originally Posted by Bren

So for melee weapons to stockpile, I'm going with Bastard Sword...with magical enchantment.

Be sure to get a flaming sword so you can start your camp fire with it. Or would a frost weapon be better for keeping meat from spoiling? Decisions, decisions.

D&D would be so handy for a survivalist. Got a sucking chest wound, no Doctor around? Don't worry, just drink a potion.

It is funny how overpowered most video games make a guy with a knife.

The game is filled to its gunwales with shooter ridiculousness. The most terrifying enemy in the game, for instance, is a guy with a knife. He runs at you, with his knife, across a battlefield whistling with small-arms fire. Your squad mates will alert you to the knife guy's presence, which is never not hilarious. Everyone's got automatic weapons and the dude with a knife is the single most terrifying enemy onscreen.

http://kotaku.com/5925548/in-a-world...-knife-is-king

[Bren]

Originally Posted by TangoFoxtrot

Number 2 is never ever going to happen..At least mine anyway.

If the government decides to take your guns, they will take your guns - "cold dead fingers" comes to mind. However, in the case of 99.9999% of the people saying things like this, as soon as half a dozen armed police show up, they'd be taking them to the guns and helping to load them in the truck. Directly resisting when they show up at your house can only end with you dead or in prison. "Live to fight another day" is a more realistic philosophy when there is no way to win.

[Bren]

Originally Posted by Haldor

A Cold Steel Bushman make a decent camp knife and you can easily turn it into a spear (assuming there are trees where you live). I have one I vacuum sealed (seal-a-meal) that is part of my emergency kit in the trunk of my car. Cheap and effective.

For hunting/self defense with a hand held weapon it is hard to beat a short spear. A bow is even better, but that takes skill and is not a "melee" weapon.

I was just thinking,. last time I watched walking dead, that a spear is the perfect zombie weapon - quiet, has some reach and never runs out of ammo.

[barbedwiresmile]

LOL at this thread. My vote for funniest in awhile.

If you've ever seen a greenhorn puke his guts out at the sight of a deer being gutted, you can imagine how well he would do in a bloody edged weapon fight.

Side note guys: a baseball bat is an awful weapon. It's heavy, slow, unbalanced, and requires a swinging motion that leaves you very exposed. Save the baseball bats for baseball. And katanas? Lmao.

As for my preferred "melee" weapon: I'm thinking a big halberd like the Swiss guards use. That with some tights and a funny hat and I'll be the coolest at the mall dress up survival party.

See y'all at the melee.

[Triple7]

Easy choice Light Sabre!!!!!

[Ruggles]

Originally Posted by Triple7

Easy choice Light Sabre!!!!!

Now that would be cool. Except if the damn thing turned on while jammed in your waist band.........

[Ruble Noon]

Originally Posted by barbedwiresmile

LOL at this thread. My vote for funniest in awhile.

If you've ever seen a greenhorn puke his guts out at the sight of a deer being gutted, you can imagine how well he would do in a bloody edged weapon fight.

Side note guys: a baseball bat is an awful weapon. It's heavy, slow, unbalanced, and requires a swinging motion that leaves you very exposed. Save the baseball bats for baseball. And katanas? Lmao.

As for my preferred "melee" weapon: I'm thinking a big halberd like the Swiss guards use. That with some tights and a funny hat and I'll be the coolest at the mall dress up survival party.

See y'all at the melee.

[sigman69]

one of these

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/

or a machete that has been sharpened.

[Cavalry Doc]

Originally Posted by Landmonster

I know lots of stuff will "suffice".

I'm seeking what is best.

The one you have in your hand when you need it is best.


There is no perfect answer to your question. If you are worried about confiscations, pick things that aren't normally seen as weapons. Garden and farming tools have been used for centuries as weapons.

[leadcounsel]

Inside vs. outside?

Grabbling or standing up?

Remember also that just because YOU don't have a gun, others may...

Clubs ( oak table legs, baseball bats, staffs) work well. A 18 oz hammer would be a very formitable weapon. Close quaters I'd go for something like a hammer or a large kbar style knife. Or an aluminum baseball bat, or even a childs version. You can get aluminum baseball bats for under $5 at garage sales and salvation Army stores. Or maybe a lightweight survival ax.

http://www.americanknifeandsword.com...FaN_Qgod01sAhg


Outside, it would be a light strong fast sword like a katana. Perhaps a spear.

And perhaps a bow or crossbow for range.

I can see almost ZERO circumstances where you'd pick a non-firing weapon over a gun. Perhaps just for 'silence,' but now we are venturing down a tinfoil hat rabbit hole.

[Warp]

I don't stock, let alone stockpile, any melee weapons.

I've always been partial to the spear, due to the reach...and my interest in ancient Greece obviously involves spears as a central weapon.

A quick access knife should be on you whenever possible, regardless of anything else. I keep an Emerson LaGriffe on my neck.

[btaylor]

Originally Posted by barbedwiresmile

As for my preferred "melee" weapon: I'm thinking a big halberd like the Swiss guards use. That with some tights and a funny hat and I'll be the coolest at the mall dress up survival party.

See y'all at the melee.

The whole time while reading this thread I had been thinking Lochaber Axe. Wear the kilt sans briefs for extra shock value.

[Raked]

Anyone have an opinion on these? Are they a legit tool or just a toy?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/ed9a/?srp=5

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f074/?srp=3

[NorthernAlpine]

Originally Posted by Bren

Melee weapons? Do you get a lot of your survival knowledge from Dungeons & Dragons? Nobody else really uses the term "meleee weapons" unless it is leaking into mall ninja land from the large population of D&D playing mall ninjas.

Best quote ever. I think this is going in my sig line. Thank you Bren for helping me remember that common sense is still the most crucial principle of patrolling.

[mac66]

Originally Posted by RWBlue

There is a reason the pope made the crossbow illegal to use in war.

I am not suggesting the bow/crossbow vs. glock. I am suggesting bow when the other option is a machete/sword.

Even if I only get off one aimed shot before I have to drop the bow and go hand to hand, I am still better off than the person with no distance weapon.

I will try shooting three moving targets.

Tell me how much luck have you had hunting with a machete or sword?

The OP was talking about melee weapons. A bow/cross bow isn't a melee weapon. It is probably not the best weapon for hand to hand fighting

I carry a machete in my truck and on my ATVs and when walking/riding around on my hunting property. It is the single most useful tool when out in the woods IMO. I've dug holes, cut down trees, built shelters, chopped fire wood, carved up animals for the stew pot with mine. It can be a formidable weapon as well.

On the other hand if you had a machete you could make a bow, spear, spikes, snares, traps to hunt with.

Point is, if given a choice between a bow and a machete for surviving in the woods, I'd pick the machete.

[John Rambo]

Originally Posted by Landmonster

Hello all.

I know that this is a gun forum, but this is a survival sub-forum.

There are many conceivable events where a person MIGHT need a melee weapon to survive, if things get bad enough.

For example:

1) You somehow get separated from your firearms and/or ammo in a SHTF event.
2) The government confiscates your firearms and/or ammo, and it is not prudent to resist at that moment (for whatever reason),
3) Your firearms and/or ammo get destroyed (flood, fire, etc).
3) Your firearms break, or crucial parts/accessories break.
4) You eventually run out of ammo, in a prolonged SHTF.
5) Your firearms and/or ammo get stolen.
6) You need a melee weapon to defend yourself without making lots of noise.
7) You need to take weapons into "gun-free" zones.

These are all potentially valid reasons, however unlikely. You can probably think of other scenarios as well.

Now, I've never really owned or researched any modern melee weapons, aside from small folding knives.


What kind of melee weapons would it make sense to stockpile? Are there better types for different situations?

I want the most effective, most practical, most deadly choices. Nothing unnecessarily fancy or expensive.

Discuss.

A home gym.


How many of you survivalists can run an 11 minute mile?

[John Rambo]

Originally Posted by Bren

If the government decides to take your guns, they will take your guns - "cold dead fingers" comes to mind. However, in the case of 99.9999% of the people saying things like this, as soon as half a dozen armed police show up, they'd be taking them to the guns and helping to load them in the truck. Directly resisting when they show up at your house can only end with you dead or in prison. "Live to fight another day" is a more realistic philosophy when there is no way to win.

Half a dozen armed police?

Police are pretty shoddy at any kind of combat. Soldiers are one thing. As are SWAT teams. But Barney Fife would be little more than cannon fodder.

[sebecman]

Originally Posted by John Rambo

A home gym.


How many of you survivalists can run an 11 minute mile?

Just FYI - this is a Survival and Preparedness forum.

There are very few if any "Survivalists" here.

Most of us are just grown up Boy Scouts that have an interest in the skills and mindset of our ancestors.

[RWBlue]

Originally Posted by John Rambo

How many of you survivalists can run an 11 minute mile?

It depends on what is chasing me.

Run Forest run

[Taphius]

Originally Posted by Bren

I was just thinking,. last time I watched walking dead, that a spear is the perfect zombie weapon - quiet, has some reach and never runs out of ammo.

I've been trying to explain that to my wife...but she is more ok with me getting more ammo and firearms than a spear..

I really want one of these

Amazon.com: Cold Steel Assegai Long Shaft with Secure-Ex Sheath: Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com: Cold Steel Assegai Long Shaft with Secure-Ex Sheath: Sports & Outdoors

[Mr.Pliskin]

My "melee weapon" is a ESEE 5 or a 12" sog bowie, or and number of folders I carry everyday.

[mac66]

I'm thinking a 4 ton SUV would make a pretty good melee weapon.