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Post by Elheru Aran on Nov 30, 2011 20:46:56 GMT
This is definitely better. I'm with Luna about dropping the ricasso, but for a tac blade I don't mind it too terribly. After all, it's kinda difficult to make a more 'modern' aesthetic without changing a lot of the looks around...
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Post by WEWolf on Dec 1, 2011 4:10:40 GMT
I kinda' like it. The price tag is a bit much, but if it's well made and handles like a sword...
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Post by Anders on Dec 1, 2011 17:01:11 GMT
That's hilariously dangerous.
This one I like. Looks sorta like a tactical take on a Jody Samson design.
The fact that it doesn't have the tasteless etchings is another plus.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Dec 1, 2011 17:11:11 GMT
Seconded; I like their Apokatana and d'Capitan 2012 well enough, but the etchings just make them look like toys.
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Post by Anders on Dec 1, 2011 17:16:33 GMT
Note that they even have a picture of an unetched d'Capitan, and it just looks way better in every way. ><
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Dec 1, 2011 17:42:23 GMT
Extremely. The only etchings of theirs I like are the scale style (or whatever you wanna call it) that they have on the Spit and Backwoods Bone Machete. Those actually look good.
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Post by Miekka on Dec 3, 2011 7:36:24 GMT
An interesting concept. Personally I like the aesthetics of a ricasso on a short one handed like that, but that is just me. I've always wanted to see a sword with double fullers and a ricasso with Viking era fittings....
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Post by brissybeater on Dec 28, 2011 5:23:50 GMT
Hey guys, I dont post much these days (time short) and since the shift to the new forum. But I have to admit these guys have really got my eye in terms of having their own flavour but obviously still making a properly tempered for most of the models distal tapered blades. I actually like the zombie-esque aesthetic to it, lots do tacticool or historicool but few have hit the "zombie/WROL/SHTF/apocalyptic" theme and still producing a hand crafted, reliably made blade in an American small business (yes I'm Australian but I like to support small business). I was'nt a fan to their older models (in their discontinued section) and I suppose thats why I glanced over them when they first started, now they seem to have developed more knowelege and I'm really enthusiastic about their newly designed models. I like both the acid etch finish and the rough hammered finish, I think they are both more stylish that bare metal or overly polished metal. I think they bring a good take to old designs and the price (for ahand made, small production blade in a locally owned business) its actually a fair price considering whats involved. This fulfills another blade niche (zombie apocalypse etc which is NOT a dwindling niche by popular culture standards). They also seem to put alot of love into the things. As to their testing of the Deuce I agree it could of been done safer, but its done now, moving on, hopefully they wear more protective gear next time. The tests did give good evidence though, we should focus on that. Here is some youtube links to video's of theirs; 1) Go to 1:27 to start the video (the start just has the guy prattling on about his Haloween stuff). With alot of the pumpkin cutting the guy is using the new tac-viking Ferrous Wolf blade, shots of Apokatana and a shot of the Reaper at the end. 2) Cattle Head chopping (not for squeamish but validates chopping), penetration on skull with the Tooth Dagger (one I'm interested in), Urban Bone Machete (with attachable guard) and Apokatana. Now think of the cutting on the snout, the jawbone is a very hard bone (been used as a tool itself in history) and they are smashing through bovine molars as well (very strong teeth for constant grinding). So this test does give insight into the weapons potentials. While these blades would be on the heavier side and no Albion or Custom job, with some proficiant wielding, even if not strictly in WMA, JSA, martial arts styles etc. These would be formidable blades if used with martial fundamentals of footwork and disciplined cutting technique.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2011 16:38:46 GMT
thanks very much for that first vid, i hadn't seen it before.
after learning that they are also available without the acid splatter, the hellion is pretty sure going to be my next sword
when i saved enough that is
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Post by brissybeater on Dec 30, 2011 12:35:35 GMT
This is an interview with the guys, going through their general forging methods and talking about their philosophy of why they make them. Its a light interview. I think the whole business and product concept are just neat.
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Post by brissybeater on Dec 31, 2011 7:03:25 GMT
Another interview with Zombie Tools. I so reckon these guys should do a short cross promotional with Utilikilts.com and have like a apocalyptic armoured kilt or something, or a zombie tools dirk or claymore. I see these two companies as quite similar in philosophy of business and I also wish them both to relieve me of my money
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Post by CivilSavage on Feb 19, 2012 2:51:47 GMT
I like the spirit of these guys endeavor. I like the idea that they aren't horribly concerned about just what it is they are making and doing in regards to others opinions of it. I have seen and heard of much worse testing attempts than this or at least equally 'dangerous' testing. Some of the testing done by Paul here would fall into the category of 'dangerous'...like some of his Cheness woodchopping.
Even very highly regarded makers like Howard Clark did abusive testing of his L6 katan blades by cutting against severely hard targets like steel pipe, railroad steel, junked out washers, barrels and the like. No one dare criticised him though because he was a recognised master craftsman and 'must ' know what he was doing. These guys however, I guess because they aren't 'known' or 'recognised' makers of swords/knives leverage a little contempt because their offferings lack a certain aesthetic appeal to some and they hazard a seemingly cavalier attitude.
Personally, I don't like all of their designs, especially some of their first ideas. They are getting better IMO and I would not be afraid to use one of their products out of fear it would fail. I definitely would enjoy sitting down and having a few cold PBR's whilst discussing 'shop' with them. Even if that included cutting the empties...
I do like the Hellion and the Spit, the Vakra as well.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2012 23:45:38 GMT
I just orderd the backwoods bone mechete, cant wait tell it arrives. I don't care if they aren't safe when destructive testing, destructive testing isent safe anyways..they look like a great bunch of funny guys. I might pick up the saber looking blade too.
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Post by Anders on Mar 9, 2012 13:55:33 GMT
You know, it occurs to me that this thread should really have gone in the Tactical Swords forum.
The fact that the word "zombie" was enough to class them as fantasy swords does kinda show how flimsy the classifications can be, however.
It's not that the swords themselves are unsafe - the Deuce took some insane punishment. It's just that wacking a sword against stuff over and over until it breaks without wearing any protection isn't terribly smart.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2012 23:14:23 GMT
I agree with you, I would be freaked out trying to break a sword. I seen picks of people hurt by their weps. It seems stupid to smash it on concrete. But that won't stop me from buying from them
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Post by Young-Soo on Mar 19, 2012 21:42:42 GMT
These guys at Zombie Tools seem partially insane, as some of you allready have stated in one way or another ), but I have no doubts it could be of as good quality as the "real" Windlass Lakonian, thus being a good choice if your wallet does not permit a purchase of a ZT-weapon!
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Post by metinemre on Jul 31, 2012 21:21:40 GMT
Eventho what they do or how they do looks insane and definitely dangerous, so is Jackass movies and dudes who do all those stuff but people love that attitude, so do i. honest and fearless and funny. About their tests, that`s what a lot of people think of plus considering they are ``zombie stuff``, they are sort of doing what would be expected from the weapons they make. During a zombie apocalypse those weapons would win over many better aesthetics and accurate blades around and they are proven. Still they`d be a little more careful and protected for sure. I like these guys, lots of sense of humour, + they don`t hesitate to use f. word which me neither and they are really fun. Explore their web site and you like them and their stuff more.
Tbh i recently discovered ZT and i loved their designs. Never handled one but would love to get apokatana and zakasushi.
If i ever purchase a blade from them, definitely will ask for satin or mirror polish on the blade. Apokatana with a little longer grip tho.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2012 17:39:39 GMT
I don't know if anyone's noticed but I went to their site today and it looks like they redesigned the Ferous Wolf. I really liked the old design but the new one looks really good too. I'm seriously thinking about getting one of their blades.
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Post by ShooterMike on Sept 18, 2012 17:16:27 GMT
I bought a Hellion second hand a week ago. It's an interesting weapon. They didn't get the harmonics down very well. the thing vibrates badly when striking without perfect edge alignment. And the whole "falcata-like" design makes the edge want to rotate on me. But then again, I have very little experience with this style of sword. It strikes me more as an axe-like-sword than a sword. But that may be the case with all swords of this blade type.
Look for a real review with testing and lots of pics when my schedule allows....
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Sept 18, 2012 17:52:33 GMT
A review from ShooterMike, we're in for a treat
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