Zombie Tools D'Capitan(new video)
Jan 4, 2013 7:17:15 GMT
Post by Razor on Jan 4, 2013 7:17:15 GMT
Zombie Tools
D'Capitan
By Ray Harrington
Introduction
I'm not really into tactical swords but the D'capiatn has what I'm looking for in a tactical sword.
For me a tactical(bugout, apocalypse, or SHTF) single handed sword should not have a blade longer than 25''. Should have a full tang and be capable of both cut & thrust with some kind of hand protection. It must also be a tough butt sword that should be capable of doing other chorse. Because you might not or can't have the right tool for the job, so you will need a tool that, if have to can be able to do multiple jobs.
After watching Zombie Tool's video and getting a chance to handle and cut with the Hellion, I knew that the D'Capitan would be a good tactical sword for me.
Historical over view
It is not an historical sword. It's a modern day tac sword inspired by the cutlass.
Full Discloser
I'm not affiliated with Zombie Tools, nor do they know or ask if I could do a review on this sword.
Initial Impressions
My first impression with my D'Capitan, was oh yeah....This is a bad butt sword. I was suspecting a beastly overbuilt sword, but surprisingly this sword was agile and not overbuilt. I can easily do the guards and cuts from British/Scottish regiment drills, messer, Chinese dao, and even messed around with doing sword and buckler.
Stats
Length 30''
Blade length 23 1/2''
Grip 4''
POB 3 5/8''
COB 13 1/4''
Weight 2lbs
weight with scabbard 2.8lbs
Blade
The blade is stiff and comes sharp with a slight and durable secondary beveled edge. It comes with a acid finish and from reading Zombie Tool's web site, it is done by spattering with beeswax/tar concoction and painted with ferric chloride acid. The blade also has a distal taper. From the guard the thickness is 5.05mm the middle of the blade is 4.95mm and a inch down from the point is 2.55mm
Hilt
The D'Capitan comes with a full tang handle and has a knuckle guard that has a open space of 51/64''. The handle is made from T6 aluminum and wrapped with black leather.
I took some pictures showing the different grip positions that can be used to hold the sword. the hammer and handshake(not pictured) grip.
Saber grip
Sidesword rapier grip( the finger over the guard for better point control.
Pommel
The D'Capitan does't have a pommel but a skull crusher with ZT initials stamped out, that can also be used to break windows.
Scabbard
The scabbard is a black and is made out of kydex. My sword doesn't snugly fit in the scabbard and it is loose enough that it rattles. Which can be problematic when trying to move undetected.
Handling
Like I said before, this sword handles better than I thought. I can do all my sword drills without a problem. The D'Capitan doesn't have a heavy forward balance, so it's not a heavy chopper but a cut & thrust sword.
Test Cutting
The D'Cap comes sharp and for the cutting video, I did not sharpen it. The mats I use in the video are a double beach mat and Goza mats. The Capitan came sharp enough to cut mats, but as you can see I really needed to put some force in my cuts. It was even sharp enough to cut free standing mats.
The edge is very durable and to test it, I chopped some wood and it didn't damage the edge at all. I didn't get this on video but I might make another video doing it plus some more cutting.
Update:
Unfortunately my cameraperson didn't know she turned off the camera when I was cutting the 1st pig head......I was really bummed out since I had some really good cuts and thrusts on the pig. Luckily I bought two heads so I had a 2nd one.
The edge on this vid is the same original edge that it came with, I haven't touch it up in any way. After cutting the 2nd head, some area the edge had rolled over causing some slight burs, about 3'' down from the tip. There is four tiny areas where the burs are and can easily be fixed with a small stone. The more I use this sword, the more i'm loving it.
Conclusion
Some people like machetes for a SHTF bugout weapon. One reason is, it's a tool that can be used as a weapon. But the D'Capitan is a weapon that can be used as a tool.
The D'Capitan is a low maintenance, tough as nails, and agile sword. I can use this sword out in the elements, like cutting in the rain or if it drops in the mud I wouldn't care like I would with my other swords. It is a great sword for teaching beginners new to cutting, because it's going to be very hard for them to damage it.
The guys at Zombie Tools were quick to return my email. They told me it would take eight weeks for my sword to be done and emailed me that they sent it in the middle of the seventh week. I also got a big handwriting ''Thank you for your support'' on my receipt. I will have no problem doing business with them again.
The biggest problem that I have for my D'Capitan is, the scabbard. With the sword not fitting tight and can fall out when running and jumping or what ever as to be done in a apocalypse setting. Plus the blade rattles inside the scabbard, which would make noise and that would be the last thing you would want in a tactical situation.
I would recommend this sword, for people who would want a strong low maintenance sword or someone who is looking for a tac or SHTF sword.
D'Capitan
By Ray Harrington
Introduction
I'm not really into tactical swords but the D'capiatn has what I'm looking for in a tactical sword.
For me a tactical(bugout, apocalypse, or SHTF) single handed sword should not have a blade longer than 25''. Should have a full tang and be capable of both cut & thrust with some kind of hand protection. It must also be a tough butt sword that should be capable of doing other chorse. Because you might not or can't have the right tool for the job, so you will need a tool that, if have to can be able to do multiple jobs.
After watching Zombie Tool's video and getting a chance to handle and cut with the Hellion, I knew that the D'Capitan would be a good tactical sword for me.
Historical over view
It is not an historical sword. It's a modern day tac sword inspired by the cutlass.
Full Discloser
I'm not affiliated with Zombie Tools, nor do they know or ask if I could do a review on this sword.
Initial Impressions
My first impression with my D'Capitan, was oh yeah....This is a bad butt sword. I was suspecting a beastly overbuilt sword, but surprisingly this sword was agile and not overbuilt. I can easily do the guards and cuts from British/Scottish regiment drills, messer, Chinese dao, and even messed around with doing sword and buckler.
Stats
Length 30''
Blade length 23 1/2''
Grip 4''
POB 3 5/8''
COB 13 1/4''
Weight 2lbs
weight with scabbard 2.8lbs
Blade
The blade is stiff and comes sharp with a slight and durable secondary beveled edge. It comes with a acid finish and from reading Zombie Tool's web site, it is done by spattering with beeswax/tar concoction and painted with ferric chloride acid. The blade also has a distal taper. From the guard the thickness is 5.05mm the middle of the blade is 4.95mm and a inch down from the point is 2.55mm
Hilt
The D'Capitan comes with a full tang handle and has a knuckle guard that has a open space of 51/64''. The handle is made from T6 aluminum and wrapped with black leather.
I took some pictures showing the different grip positions that can be used to hold the sword. the hammer and handshake(not pictured) grip.
Saber grip
Sidesword rapier grip( the finger over the guard for better point control.
Pommel
The D'Capitan does't have a pommel but a skull crusher with ZT initials stamped out, that can also be used to break windows.
Scabbard
The scabbard is a black and is made out of kydex. My sword doesn't snugly fit in the scabbard and it is loose enough that it rattles. Which can be problematic when trying to move undetected.
Handling
Like I said before, this sword handles better than I thought. I can do all my sword drills without a problem. The D'Capitan doesn't have a heavy forward balance, so it's not a heavy chopper but a cut & thrust sword.
Test Cutting
The D'Cap comes sharp and for the cutting video, I did not sharpen it. The mats I use in the video are a double beach mat and Goza mats. The Capitan came sharp enough to cut mats, but as you can see I really needed to put some force in my cuts. It was even sharp enough to cut free standing mats.
The edge is very durable and to test it, I chopped some wood and it didn't damage the edge at all. I didn't get this on video but I might make another video doing it plus some more cutting.
Update:
Unfortunately my cameraperson didn't know she turned off the camera when I was cutting the 1st pig head......I was really bummed out since I had some really good cuts and thrusts on the pig. Luckily I bought two heads so I had a 2nd one.
The edge on this vid is the same original edge that it came with, I haven't touch it up in any way. After cutting the 2nd head, some area the edge had rolled over causing some slight burs, about 3'' down from the tip. There is four tiny areas where the burs are and can easily be fixed with a small stone. The more I use this sword, the more i'm loving it.
Conclusion
Some people like machetes for a SHTF bugout weapon. One reason is, it's a tool that can be used as a weapon. But the D'Capitan is a weapon that can be used as a tool.
The D'Capitan is a low maintenance, tough as nails, and agile sword. I can use this sword out in the elements, like cutting in the rain or if it drops in the mud I wouldn't care like I would with my other swords. It is a great sword for teaching beginners new to cutting, because it's going to be very hard for them to damage it.
The guys at Zombie Tools were quick to return my email. They told me it would take eight weeks for my sword to be done and emailed me that they sent it in the middle of the seventh week. I also got a big handwriting ''Thank you for your support'' on my receipt. I will have no problem doing business with them again.
The biggest problem that I have for my D'Capitan is, the scabbard. With the sword not fitting tight and can fall out when running and jumping or what ever as to be done in a apocalypse setting. Plus the blade rattles inside the scabbard, which would make noise and that would be the last thing you would want in a tactical situation.
I would recommend this sword, for people who would want a strong low maintenance sword or someone who is looking for a tac or SHTF sword.