Zombie Tools Deuce (1st generation!)
Mar 27, 2014 12:14:55 GMT
Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2014 12:14:55 GMT
Introduction:
Well, i was kinda fascinated with these blades since the first time i saw them; hell, we here in germany see things like this, some crazy guys doin business out of some crazy stuff, and we think: Yeah, the US of A ARE the land of milk and honey! :lol:
Seriously, after buying and reselling A LOT OF crap over my collecting years i wanted to take a look into small serious swordmakers, and having sucessfully sold my Albion Ulvbane (which is an absolutely great sword, but just not my type) i had some money to spend, and some days later this baby showed up on ebay and i won the bid!
Full discloser:
I bought this sword secondhand on ebay and i am no ways affiliated with Zombie Tools.
Historical overview:
None at all; this is supposed to be some apocalyptic/tactical slasher!
Initial impressions:
I was able to handle the Apokatana some months ago and was allready quite pleased; this baby here feels a lot more serious in hand. The overall appearance shows great craftsmanship, very smooth grinds and lines, everything is very symmetric. I do not have any sword skills besides some basic longsword- and kendo-moves and stances (plus a lot of silly movie-poses :oops: ), but the sword feels very agile and alive in the hand.
Statistics:
Overall length: 89cm
Blade length: 56,7cm
Grip length (Leather-wrapped area): 24,7cm
Weight: Sorry, i have nothing to weigh this at the moment! ZT says 1,5kg on the Deuce MK2; i would say it fits.
Blade:
The blade, made of 5160 spring steel, is very stiff, striking the grip only provokes some slight vibration; the COP is nevertheless recognizable. The famous distal taper is here, but not very much. I read 5mm in the tang area, around 4,5mm down the blade length and around 2,5 - 3mm in the tip area. The edge is of good sharpness though not razor sharp; but it slices paper very easily.
COP seems to be right here on the widest part:
POB seems to be right after the big cut-out here:
Hilt:
The construction is full tang with the tang sandwiched between two aluminium slabs in worn-out look which suit the acid-etched blade/tang just fine. Everything is put together very neat and exact. The grip is wrapped with some quality black leather in also a very tight manner. Around the aluminium scales theres a little amount of rust on blade and tang; the ebayer claims he got it that way, i kinda doubt that. The Apokatana some times ago was in perfect condition. So its not ZT to blame i guess.
Pommel:
Theres no real pommel, only the nasty bottom end of the tang with the cut-out ZT logo. Might hurt!
Scabbard:
The usual ZT kydex scabbard with a lot of lanyard holes; not the best fit in a tactical situation. No big deal because i am planning to transform this into a fantasy piece (drow-saber :twisted: !) with the scabbard wrapped in leather or an all new wooden scabbard to be made!
Test cutting:
Not yet! I dont cut really often due to the neighbors shocked faces :shock: and because as i am a quite untrained person i have some deep respect of my blades capabilities!
Conclusion:
This is an absolutely masterly made chopper, no doubt here. Everybody whos looking for sword aside the usual historics or seeks some serious tactical stuff should pay ZT a visit; they have a two-handed double edged thing getting closer and i am gonna have a look on that one for sure!
Pro: - great craftsmanship
- good steel, good edge right from the box
- handles great, you wouldnt think of 1,5kg
- great looks!
Cons: - discontinued, the actual model looks far less spectacular
- tiny amount of rust; well it was second-hand
- scabbard doesnt fit to good
Thanx for looking/reading!
Well, i was kinda fascinated with these blades since the first time i saw them; hell, we here in germany see things like this, some crazy guys doin business out of some crazy stuff, and we think: Yeah, the US of A ARE the land of milk and honey! :lol:
Seriously, after buying and reselling A LOT OF crap over my collecting years i wanted to take a look into small serious swordmakers, and having sucessfully sold my Albion Ulvbane (which is an absolutely great sword, but just not my type) i had some money to spend, and some days later this baby showed up on ebay and i won the bid!
Full discloser:
I bought this sword secondhand on ebay and i am no ways affiliated with Zombie Tools.
Historical overview:
None at all; this is supposed to be some apocalyptic/tactical slasher!
Initial impressions:
I was able to handle the Apokatana some months ago and was allready quite pleased; this baby here feels a lot more serious in hand. The overall appearance shows great craftsmanship, very smooth grinds and lines, everything is very symmetric. I do not have any sword skills besides some basic longsword- and kendo-moves and stances (plus a lot of silly movie-poses :oops: ), but the sword feels very agile and alive in the hand.
Statistics:
Overall length: 89cm
Blade length: 56,7cm
Grip length (Leather-wrapped area): 24,7cm
Weight: Sorry, i have nothing to weigh this at the moment! ZT says 1,5kg on the Deuce MK2; i would say it fits.
Blade:
The blade, made of 5160 spring steel, is very stiff, striking the grip only provokes some slight vibration; the COP is nevertheless recognizable. The famous distal taper is here, but not very much. I read 5mm in the tang area, around 4,5mm down the blade length and around 2,5 - 3mm in the tip area. The edge is of good sharpness though not razor sharp; but it slices paper very easily.
COP seems to be right here on the widest part:
POB seems to be right after the big cut-out here:
Hilt:
The construction is full tang with the tang sandwiched between two aluminium slabs in worn-out look which suit the acid-etched blade/tang just fine. Everything is put together very neat and exact. The grip is wrapped with some quality black leather in also a very tight manner. Around the aluminium scales theres a little amount of rust on blade and tang; the ebayer claims he got it that way, i kinda doubt that. The Apokatana some times ago was in perfect condition. So its not ZT to blame i guess.
Pommel:
Theres no real pommel, only the nasty bottom end of the tang with the cut-out ZT logo. Might hurt!
Scabbard:
The usual ZT kydex scabbard with a lot of lanyard holes; not the best fit in a tactical situation. No big deal because i am planning to transform this into a fantasy piece (drow-saber :twisted: !) with the scabbard wrapped in leather or an all new wooden scabbard to be made!
Test cutting:
Not yet! I dont cut really often due to the neighbors shocked faces :shock: and because as i am a quite untrained person i have some deep respect of my blades capabilities!
Conclusion:
This is an absolutely masterly made chopper, no doubt here. Everybody whos looking for sword aside the usual historics or seeks some serious tactical stuff should pay ZT a visit; they have a two-handed double edged thing getting closer and i am gonna have a look on that one for sure!
Pro: - great craftsmanship
- good steel, good edge right from the box
- handles great, you wouldnt think of 1,5kg
- great looks!
Cons: - discontinued, the actual model looks far less spectacular
- tiny amount of rust; well it was second-hand
- scabbard doesnt fit to good
Thanx for looking/reading!