Best Melee (aka hand-to-hand) weapons

[Ghost]

A carry over from the old forum.

And note the answer isn't "Hurr durr" I just will shoot someone because I'll NEVER run out of ammo."

Knife- great utility as a tool, handy in close quarters, could be thrown if you are proficient in doing so.

Axe-same as knife especially as tool even more deadly as a weapon. I'm in the market for a Hultafors Classic at 20" perfect, sweet spot IMO.

But consider. "Nothing beats a good piece of hickory,.." Clint Eastwood, Pale Rider.
A properly formed piece of hardwood makes a damn fine piece of weaponry, Consider this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbLaj3EBYlU

Make from hickory these can be deadly. And yes, I'm going to my battle rifle/carbine, pistol, shotgun first. But "a tool for every need, and a need for every tool."

Note: I'm talking about the longer hickory ones, not a truncheon or a tonfa/modern nightstick one.

[Moab]

I thought about this alot a while back. And came to the conclusion that a short to medium length sword would do best.

I can't find the old bookmark for the one I finally decided on. But it was just over 2 to 2.5ft long. Had a long maybe 8 to 10 inch handle. And very sharp pointed end.

I stick would be good. But I think something steel that can cut is better.

Something like a long kukri is good. The ergonomics of a curved down blade and handle like that make it very easy to swing and cut. Defensively might not be the safest.

But a sword for sure. You don't want to get any closer than you have to so a short sword provides that. But a long sword would be to slow.

At least this was my experience when I slayed King Arthur.

Some interesting yt vids on this subject. In fact one them that tests several blades also tested a piece if wood. And it performed better than anyone expected. But still. Something with an aedge and point is far better. I think. Because i have no idea. Lol. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I've got a few large blades (a trio of kukris, a couple machetes and various fixed blade knives), but no swords.

I'm not trained on any of them, though. I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to melee weapons. So anyone with even minimal training in melee combat is likely going to be able to beat me. 

[Rednex]

I like my old Vaughan 21 oz California framing hammer. Been swinging it for years. For heavy hits hold the handle and swing the head ( conventional swing) , light fast swings hold the head to swing the handle.It also works as a hammer or pry tool.

[Anianna]

I am fond of sai.  If you have some training with them, they are good for both defense and offense at the same time. 

[Lodewijk]

I buy into EDC knives as the most practical solution (especially if paired with a gun) but the problem with folders is trying to get them out and opened while someone is actively trying to F you up.

A small fixed blade, a push knife / TDI or even something like a fixed karambit are all simpler to get out and can't fail to lock open. For normal everyday life I'd say finding one of those is a strong idea. I carry a Fox karambit (mostly their Bastinelli, sometimes a 599) and while it does work reliably I keep looking at a Bastinelli Picouer / PiKa and the Ka-Bar TDI and wondering it they are more practical.

For like straight up fantasyland shit I'd want something like a smatchet or machete, and I would die quickly. I also would not turn down a thinner thrusting knife to stab zombies in the brain.

[Moab]

I buy into EDC knives as the most practical solution (especially if paired with a gun) but the problem with folders is trying to get them out and opened while someone is actively trying to F you up.

A small fixed blade, a push knife / TDI or even something like a fixed karambit are all simpler to get out and can't fail to lock open. For normal everyday life I'd say finding one of those is a strong idea. I carry a Fox karambit (mostly their Bastinelli, sometimes a 599) and while it does work reliably I keep looking at a Bastinelli Picouer / PiKa and the Ka-Bar TDI and wondering it they are more practical.

For like straight up fantasyland shit I'd want something like a smatchet or machete, and I would die quickly. I also would not turn down a thinner thrusting knife to stab zombies in the brain.

I agree. A knife is better. But I think were talking after the ammo has run out. In that case I think something that will keep you fuethest away from your attacker is best. But not to long or youd be to slow getting it out. And to slow swining it.

But IRL I've started carrying a knife more. And recently found a cheap smith n wesson knifw that I had ignored. It has an assisted opening. Which I never knew how to operate until now. Wow. What a difference.

I had purchased a Spyderco folding knife. Just so i could use the big hole to open it with one hand. But after discovering assisted opening knives I've been looking for a good cheap one. Which i know is an oxymoron. But I really like these.

CIVIVI Baklash Flipper Folding Knife with 3.5" Satin Drop Point Blade and G10 Handles for Outdoor and DIY Activities(C801A) (OD Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SYJD4XV/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_523Z268ZEYEZ6QA0JX6K?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

They also have a bunch of other folders. 

I just can't see myself spending more than $50 on a folding knife. I'm sorry. I just don't see the value. If i need to carve my way out of a downed aircraft. I'll use my ESEE 5. Lol. And honestly the nicest folder I own is this $17 knock off of a famous us made knife. I dont recall the original designers name. But this knife is way nicer than my Spyderco or Benchmade. Its $21 now tho.

Land 911 Pocket Knife Folding Knife 12C27 Blade G10 Handle Liner Lock Pocket EDC Knife (Army Green,G10) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y42TZ6W/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_VXVZ9Y87R6KC4DAEYHED

[Moab]

Lodwijk - I bought this machete a long time ago for $13. With the same thing in mind as you were talking about. It swings nice and has a point. But i have not sharpened it as of yet. It comes not sharp at all. I need to run it across my grinder. And stone sharpen it.

https://www.coldsteel.com/magnum-kukri-machete/

It reminds me alot of the caribou handled, leaf spring steel machete i got in jungle environmenal survical training in the Philippines when i was in the USMC. All my pics of it are on my desktop. Its much heavier. At least 1/4 inch steel. But with a soft kukri type curve to it. And enough of a point that it will stab.

This one isn't mine. But they look like this.

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A very rudimentary weapon. They make you purchase your own at the school. For $2!! At least back then in the 80s they did. Which we were all super stoked over. Its made out of old car or jeep leaf springs. And an actually quite effective wooden sheath. But the way they are balanced makes them very very easy to use. Its a heavy tool no doubt. But the angle makes it cut so much more on impact. That you dont have to swing it as hard as a regular straight machete. Its very ergonomic. And easy on the entire hand, wrist and arm.

[Lodewijk]

Agree. I do think old-school things like a traditional Ka-Bar or Mark 3 trench knife, or modern spins like a Glock field knife, etc would be pretty usable and less of a burden to carry than things that are closer to a short sword than a big knife. Easy to fold into daily life, too. A sword... probably tougher.

Once you get up into the 7" range it sure ain't small (there's a softball for you). Lots of options around $100 too.

[Brekar]

A carry over from the old forum.

And note the answer isn't "Hurr durr" I just will shoot someone because I'll NEVER run out of ammo."

Knife- great utility as a tool, handy in close quarters, could be thrown if you are proficient in doing so.

Axe-same as knife especially as tool even more deadly as a weapon. I'm in the market for a Hultafors Classic at 20" perfect, sweet spot IMO.

But consider. "Nothing beats a good piece of hickory,.." Clint Eastwood, Pale Rider.
A properly formed piece of hardwood makes a damn fine piece of weaponry.

Make from hickory these can be deadly. And yes, I'm going to my battle rifle/carbine, pistol, shotgun first. But "a tool for every need, and a need for every tool."

Note: I'm talking about the longer hickory ones, not a truncheon or a tonfa/modern nightstick one.

I'd say that I'd prefer something like an axe, because who wouldn't, but honestly I'd be afraid I'd hurt myself as well. I'm also not a knife fighter, but as a kid I often hiked, and I always carried a well seasoned piece of Hedge (Osage Orange for some folks) about 40" long and around 2.5-3" around. I used it several times to deal with dogs etc, and it was a very solid piece of wood. To this day I have a similar piece behind the seat of my truck. I'd rather go to it first before my knife. If I'm going for my knife the situation has gotten dire indeed...

[Moab]

"Once you get up into the 7" range it sure ain't small (there's a softball for you). "

Ouch! (Thats the best I could do.) 🤣

"I do think old-school things like a traditional Ka-Bar or Mark 3 trench knife, or modern spins like a Glock field knife, etc would be pretty usable and less of a burden to carry than things that are closer to a short sword than a big knife. Easy to fold into daily life, too. A sword... probably tougher."

Oddly enough. I was never issued a kbar in the Marine Corps. I think they were afraid we'd actually use them. As in hurt ourselves or others. 🤪 (Why they rarely gave us ammo. Either.) 

My father had a kbar when he was in. And had it for years after. But it was burned in a fire. I don't know what he ever did with the blade. 

I bought one a couple years ago. But I'm pretty sure its a navy version though. 🐐🐫er's. I think the Marine Corps kbars are more expensive. And more sought after. Iirc. This usgi stiff. Not commercially made. This was a few years ago that i was into it. The Marine ones often have USMC stamped in the blade near the hilt.

But overall, even with my entire lineage being Marine's, I'm not a big fan of the rat tail in the kbar. It was from a time when we were trying to mass produce weapons on a biblical scale. And conserve as much as possible on resources. But why they decided to skimp on the most famous fighting knife and not give it a full tang is beyond me.

But I think if it were fantasy paw land. I'd want a fixed blade on my waist and a short sword. But when i say "short sword" i dont mean the traditional medieval short sword with a broad blade. I just mean any sword thats short. So you can handle it with some speed.

(I can't believe i just found this.) But like this. This was the one I decided on a few years ago. Total fantasyland. I would never spend that much on something so far fetched. And its a custom order you'd have to wait for. But pretty good for the job if it ever came to no more bullets:

https://sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product1176.html

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I also think a short katana would be nice. But without the hard angle blade tip. I don't know what thats called. But I have two crkt kiss knives with those blades. And i have no idea how to sharpen them.

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[Lodewijk]

I suspect the rat tail thing on Ka-Bars is somewhat overstated. No, it isn't the same thing as my bush knife, but it's beefier than a lot of Moras and nobody questions those.

I've had a stereotypical USMC example since I was a kid in Civil Air Patrol in the 90s... everyone had to have a cool-guy knife on their web gear, which at the time meant a USAF survival knife or a Ka-Bar (technically the regs said it was too big but nobody cared IIRC).

Did a whole lot of BushClass over at BCUSA with it, too, before I could get my hands on a "better" knife. 

I think the biggest drawback to a typical Ka-Bar is really the guard - it just gets in the way most of the time. The D2 version fixes this very nicely and is a nice knife overall... speaking of BCUSA, somebody over there has a thread detailing how they used a serrated D2 Ka-Bar hard for like three years, baton work and all. It eventually broke in the middle of the blade, at the height of one of the serrations. The tang held up fine.

I would not be eager to get in a fight with a knife, mind you. 

Full apocalypse... you are probably right, a short sword, a shield, and a few buddies might be the right ticket. I can see something like a gladius being easiest to use like that but again, I'd probably just die.

I like the staff idea but there ain't many hardwood trees where I live.

[Moab]

"Quote from: Lodewijk on 4/28/2022, 8:57:14 PMI suspect the rat tail thing on Ka-Bars is somewhat..."


When I first read BCUSA. I thought Boy Scouts of America. Lol. But quickly realized you meant Bushcraft USA. (I'm a member over there too.) I was in the boy scouts as a kid. In my town every young boy was in the boy scouts. But first it was Weblos. I have no idea what that meant. But if you were to young to join the boy scouts you started there. It was like the junior branch of boy scouts. Then if you got thru boy scouts you went into explorer scouts. 

My dad was an explorer scout leader. I got to go with him on every trip and outing they did. It was cool as a kid. 

We lived way up in the mountains. My father and grandfather were trappers the first 3 or 4 years of my life. I remember watching my mother stretch beaver pelts over wood hoops. And hanging them on our pole barn garage. So I kind of already knew all the stuff you had to do in boy scouts. Except i sucked at knot tieing. Lol. I know like three knots - a barrel knot, a palomar and a square knot. Lol. I'm literally terrible and remebering how to do knots.

I agree about the kbars. And the D2 is a very nice looking knife. Didnt kbar do a full tang version of the kbar? Is the D2 full tang? 

I agree about the mora comment too. I love my mora. I have a solid green military version that I have seen very few of. I found out about them i think after they stopped making them. But i found one on this obscure little site. And bought it for like 16 bucks? Its just a normal length mora 3.5 or 4 inch blade. But the handle on this one is nicer. A little farter and nicely round. No indents on the sides. But its one of the sharpest knives i own. So sharp. That scandi grind and swedish or whatever it is steel. Sweet knife. 

And honestly. I never baton wood. I just use littler sticks. Until the fire is big enough for a log. I don't think I have any knives that i would put thru that kind of abuse.

Except for maybe my esee 5. That thing is like a slab of steel. Its really almost to big to carry. Same with that Phillipines machete.They are both about the same thickness. And the esee 5 is really only meant to be a downed pilot, trapped in his cockpit, and I've gotta cut my way out of this aluminum airplane body to escape - kind of knife. Lol. 

But I had to have it. I later bought the newer esee 4 with the bushcraft handle. Thats a nice knife in the hand. You could do alot with it. And its a nice thickness between the esee 5 and something to thin. Its kind of just right. The thing about most esee's up until they oroduced the bushcraft style handles. Is all their scales really suck. It was meant to be a cooy of the suoer utilitarian ontario rat. But those square scales hurt your hands terrible. They have fairly sharp square edges. I actually bought g10 scales for my esee 5. That are way more rounded. And alot more comfortable in the hand. I wish they were micarta tho.

I saw a knife yesterday that I like the looks of. 

https://theknifeconnection.com/bradford-knives-guardian-3-3d-m390-steel-drop-point-sabre-grind-stonewash-blade-finish-3d-od-green-micarta-handle-tumbled-fasteners/

You cannot view this attachment. 
Its a bradford guardian 3. With a 3.5 inch blade tho. I wish it was 4. They make a 4.5 but it doesnt look nearly as nice as this one. The handle looks very ergonomic. And i really like the shape, grind and point of the blade.

Something like this would be a good all around blade for carrying sideways on your belt. Check out its sheath. Its like a half sideways carry. I dont know what they call that. But it looks quicker to draw. It looks like it would be a good bushcraft knife. But you could still stab things with it. Lol.

I also like the claw hammer idea above. Only problem is getting that thing out once you've driven it home. I think you'd get it stuck to easy. Lol

[slipkid42]

WEBELOS stands for We'll Be Loyal Scouts.  

It is the last rank in cub scouts before you cross over to Boy Scouts.  

[Ghost]

WEBELOS stands for We'll Be Loyal Scouts. 

It is the last rank in cub scouts before you cross over to Boy Scouts. 

Indeed it is, but technically the highest rank you can get in Cub Scouts is Arrow of Light Scout, a WEBELOS II that completed additional requirements.

[Moab]

WEBELOS stands for We'll Be Loyal Scouts. 

It is the last rank in cub scouts before you cross over to Boy Scouts. 

Ah. Thank you.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Speaking of hammers, I found myself in the hardware section of the local Walmart and saw a couple claw hammers that looked interesting.

The two I looked at had the claw pointed straight out (like the spike you'd see on the back of a tomahawk) instead of at an angle like you normally see. I figure if one were to drive one of those claws into something, there'd probably be less of a chance of getting it stuck.

[Moab]

Speaking of hammers, I found myself in the hardware section of the local Walmart and saw a couple claw hammers that looked interesting.

The two I looked at had the claw pointed straight out (like the spike you'd see on the back of a tomahawk) instead of at an angle like you normally see. I figure if one were to drive one of those claws into something, there'd probably be less of a chance of getting it stuck.

Can you post a link or pic? Would love to see that. Hard to picture tho.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Speaking of hammers, I found myself in the hardware section of the local Walmart and saw a couple claw hammers that looked interesting.

The two I looked at had the claw pointed straight out (like the spike you'd see on the back of a tomahawk) instead of at an angle like you normally see. I figure if one were to drive one of those claws into something, there'd probably be less of a chance of getting it stuck.

Can you post a link or pic? Would love to see that. Hard to picture tho.

Let me see if I can find a pic of one.

If not, I'll take a pic of one the next time I'm at Walmart.

[slipkid42]

WEBELOS stands for We'll Be Loyal Scouts. 

It is the last rank in cub scouts before you cross over to Boy Scouts. 

Indeed it is, but technically the highest rank you can get in Cub Scouts is Arrow of Light Scout, a WEBELOS II that completed additional requirements.

Thanks, I forgot that they now call it a new rank, it's been awhile, my son just made Eagle this month.