Best Melee (aka hand-to-hand) weapons

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Here's what I'm talking about, Moab.

The claw is still angled, but not as steep as you'd normally see on a hammer.

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[EBuff75]

I have the Stanley Fatmax Fubar III Utility Bar on my "to buy" list, I just haven't sprung for one yet.  At least once a year I end up with a project (either of my own, or for a friend/family member) where it would be useful to have something like that, but I forget about it until it comes up again.  It does seem that it would make a pretty good melee weapon too!

[Nyte]

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.

Sounds a lot like a framing hammer.  

[Lodewijk]

Went looking for an M3 fighting knife clone to use as a beater (turns out there's like two options, Boker in SK5 and Ontario in 1095)... ran into something interesting that I had not read before. You guys probably all know this but knife history is way outside my lane, so I didn't.

Apparently, pretty quickly after the adoption of the famous V42... the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion went out and procured different / bigger knives (ex: Collins #18, which is like 14" long with a 9" blade) for both utility tasks and combat.

Thrusting weapons are neat but that tidbit does seem to validate that a big generalist knife, or a small machete, is probably a lot more practical. Revelation of the century, I know.

I know we're talking no ammo situations but even there, you still have to live your daily life. Seems like the sweet spot for "big enough to defend myself with" and "small enough to carry every day" might be a big utility knife or something the size of a compact machete / shortsword. 

Like a seax in concept, maybe? That would make some sense I guess.

[Raptor]

My personal choice is an 1860 style US Navy CPO cutlas. I received one years ago from my grandfather. About 30 years ago i had the handle an guard repinned.

Cold Steel makes modern quality reproductions. It is short enough to be handy and long enough for reach. The blade is sharp albeit with a utility edge.

YMMV

[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.

Sounds a lot like a framing hammer. 

Oh, so those are called framing hammers ?

I've always called them claw hammers. I never realized there was a name for them.

[Moab]

Quote from: Lodewijk on 4/30/2022, 7:41:31 AMWent looking for an M3 fighting knife clone to use as a beater (turns out there's like two options, Boker in SK5 and Ontario in 1095)... ran into something interesting that I had not read before. You guys probably all know this but knife history is way outside my lane, so I didn't.Apparently, pretty quickly after the adoption of the famous V42... the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion went out and procured different / bigger knives (ex: Collins #18, which is like 14" long with a 9" blade) for both utility tasks and combat.Thrusting weapons are neat but that tidbit does seem to validate that a big generalist knife, or a small machete, is probably a lot more practical. Revelation of the century, I know.I know we're talking no ammo situations but even there, you still have to live your daily life. Seems like the sweet spot for "big enough to defend myself with" and "small enough to carry every day" might be a big utility knife or something the size of a compact machete / shortsword. Like a seax in concept, maybe? That would make some sense I guess.



This was during wwii. Which is cool. My grandfather was in the Corps in the south pacific.

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But that knife is ridiculous. Lol. Having been in the Marine Corps. I can tell you. Not all of their decisions are sound ones. Lol.

That knife is to big and heavy for a fighting knife. Or it would still be being used. I think thats a case of "mine is bigger!" syndrome.

A cool knife. But thats a throwback to bowie knives of the wild west days. Those jarheads in wwii were a wild bunch. Especially the Raiders. They were the first marine recon unit.

He was being a smart ass in that picture  his helmut is on backwards.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I was watching "Saving Private Ryan" the other day and I noticed the sniper (Jackson, I think is his name) had a pretty nice blade on his web gear.

It had a stag handle and was definitely not GI issued. Not even sure what a GI issued fixed blade would've been for those guys. I know the Marines got Kabars (of which I still want one.), but I'm not sure what the rest of them got. Aside from the M1 Garand bayonet, I mean.

[Lodewijk]

I was watching "Saving Private Ryan" the other day and I noticed the sniper (Jackson, I think is his name) had a pretty nice blade on his web gear.

It had a stag handle and was definitely not GI issued. Not even sure what a GI issued fixed blade would've been for those guys. I know the Marines got Kabars (of which I still want one.), but I'm not sure what the rest of them got. Aside from the M1 Garand bayonet, I mean.

Rangers and paratroopers got first crack at M3s when they entered service I think.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I was watching "Saving Private Ryan" the other day and I noticed the sniper (Jackson, I think is his name) had a pretty nice blade on his web gear.

It had a stag handle and was definitely not GI issued. Not even sure what a GI issued fixed blade would've been for those guys. I know the Marines got Kabars (of which I still want one.), but I'm not sure what the rest of them got. Aside from the M1 Garand bayonet, I mean.

Rangers and paratroopers got first crack at M3s when they entered service I think.

I've seen a few photos where GIs have what looks like privately purchased knives, which would explain the knife on Jackson's web gear in "Saving Private Ryan".

I wonder what the process for that was back then. Probably entailed filling out some paperwork and making sure the knife fell within some parameters for use.

[Lodewijk]

I was watching "Saving Private Ryan" the other day and I noticed the sniper (Jackson, I think is his name) had a pretty nice blade on his web gear.

It had a stag handle and was definitely not GI issued. Not even sure what a GI issued fixed blade would've been for those guys. I know the Marines got Kabars (of which I still want one.), but I'm not sure what the rest of them got. Aside from the M1 Garand bayonet, I mean.

Rangers and paratroopers got first crack at M3s when they entered service I think.

I've seen a few photos where GIs have what looks like privately purchased knives, which would explain the knife on Jackson's web gear in "Saving Private Ryan".

I wonder what the process for that was back then. Probably entailed filling out some paperwork and making sure the knife fell within some parameters for use.

My read is that it was pretty loose for combat units. Lots of anecdotal stories of guys getting mailed pistols and whatnot from the US (happens on-screen in Band of Brothers I think). Never underestimate government brain damage, but I kind of doubt paperwork was a big concern in a lot of places during the war.

[Moab]

I was watching "Saving Private Ryan" the other day and I noticed the sniper (Jackson, I think is his name) had a pretty nice blade on his web gear.

It had a stag handle and was definitely not GI issued. Not even sure what a GI issued fixed blade would've been for those guys. I know the Marines got Kabars (of which I still want one.), but I'm not sure what the rest of them got. Aside from the M1 Garand bayonet, I mean.

Rangers and paratroopers got first crack at M3s when they entered service I think.

I've seen a few photos where GIs have what looks like privately purchased knives, which would explain the knife on Jackson's web gear in "Saving Private Ryan".

I wonder what the process for that was back then. Probably entailed filling out some paperwork and making sure the knife fell within some parameters for use.

My read is that it was pretty loose for combat units. Lots of anecdotal stories of guys getting mailed pistols and whatnot from the US (happens on-screen in Band of Brothers I think). Never underestimate government brain damage, but I kind of doubt paperwork was a big concern in a lot of places during the war.

Alot of guys during that war got weapons from home. It wasnt as a big a deal as it is now. I think thats when alot of guys had clear lexan pistol grips with photos of wives, GFs and scantily clad stars under them. 

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Oh yeah, "Sweetheart" grips is what those were called.

I saw a set of those on an old Remington-Rand 1911 at a gun show years ago. They weren't original to the gun and the seller had no idea who the people in the pictures were, so I didn't really ask many questions. Kind of regret not buying that gun, but I didn't have enough cash to buy it at the time.

On the topic of melee weapons, I kind of want to build my own version of a WW1 trench club. I'd also like to make a mace, but I lack a welder and knowledge on how to use one, so that's pretty much out.

ETA: Had to fix a spelling mistake. Meant to say mace instead of Mac.

[Moab]

Oh yeah, "Sweetheart" grips is what those were called.

I saw a set of those on an old Remington-Rand 1911 at a gun show years ago. They weren't original to the gun and the seller had no idea who the people in the pictures were, so I didn't really ask many questions. Kind of regret not buying that gun, but I didn't have enough cash to buy it at the time.

On the topic of melee weapons, I kind of want to build my own version of a WW1 trench club. I'd also like to make a Mac, but I lack a welder and knowledge on how to use one, so that's pretty much out.

If you ever want to learn how to build firearms. Go to the forum www.weaponsguild.com Its a fantastic forum. With really really nice people that help each other out alot. I've been a member over there for years. Its the largest gun building forum on the internet. But very quiet. And don't be a jerk in the least. Or you'll get banned. Lol which is my favorite thing about it. Its the only other forum I know of - besides zs)ufozs that is moderated well. Meaning no politics or religion. And you have to be helpful to one another. Any bs and your gone. Its the nicest geoup of people I've ever known on the internet. Which is pretty funny that its also the best gun building for on the net. They build everything from . 50 cal anti aircraft guns to homebuild designs of . 22s. All legal and semi auto of course. 

[Moab]

I just posted a pretty good melee weapon to bargains and deals. An 18" cold steel metal bat for $18.39.

https://ufozs.com/smf/index.php?topic=807.0#new

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Oh yeah, "Sweetheart" grips is what those were called.

I saw a set of those on an old Remington-Rand 1911 at a gun show years ago. They weren't original to the gun and the seller had no idea who the people in the pictures were, so I didn't really ask many questions. Kind of regret not buying that gun, but I didn't have enough cash to buy it at the time.

On the topic of melee weapons, I kind of want to build my own version of a WW1 trench club. I'd also like to make a Mac, but I lack a welder and knowledge on how to use one, so that's pretty much out.

If you ever want to learn how to build firearms. Go to the forum www.weaponsguild.com Its a fantastic forum. With really really nice people that help each other out alot. I've been a member over there for years. Its the largest gun building forum on the internet. But very quiet. And don't be a jerk in the least. Or you'll get banned. Lol which is my favorite thing about it. Its the only other forum I know of - besides zs)ufozs that is moderated well. Meaning no politics or religion. And you have to be helpful to one another. Any bs and your gone. Its the nicest geoup of people I've ever known on the internet. Which is pretty funny that its also the best gun building for on the net. They build everything from . 50 cal anti aircraft guns to homebuild designs of . 22s. All legal and semi auto of course.

That's supposed to say "Mace", but for some reason it came out Mac.

[flybynight]

So I've always favored clubs. In m truck I keep a dedicated club that I fashioned out of a broken axe haft. I also keep a stout walking stick. I made the walking stick when I was suffering from a bad case of plantar fadciitis.  That also was when I put together my GHB . It's 13 miles from my work to home and probably would have hade to stop overnight at least once because of the pain. The axe club is hickory and the walking stick is either persimmon, Hackberry  or Locust.I don't remember which. I included my hatchet for size and because it also would be a melee weapon.
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[flybynight]

In my house I also have a pair of clubs
 The long one is also made from an axe haft. I liked the short one in the truck so much I bought a new haft and made it into a club. It sits next to my chair in the living room. The short one I bought for my wife off amazon. But she didn't like it so it sits next the bed headboard. I find it too short  and would most likely reach for the  also included edged weapon. A Barong ,which sits next to it

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Regarding melee weapons, this video popped up in my recommended videos list on YouTube and it's pretty neat.

Dude makes a medieval style war hammer out of some plumbing pipe and a wooden dowel.


https://youtu.be/xQde1xCw7yM

[Nyte]

Regarding melee weapons, this video popped up in my recommended videos list on YouTube and it's pretty neat.

Dude makes a medieval style war hammer out of some plumbing pipe and a wooden dowel.


https://youtu.be/xQde1xCw7yM

That's pretty cool.  I don't think I would use a dowel rod as the handle, they are prone to breaking, unless you can find a good hardwood one.  IIRC most dowels are pine.