Can ancient, cutting-edge technology save you?

Swords have changed the face of warfare for millennia, since emerging on the battlefield. Stone, bronze, iron, steel, from the Egyptian khopesh to the mass-produced katana found in flea markets and smoke shops, swords have literally carved out their own history.

For a weapon to be of any real use against the undead, they must meet several key criteria. The sword measures up well in most, and as such, is always a great choice to have packed up with all of your other survival gear, when you’re ready to bug out.

When dispatching the walking dead, you’ve only got one major target. The brain (or brain stem if you really want to get picky). So what techniques should you prioritize?

A Cleaving Blow

A heavy enough sword will easily cleave the top half of the skull off of any ghoul unlucky enough to step into your swing. But, a sword with the necessary weight to accomplish the task will start to wear on you after carrying it around for a while.

Decapitation

Removing the head completely is also a viable tactic. Most swords are capable of such a feat against the decayed, unprotected neck of a zombie. However, you must be careful to finish off the head with a stab through the brain itself. There have been rumors of severed heads clamping down on an unsuspecting victim after one such “finishing blow.” These accounts are unverified, yet highly plausible. Better safe than sorry.

A Powerful Thrust

A safe and reliable technique to utilize is a thrusting attack, aimed at the eyes and face of your undead target. Most swords have plenty of strength and a sturdy tip to get past the thinner bones behind the eyes, or through the soft palate. The length of the blade also keeps you at a relatively safe range when piercing the skull.

Drawbacks of the Sword

Walking around like a samurai, or one of the Three Musketeers sounds awesome, so I’m sure you’re asking, what could be so bad about living by the sword?

Weight, especially with the aforementioned heavier swords, is a major factor over the long run. Lugging around all that steel will have you questioning what you can carry with you, or bring back on your scavenging runs.

They tend to be a bit cumbersome as well, since they are not at all compact, and can get caught up on some obstacles. Tight quarters will also limit mobility of your weapon, since the length, which aids in most situations, can reduce your effective swinging arc. Ninja would often exploit this penalty by using shorter blades against the Samurai. Just make sure you’re not walking into a space too tight to bring your sword into play.

Maintenance will be a major factor in the long run. Keeping your tools sharp could mean the difference between life and an eternity wandering the wastes as an ever-decaying corpse.

It’s up to you to decide what is best for your mission. Does the sword measure up to your expectations? Can you trust it to get you to and from your destination? Only you can answer that, friend.

Keep your eyes and blades sharp, survivor.