Nnjsword Sir Alucard, (Hunter: The Reckoning = raver chick with butterfly knives) I am understanding in how melee combat (save for the chainsaw) can be rather ineffective to zombies, since breaking bones, disrupting nerves and manipulating blood circulation would not work well, especially since the zombies can't register pain. So, it's much much more work for martial artists to use any fixed- bladed weapon, blunt weapon, or empty handed manuevers to incapacitate a zombie completely, but would you have any advice to any small to medium weapons (up to 5-6 feet) that would be effective versus zombies, if one did not have access to firearms at all (in his county) or what I should aim for. Although zombie attacks will be unlikely to get out of control in the area due to "trigger happy" cops, and the many gun enthusiasts, it still helps to know something. I'm pretty sure that AOL cd's and a bamboo spear can't solve all of my problems, but it is entertaining that it can solve a few. (Aside: Flaming zombies burn your hands. Headless zombies can't bite you. Propane tank trap seems worth checking out.) Alucard Tepis Some melee weapons may be functional in a fight with the necrotic-undead, but just be aware of your targets' unusual physiology, and your own proficiency. By necrotic, I'm going to lump together zombies and mummies, which have similar abilities / deficiencies, although mummies are much drier and burn better. Only severe, gross bodily damage, and decapitation / dismemberment are going to be effective at slowing or stopping them. Therefore, ignore piercing weapons completely. The won't do nearly enough damage. Also, ignore stunning weapons, i.e. stun guns, tazers and the like, unless you are sure that the zombie's nervous system is somehow functional, rather than them being mobile due to some thaumaturgical or super-scientific means. So, what does that leave you? Cleaving weapons and extreme bludgeoning weapons. I've already covered chainsaws. (One word of warning there, be sure that zombie-dom is not communicable by bodily fluids, because chainsaws tend to have rather severe "spray" problems. As with wood, wear your safety goggles, and you may wish to consider a face-mask.) Axes work well, but you may get stuck, so try to not aim for the torso unless you are sure you can make it all the way through in one pass. Heads and limbs are prime targets. The good old fashioned crowbar and digging bar are simple weapons, but can be effective, particularly to the mushier of the zombies. If you have some meat on you, you may wish to "John Henry" it with a sledge-hammer, which should easily crush your opponents significantly: knock heads off, break spines, etc. While it may be rather cliche, one historical weapon that was specifically designed and tested to cleave through the human body is the old standby: the katana. Be careful, though, and try not to get fancy, just stick to powerful slicing strokes through your opponent and their appendages. Stabs are pointless, and gutting strikes, even moreso. You've got a job to do, so go at it like you're chopping wood. Unless you've been on the kendo team for a few years, you probably don't have the skill necessary to try to be cool without making a mistake and either sticking yourself or giving the zombies an opening. You may want to consider something more exotic, in the form of a bladed pole-arm if you happen to have access to them. A naginata would be excellent, as it has a slicing blade and a longer reach than a sword, to keep the zombies at bay. If you happen to be out in a rural area, I would also recommend you consider a scythe. It is designed for reaping low to the ground, so just sweep the legs and leave your opponents footless, which should slow them down considerably.