Good lord the vast majority of comments on this video are just plaint annoying. People, the company is called Zombie Tools. It's a theme, not a reality-based concept. Everyone arguing about "wouldn't an axe be better for repeated use in a zombie apocalypse?" - again, it's a THEME. It gives them an excuse to make any weapon they want with the same inspired look and feel. It's so insanely stupid how many people are bickering about "These look more like tools", "these aren't historically accurate". No shit dude. They're fantasy inspired weapons for a fantasy inspired setting. They're targeting an audience who is into this stuff and isn't necessarily primarily concerned with historical accuracy, balance, etc... You're comparing apples to oranges and there's no point. If you want to bicker about historically accurate swords, go do it on reviews about swords that are MEANT to be historically accurate. Judge the swords for what they are, not what you wish they were.

Yep, the blade geometry seems to be quite a bit better suited to FMA than to HEMA. In general, FMA does not do draw cuts (and push-cuts only very opportunistically, e.g. from a missed stab or to quickly follow up on a parry) - we pretty much only chop with our blades. And for that, the axe-grind is just fine. A super thin edge would only get damaged, and might even be more likely to get stuck when chopping. Stabs to weak points are also quite common, at least in Arnis - so the point has its uses as well.

man that outfit makes him look like a vampire hunter

My sharkalope Came, This blade is absolutely outstanding. I had the same issue with the edge geometry that you had Skal, and I easily fixed it by hand and a few beers sitting on the porch with a file and a Lansky system. I took it from the high 30s, to a good even 20 degree bevel and the edge is stupid sharp now, phone book paper turns to confetti. The balance, weight and speed of this blade is stunning, and to be honest in any kind of close quarters fight where a big weapon is impractical, this blade has a serious advantage up close.

Looking like a Hunter from Bloodborne.

Actually, Skall, the 'ricasso' is in fact a choil, and on ZT's own "Care and Feeding of your Zombie Tool" page it's explicitly pointed out that you really aren't supposed to put your finger in it, as doing so runs the risk of having your finger slip up into the actual edge during real use. Quoted directly from the aforementioned page: "All of our blades designs have a circular cutout between the blade edge and the handle. This is called a choil. The choil is both an aesthetic design element and provides a neat starting place for our particular kind of bevel grind. We find that some people mistake the choil for a finger hold. It is not a finger hold." and "Keep all your fingers on the leather handle wrap." Otherwise a fairly good review as always, but that that was something of a significant blunder to make considering the ZT boys themselves seem to consider the suggestion an unsafe one.

Anybody notice how the log cried? How could you, Skall?

Looks like what Orcish swords in Skyrim should have been

Skallagrim, you are truly one of the best reviewers I've ever seen. You miss nothing and cover everything without droning on or messing around along the way, and most importantly, you know your stuff.

"You really gotta give it a GOOD tug" - Skall 2016

Side note: Some Filipino techniques with bolo or short swords like that involve dual wielding. Akin to Arnis techniques. Could be fun dual wielding that zombie tool, cue Alice jokes. :)

I always love the Zombie Tools reviews. Honestly I think Skall's videos should go up on the official ZT site, and he should do a review for each of their products

The "d’Capitan: Sabre" from ZT looks like a nice lite cutter too.

At 7:20 you can see skal use his lightning fast reflexes to make mincemeat out of that branch, it almost looks sped up!

The little wrist flick to start the video made him look like an assassin

You are literally my favorite KZfaqr. I love your opinions on things, and you are so freaking educational.

I found this about the sheath on their website: "There’s a small trick to unsheathing our blades. Our Kydex sheaths are formed to have a pressure lock on the handle. If you just grab the sheath with one hand and the handle with the other and pull, the unsheathing can be difficult and awkward. The trick is to use your thumb to pop the sheath off the handle lock. Grab the sheath with one hand and the handle with the other and use the thumb of your handle hand to push the sheath off of the blade while gently pulling at the same time. You’ll also want to turn the blade so that the edge is facing up and the blade rides on its spine as you unsheath. This is especially helpful with our curved blades."

this blade seems so deadly it can even make wood bleed. damn impressive enchantment.

Looks like a practical version of the Orcish sword from Skyrim.

I enjoy when your buddy with the ponytail does cutting tests, no offense at all intended. He has fantastic form and presence.

2 questions... 1) how do you unscrew the pommel? 2) are you gonna shoot this one? xD

You can loosen the retention of the scabbard by heating the kydex up near where it holds onto it. A heat gun or a very quick touch with a blowtorch can soften the kydex enough to custom mold it.

What I remember from Philippino classes I took a few years back. Every time you extended for a strike you snapped back to get ready to strike again. Also during the training the speeds at my masters practiced one they were into it sounded like machine guns going off, and to answer your question we did practice with trusting strikes in the training. @Skullgram

OOOOH I was waiting for a full review of the Sharkalope! I ordered one about 2 weeks ago, and can't wait to see it in person. So, I'll be reprofiling the edge, no big deal :) Thanks Skall!

Looks a lot like some supersized Arkansas toothpicks I've seen in museums except for the hooked handle. Thanks!

got this from their "care and feeding" page. it may solve the sheath problem you had. There’s a small trick to unsheathing our blades. Our Kydex sheaths are formed to have a pressure lock on the handle. If you just grab the sheath with one hand and the handle with the other and pull, the unsheathing can be difficult and awkward. The trick is to use your thumb to pop the sheath off the handle lock. Grab the sheath with one hand and the handle with the other and use the thumb of your handle hand to push the sheath off of the blade while gently pulling at the same time. You’ll also want to turn the blade so that the edge is facing up and the blade rides on its spine as you unsheath. This is especially helpful with our curved blades.

well , my heart was in good shape when the video starts with the sword being still complete. man , I've got to have a reaver cleaver .

Skazza~ going for a part in the Bloodborne film. Seriously though, really bloody looks the part.

that swing of the blade at the beginning....so...cool

on really tight locking plastic scabbards it sometimes helps to push it with your thumb in addition of just gripping the handle and pulling (fingers around handle, push the scabbard away from blade with thumb instead of pulling blade from scabbard)

Mmm... I found my next blade. I love my machete, I use it a lot when I go camping. This blade looks like it would find some good use with me.

I have handled one of these belonging to a friend. He had reground the edge. It was a great cutter with the new edge. I loved the balance. Its a fast blade.

Impressive torture testing. It appears they got the balance between quenching and tempering perfect. Very apparent in the throwing footage. Nicely done on your part as well as theirs. I'm not usually a fan of fantasy weapons but this one just made its way onto my wish list. Glad to see you all healed up too

They have instructions for unsheathing at their site. Apparently you're supposed to pop it out with your thumb and then draw it, and while that probably works well enough for their katanas and sabers, I think it would be a bit more difficult with something like this, and might even carry risk of injury with their double-edged models.

BUT skallagrim. its made for ZOMBIES. this being noted, would an axe like geometry not be better suited for going through skull and bone? over and over and over?

Angles: 0 to 90 - acute 90 to 180 - obtuse 180 to 360 - reflex Just ignore me.

I have to say maybe the axe grind was a purposeful choice, I mean when you think about surviving in post apocalyptica while a shaving edge would cut better it would also wear out faster right? And how often are you gonna have the time and peace of mind, let alone the proper tools to care for and maintain such an edge? The axe edge cuts well enough and can go a long time without sharpening. Just my two cents though. :)

You look like a vampire slayer here...fucking awesome XD

These Zombie Tool weapons are no joke. I got a Reaver Cleaver back when you reviewed yours and it is fantastic. If I could I would collect the ZT line.

Zombie Tools are located were I live Missoula, Montana. It's awesome seeing all your reviews I have been a fan of yours for awhile. I was stoked when you did the first ZT review you did.

"I won't go over how it's put together though." *instantly goes over exactly how it is assembled and what it is made of*

So when are you going to review their T-Rex Product?

Not sure if someone already said this, but in Kali there are a few basic one-handed thrusting motions, because Kali is designed to be effective with both one knife or two knives. Or batons, or even barehanded, but this is a sword video.

I am glad you you have reached the "test ready" level of recovery. :D

Hey Skall. I've been working on a story for a while now. Ever since I discovered your channel it's helped me decide what kind of swords I want my characters to use. I just wanted to say thank you for all the information on weapon types and their uses.

That is one serious sword. I love Zombie Tools blades. Great video and info. Thanks.

Skallagrim, do be fair, the wider edge will hold the material better and prevent major chipping. While a thin edge would be subject to large chips over a extended period of time. So essentially, the thick edge will make a longer lasting blade, which is a good thing in a zombie world.

I agree with you on the kydex sheath being too tight. I have their Felon bowie knife and I ended up filing away a bit of the inner edges to make it fit better.

Thank you for uploading this on my birthday

Also if you use your thumb to push the kydex off the blade while pulling it out it's easier

Skallagrim I think they get that near perfect match of the scales by riveting them on before grinding to shape.

as a side note: the Philippino swords seem to be used with draw cuts,where the blade stays in an almost 90° angle to the forearm(at least that's what i saw in cutting test etc. videos and what i am being tought in my kalis classes, but i am only a beginner).

Given that the sheath appears to be just kydex it would be easy enough to sand the inside of it a little to ease the fit some.

I've practiced FMA for a short while and quick, thrusts are also practiced.

traditionally philipino swords were crafted from the left over blade of a machete, often they used angle grinders to remove excess material so this grind may be accurate. otherwise, i loved the video as always, thanks for your opinion.

The zombie tools products look like something I could hamer together in my basement, yet the prices are outrageously high.

Great review man. Can't wait for the D'Capitan review. It's the ZT sword I'm most interested in buying.

In regard to the sheath; based on what it says on the website, you're supposed to squeeze the edges on the sheath and then pull it out. It's not supposed to be super easy, so they put that there as a kind of lock in system. That's what I understood, anyway.

Nice occasional stereo sound effects. They help it get a little more imersive.

I got one of the prototype designs that the designers were trying out for this particular blade. Mine has a scalloped back and is the only one that they had that design for. I lived in Missoula MT were zombie blades has their production area so you can go and see some very interesting designs.

Hey Skall thanks for the vid, I personally prefer if you did describe the full details, even though you had done those in other ZT videos... even though I have seen at least one, I don't remember those details, not to mention new viewers. its just a small complaint prefer not to need to see another video for the full details. thanks for the vids keep em coming :)

I see plenty of zombies these days.

Wow, the HD on this was like, extra good.

Its a 'zombie blade' you'll want it to be resistant as hell to pierce, and cut different stuffs. Or I'm wrong?

"The frost---sometimes it makes the blade stick..."

DUDE, the outfit works, looks like you stepped off the cover of a urban fantasy novel!

I would also prefer more heft except that if you intend this for defense you wanna consider that you will be carrying other gear and mobility is key. It’s durability is very appealing to me as well because once again any item must justify its weight and at least be double purpose.

Hey - I just recently got this sword from ZT, and I also had the same issues with the scabbard - however, if you grip it at the top of the scabbard (where there are finger indents, appearently designed just for this), it's a lot easier to pull out.

It has a splitting axe edge for zombie killin purposes skall - you have to get through that skull.

The edge would be helpful in a zombie apocalypse, I'd would be useful in the overgrown areas that would grow after the apocalypse

Philippine martial arts , I only know solarsystem, do use thrusts also. Training tends to be smaller blades. The machete is blade of choice for long blades.

easy to control multiplies ways to use good for cutting thrusting very fast light weight for more control and high darubility...wow such an all-rounder weapon.

The reason why the Blade was made to be durable is probably that it fits the Apocalypse zombie-killing theme

Kydex loses its retention with wear. They’re probably trying to avoid it falling out down the road. I find my knife sheaths have to be replaced eventually for this reason.

I just wanted to point out (apologies if this has been said already), but the Kydex sheathes from ZT have a trick to opening them. You need to pop the hilt free of the pressure lock by pushing the sheathe down away from yourself at the point the cross-guard (if applicable) meets the lip of the sheathe, while pulling the blade up and drawing it out.

that intro was class.

Most Kydex sheaths are tight like that. You just need a little pressure from your thumb on the sheath above the spine of the sword, should pop out easily. That's more of a knife sheath than a sword scabbard.

you can use a heat gun to loosen the kydex sheath

Looking forward to the sabre review now

perhaps you'll also like Miller Brothers Blades, their very overbuild but build to last a lifetime.

farewell trendy reviewer, may you find your worth in the waking world

Make a video on body size / strength vs. style. I.E. what techniques allow for optimal maneuvering for a small, weak person vs. a big, strong person.

do test cuts on the zombie head before and after a sharper grind- find out why its so wide, so it doesn't get stuck in the skull

you mentioned the design appearing Filipino in inspiration. if so that would dictate the edge geometry. the blades from that region are primarily daily tools not specifically weapons.

Thanks for posting.

See, that's a fucking cool looking blade. I'd say the aesthetics alone make it worth owning it. Thank you for the review, Skall.

I always have this awesome dreams where there is this weapon/comic book store near my house and the owner is skall. Its like my favorite place to go to when im dreaming.

awesome sword zombie tools always makes the best stuff and it's great to see you recovered enough to be up to torture test a blade skall

i really enjoyed the in depth review of this neat short sword. i wish i could afford it but am happy with the ZT Sinbad sword i own n use. i own an older hand made golok w similar dimensions as the sharkelope n it handles n slices so easily. stay sharp n Havaknifeday🔪

Skalagrim is the name of a character in Warhammer 40K, and I just realized why it sounded familiar.

103 views, i'm so early i love it. Great video Skall. I always enjoy your content, so please keep it coming.

Putting it on my wish list!

This sword looks as if it could easily be used with a small shield for fast combat in small areas, like doorways or staircases... But only my point of view...

The sharkalope looks great as well as functional, but I'm sad that they discontinued the Hellion since I'm a sucker for falcata-style blades.

there may be a retention device you need to push sorta like the lock on a lockback folder

About the size of the edge, and I might be wrong about this, but a lot of Filipino weapons also serve as tools. This might have something to do with the thickness.

I don't know about that scabbard, but I know many modern pistols have a function where you need twist the weapon out (theft prevention and so you don't lose it). Again, don't know about that one, but worth a try ;D

I'd love to see footage of it cutting post sharpening job

I think the cut out (crescent shape ricasso area) is for a bind. A opponents blade sliding down your blade ends here and not your fingers. Not a real guard but Filipino knife and sword routines try to advance by sliding blades on each other. I have seen this style of fighting before. Not for the faint of heart. Espada Dagga (Sword and dagger) looks like a Type of Kampilan.

My only complaint from just looking at i is that there's no pommel to use to end the zombies rightly.