The Best Sword for Post-Apocalyptic Self-Defense?

A dark industrial, post-apocalyptic, rugged "tactical" gladius to pierce the skulls of ravenous undead hordes... The Zombie Tools Legionnaire sure fits that description.

So let's take a closer look at how well it's made, how it handles, and whether it will cut (and thrust).

In this review I'll be testing the blade on various materials and give you my opinion of the value you're getting. It's obviously designed for collectors, but it's made to be fully functional (or "battle-ready", if you will).

Since I briefly mention home defense without going into detail, here are older videos on that topic:

Home Defense in Canada... How Far Can You Go (Legally)?

Sword Against Bat / Maglite / Crowbar? (Home Intruder)

A Good Dword for Home Defense? (Viewer Question)

*** Specifications ***

Overall length: 68 cm (26-3/4'')
Blade length: 49 cm (19-1/3'')
Blade thickness: 6.3 mm (1/4''), tapering to 4.8 mm (3/16'')
Point of balance: 5 cm (2'') from the hilt
Weight: 1.12 kg (2-1/2 lbs)

*** Pros / Cons ***

+ Excellent fit & finish
+ Exceptionally strong & durable
+ Comfortable handle

- Edge grind sacrifices cutting ability for durability
- Unnecessary extra mass in the hilt

*** Where to get it ***

*** Music credits ***

"Space Ambient" by Osmic
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)

"Small Loss" by HorrorPen
CC BY 3.0

Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
Used with artist's permission

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*** Social media ***

#skallagrim #sword #review #zombiesurvival

[procow]

Having a sword that doesn't reflect in sunlight seems very useful

[roberth]

Zombie Tools could make a version of the British Navy Cutlass, perfect for confined spaces and the bowl guard would be perfect for punching zombies who got past the blade.

[MikaelKKarlsson]

An apocalyptic style Khopesh could be something very, much. 🤩

[breaden]

Love to see old Skall content referenced with the “unreasonable abuse”

[raphlvlogs]

the Gladius is a simple compact overall design that will be useful in various different context in different time periods

[aslakjacobsen]

i do LOVE the zombie tools weapons, their entire library of blades is amazing

[insomniacryan]

I went by ZTs shop in Montana while on a road trip, and got to handle all of their blades. The truth is that it's really, really hard to tell how any of their weapons are going to feel in the hand until you try them in person. The DeCapitan, for example, felt like a crowbar to me, while the Zakasushi felt sublime, even though they're the same length. The blades I thought I would like I mostly didn't, and most of the ones I was skeptical about were amazing. The best of the lot was the Diphos (also the most expensive), and I was amazed by the Sharkalope, Japanese blades (which was a little depressing, because weebs), Scyllis, and Vakra. The Deuce was unwieldy, the Rat Bastard, Felon, and Reaver Cleaver were absurdly heavy, and the Spit and Kraken were just a little too short. The Hellion, Legionnaire, and Traumahawk were fine.
So that's my flash review of their lineup. If it were my own money, I think the Zakasushi offers the best bang for the buck. Your mileage WILL vary.

[smol_hornet]

ZombieTools as usual. You really can't go wrong with an adamantium sword.

[James-bwnp]

As someone who also owns a legionairre from ZT, I am happy with it since I can abuse it more than I could with another type of blade.

[jman]

Thank you for pointing out that there's a lighter version of it. I got that one instead after handling my classmate's standard version. I just love how it balances! Thanks again!

[Elitek]

Ive got the kraken, traumahawk, the spit, reaver cleaver, and dcaptain sabre. All are amazing pieces and great quality craftsmanship.

[brazzy]

I have the centurion dagger which is shorter and liter and like it a lot better. The dagger and my hand forged tomahawk that took me two tries to forge out is the best fighting combo in my opinion. But my friends and I practice with an instructor in this style of fighting. Our instructor also practiced the Japanese martial art that involves the short staff. Here he advertises it as walking stick self-defense. He completely changed my mind about a very well made 5 foot long walking stick. Great video.

[billdefranza]

7:05 I love how your neighbor is mowing his lawn and being all normal in the background of your cut test footage.

[keyannwilliams]

As someone who has both the Kraken and the Diphos from ZT, can confirm they are quite thick and will survive hell and back. Great products for if you want a weapon that will survive Armageddon.

[arbarzh]

Hey Skall. Very long time viewer. First time commenting I believe. Thanks for all the work you put, not on this video especially but in all your videos in general. Your reviews are always insightful and honest. I known takes time and dedication. Thanks again and cheers from France.

[LeonMc]

I love my ZT Tainto and Felon! I remember it was YOU, Skall, that introduced ZT to them via a review on the channel YEARS ago...Zombie Tools make great stuff!

[Modighen]

I'd been eyeing their Hellion since before they discontinued it in 2015. I checked a year ago and finally bought one because they resurrected the design, justifying the purchase as a solo trainer for sabre fencing. I really like it, but that 5mm spine makes it a stamina trainer or a machete rather than a badass kopis-style sword. I never thought to ask about getting one with a thinner spine, but I can still make my neighbours curious (or nervous) when I practice.

[nooneinparticular]

To me, it looks like if Caesar's Legion actually gained some industrial capability, as opposed to making them out of salvaged paper slicers.

This will summon Fallout: New Vegas fans.


...I'm partially sorry.

[Nioclas]

Happy to see ZT blades back in your videos, I wanna get their new dagger version of this sword, the centurion dagger; but the economy is bad right now so I'll have to save up a little.

[ArmouredProductions]

I would like to see a comparison to the Cold Steel Gladius Machete. That one is my favorite because it actually *looks* like a Gladius just black and with modern materials.