Zombie apocalypse walking stick

Periodically, we have entertained discussions of multipurpose walking sticks. This appears to be an adaptation of the traditional european alpenstock, an elongated climbing axe used for alp-walking, but rendered in toxic green plastic and stainless steel.

Cheers-

I don't know how practical the walking stick/axe is as a tool. There are others with much more outdoor experience than I do here. But for defensive purposes? Well, the axe and axe-like polearms were great at opening cans of knights on a medieval battlefield, but not so great in a civilian context. The axe is heavy and slow. Recovery after an unsuccessful strike takes a relatively long time, and that leaves you open to a counterattack. It takes a lot of energy to wield, which is never good news. (Who'd want to carry something like that on an arduous hike?) Though it's powerful, someone with a lighter, more agile weapon with the same reach will be at an advantage.

Look at how many schools of stickfighting, swordsmanship, etc. survived all over the world. Then take a look at the schools of axe fighting. Right.... The weapon was unpopular for a reason: except under special circumstances in which it excelled, it sucked. Most people drifted to superior all-around weapons in the civilian context, and so it made sense to formalize techniques into curriculums and schools. There was a market, there were students. Axes? They were for the unusually strong or the idiosyncratic folks.

I have no experience fighting bears, wolves, or zombies.

It is a piece of garbage, looking to be purchased by the proverbial sucker born every minute. The traditional alpenstock was simply a fairly long pole with a metal point (for getting a good purchase on snow or ice). From this developed the ice axe, which this thing is not; a classic ice axe is more of an adze/pick combination - a tool quite effective for its use in snow and ice climbing.

This perversion looks dangerous. The most likely thing it can cut is its owner. I doubt it would work very well as a conventional axe. But if you can waste 75 dollars, why not? Be the first on your block to own one. Does it come with a decoder ring?

That's right, I don't like it very much.....

unfortunately for the designer of this "apocalypse weapon" ... the real zombie's are all armed with AR-15's. they are definitely not stupid enough to get within swinging distance of that stick :-)

it might have been more practical if they had simply taken an ice ax head, or even a hammer/spike combo, and put it on the end of the pole. the head needs to be fairly lightweight it you plan to carry it up and down serious hills.

Pete2

there is a market for just about anything.

NurseMike,

The Alpenstock was a 5 or 6 foot tool (as well described by hikermor), this is only 37 inches long. If I were to take an axe along, I would rather have a conventional one, at least I could use it to cut and split wood.

Respectfully,

Jerry

If it doesn't sell in round 1, paint it blaze green, add "zombie" someplace in the name and jack the price up 25%.

Hey, nursemike, thanks for the chuckle. That one's a gem.