tomahawk axe

[KevinB]

I watch Walking dead and wonder why I never see one of these things. Lee Valley would be one of my stops to grab a dozen or so of them when the dead stop staying that way.

Dude, guns, and lots of ammo. Why get close to a zombie.

 

[Kat Stevens]

Dude, guns, and lots of ammo. Why get close to a zombie.

Canada. I'm in Alberta and most of the zombies are in Ottawa, and the zombies are making guns go away.

 

[lenaitch]

Not fancy, but a tire iron under the front seat gets the job done.

I used to have a little window punch you could carry on your key ring. Kept mine in the glove compartment.

Yup. A quick point force -preferably in a corner - works much better on tempered glass than bashing at it, even an edged weapon, and particularly when the ability to get a good swing may be limited. I carried an 'automatic' (spring loaded) centre punch in my brief case and still have a pointy tool in all of our vehicles, even a little one on the m/c (Google image). In training, I saw it done with a quick whack by a windshield wiper arm.



Windshields are another thing since they have a layer of plastic laminated in the middle, and require a breaching tool not unlike an old-style can opener.

Sorry, I was never trained on zombies.

 

[OldSolduer]

Not fancy, but a tire iron under the front seat gets the job done.

Also useful in changing tires and discouraging ne’er do wells who want to rob you.
Whack!!!

 

[KevinB]

Yup. A quick point force -preferably in a corner - works much better on tempered glass than bashing at it, even an edged weapon, and particularly when the ability to get a good swing may be limited. I carried an 'automatic' (spring loaded) centre punch in my brief case and still have a pointy tool in all of our vehicles, even a little one on the m/c (Google image). In training, I saw it done with a quick whack by a windshield wiper arm.

View attachment 74477

Windshields are another thing since they have a layer of plastic laminated in the middle, and require a breaching tool not unlike an old-style can opener.

Sorry, I was never trained on zombies.

A lot of newer vehicles have laminated glass on the side windows too - which can make clearance a pita - Vegas Metro actually uses a shortened aluminum baseball bat - works very well, unless you care about the guy inside…

 

[mariomike]

"Can I legally break a car window if it is hot, and there is a dog inside", seems to be a common question.

The answer seems to vary,depending on jurisdiction.

Interesting article about breaking tempered vs laminated side windows.

Laminated Vs. Tempered Side Windows in Vehicles | Glass.com

Recently, laminated side windows have caused drivers to get trapped inside their vehicles after a crash. Learn the pros and cons of laminated side windows.

info.glass.com

 

[lenaitch]

A lot of newer vehicles have laminated glass on the side windows too

I was not aware of that. Tnx

 

[KevinB]

"Can I legally break a car window if it is hot, and there is a dog inside", seems to be a common question.

The answer seems to vary,depending on jurisdiction.

Interesting article about breaking tempered vs laminated side windows.

Laminated Vs. Tempered Side Windows in Vehicles | Glass.com

Recently, laminated side windows have caused drivers to get trapped inside their vehicles after a crash. Learn the pros and cons of laminated side windows.

info.glass.com

From the article
Still not sure whether your vehicle has laminated side windows or tempered side windows?

It is actually fairly easy to determine. Put the window down halfway - and look from the top. Laminated glass is thicker and the central lamination will look more whitish compared to the outlying glass ‘sandwich’. Tempered glass is one piece and will look uniform from the top.

I have an expandable baton in my driver side door cubby - it’s a fairly reliable window breaker. Worse case I’ll put a few rounds into it - and kick it out.

 

[Kat Stevens]

Yup. A quick point force -preferably in a corner - works much better on tempered glass than bashing at it, even an edged weapon, and particularly when the ability to get a good swing may be limited. I carried an 'automatic' (spring loaded) centre punch in my brief case and still have a pointy tool in all of our vehicles, even a little one on the m/c (Google image). In training, I saw it done with a quick whack by a windshield wiper arm.

View attachment 74477

Windshields are another thing since they have a layer of plastic laminated in the middle, and require a breaching tool not unlike an old-style can opener.

Sorry, I was never trained on zombies.

In my two front door side bins there are a couple of old spark plugs with the top removed. Seems just the thing for side glass, and I've got assloads of them around from various motorized mayhem devices.

 

[davedave]

... even an edged weapon, and particularly when the ability to get a good swing may be limited.

that's when you use the "short grip"
the short grip is when you hold the haft/handle directly underneath the head of the tomahawk so you can still use the edge of the blade or the beak/spike (alternate short grip) provided your tomahawk has one. you would also still be able to hook by holding the haft/handle 3/4 of the way up. you can also thrust with the head or the top point, thrust with the haft/handle by holding it under the head with one hand and the butt with the other, additionally, you can also strike with the butt itself.

you really dont have to have a good swing available to you to cause harm.

im sure this is out of context but, sorry, i had to...

 

[PPCLI Guy]

Seeing as this thread has already derailed, if anyone wants to try something different can recommend this blacksmithing course (and sure there are others in whatever area you are in).

Why buy an axe when you can start with a block of steel and a square cut of wood and end up with your own handmade one at the end? Started with the kitchen knife one, and looking at going back again to try another course, as well as setting up a backyard $50 knife forge, but always great to learn the basics from someone that knows what they are doing.

Throwing Axe or War Hammer | vansblacksmithing

Can confirm. Have a kitchen knife already....

 

[davedave]

oh, glass... for some reason i thought you were talking about zombies.......

 

[lenaitch]

In my two front door side bins there are a couple of old spark plugs with the top removed. Seems just the thing for side glass, and I've got assloads of them around from various motorized mayhem devices.

Yup. I once saw a volunteer FF who had a spark plug taped to a windshield wiper arm (low budget and before the days of breaching tools). The trick is a quick, sharp blow that creates a small chip in the surface that releases the opposing tensions inherent in the glass. There are all sorts of YouTubes of guys throwing bit of spark plug ceramic at windows - pretty hit and miss.

 

[TacticalTea]

Aren't the metal bars that keep the headrest in place supposed to be good window-breaking tools?

 

[KevinB]

Yup. I once saw a volunteer FF who had a spark plug taped to a windshield wiper arm (low budget and before the days of breaching tools). The trick is a quick, sharp blow that creates a small chip in the surface that releases the opposing tensions inherent in the glass. There are all sorts of YouTubes of guys throwing bit of spark plug ceramic at windows - pretty hit and miss.

I've seen it fail more often that not.
I wouldn't consider it viable these days - especially with laminated glass.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Aren't the metal bars that keep the headrest in place supposed to be good window-breaking tools?

I put covers on my headrests. I'll guarantee I'd be long dead before I could get those stupid little locks to release the headrest.

You need something that can cut a seat belt AND break the window.

If you just want to shatter a car window, an automatic centre punch works every time.

 

[KevinB]

I put covers on my headrests. I'll guarantee I'd be long dead before I could get those stupid little locks to release the headrest.

You need something that can cut a seat belt AND break the window.

Yes.

If you just want to shatter a car window, an automatic centre punch works every time.

Again only with tempered glass.

The laminated ones tend to get a hole and some spiderwebs- but it won’t shatter out with just one punch.
Most will take 5-6 ‘hits’ along the door line and then you can push it out.

Just food for thought so if you get stuck in that situation you don’t get frazzled when a side window doesn’t shatter with one click.

 

[medicineman]

My EDC Smith & Wesson M&P knife has a seatbelt ripper and window punch/skull cracker integral to the handle...I also have Leatherman Raptor shears which sometimes stay on my belt when I go home from work as backup - there is a pair in the med kit in the car also, but it's not readily accessible.

 

[KevinB]

My EDC Smith & Wesson M&P knife has a seatbelt ripper and window punch/skull cracker integral to the handle...I also have Leatherman Raptor shears which sometimes stay on my belt when I go home from work as backup - there is a pair in the med kit in the car also, but it's not readily accessible.

I have am IFAK on the back of my head rest, a fire extinguisher on the rear of my seat, more involved emergency stuff in the rear of the Suburban (albeit under 3 sets of Hockey gear) hence the immediate need items are easy to get too...

 

[medicineman]

I have am IFAK on the back of my head rest, a fire extinguisher on the rear of my seat, more involved emergency stuff in the rear of the Suburban (albeit under 3 sets of Hockey gear) hence the immediate need items are easy to get too...

I think my Mrs would think I was more of a nutter than she already does if I stuck my IFAK in my head rest - she already thinks I'm one for the kit in the back of my Trax, which I moved out of the spare well, where I still have my Jetboil with extra gas, some water, 3in1 coffee pouches and some freeze dried hiking food - hey Manitoba. You'd think given I've stopped for frigged up people on the street with her in the car that she'd get it, but NOOOOO .