Okay the way that we kill zombies is by destroying the brain.
So we started talking about weapons that would be most effective against this type of zombie.
I brought up a sword made entirely out of diamonds considering that diamonds are the hardest known material and most likely could easily destroy a skull.
Brandon however said that it was brittle and could not do such a thing and that a hammer would serve better.
So how was right? Me or Brandon?
Which weapon would actually not suck?

It depends on the hammer.

how would you get a diamond big enough?
it would be brittle if you used a bunch of little diamonds, but a hammer wouldn't break bone unless you swung REALLY hard, like an acceleration of 3m/s^2.
but you would want something with an edge, so if you could get one large diamond for a sword, that would work, but a bunch of little diamonds making a sword is not as good as a hammer, unless you shoot the sword out if a gun barrel

Ummm, diamond can't really... what's that word? Um BREAK... that's why they need diamond cutters instead of smashing it against the ground. The diamond molecule is very stable with very long connected (strands? forget the scientific word)... any way the bond is too great to break.

Of course theres always the thing that diamond is very heavy so swinging it would be hard, and finding one big enough for a hammer would be very hard... so you know, you're both wrong in a way :D

A diamond sword that's thin enough to cut would likely shatter on the first hit or two, assuming the zombie has a typical adult strength skull. A hammer would probably be a better weapon as long as it's heavy enough to do the damage and long enough to keep you far enough away. A sledgehammer would be ideal if there's only one zombie.

I'm pretty sure a hammer would work better at crushing skulls.

but the idea isn't to crush the skull, its to damage the brain, so it would probably be better to pierce the skull at one point with a stab, or a slash, if you crush the entire skull, you're just wasting energy, besides a diamond anything, with its double carbon bonds and polymer chain, could withstad more force that pretty much any other material, except maybe tungeston carbide

Why waste time with diamond?. An ordinary steel weapon would work just as well.

While it is better kill a zombie from as far away a physically possible, I have to go with the hammer. A diamond sword would be either be too heavy, or too weak to do sufficient damage. A hammer would be much more effective (though a lot more dangerous).

I think that a sword of made of diamond would be too brittle. Maybe a diamond coated steel blade.

When the zombie apocalypse comes, are you really going to have a diamond sword just sitting around, waiting to be used? No, you're not. A hammer is a stupid choice as well. Too slow and clumsy. So both of you have just been eaten by zombies. Suck it.

Machetes, hatchets, crowbars, spikes and the old Shaolin Spade are the superior zombie-slaying implements if you're foolish enough to get close to them.

Depends on what we're talking about, like a war hammer? Or a little hammer used for nails and such. And hows the sword? One big diamond? If so, it's much better, if not, then a war hammer is 2nd best, and a little hammer comes in third, followed by a sword made of tiny diamonds.

Hammers are generally more unwieldy, but a diamond-edged sword would be very difficult to obtain.

Both would work to an extent, depending on the kind of Zombie.

Depends, how big a hammer we talking here, and is the sword made up of small diamonds or one big one that has been cut down? But I would go with the hammer for more fun.

For breaking skulls you really want a crushy weapon that focus' force to a point, pretty much any design of mace, warhammer or pick.

PS AFAIK diamond isn't very flexible, it's very hard, but doesn't bend too well, I imagine it would snap if made into a sword as a single piece.

A standard carpentry hammer could probably inflict sufficient brain damage to put a zombie down for the count if you swung it hard. I mean, if all we're doing is impairing vital function instead of destroying the brain or removing the head.

Well a sword made of diamond is pretty cool. A hammer would probably work better for crushing a skull, but a sword made of diamond is practically indestructible. You could slice off their heads, that's just as good as crushing the head...usually...at least then the body wouldn't move around.

Giant meat tenderizer tipped with diamonds anyone?

Main problem with a hammer (assuming you're using a regular carpenter's hammer) is it's short reach. A zombie could fairly easily grab/bite you in the time it takes to swing and connect. On that basis, the sword would be best, and also has the advantage of being able to either decapitate or just destroy the brain. Though, as other people have stated, there's an issue of weight.

Datalord:
unless you shoot the sword out if a gun barrel

BRILLIANT!

EDIT: On topic, a hammer may take too many swings to destroy the brain, and if you're up against a bunch you'll get worn out faster. A sword made of diamond would work cause the brain's getting cut up. But then again, a sword made of diamond-zuh would be too brittle.

I think I would prefer a shotgun that shoots diamond tipped bullets myself. That way you don't have to go right up to the zombie and give him a chance to nosh on your brains before you smash his melon.

If I have to pick between the two, I'll go for the sword as well, longer reach, and much cleaner cut, you don't want to get zombie gunk all over ya, that just makes you into a zombie.

Aardvark:

Machetes, hatchets, crowbars, spikes and the old Shaolin Spade are the superior zombie-slaying implements if you're foolish enough to get close to them.

Pretty much these are the best choices to use in a fight against a zombie.

C Lion:
An aluminum baseball bat would be best, that is if you're planning on using it to run away and, you know, LIVE.

I can't help it; I'm too much of a nerd:
According to the Zombie Survival Guide (a great read), aluminum baseball bats are known to bend after multiple uses. Apparently, the best bludgeon is either a steel or titanium crowbar.

mmk.

Melee weapons, right?
mmk.

~~Longer Reach Melee~~
Length of iron pipe (Similar to the Spade idea, but...Less Kung Fu-y) ....Quick vertical strike downwards and it should do some damage... Mind you, the longer the pipe is the easier it'll bend.. Especially if it's a Shaolin Spade length pipe.

Rudimentary Spear: Either duct tape, bolt, lash, solder, whatever a knife or other metallic, sharp object to the end of that pipe and you've got a nice, One on One Zombie Eyefuck. Loses it's effect on group situations.

~~Medium Length Melee~~
Sledgehammer: Goodbye skull. Nuff said. Good for single encounters. Not so great with group encounters. Pretty unwieldy.

Larger Crowbars: Pretty solid, more easily wielded than a sledgehammer. Still better for one on one 'battles' but maybe if you've got good stamina..

2x4 with metal extrusions: Good quick weapon, pretty weak in hitting power and durability.. Dont rely on it..

Larger Paper Cutter Blades: ...Well not so much of a blade rather than a semi-thin, blunt metal strip bolted to a handle. Should work out ok as a 'sword'..

Baseball Bats: Ahh...The zombie whackin' classic. Will eventually break, but are very handy for cracking skulls across the world.

~~Short Range Melee~~
Standard carpenter hammer: Good and sturdy, can come with metal or wooden grips.. Will punch a hole through most skulls. Go crazy. Be careful getting too close. Go to the side or around the back. Nearly useless in group encounters.

Screwdrivers/knives: Jam em through an eye socket, or into the forehead. Just...Be real careful of the jaws..

Short Pipes/Crowbars: Same as the above variations, just a little easier to use.

~~Hand to Hand melee~~
Knuckledusters:
Brass knuckles. May cause brain damage if you're hercules or on steroids. Problem is you're basically saying "Gnaw on my Arm, Pl0x."

Chainsword.

If it works on Plauge marines, it will work on zombies.

Maybe we're thinking the wrong way. Why attempt to destroy the skull when the neck is a much easier target for a sword? I know that it's highly suggested that you don't simple decapitate a zombie, but if you have a sword, proper technique would be to even that space between the shoulders. Besides, we can always finish them later.

Ultrajoe:
Chainsword.

If it works on Plauge marines, it will work on zombies.

Amen, brother.

I'd out of those two, a synthetic diamond sword would be feasible, and effective as a weapon, but it would be costly. I'd go with the hammer, because you can pack more force into it, and from my experience blunt weapons do more damage to undead than sharp ones, and for logical reasons: Fighting with a blade, you target muscles or vital organs in the torso, something which neither skeletons nor zombies require. Hammers, maces, and clubs break bones and smash things, making them much more effective at disabling things. That, and hammers have a greater surface area (battle hammers, that is), so your chances to hit would be much greater.

The question is, though: WILL IT BLEND?

I'd personally go for a bolt pistol and a chainsword, though. Or a Land Raider.

GammaChris:
Maybe we're thinking the wrong way. Why attempt to destroy the skull when the neck is a much easier target for a sword? I know that it's highly suggested that you don't simple decapitate a zombie, but if you have a sword, proper technique would be to even that space between the shoulders. Besides, we can always finish them later.

Does Dead Space ring any bells? Decapitated undead (or necromorphs, in DS's case) go berserk. Better to kill them as fast as possible.

Impracticalitys.

Where would you get a diamond sword? And what kind of purity are we talking about.

Wouldn't a diamond sword be extremely dense anyway, I mean what are its dimensions and how strong are you?

manchild575:
Another zombie thread? ugh its plague I tell you.

Plague? Zombie Plague! Everybody bunker down!

Michael_McCloud:

Does Dead Space ring any bells? Decapitated undead (or necromorphs, in DS's case) go berserk. Better to kill them as fast as possible.

You're right... decapitating zombies is too risky. Perhaps if it's a stabbing weapon, like a rapier, then we could aim right for the eye socket, but I would much rather have my trusty crowbar.

The more of this thread I read the dumber i get. That being said, you totally have to use a sword if its short range melee, but forget about the diamonds and go for a basic samurai sword because it is lighter in weight than a broad sword so you would have more chances to swing if the first one missed. All you really have to do is penetrait the skull with the swing and damage the brain and the zombie will just flop around on the floor like a spaz. And make sure its a real sword made by a weaponsmith, not those cheap sheet metal ones that you can buy on QVC at 4AM with the LIMITED TIME ONLY deal with 5 swords for 4 easy payments of $39.99 plus shipping and handling.