» Zombie Hunter by Daniel Frazee
By Vince on December 9, 2011
This is the Zombie Hunter, by Daniel Frazee of Crazy Frazee Forge. A mix of modern and longstanding design, a blade that can thrust as well as cut!
A 15 inch tanto point blade with a 20 inch overall length. Steel is 52100, differentially heat treated. It weighs in at 1 pound 8.6 oz. Just enough weight for the balance and to let the edge do the “talking”. I like the fact that the blade is slightly concave, as I feel that gives a better draw cut. It turns out this feature was from the heat treat. I would have preferred the false edge sharpened but that’s ok, I can more than make this blade work!
The grip is sure and with the parrot beak butt, not likely to fly out of you hand. Very Filipino looking! The front finger groove is under the main edge so you’re not likely to run you had up the blade if a thrust goes wrong or it hits something hard like a bone or belt buckle. It has minimal jimping or thumb ramp on the top of the blade. This is nice touch, as with a blade this size you are not really going to be using it for that type of leverage.
Point of balance (POB) is 2.5 inches ahead of where a guard would be, also nice. It swings very nicely, for me the balance is right. Not bad for a 15 inch blade!
I’ve actually lost a blade, swinging it, it was an old Collins machete that I’d had modified with a guard and an extra 5 inches of handle. I was chopping something up in the back yard and due to the new gloves I was wearing at the time, it slipped out and flew right into the canal. Never was able to find it. Don’t have that worry about that here!
The red/black G-10 scales are smooth but grippy with the contours, held to the hilt by 3/32 stainless steel Allen head bolts. Fit and finish is excellent.
The sheath is well made. I remember the old Western Bowie sheath it is patterned from as I had one back in the 70’s. (Yes, I’m that old!)
I’ll put it thru some chopping over the weekend and add some more info and pics in the 2nd part of this review. So far this is just my first impression, but I’m liking so far. A lot!!
