[Revolver]

Ok say that the SHTF thanks to Earthquake/Super Flu/Economy Failure.
You are under age or have hit hard times and had to sell you rifles and pistols(I know this is a bad thought but it could possible happen). You are unable to get a gun what type of weapon would you use.
This is open to any thing with in reason.

[Revolver]

As for my choice I would carry a hatchet because after I got out of the city where I live I would have a good camping tool.

[Skunkabilly]

For the purposes of this poll, can I use the fixed blade I keep in my pack?

Failing that, starting from nothing (no Leatherman, either) I'd use a hatchet so I can use it to gather wood as well.

[Smoke]

Can I have a mag lite and a knife?

If this is truly SHTF, I should be able to "acquire" a weapon from some source.

Smoke

[Revolver]

Ok I'll change the idea a bit. You are planing to leave your town/city for your friends place in the country, but are held up by an upsurgence of Mabus who have made hard to move around the city with out being shredded by Jennings .25 autos, you have only your chosen weapon which you'll initially have to defend yourself with and acquire firearms-transportation-supplies from these Mabus.
How would you deal with these guys intially? Since they have drained every gas tank of every vechile (including yours) and raided every grocery store and are generally pillaging the town? Would you go stealthy and try to sneak out on foot with out incident or take a few out and arm yourself then use thier vechile to make it to your friends?
Ow and for the Skunk you are allowed a small pocket knife like a Leather man or a Swiss Army Knife.

[Verbal]

For the sake of the argument of no firearms, then I would go for the crossbow.

Gives me some distance, is silent and with a good aim guaranteed death on the other end.

That said, I'm sure a bit of looting would get me upgraded and back into the world of firearms.

[mgjohn]

Bow / Crossbow

Machete

Large bowie

Hatchet / hammer

I would carry several diffrent weapons, both for close in fighting and ranged combat.

[Revolver]

The idea was you only had one weapon. That you would have only that one weapon until you hammered someone and took thier Jennings or what ever they had.

[Prodigalshooter]

Baseball bat

[Joe Demko]

Estwing rock hammer-pick. Save the cliches about bg's with Jennings .25's.

[Dr.Rob]

You didn't list chainsaw?

Spetznatz Shovel, hands down.

[Prof]

If you've ever played "Half-Life", you know that the best survival weapon is the crowbar!! :D

[carpettbaggerr]

Keep a spade in the trunk of the car. It's nastier than an axe, and nobody looks at it twice, especially in the wintertime.

[Balog]

What's a Mabu?

[JShirley]

A good spear is a fearsome close-quarter weapon.

If we want a tool, on the other hand, or some combination of tool/weapon, a large knife is hard to beat.

John

[kannonfyre]

I'd go with a micro-machete like the BK&T BK9, Ontario RTAK or TOPS Anaconda. I've seen hardened switch blade carrying punks turn tail and RUN at the sight of a determined opponent presenting a small machete with authority.

[Elmer Snerd]

What's a Mabu?Mabuvian Prose Archive (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jeffreyschwartz/mabu.html)

I'm no expert on such things, but this knife (http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_purpose/hunting/a_g_russell_camp_knife_with_micarta_ebony.html) would probably do well.
It's big enough to use as a small hatchet, without looking like an "evilblacktacticalassaultfightingtacticalcommandosurvivaltacticalagaincombat" knife.

[clipse]

I'm really warming up to the idea of a Khukuri. This is a BAS(British Army Service) Khuk.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid84/pb36154d5533c3833caa282fb6fc7ce32/faccc725.jpg

clipse

[chaim]

Hmm, the scenario is that somehow you can only have one weapon?

Well, then I guess that means that it would have to be a small (2.5-3.5" blade) folder since I always have one in my pocket. It would also mean that my pepper spray must have fallen out of my pocket, and that I'm not at home and can't get there or I'd have 4 hunting/camping knives to choose from, two multi-tools to choose from (one larger, one pocket sized), a machete, a big Maglite and soon a small camp or backpacking axe.

In a more realistic situation, other than firarms I'd go with one of my defensive folders (doesn't matter that much which one) in my pocket and one of my hunting/camping knives on my belt. I'd leave my Maglite (too big to carry around easily, though a smaller one might end up in the pack). The Gerber camp or backpacking axe I'm getting in the next few days would be either in the pack or even on my belt (depending upon how low profile I wanted to be). I'd probably have the bigger multi-tool on my belt and I might even have the smaller pocket one as well.

Now in keeping with the spirit of your question, any bladed weapon, but only one, as your main/only weapon...I'm not sure. The knife is easier to hide (keep a low profile) and a hunting knife could be pretty effective. However, I'm thinking that the small backpacking axe could be pretty darn effective, and it wouldn't be that hard to conceal (it is fairly small).

[MeekandMild]

Six foot length of heavy rebar sharpened on both ends. :evil:

[Skofnung]

If this is to be a strictly fighting weapon, I vote spear. 6-7' shaft, 12-14" lugged head. There is a reason that the spear was the most used foot weapon in history, and that reason is not always economy, like some suggest.

If it has to double as a tool, I would say either axe or machete.

I would carry more than one weapon if I had my druthers in this situation.

[Red Dragon]

I think a machete/short sword would be the most logical multi-purpose tool. I found that with enough work, one can even cut down a tree with a Kabar so the machete could be used as both a tool and a weapon. it can be modified for longer range by attaching it to a pole and, as long as it had a decent handguard, could be used as a blunt tool (hammer.) ... don't want fingers sliding up the blade after a miss or a catch on a branch.

[tc300mag1]

machete/short sword i think would be the most usefull even though axe would be nice but its unweildy

[jercamp45]

Big Friggin' Knife!!
Large bowie will do about everything.
First project: improvise a spear using the bowie.
Second Proect: Beat feet to the retreat where I have, u, other devices not in accordance with this threat
To practise the great I American martial art...Icheat-fu!
Jercamp45

[p35]

The more I use a machete, the more I like it better than a hatchet. This is for land clearing & maintenance work, but it sure would be handy in a pinch.

OTOH, I make my own bows from hardwoods I cut myself- give me a machete (prefer woodworking tools, of course, but I'm playing along here) and I will have a serviceable standoff weapon within half a day.

[Bullwhip]

Tomahawk. Light weight carry, swift weapon, doubles for field hatchet.

[PATH]

I would go for the axe if I could have only one sharp instrument. You can use it to build shelter, chop wood, and make other sharpened wooden weapons.

Blunt defensive would be a louisville slugger of the heavier variety.