The Zombie Tools Ferrous Wolf: Sidearm of Ragnarök

“In winter, the lone wolf dies...but the pack survives.” 

Ned Stark said that.

But, clearly, he never held the Ferrous Wolf from Zombie Tools.

If this thing was transformed into its namesake, this VIKING-THEMED absolute MEAT CLEAVER of a sword would run off, subjugate half the woods, come back, take your car, drink your beer, steal your girlfriend, and retire to the tropics without ever breaking a sweat.

As was said of Ivan Drago from Rocky 4, “whatever he hits, he destroys.”

Fenrir-Tough Steel

Like many of the earlier offerings from Zombie Tools, the Ferrous Wolf (now retired) is not constructed to reflect the meticulous precision and historical accuracy of the Ulfberht Viking-era sword. 

It is heavy, thick, and a hell of a lot meaner than all those jocks who stuffed you in your locker and stole your IBS meds (I COULD HAVE DIED, CHAD!).

However, like the aforementioned Fenrir, giant wolf son of the Norse god Loki, devourer of Odin, and bringer of Ragnarok, if you set this thing loose against a target (humans or otherwise), it’s going to be a very bad day for them.

How bad? Let’s go to the tape:

Total length: 34.5 in.
Blade length: 28 in.
Handle length: 4.5 in.
Steel width: .25 in.
Steel type: 5160
Weight: 3lbs 2oz (Albion’s Gotland is 2.44lbs)
Point of Balance: Approximately 5.5 inches from the cross guard

In short, it’s a true monster.

How She Runs: Ferrous Wolf Handling Characteristics

The shortness of the blade means less length to disperse the overall weight of the sword, making it tip and blade-heavy, almost in the extreme. 

The reduced cruciform hand guard and t-shaped pommel construction (shaped IMHO like Mjolnir, Thor’s Hammer) also adds a lot of right angles that can (and did) take the skin off of a wielder’s hand, and dig into the heel of their palm, if not swung it with protection and great care.

(Apparently this is a problem even with the fabled ALBION SWORDS)

The Ferrous Wolf doesn’t lend itself to overt comfort or the quick parries of other blades in a duel (without Thor-like strength to command it). But it does carry an IMMENSE amount of inertia when sliding through a target.

That being said, as all the components are all made of metal, as all Zombie Tools weapons are, I would be FLOORED to see this thing break or take serious structural damage of any kind even against heavier targets (like shields).As expected (and loved) from ZT, this weapon absorbs shock like a Marine Corps Sniper - stoically and without ever missing a beat. 

The tempered 5160 steel blade holds up the premier reputation of its elasticity, ability to return to true, and the strength of its chemical composition. 

The Ferrous Wolf is double-edged, and those edges have an attractive single (and a little more) bevel. The point tapers (ever so slightly) towards the tip, as well, for improved stabbing and thrusting.

Bottom line: If you’ve got one swing to get through the hide of Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, you may have found your brand. 

Intimidation points galore!

Yeah, it looks nice and all, but is it made tough like the other Zombie Tools weapons are?

Right, ok. But now you've gone and fucked up your edge, haven't you? Rolling? Dulling? Bet she wont cut properly, amirite?

"Oh..."

A PROPER "VIKING GRIP"

Reflecting back on the grip of the sword hilt, and the subsequent damage it did to my hand, maybe I was to blame (almost definitely). I held it “hammer-grip” and sent it sailing through the bottle/tatami mat/simulated appendage, only to see my flesh come back bloody.

Should I have been holding it a different way? Are there other less lethal ways to hold Viking-Age/Migration Era swords that give you more comfort and control?

Oh yes.

Turns out, there ARE A TON of ways to swing a dead cat (or an inanimate steel sword) and almost just as many ways to grip one:

THE HAMMER GRIP

Skallagrim does a tremendous job of TORTURE testing his...gulp...Albion Berserkr sword on some seaside driftwood/branches/small trees, etc.

Despite a small bend in the blade, nothing broke (miraculously). The important thing is he used what is called the “Hammer Grip” to swing the sword almost the entire time.

HAMMER TIME WITH SKALLAGRIM

Now, it’s called a hammer grip, because you basically make a fist then put a sword hilt (instead of a carpenter’s tool) in it.

In my experience (and admittedly I am a backyard cutter with minimal Fiore training), this is the best way to hold these type of Viking-themed swords in order to maintain the kind of power, control, angle, and recovery you’re looking for.

THE HANDSHAKE GRIP
The Handshake Grip for Viking-era/Viking-Themed swords is like the Hammer Grip, but instead of placing your hands at the the top of the grip, you orient your hand to the bottom of the grip - right up against the pommel.

Why? 

Well, Viking-era swords tend to, b/c of the shape of their cross guards and pommels, smash into your wrist when swung, more often than not. This grip alleviates that and essentially turns the sword into an extension (giving better reach at a better angle) of your arm. 

According to Matt Easton from Scholagladitoria, the pommel slides past the heel of your hand when used with the Handshake Grip, and helps with a number of other aspects of practical swordsmanship as well, including:

• Edge Alignment
• Sword Retention
• Reach
• Overall Comfort
• And more…

I don’t disagree with Matt. The Handshake Grip is comfortable enough and... 

AGAIN, WE SEE EVEN SKALLAGRIM SEEMS TO LIKE IT...AND USES IT TOO

It’s not for me.

I find that, when holding the Ferrous Wolf at the juncture of the pommel and the grip, I lose more control swinging the heavier blade. 

My hand is so far away from the sword’s tip and, more importantly, the point of balance, making control, a secondary back swing, and my aim that much more difficult.

Like choking up on a baseball bat (don’t swing your sword like a baseball bat, if you can help it), placing your hand closer to the guard, and even placing your ring finger on the ricasso of the sword (as may have been done from horseback, but I wouldn’t recommend it in sword binds), gives you enhanced control over the business end of the instrument in both the vertical and horizontal planes.

Now, again, and totally without shame, I am not a well-trained fencer or well-versed in writings of schools of historical swordsmanship (like Matt and Roland Warzecha from Dimicator certainly are). 

But I do know what I like when handling and swinging swords.

I also know what works for me when cutting through targets and practicing proper edge alignment. 

It’s not this.

Also, being comfortable with your weapon, and being able to make it an extension of your arm, is paramount when swinging swords around with any type of force.

This requires, in my opinion, all the strength and control you can get, not to mention the ability to move it into the necessary offensive and defensive positions.

For me, that means it’s the hammer every time.

THE POMMEL GRIP

Now, Roland Warzecha, from the sword school Dimicator, takes swordsmanship seriously. 

So seriously, in fact, that his school practices with sharps.

Yes, that’s right, live steel. Complete sword hardo. I love it.

And, when wielding Viking-era/Viking-themed swords, he has an utterly unique way of gripping the sword: (largely) by the pommel. 

Pommel Grip #1

Pommel Grip #2

Shockingly (not so much), I find this method to be too alien, and believe it would lead to untold hours of practice for any student of the sword to get truly comfortable with such a grip, let alone effectively use it in combat.

Or does it…?

Roland has found that this grip works very effectively in practical Viking-style combat with his students and fellow practitioners and seems to place complete faith in it:

Not only that, for all of its strange characteristics at first glance, he claims there are unique advantages to abandoning the “Action Figure (Hammer) Grip” and adopting something that is, in Roland’s opinion, a bit more sophisticated:

WHY THE POMMEL GRIP WORKS 

I attempted to hold the Ferrous Wolf in this fashion and cut with it, but again, unfortunately, it felt awkward to me throughout the experience. 

I won’t say it is “wrong way” to hold and swing a sword, no.

Roland has read the Dark Age/Medieval Treatises and has adopted and adapted those practices more for the modern day far more than I ever could.

He makes it his life.

For me personally, it’s just a pass.

Too strange. Too complex. Too much maintenance and form.

Plus, from what I have seen, Roland works more with much stricter geometry, precision, and reach in swordsmanship rather than meeting “force with force.”

Again, I am a backyard cutter with a Zombie Tool Ferrous Wolf. Finesse is not really the name of my game in this instance. But if it works for them, and they're comfortable with it, I wish them all the success in the world with their fight simulations.

MAYBE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE?

Matt Easton from Scholagladitoria put out a VIDEO some time ago refuting, debating, then agreeing with (??) this grip and these sword mechanics (as an ending position?). I find that he walks along a pretty logical trail (the comments are awesome, please read them) when it comes to gripping/not gripping the Viking-themed swords in this fashion.

Is it 3 years old? Yep. 

Could both have changed their views on it within that time? Of course.

Might my mind change with more practice and a lighter weapon? I pray to the gods I get that chance.  

Point is, both Matt and Roland are working with the respective and innovative grips that are best for them. They are also and making fascinating assertions, and showing us through their videos, about how Vikings went into battle gripping their sharp and steely weapons of death.

I dig that.

Overall, however you hold it - Hammer, Handshake, or Pommel - Viking swords, especially the Ferrous Wolf from Zombie Tools, offer a timeless design and the stabbing and stopping power you want. They have the ability to turn all but the strongest shields into useless kindling and give you the win - whether you're in the shieldwall or the fighting for your life and honor in the Holmgang. 

Darksword Armory: Are They Getting Better? Maybe

It seems the day finally arrived – the day when troubled Canadian sword-makers, Darksword Armory, have announced their long-awaited and long-sought after “mea cupla” resulting from YEARS of customer complaints, emaciated tangs, and suspicions of overseas importing for entire lines of swords.

Better still, apparently, they claim to be DOUBLING DOWN on the overall quality and rigorous inspection process of all their blades for 2019 and beyond.

“DARK SWORD: OUR BAD. SORREY.”

Better late than never? Have they seen the light? We’ll find out.

LITTLE BITTER ABOUT MY BLADES

Now, forgive me my skepticism, but I, personally, was burned by DSA on no less than THREE different swords over a period of about 5 years or so. The Guardian, The Carpathian, The Claymore – all of them came with emaciated tangs and over-built and false-peened hilt constructions that led to catastrophic and potentially-dangerous sword failures.

Not only did I return EACH of these swords MORE THAN ONCE, BEGGING for them to inspect it and provide me with the high-quality sword I paid for, I also subsequently paid Wes Beem of Lonely Wolf Forge HUNDREDS of dollars to tear down and reconstruct the tangs of the Guardian and Carpathian to make them functional (as the Guardian was a wedding gift, and the Carpathian was a favorite design).

I didn’t mind paying Wes to do it. He’s a mad genius with steel, but I must admit, I think I might be ex-wifing this whole scenario pretty hard right now.

The bitterness is still a bit raw, remembering all the mailing I had to do, and the pictures featured in DSA’s article were, in fact, mine: 

I also, presently, have a 11th Century Viking Sword that I purchased around the same time, but I’m afraid to open her up an feel the searing fire of corruption and rage engulf me again.

Plus, she’s too pretty. 

It may also be because after my lengthy email chain with DSA concerning these issues, their apparently indifferent mouthpiece Mike told me:

“It would be best if you purchased from another provider from here on out.”

But this isn’t the blog post to rehash the past.

THIS IS.

THIS IS TOO.

FLASH FORWARD: IMPROVING SWORD QUALITY AT DARKSWORD ARMORY

OK. Enough of that. I’m sure my refunds/new swords/apologies will come any day now (truthfully, they did offer me a new Erland Sword for my trouble. I declined).

But in my many discussions and debates with people who have purchased DSA blades and LOVED them (congrats on picking up good ones), I SWORE that if DSA EVER improved the quality of their weapons and processes with regularity, I would be among the first to come forward and write a “seeing the light” piece about their efforts.

It would seem I am a man of my word.

Here I am, true to life, and here are some things I have noticed that have been positive about the DSA brand image revamp as of late:

• THIS ARTICLE: Do we know if it is all true? Nope. Have they made these claims before? Yep. Evidence to the contrary from renowned swordsmith Jeffrey Robinson? Perhaps. But the fact is they are still acknowledging there was a problem and they are, from photographic evidence, taking steps to correct it. That’s the first step towards recovery and forgiveness, right? For some. Besides, everyone loves a comeback (ask Shakespeare or Rocky Balboa).
  
  
• UPDATED TANG PHOTOS: On their website, on Amazon, in almost location online where they sell, you’ll see a new addition to Darksword’s gallery lineup: a sword blade with a naked tang and transparent (finally) hilt construction. If they weren’t going to provide this type of new and improved tang, they would be setting themselves up for MAJOR legal action for false advertisement and fraud, and potential ruin to their less-than-sterling reputation. I'll count that as a win for the good guys.
  
  
• THE NUT & KEY TANG/POMMEL SYSTEM:
  Most-surprisingly, much like Hanwei, Cold Steel, and other manufacturers - those who know the value of being able to change out their broken or damaged blades - it seems DSA will now start incorporating a  keyed tang system in some of their swords. I haven’t seen any designs on their website to indicate this as of yet (they’re all peened as far as I can tell), but this information comes from collectors on the Sword Buyer’s Guide who have had supposed direct dealings with DSA reps.

Do I trust all of these things? Seeing is believing. Like many of you reading this, no, I have little faith in the promises of DSA. I know there are others who love them, but Im not into abusive relationships (I'm already married).

Are these the right moves to make in order to walk the path of redemption and higher profits within the sword community?

You bet.

“Through perseverance, the snail reaches the ark.” – Charles Spurgeon