When the zombies come and you’re out of ammo, what’s your backup weapon? A massive halberd would be the most effective, but you can’t carry both it and the supplies you’ve been gathering. And while hand axes are great at chopping wood, they are slow and clumsy when it comes to self-defense. You might be thinking sword, but it is hard to find one that is suitable for more than just handing on a wall.



For the ultimate self-defense weapon against the zombies you need a machete. The simple machete is durable, easy to maintain, and available at any gun, camping, or hardware store. As the only melee weapon still used in modern warfare, this is the best option for outfitting your entire band of post-apocalyptic survivors.



Of course you need to still learn how to use it. Which is why the Scholars of Alcala are presenting a course on authentic machete fighting techniques. Originally developed in Germany to combat the undead victims of the Black Death, these techniques were carefully recorded in Joachim Meyer’s 1570 text entitled "A Thorough Description of the Free, Chivalric, and Noble Art of Fencing, Showing Various Customary Defenses, Affected and Put Forth with Many Handsome and Useful Drawings”.



In this class you’ll learn how to use a German machete known as a Dussack. Whether you are hacking up zombies or fending off raiders, the skills you learn today will be invaluable when the undead rise from their graves.



Wear comfortable clothing, tennis shoes, and no jewelry on the hands or ears. We recommend bringing a water bottle and a sack lunch. Please also bring a light pair of gloves, there will be some on hand if you don't own any.



The $10 fee for this event will be used for general operating expenses such as the purchase and maintenance of loaner equipment. You do not have to pay our normal club dues.