This is the Nerf Zombie Strike Foam Axe, also described as a wrench-axe. Visually, it’s an adjustable pipe wrench that’s clamping down on an axe blade, and with rope, silicone tape, or something similar helping to hold everything together.
Nerf’s Zombie Strike line of foam dart blasters and accessories are actually really creative. There’s a blaster and chainsaw combo, for instance, which has a screwdriver priming pump handle. Other Zombie Strike blasters are built from scrap material, combination wrenches, and other tools and parts, or at least that’s how they’re decorated.
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There’s also an extending hole saw attachment that can be added to the front of some dart blasters, and a stock which has a drill bit index for holding replacement darts. Then there’s an under-blaster accessory that comes with two throwable circular saw blades.
But this wrench-axe?
The physics of swinging an axe (or a hammer) says you want a strong and rigid but lightweight handle. A pipe wrench isn’t exactly easily swingable, and might not be the best device for a “zombie strike” device.
But then again, you have a robust handle that’s unlikely to ever break. And in a pinch you can use it for… whatever post-zombie-outbreak tasks might call for a pipe wrench.
Could a pipe wrench clamp onto an axe head with sufficient pressure and stability? I suppose that’s what the tape or rope reinforcement strips are for.
Maybe this could work if it was an aluminum pipe wrench? If you’ve never felt the difference, aluminum pipe wrenches are much lighter than steel ones. I’m sure there’s a downside to it. Strength? Cost won’t mean squat in a post-zombie-outbreak world.
Okay, so it’s not practical, but it sure does look cool. I mean, cool for a foam toy, which as an adult I am not at all interested in, at the least.
The Nerf Zombie Strike line isn’t the least bit realistic, but I find it neat how it incorporates a lot of tools and common hardware into the fantasy designs.
Price: $10
Flotsam says
that is strange. Looks to be a cross between a hatchet & a monkey (pipe) wrench
Toolfreak says
This particular NERF product didn’t hold up to much use. The upper axe/jaw part seperated from the red handle in short order. The handle by itself apparently is ok, since I noticed it in various places over a period of weeks/months after before I finally trashed it.
If I ever do find a big and cheap pipe wrench, and an axe head or some scrap metal, I do think welding the two together would make for an interesting tool. Perhaps even an alloy/aluminum wrench with an alloy axe head to save weight.
Tom D says
Someone’s tried something similar it seems: https://youtu.be/juHlPEsPOes
Koko The Talking Ape says
Is it demo rated?
Bruce says
Depending on the size of the hole for the axe head, I suppose you could slip it onto the threaded part of the pipe wrench, with some sort of glue to lock the threads after you tightened it down, it might be functional as a zombie weapon.
Tom says
One needs the weight of steel wrench in case the axe fails.
Doc John says
Used two of ‘em on a zdef raid-
Highly effective
Matched it with a garlic grenade- wiped out a whole slew of the magot brains…
Nate B says
If I had an axe head and a pipe wrench, I would start by _removing_ the upper jaw from the wrench. Just spin the nut until the top part comes right out.
Then poke it through the hole in the axe head and reinstall. That way even if the grip loosens, the axe head is still captive and won’t go flying off, giving me a chance to retighten.
Of course the most popular person in this scenario is the welder.
Mike (the other one) says
I would just get a Stanley Fubar demolition/entry tool.
Stuart says
I’m guessing you didn’t realize that we’re talking about a foam toy?
Mike (the other one) says
Yes, I did!
Still want the Fubar. 🙂
Stuart says
Ah, just making sure.
Full size model?
Mike (the other one) says
Absolutely. Although the smaller one might be better for on-the-run zombie defense.
Nathan S says
I seem to recall that a pipe wrench was the basic weapon in Half Life: Opposing Force.