Melee Weapons of Fallout Part 1

Here we take a look at the lore behind, possible inspirations of and interesting background information for the knives, cattle prods, spears, ripper, clubs and a special secret weapon in the Fallout Franchise.

[@shiny1556]

While the “Farmer’s best friend” likely refers to Post War, the idea that the cows were units is cool. Maybe the whole reason Brahmin survived so well is because they were genetic units pre-war

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

Most livestock irl is genetically altered from the natural breeds, not hard to imagine that in fallout universe they created them (or adapted naturally) to have a higher tolerance of radiation, which would make sense in that regard given most of the vehicles and equipment on the farms would be nuclear powered

[@Rad_King]

I mean it could explain why they survived and horses didn’t...

[@stealthSGMB]

@@Rad_King I wish the Institute make Synth horses instead of gorillas.... Horses are actually useful.

[@eur0be4t3r]

@@stealthSGMB monke tho

[@superiorrule34]

@@eur0be4t3r what use does a gorilla have?

[@shawncarnes9471]

In FO4, I like to give my settlement scavengers a Pipe Wrench so they walk around their settlement with it out looking like they are ready to tackle any problems plumbing related or Raider related. The other option for this is the Sledgehammer.

[@demturkeys1811]

Ya'll don't know what to ask for at all. I would love to see a "Junk Items of Fallout part 1"

[@slitherthewizardofwither6959]

YE3ESSSS YEEEEESSSSSS. YAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSS. JUNK SO MUCH INTERESTING JUNK.

[@Rad_King]

LMAO. Get ready for that 50 part series.

[@jorgeh2609]

"This is a cup, it was used pre and post war for drinking various liquids, such as water.

[@coinsilver3]

Probably by category.

[@blaiseedmond2781]

@@Rad_King oh boy, try to go easy on your vocal cords

[@fib900]

Some unique knives that were looked over were Stab Happy, Occam’s Razor, and Blood Nap. An overlooked wrench in FO4 is Big Jim.

[@douglasgoodwon8227]

Blood-Nap is a big one to miss too, it's one of the only weapons with a passive buff in NV, and it's a super useful one too.

[@americanwarmuseum5874]

The Trench Knife from Fallout 3 appears to be based off of the M1917 US Trench Knife, that also features a spiked hand guard, though not as severe as the one in game.

[@EmonWBKstudios]

The Cultist dagger is more likely attached to the jaw bone of a bovine or equine animal. Most likely, it is that of a donkey, given the structure of the lower jaw and teeth shown on the model. It also has a potential biblical connotation, as it was said that Samson wielded a donkey's jaw against the Philistines. Edit: The Fallout Fandom wiki explicitly states this to be a human jaw bone, however, I could not find any additional information to either debunk or sustain this claim and given the anatomy of the jaw used in the model more closely resembles a donkey's lower jaw bone, I must conclude on my own that it is a donkey jaw bone, based solely on anatomical consistencies.

[@dragonfell5078]

You are doing the lord's work

[@BaronVonWankenstein]

I know I am over two years late to this party, but, to toss in my supporting knowledge; the jaw modeled is from an Ass or small donkey, I was talking to a gamer friend of mine about it who is also a equine veterinarian, also not only echoes your point of size and structure. I also want to follow on from your biblical reference: Samson is not the only biblical figure to use an equine jaw bone as a weapon, Cain also does when he, in some biblical depictions, uses a knife carved from an Ass' jaw bone to kill Abel, of course other sources said it was a rock and a lot of paintings and art works reflect that consensus; yet, a bone blade has been shown to be the weapon used in other scripted sources.

[@freddykrueger6910]

I love people like you.

[@papapesky]

I just want to take a moment to appreciate Fallout 3 / New Vegas for their melee combat. When coupled with the Bloody Mess perk it is the most satisfying play style imo. Turning raiders into paste with a Super Sledge never gets old. :P

[@Egames-tm9ex]

Could you do the canned food as well I think that would be pretty cool. Maybe a part 2 for basic foods from animals.

[@trenchgaming2166]

Agreed the variety of food throughout the games is pretty unique and interesting

[@Rad_King]

Good idea, I sure can!

[@stealthSGMB]

I ALWAYS wondered what Fancy Lad’s look like out of the box...

[@Egames-tm9ex]

@@stealthSGMB probably some American snack cake

[@injetavel279]

@@Rad_King Pun intended?

[@crackedcrypto1598]

I think a video comparing pre and post war wildlife and theories on how they changed and what they might have been would be cool

[@Rad_King]

Cool, I’ll put that down.

[@cxx23]

I love when you throw in your geology knowledge, like the difference between diamonds hardness and its (in)ability to handle pretty much any kind of impact.

[@warenrose3994]

Hardness and toughness

[@justtime6736]

Can you imagine how many people fucked up theirs with a hammer just to demonstrate?

[@TheStrayHALOMAN]

FO3's Trench Knife is my favorite knife in all of Fallout and I really want one like it IRL.

[@Rad_King]

Make it and I’ll showcase it in one of my videos.

[@Mister0men]

I love the electrified chinese officers sword, and superheated saturnite knife

[@monkimaniac1438]

Id love to see "comics/magazines from the wasteland" its be a pain to cover them all, but it'd still be cool

[@doomasameer5481]

really like how you listen to the community and read the comments, i suggest keeping this features in as many of your future vids as you can.

[@Rad_King]

That’s the plan moving forward! I get things wrong and so many of you have good insight that I feel the need to take time for that.

[@RagnarokiaNG]

It would have been good to have a non-lethal option with the police baton, Deus Ex style.

[@Rad_King]

Which game are you referring to? Fallout 4?

[@RagnarokiaNG]

​@@Rad_King Mainly Fallout 3 as it felt like having the option to knock out the guards as you escaped would have been a fun "good" way to escape.

[@austinitsua]

Currently doing a melee-only playthrough of NV, so this video was very interesting!

[@brothersgt.grauwolff6716]

the Dead Horses War Club is a banger it's among the reasons I hit up Honest Hearts as early as I can that and the Desert Rangers Armor & Survivalist Rifle once you can leave Zion and mod up the club it smokes even BoS in full PA in a few hits and doesn't degrade as quickly as a Photon Ax from Old World Blues which is slightly more powerful but breaks down rather quickly the war club just lasts far longer.

[@injetavel279]

I remember in fallout 3 where Moira Mentions brahmin milk as rad cleansing, maybe somehow their milk shares some of the same properties of radaway.

[@santosgonzalez3443]

As someone who always uses a mele build this is gonna be great

[@Rad_King]

And there are more to come!

[@wayneigoe6722]

Names of the main characters: Fallout 1: The Vault Dweller Fallout 2: The Chosen One Fallout 3: The Lone Wanderer Fallout New Vegas: The Courier Fallout 4: The Sole Survivor Fallout 76: The Mistake

[@MineCraft-wt7iz]

Fallout76: The Mistake(s) *fixed*

[@wayneigoe6722]

@@MineCraft-wt7iz r/technicallythetruth

[@brotherhoodofsteel4751]

You forgot the warrior from Fallout tactics

[@MineCraft-wt7iz]

@@brotherhoodofsteel4751 Fallout: Tactics and Fallout: Brotherhood Of Steel isn't canon

[@brotherhoodofsteel4751]

@@MineCraft-wt7iz actually right now fallout tactics is at least quasi Canon. 1.Fallout 3 mentions a rogue Brotherhood of Steel chapter in the Chicago area which is where fallout tactics takes place, 2.Caesar's legion in New Vegas mentions capturing Brotherhood scribes on the Eastern borders. 3. Although Veronica does mention the Brotherhood outcast civil war, she also mentions the fact that other members have gone road this doesn't allude to elder lions as he still recognizes as an official elder. 4. In Fallout 4 when talking to Captain kells he mentions that the Brotherhood has built other airships in the past which alludes to the opening of Fallout tactics. 5. Design of The enclave power armor is more reminiscent to the Midwest power armor instead of the original enclave armor. 6. The Fallout wasteland warfare book mentions junction City having talks with the Brotherhood of Steel. In short while I don't think all the events of Fallout tactics are can there's nothing evidence to prove that at least a good portion of it are and if needed Bethesda wouldn't have to change much like more compatible with the current timeline

[@ijoel6747]

In fallout 4 there is a unique monkey wrench called Big Jim in the raider base at Malden (Walden?) pond. It’s on a shelf by the ladder to the store. It disarms or cripples, something like that

[@braedenmetz888]

I've never sat down and binged for 4 hours in years until I discovered your vids dude. No B.S., informative, and well made videos, keep that hustle up my man. I hope you get more popular man, you're underrated and original as hell, I love to see it. Once you hit 800k I'll be proud to say I watched your vids when you were just beginning. Don't stop the grind brutha.

[@Rad_King]

Wow thanks a lot for those kind words man!

[@justicar5]

Trench knives of ww1 really did sometimes have spiked hand guards, as well as knuckle dusters etc built in.

[@boldee6637]

I'd love to see a Talking Heads of Fallout 1&2 and their mentions/re-appearances in 3d Fallout games.

[@Rad_King]

Interesting idea, I’ll put that on the list.

[@NickLavdas]

since when did voodoo have any relevance in Fallout?!

[@derpsoldierp.m.c1183]

The dynamites spear was never truly implemented into Fallout tactics the only way you can get it is through a random event in one location the weapon was meant to be more common but never did so it was left unfinished but for some reason not cut

[@Rad_King]

This would make quite a bit of sense

[@feralhawg867]

This is so underrated! These videos are always so interesting to watch. I learn something every single video!

[@Rad_King]

Thank you! That is my entire purpose with these videos.

[@rkdavis5172]

Jack was the most op weapon in 3 and I love it.

[@Rad_King]

I normally don’t use many melee weapons in 3 but jack was one I kept in my inventory.

[@planetfall5056]

11:35 I had to pause the video and admire that club. Just gorgeous

[@benjaminzarkhin1293]

You missed the throwing spears you get at the beginning of Fallout: New Vegas with the Courier's Stash DLC.

[@Rad_King]

Anything that is only thrown was omitted on purpose for this video. I decided to have them in their own video or as a section of the next melee video.

[@louissteyn6871]

The implications you made regarding the cattle prod having been modified and the mentions of riots in the lore makes me think it started seeing more urban use as the population became more unruly

[@AidenRKrone]

Thanks for the shoutout, dude! I honestly did not expect anyone to read that monograph of a comment. Haha! I just felt like I could give a knowledgeable take on the chems because of my background in psychopharmacology. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Keep up the excellent work on your channel. Your videos pertaining to the firearms of the franchise are my favorites!

[@Rad_King]

Of course, and thanks for taking the time to write out some informative stuff!

[@auxnull]

I wonder why it's so entertaining for me to watch at least probably five channels cover the same thing and their delivery is different enough for me to find it all equally entertaining. Fallout videos are the only video game videos I watch. I almost said besides Skyrim yeah, but Skyrim should just be renamed Fallout: Medievil

[@sonofgreatsteppes9497]

I was sooo into the video, that I was surprised how fast it ended

[@Rad_King]

Wow 20 minutes isn’t enough eh? You’ve got serious stamina.

[@sonofgreatsteppes9497]

Want to know my secret? I just genuinely enjoyed the video, because I love when authors do a thorough research and analysis on the topic!

[@JohnSmith-nh2te]

The armor of fallout would be really cool too

[@HenryGreenEngine3]

'Let's not ruin the view' god bless you

[@Rad_King]

I got you fam.

[@iplaywhatiwant3738]

Fifteen years and I've just started my first meelee play through. It's actually quite relaxing when you can ignore all projectile weapons.

[@pepper-0ni-t1m]

I genuinely want a mod that makes the Ripper uses Chip tha Ripper voice lines as you chop away at some poor raider. The idea of you tearing someone apart as "Interior Crocodile Alligator" is just playing over the death and sinew flying everywhere.

[@Rad_King]

This needs to be a thing

[@bluewolf194]

The Mothership Zeta Stun baton look like the Stun baton from Demolition man and you forgot the throwing spear from fallout new vegas.

[@Rad_King]

I could see that, functionally they seem much the same although the zetan baton looks a bit different. I’ll also be looking at dedicated throwing weapons in another video.

[@bluewolf194]

@@Rad_King Are you puting the molerat stick in the next one?

[@EiggyRules]

The segment going over previous comments is such a nice addition to the video, It's something I hope more channels will do.

[@johnlocke5728]

Hell yeah I've been waiting for this

[@Rad_King]

And there are more to come.

[@eggiii]

Heck yeah one of my favorite Fallout youtubers uploaded again! Keep up the good work!

[@Rad_King]

Thanks! I live to serve.

[@Woahahaha3]

Man I have to say, never thought I’d sit through a video about melee weapons. But you made it entertaining some how. Keep up the good work man, can’t wait to see the other videos

[@Axofpik]

There is also "Big Jim" unique variant from fallout 4 with the kneecapper effect, granting a 20% chance to cripple a targets leg

[@forthemysterians7630]

I was looking for this comment

[@hopelessromanticpify]

I wish Fallout 3 had a more Fallout 1 and 2 vibe with the primitive weapons line spears and the like. Always excited to see a new RadKing video in the feed

[@liamplunkett9551]

sounds like you took personal offense to Bethesda naming the unique ripper jack lol

[@Rad_King]

There can only be one Jack the Ripper.

[@lazypaladin]

Come for the Melee Weapons I hope to mod into FO4. Stay for the Heritage, Uranium and other such lessons. Where were you 6 years ago during my GCSEs?! Great content my guy, ngl you're becoming a Sleeper Channel for me atm. Won't watch a whole lot admittedly, but when I do. *It is worth!*

[@lordreptilestormblade1749]

I do prefer melee weapons over firearms, so thanks for making this video so I can learn more about the blades and bludgeons of Fallout's universe.

[@TminusH]

The cattleprod also looks like the "stimpack" that you use for autmatrons in fo4 forgot the name

[@appsmasher7932]

I’m not sure if it’s been pointed out yet, but the cattle prod is also in Fallout 4. The robot repair kit from the Automatron DLC looks almost identical, albeit a little smaller.

[@bruhmonkey7259]

I think a video about all the different armors(Non power Armor) would be. pretty interesting to see.

[@Rad_King]

It’s on the list! Anything else you’d like to see?

[@brieucpoulain7199]

Incredibly detailed, intricate and sarcastic-fun video, thanks !

[@SavageEntertainmentYEAH]

Love your channel man, I honestly still play new vegas and 3 and occasionally 4 and 76 but I still find myself learning new things from these videos.

[@Rad_King]

Yes! That’s always my aim. I learn a lot researching these videos and really want to share it with others that would find it interesting.

[@antonchigurh5472]

Love the in depth detail that you provide, nice to listen/watch while I do stuff. Subbed

[@HerobrineMC-vg3pz]

😁 Also I think the toy knife could be a reference to Halloween when Michael killed his sister in a clown costume with a knife

[@NemFX]

The sharpened spear got me through most of Fallout 2. It's not until you get down to San Francisco where you get the wakizashi that is even comparable.

[@J.A.N.O.S]

One day, your channel will have everything about all of the Fallout

[@number1Gameking]

I am making a Fallout TTRPG Game for me and my fiends and this has been very helpful, Thank you!

[@Fruit_Owl]

Glad to see your doing so well I remember when you only had 300 subs

[@bigdaddydons6241]

Using the war club in New vegas was stupid fun, it swings so fast it reminded me of playing a broken oblivion again

[@lenacarey2333]

The standard spear in Fallout 76 is, no joke, one of the best weapons in the game. It does almost as much damage as other heavy weapons (such as the super sledge, baseball bat, and pickaxe), but can attack much faster, as it’s a medium speed weapon and not a slow one. The first time I ever picked up a spear in 76 I had a blast.

[@jacobross1996]

i’ve been so excited for the new videos after you got the new mic!!!

[@KrisFirebolt]

Man these graphics are on the cutting edge

[@gtaviper]

now you have a better mic you are my current favorite lore channel man keep it up

[@Rad_King]

💚

[@jonlidell9465]

Great video always I love how informative your videos have been and would love to see a plants of fallout video

[@Rad_King]

You’re the second one today to say that. It’s on my list!

[@jonlidell9465]

@@Rad_King cool can't wait to see it and again great job on your videos

[@neb3760]

Great video as always man!

[@Rad_King]

Thank you, enclave soldier.

[@eze0430]

Wow dude, your videos have really improved as of late.

[@Rad_King]

I’m trying. Still have a lot of improvement but your guys’ support helps me out a lot!

[@Josmander]

New Vegas has unique melee weapon Nuka Breaker that was added in Gun Runners arsenal. It has interesring backstory too.

[@JacobPlays136]

22:15 One common dagger used historically in Europe was the Rondel. It is really long, the entire knife is around the length of your forearm. The blade is commonly a triangular cross section and ends in a needle-like point. These knives were dedicated for stabbing so it could break through the strong riveted links of chainmail. There are many historical manuals showing how to fight with them. Notably the ~1400's Italian manual Fior di Battaglia (The Flower of Battle).

[@thomaspowell5134]

"Pulls out dynamite spear" THIS IS MY BOOMSTICK!

[@lsswappedcessna]

the cosmic knife is basically one of those paring knives with red handles. I swear those are sharp enough to take a hand off. also, "as a geologist I wanna talk about rocks." lmao

[@LtBlankman]

I'd love to see an Ammo of Fallout. While yes there are a ton. It would make for a excellent series.

[@MajinMattPlays]

It's so wild coming back 2 years today and hearing how... Young? I guess you sound in this vid. Still the same quality kind of content, just wild after rewatching a bunch of your vids to come back!

[@noodlepotreal]

Prewar food and drink would be cool to see. I don't know why, but it just appeals to me to see the packaging for food and drink all destroyed, and knowing the lore behind some of them in the games (which, yes, there is lore for prewar foods. Example: snack cakes aren't baked)

[@Rad_King]

Someone else mentioned this and I put it on my list!

[@noodlepotreal]

@@Rad_King I look forward to seeing the video, keep up the good work! It's good to see creators like yourself who is so involved in the community they've created, so props to you for that. And hey, if you need a break from it, don't be afraid to take one whenever you need it. Sorry if this was too long, just happy to see someone care about their community is all

[@Dseraph1808]

Love your content my man this is brilliant! Can't wait to see the part 2 of the chems video.

[@brianzhang349]

I think the ripper in Fo3, F76 and FNV whenever they’re repaired could be argued that besides sharpening saw teeth they’re also swapping out the fuel cell used to power the thing. Fo4 obviously would also have the same explanation if Fo4 had repairing weapons as a mechanic.

[@rus970]

My pa told me about when he was a stockman back when they use to load bulls on to trucks with 12 gauge buck shot. It doesn't kill them, only annoyed them.

[@yungbananaclip2822]

babe wake up, radking just posted

[@Rad_King]

I like you

[@frostblitz77]

I think it's worth mentioning that in Fallout 4 you can upgrade a pool cue to look a lot like a spear with the bladed upgrade. You technically don't use it as a spear but hey I think it looks like one

[@yololollipops2446]

LESS GO BEST FALLOUT KZbinR

[@kriegmesserdclxvi2833]

You aren't kidding about the disciple knife being insanely powerful. The Throatslicer unique version with the wounding quality can be purchased from a vendor that occasionally visits the Nuka Town Market. I can acheave over 10,000 damage on a sneak attack. Now bare in mind my str is 10 and I have the Solar Powered, Rooted, Ninja, and Blitz perks. I usually don't use chems, but because I on survival difficulty, I get the benefit of the adrenaline boost.

[@deadknight1402]

The serrations of the base spear design in Fallout 2 was more than likely for hunting purposes, as the barbs would catch into the side of an animal, cutting deeper into it as it runs, as well as preventing it from falling out, thus causing more bleeding, and being more cumbersome, so that the animal would fatigue quicker, so that the hunter can close in for the kill.

[@vovasyhin7219]

Cant believe you did not include the most iconic melee weapon of fallout 1 and 2 the Super Sledge!

[@connerross4915]

A good point about the drugs is the decreased effectiveness of them. The player has to take a whole bottle of something like buffout when one probably only needed to take one before they expired. Medications irl have an expiration date for when they are expected to start losing effectiveness due to the chemical breakdown of the drug due to side reactions due to light or temperature over time.

[@thescotslair]

Melee weapons are a kind of weapon I collect for nothing more than the cool factor. I never really use them.

[@Egames-tm9ex]

Same I always hated using them but I love to collect as many as I can.

[@santosgonzalez3443]

Opposite for me I collect guns because they look cool and mainly use mele weapons

[@Rad_King]

I will usually use them at the start of the game because they are plentiful and can be pretty good. I generally drop them in favor for other weapons unless I am doing a dedicated build for them.

[@NeoDragonCount]

10.10. I think that's based on a trench club. It was a World War I invention where soldiers made makeshift blunt instruments for close-quarters combat to take out enemies quickly and silently.

[@willr2411]

Patiently waiting for part 2

[@thomasleonardis711]

Feces smeared spears are very common throughout history. It is called a festering spear due to the infection it causes in the wound. During the Vietnam War they were commonly used by the Vietcong at the bottom of pit traps.

[@JSterling812]

The Dynamite Spear was likely inspired by an actual weapon used by the Japanese during the second World War, where a shaped charge was put on the end of a long pole. The user was not intended to survive.

[@Rad_King]

Very interesting. I’ll look that up.

[@mastatheif9909]

The cultist dagger looks like a donkey bone could be a biblical references to Cain

[@daltonmcghghy9215]

The festering spear really is just a punji stick according to the design notes lmao

[@OleDirtyMacSanchez]

The Cultist Knife from 76 may have a Blade made from Flint or Obsidian, but the Blade and particularly the Tip have an excellent shape and profile.

[@SomeD00D01]

The ripper is one of my favorites

[@Rad_King]

Ripper gang

[@OlaftheGreat]

Can't believe he forgot about Big Jim, a wrench that lets you break enemy legs

[@chompythebeast]

That’s a quick click for me for sure

[@Rad_King]

Got anything you’d like to see me cover in another video?

[@SPARTANG294]

Great videos, man. Really inspired me to edit my FNV install. 👍

[@Rad_King]

I love to hear it!

[@AlphaK_9]

I love these videos! Good job on making these!

[@bighoss1121]

Great video. Keep it up man

[@Rad_King]

Thanks!

[@devlinrhoades3188]

Normal Radking: 🤓 Radking going in depth on glaive heads: 🥵

[@davidfrancisco3502]

The Jet was created post war but its origins started during prewar era. It started with big livestock companies experimenting with protein suplements meant to increase the muscle and fat mass growth of cattle. But that protein suplement turned to be very easy to spoil even with the most harmless bacteria and millions of livestock animals were fed with the spoiled protein anyways causing the side effect of the dung of the cattle produced a narcotic substance equivalent to anfetamine. The brahmin we see in every Fallout game are the descendants of those livestock animals that came from those farming companies.

[@Rad_King]

I like this, but is this head cannon? What lore sources explain this?

[@davidfrancisco3502]

@@Rad_King It's from Fallout 2 Lore and even in Fallout 76 you can read in a terminal about farming workers in a post war settlement getting intoxicated when they were working close to the brahmin breathing the smell of their dung.

[@thesmellofbacon7595]

Just casually showing how uranium is enriched peepowhy. I just wanted to know the lore of melee weapons in a video game and now I'm on a list

[@tomlink5784]

The thing about power armor was that in fallout 1 or 2 (cant remeber) a zax computer estimates that the power sources for power armor would start to quickly die in roughly 150-200 years, lining up with the power cores in fallout 4

[@Falanx316]

Wait you’re a geologist I’ve preferred biology and paleontology but my favorite fallout KZbinr is a geologist that’s amazing