Alternative Weapons

Tips for writing about alternative or unusual weapons in fiction.

Is This the World’s Deadliest Knife?

/ Ben / 2 Comments

TLDR: “Deadly” is a relative term, especially given how creative some fiction writers can get with their stories. Gimmicks, on the other hand, are another matter.

The Turkey Baster from Hell

The replaceable cartridges are pictured next to the WASP Injection Knife. Gun not included. (Image via WASPKnife.com)

The replaceable cartridges are pictured next to the WASP Injection Knife. Gun not included. (Image via WASPKnife.com)

The world of knives might seem mundane if you don’t know where to look. Knives cut things. End of story. They’re pretty interchangeable from one to the other. Nothing to see here, folks, right?

Not so fast, chump, especially when there are things like the WASP Injection Knife, which made its debut in 2008 as “the world’s deadliest knife.”

Those outside the knife world might not have heard of it, likely because no one they know owns one given that $500 price tag. Why the steep tab? I’ll let this description from KnifeCenter do the talking: Continue reading →

Want to Spice Up That Character’s Shotgun? Try Bolo Shells

/ Ben / 1 Comment

TLDR: Two metal balls + wire + shotgun x crazy = bolo ammunition

What is Bolo Shotgun Ammunition?

If you’re looking to change things up a bit with your character’s shotgun setup, you might try assigning him/her bolo ammunition. It’s buckshot’s rough and tumble cousin who’s on parole but can’t say no to a bar fight.

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A Key Concept About Self-Guided Bullets

/ Ben / 5 Comments
What are self-guided bullets

TLDR: Think of self-guided bullets like smart paper airplanes, not a heat-seeking missile. (Maddy Shernock image via sxc.hu)

DV Berkom is a thriller writer who wrote to me recently with a question about using self-guided bullets in her WIP. Berkom’s question brought up a key concept about self-guided bullets that I think pop culture gets wrong. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

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On Writing Nail Guns as Weapons in Fiction

/ Ben / 2 Comments
There's something exceptionally brutal and timeless about using nails for nefarious purposes in fiction. (Image by Maare Liiv via sxc.hu)

There’s something exceptionally brutal and timeless about using nails for nefarious purposes in fiction. (Image by Maare Liiv via sxc.hu)

It must be nail gun season, because this is the second post of the week related to these tools in fiction. Up now is Graham Smith, a terrific crime writer from Scotland, to provide some context for using nail guns on characters in fiction. In addition to writing books, Smith has a background in using nail guns professionally (for less sinister purposes, of course).

Enjoy!

~Ben

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