AK-47 vs Gladius

They have those?!? :confused:

I am 6'8" and have always felt that swords with blade lengths shorter than 24" or so are just.....not swords but rather a big knife!
 
shqxk said:
AK = more practical and better as a weapon too.

Gladius is cool but at 3 1/2 pounds with super thick dagger grind I bet even a real Roman warrior himself would shake their head holding one...
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The later ones were a bit better balanced, from what I've heard.
 
I think perhaps the gladius is intended more for thrust attacks from formation than for slslash attacks?
 
AK-47. Although, in hindsight, I should have grabbed a Gladius at the original Bladeshow special price of $597, IIRC. Some regrets. o_O

Most of the Bussekin Sword Like Objects have very steep edge geometry, limiting the cutting performance. IMHO. After thinning the edges of my Ruck and Waki, they do cut better.
 
Murman said:
I think perhaps the gladius is intended more for thrust attacks from formation than for slash attacks?
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I think you are probably right. The Gladius style seems designed for penetrating steel armor.
 
The AK seems a little shorter than ideal for me, even though I'm pretty short at about 5'7". But the only sword work I've practiced at was with a dummy sword with about a 23" blade, IIRC. Maybe even longer. So the sub 18" blade on the BGAK47 feels a little short. Of course, the others are even shorter, but with the one-hand or hand-and-a-half grip of the Rucki, it seems to work OK. I could particularly see it being more useful in closer quarters.
But between the two questioned by the OP, not having held the Gladius, I'd lean toward the AK.
 
engineerciv said:
They have those?!? :confused:

I am 6'8" and have always felt that swords with blade lengths shorter than 24" or so are just.....not swords but rather a big knife!
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Sounds like you need a claymore rather than a gladius or AK. :D I would buy an INFI Claymore. ;)

Seriously, the long Butaniku would be a good fit for you then. I am shorter than you but have a 6'6" wingspan and find it works very well for me.
 
Indeed, and actually the Forsaken spine lightening if done to about the front half of the blade could help alot with the balance so a guy could go with lighter micarta scales.
 
AZTimT said:
Sounds like you need a claymore rather than a gladius or AK. :D I would buy an INFI Claymore. ;)

Seriously, the long Butaniku would be a good fit for you then. I am shorter than you but have a 6'6" wingspan and find it works very well for me.
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Thanks Tim! Us giants have to stick together. It's a rough world out there. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me how tall I am or if I play basketball...How is the balance on the long Butaniku? Every time I see a photo of one, my first thought is, "Wow that is a gigantic sword!" I have one of the Zombie Tools Apokatana swords and it is great but pretty heavy as well.
 
engineerciv said:
Thanks Tim! Us giants have to stick together. It's a rough world out there. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me how tall I am or if I play basketball...How is the balance on the long Butaniku? Every time I see a photo of one, my first thought is, "Wow that is a gigantic sword!" I have one of the Zombie Tools Apokatana swords and it is great but pretty heavy as well.
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I don't know squat about sword balance (although it feels sort of awkward to me), but I feel like my long Butaniku is just too long. Short Butaniku and Long Gladius are on my Busse "to do" list. I don't know of any Busse swords that I want but don't have.
 
When I Held the Long But sword, It was not balanced well at all, for me. Short but sword, is about the most length that feels right to me.
 
For me it’s like comparing apples to oranges.

The AK is a slashing type weapon whereas a Gladius was made to be a stabbing weapon. The Romans would form a shield wall and use the Gladius to stab out with. It was kept short to support a formation and allow it to be thrust. Not to say it couldn’t slash, but it wasn’t the primary role of the weapon.

A katana is without a doubt not a formation type of weapon, but used more for individual style of combat (never read of a Samurai using a formation). And the curve helps more for absorbing impact.

I will say I have one of each, but the Gladius is where my love is just due to my love of Román Military History
 
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