AK47, Ruck, Rat Waki, Scrapizashi

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NewbKnife13

Joined
May 1, 2011
Messages
59
Owners (past and present) of AK47, Ruck, Rat Waki, Scrapizashi:
Users, not collectors, how do they hold up to chopping and cutting exercises? Nothing heavy duty, just to replace a machete, albeit expensively. Basically if this was the closest you had to a machete, would you be wishing you had that $20 stamped piece of steel with the plastic handle or will you feel confident in taking on chopping line through trees and then being able to handle zombies/vampires/rabid deer/whatever it is you come across that needs attention with a mid length blade...

I am looking to get a Busse Ruck to strap to my GTFOH bag when I am not using it and am just looking for some opinions of current or past owners of user blades... Thanks!
 
They hold up exceptionally well. You can chop whatever you want with any of them. The Ruck would be perfect as it is the lightest of all of them and you can one hand it.
 
They are not like machetes, more like choppers. They are not as light and flickable as a machete, and less easy to use on light vegetation. Small trees are no problem, they are extremely tough.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
They are not like machetes, more like choppers. They are not as light and flickable as a machete, and less easy to use on light vegetation. Small trees are no problem, they are extremely tough.
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That's a matter of technique :-)
Ruck has been my go to bushcraft knife/axe alternative for about 6 months, ever since I bought one. It's been extremely reliable.
 
All the Bussekin sword-like objects are bomb-proof. You can find the vid of a Waki chopping trees. I agree with Rat, these are not like a machete. The edge angles are pretty obtuse, and they are thick back from the edge. This limits their abilty to snap cut light vegetation, such as grasses and very thin branches.
 
Thanks for the great ino so far guys! My machete background is from surveying where we had to chop LOS through whatever so, how do they work against mountain laurel or rhododendron, vile enemies when doing this kind of work, and punishing to a "normal" machete..
 
Ak gets my vote.
I have used them all & for pure elegance of chopping AK with canvas scales is the best.
 
I own a Scizzy and a Waki but Ive only used the waki. Neither are like machetes. The blades are not tall enough nor the grinds thin enough for bushwhacking/ brush clearing type activities. My waki is a solid chopper and chops about the same as my dogfather. It is bomb proof and I would be shocked if it ever broke. Aside from holding it at a 45 degree angle and jumping on it I don't think you could break one. The scrapizashi feels much more like a sword than the waki.
 
I have had AK 47 & Ruck. The Ruck would be my 1st choice (perhaps because i'm a lazy old codger & it's lighter) but i have not used the other 2.
 
NewbKnife13 said:
Thanks for the great ino so far guys! My machete background is from surveying where we had to chop LOS through whatever so, how do they work against mountain laurel or rhododendron, vile enemies when doing this kind of work, and punishing to a "normal" machete..
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You might head over to the Scrap Yard forum and ask there. One of the mods, Horn Dog, is/was a surveyor, and he has tested many machetes, swords, and choppers.
 
resinguy said:
You might head over to the Scrap Yard forum and ask there. One of the mods, Horn Dog, is/was a surveyor, and he has tested many machetes, swords, and choppers.
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Thanks! Gonna head over there ASAP... Having dreams about the short swords now, hopefully I won't get a fever before I can afford one ;)!
:)
 
Can anyone give a comparison between the different kin models e.g. AK v. Waki V. Scrapizashi? Thinking on getting the SY and having proper handles put on as a less expensive alternative to get started then sane up for the others... BTW Resinguy, I went to the SR forum but is was locked down for new registrations so i wasn't able to find that mod, but thanks again for the heads up..
 
The AK is slightly longer (1.5") than the WAKI and the Scrapazashi. I havent chopped with a Scrapazashi but the AK and WAKI are very similar in terms of chopping. Since the Scrapazashi is readily available it would be a good one to start with.
 
For a user, I like the Scrapizashi. It is very fast in the hand, feels great, and is SR77 which is an awesome steel for swords.
Al
 
I've only used the Waki, only one I own. Like said, it's not made like an old Japanese Waki, but maybe it's a better choice anyway. I say that cause it's affordable for todays knife enthusiast, and maybe not the choice of the aspiring Samuri.

I don't have the wrist strength to use mine as a machete. It's too heavy for light vegetation, you'll be straining to get it to stop, over and over and over. Too much handle for machete use as well.

I do love the handle of the Waki, very nice F&F, and good grip on the micarta.
 
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