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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Busse AK?
- Thread starter gamma_nyc
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 16,703
A difficult question.
I generally expect a useful sword to cost over $1K, and the AK-47 from Busse is less expensive than that. If you're fortunate and persistent, given the current economy, you ought to be able to grab one for $700.00.
Unlike most swords or sword-like objects under $1K, the AK-47 is effective 'immortal.' If you should find some way to damage it, Mr. Busse will repair or replace it. His warranty is good; his word is good.
As to function, I and many others here have used an AK-47 to chop objects from the sublime (wet tatami mats) to the ridiculous (pumpkins, hams, tree limbs, tree trunks, and the occasional brick). I recall a few Knuts throwing AK-47s into tree trunks. The factory edge is obtuse but adequately sharp. There are a number of folks around here (Ban comes to mind) who can turn that edge into a razor, if desired. The steel from which the AK-47 is made, INFI, has an excellent combination of "strength" and "toughness" -- it's hard to damage that edge, and when you do, it generally just rolls (fairly easy to steel it back into shape). INFI is not stainless, but I find it is very rust resistant.
Is it as well-balanced and artistically designed as a hand-made katana? Of course not. It is rough and tough and ready for any trouble you'd care to throw at it.
I have handled many hand-forged swords made by master smiths. I might even have a few left locked away. My AK-47s have a genuine place of honor among them.
A few pics for quiet contemplation.
This one is not mine -- it is Tedwca's. I share it to show you a 'Banned' blade:
I generally expect a useful sword to cost over $1K, and the AK-47 from Busse is less expensive than that. If you're fortunate and persistent, given the current economy, you ought to be able to grab one for $700.00.
Unlike most swords or sword-like objects under $1K, the AK-47 is effective 'immortal.' If you should find some way to damage it, Mr. Busse will repair or replace it. His warranty is good; his word is good.
As to function, I and many others here have used an AK-47 to chop objects from the sublime (wet tatami mats) to the ridiculous (pumpkins, hams, tree limbs, tree trunks, and the occasional brick). I recall a few Knuts throwing AK-47s into tree trunks. The factory edge is obtuse but adequately sharp. There are a number of folks around here (Ban comes to mind) who can turn that edge into a razor, if desired. The steel from which the AK-47 is made, INFI, has an excellent combination of "strength" and "toughness" -- it's hard to damage that edge, and when you do, it generally just rolls (fairly easy to steel it back into shape). INFI is not stainless, but I find it is very rust resistant.
Is it as well-balanced and artistically designed as a hand-made katana? Of course not. It is rough and tough and ready for any trouble you'd care to throw at it.
I have handled many hand-forged swords made by master smiths. I might even have a few left locked away. My AK-47s have a genuine place of honor among them.
A few pics for quiet contemplation.
This one is not mine -- it is Tedwca's. I share it to show you a 'Banned' blade:
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
- Messages
- 16,703
You're very welcome.
Best of luck in your hunt.
Feel free to ask any more questions you might have -- you'll usually find it easier to get answers in the Busse sub-forum here. Unlike most Busse collectors, I tend to roam ... wander ... OK, sometimes I get lost.
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2006
- Messages
- 303
gage custom knives:
abandon sword
Busse:
Ak47
From a utility perspective it absolutely cannot be beaten, not by swords costing consderably more. It is not aesthetically comparable to presentation grade Katanas, but that wasn't the intent.
This is somewhat esoteric of a statement, in that terms get thrown around a lot these days, but the AK is as indicative of combat grade as I think anyone here could define the term.
As OP indicated, go chop a rock with someone else's Katana and see if they will replace it for you for the cost of shipping, forever.
I am still trying to find a good way to put a decent guard on mine. Maybe someday.
This is somewhat esoteric of a statement, in that terms get thrown around a lot these days, but the AK is as indicative of combat grade as I think anyone here could define the term.
As OP indicated, go chop a rock with someone else's Katana and see if they will replace it for you for the cost of shipping, forever.
I am still trying to find a good way to put a decent guard on mine. Maybe someday.
:thumbup:
