combat swords

[Lycosa]

Has anyone used combat-like swords, like Busse's AK-47. for test cutting. How do they compare to the traditional blades?
Lycosa

 

[Triton]

Just as a point of order "traditional blades" are also combat swords, that is they were designed for combat. In fact they were designed in a time when combat feedback was always a mere battle away. I prefer to think of things like the AK-47 as "tactical" or "modern" designs. Ahem... sorry...

Anyway, to actually answer your question survey says that swords like the AK-47 or Criswell swords work just fine for hacking brush and the like. I don't know if anyone has done test cutting on tatami with one or not.

Even then I don't know if they really compare to traditional blades. Hartsfield or someone made a sort of katana that is a wonder at chopping tatami, but it has a totally different grind style then a tradtional katana. It is a specialized sword for cutting tatami much like a foil or a schlager blade are specialized swords for sport fencing. How would the specialized katana do in actual combat? I don't know it has not and will not ever be in medieval Japanese combat. In a similar manner the comparing the AK-47 or similar to traditional swords is really an apples to oranges comparison.

Not sure if I helped...

 

[OldPhysics]

A good place to start would be to e-mail or PM Tyrkon Lawson on this forum. He seems quite attached to his AK-47 and can probably 'school' you a bit.

 

[Lycosa]

TYRKON,
Would you tell me about your Busse AK-47? How did it do test cutting? Or anything you'd like to share. I'd like to get a sword and I have it narrowed down to a Katana or the AK. Thanks.
Lycosa

 

[steelnut]

Tested mine on a beach tree.
There was no edge damage.
The amazing thing is the amount of flex in a 3/16 inch thick hunk of steel!


Here is what it looked like after a couple hours of different people beating it on trees

 

[Lycosa]

Thanks steelnut. I'm starting to squirrel away money as we speak. Infi just keeps impressing me more and more. Would you attempt to sharpen that blade yourself or would you send it back to Busse? That's a LOPPER!
Lycosa

 

[steelnut]

I have the cheap harbor freight '30 belt sander and the leather honing belt.
It works like a charm!