using ak47 like a machete / light chopper

Spirch

Spirch

Joined
Apr 4, 2012
Messages
535
I just got a nice ak47, my plan is to use it like a machete and light chopper (trimming branch from tree, chopping small tree)

I got a 1311 for the heavy stuff. (B13 at some point)

Is the "factory" sharpening good enough?

Where on the blade should i aim for the light chopping, middle? Close to the tip? Else?
 
For trimming light stuff, (under 1" diam.) it works fine and is quick in the hand. I've taken mine out on land surveying jobs and it made pretty fast work of stuff under 3" or so with a few quick blows but it doesn't have the mass of a a machete for anything much bigger. Still fun to use and the shop edge worked fine eventhough I thinned it out a bit and it worked even better. Chopping is an art, I can't tell you how to hit stuff.
 
thanks!

I wanted to compare the result of one chop on a small wood between 1311 and ak47

I did my best to keep the same force on my swing

[video]https://youtu.be/ESYsreOYUZI[/video]

the ak47 is wider and less deep

the 1311 get "stuck" in the wood


what do you think?
 
"wider and less deep" would mean less surface area for contact between the wood and the blade. Less surface area means less friction and less chance for sticking. If you are chopping some thick wood, then you want a deeper cut per swing to be more efficient. On thinner branches this won't matter much.

The AK47 can be a decent and fun light chopper on heavier vegetation like branches and light trees. It will not work as well as a tradional machete on very light, grassy vegetation, as the edge geometry is too thick and will push aside the object instead of letting the blade pass through.
 
Interesting. I trim and clear just about everything with a well oiled 1311. I find that is seems like a nice coat of Frog Lube helps it slip through heavier stuff. Could just be my imagination. ha I always wondered how the AK would perform. I like the idea of a two handed grip. Mostly for the entertainment value.
 
RicFlair said:
Interesting. I trim and clear just about everything with a well oiled 1311. I find that is seems like a nice coat of Frog Lube helps it slip through heavier stuff. Could just be my imagination. ha I always wondered how the AK would perform. I like the idea of a two handed grip. Mostly for the entertainment value.
Click to expand...

nice tip!

yeah the ak47 is mostly entertainment for now, i will really try it out soon (1-3 weeks)
 
I use my Rodent Rucki and 1311 to trim palm trees. The Rucki has no problem going through the fronds and has earned its keep as one of my TACTICAL YARDWORK tools. The 1311 is my favorite though, if they ever make a res-c Scrap-A-Rucki I'll buy one.
Next time I'll try and take some pics.
 
Just used my freshly Banned ak to hack some pine boughs.....works great for that. Mind you the Ban Regrind might help some.
 
I don't own an AK but from my experience as a kendo player I would suggest using your wrists actively to accelerate the blade, hit the target with the sweet spot (called a monouchi, if you type monouchi and katana in google it should come up) and use your body motion going forwards to the target so you have some weight behind it. Probably best to ask an experienced iaido player however as they cut thick bamboos and tightly bound straw mats using a katana during training.
 
CHEMMINS said:
Just used my freshly Banned ak to hack some pine boughs.....works great for that. Mind you the Ban Regrind might help some.
Click to expand...


Some? Ha! Reprofiling the grind on the Bussekin sword-like-objects is a huge improvement. :thumbup:

btw, if your are in touch with Ban, tell him to stop by here and say hello.
 
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