[Karate]

I am almost sure that I read an article about a modern sword that some of the (U.S.)troops in Irag are carring...do any of you know anything about this...can you point me to a link

[Schuey2002]

I am not sure which sword that you are referring too.

But, If I was serving in Iraq, and in need of a sword, I know which one that I would carry. ;) :D
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y298/HiluxTaco/AK86.jpg

http://www.bussecompanystore.com

[hso]

I've read of some short swords going to Iraq also. They tend to be of waki length and general shape and from various makers.

[DRMMR02]

What sword is the schuey?

[Schuey2002]

It's an AK-47 (American Kensei) made by Jerry Busse. Click on the link in my thread above to find out more about them.. ;)

[JShirley]

Bah. I like knives n bigger sharp blady things, but...geez.

Lying here next to me, I have a "knife" that's two inches longer than my forearm (a HI Crow (http://photos-510.ak.facebook.com/ip005/v40/216/117/69403225/n69403225_30194510_4395.jpg)). It's fearsome, as knives go...but I sure as hell don't take it with me when I suit up.

Now, I can see a legitimate use for something like a Ranger ax or tac tool, to hack open doors and such, but c'mon, guys. I would kick the ass of anyone in my squad- or platoon, if I was the PL- who wasted space carrying that big hunk of steel (the AK-47 Busse in question) instead of more useful gear.

John

[Schuey2002]

So, I take it that you'd consider this knife overkill? :confused:
http://images.complete180.com/akabuse09.jpg

[bad LT]

You carry a sword and three large fixed blade knives!!!:what: :D

It may actually have a use as a machete in tall grass, etc.

Personally I would save the extra space and weight for more ammo. :neener:

[Schuey2002]

Nah, that is a shot of someone else.. ;)

[taliv]

You carry a sword and three large fixed blade knives!!!


and that's just his RIGHT side

[tellner]

Does the advantage over a short spear (rifle and bayonet) outweigh carrying a couple extra pounds of metal around all day?

[hso]

Let's all hope that fella never falls into water more than 6 feet deep!:eek:

[mr.trooper]

Judging from those grip scales, he has a pention for Swamp rats and busse knives. ;)

[Schuey2002]

Yes, he's a fellow Ham 'n Cheese addict... :D

[JShirley]

Look, I like large blades. They're cool.
They could actually have some utility if one either had no firearms, or if you kept one by your bed in your house, for use when attacked by the ninja zombies without warning.

Useful for combat in this age? No. Even for combat if out of ammo, carrying a bayonet would give more reach, take much less room...

and real combat troops would be less likely to think you're useless.

John

[HMMurdock]

I was second-in-command of a security detail slated for Iraq detail (long story). A few of the guys wanted to bring along wakazashis (sp?) and katanas and I put my foot down. I can see the idea behind it, but c'mon. A big Gerber or Ka-Bar is gonna serve you in those scenarios and be more useful in that it is a fighting weapon and a multi-purpose tool. Swords in combat is for Hollywood or combat before the American Civil War.

Either carry a fighting knife or just accept your fate when youre in a scenario when you no longer can use your firearms and cannot compete hand-to-hand long enough to regain a weapon.

Sorry, I had to rant. Yeah, I have heard of other guys carrying Wazazashi length swords overseas. I wonder how many of them have used em to save their lives vs. how many wish they had something more practical.

Not to mention the US troops mocking you whenever youre in public...

TRL

[JShirley]

Yep.

Now, when I used to be on a mortar fire team, I did carry a kukri with me...but we were authorized to carry a machete with our gear, to clear fields of fire, so I got permission from my team leader to carry the kuk instead of our E-tool.

It would just be stupid to deliberately engage with a short sword when you could use a weapon with standoff. It would also be stupid to carry this huge hunk of steel with you, when a bayonet is multifunctional (though most soldiers think even bayonets are pretty useless) and has more range, and is easier to carry and lighter.

There were hundreds of huge bowie knives that littered the paths Civil War Confederate soldiers marched...as they began re-evaluating their priorities! We actually carry more gear than ever before. We carry about 40 lbs of just protective clothing, not counting water and such.

Priorities.

John

[tellner]

JShirley, did you ever see the Woodsman's Pal in action as a brush-clearer and machete? I've heard great things about it but all third-hand.

[JShirley]

Also heard good things- no first hand experience. That weight-heavy blade should chop well, though I don't think it would be as versatile as a good kukuri (not a cheap Indian one).

I do have a lot of time cuttin' stuff with kukuris. :) The one I ended up using most was the one I carried in the field sometimes while stationed at Fort Lewis. 19" (OAL) HI Chitlangi (one of the lighter-bladed kuks). I wrapped the handle and scabbard with black grip tape to kill glare. Worked like a charm. I cut light brush and small trees all over 100 acres of hunting land. Didn't work as well on trees over 5" in diameter...but it did work.

Made the mistake of letting Kaylee get her hands on it when she and Tamara visited in 2004. There was no prying it loose from her hands...it was obviously meant to be hers. :)

John

[DRMMR02]

I'll admit right now I know basically nothing about swords. So forgive me if this is a dumb question. Are the Busse blades, specifically the American Kensei 47, any good as serious working (non wallhanger) swords? The website looks rather Darkopsknives (http://www.darkopsknives.com)-esque.

[JShirley]

Busse is NOTHING like Dork Ops. Busse is highly respected in the knife world. Dark Ops...well...

hso, you want to answer the sword relativity question?

[hso]

The website looks rather Darkopsknives-esque.
Just, owwww!:p If Jerry could hear you say that he'd rush right to his webmaster and have him change the background to pink.;)

Busse is one of the best knife makers out there with legitimate credentials and Jerry Busse has always been pleasant and friendly when I’ve spoken with him or seen him dealing with other folks. Their knives have actually been used very roughly and have an earned reputation for reliability.

The AK47 doesn't handle like a good katana or wakizashi, but it isn't exactly intended to. It does handle like a good light chopper. More like a good Pinuti. It is Infi( :evil: )nately superior to SLO wallhangers (SwordLikeObject) and can be put to use safely.

Oh, yeah. I'm not even a big Busse fan, but they undeniably make a good knife.

[Zero_DgZ]

Well, if I were doing the room-to-room thing, ran out of Uncle Sam's ammo, and had to fall back on a big eff-off sharp piece of metal to get me through the day I think I'd happily settle for my Ontario Knife field machete.

I'm pretty proficient with it and I've used the thing to fell scrub trees of about 4" diameters with two hits (one from either side, down it goes). I don't think you'd want to be within arm's-reach-plus-19-inches of me if I got desperate or mad enough to take that thing out.

I can't see the appeal to carrying a katana with you everywhere, though. It's a little big. A wakizashi sized piece would be nice, but a machete's easier to carry and sharpen and most operators aren't as hesitant to get it scuffed up.

[50 Freak]

The only reason for carrying a "sword" in combat nowadays is to have something to cut brush. And frankly, a Khukuri about the best knife/machete/prybar/tool as you an possibely get.

[Geronimo45]

On the contrary! Swords are in vogue. I was elected for Mall Tactical Response Unit Edged Weapons Expert while travelling in Scotland. They didn't allow us to carry a gun or baton, but they had no limit on the length of fixed-blade. So I put on my tactical load-bearing kilt, claymore, and tactical toupee and went to work.http://www.scottish-swords.com/items/armoury/claymore/claymore2wa1.jpg

[tellner]

The Khukri is nice, but it's not my personal favorite. A good old-fashioned golok or bolo has pride of place.

[Schuey2002]

The AK47 doesn't handle like a good katana or wakizashi, but it isn't exactly intended to. It does handle like a good light chopper.
Yep, it does feel "light" in the hand. But at 29 inches in length, and 30 ounces in weight, it's not exactly like toting a K-bar around all day.. :)

[JShirley]

I was at a traditional sword seminar and live-cutting practice in which the predecessor of the AK-47 was in attendance. Not traditional, but it works pretty well.

J