Waki Alternative?

[FortyTwoBlades]

Really ? I've been eyeing those for a little while now. My Ontario machete is tough as nails , something I would depend my life on if need be.

What about those is crap , I'd like to hear your opinion.


That CS one looks pretty cool.


Tostig

They were known for having inconsistent heat treatment, poor ergos, and awkward grinds for any real practical purpose.

 

[grybsh7]

42 I like the looks of that Hanwei tactical waki and the CS katana machete. Do you know the type of steel used in either one?

 

[Insomniac1122]

The CRKT Hishou is the only thing i would use for your intended purpose...its perfect for what you are asking for....

 

[Kaizen1]

Another vote for the CRKT Hisshou:

I really don't know anything about sword combat nor modern soldier combat, but anything longer than a wakizashi seems like it would get in the way more than anything. The Rodent Waki is a fantastic blade, but it seems too big even if it was in your friend's budget. I like the Tactical Wak that's been suggested, but that too looks too long for a soldier. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[wolv]

that hisshou seems to me like a tanto not like a Wakizashi

 

[Sep]

But the villagers will be endeared of your stabbing or chopping the widow with a short sword? Can't follow your logic here.

Likewise, people known to be suicidal are the last ones you want to be engaging in hand to hand combat with, better to get them at a distance.

I didn't say anything about stabbing or chopping the lady up. With a wakizashi in hand you have the option of using the spine to parry the attack, or should it become too intense change to the cutting edge within a split second. It is sometimes in our best interest to keep people alive, 1) to avoid unnecessary additional hostility 2) to gain information.

The key word here is OPTION. They all have their M4s and M9s so they're not short in the firepower department. If they think the waki is not necessary, all they need to do is pull the trigger instead and pump the aggressor full of FMJ bullets. Having something else opens up other options.

This is just my theory anyway, because "use of force continuum" usually applies only to law enforcement. Who knows, the real use could be something as mundane as chopping down doors or windows to make entrance.

 

[PayetteRucker]

just get him a Condor Machete, something that's not going to snap the first time he has to use it...

 

[Kenix]

Another vote for the CRKT Hisshou:

I really don't know anything about sword combat nor modern soldier combat, but anything longer than a wakizashi seems like it would get in the way more than anything. The Rodent Waki is a fantastic blade, but it seems too big even if it was in your friend's budget. I like the Tactical Wak that's been suggested, but that too looks too long for a soldier. Maybe I'm wrong.

I also have a hard time imagining how carrying a short sword into house raids is practical. The Swamp Rat Waki is far too long and heavy to be useful in cramped quarters, especially when you have friendlies close by. What you want is a smaller, lighter, and quicker fixed blade that can be deployed in a flash even if you're standing in a tight hallway with your buddy 2 ft behind you. The CRKT Hissatsu sounds like a good bet, depending on how heavy it is (never held one before so I wouldn't know).

I'm tempted to say "don't bring a knife to a gunfight", which is the impression I get when your friend wants to bring a short katana with him on house raids. Actually, I'm reminded of that British officer who brought a broadsword to WWII. Unless your friend is truly as badass as that fine gentleman, I suggest against the katana.

 

[Lycosa]

Save up for the American Kami Combat Waki!! :thumbup:

 

[fishface5]

I'm also having trouble figuring out what one would use a Waki for in a house-clearing situation. A blade that's too long is too hard to swing in enclosed spaces, especially if you have friends in proximity. and if he wants to be able to chop, a hawk would seem to allow that as well as more range on CQB than a kabar-style knife. There are a lot of hawks in use in Iraq.

But if a hawk is not an option, although I had a Banshee and think it's well-made it's probably too long esp with the long handle. A good one-handed option (and you want to be able to wield the tool effectively with one hand in an emergent situation) would be a Valiant Survival Golok, those are sturdy and can be swung one-handed and have blades up to 17" long although I think 15" is the longest you can go and still remain (very) nimble.

Or you could contact this guy MCSWOOD
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718450
I will be getting a 21" blade cutlass from him in the future - more for zombies than house-clearing combatants though.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

42 I like the looks of that Hanwei tactical waki and the CS katana machete. Do you know the type of steel used in either one?

The Hanwei is 5160, and is expected to hit shelves by the tail end of summer.

The CS katana machete is 1055 and should hopefully be hitting shelves sometime in March. Another new machete by them I'm looking forward to is the two-handed panga--it's got their panga blade mated with the handle of their two-handed cane machete.

 

[DennisStrickland]

i beleive the 10 in. barrel 12 gauge is the way to go.

 

[Insomniac1122]

that hisshou seems to me like a tanto not like a Wakizashi

The blade is the perfect length for CQ combat IMO.not too long not too short.

 

[HardUse]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned a bayonet.......


Some Scottish guy bayoneted a Taliban after his rifle ran outta ammo, and this was in some corn fields, not in an urban situation either.

 

[C.S. Graves]

While not all of them would accommodate two-handed grip, some of the Valiant blades are roughly in the wakizashi size-class:

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

I just want to be there when your First Sergeant see you carrying any of these swords on your MOLLE gear. I know what I would do, take it away from you and give you a couple extra belts of 249 ammo so you had something useful when the shooting starts.

 

[JParanee]

I have a hisshou and it is a fine blade for the money. It is a combat blade not made for heavy chopping

But I think the person would be better served with a good Tomahawk for breaching and a shot to the forhead with a hawk is a one shot end of confrontation


Maybe one of these

RMJ

Or Steve at Coal creek forge

If ya need a Wak here is a big Tanto from Hartsfield and I can't imagine lugging a blade any bigger

 

[Sep]

I just want to be there when your First Sergeant see you carrying any of these swords on your MOLLE gear. I know what I would do, take it away from you and give you a couple extra belts of 249 ammo so you had something useful when the shooting starts.

It sounds bizarre, but it's authorized by his CO...

 

[Volk]

Is a tomahawk out of the question?You can get anything from a V-tac to several cold steel tomahawks well within the 200$ limit you set.They are a proven weapon system even in the modern wars of today.

+1
Please try to talk him out of getting a sword. The only place one would make any sense, is in the jungle, and even then a machete is far more useful. The hawks are far more effective if he wants a large dedicated CQC edged weapon. Its also far more versatile as a tool. Personally I'd carry an entrenching tool, and wouldn't depend to heavily on an edged weapon in house to house combat.
The folly of any weapon is it psychologically increases our dependence on it. Therefore one trains to over come those psychological barriers (people who pick fights with knives for example tend to forget they have another free arm, and that they can kick if an opportunity presents itself). Sword even in it's time has always been reserved to those well trained with it. Somebody who never held a sword before was given a spear, because if you don't know how to use it you will be at a huge disadvantage. And swords always required far more discipline and training hours t master then a lot of other weapons.

I'm not saying this to be a d!ck or a smart@$$, this has the potential to turn on your friend in the worst possible moment. There is nothing wrong with wanting a sword especially a waki or Busse AK47, and there quality is high. Buying one would make you a happy man if you are into this kind of stuff. Just like buying a bastard sword, or a flamberge, but their practicality on todays battle field isn't what it was few centuries ago.

And speaking from experience a butt of the rifle to the head can be a very effective close range weapon, I got scars on my had to prove that.

 

[Tony8179]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned a bayonet.......


Some Scottish guy bayoneted a Taliban after his rifle ran outta ammo, and this was in some corn fields, not in an urban situation either.

BINGO! I was waiting for someone to say the logical thing. Affix a quality bayonet to the front of your M4 before entering any homes. I'm not a soldier, but I'm under the impression that infantry is trained to use their rifles with bayonets attached as CQC weapons. Not only using the bayonet itself, but the stock of the rifle as well.

I would think while in a situation where you have your main firearm in a ready position it would not be the easiest to drop it and swing it out of your way in order to try and quickly unsheath a short sword attached to your side so you can stop a charging person. You take the butt of that rifle and dot your attacker in the forehead. If they keep coming you discharge or stick them with that bayonet.

You may look like a badass walking around the barracks with a Waki slung on your side, but not so much of a badass when you were stabbed to death by an insane woman because you were fumbling to unsheath the Waki in order to take her out.

If I'm out of line with my thoughts here someone please let me know.