Tactical Swords? Apoc Cutlass: Initial Impressions

[@thomashyde7102]

Hey Michael, i just wanted to let you know that i've bought the cutlass a few days ago, based on your videos. They're by far the most comprehensive review of the entire APOC line i could find. The fit and finish aren't much different, notably the sharp corners of the "guard" are the same. The scabbard however, the sheathing/unsheathing produced very little screeching and, after i stripped the old oil and applied my own coat, none at all. A stark difference with yours, although i could just be lucky and got a better-fitting unit. Still feels great as as whole, an awesome blade, especially for the price. Thank you for the great reviews.

[@shawnclifford362]

Cheers. Simplicity has its place. Looking forward to seeing what you think about the Broadsword. Take care Mr.Rizzo. Slan ☘

[@9SS94Cr]

I highly recommend the Hanwei tactical series if you got the chance. Despite all the fit&finish issues that consistantly plagued Hanwei, the tactical wakizashi I got was a plesant experience. It was also one of the few tactical swords out there that maintained the single bevel. The CRKT Hisshou is also pretty good for a short wakizashi/large tanto.

[@mir9302]

The Hisshou is an awesome piece. Sadly not available anymore. I have a few of the Cold Steel Tactical Machetes that are in sword style. The Katana and Wakizashi handle pretty well. The cutlass also handles well enough when compared to the real thing. They make good training substitutes for my decent swords and I find they are very easy to maintain, simply spray down with oil after cutting wet tatami. I also have the Combat Commander Gladius which I took a liking to after trying it. It's a bit more refined than the Cold Steel Gladius machete and thrusts very well. The edge bevel is a bit of a disaster but easily repaired.

[@jondough44]

great review thankyou. could you please post a video how you modified the scabord to tighten the retention for less rattle. also any help on how you sharpen this particular sword, the cultlas would be apreciated. thankyou again for your work

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Thanks! I didn't need to do anything to this one's scabbard as compared to the katana that was missing the rectangular insert (so I just put in a piece of leather). A small piece of foam or cotton in the bottom of the scabbard can reduce rattle, but blocks drainage and potentially retains moisture promoting rust. If it's about top-end renetion, you can try a heat gun to slightly reshape the feed lips. You can loosen retention either by using a heat gun or slightly reducing the top edges on the round divots G10 scales.

[@jorgefernandez6407]

I can SO relate to your "retail therapy" after putting in the hours AND my mostly positive experiences with Chicago Knife Works! I was contemplating on the Apoc Brutus but, that cutlass caught my attention! Doubly so seeing that you liked it (yeah Mike, your endorsement counts... No bullshit!)! This is a great video. I now have food for thought. Liking that cutlass Mike...

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I still enjoy it as a handy training tool, and I've put it to some stubborn branches, so it can take a beating. Finish also holds up well to such questionable applications.

[@dcfmkyn]

It looks really good and appears to handle well in you hands. I like the few inches of sharpness it has on other side of the tip. that design is like my five ball naval officer spadroon.

[@ftahleson]

I was very happy to see your review on this, I have one on order. I own a Oni Forge Karasu (Which is a Kogarasu Maru) and wonder if you might find it safer when re-sheathing with the back edge not sharpened. Or does the Scabbard issues effectively require you to look down anyway? I had considered using it as a Wakizashi length Korgarasu Maru blade. Or do you think this would be unrealistic?

[@michaelrizzo5523]

The blunt back edge certainly makes standard Noto safely possible. The mouth of this particular scabbard actually helps guide the blade (I showed that in the Tactical Katana video). Resheathing a double-edged blade is definitely more of a challenge, but you can develop a technique that works well for you with practice. I picked up my tips from practitioners of Chinese Jian.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

It would be nice if the grip was shorter with a bigger pommel to help hold on to that beast but not bad for an "apocalypse" style saber i suppose.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I've considered changing the grip length and perhaps trying to add a guard.

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

​@@michaelrizzo5523That could be cool. I was thinking it might could make a good "APOC" shashka as well but that is more my bias showing through. Lol

[@michaelrizzo5523]

@@JCOwens-zq6fd I would absolutely consider an APOC shashka

[@theweaponscollectiveedge863]

I like that it is 9260 steel, and it should hold up to abuse. Play with it and get back with us.

[@ArcticHawk2003]

Got the APOC Katana ages ago... use it like a machete more than anything else. As for the tactical part, rattle rattle rattle of sowd in the ABS saya. Quiet, it isn't!

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I thought about their katana, but it seemed like too much of an "affront" to my classical sensibilities and potentially unwieldy. Might make an interesting project blade for the price, though.

[@ArcticHawk2003]

@@michaelrizzo5523 The rattle really turned me off on the thing... I was told that Dragon King did modify the saya after the first year to make it rattle less.

[@JoeSteel1]

Very eloquent and well spoken video Michael, I would say the superior company in this tactical Apocalypse Type "tool" would be zombie tools, in terms of solid, well built items of destruction, don't believe they where made as training tools, but more as a hard use, low maintenance weapon, but that seems pretty nimble. I have the same problem my friend just don't have the green paper to live my addiction 🙃...great video !!!!

[@michaelrizzo5523]

I may need to sell a kidney...

[@outlawsamurai47]

Really when I saw the title my first thought was how hard of a blunt were you hitting and where do I get some LOL 😂 but I actually do like the idea of tactical swords just not how a lot of manufacturers designed them

[@bigfrankfraser1391]

when it comes to knives and swords, theres only one of each i truly love, namely my grandfathers ww2 bayonet, and his rapier from his army fencing days, my entire family has always said i take after him the most, and that i even look like him, so when my aunt inherited his blade collection, she drove up from england all the way to north east scotland just to give it to me

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Swords with history are true treasures!

[@bigfrankfraser1391]

@@michaelrizzo5523 my grandfather told me that after the war while he was in france he met a former german captain with a mensur scar, they decided to have a friendly wager, whoever lost a friendly duel, had to buy the other a crate of beer. my grandfather told me that it was the first time he didnt mind losing to a german

[@michaelrizzo5523]

@@bigfrankfraser1391 Love it!

[@CaveMan72]

Looks like its made well and that a person could put another handle on it if they desired

[@michaelrizzo5523]

Absolutely. I was surprised no one seems to be making grips for any of these.

[@CaveMan72]

@@michaelrizzo5523 I was looking at the Apoc broadsword and was wondering if it could be made into a cane sword. How much curve would you say is in the cutlass?

[@michaelrizzo5523]

@@CaveMan72 About as much curve as a katana, maybe a bit less. The broadsword probably wouldn't do for a cane sword as it's much wider: 1.75" vs 1.25". I'll have that review out next. Both are about the length that would fit into a cane, though, at 30" overall.

[@CaveMan72]

@@michaelrizzo5523 is there a sword you might suggest for a sword cane?

[@michaelrizzo5523]

@@CaveMan72 There are a number of ninjato and Tang-style dao that would make excellent sword cane blades. I suggest you look at the Lyuesword.com website under the product categories of Japanese: Ninja and Chinese Dao to get some ideas. Then shop around--Lyuesword is a good company, but you may find other good makers out there with something you like better. Lyuesword also makes some very interesting sword canes.

[@AttackCop]

Aren't all swords tactical? They are weapons i.e. Combat is tactical.

[@michaelrizzo5523]

It's a silly gimicky term, could just as well be Tacticool. Look, it's all black!

[@AttackCop]

@@michaelrizzo5523 I liked in your other video when you said modern construction

[@dannymcdaniel1652]

😂