I got a user Bark River Northwind from a fellow dog yesterday. Bark River calls it a brush chopper, and it is. It needed a little touch up on the edge, so I got it and my convexed Swamp Rat Rodent Waki nice and sharp. These swords both have 17" blades, but are very different. The Waki is much heavier. Mine weighs 31 oz, compared to 23 oz for the Northwind. Most of that extra weight is in the large two-handed handle.



The Barkie has a .210" thick tang, but the blade is fully convexed and it tapers a little. The Waki is .188" thick and not tapered. The Barkie is 0170-6 steel and the Waki is 52100 or SR101. Both have micarta handles.



The Barkie balances about 4.5" in front of the scales. The Waki balances right at the blade / handle junction.





I had a nice piece of Red Bay wood lying around. The Northwind took just 10 chops to go through it.


The convexed Waki took only 7 chops.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords024.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords025.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords026.jpg[/img]
I used a one hand grip on both swords, gripping the Waki on the rear portion of the handle. It's greater length and higher blade speed powered through the wood just a bit easier. Then I split the wood. We don't need no stinking batons!
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords028.jpg[/img]
The Waki was impressive slashing palmettos, too, but the Northwind feels much more machete-like, and does it easier.

[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords030.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords031.jpg[/img]
It splits wood as well as the Waki, if I can only hit it right.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords033.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords034.jpg[/img]
Neither edge was damaged at all by this chopping.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords036.jpg[/img]
In summary, I felt that the Northwind was the better woods tool, but only marginally. That convexed Waki can deliver some serious power. Both are fine for the coming zombie invasion.
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords039.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w64/rivershaman/Swords042.jpg[/img]