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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 17:59:50 GMT
Ok..I know you guys are probably gonna disparage me for this but I'm looking for a pink katana. Not some cheapo depot stainless steel display sword but a quality practical sword (preparing for the zombie apocalypse ) . I can't afford a really expensive sword right now so I need something that preferably doesn't go over $300. Since I know only the very basics about swords or manufacturers I would really appreciate any advice you guys can give me. Thnx, Brandi
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Post by sicheah on Jun 13, 2009 18:09:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 18:37:06 GMT
I expect the easiest way to get a pink katana will be to buy a good inexpensive sword in basic black and refinish it. There are many reviews here for "starter swords", and several members do customizing. Read all you can of ALL the forums, ask lots of questions, and then spend your money. Welcome to SBG and the world of real swords.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 19:09:56 GMT
Welcome to the forum, brandi. No one should be disparaging about wanting a pink blade. Someone might poke a little fun - but seeings as you are a gal, I seriously doubt that would happen. My suggestion would be to take a look at wiwingtis's store - primarily the Hanwei Practical line or even better, the Dynasty Forge Musha line. Once you have your blade, talk with slavia631 here on the forum's and inquire about having him customize your sword more to your liking. A black cotton ito over pink colored tsuka-same with a pink sageo on a black lacquered saya would be pretty sweet. You'd be able to strike a pose and deliver the goods in the coming Zombie Apocalypse to be sure. Or, pink ito over black tsuka-same would be nice too. Regardless, good luck with your endeavor, and I hope to see you on the other side of World War Z.
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 13, 2009 19:40:46 GMT
You know, the first thing I thought of when I read this was that with all the semi-decent-quality Bleach replica swords out there these days, nobody has a replica of Yachiru's sword. I can't even find a picture of it on the intarwebs (though the pictures of Yachiru that I am finding are uh...well, anyway...) but that could have been a good starting point until something better came along. Otherwise, yeah, guess you'll have to find something cheap (I totally recommend the Hanwei Practical, Classic of course) and have it redone with pink stuffs. Worth a shot.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 20:46:04 GMT
Hmmm. That Zhisword just might fit the bill. I'd definitely go with black same though. I think it would set off the pink better.
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 13, 2009 22:28:42 GMT
Finally got to a place where I could get a good look at the Zhi. That's not a bad deal, really, though it costs extra to get a sharp version and that makes the price seem a bit steep for a TH blade to me...but still worth consideration, since to change any other sword would cost as much or more.
Depends which shade of pink we're talking.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2009 22:57:24 GMT
That Zhi dude can make a blade with hamon too. Will cost more though.
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 13, 2009 22:58:41 GMT
Everything will probably cost more, it's already bordering on prohibitive, but depending what the OP wants...
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Post by sicheah on Jun 13, 2009 23:30:52 GMT
I've copy and paste links posted from one of the members of kendo-world.com forum (can't take credit for what it is not mine) . Contains mostly reviews on zhisword forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=78312 - Review of one of his swords forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=74223&highlight=zhi.sword+iaito - Second Review of another one of a Zhang Iaito forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=72048&highlight=Iaito - Long discussion about Zhang Swords Zhiswords are not really cheap but decent for their price range. You might be able to get a better katana (like Hanwei and dynasty forge and so on) for that price range but they usually come in boring black, or at least the color that you might not like. Personally I might choose either a hanwei or dynasty forge and then have it remounted with pink ito and same and pink saya... but that's gonna cost money. Well anything custom is going to cost more
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2009 1:46:42 GMT
Brandi, Is the katana more for costume or back yard cutting? A $60 or $80 Musashi katana may be all you really want as a first sword. Hanwei and Dynasty Forge are "more authentic"and nicer overall but also 3 or 4 times more expensive. Buy one of them if you plan to cut more than a milk jug or two.
Just my opinion, hope it helps, Kenneth
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Post by newblade on Jun 14, 2009 2:58:54 GMT
Brandi, Is the katana more for costume or back yard cutting? A $60 or $80 Musashi katana may be all you really want as a first sword. Hanwei and Dynasty Forge are "more authentic"and nicer overall but also 3 or 4 times more expensive. Buy one of them if you plan to cut more than a milk jug or two. Just my opinion, hope it helps, Kenneth That's what I was going to suggest, too. For $83 shipped, you can get a Musashi Takeo Katana (also known as a Bamboo Warrior) that is highly rated, then make pink whatever you want. www.musashiswords.com/shop/product.php?productid=99&cat=28&page=1You'd have a very nice, functional katana that is exactly the way you want it. And I agree with Roo: pink over black - rather than all pink - would look pretty stunning. P.S. Once you get what you want, please post a pic. It might just convince my wife to get one also.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2009 3:50:56 GMT
Thanks for all the great advice As far as the sword goes I really want something strong. Not that I will ever actually cut anything with it but should the urge hit me I don't want to have to worry about breaking it. I suppose I'll have to look at getting a "standard" color and having it customized as you guys suggested. I think the pink and black combination is a good idea. I just want something with a significant amount of pink...not just a black sword with some pink cord tied to it (sorry, I don't know all the official lingo). I definitely want pink wrapped around the handle and pink on the scabbard? ...doesn't look like there is such a thing as an all pink scabbard. Once I find what I'm looking for and get it customized like I want I'll definitely post a picture of it for you guys..assuming I can actually find what I'm looking for of course. I'll go back and look at some of the suggestions posted as to specific brands. Thnx, Brandi
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2009 5:06:26 GMT
I'd definitely recommend slavs customizations, he's shown a great deal of skill in that field if I do say so myself.
Take a look at his thread and you might get an idea of the kinds of things he could do for you:
/index.cgi?board=swordcustom&action=display&thread=6796&page=1
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Post by genocideseth on Jun 14, 2009 5:16:04 GMT
I agree with omegapirate2000. Slav is the guy I am going to when I plan on getting a customized sword.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2009 19:56:58 GMT
Great, I told my wife about this thread, now she wants a pink sword too...
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Post by genocideseth on Jun 14, 2009 20:02:23 GMT
I myself want a pink Katana now. The idea sounds pretty... Different. A prettied up tool of war...
Don't judge me!!! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2009 16:46:20 GMT
Ok...so I've been doing a lot of research, both inside and outside this forum. The DF musha? swords are ok but I keep finding as many bad reviews as good reviews for them.
I would rather invest more money on a really good blade than save some money on an average blade, regardless if I will ever cut with it.
So..I'll just kind of give you guys an idea of what I want and see if it's even possible.
First I want a differentially hardened blade (I like the authentic look of the hamon).
Second I want a pink saya with black wrap approx a quarter of the way down with a pink sageo over that (so the black wrap underneath extends above and below the sageo). On the pink portion of the saya I want black butterfly prints.
Third I want a double pin nakago.
Fourth I want a black same with a pink ito.
Fifth I want silver butterfly menukis and a silver butterfly tsuba. (Yeah I know it's crazy to want a silver colored tsuba).
Ok..so what do you guys think of that combination? I have a feeling finding a silver colored butterfly tsuba will be the hardest part.
Now for the blade..I've poo-poo'd the Dynasty Forge Musha blades and I'm thinking I would like to have something folded. Is it possible to buy just a blade and have someone build the sword to my specs? If I spend say $500 to $600 on a blade alone how much do you guys think it would cost to have my sword built like I want it? Just a guess is fine I know most of you don't customize swords.
Thnx, Brandi.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jun 15, 2009 17:03:43 GMT
Fifth I want silver butterfly menukis and a silver butterfly tsuba. (Yeah I know it's crazy to want a silver colored tsuba). Not So. I have a Nickle plated tsuba on one of my oni forge swords... and I think it looks amazing. I defenitly want more this way in the future. Ok..so what do you guys think of that combination? I have a feeling finding a silver colored butterfly tsuba will be the hardest part. Yes... I belive the finding the butterfly themed sword furnature parts is going to be the trickiest part to what you want. Now for the blade..I've poo-poo'd the Dynasty Forge Musha blades and I'm thinking I would like to have something folded. Is it possible to buy just a blade and have someone build the sword to my specs? If I spend say $500 to $600 on a blade alone how much do you guys think it would cost to have my sword built like I want it? Just a guess is fine I know most of you don't customize swords. Well, if you willing to put time and money into it, it could be done. Assuming you can FIND the fittings you want... having the tsuka, saya, and other things made to fit your blade... your likely looking around the same amount of investment on the mount and saya that you are on the blade, around 500-600 again. I'm Sure Skip Gardner could do it for you, and might even be able to help you find the parts you need... the the cost for buying them would be your responsability.
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 15, 2009 17:06:22 GMT
Hmm... I'd say find a blade you like (Hanwei is a good start, or even Ronin Swords) and have somebody customize it for you. Skip Gardner, slavia631, and Brian Dreier (owner and operator of Ronin Swords) all do great custom work at a fair price. Also worthy of note depending on your budget is good ol' Fred Lohman. You can get a pretty decent folded blade for $5-600, but I'd expect to spend about (at least?) that much again to have it mounted as you want. DF also has folded blades, mind, and they seem well-received. I am curious, on that note, to hear what bad things you're hearing about the Musha blades. They seem about 85-90+% successful from what I've found. Oh, hello Shadow, how are things?
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