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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 17:01:38 GMT
Though I'd ask since I havn't seen any threads about it while pretty much browsing the forums daily. The new swords go for 170$ as a starting price (I think 250$ is the "real" price), have real silk ito, hand-made, iron tsuba and can be gotten forged, folded and DH or TH I believe. The description of the polishing looks pretty good. www.darksword-armory.com/katana.htmlDon't think I've seen a folded katana in the sub-300 range so far. The "Samurai" tsuba on one of the models look really good too. Sorry if there's been a thread earlier, but search is pretty weird here lately.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 17:32:24 GMT
Wow that looks pretty legit. Silk ito and handmade tsuka? This seems almost too good to be true. Now I'm considering this... Anyone used these katanas before?
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 22, 2009 17:44:59 GMT
Can't say they impress me with the photos... Kissaki shape, bohi execution, and general sugata are somewhat lacking compared to, well, comparably-priced pieces. The ito may well be silk, I see no reason to disbelieve that, but the folds don't alternate and this is a big drawback for me, personally. I am, though, impressed that they have the menuki on the palm-side (I'm terrible at remembering ura vs omote and the actual names given to the varying menuki placements) as this is something I'd like to see more.
I'm curious what they'd charge for a folded, clayed piece...
Another thing that concerns me is that I can't find any information on Akio Hattori except a movie and an author and Tokyo U professor by the same name. Not that it's surprising to not find a random Japanese swordsmith's name on Google. Just a bit weird.
I've seen most of those tsuba before, too...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 19:05:05 GMT
Yea I noticed the menuki placement too, definately different for a production blade. The 2 samurai tsuba are really cool. Honetly though, I would not trust the quality of a folded blade at this price level and an unknown forge, and I only saw one blade with no hi, and it was the one with the etching on it. Which I don't see where they tell you what it says. Basically OK blades, nice fittings IMHO.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2009 20:52:35 GMT
took a quick look... first thing that hit me- "what a crap maki job" honestly silk ito counts for nothing if its wrapped baddly, those diamonds look terrible! after a closer look, i can add that those are the same fuchi & kashira found on the $80 masahiro ninjato someone will have to take the plunge someday... but it aint gunna be me! Don't think I've seen a folded katana in the sub-300 range so far. cheness kochou ronin swords hanakage kris cutlery yagyu to name but a few....
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2009 9:23:32 GMT
Where have you seen the tsuba? And regarding fame, I got the impression that most of the shinken business in Japan isn't exactly online, the smiths over there don't have websites like their American counterparts.
You sure it's the same, and not just copied of the same originals and made with the same materials and methods as Masahiro?
DSA is by no means unknown. These katana seem to be the first they have of katana, but they have for years delivered European swords in the 200-300$ class reliably, and can forge "Damascus steel"/pattern welded swords for about 900$ that actually have quality. Certainly seem to be among the more solid buys in the European market, and have a reputation for solid beaters.
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 23, 2009 13:32:54 GMT
Seen 'em on Masahiros, Musashis, and dozens of other mediocre to decent swords. Particularly the Mt. Fuji model.
Besides, same basis, same materials, same method = same product.
I highly doubt these tsuba are "hannd made" any more than I believe in "damascus" katana.
DSA do have a reputation, but it's not all good, either. Now they're steppinf into an unfamiliar market? I'll see where they are next year.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2009 7:43:31 GMT
sept just did a review on the prototype dsa katana .looks pretty good to me but then again i am a newbie to the sword game .
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2009 9:31:02 GMT
I have to agree with the general consensus, here. All they look like to me are re-branded Masahiro blades. I do dig the menuki placement (Gyaku-te.). Aside from that, though...I'm unimpressed. You can see where the casting lines were ground off on the tsuba, too.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2009 10:52:56 GMT
And that is polyester "silk". Silk has more subtle shine and is more even when properly stretched.
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