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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2009 20:35:58 GMT
Hello,
While waiting for my Kaze Ko-Katana to arrive via UPS, I am already considering my next purchase.. My budget is around $700 to $800. I have browsed around and found the following:
Thaitsuki Kumori (KTN4) $829 Hanwei Three Monkey $672
And a bit over my budget:
Hanwei Tori XL $1035 Bugei Shobu $1150
The sword would only be used for occasional cutting. I do like the idea of a very strong blade however. Folded steel is not so important, since modern steel has a uniform carbon content. A real hamon is a must though. What other blades would you guys suggest to compete with the first two? Any convincing argument to wait and pick the Tori or Shobu? Is the quality worth the $200-$300 extra? I am also waiting to see how the first batch of SBG official katana comes out. At $500 customized, that would save some $$.
Thanks, have a great day.
Gil.
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Post by Eaglehawk on Oct 11, 2009 21:05:18 GMT
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Post by Eaglehawk on Oct 11, 2009 21:07:43 GMT
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Post by sicheah on Oct 11, 2009 21:24:26 GMT
Hi Gil, whichever katana you get, beware of Thaisuki, they are not nihonto because they are produced in Thailand and their product in the past year or so is not even worth $300. I've heard rumors that their product have improved recently but I cannot confirm that rumor. Kensei, Hanwei and Dynasty Forge 1095 Bushi (cheaper for non-folded blade) are the ones you might want to consider. Might also wanna check out www.wiwingtiswordsupply.com if you are thinking of getting either Kensei, Hanwei or Dynasty Forge. Due to crappy recession nowadays. quite a few people are selling their Bugei at SFI classified: forums.swordforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2009 13:32:51 GMT
sicheah,
Are you suggesting that Hanwei, etc. are nihonto? I think you are sorely mistaken. There are no modern production shinken made in Japan. In order to get "nihonto" you are going to need to multiply his budget by 5-10x.
Drew
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2009 14:28:07 GMT
Sicheah is simply saying Hanwei and the others are better in terms of bang for your buck that's all and of course they're are not Nihonto .....I thought its common knowledge no? If you search around a little on SFI forum and you'll properly see why they're not even worth $300, and Yes sir I have indeed handled them. In my observation they're not well made at all which is a shame really as they do have nice fittings. Just my 2 cents
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2009 15:27:09 GMT
I would suggest looking at Kensei, DF, or other mid to high end hanwei models and stay away from Thaitsuki... there are enough negative reviews to keep me away and even if i disregard those, for that kind of money they could at least properly wrap the tsuka, and if they can't do that at such a high price tag I"m sure there are other things not properly made to the sword.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2009 16:23:51 GMT
sicheah, Are you suggesting that Hanwei, etc. are nihonto? I think you are sorely mistaken. There are no modern production shinken made in Japan. In order to get "nihonto" you are going to need to multiply his budget by 5-10x. Drew Hanwei does not advertise as being "nihonto", Thaisuki does. This is misleading at best and fraud at the worst.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2009 16:27:16 GMT
Depending on what you are cutting, blade geometry is important to remember. The tori has a flat competition or performance profile and is mostly made for cutting mats.
If you like the tori, wiwingti has them for around $800.
You might consider waiting a bit longer for the new Dynasty Forge bushi forge-folded blades to arrive if you want a heavier profile blade. My problem with kensei is every blade has a bo-hi.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2009 16:44:03 GMT
From your list. The Hanwei Three Monkey is a nice sword. Good theme, tight and fairly light weight. But if you are looking for something that was absolutely made for cutting tatami. I would have to recommend the Hanwei Tori. I am sure you can get it for a real good price at Wiwingti Sword SupplyWhen I was looking into getting a Tori I had the opportunity to try both the Elite and the XL geometries. In my opinion, I found the XL too tall of a blade. The Elite for me seemed cut better, so that is what I purchased. Anyone who has cut with my Tori Elite says that it is just effortless to cut with and the balance is supreme. I have not handled the Bugei Shobu so I can not offer any opinion on this sword.
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Post by wiwingti on Oct 12, 2009 17:38:51 GMT
Depending on what you are cutting, blade geometry is important to remember. The tori has a flat competition or performance profile and is mostly made for cutting mats. If you like the tori, wiwingti has them for around $800. You might consider waiting a bit longer for the new Dynasty Forge bushi forge-folded blades to arrive if you want a heavier profile blade. My problem with kensei is every blade has a bo-hi. you are right, as a seller and sword addict, Kensei and Dynasty forge are the two i prefer over all. and as for the Dynasty forge Forge folded bushi calss, as soon as they arrive i'll be told and be able to annouce it to you guys. as for kensei having all blades bo-hi, some of them are no- hi blades,. he have a new layout now. just look at his blades, and let me know wich one you want will fix it for you. mouhahahahaha
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 12, 2009 18:04:11 GMT
wow these are some high end swords; much higher than I normally deal with concerning japanese-styled swords. the only thing close to this level I have handled have been a Hanwei Bushido and my Kensei UBCX (no-hi dragonfly). the Hanwei Bushido is beautiful and has great classic geometry. it is slightly heavy if you look at the numbers in the weight category but once you hold it in your hands you wouldn't guess it is that heavy while all of the Kensei-related swords I've held (Orochi shinken unokubi, kensei UBCX, Oni forge Imperial) have all been pretty heavy feeling. I'm not saying Kensei aren't good because they are very good but they are beefy feeling. I don't like the Hanwei frosted hamon but the bushido's polished out very easy and it became a stunningly beautiful sword once it was polished a little better. it has a gorgeous hada from being made of powder steel and a real yokote and the real hamon came out very nicely. I would think the Tori (standard, elite, or XL) would all be about the same with the hada and real hamon being so nice. when you consider the praise the Tori Elite gets I would personally consider saving for that or getting a standard tori since I like more traditional geometry vs the competition geometry.
if you do get a competition geometry you should avoid cutting anything but mats. I'm not sure if bamboo would be ok, so I'd ask someone who knows (Marc Ridgeway comes to mind) if that would be ok.
good luck I want to see a review or at least cutting videos
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Post by sicheah on Oct 12, 2009 20:00:46 GMT
sicheah, Are you suggesting that Hanwei, etc. are nihonto? I think you are sorely mistaken. There are no modern production shinken made in Japan. In order to get "nihonto" you are going to need to multiply his budget by 5-10x. Drew Hanwei does not advertise as being "nihonto", Thaisuki does. This is misleading at best and fraud at the worst. I agree 100 percent with Oogway. You can check it out here: www.thaitsuki.com/I wish they would not associate "nihonto" with their product because there might be some customer who purchase them and think they got a nihonto at a bargain price (well I hope that does not happen). Yeah a nihonto usually cost a great deal more than $1000
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