My take on customizing.
Dec 9, 2007 15:52:24 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2007 15:52:24 GMT
Alright, I know this site is mostly about sub $300 swords (which is fantastic). I came here with the intent of buying my first Euro/Medieval sword. I also frequent SFI a bit, though I am not registered there. I use it more as an information tool than anything. More often than not many people there have an elitist attitude and are very close minded. I just laugh at it that people can be so serious about a hobby that is supposed to be fun. Anyway, As I've said, I'm mainly into Asian blades, and I will be getting my first Jian shortly.
One thing I was reading about on SFI was the custom swords that people have built. There are quite a few affordable forges, but many like Howard Clark are just so pricey. Most of my Katana are Paul Chen/Hanwei. I've had nothing but great experiences with their Asian lines, so I'm a big supporter. What I prefer to do, instead of getting a fully customized sword crafted, is get a Paul Chen, then have it customized myself. I'm about to use Fred Lohman for some custom options. Most are simple, but I cannot do any of that work myself, so I use different places to do that work. They can be found at www.japanese-swords.com/index.htm , by the way. ( they have a very good reputation) For example, I have a Miyamoto Musashi which I had the same changed to black, and had 2 inches taken off the tsuka so it's more comfortable. It looks amazing (to my tastes). I also had black same with a blood red ito, along with black and gold dragon menuki put on my Shinto. ( in case you cannot tell, i LOVE black same - it adds a darkness to the blades! ) To me, customizing this way is like buying a stock chevy and adding your own options to it it's more fun and WAY less expensive! I recently purchased an Oni (the most expensive blade I've ever bought). I simply love the look of it. It is quite heavy though, similar to the WInd and Thunder. ANd the Tsuka is 14 inches. I'm going to have that taken down to 12 so it's more fitting for me. Honestly, I wish they could've had those fittings on a more standard blade, or even a folded, so it wasn't quite expensive. I really don't care if it's banite or not. Just as long as it's a strong blade with good performance. With my luck they'll come out with a model just like it for half the price in a few months . . .
Many of you will say: "Cut some stuff, take some pics!" Lol...pics can be done, but honestly I've only cut a few things at events. I live in a condo, so there's no place to do anything like that. My brother is a Tai Chi instructor and has a degree in eastern medicine. He also has various degrees of belts in several styles. He's shown me a bit, but I am more into the Art aspect of it all.
Anyway, just thought I'd ramble on a bit while I drink my coffee, heh. That's all for now!
PS
Garret, get your operation going! I loved some of the designs you had on your site!
Peace all!
One thing I was reading about on SFI was the custom swords that people have built. There are quite a few affordable forges, but many like Howard Clark are just so pricey. Most of my Katana are Paul Chen/Hanwei. I've had nothing but great experiences with their Asian lines, so I'm a big supporter. What I prefer to do, instead of getting a fully customized sword crafted, is get a Paul Chen, then have it customized myself. I'm about to use Fred Lohman for some custom options. Most are simple, but I cannot do any of that work myself, so I use different places to do that work. They can be found at www.japanese-swords.com/index.htm , by the way. ( they have a very good reputation) For example, I have a Miyamoto Musashi which I had the same changed to black, and had 2 inches taken off the tsuka so it's more comfortable. It looks amazing (to my tastes). I also had black same with a blood red ito, along with black and gold dragon menuki put on my Shinto. ( in case you cannot tell, i LOVE black same - it adds a darkness to the blades! ) To me, customizing this way is like buying a stock chevy and adding your own options to it it's more fun and WAY less expensive! I recently purchased an Oni (the most expensive blade I've ever bought). I simply love the look of it. It is quite heavy though, similar to the WInd and Thunder. ANd the Tsuka is 14 inches. I'm going to have that taken down to 12 so it's more fitting for me. Honestly, I wish they could've had those fittings on a more standard blade, or even a folded, so it wasn't quite expensive. I really don't care if it's banite or not. Just as long as it's a strong blade with good performance. With my luck they'll come out with a model just like it for half the price in a few months . . .
Many of you will say: "Cut some stuff, take some pics!" Lol...pics can be done, but honestly I've only cut a few things at events. I live in a condo, so there's no place to do anything like that. My brother is a Tai Chi instructor and has a degree in eastern medicine. He also has various degrees of belts in several styles. He's shown me a bit, but I am more into the Art aspect of it all.
Anyway, just thought I'd ramble on a bit while I drink my coffee, heh. That's all for now!
PS
Garret, get your operation going! I loved some of the designs you had on your site!
Peace all!