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Post by Deleted on Oct 30, 2010 23:51:45 GMT
As the title says, I am looking to buy my first sword. My various searches through google led me to this forum, which is perfect because it seems to be geared towards more affordable swords and Im not looking to spend a whole lot. I know I want to buy a Katana, and I know I do not want to spend more than $500. I know this means I cannot get the worlds greatest sword, but I would like something that looks great and is functional. There are so many swords out there and so much reading that I have felt a bit overwhelmed, but two swords that I liked are the United Black Ao-Doragon and the Cold Steel Dragonfly. Most of what I have read from various reviews and forums is that these two companies do not make high quality swords, but I wanted to point these two out because I like the way that they look (specifically, I like the black rayskin with the greenish wrap and these have nice hand guards as well). Most of the swords that seem to get good reviews look very similar and are very plain. Can anyone confirm or deny the quality of these two swords, and if these are in fact crap where can I look for a similar looking sword that is of better quality? I did come across the custom work that you can have the guys from this site do, and while these look fantastic to me (though I am surely not the authority) Im not sure if I want to wait 90 days for the sword (unless it would absolutely be 10000% worth it) and Im not sure how accurate the green ito wrap is compared to the ones in the swords I mentioned. I know Im a total noob, but any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by Wes on Oct 31, 2010 0:13:53 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Ballsagne! For a $500 limit you have quite a few options. I can't speak of personal experience for the Cold Steel OR the United black, but United doesn't have the greatest track record and Cold Steel in recent years seems to have gotten "too big for their britches" and have laxed quite horribly in their QC department. Lately it seems that everything that comes from their shop is hit or miss with regards to fit and finish. Sadly, you JUST missed one of the best sales I've seen this year so far, the Hanwei Tori series was going for just under $400 (they're around $650 normally). For a better recommendation though, we'll need a little more information. What sort of functionality are you expecting from your sword? If you will be cutting with it, what are your intended targets? Will this be a dedicated cutter or an occasional one? Is function more important than aesthetics? vice versa? Or do you want to try for a balance? Personally. What I recommend doing, is spending on the low end of your scale, get a Masahiro, cheness, or one of Hanwei's raptors just to sate your thirst for a nice functional blade, then save up a little more and buy a custom that you will hug and cherish and love  I'm of firm mind that EVERYONE should own at least one custom in their collection. It's just something to be able to say "No one else in the world has a sword exactly like mine." Edit: Keep in mind that WHERE you buy from is just as important as WHAT you buy. For example. if you buy from Kult of Athena you have 45 days to decide if you like the sword or not and if the latter you can return it for a full refund. GREAT customer service. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2010 0:25:38 GMT
Quick question: should I have posted this in one of the other forums (such as japanese swords) or is it OK here?
Thank you for the reply. To be honest Im pretty much looking for a balance between looks and function, though I may lean a little more in favor of looks. Im not really sure how much or what I would be cutting (probably very minimal) which may be why I would lean a little more towards looks but at the same time I dont want something that will break on first contact. What you are saying about United and Cold Steel pretty much verifies the impression that I was already under, but Im actually glad to hear of Kult of Athena's return policy that could prove very useful.
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Post by Wes on Oct 31, 2010 0:39:33 GMT
I haven't handled it personally but: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2438&name=Hanwei+Bamboo+Mat+Katana This is a link for the Bamboo Mat Katana over on KoA's website. Personally I think it's simply gorgeous, AND it has really good reviews, AND it's well within your price range. Edit: Don't worry about the location too much, if the Mods wanna move it, they will  |
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Post by Student of Sword on Oct 31, 2010 0:56:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2010 1:22:41 GMT
Thats actually very nice I dont know how I didnt notice that one since I have checked out that site. However, After looking at the Pro-Grade Custom Swords that can be made here I was quite blown away. It fits perfectly into my budget at $500, and the options are awesome. The only way that it is losing points for me is the wait, but it seems that ultimately I would be more satisfied with one of these than anything else. Does anyone have any experience with these who can confirm or deny their awesomeness? How does the sword you just showed me compare to these?
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Post by Bradleee42 on Oct 31, 2010 2:26:28 GMT
I havent heard anyting bad about the bamboo matt, I mean I've been meaning to get one for months now, but somehow talked myself into being a Medieval fan ( something Sean(Shadowhowler) said about the dark side and deep fried oreos), so thats all I've been looking at. But aside from getting distracted by the oil quenched confectionaries, I would suggest the Bamboo matt, Its simply gorgeous.
And welcome to the forum.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2010 2:55:54 GMT
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Post by Wes on Oct 31, 2010 3:10:44 GMT
The main difference between those two swords is how the blade is made. The Bamboo Mat uses a proprietary high alloy steel that was developed specifically to push the limits of modern metallurgy with regards to swordmaking and the hamon is absolutely stunning. The Green Bamboo Snake uses a folded steel (I'm going to assume it's the k120C sweedish powdered steel that they use on most of their other folded swords since I can't find this particular model on their main website) The folded steel creates a really pretty grain in the steel, but as you may have learned, with modern metallurgy it's unnecessary and is generally a simple aesthetic preference. Personally I don't like the hamon on the snake NEARLY as much as I like the one on the Bamboo Mat.
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Post by Student of Sword on Oct 31, 2010 3:18:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2010 3:26:59 GMT
Just out of curiosity, what makes you prefer Dynasty Forge over Hanwei, or what might make someone prefer Hanwei? The sword doesnt absolutely have to have green, but basically what I am trying to get at is if all things are equal considering the blade and overall build quality (or at least very close to the point where a noob such as myself wont notice the difference) I would rather have something that looks a little more unique (and I guess thus far I have taken a liking to the green, but Im not sure how I feel about it on the white Same).
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Post by Student of Sword on Oct 31, 2010 3:36:44 GMT
Ballsagne,
There are more to a katana than the blade and the fittings. There is a dedicated balance between being robust and being ergonomic, especially if you practice swordmanship. Hanwei tend to overcompensate and build the tsuka (handle) and saya (scabard) too large. From a non-practictioner stand-point, it makes no difference. But from a practictioner stand-point, it makes a world of difference. A tsuka supposes to follow the curve of the blade and has an hour-glass shape. There is a practical reason for it. It improves your swing as well as accuracy. Hanwei tsuka is perfectly straight. The saya too large also has an implication. Japanese Swordmanship (JSA) requires a lot of movement in which the left hand hold the saya. I have problem holding Hanwei saya because it is too wide.
More to the point, Dynasty Forge is a more traditional than Hanwei -- hence their "boring" color scheme.
By the way, white same is more traditional. I used to love black same, but I now prefer white same. I still like black same, but not as much as I used to. Your taste will change as well. There is also brown and reddish-maroon same too -- very expensive.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2010 3:58:24 GMT
Thank you (and everyone else) so much for the responses. That was very detailed, but Im sure I will understand it more as I go (though I pretty much get it now anyway). I may actually prefer the Dynasty Forge cosmetically as well because the darker green goes better with the white Same to me. Anyway the main reason why I am being so picky is because whatever I choose to get now will be my only Katana for a very long time, since I have no idea when the next time I will have the funds for one would be, so I really have to get it right the first time (or maybe second or third if Im taking advantage of a return policy).
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Post by Wes on Oct 31, 2010 4:03:48 GMT
Honestly, Ballsagne I don't think you'll be disappointed with any of the swords that we have suggested here, and KoA's return policy is no questions asked. You can simply say "I didn't like it as much as I thought I would". Good luck, and keep us informed on your decision and your impressions once you get it  |
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Post by Student of Sword on Oct 31, 2010 4:06:38 GMT
If that is the case, wait! What is the rush? You should spend more time researching. Maybe wait until Christmas, then buy yourself a gift.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2010 15:58:46 GMT
Im not necessarily in a rush, but I fugred that since at this point I know next to nothing I should probably start learning now this way by the time the right sword comes along I will actually know what it is. At the moment Im looking at around 10 swords that Im trying to narrow down from, and Im sure Ill run into some more along the way. Christmas is probably a good reference point for me, as hopefully by then Ill have a good idea what I want.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2010 0:47:22 GMT
I was checking out HuaWei's ebay listings (Im not sure they have another site that they sell from) based on a recommendation I recieved, and they have 19 different Katana sales on there. To be honest they all look like the same auction to me, keep in mind I am a noob, but the prices are different and some pictures are different. Which of the ebay listings should I be looking at if I want their best blade that I can customize in terms of the Tsuba, Ito colors etc? I emailed them with the same question but I don't think they understood what I was asking and I got an answer that doesn't really tell me anything.
Im about 90% sure I want to go with one of these since they are customizable and the wait time is much shorter than the SBG ones
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