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Post by Kraken on Jan 26, 2011 3:59:33 GMT
I am new to sword collecting. I've been fantasizing on having my own Katana and other medieval longswords since I was a little boy. Recently I had a birthday come up and I've received a bit of money as a birthday gift. I have come to the decision that I am mature enough to possess a sword in my hand! But I need to know where to buy them! This is where you guys could help me out. Please! Does Kult of Athena and swords of might sell the best swords available right now? I have about 130 bucks. Please link the urls of the Katanas you think would be great for cutting and lasting a decently long time. Thank you guys. This will be my first time buying a sword. Edit: I ordered one from might of swords: www.swordsofmight.com/bushidodra ... sword.aspx Turns out it's not in stock though I didn't see the warning anywhere on the page. It's backordered. I'm going to cancel it. I don't want to wait months and months.. :cry: |
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Post by chrisperoni on Jan 26, 2011 4:34:58 GMT
Yeah-good idea to cancel that order and wait for more input here- if you buy that sword you're probably going to pay around twice what it's worth. Gimmie a sec and I'll post some links from KOA choices. Edit/add: Don't rush too much though as you'll be much happier if you plan more first. K, here's some stuff- Musashi Gekkou Katana - SS809BK www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... kou+Katana Musashi Jurrai Katana - SS808BK www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... rai+Katana -both of these are better choices in the same price range. They are made by Musashi. YOu might get an even beter deal right from the Sellers site- www.musashiswords.com/shop/home.php?cat=28The above link will take you to their Shirakawa line, which is the line you should pick from if you go low price Musashi. If you buy right from them use coupon code SBG10 for 10% off. (sidenote, if you insist on buying from Swords of Might, use coupon code SBG for 5% off) Hanwei Tactical Katana - SH2462 www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... cal+Katana -pre order only though so I don't know if you can stand the wait. Now that I think of it here's the link to the SBG Store page on different sellers and their coupons www.sword-buyers-guide.com/swords-online.htmlWhat country are you in? If it's USA then check out Sword N' Armoury and Sword Nation www.swordnarmory.com/www.swordnation.com/Munetoshi Samurai Beater Katana 1065 Steel www.swordnarmory.com/Handmade-10 ... 3102-s.htm edit/add: The links for SwordNation didn't save so I'm adding them again. Tsume Katana www.swordnation.com/Tsume-Katana-p/ss008bk-1.htm-monosteel Musashi sword, very affordable Zatoichi Stick/Sword, Black CAS Hanwei www.swordnation.com/SH1014-CAS-H ... sh1014.htm These are just some choices. You can't go wrong with SwordNation, KOA, or Sword n Armory. I've talked with Rich at SwordNation and he's a great guy who really helps out and has top notch customer service. I'm not certain but I think Jonas runs Sword n Armory (or deals with them a lot in some official capacity) and he is also well regarded. I've bought from KOA and they are a stand up seller for sure. |
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Post by Kraken on Jan 26, 2011 4:37:16 GMT
Thanks Chris!
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Post by chrisperoni on Jan 26, 2011 4:56:09 GMT
added the links
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Post by Kraken on Jan 26, 2011 4:59:09 GMT
Yes!! AWESOME. Thanks for these links dude I will definitely buy one of these. Karma+  |
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Post by Maynar on Jan 26, 2011 5:04:23 GMT
Here's something you might like: www.swordsofmight.com/musashibla ... atana.aspx Real hamon, in stock now and they have a blue one to choose from as well. There are others on that page, perhaps something else might strike your fancy. Good luck, and welcome! EDIT: Doh, chris beat me to it. |
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Post by chrisperoni on Jan 26, 2011 5:13:13 GMT
The sword that Mayner suggested is a Shirakawa line Musashi and probably their best known one. You'll get a better deal right from the maker or KOA though. Mayner is right to offer it again as it's a great value. You get a lot of blade for not much cash. It has it's negatives but for $80 no one could complain.
Pay close attention to shipping- could make a big difference to final price depending on where you live.
At the sub $100 pricepoint you'll keep hearing about the Shirakawas and the Munetoshi Beater from Sword n Armory...2 great choices overall
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Post by chrisperoni on Jan 26, 2011 5:21:04 GMT
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Post by 6stringseme on Jan 26, 2011 8:12:16 GMT
Musashi 1060's are on sale at SwordNarmory right now, $65 bucks each, differentially hardened, and if you spend over $125 you can get free shipping. You could get two nice swords within your budget. www.swordnarmory.com/SearchResul ... Search.y=0 |
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Post by chrisperoni on Jan 26, 2011 15:14:21 GMT
Hey 6string- is that free shipping USA only? 'Cause that's one heck of a deal  |
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Makoto Pat
Member
Just got my favorite alert status from U.S. Postal Services- Out for delivery!
Posts: 503
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Post by Makoto Pat on Jan 26, 2011 16:42:10 GMT
I have this sword and I love it. I got it for $80 delivered. I think ti is a great sub-$100 and 1st time sword. You will get hooked. Look at the direct buy rather than a supplier. You will find most of these companies are friendly and reply fast.
I also have a Minetoshi...It might be favorite.
Also don't be afraid to try a wakizashi for your 1st blade.
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Post by whitefeathers on Jan 26, 2011 18:43:45 GMT
I like my $75 Musashi. it needed a little fixing before i was happy with it. its nice for what it is=a neat little sword. only light cutting though. My first sword was a PPK. I still love that thing.
but like everyone has said. you WILL end up with more than one sword. I thought I was only going to have one but now im up to 5 and awaiting 3 more to arrive.
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Makoto Pat
Member
Just got my favorite alert status from U.S. Postal Services- Out for delivery!
Posts: 503
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Post by Makoto Pat on Jan 26, 2011 23:10:41 GMT
My Musashi is great for jugs, water bottles, and some paper. I hang the paper on lines and try to makes a certain line in my mind and cut it.
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Post by 14thforsaken on Jan 26, 2011 23:47:30 GMT
I have the Musashi Bamboo and its not a bad sword. Its perfect for light cutting like pool noodles, beach mats et cetera. I wouldn't use it on harder targets like double tamigrishi rolls or bamboo though. About the only thing I don't like about the sword is the cotton shoelace like ito on it. But you can always buy some nicer chemical fiber or silk ito and re-wrap it which is what I am planning to do one of these days.
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Post by 6stringseme on Jan 27, 2011 5:14:12 GMT
Yeah, lower 48 states only, under 100lbs, excluding oversize items and tatami mats. There might be a 5% off coupon too... not sure if any codes are still valid.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2011 16:28:43 GMT
the swordnarmory deal is pretty awesome! I am personally a fan of trueswords.com..great prices and probably the best customer service I've ever dealt with. www.trueswords.com/musashi-sx.html |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2011 16:56:16 GMT
I have to agree with the consensus thus far. I have one of musashi's $80 katana and it's sharper (though not harder) than my other $250 katana. Their Shirakawa line is an improved version of the one I bought and they are differentially hardened and have a true natural hamon. I don't think I've seen another sword that looks as nice as these do for anywhere close to the same price. The ito does get a bit shoelacy and fuzzy looking after some use, but if you are looking for the best ito in the world go spend a few hundred more on something else. This is your first katana, so I would say you need to treat this experience as a chance to learn some things about what you like in a katana. Don't expect it to cut through targets that tougher, more expensive swords handle, but have fun. If you buy straight from Musashi and use the promo code chrisperoni mentioned, it's like getting free shipping. and if you do find a sword they sell, selling on another site for less (total price including shipping) they will beat it. www.musashisamuraiswords.com/sho ... good luck with whatever sword you decide to go with. make an educated choice and then be happy. remember that this one sword will not be able to do everything. just love it for what it is. *edit for spelling errors that bugged me |
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Sam H
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Post by Sam H on Jan 30, 2011 1:00:10 GMT
The nice thing about the Musashi $80 katana is that if you bend or damage it you need not worry much. It is after all only an $80 katana.
Overall they're good swords for the money. Well made blade for $80 and while the quality of the ito and sageo is lacking a bit for $80 you would have difficulty finding a katana where the tsuba is really iron/steel as well as the fuchi/kashira and the blade is actually DH.
There are some things to keep in mind though - the blade is quite prone to bending/twisting. I have a friend who has one of these $80 katana and he bent it while cutting a milk jug. Granted his form was off and he connected with horrible edge alignment so it was totally his fault but a more expensive and resilient sword (like a Hanwei Raptor) would have been more forgiving of such a cut. In a way I like that - you know you've messed up when you mess up. I like the fact that he held the blade up to me and I could just put the blade over my knee and bent it back straight (not recommended for most people).
Remember - it is after all just an $80 katana.
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Herron's Flight by Brendan of Fable Blades
