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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2011 4:42:26 GMT
Hi, I'm about to order couple katanas and just wanted to ask this. Is the Musashi Gekkou www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... kou+Katana same as the Musashi Bamboo? www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... +Blue+Saya They both are priced the same and have the same specifications (steel etc.). I don't like the blue color so that's why I'm asking about the Gekkou. If it's the same then I'll order the Gekkou. I want one inexpensive sword for "messing around" in the backyard without damaging more expensive sword. I'm also getting the Bamboo Mat www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... Mat+Katana but will not be cutting with it until I've had some practice and gain more confidence. I have some basic training in Kendo from long time ago but never done any cutting with a real sword. If you have any other suggestions for one "beater" sword and one more "valuable" sword then please, let's hear them. Thanks |
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Post by MTmind on Feb 24, 2011 6:15:39 GMT
To my eye they do not appear to be the same blade. KOA is showing them as having slightly different specifications for the blades.
Musashi Bamboo
Blade length - 28 3/8"
Blade width - 7.0mm - 4.2mm
Musashi Gekkou
Blade length - 28 1/4"
Blade Width - 7.4mm - 4.9mm
Someone else may have a more informed opinion but to me that are not the same blade in different koshirae, but completely different katana altogether.
Hope this helps
MT
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Post by SwordFan on Feb 24, 2011 6:22:35 GMT
Hi there , I know that its more expensive ,but what about one of the Paul Chen Raptor Katana's as your beater ?They are through hardened and will be alot more forgiving than the Musashi which in my experience is best for light cutting as their blades do tend to be thin (Make great fast light cutters though) . I use a Raptor for cutting and save my other more expensive katana ,the Raptors can take a beating and still keep going .Anyhow just my opinion ,good luck with your choice and oh yes the Bamboo Mat has to be the best sub $500 katana out there ,love mine so much I actually picked up a second one which I plan on customising later . I would even go so far as to say that The Bamboo Mat is actually better than some of my more expensive Paul Chen Katana .
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Post by Maynar on Feb 24, 2011 6:29:13 GMT
I have the Bamboo, the Gekkou and the Mokko Gata, all by Musashi. Yes, the blades are all pretty much the same. Minor differences in measurements are not discernible to me in handling, with all respect to fellow forumite MTmind.  Any of these models will basically give you the same sword, just different fittings. I personally liked the Mokko the best, the wrap and kashira were the tightest of the three. However since they all come from the same source, that was pretty much luck of the draw. The Black Bamboo is my most recent purchase however, and this model now sports alternating ito (in the past this was not the case). I'm pretty sure they all do these days. If a blue saya is not to your liking, you could try this vendor: www.swordsofmight.com/musashibla ... atana.aspx They have a red one also, if that is to your taste instead. Don't be put off by the higher price, owner Jason Moore will gladly match prices with anyone. Call or email him. Plus his service and delivery is every bit as good as KoA. A "beater" Alternative could be found here: www.swordnarmory.com/Handmade-10 ... 3102-s.htm Unlike the Musashi this item is through-hardened (no real hamon, but sturdier like the Raptor). Your choice of the Bamboo Mat for a more "valuable" sword is a good one. There are others but I'll let folks with more experience field that question. Welcome to the forum! |
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Post by MTmind on Feb 24, 2011 6:33:28 GMT
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Post by MTmind on Feb 24, 2011 6:45:37 GMT
Not having handled either blade I based my reply on the data only. More that happy to defer to a more informed opinion. I get so tied up in numbers sometimes (part of my job) that I forget that how the blade feels in your hand is the most important part. PS Sorry, Shapeshifter forgot to extend a harty welcome to SBG. Welcome aboard |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2011 20:38:38 GMT
Thanks to all that replied. Your posts confirmed what I suspected about the Musashi katanas that are priced the same. And I'm glad that you confirmed the Bamboo Mat. I've gone through many web pages and seen only positive opinions on it. MTmindIt's great you noticed the difference in measurements, I was only looking at the major characteristics and missed that. I will most likely get more than one "beater" sword for practice as time goes and will save the Bamboo Mat until I'm very confident not to damage it. I want to order everything (getting a couple accessories too) from one store, probably Kultofathena, so I can combine shipping, as shipping to my location in Canada is over $40 for each sword if bought separately. MaynarThanks for the advice. I've looked at the stores you listed and those are good deals. I might order from them in the future when getting another katana. For my initial order I'll try to combine shipping from one store to keep the total cost from going too much over my budget. Initially I was going to get just a "beater" katana but after seeing the Bamboo Mat, I can't resist ordering it too I see you're from the Lower Mainland too. Glad to know I'm not the only "sword nut" around here Do you get your cutting material locally? Bamboo, mats? Any advice on what and where to get? SwordFanThanks, the Raptor will likely be one of my future purchases. Well, now it's just the "long" wait for the shipment to arrive |
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Post by Maynar on Feb 25, 2011 1:17:00 GMT
Shapeshifter, yer in Burnaby? Very cool! We'll have to get together and cut some mats in my back yard this summer, for sure. Join UBC (United Backyard Cutters) and we can found a BC chapter, eh?  As for mats, the dollar stores have case lots of beach mats (36 pcs = 18 double-rolled targets) for about $50 after taxes. But they are very seasonal, coming in around late April-early May. They sell out fairly quickly. My stepson works in a local dollar store, so the minute they arrive I'll drop you a line and you can run out and buy a few cases. Oh, and since now I know you're in Canada, SwordsofMight should not be considered. He only ships UPS (bad juju for Canucks). Which is fine if you live in the US. KoA is definitely the best place for us to order, their shipping costs to Canada are the best I've found yet. SnA runs second. BURNABY, EH? SMALL WORLD! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2011 23:54:59 GMT
Thanks for the invite Maynar, I'd really like that. Although I do have a backyard here, it's not fully enclosed and because I'm just renting I share the area with the landlord's family and if my landlord saw me running around with a sword in the backyard, I don't think he'd like that.
So yeah, if you have a safe, private area to do some cutting, I'd be very greatfull if invited.
I'll check and sign up to the UBC group too.
Yeah, I'll stock up on the beach mats, milk jugs etc for sure.
I've already put my order in with the KoA store.
I'll be going on vacation soon but when I'm back and it's a bit warmer outside, I'll pm you Maynar to meet up for a chat. I drive to South Surrey and White Rock at least once a week for work.
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Any of these models will basically give you the same sword, just different fittings. I personally liked the Mokko the best, the wrap and kashira were the tightest of the three. However since they all come from the same source, that was pretty much luck of the draw. 
