Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 23:18:32 GMT
Ok, so in my previous thread I was wondering as to what my first sub-$100 katana should be. I'm still going to get that Clay tempered blade (in a while for now) but was wondering (since I saw it mentioned in another thread briefly) as to what type of customization is actually physically possible on a katana. Specifically what I should be expecting to be able to customize (both if I sent in a pre-exsisting katana, and if I had an outright custom katana made) if I requested it and how much it should run me.
I'm not sure if I even have the right mindset as far as the type of customization available which is why I'm asking this. For example....When I think of customization, I'm thinking of being able to design my own tsuba, create a look for a saya, dimensions for a blade (not sure specifically what types of numbers I'd need though), type of ito wrapping (not sure what the differences are), and something about the seppa (the metal showing between the blade and the tsuba)....but that's all i can think of...
Possibly unrealistically I'm imagining engraving on the blade as well as on the saya.
I'm thinking I'd start with the sub-$100, and then jump up to my custom once I had enough money. I want to get a general idea as too how much I'd need.
That one guy with the "stirring the pot" managed to get a katana around $300 and just wanted to know about how much I'd be able to customize and what price range I'd be looking at.
Anyone who has had a custom blade ordered is welcome to put their input in, as well as people who know custom deallers. I'm really curious and looking for some answers. Thanks in advance.
~Dove
|
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Apr 20, 2011 23:32:05 GMT
You can always look at the SBG Custom katana option. They give you a bunch of options, all for about $330. To totally do it in your own image, you'd probably have to look for everything separately, then send it in to someone like Hauwei or Fred Lohman to assemble it for you. As to how much it will cost, the only limit is basically what you will be willing to spend. For a somewhat custom blade, to be made to your specs, the only place I can think of that's not prohibitively expensive is Hauwei.
|
|
|
|
Post by etiennehamel on Apr 20, 2011 23:34:07 GMT
you have the type of tsuka maki you can customize too (cord wrap), menuki, color of ito, etc... in the sub.300$ range you can possibly have a sinosword katana possibly to you specs but the blade material will also make the price increase (sinoswords does tamahagane now if i remember well...) here's the website: www.sinosword.com/Product/?childsort=100038not so long ago i asked if it was possible to have custom fuchi and kashira made in iron and i recieved a reply saying it was possible and just send the design to them... anyway i would send them an email just to make sure i'm right on these things if i were you. just in case. |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Apr 20, 2011 23:39:57 GMT
Places to look for fittings would be; Nihonzashi, Fred Lohman, Swordnarmory, Tozando, Yamato Budogu, Namikawa, Artsfeng. That's just scraping the surface. Also, you can put a post in the Wanted Items section of the Items For Sale and Trade section here. There are a bunch of people here that will make you custom parts to your own unique specs for a lot less than you will find elsewhere.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 23:51:31 GMT
Thanks for the quick replies. I'm got a really great (personal opinion because I'm influencing it) design that I'd probably end up drawing (badly) and posting later once I get a minute. Again, my idea is pretty extravagant on detail and i'm starting to wonder if my detail would in some way or another weaken the saya/blade itself. This is why I'm needing opinions. Also, if you have gotten a custom katana, what all have you done to it to make it custom?
And also, is that $300 deal worth it? I'm speaking as far as the blade itself in terms of cutting, hamon, and the durability of it.
Also, I'm confused....there is more then just the 1060 and 1095 Carbon steel and "Spring" steel?....If someone could just give me a link I'd try my best to understand it.....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 23:55:08 GMT
...so jordan...Your saying that I have to get each part of it seperately....from different vendors/smiths/whatever and then have them sent to someone to assemble it?....what if they aren't a perfect fit? Truely not sure of anything at this point so trying to get as many questions out there as I can....
|
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 21, 2011 0:02:17 GMT
the best option thats affordable IMHO is huawei swords on ebay, if you email jackie chen he will allow you o customiz everything about the sword. folded steel. clay tempering, blade dimensions, length width thickness, handle length ext. and then you can choose from fittings he offers. he fittings arent the greatest but theres also the option o ordering a bare blade which is xtremely affordable, Sub 200$ is what he quoted me for a bare blade 100% full custom.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Apr 21, 2011 0:02:52 GMT
www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/sword-steels. www.samuraiswordstore.com/store/ ... formation/ Just copy and paste. As for the parts, you only have to do this if you want absolute control over everything. As I understand it, Huawei has a lot of options for customization and will fit everything accordingly. I know Fred Lohman can do most of it, including making parts to your specs, but it will cost a lot and take a long time.
|
|
|
|
Post by etiennehamel on Apr 21, 2011 0:04:34 GMT
here's an exemple of what a.jordan said (if i'm not mistaken) begin by buying a custom blade (like huawei or sino sword) and buy the fittings from somewhere else (yamato budogu,namikawa, tozando) and send all of them to a customiser (fred lohman or others) the customiser will make a new tsuka and a new saya to custom fit the blade to your specs too like engravings on the saya and paint.
am i right a.jordan?
|
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 21, 2011 0:05:06 GMT
if i wanted a "full custom" id buy the bare blade from huawei and commission Frank the Bunny Man to make a tsuka and do the tsukamaki, and id just buy the fittings i want on ebay or any site that sells em, Lohmans is too expensive for my taste.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Apr 21, 2011 0:08:20 GMT
Totally correct, etiennehamel . Oh, and you can never ask too many questions, darkdove3. Never feel foolish or think it may have been asked too much, because if you don't ask, you wont know.If one person here can't answer, someone else probably can. As Saito said, frankthebunny, the man behind Cottontail Customs, does top flight work.
|
|
|
|
Post by etiennehamel on Apr 21, 2011 0:19:28 GMT
i totally agree with a.jordan and saito about frankthebunny (josh) i want to have a customissation from him for a while now (still getting those pieces together though...)
you should take a look at his website for pricing and pictures of his work.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Apr 21, 2011 0:28:15 GMT
Katana Kustomizations is also someone to look at. Soon I'm going to have a tsuka re-wrapped by him. I know that he is a member here, but I cannot remember his screen name for this site. Nice looking work, and very good prices.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 0:29:07 GMT
Now, when you say fittings, what specifically do you mean? I'm sure I probably just can't look up "fittings" on ebay and expect me to go in the right direction....And even with just the bare blade, the "customize-er" will be able to engrave the blade? and also, would I be able to choose for the customization for the tsuba as well? or is it just one that he'd know would fit the blade?....
I've seen some of the tsuba-s out there and they can be pretty intricite.....I just don't know if mine would spread the metal out too thin to the point it would be weak. Again, I'll submit my ideas for design later and would like to know if its do-able or not....thanks guys...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 0:34:54 GMT
I tried looking up Kustom Katanas on google but got nothing but a cheapy website that likes to redirect you to more cheapy websites.....would you happen to know what the link is for that?
Also, as far as frankthebunny, Now that you say he's behind cottontail customs (ahhh I see what he did there).... I recently went to that sight and was impressed, but that's what initially brought up these questions since he didn't mention alot of what I was thinking as far as customization so I wanted to run it though you guys to see how I would go about getting that or if it was even possible. Thanks guys, and like you said, I personally don't think anyone can ask too many questions....but trust me....I know some people (-shakes head-)....anyway...yeah..."knowledge is power"...And i like to have as much as I can of both.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 21, 2011 0:52:07 GMT
fittings meaning fuchi kashira and tsuba. and as fa as designing one and having it made. your talking hundreds of dollars n the custom world. best thing to do is find a good aftermarket one so to speak. one already made that you like.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 1:20:16 GMT
hmm....since you put it that way ($$$)........aftermarket sounds pretty good. Anyway....know anywhere I might get a look-see at some aftermarket tsuba-s?
|
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Apr 21, 2011 1:23:33 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by artsfeng on Apr 21, 2011 2:04:45 GMT
I waiting see you DIY sword picture......  |
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Apr 21, 2011 2:05:49 GMT
Sorry, I had to go run some errands. www.katanakustomizations.com. Here is a adress to a site with all of the fittings of a Japanese sword listed. All can be hand chosen at many different sites, or like Saito said, you can get one that has the lion's share of parts you like and just refine it it's exactly what you want. Against reason and common sense, this is actually the cheaper method. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_sword_mountings Artsfeng has a lot of nice tsubas. |
|
