Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2011 22:53:06 GMT
I'm on a very tight budget and want something simple to cut with that isnt to delicate in case I have one of those oh crap what did it just hit moments. I'm not looking to cut zombies in half or defend against post apocalyptic hordes although it would be nice if I could trust it that much. I just want something simple to start out with might find out I like sabers or medieval swords or battle axes better. I would prefer something with a more traditional look right now might get the Hanwei Tac Katana later when I'm sure about what I want.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vincent Dolan on Apr 27, 2011 22:58:28 GMT
Sub 100$, you're looking primarily at Musashi, Masahiro, and Bushido, all three of which, if I remember correctly, are owned and operated by the same company these days. I think there used to be a Munetoshi beater series at around 80$ that were said to be quality, but I can't seem to find them.
|
|
|
|
Post by etiennehamel on Apr 27, 2011 23:09:54 GMT
if you can wait i would suggest to save a little more for a munetoshi take at 130$ approx.
|
|
Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
|
Post by Sam H on Apr 27, 2011 23:27:42 GMT
Musashi, Masahiro and Bushido are not all owned and operated by the same company. Musashi is still separate from Masahiro and Bushido. Masahiro is currently being imported and sold by United Cutlery and Bushido is... well I'm not entirely sure about their importers.
(EDIT: Masahiro is imported by Master Cutlery not United Cutlery.)
Anyway Musashi's 1060 series of katana have been good standbys for people looking to spend less than $100 on them. Masahiro are hit and miss - quality of the pieces are not consistent and as such I'd stay away from them. Same goes for Bushido - so that means at this price point the Musashi katana are your best bet.
Munetoshi at one point had entry level cutters at the $80 price point however like Vincent said they're difficult to find. I'm not entirely sure what happened to them but from what I've seen of them its a toss up between Musashi and Munetoshi. With the Musashi katana being more readily available and easier to find (ie. there's more than only 1 vendor who has them) your best bet is a Musashi katana.
So long as you do your part a Musashhi 1060 katana will cut light and medium targets without issue. Hard targets CAN be cut BUT you'd have to be a REALLY good cutter in order not to cause the blade to take a set.
|
|
Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
|
Post by Greg on Apr 27, 2011 23:34:20 GMT
Well, I personally have the Munetoshi Beater series, which (if I'm not mistaken) is around 80 bucks. The other sub $100 katanas that I've seen are differentially hardened (soft spine, hard edge), which are less forgiving for small accidents in cutting, but much easier to fix if you do make a mistake.
The Munetoshi Beater series is through hardened, so that means that it's the same hardness all the way through. This means that it will take a lot more "off line" force to bend it, but it will take just as much to bend it back.
I love my Munetoshi Beater. I wish they were around back when I was buying my friends swords.
But I must warn you, the "fit and finish" leave a little to be desired. The "buttcap" didn't quite fit squarely on my handle and had a small lip that dug into my hand when I held it sometimes. The ito wrap was slightly loose, but not enough to impede daily use. And when I took it apart, they did not clean the holes that they drilled into the tang.
The only other bad thing is the scabbard. It'll either have "Honor" or "Samurai" on the side that looks like a 5 year old with a crayon got ahold of your sword. I put up with mine, but this is a big turn off for some people. You can use wood puddy to fill in the letters and just repaint it, but it's all up to you.
Lemme see if I can find the link....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2011 23:40:59 GMT
I had seen the Musashi swords at Kult of Athena but I was wondering if there were certain models that were more robust than others, if there will be problems that will need to be addressed before use, things to watch out for, will it need to be sharpened better by a pro, etc. Right now the budget is 100.00 and hopefully thats with shipping it's extra cash that I wasn't expecting and I really cant afford to add any to it cause I shouldn't be doing this in the first place.
|
|
Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
|
Post by Greg on Apr 27, 2011 23:49:47 GMT
BAM! www.swordnarmory.com/Factory-Sec ... 3102-h.htm Ok, disclaimer. This is a factory second Munetoshi beater. Apparently it has a less-then-good leather wrap on the grip. I'm really tempted to scoop this up myself just because I know how good the blade is. The description lists it as functional, so I'm assuming that there might just be some gaps in the wrap. As far as a good, solid, forgiving starter blade, I'd go with this one |
|
|
|
Post by bleachsword on Apr 28, 2011 0:02:37 GMT
I can recomend the Musashi Shirasaya Katana= will need additions for grip like risors? due to lack of tsuba.
Musashi Handmade Bamboo Katana
Seeing as I have both and have hit the stand several times with both and they are still fine.
Both were sharp enough to cut with out of box. (I have videos of both after some honeing)
|
|
George
Member
Banned
Posts: 1,899
|
Post by George on Apr 28, 2011 0:16:29 GMT
|
|
Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
|
Post by Sam H on Apr 28, 2011 0:26:53 GMT
The link leads to "Page cannot be found".
I strongly suggest the Musashi Bamboo. Its what one might consider the flagship of the Musashi 1060 Shirakawa series of katana.
I agree that the Munetoshi's blade is a good blade but given their lacking in the quality of fitting and also the apparent non-existence of the series does not bode well.
If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket get the Musashi Bamboo or any of its sister swords. $75 + shipping is a good price.
Go to SwordNArmory or you can to go Kult of Athena or Musashiswords.com as well. In any case these swords ARE available.
|
|
Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
|
Post by Greg on Apr 28, 2011 0:35:54 GMT
Gah... SnA has always had difficutly linking products. Ok, try this: www.swordnarmory.com/Factory-Seconds-s/370.htmAnd if that doesn't work, just go to www.swordnarmory.com and click on the "Factory Seconds" link on the left side of the page. You'll see several options from Munetoshi. The "Factory Second Munetoshi Beater Honor Leather Wrap " is what you'll want to look at. The other sub $100.00 blades are either warped or cracked and should not be used for cutting. |
|
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
Member
Retired Global Moderator
Awful lot of leaving and joining going on here for me .... And gosh I can't recall doing a bit of i
Posts: 8,778
|
Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Apr 28, 2011 0:45:37 GMT
Pretty sure Masahiro is Master Cutlery
|
|
Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
|
Post by Sam H on Apr 28, 2011 0:56:33 GMT
You're quite right Marc - I had that in my head but typed United instead... stupid fingers don't always type what my brain wants them to type. lol Thank you for bringing that to my attention. My post has been edited with the correction. Greg - I found it on SnA's site. The site says that the sword is fully functional and that its only the leather wrap around the saya is done poorly. Not a bad buy if you want it I'd say. Do they have only 1 or are there more? www.swordnarmory.com/Factory-Second-Munetoshi-Beater-Honor-Leather-Wrap-p/dh-3102-h.htm |
|
Greg
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,800
|
Post by Greg on Apr 28, 2011 2:13:51 GMT
I'm not sure if they have just the one or if the factory second was a bad batch. The guys that work down at SnA are really good to work with, so a simple call or email should clear that up. But as far as the blade goes, it's a very tough blade that I think is perfect for beginners. Also, if the leather wrap is THAT bad, then you'll be able to "trial by fire" learn how to wrap.  It's ok, I'm about to put in a "Ito Wrap in 10 mins" instructional video. It's not the prettiest, but it works. |
|
It's ok, I'm about to put in a "Ito Wrap in 10 mins" instructional video. It's not the prettiest, but it works.
