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Post by Bleys on Jun 8, 2011 20:35:06 GMT
Hi! I joined this site after reading the materials for a few weeks. I'm very impressed with the large amount of knowledge and the friendly laid-back atmosphere and users. I have always been a great admirer of swords, especially Japanese katanas, and what they symbolize. After years of contemplation and finding a justification to actually own one of these blades, I finally decided to buy one. After reading the reviews and tutorials, I still decided to ask for advice before I find myself with a "lemon" on my hands (funny term  ) My budget would be around 100-150$ (perhaps even up to 200$) What I am looking for would mostly be a display sword with the occasional swing or two at a tatami mat or something soft. However, I would still like the sword to look and act as authentic as possible. This would mean a real hamon and forge folded carbon steel (if possible with my budget, of course). As a display sword, I am looking for something that has a nice colored theme to it (perhaps red or blue) and a nice glossy saya. I am not sure if these requirements (read: wishlist) sound a bit too much for the budget. I found something on the SwordNArmory shop that looks like something that I would like: www.swordnarmory.com/Red-Handmad ... 1144rd.htm I have read good things about Musashi swords from this site but I can't find any reviews or other information about this product. I would like your input on this please : ) Also as I am from a small country in Europe - Estonia, the shipping from United States would cost me around 100$ (altogether with taxes). Luckily I found a shop in town that sells Masahiro and Hanwei swords. I am not, however, sure about buying a Masahrio sword. I found some swords to my liking in the catalog(click for linky) that the shop provided and wondered if I could get Your input on them. As for Hanwei swords, I think they are a bit out of my price range and seem to be very high grade practical swords instead of display pieces (to my untrained eye, of course). Please let me know what you think and thanks for reading this long text |
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ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
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Post by ecovolo on Jun 8, 2011 21:14:19 GMT
Re: SwordNArmory-- You chose a Musashi, eh? They're not bad starter blades, especially for someone on a budget. Like all blades under $200, the quality of each individual piece is hit-or-miss, largely because companies that crank out mass-produced katana unfortunately turn out the occasional lemon. As for the catalog? What were you looking at in particular? --Edward P.S. I've never bought from SwordNArmory myself, so I can't give an opinion about that business. However, I have bought from Trueswords.com, and their customer service and speed of delivery is pretty top-notch. Consider this blade as a possible choice: www.trueswords.com/musashi-1060- ... -4896.html |
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Jun 8, 2011 21:52:47 GMT
Hello Bleys, welcome to SBG, make yourself comfortable !
As to buying a katana ; I have one from Musashi, I got it for a bit less than 100 $. It is a very nice looking katana for its price, IMHO, and it is a fun and easy to use backyard cutter. Personnaly, I think Musashi offers great products with consistent quality in the sub 100 $ market.
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Post by Bleys on Jun 8, 2011 21:53:20 GMT
Thank You for the quick reply In the catalog there were many ones that caught my eye, mostly the Ryumon series. I will contact the shop for a price list, so I'll know which fall into my buying range. But mostly I wanted to know about buying ~200$ Masahiro swords in general, are they good value for money? Is the hit-and-miss chance the same as buying a Musashi sword? Were I to order from the respectable U.S companies, that many have mentioned on this site, I would end up paying more for the shipment (and taxes) than the sword itself. This is why I would prefer to buy from the local shop. But as I said, they do not sell Musashi swords so perhaps a Masahiro katana will do? I hope you understand my little predicament. |
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Jun 8, 2011 22:01:12 GMT
Kaiyo has some Munetoshis for sale and he's in Germany. It might be worth a look: forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=4549Masahiro supposedly get their swords from various sources and their quality is... inconsistent. I have one that really wasn't suitable for actual use. Not recommended if you plan on doing a lot cutting. For display purposes, they'll do fine but their shortcomings will probably become more apparent as you learn more about katanas. |
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Sébastien
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Post by Sébastien on Jun 8, 2011 22:03:52 GMT
Hello again Bley
Musashi are usually consistent in their quality control, as far as I know. I rarely heard bad things about them and I am happy with my kat'. Mashiro, on the other hand, can be hit & miss. They get their katanas from many different forges. You can get a very good blade for the price you pay, or you can end up with a lemon. Personnaly, I avoid them because I don't like taking chances with my hard-earned cash.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jun 8, 2011 22:31:42 GMT
Musashi makes their Shirakawa line for about $90US. They have a 1060 DH blade, so the hamon is real. They have real samegawa panels and cotton wrap, albeit not the greatest quality. They are lightweight and easy to handle. These are the only swords that I can think of for under $100US that are consistently good. After shipping, it would come to about $200US. Munetoshi makes good low-price blades, but after shipping to you would come out to about $230US. Masahiro and Ryumon both seem to have a spotty record, but Musashi has a fairly good reputation.
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Makoto Pat
Member
Just got my favorite alert status from U.S. Postal Services- Out for delivery!
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Post by Makoto Pat on Jun 27, 2011 1:48:19 GMT
Welcome to the Forum. I joined for the exact same reason.
I have purchased a Munetoshi waki from SwordNarmory and I love both.
I also have a musashi from wiwingti...I love them too. The Munsetoshi was a bit above $200 the Musashi was -$100.
In my opinion the extra cash was well spent and easily discernible in the Munetoshi....especially in the appearance and handling and cutting.
But both are great beginner swords.
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Post by Bleys on Jun 27, 2011 8:14:33 GMT
I purchased a Munetoshi Kigan from a forum user, but it still hasn't arrived yet. Damned DHL I made this while waiting:  |
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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 Jun 27, 2011 15:46:28 GMT
The sweet anticipation of a sword arrival is the most bitter-sweet event of the sword experience....can you imagine what it was like back in the 'olden' days when you had to make a commission and wait for the sword to be made especially for you?
Well some of you probably can because of custom swords, but it is a little different than walking or riding down to the smithy's shop to smell the fire.
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Post by Maynar on Jun 28, 2011 9:34:59 GMT
LOL @ chart, Bleys. :lol:
Could be worse, could be the postal service.
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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 Jun 29, 2011 14:05:34 GMT
It is true your chart is highly accurate, but as previously pointed out at its not the USPS I am still waiting on a package that was expedited. It is several days late still were as the regular service has arrived for other items ordered on the same day....I won't pay extra any more...unless it's for another company's service. Good luck with your wait. I usually try to google as many youtube vids of my sword in action and any and all information is read several times a day.
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Post by Bleys on Jun 29, 2011 14:34:37 GMT
My sword has now arrived and I am very happy with it! I had already entered sage mode  Good luck with yours Mako, don't turn undead! |
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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 Jun 29, 2011 14:57:08 GMT
I am sorry...I orders fittings for my canes....perfectly acceptable and legal wooden sword substitutes. I am fine to wait because I still have some work to do on the bodies of the canes I am making. Thanks for your concern and kindness. I was just remarking on the irony of expedited mail service. I'll put some pics of my canes and you be sure to get your first cuts (good and bad) on video even if you keep them for yourself. The first cut is the sweetest...and something special. And sometimes funny...like with me.
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