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Post by Derleth on Sept 16, 2011 3:52:51 GMT
Hi, after a few weeks of lurking i figured it finally time to register, introduce myself, and pose a question or two. I'm pondering buying a Katana in the near future, and have been reading various posts and reviews, making note of what people have to say, positive and negative, about various blades, manufacturers, and vendors, but i've not seen much said about Iaito Store ( www.buyiaito.com) and wondered if anyone had had any good/bad/or largely unremarkable experiences with them. When i buy i want something that I've been able to personalize a little bit, and as opposed to the other dealers and forges i've seen that allow customization, Iaito Store seems to be the most, how shall we say, 'rookie friendly,' where customization is concerned. Back when I was just out of high school I did pick up a number of what I have learned would be most accurately termed "sword like objects" but one of them from what I've read here may serve as a passable beater until i squirrel away enough cash for a newer production blade. i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/3A21/464188a8.jpgi36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/3A21/a7a53d79.jpgi36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/3A21/8172533f.jpgi36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/3A21/72083356.jpgIt's about 20 years old now, it bears no maker's mark and i have no recollection of who the shopkeeper said made it. It is purportedly made of spring steel, and certainly seems both durable and flexible. Any opinions on whether or not it would be safe and prudent to sand away the surface rust, put an edge on it and try a bit of back yard cutting?
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ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
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Post by ecovolo on Sept 16, 2011 3:59:20 GMT
Welcome to the forum! From the look of it . . . I guess that's an old Iberia blade. I have a hand-and-a-half made in a similar style: www.flickr.com/photos/9012221@N0 ... hotostream Is it safe to cut with? I have *no* idea. Anyone else? --Edward
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Sept 16, 2011 4:50:12 GMT
Hey, welcome aboard. I'm not all that versed with buyiaito's swords. I did order a sword bag from them. It's nice.
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Post by Northern Wanderer on Sept 16, 2011 14:14:52 GMT
Site is run by zhisword, solid rep for entry level stuff, nice blades, iffy saya and habaki fit have been reported. cheap for any good iaito, let alone a custom. any of the steels they list in the options would be suitable.
As for the old sword, take the handle apart if you can. if it is full tang and everything is solid after putting it back together, it might be safe. im afraid that without actually handling the blade i cant tell much.
welcome to the forum.
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Post by chrisperoni on Sept 16, 2011 14:58:49 GMT
K, wait though- I'm confused... they have iato and shinken, but will also sharpen an iato? Doesn't that make it shinken then?
I'm guessing they are sort of covering all their bases by using both terms and offeringto sharpen an iato- probably so someone who does not know all the terms/meanings can still buy what they want- to maximize their selling potential..
Isthere something I'm missing?
As for quality, Zhisword is standard fare, you get what you pay for, and they genverally have reasonable prices. They are a bigger company and supply other smaller sellers so you might see their products available elsewhere, but usually it's best to buy right from the source if you can. Not sure how closely connected to forges they actually are- as in if they really do have specific control of manufacture, or if they just buy in bulk. EDIT/ADD- the more I read the clearer it is that they are a forge and make their own stuff directly- which is good!
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Post by Derleth on Sept 16, 2011 15:21:52 GMT
Thanks for the welcome and the info, I've got a little more time to research before it's time to buy, but they do seem promising. As for the older blade. there are no pegs in the grip, I tried giving the pommel a good stout twist to see if perhaps the end of the tang is threaded and screwed in like the spring steel straight sword I bought right about the same time, but it didn't even consider budging for me. I get the feeling I'd have to lock it in a vice and get a wrench on it to get it loose so I believe I'll err on the side of caution and just clean her up, wrap the scabbard where the brass fixtures used to be glued on and hang her up until the much anticipated zombie apocalypse.
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Post by chrisperoni on Sept 16, 2011 16:15:12 GMT
I gotta say something about this, quoted from the buyiato site:
"We acknowledge that we are not the authentic makers of the Japanese Katana, and we do not have the cultural and traditional edge as compared to the Japanese smiths. But we take pride in the fact our hometown of Longquan has about 2500 years of rich history in forging swords. The earliest Katana evolved from the Chinese Dao of our Tang Dynasty era. We believe that throughout this period of history, Chinese sword forging has not progress any less than the Japanese one. This knowledge, combined with our quality control of the strictest standards gives us the faith that the Katanas we produce are worthy rivals to the traditionally forged Japanese Katana."
- For me this is one of the best comments I've ever read from a chinese sword maker. Honest and strightforward, but still confident. I personally LOVE Longquan China - there is such a long and full history of sword making, and let's face it, literally tonnes of swords are produced there every year. However, most sellers will still try to downplay the fact their katana are not made in Japan, many even flat out lie about it. Zhisword and certain other makers score points for me for their hometown pride.
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Post by Jakeonthekob on Sept 16, 2011 21:09:04 GMT
There are a lot of good entry level swords from reputable companies. If you're looking for a DH sword, then it's good to try Munetoshi, Hanwei, Musashi, huawei, the custom line here at SBG, sinoforge. Those are just off the top of my head. Other good companies like Cold steel and the like are good to look into as well.
If you're just looking for a "standard" katana with blade length of about 27-29 inches and a handle length from 10-12 inches, then it's better to go with a production model, not a custom. No point of spending money on a sword where you pay $100 more and all they do is change the tsuba and ito, right? Just my honest opinion.
Also, I would suggest that you try cleaning up that blade for use, but ONLY after making sure that everything is tight/functioning properly. Good Luck!
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Post by Derleth on Sept 17, 2011 4:28:06 GMT
Everything on the old sword SEEMS solid enough, and I'll admit to having abused it a little in my youth, so perhaps I'll clean her up and give it a swing after all. Incidentally, throwing "Iberia" in as a search parameter I came up with this... www.medievalcollectables.com/p-1 ... atana.aspx Looks like they've changed the finish of the saya (yes, I've been reading a bit today lol) and rethought the grip a bit, but judging by the rest it appears to be the same sword.
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Post by chuckinohio on Sept 17, 2011 5:27:12 GMT
That does look to be an updated version of the sword that you posess. Assuming that it is, you should be safe to clean it up and try some cutting with it. GO SLOW, and keep a good weather eye on the hilt of the sword. Try some light targets and see if any looseness becomes apparent, or any undue clicking and clacking indicating a loosening up of the hilt components. Slow and watchful would be the key words. Always err on the side of caution when dealing with a 3 foot length of sharpened steel!
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