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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2007 4:18:06 GMT
Hi all, I'm brand new to the forums. I've been bitten badly by this sword buying bug. Since mid December I have bought 5 "Katanas". The most recent are two Cheness swords, Oniyuri and Shura. But my real question(s). Does anyone know anything about Musashi Swords. I bought three of them, two were a Daisho with a Katana and Wakizashi, all I know is the model name of these swords as "Muromachi". Are there any reviews out there about these swords? I've looked high and low with no luck. They are really nice looking swords, but I don't know anything about them. The certificate says the swords are made using the "Kobuse-Kitae" method, but I'm not so sure I believe that ! Any help would be great, Thanks !
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admin
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Post by admin on Feb 5, 2007 4:53:44 GMT
Hi 88mm, Welcome to the forums! ;D I've bought a few Musashi swords and was pretty impressed with the price to value ratio on the $59 ones, especially the Musashi Wind Dragon which I have reviewed here on SBG and comes out quite favorably. I am not familiar with the one you mention - though have a couple of others that I am yet to review in the higher price category (well, a little higher - US$174.99) that are beautifully presented and quite well made. I haven't put them to the test yet, and have a few concerns here and there - mostly to do with the hardness of these blades - which are I am told are 1060 carbon steel tempered to 57 Rockwells, which is a little on the high side for a monosteel blade... I'll report more back on these later. But in the meantime, do you have the link where you bought them? Cheers, - Paul
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2007 7:17:00 GMT
I have two Musashi swords, one is the "Classic Gladius" which is basically the same thing as the "Wind Dragon", (the only difference is it has a tan wrap around the tsuka instead of a black one) and their rosewood shirasaya.
Unfortunately I've never actually seen or heard of the swords you've purchased, but I can only assume that they are good swords as both of mine were $60 each, and as Paul mentioned Musashi has a really good price to value ratio.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2007 2:48:43 GMT
Hi Paul, I bought these swords at a cutlery gallery. How ever the website is www.musashiswords.com The models and specs according to the certificates are as follows: Model # 674-2 "Muromachi" Blade HRC 55, Blade length 29.5" (Katana) 21.25"(Wakizashi) Both of the swords are pegged with two Mekugi each and wrapped in cotton Ito. The set cost $550.00 complete(also included cleaning kit , sword bags, Kake and box) The other Katana is model # 750-10 "Oroshi" #21. This one is also 29.5" long (blade) but has a blade HRC of 57, and is a single peg Mekugi. This one cost $ 270.00. I suppose I bought these Katanas on impulse and didn't know what I was getting! But just with my inexperienced eye, they seemed fairly high quality. They actually look better than my Cheness katanas, but I' wondering if the blades are even in the same league as Cheness. I hope to see some kind of review on these swords. Thanks for your help !
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2007 3:28:33 GMT
Welcome 88mm,
Sounds like you have a good start on providing the rest of us a reviews on your new swords.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2007 5:19:46 GMT
88mm, thanks for that Musashi link. I wasn't aware they made a veriety of swords in various price ranges. For me, Japanese swords are a fairly recent (but quickly growing) interest, so I appreciate any little bit of help I can get in learning about them and discovering what is available on the market. Karma point given. BTW, from your screen name, it appears you are a fan of artillery. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2007 7:19:41 GMT
I had no idea Musashi had such a wide range of katanas either. I hadn't seen anything about them anywhere other than trueswords.com and here at SBG, and even those were only in the $60 price range.
Anyway, the best way to find out if the swords are any good is to put them up to some light cutting. Try some filled water bottles and see if the swords cut them cleanly enough. If they do, you weren't lied to and you've got some cool swords to go along with your other "cutters".
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2007 20:42:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 3:37:27 GMT
Nope, I have that sword and there is no difference at all between the "classic gladius" and the "wind dragon" other than the colors. And I'd actually suggest you get it from true swords, because they typically have the best price.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 10:41:17 GMT
thx doc but the problem with true swords is that they do not ship to europe, they just told me that they open a warehouse in The Nederlands in 5-6 months and at musashiswords.com swords the katana totaly cost 89 US$ with the shipping and that isnt that much
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2007 18:04:42 GMT
Ah, ok. Time is money after all, plus in 6 months that sword might be out of stock and long gone.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2007 14:01:46 GMT
Hi all, I currently own a Musashi Hand Honed Katana, but the hamon's barely 5mm along certain length of the blade! So I intend to purchase a Cheness in near future.... Just curious.. does anyone out there own both a Musashi AND a Cheness swords? Any comparisons such as value for money, aesthetic, handling, quality, etc. are welcome Larry
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2007 18:17:18 GMT
I'm getting money together to be able to. I've got my eyes on a Cheness O-Katana, so i'll definately get back to you when I get it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2007 9:16:59 GMT
--> Doc: Thanks.. do keep us posted of your forthcoming acquisition.. I'll be most eager to find out --> djg: I'm not just concern abt the hamon; I mentioned it because that, to me, somehow reflects the workmanships. In my novice opinion, I feel it'll be more authentic and appealing (Pls correct me if I'm wrong) to have thicker & distinct hamon that are consistent on both sides of the blade... ;D For my next katana purchase, I'm looking for one with bo-hi. But owing to sharp sword import restriction in my country, I may end up considering the iaito from Cheness or Hanwei instead.. *sigh* I need to clarify with them once I have the fund Thanks for the comparisons... very helpful indeed ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2007 18:30:36 GMT
Heres a little question of my own, Say I buy the Rosewood Shirasaya [http://www.trueswords.com/musashi-rosewood-shirasaya-sword-full-tang-p-2795.html]
Would it look bad if I add the hilt a handguard? My friend says it would look bad.....
If anyone has a suggestions for handguard designs I would like to hear them!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2007 20:07:52 GMT
I don't think it would be possible. Plus it would not be a shirasaya if you put a guard on. The whole idea behind the Shirasaya is minimalism.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2007 22:01:55 GMT
Possible? It's very possible, the question is how will it look, frankly im not intending to buy it because of its being a shirasaya, but because of its very good blade for its price.... I want to make it a completely practical sword.... without remaking the sheath and hilt [only modifying it]
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2007 1:20:35 GMT
Your right. Anything is possible. Would be for a very interesting looking Katana. Post some pics when you get it modified.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2007 5:33:38 GMT
hi it is possible but if you were to do it you would have to re drill the mekugi hole and that would look crap so you may want to buy a tsuka from cheness cuttlery there prices are good but if you dont live in the US the postage is a bit steep heres the link www.chenessinc.com/parts.htm i reckomend the brass tsuka set it looks quite nice the mokko bamboo looks ok to they also have heaps of tsuba to choose from aswell
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2007 8:41:41 GMT
tsuka's arent supposed to be interchangeable, it might work but I wouldnt want to swing a sword without a properly fitting tsuka. If you want to put a tsuba on it,remove the thickness of the tsuba you buy from the tsuka, the holes will still line up and the tsuka will still fit properly,I'd be tempted to use seppa as well to spread the load a bit.Really a shira saya is a storage saya only, never meant to be used as anything else.
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