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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2007 17:36:28 GMT
I think I'm turning Japanese! ;D Okay, so, maybe not, but I have just made my first Japanese style blade purchases: a Masahiro "Bamboo" from eBay and a Cheness Mokko Wakizashi from the SBG Sword Store. It figures that Marc Ridgeway convinves me to buy a Masahiro and then takes off for parts unknown so I can't blast him if I don't like it... Just kidding, Marc, if you're out there reading this. ;D Anyhow, I won't add yet another review for the Bamboo, but I will report on how it compares to the ones reviewed so far. As to the wak, I will probably do a little write-up and add some pics, since this one hasn't been as heavily covered. I finally decided to return my Cold Steel 1796 (decided I just couldn't live with the funky, unhistorical hilt, after all), so, perhaps a review of the Mokko will help fill the void. BTW, it just so happened that the Bamboo and Mokko together cost me exactly $214.94 USD, which is about $2 more than the refund price on the 1796, so that part of it worked out quite nicely.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2007 19:17:50 GMT
Hey, good stuff man. I'm glad to see you're liking the japanese katanas!
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Post by rammstein on Feb 19, 2007 19:28:43 GMT
I've been interested in finding a katana as well....I don't care about historical accuracy(they all look the same to me why pay more ? ), I just want one that is the most basic, bare-boned, economical style.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2007 20:46:53 GMT
I've been interested in finding a katana as well....I don't care about historical accuracy(they all look the same to me why pay more ? ), I just want one that is the most basic, bare-boned, economical style. I think the Bamboo may be the ticket for you. It's dirt cheap, yet, supposedly, pretty solid (I'm reserving judgement 'til mine is actually in my sweaty paws ;D). As to the sameness of katana, I agree, to a point. I'm slowly learning that what makes katana fascinating is not the dramatic difference in look and feel that one sees between different western swords, but more subtle differences like amount of sori (blade curvature), whether the tsuka is straight or more dished out in the middle (I know there have to be Japanese terms for this, but I'm not fluent enough yet to know them), the quality and design of the fittings (tsuba, fuchi, kashira, menuki, etc.), and so forth. Not to mention differences in kissaki, hamon, etc. True, if you do not like the basic shape and characteristics of katana in general, then you likely won't find any of them appealing. But, if you do, then you'll start noticing that these subtle differences I've mentioned will become much more apparent and noticeable. I'll always be a western sword guy at heart, but I'm learning to appreciate Japanese swords, as time goes by and my knowledge of them grows.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2007 20:21:43 GMT
I've been interested in finding a katana as well....I don't care about historical accuracy(they all look the same to me why pay more ? ), I just want one that is the most basic, bare-boned, economical style. If they all look the same my friend, then you are not looking hard enough !!!
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Post by rammstein on Feb 21, 2007 20:25:14 GMT
I don't mean by fittings, I can see differences in that. I mean by overall blade shape. I want a cheap one because I just can't justify spending more than $100 on something I can't appreciate well. Seems to be the same concept, just rehashed, if you pardon my obvious bias ;D (I'm sure I'm going to get blasted for that, and I fully repect opposing points of view, of course )
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2007 20:34:51 GMT
Go the Cheness Shura( with Bo-hi). It is only about $200, It looks good , it's sounds good when it is swung, it has a nice curve and weight, and its made of 9260 so its as hard as old boots mate !
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Post by rammstein on Feb 21, 2007 20:38:27 GMT
oops, that mean to say 200 not 100, typo. Fixing it now ;D I'll check into it, thanks for the recommendation, chopchop. I'm still interested in this sword though (though I'm sure it's no where near as good a a $200 recommended to me would be )
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2007 22:24:32 GMT
Dont worry Rammstein marc isnt here to start a war with you at the moment so you just might get away with it hehe
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2007 22:39:45 GMT
The "Bamboo" arrived today, and it is all that Marc (and Michael on the main SBG site) said it is. The ito is very snug and even, the blade is evenly sharp along its length(I've cut myself twice so far ), no rattles whatsoever (though Marc's didn't rattle right off the bat, so if it starts, I'll add a thicker seppa or go the BlackCat route), and it feels very light and nimble in the hand. I won't be able to cut anything 'til the weekend, but I have no doubt it will do well. In all, it's a damn nice piece for an absurdly low price.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2007 5:25:23 GMT
haha I like how you added a smily face next to your cutting yourself comment. But I admit I was quite pleased when my last legends point was sharp enough to cut my finger.( ahh geez I making us look crazy here) ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2007 8:55:05 GMT
haha I like how you added a smily face next to your cutting yourself comment. But I admit I was quite pleased when my last legends point was sharp enough to cut my finger.( ahh geez I making us look crazy here) ;D I just HAD to test the edge with a finger. Yep! It's sharp, alright! ;D Cut number two came when I was wiping some oil off the blade. Didn't I just determine that the blade was sharp? You'd think I'd be more cautious at this point, but NO! DUH! I had to put the smiley face just to mock my own stupidity. ;D
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