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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 24, 2012 14:09:10 GMT
Hi all, there are several things id like to get some info on:
1st: what is a good starter blade, i was thinking the ronin o-suzumebachi dojo was nice but id be very grateful for any and all advice
2nd: im saving up cash to get a SBG custom katana, im wondering if anyone out there has a ordered one of these with a kogarasu styled blade cause this is what im considering on getting, also what length blade would be best for myself at 5'6?
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Feb 24, 2012 14:26:10 GMT
Welcome to SBG, PFC. The Ronin is definitely a good first choice if you can afford it; I know quite a few around here love them. Other options for a first katana (since I'm assuming that's your area of interest) are the Hanwei Raptor series, Dynasty Forge Musha Class, or, if you're on a tight budget, one of the 80$ Musashi lines.
As for a best blade length, I'd say the best blade length is whatever you feel most comfortable with, but from what I've seen on places that specialize in that sort of thing (nihonzashi, mainly), 26" seems to be the average preferred length for someone your height. I'm no expert on the matter, though.
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 24, 2012 14:36:12 GMT
Well money really isnt a concern, i make around 170 - 200 dollars a month as a active reservist in the army, in may ill be doing some training at fort leonardwood missouri for six weeks where ill be making 2000 or so a month
thanks for the info on the starter blades, ill definitely look into your recommendations more, can you tell me anything about the $330 custom katana
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Post by lamebmx on Feb 24, 2012 15:17:55 GMT
I have not had the luxury of using an SBG Custom. I however have a Ronin and a few musashi's around and some others.
The $80 Musashi's are phenomanol for the price. Might also be a nice way to feel the length if you can't find someone that will let you handle theirs. Most of the $80 Musashi's are about 28" and the Bo-Hi version handle fairly decent. something feels off about their no-hi ones, not bad but not good.
Personally I feel fine with 28" - 29" blades at my 5'8"'s. But my KC 26" is definately a bit easier to draw.
Definately try and find someone to play with a few first.
edit: the $80 bo-hi musashi is helpful in learning edge alignment without cutting. and i also have to mention the cheness tenchi which is crazy durable, my buddy put a set in my ronin (can barely tell its bent) and couldnt put a set in the tenchi. The tenchi dont handle well though.
enjoy some more options, take your time and keep reading up!
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 24, 2012 15:23:49 GMT
Really wish i could, but im from a hicktown in pennsylvania, im about the only person i know that loves swords, im currently examining the ronin o-suzumebachi dojo, hanwei raptor series Kissaki Moroha katana, musashi red bamboo katana, and the musha akuma katana, call me weird but something about kogarasu styled blades just draws me in lol, thats the style i want on my custom when its made, does that seem weird to anyone to like the kogarasu over traditional blades?
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Post by Chinook Kaze on Feb 24, 2012 15:28:27 GMT
I completely agree with the suggestion to start with one of the $80.00 1060 DH Mushashi Katana. They really are a great value for the money. You get a decent DH blade, alternating cotton ito (very tight wrap), properly shaped Rikko taper in the Tsuka, decent low end Koshirae and consistent quality control. I own two of them, one w/Bo Hi and one without Bo Hi in the Shobu Zukuri geometry. The blade w/Bo Hi is definitely more lively. The Blade without Bo Hi is a bit more forward heavy in feel, not bad, just different. Start with one one these to get a feel for what you might like. If you decide to buy something more upscale later you won't regret owning the Musahsi too.
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 24, 2012 15:43:42 GMT
Well as i said in a post above, im making some good cash, after i get back from training in missouri ill be getting 10k on top of what i make till then, i plan on researching till my bonus comes in then i want to buy a whole collection of blades that catch my eye design wise, naturally ill just use the starter at first till i get the hang of aligning my cuts. im pretty satisfied with the assortment of starter blades ive already looked at im just in the process of deciding which i like best, of course come september when i get my bonus things may have changed and ill take one final look then. The more pressing matter to me is trying to get some info from someone who has or has used a kogarasu styled katana
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Post by lamebmx on Feb 24, 2012 16:13:01 GMT
There is nothing odd in preferring one style over another. The suggestions are merely a starting point. Some pointers for good first steps, things to compare future purchases to quality wise and things that will either survive bad cuts on normal materials (tenchi) or wont break the wallet if you have to replace it a few times. After a while when your the kogarasu you decide on arrives, you will have some decent ones to compare it to, and have a decent proficiency in your cuts to not set the blade the first time out.
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 24, 2012 16:33:23 GMT
Thanks for the advice, ive already commenced ordering tatami cutting mats since they are relatively cheap, by the time i get to ordering the blades i should have a hundred or so just waiting to be hacked up
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 24, 2012 22:19:51 GMT
Hello. If i haven't already welcomed you to the forum, then I'll do it now. Welcome.
If you can afford it, I'd go with either the Hanwei Raptor or the Ronin, with my personal opinion that the Ronin is better. I think that the blades are about comparable, but the Ronin has better fittings and finish. The Musashi is a great value and for $80 is a steal, but if you plan on heavy use I'd go with one of the other ones. It has a less substantial blade and an okay-but-not-great heat treatment. The Ronin has a stellar heat treatment and is a pleasure to cut with. I hope this helps.
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 24, 2012 22:35:21 GMT
Thanks for the hello, i was just thinking to myself how i like the overall look of the o-suzumebachi, the yellow and black really caught my eye, im the kinda person who prefers great asthetics as well as great functionality, so thats what ive decided on for my starter blade
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 24, 2012 23:04:36 GMT
Very nice. I like that one a lot. I have one of their "Tsunami" model Dojo katanas, and I love it to death. Their 1060 Dojo Pro katanas are outstanding, but the 1045 Dojos are great as well. In case you haven't seen it, here is a series of videos by esteemed forum member/moderator Mark Kaden Ridgeway doing some "testing"(read: beating them to death,) on the Dojo models. Chris of Ronin Katana has decided to send Mark several factory seconds/quality control rejects to do destruction testing on. It's remarkable because the swords were rejected based on fairly minor flaws that many less scrupulous vendors would deem to be okay. Enjoy. Review of "reject" Dojo katana. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=9266Testing videos. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8857
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2012 5:47:27 GMT
First off another Welcome to the forum from an Army brat. Second, thank you for your service to our country! You've already gotten some good choices advice and have your own in mind as well. So I'll second those mentioned already. Now on the kogarasu moroha zukuri blade shape....two things. One - it was orginally a smallish tachi sword worn and drawn edge down... not an edge up katana. Which brings me to B) one cannot do noto (resheathing) this blade in the traditional resheathing techinque....you'll be bleeding. Unless you dulled the entire length of the top edge. Just food for thought. I don't have one but was just today bidding on one on ebay and the company cancelled my bid when the auction was ended and withdrawn. It was going to sell at around 100.00 so the seller stopped the auction and relisted it starting at 180.00 with a buy it now of 200.00 It was a Hanwei raptor version. I'll probably get the Huawei t-10 version with a hamon and maybe tachi koshirae. The original is pictured here somewhere in a line drawing. I'll see if I can find it. Found it! Good luck controlling this new addiction! Oooo-ahh!
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Post by Groo on Feb 25, 2012 8:10:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2012 9:33:38 GMT
Groo, yea, you wear it edge up and do drawcuts that way. There are some zinc blade replicas for edge down wear but most of the sharp ones are mounted as katana...edge up wear. Still the noto will be very tricky IMO. Two sharp edges to address when you resheathe your blade. It would be nice to hear from someone who knows the solution besides keep your fingers clear. Cold Steel has one as well.
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 27, 2012 0:16:03 GMT
Yeah i know ill get cut resheathing with a thumb guide, what i usually do is slide the blade along the collar of the saya and then sheath that way, my thumb never really touches the blade, even with my sheathed bokken that ive been messing with for a few years now, and to the army brat above HOO-AH
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Post by Dr. Whom on Feb 27, 2012 2:18:51 GMT
Someone already suggested it although I will second it...A Huawei T10 blade is a great buy and I highly recommend these swords and all their customizable options to blade shape, colors, and fittings. Get a good cutting sword and it will look good as well
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 27, 2012 2:27:47 GMT
Can you provide a link to a site that shows this blade and all its customizable options because im having trouble locating a good website
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Post by Dr. Whom on Feb 27, 2012 2:44:32 GMT
Not sure if they have a website...I get all my blades from them on ebay Here is a listing www.ebay.com/itm/HANDFORGED-UNOK ... 3f0fcd5ba4 I think this is their best tsuba...I got this blade only I emailed Jacky (the seller) that I wanted this setup with a T10 blade DH with real Hamon and I wanted black rayskin and it for a little extra, it came exactly as I requested. This is probably my next sword from them as I think it is new www.ebay.com/itm/FUNCTIONAL-SOE- ... 3f141e5e07 T10, folded, with hamon and bo-hi is just perfect for me.
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Post by SGT_crum on Feb 27, 2012 2:52:33 GMT
Ah alright thanks alot, i saw the ebay links but wasnt sure
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