Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2012 3:51:00 GMT
Then again, you could soak the whole thing in epoxy and it will become a block of composite wood/rayskin/cotton micarta, which will be impervious to anything! :lol: Just joking, couldn't help myself
|
|
|
Post by frankthebunny on Mar 13, 2012 4:11:17 GMT
lol, that description is close to my Zombie's Bane katana. fall wrap samegawa, leather ito and then all coated with POR15. it's practically bullet proof! actually if you were to shoot the tsuka, the wood core interior would probably crack before the painted exterior would
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Mar 13, 2012 4:12:42 GMT
ive done it.......
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2012 11:52:50 GMT
frankthebunny, you're a legend! That's pretty much how I'd wan't my ideal tsuka to look.
To both frankthebunny and Saito, just wondering how the coated grip feels in the hand, and how many coats of epoxy did you use?
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Kumdoalan on Mar 13, 2012 12:27:44 GMT
I really wish one of you guys would say , "Alan, I would get this_____"
Look, The look of the Saya is important to me....the look of the handle is important to me...
But I am a bit of a bladesmith myself, I have forged by hand my share of knives. So this means that because of this well-known history I have with everyone who knows me,with making blades that it is EXPECTED that my first Katana will be just a bit "extra" .
So point me to that blade in this price range that has that little "extra"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2012 13:53:01 GMT
If you let us know what you like in a katana, and what your budget it, it will make it easier to put ourselves in your shoes and recommend something YOU will like, and we'll do our best to make some suggestions. Personally, I go for elegant but understated katanas with no colours, and in budget katanas I focus more on the blade and fuss much less over the handle and saya, but that's just my preference and won't be everyone elses. I think I know how to make it easier - browse the Hanwei online catalog - www.casiberia.com/category.aspx? ... ame=Katana and ignore price, just pick the sword that appeals to you the most, tell us why, and hopefully we can then suggest some similar swords you might like in your price range (and please let us know what your price range is!) Thanks PS - and we'll try to find something with that little 'extra' too
|
|
|
Post by Kumdoalan on Mar 13, 2012 14:08:15 GMT
Here we go with the facts of life for my sword search. (heck this is my topic anyway, so why not stray a bit off the beaten path?)
Im a student of the sword for about the last 10 years in both Japanese Kendo and now Korean Kumdo. I have reached the rank where a sword is something I need to get so as to begin the next stage of my sword art - "Cutting"
My sword has to be a very good example of a Katana as it will be taken apart in class for teaching how to clean/oil/review a sword.
It would be nice if my sword had something interesting on the tang where a signature would be on a real Japanese katana....it's not a deal breaker, but it would be nice.
My Budget?......is up to $400.00for the whole package.
It would help me a great deal if the sword was from a well known and trusted maker, as my sword teacher will have to be 110% sure of the quality of my sword before I can bring it in the door of the gym.
The "Wow!" i speak of?.....Im not sure,,,perhaps a fancy Saya, or a folded steel blade....or perhaps a blade composed of 2 or 3 different types of steel?
Im a bladesmith myself in my free time. I have made lots of forged hunting knives, and so Im expected to have that little "extra" that most guys would not spring the ca$h for.......
Lets hear your ideas!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by Kumdoalan on Mar 13, 2012 15:58:30 GMT
still looking....
|
|
|
Post by Jakeonthekob on Mar 13, 2012 16:47:47 GMT
I have an sbg entry kat myself but i totally redid geometry, polish, and built and wrapped a New tsuka core with full same wrap and black silk tsumami/hira maki. It cuts decently but the ji to the ha measures about .5 inches which is an extreme taper. Gotta double check that but im sure that's what it is.
For cutting performance you have to take into account the width of the ji, thickness, niku, taper, etc. But i would not get leather simply because the quality would be bad. I would only get leather from namikawa or equivalent quality store. But look at it this way: cutting performance to your specefic needs is a must. Looks is secondary. There's no point in getting a sword that weighs 3 lbs with a POb at 7inches from the tsuba when you wann pull triple cuts on tatami omote. you need a blade with a slimmer profile and less niku to pull that cut easier.
|
|
|
Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 13, 2012 16:59:55 GMT
If you have the money, you could ask our member Dadaochen about one of his katanas. He makes them for cutting performance and they're relatively inexpensive; around $300 if I recall correctly. The fittings are okay, but the blade and sharpening job are top-notch, so they're worth buying just for that and having it fitted out your way by someone else.
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Mar 13, 2012 17:02:14 GMT
it feels like plastic, and i just kinda painted it on in as thin a coat as i could manage
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2012 23:54:34 GMT
To answer the OP's request - I really wish one of you guys would say , "Alan, I would get this_____", well after looking long and hard at what you can get for under $400, it looks like the choices come down to: Ronin Dojo Pro ( www.roninkatana.com/) Dojo-Pro Model #5 ( www.roninkatana.com/dojopro5.html) This one has the nicest finish in my opinion - best looking sword for your budget, and has great reviews. Dojo-Pro Model #5 Steel: Through hardened 1060 Saya: Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri. Weight: 2.6 pounds POB: 4 1/2- 5 inches Length in saya: 42 inches Tsuka: 11 inches Blade: 28 inches Habaki to tip: 27 inches Ito: Silk Sageo: Synthetic silk Fuchi: Backened iron Kashira: Blackened iron Menuki: Brass Price: $275 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Kris Cutlery ( kriscutlery.com/documents/japanese.html )make a decent budget katana, looks quite good, less choice in styles than the Ronin Dojo Pro. Here's their Katana 26 II ( www.kriscutlery.com/mm5/merchant ... ode=katana) KATANA 26 II (with groove) This is a popular size katana that is easier to draw and swing. It is a shorter version of the Katana 29 II. The Shinogi-Zukuri blade has a groove along the top part of the blade. This feature makes the sword less heavy without making the blade thinner. The straight Hamon (hardened edge) is slightly visible and is 1/4 inch-1/2 inch wide and extends all the way to the iron Habaki. Blackened round iron Tsuba (guard) has two small holes on top. It has a removable wood handle secured with two bamboo pegs on the tang. The handle is traditionally wrapped with a poly-blend flat cord (please specify color: brown or blue or black; on upper right hand side of this page) and has two dragon brass Menuki (ornament) on each side. All the other fittings are made of blackened iron: Fuchi, Kashira, Koiguchi and Kojiri. A light brown hardwood scabbard has a black horn Kurikata (knob). (shp. wt. 5 lbs.) $265 Blade: 26 ½ inches, 5160 carbon steel, ¼+inches (7-8mm) thick near the habaki Hamon: straight 60 RC hardness Handle: 11 inches Nakago (tang): 8.5-9 inches Tsuba: 3 inches diameter Weight: 2.4 lbs. (without scabbard) Price: $265.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Then there's the Cheness blades ( www.chenessinc.com/), the Tenchi and Kaze. The Cheness swords have decent blades, but the fittings are budget level and quite ordibary looking. Quality control can be quite variable according to forim members, my experience has been good on aall three of their blades. I'd guess this would be your third choice. The Tenchi is a 9260 through hardened blade, virtually indestructible, but it isn't the sharpest blade as a result. The Kaze is a proper differentially hardened 9260 blade with hamon. Tenchi ( www.chenessinc.com/tenchi.htm) Name "Tenchi" (Heaven and Earth) Blade 9260 Silicon Alloy Carbon Spring Steel. Overall Length (+ Saya) 42.5" Treatment Full Hand Forged, Through Tempered, Oil Quenched, Hand Polished Finish Tameshigiri Polish Blade Dimension 28" Length, 0.3" Width, 1.25" Height Sori (Curvature) 0.7" Weight 2 lbs 5 oz (with fuller), 2 lbs 9 oz (without fuller) Tsuba/Fuchi/Kashira Antiqued Brass Musashi Double Ring Tsuba with alloy fittings Balance Point 5" above tsuba (with fuller), 6" above tsuba (without fuller) Tsuka/Ho 11" Wood Tsuka Ito Black Cotton Mekugi 2 X Wood (Double Pinned) Same Real Ray Skin Panel Wrap Saya 30.5" Black Glossy Lacquered Medium Hardwood Price: $279.99 Kaze ( www.chenessinc.com/kaze.htm) "Kaze" - 9260 Differentially Hardened Spring Steel Katana Name "Kaze" (Wind) Blade Differentially Hardened 9260 Silicon Alloy Carbon Spring Steel. Overall Length (+ Saya) 42.5" Treatment Full Hand Forged, Clay Hardened, Water Quenched, Hand Polished Finish Tameshigiri Polish Blade Dimension 28" Length, 0.3" Width, 1.25" Height Sori (Curvature) 0.7" Weight 2 lbs 9 oz Tsuba/Fuchi/Kashira Blackened Cast Steel Tsuba with Antiqued Brass Fuchi/Kashira Balance Point 5" above tsuba (with fuller), 6" above tsuba (without fuller) Tsuka/Ho 11" Wood Tsuka Ito Brown Cotton Mekugi 2 X Wood (Double Pinned) Same Real Ray Skin Panel Wrap Saya 30.5" Black Glossy Lacquered Medium Hardwood Price: $299.99 Hope this helps - these are what i would buy if I had to spend under $400 on a sword. I only have a Tenchi from the swords listed, but the revies from forum members are very positive for the other swords, and the Ronon Dojo Pro has the best reviews for a "best value for mooney" budget sword if I'm not mistaken. Good luck with the sword buying!
|
|
|
Post by Kumdoalan on Mar 14, 2012 0:17:09 GMT
Im going to look at each very closely....thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Jakeonthekob on Mar 14, 2012 0:34:51 GMT
For a decent sword in the $400 range... I would suggest any Munetoshi, Hanwei, Ricky Chen's blades, the swords here on SBG, and huawei if you have any interest in dealing with an ebay seller. I will list some swords I find acceptable as far as handling go and cutting performance and overall quality. I should also let you know that I prefer swords that are differentially hardened, which is why you'll probably find like zero TH blades mentioned here. And the only reason why I am listing so many SNA Munetoshi swords is because I am sponsored by them to cut so they're really the only swords I have cutting experiences with. I'm not preferring a vendor or brand over another, it's just that they're really all I use besides my own personal swords (MAS L6 custom competition kat $2000, SBG custom entry kat $330 with major modifications, Musashi Shirasaya $40, Munetoshi Tactical Waki $90). Specific swords I have found that I have personally handled and cut with in your price range are: Munetoshi Akitsushima (light to medium cutter) It handles pretty decently and comes with a bohi. The thing that stands out for this blade is the midare/choji hamon on the blade so for a nice looking piece for a decent price, this is definitely a good choice. The cutting performance is average as it in takes some skill to pull a kawasemi but the bohi definitely helps you keep your hasuji on and the POB is about 5.5 inches which is about the norm on production katana. Munetoshi Light Cutter (light to medium cutter) Pretty much a decent all around cutter with a gunome midare hamon, and utilitarian fittings. The tsuka actually comes rather thick but it is still manageable. This is probably one of my favorite cheaper production katana because the blades are pretty light and they handle pretty well too. They are able to go through blue hennon bamboo with no problem so at least the heat treat on the blade is pretty good. I also found out that this model actually sports real buffalo horn koiguchi and kojiri, though the paint hides the kojiri LOL. Talk about interesting XD Munetoshi Mokko (light to medium cutter) This is a very agile cutter meant to be used for iai and batto. The selling point of this katana is its low POB, which is around 4-4.5 inches from the tsuba and everything else as far as fittings, etc is average. The handle is about the same as the Light Cutter in that it is a little thick but the handling performance is very nice for batto/iai. Munetoshi Kumo (medium to heavy cutter) This one is on sale ATM for $399 so with tax and shipping it will be over $400... However it does have honsanmai lamination and medium niku for heavier targets like blue hennon bamboo. I have personally cut through a 2" diameter blue hennon bamboo with a similiar 8 series sword so I can tell you these things are TOUGH. The hamon is gunome midare and has a well made tsuka. It may be long for most traditional koto era ryus but it still works. It takes a little while to get used to the heavier sori but they will cut. Munetoshi Yuki (light cutter) These blades are hira-zukuri swords which aren't acceptable to many Japanese style martial arts. However Korean Gumdo styles do use these samgakdo swords quite often so depending on which style you decide to pursue, this is an economic option as far as a hira-zukuri blade goes. SBG $330 entry level katana- Mine has a bohi and you can see what it currently is here: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7742 As I said in a previous post, I completely redid the geometry, polish, carved and mounted a whole new tsuka, and did other stuff with the saya. It cuts completely differently from when it was factory specs. IMHO this works as a decent overall blade to cut all sorts of mats as well as decent sized bamboo. However for complex trick cutting, I would leave this sword for my MAS katana. It takes a lot of work to pull complex cutting patterns with this sword consistently. I believe I got the gold color synthetic ito but it was a poor, poor excuse for ito. I wouldn't even use that ito for a shoelace. It was honestly that bad. Too stretchy and very thin. The one I got also had disjointed pieces of same on one side, IE the same panel was split into two pieces but glued on anyways. Also in this price range, finding a decent pair of fuchi/kashira is near impossible. Unfortunately the ones I ordered were pot metal alloy simply cause the design I chose, and it looks like some may be steel though you have to contact the people who handle the custom swords about that. However the blade is very nice and I just love the O-sanbon sugi hamon! That's pretty much it for that price range of swords that I have personally handled. Hope this helps man!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2012 2:54:14 GMT
Looks like he'll go with a Huawei from the many other posts on the same subject! (hopefully!!!) :lol:
|
|
|
Post by Jakeonthekob on Mar 14, 2012 3:06:03 GMT
Kool Kool! Thanks for the update bro!
|
|
|
Post by Kumdoalan on Mar 14, 2012 12:18:54 GMT
I have now placed my first order for a sword. The sword is - www.ebay.com/itm/FUNCTIONAL-SOE- ... 3f141e5e07 Its custom, a great steel, very much a "wow!" blade, from a respected maker, and $100 under budget, (even wife happy) So this means that the point of this topic is now run it's course and it will end here. But before I move on to the next issue and future topics I thought I should just talk about what this topic was about, and a few others I have started over the last few days were all about... It was about searching for trustworthy information from people who knew the real facts.I came to the SBG website as a guest, invited here by a guy on YouTube who has sword videos up. The SBG website I first found turned out to be dead, but from there I found this 2nd website and started asking my questions. This topic was about "Leather handle wrapping", and the reason I was asking about this topic was due to a friend of mine talking about his plans for wrapping his sword handle in leather. I was also thinking about getting a SBG katana at the time and so I wanted to know the context behind having a leather handle wrap on such a sword? I wanted to know what image people would have of me and of my sword if I showed up at my gym with such a handle?As this topic went along it kinda got mixed up with a bunch of other topics that detailed my search for the 'Perfect Blade', and due to the delay of the SBG sword being open to take orders (and a very confusing SBG store website) I started to look for other ideas about what sword to get. and....I ran into a lot of ideas....But I also ran into some things that I felt about swords that I had never really expressed before. I know I must have frustrated some good people when they would suggest a sword that they felt was just what I was looking for, only to have me keep looking at other swords because their sword lacked a good hamon. Why didnt I say I needed a Hamon in the first place?....... I should have.
I should have, but it never really came into my mind to do so until AFTER I was looking at swords without a Hamon...It was only 'then' that it became clear to me that a lack of a good hamon would just not do. Its the same with the other issues that came up along the way, (Like the color of the saya etc), If I had to do this over again, and based on what I have learned, I would have just printed out a head of time the characteristics of the sword I was looking for, and saved everyone a lot of time. But all I can say is that for the people like myself who are new to swords, there are many things that we discover to be very important, that at the start of our search don't even enter into our minds... Thus I must thank all for putting up with yet another "beginner's questions" as one more sword brother gets himself up to speed.
|
|
|
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Mar 14, 2012 12:47:21 GMT
Congratulations for ordering your first sword.
It's good to do research well to avoid bad buys. For easing your further search for a sword to your brother, I'd say it might be good thing to post this "conclusion" answer to those other sword searching threads, while maybe leaving one open for suggestions for your brothers sword. And in future it might be a good idea to keep one specific thread where you'd get sword recommendations, as now there were multiple threads and people recommending pretty much same swords in every thread.
|
|
|
Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Mar 14, 2012 13:46:52 GMT
congrats on the new blade, and don't worry about frustrating people with noob questions, we were all noobs at one time, if you look at my massive post count, over half of it is probably asking noob questions, the other half, answering them once i started to learn welcome to the pack brother
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2012 14:17:48 GMT
I researched for a whole week before I bought my first sword - and I read every sword reviw I could find. It's best to read the reviews first, saves everyone having to repeat everything multiple times. Anyway, glad you've ordered your first sword, hope you enjoy it, and the whole forum will be celebrating now that you've made a decision - just joking! :lol:
|
|