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Post by jwhite07 on Mar 24, 2012 17:08:04 GMT
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Post by bleachsword on Mar 24, 2012 17:34:09 GMT
I will try not to be too negitive but they all look like they would be a let down when you get them in hand if I were you I would save up and try to get one custom made it would look and feel much better. The Hitsugaya sword looks to be wraped in nylon so no go on that one The Tensa-Zangetsu has yet to be made well enough for me to want a production model and I will get back to you on the damascus swords.
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Post by Warlokk on Mar 24, 2012 18:03:23 GMT
I'd recommend you start here and do a bit more research before deciding to spend your money on any of those: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/buy-s ... nline.html Also, beware of anything called "Damascus"... it's usually a marketing trick and has nothing to do with actual Damascus steel, which doesn't have anything to do with "water marks", but is actually the results of different types and grades of steel being blended together during forging, and is usually referred to as "pattern-welding", since the actual method of making true Damascus steel has been lost for centuries. There are only a handful of actual pattern-welded blades out there, usually in the Viking period but there are others. Here's an earlier thread that should help: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=10076&p=126431&hilit=damascus#p126431You're in the right place to get started... but do a little research before you spend your hard-earned money, and you'll get a much better result, and something that will be far less likely to cause yourself injury.
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Post by wolf_shade on Mar 24, 2012 18:23:47 GMT
I held one of the "Ichigo BANKAI Sword" in a local shop. The claim "this sword is massive and sturdy from end to end" is half right, it's massive. The rest of it is poor quality. The handle wrap that looks like cheap nylon, is. The red cloth beneath is a thin material (don't know what type) that's sturdy so long as you don't rub it (IE: swing the sword at all). The guard wasn't loose that i recall, but "all metal" includes things like tin. Not sure what it was made of but "sturdy" is not the impression it gave. If the shop hadn't been crowded I am sure if I had turned the sword sideways (parallel to the floor) so that the edge would then be pointing to the side and the flats of the blade was facing floor and ceiling it would have bent by gravity alone. Had i then wobbled it from the handle it would have bent and stayed that way. If all you want is a piece to lean against the wall or sit on an oversized stand, it's fine from a distance. If you want something you can swing around a bit, this isn't for you. If you want something to cut with go a different route..
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Post by ineffableone on Mar 24, 2012 18:38:22 GMT
You know with the popularity of anime and fantasy swords, you would think there would be some decent quality anime and fantasy swords available.
Just a suggestion but someone might consider doing a list of functional anime swords for the fantasy sword section. If there are many to fill a list.
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Post by rvhernandez on Mar 24, 2012 18:47:53 GMT
You got some good advice so far, and here's mine: I know with any hobby I've ever taken up it's hard to start out perfectly right. You're gonna make your purchasing mistakes no matter what and you'll only come to realize it years later if you stick with your hobby. However, that doesn't mean you can't minimize your mistakes by listening to the right advice. If you were my close friend, I'd strongly advise you to start off with the Musashi line of katanas from True Swords. Here's the link: www.trueswords.com/advanced_sear ... =2a&page=2 Stick to the ones that state: Musashi, 1060 Carbon steel, etc etc, and stay with the ones in the $79.99 range. I think everyone here in this forum would agree this is not a bad place to start your hobby, and you'll be getting a lot of REAL sword for the money. And I promise you that years later you can still be proud that this was your first purchase. Not only will this sword impress you when you turn it on to cutting cardboard boxes, water bottles, etc, but your friends will be impressed by its good looks and very sharp edge. These entry level, light cutter swords will give you the taste for how a sword should balance and cut. Fantasy swords are a legitimate genre of collecting. The risk here is that there are so many poorly made (VERY POOR) wallhangers that one day you'll realize you spent lots of hard earn money on pieces of crap when, instead, you've could have purchased better quality fantasy swords that have real value and are real swords. I don't know anything about the swords you point out above, but my instincts say to be wary. I don't remember of any really value fantasy swords at the moment (not a niche of mine) but I have seen some that are not bad at all. I'm sure others in the forum will let you know. Good luck with your purchases and hope you enjoy the pleasures of sword collecting!
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Mar 24, 2012 21:02:20 GMT
I love anime too. I've watched both Bleach and One Piece and I understand the attraction to these swords you feel. I have never handled one of the swords you are looking at but I have heard some negative feedback from some who have. the problem is that the companies who make anime swords understand marketing and anime fans a whole lot better than they do swords. swords are tricky. just because they used 1045 ("carbon steel") in the blade does not make it "battle ready" or even simply a decent sword.
seems from your post that you are seperating these swords from "real swords" which is a good way of thinking.
let's talk about damascus for a second. as mentioned briefly above what is generally called damascus in our modern sword market is not anything like damascus, it is pattern welded steel. there's nothing wrong with pattern welded steel when it is done well but therein lies the rub. it is difficult to do well. there are a lot of tricks that come with pattern welded steel that can mess things up quickly. in many cases reputable sword manufacturers start with pattern welded stock from their foundry and stock remove the sword. this is ok, but still tricky as heat treating the stuff can be . . . ummm . . . fun. I guess what I'm saying is: please understand that due to the nature of pattern welded steel if you are getting it on a budget then it is pretty likely that you are not going to be getting the quality you would prefer. in most cases a plain old mono steel blade is by far the better choice, especially when you are in a sub $1000 range for the sword in question. I think, for me the real thing that kills pattern welded steel for most swords is that there are so few swords that it is apropriate for. Katana, for example, should never be made out of pattern welded steel. why? because that's not how they were made historically? well yes, but that's not the whole story. the rest of it is that pretty much everyone who likes katana knows about the traditional "folding of the the blade" and some dealers use pattern welded steel to make people think they are getting something that is closer to the traditional thing because it is "folded." in truth this is just a marketing gimick. the dealer is more concerned with marketability than authenticity or, more importantly, sound design or a quality product. it is a sad state of affairs but that's where we are. if you want a pattern welded sword because it is beautiful, then that is fine, but understand you are opening a can of worms when it comes to functionality. maybe you will get lucky and get a good one, maybe not. as a first of even second purchase I would advise axtreme caution, lots of research, and when you are done with that, more research and caution.
personally, I would much rather have a plain-jane sword that has the right form, the right build, and handling characteristics so that I can understand how a sword should be than have one that is really pretty looking but isn't shaped right and/or isn't structurally sound and safe.
if you want an attractive katana-like sword there are lots of really good quality stuff in the sub $300 budget range here. look around ask questions and find out what is good. for katana-like swords on a budget I like: Ronin Sword, SBG store brand, Kris Cutlery, and Sword and Armoury's Munetoshi line but I'm sure there are other good ones out there. for European swords under $300 I like the Hanwei Tinker line, a very few select models from Windlass, and that's about it.
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Aaron
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Post by Aaron on Mar 25, 2012 19:11:38 GMT
My old roommate has the huge Ichigo sword. He keeps it hidden underneath his bed, if that gives you any indication of how "nice" it is.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Mar 26, 2012 0:17:50 GMT
that speaks volumes in my opinion. :lol:
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2012 0:59:11 GMT
The Ichigo sword creates a strange reaction. When my dad saw one in asian gifts (little mall ninja supply shop) he thought it was the stupidest thing ever, but only after he held it, before it was more like WTF is that!
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