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Post by Smstradley on Apr 4, 2012 18:55:11 GMT
I am looking to diversify my starting sword collection (have one euro right now) and I am looking at getting a Katana. I want to keep in the $300 or less range, and in that range are the Cold Steel Warrior series. So using CS as a quality base line what would be a good starting katana? Also I saw the Chisa Katana and liked the way it looked ( kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=CS88BCK&name=Cold+Steel+Warrior+Series+Chisa+Katana). What are some of the bennifits of going with a shorter sword vrs a longer one? What are the down sides? Has anyone owned a short katana with a full sized grip? I hope that yal do not state the obvious, I am not that dumb I hope :oops: ... Finally, how easy would it be to change grips, guards (can barely spell english and you expect me to try to spell tushubie?? Yal are crazy!) and other furniture to get a sword that is pleasing to me? One last thing, I am not sold on one brand or type of sword. I am very flexible when it comes to getting anything new. Buy once, buy right as my Dad says.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Apr 4, 2012 19:28:01 GMT
Well many others can give better information but I can give few hints.
I used to like the old Cold Steel Warriors, they were good swords for the price when I handled and cut with them c.6 years ago, there was lot less competition back then, I believe they've changed a bit and I haven't seen any of the recent generations. However many makers are offering better deals than Cold Steel now. I have always liked Dynasty Forge and I think that they offer some of the best swords in sub 300$ category. RoninKatana have had lots of positive feedback recently and I believe they are one really good option in sub 300$ range, haven't own one or even seen one in person so I cannot comment much on them.
However Cold Steel Warrior (old gen) was a really good cutter. And I believe the newer generations are good as well. Much of the sword selection advice by me will always be biased. Having owned a DF Musha recently, I mainly compared it to old CS Warriors and PC Raptor line, as they are all through hardened. In my mind Dynasty Forge is better than the two latter. However as the CS Warrior is the only one of these 3 I've cut with, can't say anything of that aspect.
There are lots of other makers too, and some folks will surely give advice regarding them. HuaWei seems to have some products under 300$ range, and their quality has been a pleasant surprise to me lately.
Changing the guard (tsuba) will be fairly easy, it might need some fine tuning which will add little more work to the operation. Changing the grip (tsuka), will be much more difficult task due to way handles on japanese swords are constructed. There are two options, making a whole new handle or using the old wooden core and removing the handle binding (tsuka-ito). Then you can replace the fittings on both ends of tsuka (fuchi and kashira). However adding new pieces may require some shaping of the wooden core. Then you will have to rebind the handle, no matter how easy and simple it may seem, it is a lot harder to execute properly than it seems.
For a first sword I would recommend getting a sword that matches your wishes pretty well so no further customization will be needed, at least at that moment. There are people who can do this work for you but it will cost money.
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Apr 4, 2012 19:58:43 GMT
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Post by lamebmx on Apr 4, 2012 21:07:00 GMT
I have HEARD bad things about cold steel's handling. My Cheness felt like a bus, but the Tenchi I owned was extremely durable. I cant fault Ronin or KC for their price range, Ronin a bit more durable and KC handles a bit better. Huawei was a very nice blade and felt really good.
handles are not really interchangeable. tsuba's tend to come in thin steel or thick brass (and alloy) sizes. If you want to do customization work, be prepared with common woodworking tools. small saw, rasp, file, chisel, plane and sandpaper. Even a re-wrap will most likely use these tools, as you will likely wrap it much tighter and everything will scoot up a bit towards the tsuba meaning you will have to remove some wood to adjust where the kashira sits. It is a quite a bit of practice involved so buy enough cheap ito for 3 wraps, read up 10 times, bookmark a picture tutorial and get some practice in.
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ecovolo
Senior Forumite
Retired Moderator
Posts: 2,074
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Post by ecovolo on Apr 4, 2012 21:23:47 GMT
$300 or less? Definitely check out the SBG store if you haven't already: sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-gui ... index.html . . . and also the "Reviews" section, for info to help you decide: viewforum.php?f=6From personal experience, the closest I've had to owning a chisa katana per se, is Cheness' 9260 Oniyuri. The blade is shorter than the 'average' katana length, and the tsuka is longer as well (14 inches in length to the average 10 1/2 or 11-inch tsuka). I've had it for years and it's proven to be durable and forgiving when I've botched cuts. As a result of the difference in blade length and tsuka, the extra-long tsuka is more forgiving in allowing you to adjust your grip. As for brands, I can also recommend Ronin Katana and SBG custom katana. You can't go wrong with either of those. As for modifying a katana? Unless you have the skill, you're looking at spending some dough to have someone modify the katana for the tsuka they're going to put on. If this is your first katana, consider a starter that doesn't require modifying. Personal experience has shown me that the best *Japanese looking* weapon you can get in your price range would be a Ronin Katana Dojo Pro: The tsuba is modeled from an actual antique, the saya has buffalo-horn fittings, and the tsuka-ito is silk. I have a Model 6, and I can't complain: www.roninkatana.com/dojopro6.html--Edward
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Post by kasim18 on Apr 5, 2012 14:05:56 GMT
depends what you want. if you want a hamon and decent handling, you might check out ryumon. if you just want a cutter, Dynasty forge seems to have a great reputation
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