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Post by Gene on Apr 20, 2012 16:04:44 GMT
Hi I'm new, and I'm looking to buy my first real sword. I've done a bit of martial arts weapons training on my own over the years with stuff I probably shouldn't have used, and the time has come to buy a real one. My main use will be just for slicing air, I don't intend on chopping much more than some fruits or expired hot dogs. I will also keep it on a display stand for the ladies who like danger. My budget is maxed out at $300. I read a few good reviews of asiaswords on ebay and I found one that is pretty cool but don't know of the quality, and that is a lot of money to just throw around without asking around.. It has a real clay tempered hamon, and it is folded 1095 & 1060 carbon steel. Is this the best I can get for the money? www.ebay.com/itm/TOP-Hand-Forged ... 676wt_1037 BTW I've messaged the guy in charge, named Jason, back and forth to get an idea of the stuff he has and his recommendations, and he's very nice and responds very quickly.
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Post by ineffableone on Apr 20, 2012 16:27:02 GMT
For a budget of $300 or less your better off with a reputable vendor than a Chinese sourced ebay account like Asiaswords. Vendors like Trueswords, Kult of Athena, Swords of Might, Sword n Armory, or even the SBG store are the better way to go than ebay. Ebay is almost always iffy and buying from the Chinese vendors on ebay has been known to be an issue for a lot of buyers. Don't forget there is also a classified section here on the forum where you can pick up a used blade that is often sold under the value of a new one and often still just as nice. I would suggest you look at those vendors a bit first before considering ebay as a source to buy from.
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Post by Krelian on Apr 20, 2012 18:10:29 GMT
It depends a lot on what your personal "must haves" are for your sword. Tell us what features you want and we'll be able to give you some good suggestions. Some features to think about include mono-steel or folded, bo-hi or none, thorough hardened or differential, a specific color scheme for the fittings or semi-custom fitting options... basically, what have you seen out there that you like or want?
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Sam H
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Post by Sam H on Apr 20, 2012 21:10:02 GMT
Looks a lot like another Ryanswords affiliate. I don't know how many of you are veteran enough members here to remember vendors like Ryanswords and others but the ebay ad screams Ryanswords. Even uses the same gifs demonstrating the abilities of the sword.
That said - based on the overall tone of the OP - I'd say let him spend his money as he wishes. What's the old saying about a fool and his money?
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Post by Don Boogie on Apr 20, 2012 21:53:54 GMT
He should look in to ronin dojo pro to,very nice practice katana's and good value for the money
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Post by Kumdoalan on Apr 21, 2012 2:56:34 GMT
The sword looks cool. The add-ons appear well made too. and there is the free shipping to take into account...
I note that the blade is a mix of folded 1060 and 1095, and this is a new thing for me to learn about.. It would be interesting to read your review of the sword.
I like the Tsuba offerings.
If you get it, send me a photo it being held.
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Post by Kumdoalan on Apr 21, 2012 3:00:37 GMT
There is always a deal some where in the world that someone will list that was way better, no matter what you say..
Before you get a sword it is my advice you ask around, get ideas, challenge yourself and others to come up with a better sword.
But once your sword shows up at your door, I would stop asking "Is it good?" Its too late anyway, and its your sword now, so baby it and treat it with respect as if it were the best sword in the world.
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Post by Gene on Apr 21, 2012 3:15:05 GMT
Thanks for the replies. I havent had much exposure to good brands so I thought I would get some advice.
I like more traditional looking swords. Something without a bo-hi. Folding is cool but probably not practical or very beneficial. Clay tempered is prefered for durability. I would like to get something that looks good but is also of good quality. I really like natural wood finishes too if my measly $300 can effect that. The fittings aren't too much of a concern unless they are some type of zinc pot metal or feature some kind of weird demon creature smoking crack.
Overall I haven't had any cutting training, so hopefully the blade i get will hold up to a little trail and error.
I am not set on the eBay guy, he just offered a lot of advice. Suggestions are very appreciated. Payday in 1 week!!!
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Sam H
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Post by Sam H on Apr 21, 2012 3:23:21 GMT
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Post by Gene on May 19, 2012 19:29:27 GMT
Hi, me again! So... I went against the grain and I decided to buy the sword from this seller. Only difference is I decided on a custom one without folding because I was concerned about the strength of the steel having an odd mix of folded steels. Either way, the sword arrived 2 days ago and here it is! (May I add that it is beauuuutiful ) It is a solid differentially hardened T10 with about a 30'' blade. It came pretty sharp and passed the paper test, but I hand honed so it now its just scary sharp. As soon as I was able to, I tried taking it apart, and let me tell you, that nakago will not budge. When I have more time I'll try taking it apart again, but I even tried lightly smacking the seppa bellow the tsuba with a rubber mallet with no luck. As far as I can tell though through the mekugi pin holes, there is a full tang. I have yet to swing this thing out of fear of cutting open the fabric of space time(just kidding I just haven't had a free day yet), but as soon as I get the chance I'll slay a few water bottles and post my results. As you can probably see, I opted for a nature themed sword, and It turned out exceptional. I haven't tested the blade yet, but so far my expectations have been blown away. And here's one more! :mrgreen: Thanks for everyone's input!
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Post by stickem on May 19, 2012 19:56:33 GMT
Gene ~ Here's the prerequisite video Adrian made me watch before allowing me to apart a sword without adult supervision :lol: It may help with your disassembly, if not, here's the rest of the thread: forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=10659I had a hard time getting the meguki out the first time I disassembled a katana, but the tsuka and other parts came off rather easily once that was accomplished... As far as ripping open time & space with a single swing, ya shoulda bought this one for that: forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9547Thing is, the price is just your soul... which methinks might be worth just a smidgen more than $300, so no worries. I'll leave the kissaki and hamon judging up to those who know better than I, as well as the details about whether the tsuka ito is folded in an alternating fashion and so on... but my 2 cents is... Often when a sword is made of 2 different steel types (e.g., 1095 & 1060) it means there is some sort of laminate going on. I would suppose they'd put the 1060 inside for flexibility and the 1095 outside to give it a hard edge. It would look something like this: www.dragonsongforge.com:81/creation/swords/build.phpThe fittings on your sword are copper, which beats the helloutta brass. I too like the natural looking saya. The rattan on their advertised saya looks cool and so on... but I like variety in my swords (and females ) so approve of this choice. Whether or not you could have gotten a "better" sword I guess depends on what you are looking for. I was looking for something I could learn to cut with that was forgiving, so I got TH blades in a Dojo Pro and a Raptor. If you are looking more at the aesthetics, then what matters is how it looks to you. The stuff I think looks cool you may think looks like cr@p and vice versa. So if you're spending $300, it's your $300, so go with what looks good to you. Always smiling, ~Stick'em
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2012 0:48:56 GMT
hey, to my admittedly beginners eye, that looks quite good actually!
I would have gone(in fact have, its just not here yet) bo-hi and folded, but other than that, the natural theme is really nice!
Hamon looks real, furniture looks quality for the price point, chu-kissaki/yokote looks like more than a quick counter polish, saya wood looks nice, sori looks nice, not over done. Very cool.
Don't cut yourself, but please post up pics of the cutting!
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Post by Gene on May 24, 2012 18:44:13 GMT
Hey everyone. Using the makeshift nakago nuki I was able to get the thing apart. Turns out it wasn't epoxied in or anything. Just a really right fitting shim. Either way it came apart nicely and I put it back together just as well. Here is a picture of the bare blade taken apart. I'll try to cut something this weekend or next weekend depending on how much time I have. Thanks again for everyone's help. Boy do i love this sword! Hopefully I'll be getting a 9260 blade someday as a workhorse too.
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