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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 19:33:44 GMT
Hello! My name is Martin, I am 20 years old, and I come from Norway. Hello all sword-loving people of the world (probably most americans, so hey there guys. Love your country). I started my interest in Samurai stuff five years ago, and since then I always wanted to buy a katana. I started my journey looking at www.jidai.jp, they have a good variety of swords. Shinken, Sakabato, Iaito and other stuff. But it was too pricey, and since I only were able to choose Iaito if I were to choose any, I just kept looking, but always found swords a bit too expensive, I can´t afford that much (I don´t have a job yet, but I better get one soon). And since I mentioned Iaito, I think it was a pretty looking sword, but it wasn´t sharpened, which I didn´t really care about then. But I do now, I want to slice things now and then, not just have it on the wall and occasionally show it to friends. So a couple of days ago I began looking again, and thought that I would give eBay a go, since I shop a lot there. And I found a very interesting sword, with customizable parts. Great. So I chose the parts I wanted, and they also engrave symbols for free swell. So I asked to get "Strength through difficult times" in chinese. The service I got was excellent. Fast replies and everything. The seller had 100% positive feedback, with about 50 sold swords of that particular sword I found. So what my question at the end here is, is that sword good enough for occasionally slicing through soda bottles, thin branches on trees, and maybe more? Here is the link so you guys could take a look, and hopefully give me the simple answer I need, I do not know that many japanese expressions for the stuff the sword does, and everything. So give me a simple but good answer if you can, and would be great if you told me what I could use to oil that sword with, since I can´t afford the sword oil yet. Used every last $ I had on that sword. cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190602224341&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123#ht_12702wt_1220
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on May 7, 2012 20:05:01 GMT
Hey Martin, and welcome.
Soda bottles are fine with that sword I'd suppose, tree branches I wouldn't personally try. Swords were not designed for cutting/chopping trees. More depends on what you are planning to cut.
I guess the cheapest solution for good oil would be making it by yourself. I used to do some when I was kid, however I've used only choji oil for several years now, even a small bottle will last you a really long time as you use it sparingly. I can't remember my exact recipe for homemade oil, I think it was mostly just mineral (or camelia) oil where I added a drop or 2 of clove oil for scent. You can get those oils pretty cheaply, the problem in my own mix was that the clove oil tended to drop on the bottom and not entirely mix into a one solution. Always had to shake it.
But you can type choji oil in google and get some recipes, but even the pure mineral/camelia oil will work.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 20:30:23 GMT
Thanks Good to hear I can cut something, hehe. The branches I thought of is just very thin and soft branches, at the thickest about as thick as a finger. Don´t think I dare to cut anything thicker. Yeah I figured it doesn´t take much, since soaking it is a bad idea. Just a thin layer I´ve read. What is camellia and clove oil? Feel like a dumb person to ask that, haha. Read that WD-40 would work, but have to use it more often than with choji, but could that work as a start, until I get hands on the choji oil? Shouldn´t take much longer than a month, I think I can manage to get some $ soon.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 20:33:44 GMT
And I´ve got a can of castrol automatic transmission oil in my car(my servo leaks, it sucks), could that work? xD Just asking, not planning to use it when I get the sword. But if it could work, then I definitely will test.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on May 7, 2012 22:57:45 GMT
Hello, and welcome!
The sword shown looks like an average 1060 EBay katana. Not great, but not bad. It looks to be Through Hardened, as I do not see a hamon. This is actually an okay thing, as TH blades tend to be a bit easier to service than a Differentially Hardened blade. It would likely make a pretty good beginner blade.
For oil, you could use simple Light Mineral Oil, which can be had at many stores and pharmacies. Another option would be 3 in 1 oil or sewing machine oil. Choji oil is simply the mineral oil with a tiny dab of clove oil added for scent. Camellia oil is oil derived from the Camellia plant that has been used for a long time with all sorts of metal tools and weapons. Both Choji and Camellia oil cost more than the other oils, as you can get a large bottle of mineral oil that will last for years for the cost of a small bottle of the Choji or Camellia that will last several months to a year. I'd not test out the tranny oil. Many of those types have solvents or other chemicals that will cause rust.
Also, don't be a stranger. Be sure to ask any questions that you may have. Sometimes people refrain because they don't want to appear foolish or annoy people who have answered the same question over and over, but that's not really a problem here. We've got some good, helpful people and there is usually someone who is willing to answer.
Lastly, be sure have fun with your new sword!
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Post by bruno on May 7, 2012 23:17:52 GMT
www.aoi-art.com/hanbaikousaku/treatment.html1. Generally, Chyoji oil has been used to treat Japanese swords. This is a sticky vegetable oil traditionally used in cleaning swords. It promotes ozidization of the blade that will result in rust in the future. In our opinion, and based on our experience. We not advise you to use chyoji oil. We suggest that you use high-quality machine oil on your sword. This is the same type used when maintaining guns or sewing machines, and it is the only oil that we use with our swords at Aoi Art.
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 23:36:09 GMT
Thanks Good thing then, because I´m a newb to those swords, and figured that sword would work to begin with Thought about getting a clay tempered sword, fancy looking. But a bit too expensive right now, and don´t know how much "better" that one is. Okey, and that mineral oil, what exactly is it, and how does it look like in general, so I know what to look for (don´t know what they look like here in Norway). Or that 3in1 thing, or sewing machine oil for that matter (didn´t know they still made it as most sewing machines are electric). Only thing I have which I read about is WD-40, but is that safe to use? Great info though, thanks And yeah, I´ll be sure to post questions and stuff, better look like a fool than be a fool (if I cut myself badly, which I hope I don´t xD). And yeah one more thing. The cloth / tissue / paper you use when cleaning and oiling the blade. Any specific cloth / tissue / paper you recommend? Ordinary toilet paper, that cloth you wipe your cellphone screen, kitchen towel/paper towel, or something else I could use without having to buy a specific thing to use for the katana?
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 23:38:25 GMT
Ok I see, I will use whatever I find that you guys recommend I will receive the sword (hopefully) in about 12 days ^^
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Post by Adrian Jordan on May 8, 2012 3:06:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2012 18:11:39 GMT
Alright, I´ll see what I can find Didn´t know the mineral oil was a laxative, haha. I generally shop at eBay, not amazon, but I bet they got the same stuff there. And the thing I asked earlier, what should I use to apply it? Regular paper or something else? Anything you recommend? - And also the powder I´ve seen they use to tap on the blade, is it really necessary?
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Post by Adrian Jordan on May 8, 2012 20:00:50 GMT
A paper towel or clean cotton cloth should work well to apply the oil. I use old t shirts that I cut up.
The powder ball is called an Uchiko Ball. It is a silk cloth filled with powdered uchiko polishing stone, or at least it should be. Many vendors of the cheapy deapy kits just fill it with talcum powder. It is not really necessary, and you can use rubbing alcohol this is 91% or higher as a substitute.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2012 21:00:13 GMT
Syntex123, I'm also new to this board and we have something in common: My Dad's male ancestors originated north and west of Kristiansand in a village near where the river flows through the city, that is still there.
The 1060 sword you bought is nice looking, but very hard targets might best be avoided. 1060 is better than chrome stainless steel for cutting. It's not as brittle as in a katana. Water bottles and so forth are okay, as far as I've seen in reviews and on YouTube. Swords of that type are also available in San Francisco, where I live, but they average more in dollars than what you paid. Hanwei is the brand I'm thinking of. --Lee
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2012 18:43:23 GMT
Ok, good thing I have both old t-shirts and lots of paper towels, hehe. Haha ok I see And if I don´t have or know where to buy that rubbing alcohol, could I just let it be, and just make sure to clean it off real good with just a paper towel, and oil it? Or is the alcohol / uchiko ball just as important as the oil? Hehe nice, Kristiansand is a nice city, were there in 2004, the summer after my dad died. Hehe. Oh ok, so just water bottles and fruit then, no branches whatsoever. Good advice and information, thanks I see
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2012 18:56:36 GMT
San Francisco has a very large Irish and Italian population. The Asians are mostly Cantonese and Japanese. "Katachi" is the local Japantown retail outlet for katanas and so on. If you get here I'll try and show it to you. The Scandinavian comunity here, as in other large cities is primarily Swedish. I' guess I'm not left out, though, I'm Swedish as well.
I can whack a hunk of wood fau\irly hard with my fairly stout wakizashi, but not too hard. It leaves a nice gash in the wood that could be deeper than that in someone's arm. Mine is only for self protection.
Let me know if you make it to San Francisco. --Lee
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2012 18:56:36 GMT
San Francisco has a very large Irish and Italian population. The Asians are mostly Cantonese and Japanese. "Katachi" is the local Japantown retail outlet for katanas and so on. If you get here I'll try and show it to you. The Scandinavian comunityhere, as in other large cities is primarily Swedish. I' guess I'm not left out, though, I'm Swedish as well.
I can whack a hunk of wood fairly hard with my fairly stout wakizashi, but not too hard. It leaves a nice gash in the wood that could be deeper than that in someone's arm. Mine is only for self protection.
Let me know if you make it to San Francisco. --Lee
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Post by Adrian Jordan on May 9, 2012 18:58:46 GMT
If you are going to cut fruit, then you will absolutely need either the uchiko ball or the alcohol. Fruit will rust and stain a blade really fast, so cleaning immediately after cutting is very important.
Getting one or the other is pretty important. You need to totally clean and re-oil the blade after every cutting session, or every two weeks or so even if you don't cut.
You can get the alcohol at a pharmacy. Remember, only 91% or higher. Anything lower contains too much water and may cause rust if you aren't careful.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2012 0:50:37 GMT
Wow, didn´t know that^^ Yeah that would be cool. Too bad I can´t purchase any though, hard to get through security when boarding the plane back home. xD Hah, swedes. Good thing you are american-swedish then, swedes from Sweden are pretty dumb (no offense). Nice And yeah, I will Oh alright then So it doesn´t matter what kind of alcohol I get from the pharmacy, the only important thing is 91% or higher? - Good time to ask if some of you guys could gift me a sword maintenance kit, and when I get my money this month I´ll pay it back to you, through paypal ^^ You guys can trust me, if you want to help me out getting the real deal, and make sure I don´t screw up the sword, it would mean a lot to me if you could do that I have never scammed anyone in my entire life when it comes to money. Wish there was any way to prove it, but if you guys are like me, you would trust it Would be great.
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Post by johnwalter on May 10, 2012 2:20:42 GMT
Hello and welcome to the forum.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on May 10, 2012 4:14:44 GMT
Sorry, friend. I checked out the shipping prices to Norway and they are outside of my range, which is close to zero right now. To help you save here are the items absolutely necessary for upkeep.
Oil- Mineral, 3 in 1, sewing machine. Alcohol- 91% or higher. Cloth or paper towels to remove old oil/grit and grime and to apply alcohol and new oil.
That is really all you need to start off. Sorry I can't be of anymore help.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2012 15:26:47 GMT
My dojo's Sensei can get me a better deal, but I probably agree with the shipping. I really don't know about Norwegian customs laws regarding imports from the States, either.
I was told 3-in-1 works fine and even Petroleum Jelly can work. (This is from a knife shop owner here is seaside San Fransisco. Honest, he said that.) It's like clear, soft asphalt and should be completely made of hydrocarbons. 3-in-1 smells strong and is a slow poison inside an enclosed room. I might suggest mixing the two for a compromise? --Lee
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