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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 1:45:07 GMT
Hi! I've been searching around the internet for a few weeks now looking for a competition grade Katana to use in some tournaments and demos with my Taekwondo studio since the owner allows weapons. However, I'm the only one crazy enough to try a hand at swords. I have a practice one, and I'm making progress with it, along with my backyard and DVDs. Now, the owner said I should buy a real, metal, katana to start using so I can get ready for competitions and demonstrations. These competitions are STRICTLY, "Weapon Forms" no cutting what so ever. Now, after fumbling around the web trying to find a Katana that would work for what I want, I've found well, alot of, stuff. I've found everything I guess you could find. Now my knowledge so far. A Katana only has 1 edge. A Katana usually ranged 42" in length with a 23" blade (Sorry if I don't know the correct terms ). Which according to the guidelines even though they are loose, a 30-33" blade is what I should be looking for, not a 23" since I'm 6ft even. Now here is where I get really confused. Some sites, don't yell if its the worst site ever but, some sites (Budk) have straight katanas. Aren't katanas curved to help with the cut, since katanas are used for slicing instead of hacking like a claymore? Second, are some katanas made with damascus? steel or are they all the mirrored finish. I really like the black carbon steel with the white grain that damascus has, but I don't want the judges to go, "What is that joker trying to pass off as a katana?" Like I said, there are no shortages of "katanas" on the web and sites selling them. All I'm asking for is a little guidance in what to look for/where to buy one. My budget is around $300. Not mega $4000 budget since I'm 18 turning 19 and working at Gamestop, but I don't want a $19.99 job that the first time I start going into my form, is going to fly apart and hurt someone.... Any help would be GREAT. Adam
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Post by Reaver on May 13, 2012 1:50:57 GMT
a katana for a korean martial art that is named the way of the hand and foot? whatever floats your boat, but I would go for the cheness kaze for a good starter, if you don't really know what you want, or a Kris cutlery katana for something a bit higher end, either model 26 or 29.
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Post by Maynar on May 13, 2012 1:55:20 GMT
Hello Rookie, and welcome. What does your instructor recommend? I'm no expert, but I think that question should be first on your list. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy your time here.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 1:58:59 GMT
Hey!
I asked him way back when I started looking, and he said he wouldn't know where to look except our martial arts supply company which carries NO functional katanas only Display Only. Like I said, I'm the only guy crazy enough to try to learn swords. Everyone else is comfortable with Bo staffs and nunchakus. I'd personally would like to learn swords and my all time favorite sai, but like I said, weapons are completely new at the studio.
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Post by johnwalter on May 13, 2012 2:08:23 GMT
Hello and welcome to the forum.Please know I mean no offense by this.If what you are referring to is similar to the TKD comp. routines,like XMA stuff,and you are learning,maybe you should be looking for a good Iaito/Mogito.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 2:17:34 GMT
Like I said, I'm a rookie, and honestly its kinda like the XMA stuff, but not. I'm more into just the techniques of the movements, not the whole flash like XMA is.
Iaito/Mogito. I'll look into those since I have no idea what they are LOL
Edit: Okay I do know what those are, those are the, semi real, the step up from what I have right now which is a bokken.
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Post by Reaver on May 13, 2012 2:20:38 GMT
an iaito is an unsharpened metal blade with no tip that replicates the balance of a blade. if you aren't doing any cutting and don't have a qualified katana instructor, this would be the smartest choice. bad things happen when swinging a sharpened blade around you aren't intimately familiar with.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 2:31:24 GMT
Reaver you pretty much hit it on the head LOL. See I was hoping somewhere out there that theres a full scale katana without an edge, but it sounds like thats pretty much non existent. The only thing I could find was: Which looks like a really oversized steak knife with the edging that it has on it. I was look at CAS Hanwei brand 1s but those are sharpened. See I know kamas to an extent. Not the traditional okanawa forms, but how to maneuver them and not get cut, I'm familiar with. I'm not really scared of sharpened, if thats all thats out there that will last, fine, the only one to blame if I get hurt is myself, and no one else, but if we can find non sharpened thats a plus!
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Post by Reaver on May 13, 2012 2:52:31 GMT
if you really want to get the feel of a real katana and can't find a good iaito, and want excellent handling to impress crowds, why not get a kris cutlery 26II and run a file parallel to the edge until it is perfectly blunt, then either remove the tip via the same method, or cap it by placed a softer metal pipe cap on it and then beating it flush with the blade?
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 2:59:11 GMT
Dude you are awesome. I was just about to ask how to blunt a blade....
Could it be done with a dremel and very fine sandpaper....
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Post by Reaver on May 13, 2012 3:02:22 GMT
yes, though for blunting, you might want to avoid sandpaper as you'll end up slicing up large amounts of it and possibly yourself. though if you roll the edge across the paper from side to side rather than along the edge, you could end up with a rounded edge, which might be preferable, as even a squared edge can cut.
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 3:22:00 GMT
you could easily blunt a quality blade, but you are paying for them to make it good. Why ruin it?
Almost any place that carries live steel will also carry Iaido katana.
These can be identical, but have non sharpened blades. They are for exactly what you are after.
And yes a Katana has a 27-30+" blade, maybe you are thinking of a Wakizashi?
Either way, get something quality that has good solid workmanship and fittings.
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Post by whitefeathers on May 13, 2012 3:32:26 GMT
www.martialartssupermarket.com/i ... subid=1103 I was at an open tournament last year and saw several "demo" swords that looked like those in the link. I'm not familiar with them but what I do know is that they are not allowed in our sword class. So that tells ya something right there. Get something good quality to start with.
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Post by Judosailor on May 14, 2012 17:03:21 GMT
Not an expert, but I am pretty sure what you are looking for (to use in competition forms, XMA, etc.) would be an aluminum iaito. Places like Sword N Armory carry some for less than $50. A quick google for "XMA katana" led me to a site selling weapons for use in xma. The katana they offered was a (ugly!) blunt aluminum blade katana. ...Which is what an aluminum iaito is. But they were asking $167 instead of $50.
And it's just my opinion, but buying a sharp steel sword and dulling it just seems like a bad idea.
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Post by yamakage on May 14, 2012 17:29:22 GMT
Many places sell iaito, so that really should not be an issue. Typically, most iaito are made out of a zinc/alluminum alloy, but some places sell steel iaito as well.
First off, I'm glad that you have expressed an interest in swordsmanship. However, personally, I'm a little concerned about how you are going about learning to use a sword for demo/competition purposes when you seemed to imply that your TKD instructor isn't familiar with how to use a sword, and that you would be primarily learning through DVDs and other sources. There is still some degree of risk to yourself even in using an iaito because the tip is still sharp/"pointy". Furthermore, you need to consider the safety of those around you since an iaito is still quite capable of killing someone. For safety purposes you might just consider getting an XMA katana since those aren't sharp, are made of aircraft aluminum so they are very lightweight (moreso than an iaito), and are in your budget. You can find these at multiple sites online. Maybe even a bokuto/bokken would be an option for you.
Ultimately, use your best judgment. If your instructor is knowledgable of how to use a sword, then follow their example. However, there is a lot of risk associated with trying to teach yourself how to use a sword, which is why you won't find many people that would encourage you to do so for what you are trying to do. It is a little different for backyard cutters since they assume all the risk onto themselves, but in tournament/competition situations anyone watching could be at risk if you slip, loose your grip, get distracted or lose concentration, etc. If your instructor isn't familiar with basic swordsmanship, then I would highly encourage you to seek out iaido/iaijutsu, battodo/battojutsu, or kendo. Even if you don't stick with it, at least acquiring the fundamentals of grip, basic cutting, stance, and sheathing/drawing could significantly reduce the risk to yourself and others.
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 23:31:22 GMT
TKDRookie, welcome to the forum. You said you wanted a longer katana? I'm 6'1" and I rather agree. Although the practical, functional katanas are a little heavy for my 62 yrs. old arms. This was made the same way as a wall hanger, by the same company that made my 440 steel daisho, but it might be too brittle for anything but in-air practice. www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... 5645729703 I realize this company mass-produces the hell out of everything, so merely take it as an offhand suggestion. I've never seen a sharp and functional katana in the 45-50" range. That's what you're looking for? Reedit:I correct myself. They do exist, but not for retail sale like this in San Francisco: www.swordsoftheeast.com/browsepr ... atana.HTML --Lee
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Post by Jakeonthekob on May 15, 2012 3:50:34 GMT
You don't necessarily need to round up the kissaki (tip) of an iaito. You can just get an aluminum alloy iaito and those are light weight and very easy to handle and maintain.
I know for sure that SNA has aluminum ones, KOA should have some as well. I'm not sure if Hanwei has any aluminum ones. Uh... that's it from the top of my head ATM.
GL
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2012 4:06:50 GMT
www.sinosword.com/I am going to purchase my own Iaito soon here, also you can customize your own at Sino.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2012 5:00:10 GMT
Hey guys! WOW thanks for the response! Threw a word out to everyone at the studio that I want to learn WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) Sword Katas, and to find out there isn't really a kata set to learn. However one of the upper Black Belts said he knows a guy that knows how to handle a sword quite well, come to find out hes one of the actors at a local Ren Faire where I live! Spoke to him since our semi annual black belt test was on saturday (My father tested for his 2nd degree ) and he was there. Sunday, he stops by with this katana that has clearly seen better days. Scuffs on the blade, knicks in the handle, but no chips in the blade itself! I grabbed it and he started telling me what to do. First off, I realized theres grip tape on the handle, which wouldn't be on a real one and I asked him about it. Basically what he gave me is a trainer sword he uses to teach the new actors/role players. Its aluminum, but he said for what I want to do, it would be best to have a Carbon steel katana with a rating of at least 1060, 1075 prefered, which I hope you guys knows what hes talking about, because I was taking notes the entire time. HOWEVER HE DID SAY, which I agreed completely with is that, I shouldn't even enter competitions for at least three to five years, since I'd be completely new to it for a couple reasons, one like you guys said so no one gets hurt, and two, so I don't look like an idiot. He said if I don't want to use the "Pig" to get an Iaito to start learning, then to get a katana once I'm entirely comfortable and I know what I'm doing, which he said, would be if I trained hard and quite often, in about three years. He said learning how to handle any sword, is not a sport, is not a hobby, but an art that you must take time to learn. He said, its just like carpentry, you can build a chair that looks like crap overnight, but to build a chair that looks great, takes years of practice and training. Thanks for all the great help! I'll def. stay active on here to keep you guys updated and if I need any help! Rookie
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Post by Pogo4321 on May 15, 2012 5:38:32 GMT
To get an idea of what's out there sword wise go to the Kult of Athena website and bask in the sword glory you'll find there. If you want to jump in with both feet and are looking for a kat on the larger side try the hanwei Practical Pro: kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=PC2162 or Hanwei's Raptor Nanbokucho, if you can find one that is.
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