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Post by William Swiger on Jul 8, 2012 7:12:48 GMT
Over the years before I became interested in European swords as my focus, I bought some Japanese style swords from various EBay sellers from China. To be honest, almost all the swords were about the same in quality and fittings. Hell - almost all of them use the same pictures and offer the same tsuba, ito configurations. All of the swords I bought were functional if not pretty. I then just bought Hanwei, Ronin Katana and DF after that.
If you like the sword and it functions, that is all that matters. There are a couple sellers that will do some custom blades and proper wrap but you are pretty much gettings the same quality fittings. If the blade is excellent, you can do the ito yourself or have one of our own forum members redo it for a very good price for little money. Also, if the fittings on the sword work for you, have fun with it.
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Jul 8, 2012 7:41:44 GMT
This.
I'll go as far as to say I'll even overlook my morals and better judgement and buy a Hanwei before getting one from the eBay sellers.
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 8, 2012 7:44:15 GMT
2nded what Will said. For example look at the huawei I just got-- it's a $100 sword with non alternating chemical fiber loose ito, alloy fuchi/kashira. Nothing special there. The blade is a well heat treated and tempered monosteel 9260 and it's worht every penny just for that! The tsuka took just a little love to tighten up and now with not much spent it's a great daily use sword. One thing though is the tsuka wood core itself - on lower costing ebay buys - if it's cracked it's more of a pain for the average person to deal with. A good word core is pretty key to imo. Kuya- I don't think all ebay sellers can be lumped into one pot,,, most of 'em , but not all of them
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Post by AceofHats on Jul 8, 2012 18:21:03 GMT
my problem with this thread is the title.
... "High Quality Japanese Swords".
lets make sure we're using these words in a responsible manner. While there is some wiggle room for everyone's interpretation of what high quality is, price point almost always indicates the basic level of quality. Sword costs have gone up in recent years. 60 dollars is not going to buy you this forum's minimum standard for High Quality. this is purely my opinion, but one I think is based on solid reasoning.
at the very least, it's good to point out a new seller who may have potential.
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Post by ineffableone on Jul 8, 2012 18:51:02 GMT
This seller though is not new, actually they have been around quite awhile, and hve been suspected of being a Ryansword clone as can be seen here from the proboards version of SBG 2 years ago back in Jul 21, 2010 Ryansword aka swordmaker688 questionsbgswordforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=japaneseswords&action=display&thread=17457This seller again shows up here on this forum in 2011 with a poorly done Han Jian with only partial tang and etched blade again linked to Ryanswords. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&p=72955There are probably a lot more examples of this ebay vendor being mentioned on SBG, and most likely linked with Ryanswords. FYI in reference to Ryanswords and the clones of them. The reason this vendor has such a bad name is they sell $50-$60 quality swords for $200 and up. Also they deceptively sell nonfunctional swords as if they were functional. For example rat tail tang katana, or katana with only partial tangs listed as full tang. There are a lot of vendors who use the same pictures sell the same swords and use the same bad business practices as Ryanswords, Ryanswords seems to be the main vendor and most of the others are probably just the same company using different names to get more exposure and sucker people in who have heard the bad reputation of Ryanswords. SFI actually has mentioned them as one of the worst reputations for sword vendors on the internet. If you buy from Ryanswords or an alias of theirs you are gambling. Some people report decent swords, but those are usually the lower end ones. When you get into the higher priced swords your more likely to get ripped off. So buyer be warned of Ryanswords and swordmaker688
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Post by Rob Dorsey on Jul 8, 2012 22:12:13 GMT
Yes AceofHats, this thread has been highly educational and your points on the necessity of maintain the purity of language we use is something to which I strongly subscribe. Were I able to edit the thread title, I would by simply adding a "?" to the end.
However this thing about Hanbon aka swordmaker688 being an alias of Ryansword is very troubling to me. You see, in my early stages of collecting I bought a Ryansword katana and I was, and am, very disappointed in the outcome. It arrived with no sword bag, a cracked saya (ha side from the mouth down about 5") and cheap looking fittings. The blade is good, nothing fabulous but how can it be for a 1060 bo-hi 27.5" in decent polish. I paid $106 on eBay I think and to my way of thinking the blade alone is worth that and more. That is my main interest anyway. To me the furniture is a mere adjunct to the blade itself since the blade requires the skill and work to produce. If I could, I would buy all my katanas as bare blades and then build up the sword myself. It's fun and easy enough for anyone with moderate skills to easily accomplish and one would think, the most cost effective way to go...one would think.
I bought a Musashi blade in shirasaya (very annoying as it was marketed as a "blind samurai" sword) which sword I dismantled, drilled a second mekugi-una (it came with one) and fitted it up with a very nice tsuba and fair (wood too soft, yuukk) tsuka all ordered on eBay. I worked the shira-saya over, fabricated inlet and added a seago knob and it now is one of the nicest looking katanas in the house. I used a nice brown cotton ito with a patina-ed bronze tsuba and left the saya ne shirasaya the nice natural dark brown wood finish it came with. It was easy and fun and one has that cool "do it thyself" feeling. After I did my belt sander magic to it it also is a shaver and slides through cutting targets. Very nice little sword.
Since I have bought 5 swords from Yao we correspond regularly so I'm gonna lay the "Ryansword accusation" on him and see how he wiggles. I'll be...dissapointed if he gives me cause, either through admission or non-credible denial.
Sorry, I'm nattering on so I'll close with the wish that some of the better forges would sell us bare blades.
Best to All, Rob
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2012 22:19:49 GMT
The same seller has more expensive swords as well, still marked as "High Quality". Sounds like what he's saying is that his product, as a brand, is high quality. That would still vary in quality from his lowest end to his highest end, just like any other brand with a full line of products. It's no different than a jeweler saying that they sell "fine jewelry", while they cater to all kinds.
If I look at what was bought for $60 compared with what you would expect to find from somebody else for $60, then I would definitely consider these "high quality". Comparing out of the same price bracket is comparing apples to oranges.
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Jul 8, 2012 22:27:51 GMT
I'm embarassed....
I browsed the RyanSword site... and I found myself thinking that some of the swords looked beautiful. OMG... the aesthetics on those things! The looks to dollar ratio (if what's pictured is what you get) is incredible.
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Post by frankthebunny on Jul 9, 2012 0:59:02 GMT
I personally see nothing different with these swords than from any other ebay, Chinese forged, sword vendor. the hamon is exactly the same as thousands of others, the tsuka is rough and block like and the furniture is again from the endless bin of ho-hum alloys, the cheap stone pattern habaki is a trademark, lol. I wouldn't say don't buy one but to say they are above average or "high quality Japanese swords" or even different is more than a bit of a stretch imo. Rob, I sincerely apologize if I'm wrong but for a while there, I thought you might have sounded like an associate of the forge...this wouldn't be the first time that's happened on this forum. again, sorry if I'm wrong about that.
-Josh
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 9, 2012 3:00:39 GMT
as the starter of this thread you can alter the title by editing it in your original post. The replies which are already in this thread will have the old title but any new replies will show the new title.
I agree more bare blades for sale would be great for us.
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Post by Rob Dorsey on Jul 9, 2012 4:03:41 GMT
Oh Josh, my goodness no. I'm an old white guy living in Northern Kentucky. Jeeze, that don't sound Chinese now, do it? Seriously, I've run boards like this before and believe me I understand, the constant battle with trolls is exhausting. No, I'm a Japanese Sword Art enthusiast and I perform and study Iaido, Ken-jutsu and other forms. My Japanese sword collecting is a relatively new hobby of just a few years but previously I collected good replica European swords with a tendency toward Claymores. Don't know why, just like'em. Best, Rob
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Jul 9, 2012 5:16:02 GMT
Ni hao!
I, however, am your standard issue Asian eBay sword seller that just has a really smart daughter that types on the internet for me with mostly correct grammar. Those long winded sword reviews and whatever explanations I give to fellow rookie enthusiasts about spending money a touch wiser are all me... I mean her, or me while typing for him... blah, whatever... my words, her typing and translating to Enlish! We're saving up the money people send us for the eBay swords to send her to a university in America.
Oh no! My daughtel no want typing fol me anymole. She learry mad me! She say I mistake make RyanSword... I tly make LionSword, but make Ryan to accident.
(I can do this without being offensive, because I'm Asian.)
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Post by Rob Dorsey on Jul 9, 2012 18:10:53 GMT
Ni Hao Ma, Hubba Hao,
Of course I meant no offense. I have spent considerable time in Asia and at various times have called Chinese (North and South) and Japanese good friends. With my current Japanese friends' encouragement I am learning Japanese. Slowly as it's hard but it does fit in with my study of iai-jutsu and it amazes the guys at the dojo! Maybe harder than Mandrin or Cantonese Dialect. Or English and any Asian who learns Engish has my total respect.
What is your eBay handle? I will check out your offerings.
She-Sher, Tai Jin Rob
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Jul 9, 2012 19:47:51 GMT
OMG, your counter-troll has defeated mine! Well played. I concede!
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Post by Rob Dorsey on Jul 10, 2012 20:15:25 GMT
Removed by OP
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Marc Kaden Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Jul 10, 2012 20:50:39 GMT
Rob, I have been giving you the benefit of the doubt, as your IP address does indeed come back to Kentucky... but I am having trouble swallowing the fairy tales you are selling.... Short of a 12th Century nihonto? Really? And then a matter of taste? Youre kidding me right? This is one of your non-Ryan guy's listings. www.ebay.ca/itm/TOP-QUALITY-JAPA ... 1c26f22fe2 The sword sells for over $600 This is a picture from it Please note the soft lines.. the poorly shaped and scratched on kissaki and yokote... To compare apples to apples , lets look at another laminated blade... the Ronin Elite about $800 And since you mentioned hanwei, here is a $500 Bamboo Mat... It doesn't take an expert to clearly see the contrast in quality does it?
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Post by Rob Dorsey on Jul 11, 2012 1:27:23 GMT
Mark, as you are a moderator could you please close this thread? I do not like where it is going and I do not want to harm anyone or hurt any feelings and this thread has that potential.
Your points are well taken and the fact is I am quite new to this stuff and I am probably oversteping my knowledge. I am impressed with Yao's swords and my enthusiam appears to have run overboard. However, my arguably untrained eye (my knowledge is totally composed of studying the books on the subject, visiting some sword stores in Japan and the blades I have purchased here from Chinese makers. Obviously I cannot afford to purchase swords from all the "name" makers and I have had to go on the blades I have to study.
The blade in question I believe has Wariba-gitae construction with folded steel over a 1095 edge metal. It, post polishing, shows both the Hamon and the second line seperating the folded steel from the 1095 edge material. The blade also appears to me to have a stronger hamon line than either of the others.
Please close the thread.
Rob
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Marc Kaden Ridgeway
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Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Jul 11, 2012 1:45:29 GMT
Sorry Rob, Not yet . You see there are two sides to everything , and you have sung the praises of these swords ... Let's leave this thread open a while longer ... See what commentary others have about them.
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slav
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Post by slav on Jul 11, 2012 2:08:54 GMT
Rob,
Same thing happened to me as a result of my very first ever posts on the old SBG. I came in singing the praises of a Chinese eBay forge--not knowing much about the market--and immediately got pegged as a possible troll. In time, I ended up becoming a senior moderator of the forum. Go figure.
Northern Kentucky....I'm quite familiar. There could be a whole thread on this subject alone. You'll like hearing that I own a t-shirt which reads "Northern Kentucky: Where dreams come true." Say, are there any legitimate dojos in the area? PM me.
Brass tacks:
These swords look no different from all the other ryansword clones on ebay. Of course the owner is going to tout his own stuff. So what?
I do know of other forges who were associated with Ryan Sword who now make different kinds of material that truly is far superior. For now, this guy's stuff doesn't impress me. And I can tell just from the pictures.
The real test for any of these forges is how they handle custom projects. Kinda like chinese buffets. They are all about the same...but every once in a while you will come across one where--if you chat them up and they like you well enough--they'll tell you to come back after hours on a Sunday and show you what they can really do....
For what it's worth.
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Post by Rob Dorsey on Jul 11, 2012 2:35:04 GMT
Understood. You're right of course. The forum is to discuss swords, blades and the issues surrounding them. Since you and I did not agree is stands to reason that there's some others out there who will take exception to my waxing enthusiastic.
Let's see.
Best, Rob
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