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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2012 19:16:18 GMT
So I'm watching the season 2 finale of The Walking Dead and new a character comes out of nowhere, swinging a katana, decapitating zombies. So now I have a sudden interest in Japanese swords and have been researching them, discovering this forum and the reviews. I was pleasantly surprised that a decent functioning katana can be purchased for $300 or so. And then I saw there are smaller swords called was wakizashi and tanto and those would all look really cool hanging on my wall in a set. But I want real swords, not one of those $50 decorative sets. When the impending zombie apocalypse comes, I'd like to be prepared. ;-)
So I'm trying to decide what to do first, buy a katana now and maybe come back later for the others. Or buy a katana/wakizashi (daisho) set, or try for all three. Finding a matching tanto is a bit of a problem. The basic "Practical" line from Hanwei has one but the tanto handle doesn't match the other two so that's no good. The "Practical Plus" line does have a matching set. Their Raptor line looked promising but the sayo is blue on the katana and black on the wakizashi and tanto. Why would they do that? I really want all-black (black ito, lacquered black sayo).
Over at Cheness, I see the Kaze Katana and Kaze Wakizashi. They have a tanto but they don't call it a Kaze. It looks like the other two so that might be a possibility. What other 3 piece sets are available that actually match each other? I may just forget the tanto (do I really need a $180 knife?) and go for the 2-piece set. There I kind of like the Ronin Dojo-Pro #2 Katana with matching #1 Wakizashi. Apparently the katanas are out of stock but a new batch is due this coming week. I saw the 5-star review here on the Ronins and other positive comments in the forum. What's the deal with their supply? When the new batch comes in, will it sell out right away or last a while so I can decide?
If I just go with a katana, I was also looking at the Hanwei Practical Plus Elite, which has positive reviews here. Although it looks like the saya has a matte finish, not lacquered. I prefer the shinier finish. Or I could go with something more expensive if I don't buy the smaller swords. Comments? Advice?
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Post by stickem on Jul 22, 2012 19:55:34 GMT
I own a daisho of Ronin Dojo Pros, both #2. Highly recommended for their toughness. The fittings are a decent replica of traditional Japanese styling without being so expensive as to raise the cost out of your ballpark. My advice is to go with these for anyone looking for an entry-level daisho you won't have to send back. Chris (the vendor) is available to talk with as well. My experience with him is he answers emails personally, which is not something you are going to get from Hanwei or Cheness or any of the giant vendors. I got scratch'n'dent models to save some $, and my experience is the scratch'n'dents from Ronin often look as good as pieces other vendors sell full price. So my advice is to watch the scratch'n'dent section on the Ronin website and pick through the ones that fail QC if $ is a concern. The Ronin line has it's roots in the dōtanuki blade shown in the Lone Wolf and Cub movies. According to Chris, the Japanese kanji for dōtanuki translate into English as "sword that cuts through torsos." If you can cut a zombie in half, I imagine your problems are pretty much over as far as an apocalypse goes. If you haven't found it yet, here's a thread you might enjoy: forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=11365
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jul 22, 2012 20:01:37 GMT
Welcome aboard! Ronin Katana makes a great product, and they do tend to sell out pretty quick. It won't happen in a matter of hours or days on most models, though, so you have a little time. They are super tough, and have great fittings, but are Through Hardened, so they do not display a hamon. A set of them would serve you well, and this is also my first recommendation.
If you want a set of Differentially Hardened blades(do have a hamon,) then the Hanwei Practical Plus series is good. The set of Cheness Kaze blades is okay. I have a Kaze and I love it. There are a few issues that Cheness generally has that make them, in my opinion, a bit over-priced.
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Post by Krelian on Jul 23, 2012 16:40:32 GMT
If you want all three I think your easiest and most cost-effective choice would be the Hanwei Practical Plus. All three will have matte finish saya but at least they'll all match nicely.
The Hanwei Raptor would be a good choice as well (and the durability of the through hardened blade might be nice in an apocalyptic environment). I'm pretty certain the saya is black (and matte) on every Raptor model, I think the one you saw may have been customized or mislabeled.
Lastly, if you like a through hardened blade (and gloss black saya) the Ronin Katana are an excellent choice as well. The Dojo Pro model katana probably won't sell out right away (each batch tends to have a lot) but I wouldn't count on the wakizashi and Elite models to be available for very long... (The wakizashi may prove to be very popular this year, hopefully they produced a great number of them and the Elite models are each one-off high-end blades) Also, I don't believe they've ever made a tanto model available though you may be able to find one that matches well enough out in the open market.
Lastly, make sure you purchase from a trusted vendor that deals specifically in swords like Kult of Athena, Sword N Armory, True Swords, or the SBG Sword Store. Some users have been shipped non-quality controlled pieces from Amazon before and that's not a hassle a new sword purchaser should have to deal with...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2012 17:15:41 GMT
The katanas look blue to me here, especially compared to the Wak and Tanto below them: www.casiberia.com/prod_List.aspx ... s%20Katana However, there are better pictures at Kult of Athena that definitely show a matte black: kultofathena.com/images%5CSH2413_1_l.jpgSo I'll give those another look. The Ronin waks are still in stock now so that doesn't appear to be a problem. Thanks for the comments.
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Post by stickem on Jul 23, 2012 19:35:45 GMT
I own a Hanwei Raptor as well, this one: www.casiberia.com/prod_Detail.aspx?id=SH2414&name=Raptor%20Katana,%20Shinogi%20Zukuri however, I do not own one of the Raptor wak or tanto to go with it. I can tell you none of the Raptors are blue. This is an artifact of the camera or whatever. Here are two other series where you can see blue saya and ito and so on... to see the difference: www.casiberia.com/prod_List.aspx?q=golden%20oriolewww.casiberia.com/prod_List.aspx?q=orchidI own a daisho of the 1st generation Golden Oriole katana/wakizashi, and they are definitely blue. My problem with the Raptor is the fittings is not that they are blue. My problem with 'em is the eagles look American. Nothing wrong with being American, BTW I am one But if you are looking for something with a Japanese style to it, then the Raptor series isn't going to be it. So I changed the fittings out on my Raptor, which may or may not be something you are interested in getting into for a katana/wakazashi/tanto set. You may like the fittings on the Raptors. I like watching the bald eagles nest and fish here at Lake Jordan, but just didn't like 'em on my sword.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2012 19:59:48 GMT
I own the Cheness tanto, but sadly cannot recommend it. I would take a look at the Dynasty Forge musha line if I were going for a matching katana/wak/tanto set, aside from the Raptors and RoninKatana already mentioned.
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Post by DavidW on Jul 23, 2012 20:27:07 GMT
If you want to be unconventional and have swords that are more tactical (few moving parts and blued blade for less rust and maintenance), you could always try a set of Zombie Tools' katana, wakizashi, and tanto. They're the farthest thing from a traditional katana, but are sharp and durable as hell, and would be much more practical than a traditional katana. Kydex sheath=more durable and less chance of rotting, warping, etc. than a wooden saya, sharpening should be easier with a secondary bevel, and the few moving parts means that you don't have to worry about looseness of parts over time.
IMHO, they look really cool as well. And they're made in small quantities, so I doubt you'll have any QC problems. KISS
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2012 21:08:47 GMT
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Post by stickem on Jul 23, 2012 21:58:37 GMT
There's a thought. Don't have any experience with these Zombie Tools... but they have all 3 and they match: zombietools.net/tools/
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2012 22:07:40 GMT
I think those are the ones DavidW was referring to. Those are cool but I definitely want a traditional Japanese katana.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 23, 2012 23:54:44 GMT
FYI, Chris from Ronin Katana just told me in an email that he plans to add a tanto to his lineup in December that will have black fittings that match his pro series katanas.
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Post by jcbarnett on Jul 24, 2012 1:35:42 GMT
I vote for a Ronin Dojo Pro set - get a kat and the matching wak - they have great balance, nice fittings, are tough, and come very sharp. For the set you'll pay $ 535 for two very nice swords that are good cutters and look great as well. And if Ronin comes out with a matching tanto - add that too. Your friends will be in awe and the zombies will tremble.
I like the SBG Store for fast service - free shipping as well. The waks are in stock - the kats are not - but just email Paul at SBG and he will advise when the shipment will arrive. Should be any day now. I guarantee a Ronin Dojo Pro Katana will take off a zombie head quite efficiently...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2012 2:42:52 GMT
Yup, that's pretty much what I've decided to do. The new batch is already in country, just waiting to clear customs. Chris said the Pros should last awhile, it's the Elites that sell out right away.
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Post by jcbarnett on Jul 24, 2012 2:52:21 GMT
Awesome - you'll be a happy zombie-slayer! I have a Ronin Dojo Pro Katana - the Tsuru - and it's matching Wakizashi. Pretty sweet pair!
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Post by stickem on Jul 24, 2012 18:04:41 GMT
Right. They are the same ones. I was just thinking out loud because I hadn't seen 'em before. To each his own as far as what one is looking for in a sword...
I agree with you, in that IMO a katana should look Japanese rather than apocalyptic.
Hard to go wrong with Ronin Dojo Pros as your entry-level sword(s). That's what I did & I think you'll find they suit your purpose well.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2012 19:10:58 GMT
I went ahead and bought the Ronin Wak Pro #1 while I'm waiting for the katana batch to clear customs. It arrived today. First impressions: it's beautiful, I especially like the shiny black lacquered saya. It feels heavy to me for a one-handed sword. I'll probably prefer the katana when I get it just for the ability to get two full hands on it. The blade isn't as sharp as I expected. Cannot cut paper with it. The tip is very sharp, though. Now I gotta figure out how I'm going to mount it on the wall. I don't like any of the rack systems I've seen online. I may try to craft some J hooks out of wood with my jigsaw.
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Post by DavidW on Aug 2, 2012 10:11:36 GMT
The lack of paper-cutting sharpness may be because of the fact that it's a dotanuki blade. It should perform exceedingly well on tatami and bamboo though.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2012 23:52:01 GMT
I tried it on a gallon jug full of water and it went through clean like a hot knife through butter so the sharpness is deceiving. The Ronin katanas are back in stock now. My Pro #2 arrives tomorrow.
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Post by johnwalter on Aug 8, 2012 12:12:54 GMT
A dull blade will cut a gallon milk jug very easily.I would be careful judging the sharpness of a blade with a gallon milk jug. Enjoy and congrats on your first!
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