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Post by JRMTactical on Sept 3, 2012 4:09:45 GMT
Hey everybody,
I'm not on here a lot, but was wondering if anyone had any experience with an eBay seller "swordsmith668". Chinese producer of Japanese style Katana, Wakizashi and Chinese (Jian) swords? There are some nice looking pieces on his auctions, 100% positive feedback, etc. Does anyone own a sword 'produced' by this seller? Thanks a bunch!
Bobby
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Post by chrisperoni on Sept 3, 2012 4:19:31 GMT
well, this seller has been talked about recently in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12070Note that the op removed his first post - I can't say for sure why- you'll have to ask Rob. You should read the whole thread because there is a lot of debate and personal opinion regarding this seller. Some love him, some (like me) see nothing special. To each their own.
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Post by JRMTactical on Sept 3, 2012 4:38:46 GMT
I am of the latter opinion (without having my actual hands on), they look too pretty and have all of the 'cookie cutter' fittings... Thanks for pointing out the discussion, I will read it. I'm just a bit leery of buying from an eBay seller. I have a Darksword Armory King Henry V sword that I bought after seeing good remarks here. So I trust you guys! :-)
Bobby
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Post by ineffableone on Sept 3, 2012 5:49:09 GMT
ST-Nihanto and Hauwei are two ebay sellers that have gotten good reputations here on SBG.
Ebay in general is a dodgy place. You can get good stuff and bad stuff and sometimes it is hard to tell which is which. You really can't rely on the rating on Ebay. The scammers have figured out how to stack their ratings to look better than they really are. Half the time you actually look at the ratings you will see 90% of them are for items they vendor does not even currently sell, and often very low cost items like sunglasses or other do dads.
With ebay vendors it is always good to check for independent reviews about them, off of ebay.
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Post by JRMTactical on Sept 3, 2012 6:23:15 GMT
I have seen HauWei and like their items...also saw their rep here on SBG, but have not seen ST-Nihanto. Thanks for the heads up, I'll give them the old 'look-see'!! Thanks!!
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Sept 3, 2012 11:20:58 GMT
I bought a two-tier stand from Swordsmith668/Swordmaker688. I may go with them for a cheap "functional" display daisho, as you can cheaply have Artsfeng themes and color arrange to taste. I am trying to eventually get a sword from each of the eBay vendors I see questions about so I can do a comparative quality/fittings review on all of them. So far I've purchased from Hua Wei and ST Swords/Nihonto. Eventually I will try Swordsmith668/Swordmaker688 and Ryanswords. One of our members, Rob, is a fan of Swordmaker688/Swordsmith668. He has had good experiences with him, but despite all the evidence, he still insists that Swordblah6XX is not the same as, or a subsidiary/secondary account of, RyanSwords. Keep in mind, however, that Ryanswords used to sell under ryan_katana688 ( source) as well.
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Post by JRMTactical on Sept 3, 2012 12:26:45 GMT
Thanks Kuya! The knowledge base here is really great! Like anything you purchase on eBay, it's like walking through a minefield. I've hit the ball out of the park at times and struck out quite a few as well. As I said, I only own one sword (DSA King Henry V -- an Oakeshott Type XVIII), purchased after careful consideration and reading this very forum. I've never really had an interest in Japanese swords until quite recently. The study of their use shows them (IMHO) to be quite on the opposite ends of the spectrum from the medieval European sword...not just in construction, but their religious/spiritual significance. I had, at first, looked at a Hanwei Tactical Katana because of its price and functionality...but it looks as if they have been discontinued (anyone know that reason?). I'm in no hurry, so I'll keep asking question, reading reviews and filling my pea sized brain thingy with info from you fellas!! Thanks a bunch! Bobby
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Post by danmasamori on Sept 3, 2012 12:42:42 GMT
Ryansword & Swordmaker688 ect. are one in the same. In fact, in some of Ryansword's auctions, they have referrals to swordmaker's ebay store along with several others....
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Sept 3, 2012 12:51:47 GMT
Having run the gamut of most well-known sub-$400 katana brands, you have to ask yourself what you want. Do you want a work of art or do you want something you can use day in and day out. At this price range, you can pick one or the other, if you want both, you need to step up into the $600+ range.
If you are looking for a good dependable beater, it seems that SBG's business partner Ronin Katana makes a strong through-hardened one. If you want a good dependable beater that is differentially hardened and will require less sharpening, you can go with Kris Cutlery's 26/29 series. The Ronin will look better out of the box with their ornamental fittings, but several people who have both RK and KC katanas have stated that the KCs handle with more grace and agility. My Cottontail Customs Kris Cutlery 29-II was dropped, hit a metal dowel several times, helicoptered into the cement/stucco side of my house and landed nagasa first onto the cement, and kept on going. I haven't done the same with a Ronin, but everyone seems to be able to chop near-logs with them. Thing about the KCs, though... is that they have enough unique features (deep curve that goes into the handle, three-faced spine, and an incredible hamon once you polish or etch to bring it out) that they can also become art pieces if you want to send them out to be customized. I"m sure you've seen several of Frankthebunny's recent posts with some incredible looking KCs.
If you're looking for art, you can go with the eBayers, as they have BARGAIN prices for folded and differentially hardened blades with multiple color choices in handle wrap and scabbard finishes... and fittings themes. That and people can still cut normal targets (bottles, mats, thin branches) with them. I bought a differentially hardened sword with the tungsten coating on only the hamon hardened area with my choice of color saya, samegawa, and ito and fittings theme for $247. Once it's delivered, we'll see if it was a bargain or just something lame and cheap. Since you're not in a rush, I'm hoping my review of it when it gets here might provide some insight for you and others asking about eBay sellers.
:lol: Rob isn't going to be happy....
This is good confirmation-ish news for me, though, as it means I won't have to buy another sword just for review and comparison purposes.
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Post by JRMTactical on Sept 3, 2012 22:09:13 GMT
Kuya,
Interesting! I was looking at Kris Cutlery via Cottontail Customs based on another thread here somewhere. I think I may have found the sword that I'll eventually purchase....a Kris Cutlery Katana 29A. Looks like I'll need to get in touch with Frankthebunny! :mrgreen:
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Post by FLBandit on Sept 3, 2012 22:47:43 GMT
I have no experience with the sellers mentioned, but I did get a sword from swordNarmory from ebay. It's a $50ish dollar Musashi, and I was plesently suprised. It's my first so I don't know much about Katanas, but I thought the quality was mworth more than I paid for it. The seller was fine as well. Everything was as represented, and shipping was fast and a tracking number was provided. I would buy another from there, though I have a Ronin Dojo Pro on the way.
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Post by stickem on Sept 5, 2012 16:57:57 GMT
Another option is to have Frank the Bunny customize one of these Musashi swords, which are pretty good for the price range according to most of their owners: cottontailcustoms.com/AboutScroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see the different versions of Musashi available... Please note, I do not own a Musashi so have no personal experience with these. I do have a KC 26A. Can't go wrong there, IMO, if you are looking for an easily customizable sword.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Sept 5, 2012 18:16:16 GMT
Musashi are fine swords and quite suitable for light cutting Historic accuracy and everything else-wise, they aren't anything to write home about, but you could do a LOT worse for your money.
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Sept 5, 2012 18:43:33 GMT
If you can get one without the ubly bo-hi they put on 97% of their swords, I'd say it's a good buy. But with Hua Wei's higher quality $100 beater out there now, I think it kinda makes Musashi a bit outdated.
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Post by JRMTactical on Sept 6, 2012 2:23:52 GMT
I'm going to go with the Kris Cutlery...all it took was looking at Cottontail Customs' site. They look like great blades plus you speak highly if them (from experience), and that carries a lot if weight for me.
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Sept 6, 2012 2:43:13 GMT
The 29-A/II/III is long, I'm about 180 cm (5' 11"), and it still feels less comfortable than when I handle my friend's 26-A. Either way, just remember, the 26 or 29 series is what you want. The other models are from a different forge and don't have all the neat features everyone talks about when they talk about KC.
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Post by JRMTactical on Sept 6, 2012 4:53:41 GMT
I haven't decided which length to get yet... Still studying on it. However, I am loving the natural grained wood Saya. I'd like to get a custom job done to fix the thing up nice. I'm a fan of the Khaki color wrappings that Frankthebunny has on his main page of his site... Awesome looking, almost martial in appearance.
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Sept 6, 2012 4:56:17 GMT
Yeah, I have the beige suede/nubuck on my KC 29-II. Feels really nice on the hands too.
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Post by Dana C on Sept 15, 2012 20:20:55 GMT
I have a Tanto in redwood shurisaya with a Katana on the way. I found Yao, the person that you will communicate with, very accommodating and helpful. While I don't have a piece with fittings, the Tanto is very sharp and has a tightly fitted tuska. I am very pleased.
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