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Post by shoboshi on Oct 14, 2012 20:50:54 GMT
With Japanese style blades there is little to choose from aesthetically. 90% of offerings are black gloss saya, black ito and white same. Sure, fittings vary but if you throw them all on a rack and take a picture from fifteen feet, most would have trouble picking out which was which. That is why there is such a call for Josh's and Aaron's services (that, and the quality of their work). But there are also those out there that don't care much about aesthetics as long as it performs, those that are cutters more than collectors. As well as those who don't have the funds for customization or the gumption to go through the hassle. Not long ago, the options for customizing were pretty sparse and fairly expensive. That still seems to be the case for euros. Most that buy sharps want to use them. There are only a very few that buy only for display.
My vote goes for sacrificing looks for durability and handling. Cheating or not, the superficial appeal can be changed at any time, or not.
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Post by chrisperoni on Oct 14, 2012 21:01:08 GMT
yep. yep. My choice for the same reasons "trade off aesthetics for blade durability and handling" But that's not to say I don't have a mix of types in my collection. My jian for example is not durable imo (the freaky grinds on the tang at the shoulders), and not very well balanced (very blade heavy), but she sure looks just like I want 'er too. Generally though no matter what the aesthetics may be I have to believe in the quality of the blade and have to enjoy using it...
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Post by Voltan on Oct 14, 2012 21:47:59 GMT
I too go with trading asthetics for duribility & handling. My sword budget is limited at best, so I agree with finding the best piece of steel for the money, and customizing after the fact if possible. The H/T line has been great for me---good quality affordable steel, albeit a bit plain-Jane with the fittings. However, with good folks like ErnieR out there, the possibilities are infinite to dress'em up. Waiting for a custom pommel as we speak...
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Post by nddave on Oct 15, 2012 21:47:57 GMT
just checking up. seems the backyard cutters are dominating so far. I'm a little sad the poll died down. with so many members, I was hoping formore votes. even if you don't want to comment, pop a vote in and help the poll.
thanks guys for all the comments so far. keep em coming.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 23:19:00 GMT
It's not just backyard cutters, martial artists also prefer something functional first and foremost, a sword is basically a tool, and it has to function as such, it has to be durable and handle well. It has to be able to perform its primary purpose which it was designed to do, which I don't have to spell out. I can understand why most people choose this option, it's simply because that's what swords are all about, anything else is an aberration from this. Taking a very philosophical view on things, this is how I see it. Yes we can and do choose to take objects which has a specific purpose and perceive/use them in a completely different way. Especially in times of peace, swords are often decorated quite exquisitely across many cultures, and become more of a "canvas" to showcase the skill of artisans and craftsmen, hence the concept of 'art swords'. Secondly, there is the ultimately illogical but strongly human notion of sentimentality. We may collect old, worn out, and often unusable tools (that were once well made but we would not use or depend upon) for sentimental reasons - beauty, historical significance, etc, and we highly value these to the extent that we pay more for them than new functional tools. I'm not looking to start an argument about people's reasons for collecting swords, I'm just drawing a perpective from outside of our entrenched and unquestioned preconceptions of our modern society for the sake of clarity, and to make more of a comment about human nature. Ultimately, as humans, we have limited lifespans, and we use tools to extend and increase our human abilities to perform certain tasks, whatever they may be. These tools are also have a limited lifetime, and eventually wear out. Earliest human societies which carried their possessions around with them only retained what was functional, once something was not serviceable, it was replaced. It would seem peculiar to someone from another planet observing us to see how we can take an object, attach subjective values to it, and objectify it as something which gives us aesthetic pleasure beyond its real intended function. I guess this is what it means to be human...
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 15, 2012 23:37:05 GMT
The H/T line was GREAT for that... even more so when all of the sword could be had for 130 or less.
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Post by mcapanelli on Oct 15, 2012 23:46:52 GMT
I voted to trade aesthetics, but at this point I'd rather just save up a little longer and get a better sword so I don't really have to compromise anything.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2012 23:56:02 GMT
Then you can customize later to make it truly the way you want.
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