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Post by kloborgg on Nov 1, 2012 15:31:38 GMT
Hey there guys, I've been an avid fan and reader of this site and these forums for a while, and finally decided to get my first functional katana. I don't have a big budget (maximum $100 incl shipping), but I would like something that can stand up to some light-medium cutting and looks nice (good hamon, decent fittings, etc).
So far, after researching all over the place, I've narrowed my options down to two. I'm thinking I'll either get a Musashi Shirakawa line katana or one of the relatively newer Jubei katanas from SwordnArmory. The Musashi line has a lot more info going for it, but I've heard the Jubei for only ~$15 more has a more resilient blade for cutting and some nicer fittings. Is this about right? I'd appreciate any advice on the matter, and of course if there's a better option I missed elsewhere please give it here.
Thanks in advance!
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SanMarc
Senior Forumite
Posts: 3,193
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Post by SanMarc on Nov 1, 2012 19:21:15 GMT
Hmm, well the jubei is new so it would be up to you to get one and do a revue, looks compareable to the mushashi, and 1060 is good, real hamon, hard to say with out a polish test, but if it is then thats a great deal......
.....SanMarc.
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Post by ineffableone on Nov 1, 2012 19:35:54 GMT
Well this being a first sword, you have the known reputation of Musashi Shirakawa line, or the relatively new Jubei with little known about them. From what I can see they seem pretty comparable, so it would really come down to which one you like best. Each sells a few different versions, so look through them both and find the one you like best and order away. Oh btw don't forget if you order from Musashi to put in the SBG discount code.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 1, 2012 20:08:07 GMT
I got my brother a Jubei for his birthday, and was pretty surprised with its quality. Like you said, the blade is a bit tougher, and the fittings are comparable. One thing that stood out was that the tsuka was really well shaped on the Jubei, and the tsuka-maki was also well done. Personally I'd opt for the Jubei, but I don't think that the differences are so great that you should not get a Shirakawa if you see one you like better.
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Post by kloborgg on Nov 1, 2012 23:04:55 GMT
I decided to take a chance and order the Jubei Water Dragon. I like the blue ito and even though I'm not crazy about the tsuba maybe I'll like it more in person. This is my first practical katana, so it would be hard for me to do any comparisons, but I'll probably give some impressions and pictures when I get it. Thanks for the input, everyone.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 1, 2012 23:10:12 GMT
No sweat. I was also a bit dubious of the tsuba, but it was indeed better looking in person. I love the blue wrap on the Water Dragon(which was also the model I ordered, hahaha).
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Post by ineffableone on Nov 1, 2012 23:15:40 GMT
Cool, I am sure we all will be looking forward to hearing about your sword when it arrives. During your wait I would suggest checking out the different threads and videos on katana maintenance, and care. Maybe find some light mineral oil to protect your blade, sewing machine oil is a good choice. You might also want to check out some of the different sharpening threads and videos out there, maybe even do a little practice with a knife or two to get a feel for it. Not that you will need to sharpen your sword right away (hopefully) but the wait for your first sword can seem like forever, so finding sword related stuff to keep you occupied can be a good plan. Oh and don't forget to save up some bottles to do some water bottle cutting. Raid your friend recycling if you have to :lol:
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Post by kloborgg on Nov 1, 2012 23:55:06 GMT
Hah, I'll make sure to drink plenty of milk over the weekend and stack some bottles up. I'll definitely pick up some oil and maybe get some sort of katana maintenance kit. I might be too nervous to try sharpening it (don't want to destroy the geometry), but who knows. Anyways, the katana should get here next week, can't wait! Thanks again, guys.
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Post by ineffableone on Nov 2, 2012 0:15:08 GMT
The only really needed part of the maintenance kits is the mekugi hammer. Which you can find for sale separately. The oil, and the powder ball, you can do without and find better alternatives.
Rubbing alcohol works great for cleaning the blade, and 3-1 oil, gun oil, sewing machine oil, or other light mineral oil works great as the oil. The Choji oil is just light mineral oil with a little clove oil to make it smell different.
As I mentioned you wont likely need to sharpen right away, however it is something you would likely need to learn if you plan to do much cutting. Cutting anything dulls your blade, even cutting paper. So you will want to start over coming your fear of sharpening. I would suggest you start reading sharpening threads, and watching the videos now, so you get a good idea of what direction you want to go. Then by the time you have the need to sharpen you will have some ideas of how you want to sharpen and possible have already bought the needed sharpening materials and practiced with some knives.
There is the quick easy ways, like the Worksharp knife sharpener or using a belt sander but they cost $40-$60 plus cost of belts. Or there is the cheap sandpaper route that many use, for higher grits you need to go to automotive stores or buy online. More traditional water stones are a large financial investment but can be very satisfying to learn. Please however stay away from accusharps or other heavy removal sharpeners. They can seriously wreck your edge.
As I mentioned the wait for your new sword will seem like waiting for X-Mass as a kid. So it is a good time to hone up on some of the knowledge you will want to take care of your sword.
You might also want to watch some cutting videos to get an idea of some proper cutting techniques.
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Post by kloborgg on Nov 10, 2012 22:00:37 GMT
Hey, sorry to revive this thread, but I have a quick question.
I just got the Jubei Water Dragon in the mail and love it. However, there's a tag on the carrying bag the Katana came with and it lists the blade material as "#45 steel". I'm not sure what this means, but my first assumption is that it refers to 1045 steel. If that's the case I don't really mind, but it's just weird since SwordnArmory lists in several places that the katana is supposed to be 1060. Am I missing something? Thanks.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 10, 2012 22:34:53 GMT
I got the same thing. I called up Swordnarmory and it's a mistake in labeling by the forge. The steel is indeed 1060.
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Kuya
Registered
Posts: 1,396
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Post by Kuya on Nov 10, 2012 22:49:07 GMT
Oh no! I was too late to the party to point you to the $90 Hua Wei!
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Post by chrisperoni on Nov 10, 2012 22:52:36 GMT
my munetoshi tac wak had a jubei label tied to it (munetoshi and jubei being sibling brands) - same answer as above, mislabeled.
edit/add- kuya makes a good but late point re. the huawei's. My edc katana is a $100 huawei and I freakin' love it!
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Post by kloborgg on Nov 10, 2012 23:05:26 GMT
OK, great, thanks for the info.
I actually saw the Hua Wei before and heavily considered it, but I liked the aesthetics of the Jubei a little more (blue ito/sageo and the hamon). The shipping price was also a bit over budget. Besides, I doubt I'll ever do enough to the blade to need spring steel. Thanks, though.
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Post by Maynar on Nov 10, 2012 23:52:53 GMT
Chris, brotha, you carry a kat every day? Must make trying on clothes a pain... :lol:
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Post by johnwalter on Nov 11, 2012 2:01:35 GMT
The Jubei.
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