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Post by Kuro93 on Dec 23, 2012 14:06:52 GMT
Hey there, does anyone have any experience about Koto katanas? Are their swords decent blades or are they to be avoided? Im actually asking this question after i've bought myself one :lol: Its my first Katana, I'd just like to know what you guys think about koto katanas? Thankyou
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Post by birdman on Dec 25, 2012 18:28:04 GMT
Like any ancient weapon, it depends on the skill of the maker and the quality of the material(s) used. For example, Goro Masamune was a smith in the Koto era (he was born in the late 13th century), and his blades had a reputation for quality and sharpness, and are highly valued today (beware - his blades were so famous that many forgeries exist!). On the other hand, during the time in the 16th century known as Sengoku Jidai (warring states period), when there was a high demand for swords, there were mass-produced blades (known as kazu-uchi-mono: literally "things made by the dozens", or tabagatana - "bundled swords") which were often of mediocre quality. I have a long (21-5/8" nagasa) wakizashi that was made in the late koto period, unsigned, and not attributable to any particular school of swordsmiths. It is sharp, and probably was a capable weapon, but it has a number of rather unsightly forging blisters (fukure) that make it worthless to a dedicated nihonto collector, and I believe it may well have been one of the kazu-uchi-mono made for issue to ashigaru (conscripted foot soldiers).
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Post by Madmartigen on Dec 25, 2012 19:10:10 GMT
While I think the answer is rich and deserves it's own credit, I believe OP meant the modern manufacturer of Koto Katanas (brand), rather than Koto (period) swords... I seriously doubt someone would buy a Koto period Nihonto as his first blade and then ask what the folk at the Beginners Forum think .
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Post by Maynar on Dec 25, 2012 19:29:23 GMT
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Post by birdman on Dec 25, 2012 21:56:06 GMT
:oops: To be honest, I had never heard of that brand before, hence my confusion. And believe me, if I had had the money, my first sword WOULD have been a genuine, shinsa-certified Koto-period katana !
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Post by Kuro93 on Jan 2, 2013 14:33:56 GMT
sorry for the confusion, but madmartigen is correct, i meant the modern ones, although the knowledge about the traditional ones is impressive I have a Koto Kuro katana, i was very uneducated when i purchased it, but now i know a little more about katana's, i was pleased to find out that all the proper parts are on it, such as the blade is 1045 steel with a true hamon, real rayskin, mekugi etc. It seems not many people have heard of Koto? that isnt a good sign but it would be interesting to hear what someone who knows what they're talking about thinks about Koto?
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Post by birdman on Jan 2, 2013 16:51:10 GMT
1045 is about the lowest level of carbon steel you would want in a sword. 1065 would be better for a through-hardened blade, and 1095 would be better for a differentially hardened blade, in my opinion. Dissenting opinions are welcome to chime in...
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Post by Ninjadave89 on Jan 2, 2013 17:38:01 GMT
I bought one of their katanas a few months ago. www.southernswords.co.uk/koto-br ... 4825-p.asp . I needed a cheap sword to practice forms so it seemed like a good deal. Firstly it isn't double pegged, just one mekugi (historically accurate but not as listed) and the tsuka is glued on. The hamon doesn't seem to be real. Im pretty sure it is just a wire brushed fake. The cotton handle wrap (I forget the Japanese name) is quite loose but useable. I cant say how good a cutter it is as I blunted the blade as soon as it arrived, but it did arrive very sharp. I am still quite pleased with it as a practice sword and im sure it would have cut light targets very well if it were still sharp. For the price they are quite good in my opinion, but the hanwei practical series have a much better build quality to them along with better steel (even if they cost a bit more).
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Post by Kuro93 on Jan 3, 2013 9:50:49 GMT
Interesting guys, I paid the same amount for mine, but there's no glue, double mekugi, and the hamon looks real, I have a few other crappy swords and you can easily tell on them that the hamon is fake. When I feel I deservea more advanced blade I will maybe get one from the Hanwei range, it will be very intersesting comparing the two
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