|
Post by uchiha998 on Feb 16, 2013 17:59:20 GMT
Ok so,i am new to the forum but not new to Japanese Swords & Japanese-style Swords. I have been training for over 15 years though mostly with bokken. i am currently using an old beat up Hanwei Practical Katana but now the ha is chipped in many places, soon i will be getting my tax return and depending on how much i get back i will either be spending <$100 or if im lucky $150-$200. One thing that has become obvious to me over the years is that the standard 28" blade feels to long for me. Every instructor has told me that a 28" katana is not too long for me. However neither i nor my instructors can deny I do far better with a shorter blade. So I would really like to find a blade between 24-26". Im not ruling out getting a blade slight shorter at 22" or even a 27" or 28" katana due to my price range i cant be too picky.
A few things I would like: -I want something that can cut hard targets like bamboo. -No ugly triangle pattern fake hamon like u find on the wall-hangers (i dont mind a fake hamon just not that kind) -I am looking for more of a backyard beater. But i do want it to have more traditional looking fittings. -Silk ito or synthetic silk ito. -A balance point at 5" or under -I like wider blades, something 1.33"@habaki is preferable
Now i do understand that i most likely cannot have all of these things in my price range and that it maybe difficult to find a good blade that is 24"-26" for my price range. So im not ruling out any quality Japanese-style swords in my price. Im not ruling out Wakis or Ninjato either.
Some things i have looked at so far: -Musashi 1060 Series($80) -Jubei Lion Dog Katana($95) -Ten Ryu Cloud & Dragon($80) -Ten Ryu Folded White Warrior($100) -Munetoshi Tomoe T8 Katana($140) -Cheness Tenchi Ko-Katana($200)
Most(if not all) of these are DH. Everything I have learned over the years tells me i should go with a TH blade for my needs. Correct me if I am wrong about that. I dont have a preference when it comes to smith or forge because i do not have much knowledge in that area. Sorry this post is so long, but i just wanted to be clear so that everyone has a better idea of what im looking for. Any suggestions and info will be much appreciated. Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 16, 2013 18:47:41 GMT
I've owned two Munetoshi(Take and Light Cutter) and bought another(the Jubei Water Dragon) for my brother. I was pretty happy with all three. They are good values for their price range. Will likely show damage from cutting hard targets, but that is pretty natural. I've also had the chance to handle the Cheness Tenchi Ko-Katana, and was blown away by it. Super fun and easy to use, and if you get a good one, very, very tough. If you do order one, I would suggest ordering it through the SBG Store. The customer service via the Cheness store has been shown to be sub-par to outright terrible at times. Of the swords you listed, this is the one I'd choose for myself. You could also consider one of eBay vendor Huawei's 9260 katana. Pretty tough, with good fittings. Several member here and at other forums have gotten them and had good things to say. www.ebay.com/sch/huawei-sword/m.html?_ipg&_from&_nkw&_armrs=1&_sop=15For under $300 my top choices would be, in no real order, Hung Shing True Sharp: 1095 Budget Cutter. Ronin Katana: Ronin Katana Dojo Pro www.roninkatana.com/
|
|
|
Post by Dr. Whom on Feb 16, 2013 19:46:25 GMT
I agree
For just under #300 you can get a 1095 or Huawei. I also recommend the Hanwei Raptor series. Good quality blade and cool bird of prey fittings
I do not know of any good katana under $200 as I think the $275-$300 range has much better quality offerings
|
|
|
Post by uchiha998 on Feb 16, 2013 21:21:04 GMT
Yeah i like some of the Hauwei Swords. The Ronin Dojo Pro and any of the blades are out of my price range. I see some swords for $75-$100 with the same specs as many higher priced swords. The Musashi 1060 line for example is $80. I have seen the video reviews on this site. I know it would be best for me to spend around $300. That Ronin Pro 26" blade would prolly be perfect for me. Unfortunately anything over $200 isn't likely to happen. I want to spend most of my tax refund on my girlfriend. She deserves it after all. If i buy a $300 sword now, i will hate myself. I have extreme guilt issues. lol! I did see the Hanwei Practical Elite on Kult of Athena for $203. Also the Practical XL Kantana for $219. both look as if they would fit my needs. i like the wider blades on them. the XL is a little long for me and the balance point is above 5". but i really didnt wanna spend $200. UGH!! this is hard!
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 16, 2013 22:10:55 GMT
I understand completely. $200 is a big stretch for me anytime, and $300 is just not in the cards, hahaha. As for your lady friend, you've got to have your priorities straight, and it sounds like you do. So my first choice would be the Tenchi Ko-Katana, second would be the Huawei. The Tenchi's steel is capable of heavy target cutting, but it's light weight and shorter size does not lend as well to the task or with as much ease as a full-size blade. Still, it's so much fun to use.
P.S. Welcome to SBG! Love the screen name. Are you a Naruto fan?
|
|
|
Post by OttoVonFaart on Feb 16, 2013 22:34:38 GMT
My first katana was recently (last week) delivered. Been closely following this forum for 5 months, read every review & almost every post going back for as far as the topic threads list. I've asked questions of those members who appeared to be the most knowledgeable... received strong advice that for my needs I couldn't go wrong with a basic 1060 Musashi shirakawa series katana. Different vendors give them differing names like "Bamboo Warrior" but the shirakawa series blades are all the same with different fittings & saya. I wrote a sort of noobie review in the topic thread My First Katana, FedEx just delivered!. If you're gonna get something in the $100 range, I don't think you can go wrong with one of these. I purchased mine from SwordNArmory, an SBG recommended vendor. As katana are artisan made the specs for individual swords will vary a bit from published specs. Example: paper that came with Red Tomoe Flower of Carnage (my katana) said the nagasa is 27" but it actually measured 28.4" (72.13cm) It has a real hamon ( definitely NOT fake or acid etched), which is a plus at this price point. You seem to want to keep your spending limited to below $200. At this price point I don't think you're going to find actual silk ito but down the road, that's something you can learn to do yourself, as I plan to. From the looks of it, doing your own tsukamaki ain't hard, just painstaking & persnickety. There's a tsukamaki tutorial on the SBG. And Frankthebunny wrote a tsukamaki tutorial here in the forum under customization. With the exception of the Cheness & the T8 Munetoshi all the katana you list are made from 1060. If it's sharp out of the box, it ought to stay sharp unless you abuse the crap out of it... but for $80 - $100 most people can afford a little abuse. Mine came with a bit of "wire edge" which disappeared when I barely touched it with some 1500 grit automotive paper. The only issue I have with Musashi is that they are currently difficult to find. Most vendors are sold out. SwordNArmory had my SS-806RD in stock and 2 days after FedEx delivered it to my door, they were again out of stock. I think they're a good bang for your buck.
|
|
|
Post by Foxtrot90 on Feb 17, 2013 7:09:01 GMT
Agreed, when it comes to sub $100 katanas, you cant go wrong with a Musashi. You get the most for your money at that price range
|
|
George
Member
Banned
Posts: 1,899
|
Post by George on Feb 17, 2013 8:00:59 GMT
You really cant go wrong with the Musashi Bamboo. It was my first 'best' purchase Katana. It handled everything and was very easy to learn with an use. I had it for a couple i years even when i had $500+ swords i liked it that much. Finally gave it too a mate as a gift. www.swordnarmory.com (Link wont work, type 'Musashi Bamboo' into the search. You get two choices red saya or black. However it isnt as strong as some of the $300 blades, i never chipped or rolled the edge on mine and i cut all sorts of things from hard plastic, tatami and bamboo. Its reviewed here and the review pretty much sums it up. www.sword-buyers-guide.com/Musashi-Bamboo.html
|
|
|
Post by lamebmx on Feb 17, 2013 14:19:03 GMT
Yet another go Musashi posting. I have had quite a few now. Never crazy good, but really good for that price tag for the $80 ones. If your really looking for under 28" you can keep an eye out for a KC 26" blade. To me they handle phenomenal. Even with my KC, I tended to keep the daily practice to the musashi. Handles good enough, cuts good enough and sturdy enough for good constant practice. Saves all the wear and tear on the nicer blade.
|
|
|
Post by uchiha998 on Feb 17, 2013 17:35:58 GMT
Yes i am guilty of being a Naruto fan(well, saskue fan anyway). Bleach too, I was upset when Uquilorra died.
At this point im leaning to a Musashi 1060 i think. If i can spend around $200 though would it be worth it to look into a 1095 blade? Or is this worse for cutting hard targets? I have gotten mixed opinions on that issue. Some say the harder steel is more likely to get chips on the ha. But others tell me it will have a sharper, better edge to cut bamboo as opposed to a 1060 blade. I know the quality of the smith has more effect on this. But i know absolutely nothing about smiths. Is musashi a smith(not speaking of Miyamoto)? Or rather, does Musashi have their own smith & Munetoshi their own?
|
|
|
Post by Springs on Feb 17, 2013 17:59:11 GMT
Musashi is a company that sources their blades from forges in China, much like many other companies that compete in the same market. Musashi just seems to have somewhat better QC on their blades than some others.
As for the 1060 vs 1095, 1095 is a harder but more brittle steel so yes, the chances of it chipping are higher than 1060, which is considered a good balance between hard and soft. However, 1095 can be better and vice versa, all depends on the person who made the sword. In this case, as you are going for production blades, it's better to go with a brand that is known to produce good blades, 1060/1095 or not.
If you can spend $200 though, you can look into Ronin's 1045 line. Musashi also makes some $200 and under swords, although they're starting to sell out (honestly though, they make tons of swords that are never listed and sold only in China...shame). Munetoshi also makes great stuff in that price bracket, with their T10 light cutters and etc. I think Ryumon is also alright in that price range (and you get a rather large wooden display box too).
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 17, 2013 18:10:11 GMT
Musashi and Munetoshi are the names chosen for the brand of sword. Most production Japanese styled swords are made in Chinese factories, and Musashi and Munetoshi are both of this ilk, as are Hanwei and Huawei and Ronin Katana and , hahaha. The differences come in the quality of the parts and steels use and the skill of the laborers at the factory. The Musashi Shirakawa line(1060 steel) are time tested as a great beginners blade. They are not as sturdy as a Cheness or Huawei, but they strike a nice balance between aesthetics, performance and price. I would not use them as heavy cutters. Maybe occasionally against some fresh, not too thick bamboo, or a single(perhaps the occasional double) mat, but anything more arduous than that is asking for damage. For a similar price there is the Jubei line at Swordnarmory. Similar fit and finish, with a slightly tougher blade. At Swordnarmory, you can look into the Munetoshi "Yama" line, which is composed of their heavy cutters.
I'm also a Naruto fan. Got into watching it as a way to get my nephew to watch cartoons that wouldn't make me want to jump off of a bridge, hahaha. We're about 120 episodes into the Shippuden series now, so we've got a ways to go. He really likes Bleach as well, but i haven't got to watch any of it yet.
|
|
|
Post by uchiha998 on Feb 18, 2013 18:16:33 GMT
Well, after sending off my taxes it appears im getting quite a bit more than i thought i would...any suggestions in the $250-350 range? I looked at an 1095 blade and I like the hamon a lot but im not too keen on the heavy sori. I have never been great with a heavily curved blade. I've been helpless with any Tachi-style blade ive ever picked up. I like a more subtle curve to it. The Ronin Dojo Pro-Model 15 I've also been looking at from the start but i thought $265 would be out of my price range. Now i think otherwise. However, I really like the natrual hamon found on many other blades even at the lower price ranges. But that 26" blade would be much nicer than the standard 28"-29". Hmm. still got a week or maybe more to make up my mind.
|
|
|
Post by Dr. Whom on Feb 18, 2013 18:23:48 GMT
I would check out Mr. Swiger's BST as he is selling his Katanas and the majority of them are in New condition viewtopic.php?f=36&t=15601There are some Raptors and other offerings. I think the Hanwei Raptor would be a good buy for you Otherwise I would get a Budget beater
|
|
|
Post by uchiha998 on Feb 18, 2013 18:34:17 GMT
Do any of you think The Ronin pro can out cut the 1095 "american" series? especially speaking of hard targets like bamboo. The way advertise that blade would lead me to believe that its perfect for harder targets. But im forever a skeptic. My Old Hanwei can still cut bamboo pretty well even dinged up the way it is. But i really dont want another Hanwei im pretty sure of that.
|
|
|
Post by Dr. Whom on Feb 18, 2013 18:43:43 GMT
I would go with the because you can send the blade back to Ricky if you ding it up and he can possibly fix it for a fee. That is key for me when getting a cutting blade because small dings and nicks can happen and Ricky can polish them out if they are his blades
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 18, 2013 19:23:22 GMT
It's a bit of a toss up. A TH blade, such as the Ronin, is generally tougher than a DH blade. It has more flex, and can take shocks and abuse that a DH blade generally cannot(I say generally because there is always an exception, hahaha). It cannot achieve as high a level of sharpness, nor can it hold an edge as long. The proprietors of both companies, Chris at Ronin and Ricky at , are both very solid guys who should do right by you. The Ronin is long tested and proven as a good, solid medium to heavy cutter. The 1095 Budget Cutter is Ricky's answer to lower cost heavy cutters. As Dr. Whom mentioned though, Ricky does have a policy of servicing his blades for customers(nominal fees apply), so that may work out favorably for you. If you choose the , PM Ricky through this site. He will often give SBG members a special deal. Couldn't hurt to ask, hahaha. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2659No real loser to this pick.
|
|
|
Post by kingrikoraru on Feb 18, 2013 19:31:31 GMT
I suggest emailing him directly as he'll respond alot quicker, in my case
|
|
|
Post by uchiha998 on Feb 18, 2013 21:48:49 GMT
Yeah i actually just watched a cutting video on the budget 1095. It may have sold it for me but i cannot find any specs on it all. I dont see much on their website. I know swords can very slightly but i since i cant actually hold or see any of these blades with in person before i get them. I would kinda like to know where the POB may be what the measurements for sori, nagasa length, width, thickness etc. They probably posted somewhere already i just havent had much luck finding them. I've looked at the Raptor Shobu as well but they have the plainest fittings and so horribly typical. Also how much better is the next level (listed at $358, i think), than the budget 1095?
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 18, 2013 22:17:18 GMT
The higher level of 1095 Performance cutters offer a better polish and fittings, and have a more dialed in edge. It is not made as a beater like the 1095 Budget katana. The blade is thinner and the edge is finer. It is much sharper, but cannot take the targets that the Budget can. Not sure about the stats. You can PM Ricky and he'll be happy to provide them. I agree with you on the Raptors fittings. I just don't like them. However, it is regarded as one of the best, toughest cutters in it's price range. Still, those damn fittings... Also, I'd be remiss to not mention Kris Cutlery. They have a 26in model that is good. Very well regarded. kriscutlery.com/documents/japanese.html
|
|