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Post by Sugiyama on Feb 25, 2013 15:39:49 GMT
So I've been lurking for probably a month or two, and from what I've seen you guys know your stuff. As someone purchasing their first sword I have a ton of questions, but these two I have yet to find an answer for:
I am 5'6" and 120 pounds with a small amount of muscle. For someone my size, would a Bo-hi be a good idea? Is the difference in weight great enough for it to matter for someone my size?
For my first sword, would a 1060 blade or a 9260 be a better choice for a first blade? Does it make a difference?
Your help is greatly appreciated!
-Jordan Sugiyama
PS- Is Cheness's quality really as bad as everyone makes it sound?
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Post by Springs on Feb 25, 2013 15:59:34 GMT
It's hard to say if a bo-hi or not would work well for you, you'd have to handle some with and without. Personally I like blades without one more, however blades with bo-hi definitely feel like they can dance in my hands.
1060 vs 9260, both are good I think. There're more 1060 blades out there than 9260, so chances are you're more likely to pick up a 1060 (or 1045/1090) blade than a 9260 one, unless you're specifically looking to get a 9260 blade.
Cheness isn't THAT bad. They do have some flaws, as with most production swords in the sub 300 market.
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hhmoore
Member
Sneaking around once in a while
Posts: 656
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Post by hhmoore on Feb 25, 2013 16:15:53 GMT
Depending on what your plans are for your sword, it might be more practical to consider length (rather than whether it has bo-hi). You might find that going with a shorter blade is more comfortable (and, arguably, safer). As far as Cheness, they seem to have had increasing QC issues - based on some complaints. How big a problem it is...or, how likely one is to get a sub par sword...is difficult to gauge. I've had no problems with my tenchis, and other members have expressed that they've been happy with theirs; but that doesn't negate the less positive experiences that have also been posted.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Feb 25, 2013 16:51:13 GMT
Hi Jordan and welcome,
Don't be put off 9260 blades, if you order through the SBG store you have a better chance of getting an inspected blade, given your physical stats I would look to the shorter end of blade lengths - 25 to 27 inches, Bo-Hi gives a lighter overall sword and would most likely be a better choice for your first sword.
Ask Ricky at if he has a shorter blade in stock, since most people look to the longer blade lengths he may have one to suit.
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Post by Sugiyama on Feb 25, 2013 18:03:10 GMT
Just kind of a side question, but what is the beltway to remove the brass peg from the Tenchi? Can it be replaced with a bamboo mekugi?
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Feb 25, 2013 20:12:19 GMT
Hello Jordan,
Both 1060 and 9260 are fairly tough, but it is different from blade to blade. Take the Musashi Shirakawa blades and a Ronin Dojo Pro. Both are 1060, but the Ronin is much, much tougher. Musashi runs a lighter blade and softer temper, while Ronin runs a thick, heavy(comparatively) blade with a tough temper.
Properly done, a Cheness 9260 sword is about as tough as it gets at this price point. I second the suggestion that you order it via the SBG Store. I did mine, and it came in great shape. This seems to be a trend. Most of the ill will towards Cheness stems from their spotty quality control and some really, really poor examples of customer service. There are a few who have had a great experience, but I tend to see more negative when the item is ordered direct through Cheness.
It's pretty easy to remove pegs generally. Pegs are inserted slightly diagonally, and are usually slightly taper to make it so they can only be removed in one direction, which is toward the right palm on top and left palm on bottom. Most swordsmen are right handed, and making it so that the peg comes out under the palm ensures that it wont slide out between the fingers. Do you have one of those cleaning kits? If you do, it should have a brass hammer with a screwable peg in the head. Unscrew the peg, place it against the proper side of the mekugi and use the hammer to tap it out. If it is a very stubborn peg, you can use a real hammer or wood/rubber mallet. If you don't have a kit, you can use a chopstick or other slender object and a hammer.
Hope this helps.
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Post by Sugiyama on Feb 25, 2013 21:00:39 GMT
adrian.Jordan- I do have a cleaning kit, but the Tenchi has a brass peg holding the nakago into the tsuka. Do you know any way to get the metal mekugi out of the slot?
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Feb 26, 2013 1:51:32 GMT
Those brass mekugi can be on pretty damn tight so just be prepared to whack them hard. I had to use a steel rod & hammer to get one of mine out. I replaced that one with a bamboo mekugi. They're not tapered so they can come out in either direction. Generally speaking, the mekugi near the end should come out from the omote side.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Feb 26, 2013 14:58:46 GMT
If you look at the bamboo pin you can see one side is smaller than the other, you tap from the small side, now tap the brass pin from the same side, those little flutes you see compress a little when first installed so tapping from the wrong side is much harder.
Go to an automotive store and purchase a set of brass "drift punches" - select one slightly smaller than the brass pin. Be firm but gentle, like a shy horse then need persuasion rather than brute force.
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