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Post by M3rc Nate on Aug 19, 2013 20:37:49 GMT
Okay so for quite a while I have wanted a Katana, but just never thought of getting one realistically. Well a TNP Youtube video went up a few days ago and it was about Katana sword fighting/technique ( ). It made me pose the question "For my first sword, which Katana's are great options?" And i got back that the one used in the video was a great katana. The one used in the video was the Ronin Dojo-Pro Model #3. ( www.roninkatana.com/dojopro3.html). I was then also recommended the Musashi 1060 ( www.trueswords.com/musashi-1060- ... -5894.html) which is significantly cheaper. In terms of comparison I was told: "get a musashi for 80 bucks. its 1060 and DH hardened with a real hamon. just like a ronin, but cheaper and full tang." and "I have both. the ronin is a little better, but for someone just getting into swords the mushashi is a great 1st katana. they are both 1060 steel, dh hardened, and perform in a similar way. the ronin has better fittings, and may be put together a little tighter, but overall the mush. is really nice for the money. 80 is pretty cheap for a katana. most of the Chinese blades are pretty similar."
(Question: From what the guys says, it makes me think the Ronin isnt full tang, does anyone know if it is or isnt?) So what are your guy's thoughts? I am wanting to only own one Katana. So the one I buy will be THEE one I own for good. In terms of uses it will 98% of the time be "art", but occasionally i will use it on things like melons/bottles etc, and i could see at some point finding and taking a Katana class or two. (Quick related question, I noticed when looking at the different models that model #17 of the Ronin's says its blade is 28inches long with a 1 inch Sori. Now i looked up Sori and know that its the curve in the blade. Is that something desired in a Katana or just a option?) www.roninkatana.com/dojopro17.html |
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Post by LeFaust on Aug 19, 2013 20:51:03 GMT
The ronin is through hardened which makes it more tough than the musashi but shows no hamon. Both are full tang. The musashi is a great first katana.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 19, 2013 20:59:26 GMT
Well, I don't agree with some of what you were told initially.
First, the Ronin is not DH. It is TH 1060 and is quite a bit tougher than the Musashi. Musashi tends to run their blades a bit thin. All componants used on the Ronin are better quality and more traditional than the Musashi. The Ronin is for medium to medium-heavy targets. As it is TH, it has no hamon, so is generally less handsome. The fittings are much nicer, so while sheathed it is nicer than the Musashi.
Now, I'm not saying that the Musashi is bad. Not by a long semprini. However, it is a sub-$100 sword and you do get every pennies worth out of it. It is perfectly good for light cutting duty and display.
For about $100 you could also check out the Jubei line from Swordnarmory. Similar in quality to the Musashi, but with a somewhat tougher blade. Light to medium target cutter. I got one for my brother and was extremely pleased for the price.
Sori is subjective. Some people love a deep sori blade, some like less sori. It is something that you generally have to decide on for yourself. Very deep sori was generally seen on earlier blades that were meant to be used from horseback. Later made blades generally had less sori, and were made to be used on foot. I personally find that 1/2" to 3/4" is ideal on most katana, but that particular Ronin model is fairly long, so it would balance out well at 1".
Hope this helped. Feel free to ask more questions if you have them.
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Post by M3rc Nate on Aug 19, 2013 21:40:14 GMT
I am taking a look right now at those Jubei. Currently the one that looks the best out of the bunch (in terms of my taste) is this one: www.swordnarmory.com/Jubei-Lion- ... 3107rd.htm though it has the worst reviews of the bunch, but i dont think that matters, considering the other ones have perfect reviews and correct me if im wrong, they are all the same but with different dressings. Gah, the problem is classic "me". I have this problem with knives, guns, everything. I find something that would totally work and be satisfactory at a cheaper price, but always keep one eye on the more expensive, higher end item as well. 9 times outta 10 i end up paying more $ for the higher end item. Which is kinda where i'm leaning. I know i would be 100% happy with the Jubei or Musashi but i just cant stop myself from wanting that Ronin Dojo-Pro Model #3. GAH! lol. Though I think the "hamon" is cool on a Katana, I have so little exposure to swords and the Katana community that its not a big deal to me. And its not like anyone I would show the sword to would know to look for it. Thanks for the Sori knowledge. |
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Post by chrisperoni on Aug 19, 2013 22:18:23 GMT
good questions! Here's the thing; I SERIOUSLY doubt  Personally I have been trying my best to move away from the "lowest costing" anything in my purchases - and I mean in all areas, not just swords. I've been trying to fight that cheapskate inside me and let myself enjoy the better/higher end options. Not to say I have to buy the top of line or nothing; but after I narrow things down to a few choices all within my budget I am now opting for the higher end of those choices. However, with respects to swords I think the journey getting to this mode of shopping is worthwhile. If I had started on the higher costing swords I am getting into now, I would have missed out on enjoying the low cost swords. It's kind of like once I go up, I'm disappointed if I go back down- does that make sense the way I wrote it? So if you were willing to spend $275, why not buy the Jubei and Musashi? Now you will have two swords to try, compare to each other, and to use to determine if swords at their price point will be enough to satisfy you. Don't forget the used swords market either. If you grow tired of these you could sell them to recoup your costs in purchasing the next stage up. Caveat: if you TRULY want only one sword then go to the top of your list- no questions. If you are only ever going to have one "thing" of "anything" why would you ever deny yourself the best you could get? Certainly not over some money, which we all know comes and goes no matter what we do. hth |
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Post by M3rc Nate on Aug 19, 2013 22:43:06 GMT
Lol yeah I get told that with every forum i join to learn more about something im preparing to buy. With certain things i think thats totally true, guns, bows (archery), knives, etc. But with a Katana I just dont see owning more than one. Now let me make it clear, i can totally see owning more than one SWORD, but specifically Katana? Just one. I really like your advice and thats exactly how i think, except i dont naturally come from the cheaper side, i come from the more expensive side. Never THEE expensive side (for example, there are good 1911 .45's for $900, there are great one(s) i want which are $1300-1500, then there are perfect 1911's that are #2K-3K, which id never get). Same thing with the Katana's, there are amazing $1000+ Katana's, the very nice $275 Katana's and the great-bang-for-buck $80-100 Katana's. I think im going to agree with your last paragraph and go with the $275 Katana (Ronin). I really really really think i will only own one and so i should get the higher quality one. Thanks for all the help guys, and knowledge. When i get it i'll post another comment saying what i think of it and any questions i might have.  (Now that i think of it, what is a Great Katana stand? both horizontal and maybe a vertical (at an angle) style?) |
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Post by chrisperoni on Aug 19, 2013 22:52:33 GMT
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Post by M3rc Nate on Aug 20, 2013 3:36:24 GMT
Thanks! I like that nicer Basic table top stand, also the wall mount and standing display. Classic, sleek, simple, black. I like it. Thank you.
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Post by chrisperoni on Aug 20, 2013 4:04:04 GMT
I like to line the sword rests with some felt to avoid scratching - easy add on
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Taran
Member
Posts: 2,621
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Post by Taran on Aug 20, 2013 5:50:38 GMT
Just had to say...
Katanas are Japanese swords. Regardless of where they're made.
Friendly reminder is all.
Otherwise, I agree on all points with what everyone here has said.
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Post by M3rc Nate on Aug 20, 2013 19:07:41 GMT
Haha oh, sorry, my bad. With no Katana (basically sword) experience/knowledge and having read/been told numerous times the Katana's i'll be buying will be Chinese made...i just figured they go in the Chinese section. But your right.
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Post by M3rc Nate on Aug 30, 2013 19:06:38 GMT
Okay guys so I got the Katana, and its awesome I love it.
Question: How do i polish it? I was told by the guy who runs/owns (w/e) Ronin: "3k sand paper. Use mineral oil to protect against rust". However is that what i want to do when i just want to give it a regular polish? I mean its not like i got it all dirty using it, its just out of the box there are some blemishes that will come off, can i JUST use the mineral-oil on a clean rag?
Thanks
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Post by justin520 on Aug 30, 2013 19:13:55 GMT
Ok you asked him about polishing, polishing means sharpening basically. You normally do just oil it to protect from rust, you polish it to make it sharp again.
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Post by M3rc Nate on Aug 30, 2013 20:04:04 GMT
Oooooh okay, well its good to know how to sharpen as well...not that i will really ever need that knowledge, how can it lose its edge if i am not really using it on anything? lol.
Okay so you didnt really confirm that to clean the blade so it looks its best, to use the oil, but im going to assume that thats what i should do?
Thanks.
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Post by Turok on Aug 31, 2013 7:25:54 GMT
hey it's okay, a lot of people get Chinese weapons confused with Japanese stuff.  From what I understand, you oil your blades to prevent rust from spreading. You use sandpaper to remove rust or to sharpen the edge. When you polish your sword with sandpaper, you are actually removing some metal each time. You should be careful not to cut yourself or to damage the blade. I would consult with members at the Japanese Sword section because there are many people who specialize in katanas. The Chinese section is usually very quiet :lol: |
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From what I understand, you oil your blades to prevent rust from spreading. You use sandpaper to remove rust or to sharpen the edge. When you polish your sword with sandpaper, you are actually removing some metal each time. You should be careful not to cut yourself or to damage the blade.
