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Post by Companion on Dec 10, 2014 23:32:23 GMT
Hello all,
I have been away from sword collecting for almost 10 years and i'm coming back to find that the katana marketplace has changed A LOT. Back then there were only two sellers that I can remember: Paul Chen low-end and Bugei. There are a lot more choices now it seems. Can you guys help me make sense of the market options to find a sword with these features:
Visible hada and hamon (not monosteel) Katate-maki style wrap Waisted tsuka Custom colors for saya lacquer and handle wrap (prefer forest green)
I know there is always the custom route but I'd prefer to buy what I want off the shelf if it exists, or to send a production sword to a craftsman for minor modifications. Thanks in advance and I hope this is not too vague of a question.
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Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
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Post by Mikeeman on Dec 10, 2014 23:35:43 GMT
Do you have anything more specific? How long do you want the blade? Hi or no hi? What theme for the fittings?
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Post by justin520 on Dec 10, 2014 23:38:29 GMT
Go with sinosword, you'll get custom pieces at production prices.
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Post by Companion on Dec 10, 2014 23:45:14 GMT
Hello
I am not a martial artist so I am flexible on blade length, 28-30" is fine.
Also flexible on kissaki style.
No hi preferably. Fittings can be plain black iron. A wild boar menuki would be nice but is not necessary.
I don't realistically think there is one production piece that fits all the criteria, so I'd appreciate recommendations on good customizer craftsmen as well.
Thanks
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 10, 2014 23:56:25 GMT
frankthebunny at Cottontail Customs has customized lots of katanas, can't recommend him enough. You can contact him by email or PM him on the forum to see what kind of services he's offering. Alternately, you can try Nihonzashi, or Fred Lohman's shop - they both offer customization as well.
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Post by chrisperoni on Dec 11, 2014 2:51:51 GMT
Huawei, sino sword, Shirley sword, swordsmith668--- really any of the typical ebay sellers can do this for you no problem. I'd go with huawei or sinosword as they will best understand the waisted tuska request. But a simple message and a couple of pictures will make your order clear. I'd pick an existing sword from huawei on ebay that had the blade you like and message about changes then in email you can add a pick of a waisted tsuka to be extra clear. They will have many color and wrap options available
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Post by frankthebunny on Dec 11, 2014 3:26:47 GMT
As you mentioned, no one seller will have that whole package as you want it off the shelf. Your best bet is to pick out the blade/saya combo you want and send it to someone that knows what they're doing. Not only do the ebay sellers not cover all the steps when putting together a total package, they don't know how or which ones are most important to do properly. I can tell you that there is a lot more to properly shaping a tsuka and re-wrapping it and adding different fittings than it might seem to most. The ones who could sell you a good blade are not the ones who would also be capable of a high quality customization. I'm also not tooting my own horn here, just recommending going the correct route if you want a quality product in the end, whether you go with me or another experienced craftsman. Just because they might agree to sell you a "full wrap" or specialized tsuka shape, doesn't mean it's worth it. Just my opinion Something like this seems like it would be a good platform for you to build on. They could handle swapping the saya, just ask what colors are available. They can even give you a basic katate-maki in synthetic silk if you wanted to keep it simple. You can also send them your own fittings to put on but again, they might wind up using epoxy to get everything put together instead of doing it the right way.
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Post by Aurélien on Dec 11, 2014 3:55:25 GMT
Buy a Bugei Old Pine and send it to Josh (frankthebunny). The sword it-self will cost you a kidney, and you will have to wait in the Bugei queue. But at the end of the story, you will certainly have a CENSORED awesome katana. The Old Pine sports interesting hada, hamon, waisted tsuka (it follows the curve of the nakago) and green premium lacquered saya. Josh could wrap the tsuka the way you want, in the color you wish, with the silk you dream of. But once again : this solution demands money and patience.
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