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Post by zabazagobo on May 28, 2018 6:11:00 GMT
Its not so much focusing on cutting costs, but rather limiting what COULD be done. I mean, for Katana - there are at least 20 odd parts in the assembly, habaki, tsuka core, rayskin, seppa, ito, fuchigashira, mekugi, tsuba, saya, koiguchi - you get the idea. And that is not even considering the blade - kissaki, bo-hi, boshi, etc. What materials used, how much it is customized or adjusted to fit the sword the components is what determines the final price. When you consider it is possible to pay $500 for a hand crafted habaki alone, you start to see that it is not really deciding on what corners to cut, but how much refinement you want to put into the sword - and that will determine the final price. I have said it before and I will say it again, for all the work that goes into making even the most stock standard production Katana, it truly is a miracle that they can be offered at the prices they are.. Something I've wondered is why there aren't any katanas that are peened to get around the amount of difficulty in getting all these components to fit and stay secure (which adds to the costs and labor immensely) and which oftentimes aren't very precise (even on higher end production swords). I know it sure isn't traditional, and those looking for a completely traditional katana with all the bits and pieces would disapprove, but a pragmatically designed katana with a peened construction could be an awesome workaround. It'd also be fun to see what a criss-crossing riser pattern overlaid with leather could feel like for a grip as well.
Geez, I seem to have a knack for taking things off in all sorts of tangents whenever words are involved. I should probably have that checked out by a professional.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 28, 2018 8:19:53 GMT
My Hanwei Tactical Katana is a Raptor blade (lighter shinogi zukuri with bohi) with a peened sandwitch handle. But a relative plain one. The CS Tactical Katana Machete has a structured plastic handle, but it is not comfortable, too hard and edgy. I'd like to see a peened sandwitch handle with structured hard rubber scales, but not too hard.
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Post by bluetrain on May 28, 2018 10:32:51 GMT
The video is very interesting. Comments and questions:
The fact that a smith was on hand for immediate attention to the blade reminds me of pistol competition where the pistols are "babied," even to the extent of covering the pistol between events so it won't get scratched. And of course, there might be vendors there, too.
I noticed the smith apparently attempting to straighten a blade by flexing it. I once owned, about 40 years ago, an old WWII Japanese warrant officer's sword and I don't recall that it was as flexible as the one in the video seemed to be. Are some swords more flexible than others or was the sword I had more flexible than I realized? I never applied any test to see if it was flexible or not. Why would I?
The cutting events were interesting in the video. Could any Western sword do that?
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Post by randomnobody on May 28, 2018 13:12:29 GMT
Most swords are more flexible than you'd think, but it's not the best idea to find out just how much they can bend as this does place a great amount of stress on the blade.
However, it's usually really easy to straighten a bent sword. That's why a sword bending on a bad cut is okay, even good; because it's tons better than that sword breaking, which is the alternative.
I haven't watched the video, but as to "any Western sword," well, no. An estoc makes a terrible cutter, as does a smallsword. Any cut-focused Western sword, though...sure.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 28, 2018 13:28:23 GMT
And the flexibility af a sword blade depends on its cross section. Thin flat blades flex better than thick spined ones. Katana don't flex much, viking swords do. At what degree they stay bent or break depends on the heat treatment. Differentially hardened katana with their weaker spine bend faster but can be bent back better. Through hardened euro swouds show more flex until they take a set or break. Every stronger bending stresses the blade's steel, so don't do it just for fun.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Jun 1, 2018 6:36:16 GMT
Perfection. Aye aye aye. I think it's become a disease in the modern mind. Hand made stuff is never perfect. Custom Made / high end creations have much, much greater attention to detail. Don't confuse attention to detail found in custom made things as to expect "perfection". And don't confuse imperfections/ characteristics with faults. But Obviously faults DO exist and usually from a lack of attention to detail in the smith. The imperfection described in the OP does not a flaw make (IMO). As Blake said swords are not rules (rulers). And back in the day when Rules were hand made they'd also have been imperfect.
I had this conversation with a client lately who sent his "Perfect" Fable Blade to a really, really, really accomplished graver for some custom engraving work. Which came back with an imperfection. Which was a relief for me because it's the sort of thing I've done before too (he stuffed up the transfer of the knotwork design from my grip tooling to his design on the pommel). But the client was so un-happy. And was consulting with me how we could remedy this "Flaw". I confirmed that the best way to do so would be to build a whole new sword from scratch. I tried to console him that it is the brush strokes that make the art. He couldn't let it go. To Quote him: "I totally understand what you are saying and I agree unfortunately we live in a world where everything is laser cut or cnc machined to perfection which creates a high expectation from modern work."
Focussing on an imperfection to the point where the mind poisons our joy and gratitude takes us out of the present moment.
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Post by bluetrain on Jun 1, 2018 9:57:43 GMT
If you had something that was a work of art, something close to perfection, or perhaps even something that you'd scrimped and saved for, for a long time because it was expensive, would you even dare use it? Or would you wind up with something too good to use, like the silk sport shirt you got for your birthday? Not the same as buyer's remorse, which is a different issue.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 0:30:18 GMT
If you had something that was a work of art, something close to perfection, or perhaps even something that you'd scrimped and saved for, for a long time because it was expensive, would you even dare use it? Or would you wind up with something too good to use, like the silk sport shirt you got for your birthday? Not the same as buyer's remorse, which is a different issue. Absolutely and without the shadow of a doubt. What I would not do is abuse it. I would train until the manner of using it (cutting, paired practice, whatever) was no longer of question of if I could but how it would feel. I use my "crown jewel" nearly every day but I respect it, the cost and most importantly the energy and effort of the person who made it real and in honor of that I will not push the envelope with that particular sword so long as I can help it. It does not sleep in a glass case, but it also does not get dragged through the dirt.
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Post by Robert in California on Jun 4, 2018 4:29:37 GMT
I can tell it bothers you....so return it. Of the 10 or so Longquant swords I have (or had) in the $150 to $300 (w/shipping) range, all have had "perfectly" straight blades...that is straight as far as my eyes could tell. As a scarred veteran of having collected lower end nihonto's in my younger days ($300 to $2200 range in the 1970's ... a $300 gendaito then now sells for about $1200 today). Anyway, I learned the hard way, that for an antique Japanese sword, see it and inspect it in person if seller says "no returns". I have seen (and bought alas) nihonto with minor bends and other issues. But for a new sword, I expect no bends, blisters, etc.
My Shinshinto katana shows some combat-looking nicks and dings, but it still is straight.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jun 4, 2018 8:22:44 GMT
I think Olszowy hit it on the head. With today’s technology we are spoiled when it comes to speed and perfection, or if you will close tolerances.
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Post by bluetrain on Jun 4, 2018 10:26:20 GMT
Someone said that advances in manufacturing technology were mainly advances in measuring. Not sure I agree but it is a good point nevertheless.
In the past, fancy weapons (and uniforms), and which is still true to an extent, were intended to impress the enemy. Probably also to impress your own troops, too, and to show rank and status. Such people undoubtedly used more ordinary things for training and day-to-day purposes. What seems to happen these days is that things that are supposed to be used on active service but otherwise used every day became a default dress item, so that, eventually, new items are introduced for actual field service. Alternately, sometimes, obsolete items are retained for dress purposes. That's why, in Washington, D.C., one can still see Springfield bolt-action rifles in use by honor guards. For civilians, there is the term "barbeque guns," if I have the term correct. In other words, a extra-fancy handgun carried chiefly for show. I think everyone in Texas has one.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jun 4, 2018 13:10:02 GMT
Definition of a straight line is a line with an infinite radius. From my freshman year +60 ago.
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