katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 9, 2018 9:46:10 GMT
HI forum members, super Noob here, I was also hoping for some advice, I am looking to purchase my first cutter, I have been researching this for ages (research is fun) quick spiel about me, I am an older dude, I fell in love with Japanese swords when i was a kid watching the Samurai on TV, I a have a black belt in WC and I also have one subject to finish to complete my Sports Science degree. MY limitations are I live in Australia , Sydney. True Swords Amazon and a few others no longer ship to OZ and if they do they charge like a cut snake. I have seen a few I like but sadly they are out of my budget, I dont want to go crazy for my 1st cutter. I have seen that Paul Chen's Hanwei is good as well as Cold Steel but both are way too expensive. I can literally hop on a bus and grab a practical katana from Laurence Ordinance who is very good and grab a Hanwei, My budget is $200-350 range I also do like a Musashi available on Amazon and True Swords but as I said they no longer ship OS. I have also checked out Wicked Blades and Eric there seems legit but I know nothing of his quality, he has excellent reviews and not to be confused with Wicked Swords. He is based in WA, Australia. So what I am searching for is a full tang clay tempered zombie apocalypse ready cutter , hahahaha, i am looking for advice from the experts , you guys , and your suggestions and where and who in Australia I can purchase from, many many thanks and I look forward to your response. Cheers katanakid
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jul 9, 2018 11:07:22 GMT
Hello katanakid and welcome to the forum again! Sorry, I can't help you but I think other forumists from Australia can.
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 9, 2018 11:36:42 GMT
Thanks brother appreciate the response anyway, fingers crossed someone sees from OZ sees the thread
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jul 9, 2018 11:51:42 GMT
I don't know if it's still possible to rename the thread now but if you mention Australia in the thread's headline you'd attract the right forumists.
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 9, 2018 11:54:01 GMT
thanks done great advice, i m such a noob
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Post by wrench567 on Jul 9, 2018 22:12:55 GMT
I own 2 Hanbon forge blades. Very nice custom work for under $300. I don't know how much to ship to OZ but it is worth an e-mail.https://www.hanbonforge.com/
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 9, 2018 22:16:22 GMT
thanks wrench567 I have seen them on ebay and was reluctant to purchase, but I did do some research on them and they have good reviews also, thanks for your respoonse
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Post by wrench567 on Jul 14, 2018 16:34:52 GMT
They have a website. Buy a custom made sword over a ready made Ebay sword. I figured I would get a better sword being custom made. So far both of mine are awesome. They both have custom length blades with custom specifications on hamon, grooves, and signature among other elements. Each one was under $350 US. Pete
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 14, 2018 23:13:02 GMT
wrench567 Thanks Pete I have contacted them and they responded very quickly, I asked them about custom on ebay they even said that just let them know what I want and they will do it, did you buy a katana? Id love to see some pics. Also if you got longer blades than the standard. I also noticed that they do kobuse but I am not sure its worth spending the extra and seeing if they are any better than a folded clay tempered blade. They are looking good as they also provide free shipping which helps me heaps and will counter balance the exchange rate. Thanks bro
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Post by wrench567 on Jul 15, 2018 1:23:20 GMT
The blue katana was bought last summer. Three inches longer than a standard Katana and the bo hi does not go to the kisaki. The Wakasashi is 1 inch longer with a double bo hi. I just got that one this spring. The Kat is folded steel DH hardened The Wak is 1095 DH. Both are sharp and the hamons are exactly what I asked for. Measuring with a tape measure they both are exactly as I specified in the order.
I would still order from the web site. Free shipping from the web site too. Mr. Yao is great to deal with.
Pete
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 15, 2018 4:36:50 GMT
wrench567 wow they are cool , you have similar taste , I want a blue and a red and a black , sword length not sure and also if i want a bo-hi , I definitely want clay tempered possibly folded they and perhaps so engraving in kanji if they do it cheers bro they are sweet swords hope they cut as well as they look
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Post by Vue on Jul 15, 2018 12:28:09 GMT
Welcome aboard katanakid!
Sydneysider here mate, if you ever wanted to handle a few blades from Huawei along with a few other higher-end blades just send me a PM. I'll be more than glad to show you what I have, maybe then you'll get a better idea of what you're looking for in a sword.
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Post by skane on Jul 15, 2018 17:56:42 GMT
If you can get a Huawei, take a look at their 9260 models. Best sub $200 cutters imo. www.ebay.com/usr/huawei-swordThere is a list of countries they won't ship to; I didn't see Australia in the list. Also check your country import laws to be sure.
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Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Jul 16, 2018 5:01:40 GMT
Hey Katanakid! I’m in Canberra and just like Vue can offer to let you try out some of my cutters to see what you like. I’ve helped out aussies with shipping a few times (it is getting more painful though), happy to try assist if what you are after is in the US.
I’d recommend a musashi in the $150 range or a Hanwei if heading into the 300-400 range. I do have a Hanwei banshee and practical pro in the classifieds here for sale too, I’m sure I’ve got at least one entry musashi level katana new too, I can have a look, pm for details if you’re interested.
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 16, 2018 10:39:17 GMT
Vue cheers buddy total appreciate that @stromlo_swords_usa cheers man I will look into everything and yes I do like musashi skane yes I have been chatting to Anne very helpful and will ship I am look at a custom at hanbon forge, but I will also investigate huawei and I am aware of Hanwei quality Lawrance Ordinance have them which isnt far from me great swords but lack colour , I love colour
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Jul 16, 2018 12:44:45 GMT
My first katana was a Musashi Bamboo. I am happy with it and it’s still with me in good condition after perhaps over a decade. I have three Huaweis, none are katanas though, and I find the quality very good. I don't think that you will go wrong with either manufacturer.
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Jul 16, 2018 14:57:35 GMT
pgandy cheers brother i plan to collect a few even a wazi and maybe one day a nihonto , i may need to win lotto first
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Post by bobm on Aug 9, 2018 22:30:48 GMT
G’day, I went with Sinosword/JKoo and they ship to Australia for $46. They do custom swords for under $500AUD. Just thought I’d let you know. And Mr Yang is very friendly.
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katanakid
Member
Newbie looking to purchase 1st katana
Posts: 24
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Post by katanakid on Nov 7, 2018 22:31:45 GMT
bobm Awesome thanks for your advice
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Post by steves87 on Nov 14, 2018 14:28:51 GMT
Sorry I did not see this post earlier, I’m guessing you have already bought your first sword by now, but don’t forget globalgear in vic and warsword in qld... I’ve dealt with both and have had great experiences with them. Global gear will bend over backwards for you and rectify absolutely anything (often with a cherry on top), they also have regular discounts for members which have been up to 37% for everything!!! Often a hanwei/dragon king blade can be had for substantially less and with free shipping inside aus. i have also had experience with swords of the northshire, very good experience, very custom order was exactly as I was expecting and within time specified. also check gumtree every so often, I have bought many a quality first cutter off of gumtree before the ads were taken down. They supposedly breach policy, but I have been told by gumtree they can be left if declared as display/artwork. I should note that I’m in wa
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