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Post by coltj on Oct 16, 2018 1:13:58 GMT
Hello, Ive been reading a few weeks and wanted to voice my own question(s), hopefully not too repetitive or annoying. Short back ground: just always wanted a katana because I’ve always found them aesthetically appealing. Interested in a traditional looking katana with the intent to cut a few Tatami mats because I recently found out it’s a thing and am mostly just interested in the experience. Not interested in destruction or “backyard” cutting if that makes sense. I see a lot of new member posts asking for new katana advice followed by the question of purpose, hopefully above somewhat answers although it’s shall as I don’t know if i’d continue long run or just keep as decoration. Ive seen a few recommendations but have identified some sort of carbon bade preference 1060, 1095 to T10. Not necessarily interested in customization but was curious how options below compare from those with actual experiences and/or knowledge. Option 1: $219 but no bo-hi which would make swoosh sound (blood groove not needed for original purpose) www.sinosword.com/Tough-tameshigiri-katana.htmlOption 2: $229 with customization (customizations not a huge factor but only $10 difference) for giggles option (I don’t even watch walking dead) but came across it at $137 T10 etc... siwode Walking Dead Michonne's Katana Sword, T10 Clay_Tempered, 40-Inchs www.amazon.com/dp/B07257N211/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_eOtXBbAQ3GNHQAre there other legit (as much as possible within +/- $20) options. Noticed other plentiful custom options such as Swords of Northshire that don’t seem to get much recommendations on this forum, how do they compare to above assuming above are the select options for that price range(s). Sites like true swords and Kult of Athena come recommended but cause headaches any direct direction appreciated. Thanks for reading and for your time.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2018 2:38:30 GMT
Hi Coltj!
I'll let the people who know more about your price range talk to you about models to look at. I think it's awesome that you're concerned with using the sword and cutting and not so much with destructive testing - personally I see it as abuse but to each their own.
As far as customization goes, you'll have the easiest time switching out the tsuba or hand guard. You might have to do a little filing or shimming, but it's not a big deal at all. If you find neutral handle parts you can customize a theme to be more personalized easier. For some people it doesn't matter but being able to identify positively with your sword can make using it a more positive and fulfilling experience. It sounds fruity and the robots out there won't understand it but a certain amount of romance makes the world a more fun place to be in.
Hope you find something you like. Take your time, don't rush into doing anything you aren't 100% sure about, and if in doubt or uncomfortable set the thing down, regroup, and come back. All the best.
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Post by coltj on Oct 16, 2018 2:56:04 GMT
Hi Coltj! I'll let the people who know more about your price range talk to you about models to look at. I think it's awesome that you're concerned with using the sword and cutting and not so much with destructive testing - personally I see it as abuse but to each their own. As far as customization goes, you'll have the easiest time switching out the tsuba or hand guard. You might have to do a little filing or shimming, but it's not a big deal at all. If you find neutral handle parts you can customize a theme to be more personalized easier. For some people it doesn't matter but being able to identify positively with your sword can make using it a more positive and fulfilling experience. It sounds fruity and the robots out there won't understand it but a certain amount of romance makes the world a more fun place to be in. Hope you find something you like. Take your time, don't rush into doing anything you aren't 100% sure about, and if in doubt or uncomfortable set the thing down, regroup, and come back. All the best. Thanks for the kind words. I wholeheartedly agree with about making it your own. For sure I’d like to get more in depth and technical; however, for now I just want the best value to have a foundation to learn and be able to appreciate later. Def not destroying anything haha, I’m sure machetes would be better for that. As stated I appreciate that others have fun doing it but I just want a quality first experience for now.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Oct 16, 2018 3:11:55 GMT
Hey, Coltj.
Sinosword has been showing up quite a bit as a very good budget option, and the ability to customize is a plus. Their swords seem like they're pretty well built and should serve your purpose well.
I'd personally steer clear of the Michonne katana. It's inexpensive, but I don't recognize the company and it looks like a lot of the generic cheap offerings whose quality is hit and miss to say the least.
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Post by csills2313 on Oct 16, 2018 14:28:59 GMT
Hi coltj. I noticed that you were looking for an entry level katana purchase. No doubt there are a lot of them out there to choose from. I checked out the link from amazon and am familiar the vendor that sells the Walking Dead Sword. I have purchased two swords from Siwode via Amazon just to check out their wares and see how good they really were. For sub $200.00 swords they are not bad. I purchased a 1060 mono-steel and a T-10 DH carbon steel from them and thus far have not had any real problems with them except for the ito became a little loose on the 1060 model. I have had that happen to other swords that cost more. I simply lacquered the ito in place and no more problem.
They also cut very well.
If you look online you will notice there are quite a few reviews of of Siwode katanas. There are no doubt better katanas out there for the money however for a entry level sword you could do worse. It pays to shop around before buying. Check the SBG store reviews and store for katana prices. There are a lot of good offerings here and many are reasonably priced. I like Musashi katanas and their entry level swords are reasonably priced.
If you are looking at ebay vendors, proceed with caution. Many do not offer returns if you get a defective product from them.
Personally I like to shop from different sources and then compare the swords after I purchase them. I often find that there is not a lot of difference in the quality of inexpensive swords regardless of who makes the swords. That is because most are mass produced.
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 16, 2018 23:07:04 GMT
I'm pretty partial to any blade in T10. It has a few extra things going for it in terms of steel composition that give it an edge over 1095. The more durable DH blades I've used are all t10, and they take a nice, active hamon as well.
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Post by coltj on Oct 17, 2018 2:18:21 GMT
Hey, Coltj. Sinosword has been showing up quite a bit as a very good budget option, and the ability to customize is a plus. Their swords seem like they're pretty well built and should serve your purpose well. I'd personally steer clear of the Michonne katana. It's inexpensive, but I don't recognize the company and it looks like a lot of the generic cheap offerings whose quality is hit and miss to say the least. Thanks for the heads up. Although truthfully the walking dead replica was more of a jest but the specs seem to compare well. Hi coltj. I noticed that you were looking for an entry level katana purchase. No doubt there are a lot of them out there to choose from. I checked out the link from amazon and am familiar the vendor that sells the Walking Dead Sword. I have purchased two swords from Siwode via Amazon just to check out their wares and see how good they really were. For sub $200.00 swords they are not bad. I purchased a 1060 mono-steel and a T-10 DH carbon steel from them and thus far have not had any real problems with them except for the ito became a little loose on the 1060 model. I have had that happen to other swords that cost more. I simply lacquered the ito in place and no more problem.
They also cut very well.
If you look online you will notice there are quite a few reviews of of Siwode katanas. There are no doubt better katanas out there for the money however for a entry level sword you could do worse. It pays to shop around before buying. Check the SBG store reviews and store for katana prices. There are a lot of good offerings here and many are reasonably priced. I like Musashi katanas and their entry level swords are reasonably priced.
If you are looking at ebay vendors, proceed with caution. Many do not offer returns if you get a defective product from them.
Personally I like to shop from different sources and then compare the swords after I purchase them. I often find that there is not a lot of difference in the quality of inexpensive swords regardless of who makes the swords. That is because most are mass produced.
Thanks, glad to hear. I'm pretty partial to any blade in T10. It has a few extra things going for it in terms of steel composition that give it an edge over 1095. The more durable DH blades I've used are all t10, and they take a nice, active hamon as well. Thanks as well. So would it be safe to say most mass produced blades are somewhat comparable give or take and quality control? When comparing the same steel type, so T10 to T10 and 1095 to 1095 and so on? ___________________ To better pose the question, is it safe to say that what separates the entry level market is overall fit and finish and not so much the blades (give or take)? Is there an entry level vendor that has exceptional blades in that specific range even if one may have to tighten up or give some attention to the remainder of the katana? Hope those questions make sense. Would it also be safer to go with a 1060 priced close to a T10 in anticipation that it would be overall better at the same price? Assuming theres a major production cost difference for the different types of steel?
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Oct 17, 2018 2:55:25 GMT
To better pose the question, is it safe to say that what separates the entry level market is overall fit and finish and not so much the blades (give or take)? Is there an entry level vendor that has exceptional blades in that specific range even if one may have to tighten up or give some attention to the remainder of the katana? Hope those questions make sense. Would it also be safer to go with a 1060 priced close to a T10 in anticipation that it would be overall better at the same price? Assuming theres a major production cost difference for the different types of steel?
That's one of those questions that has one of those annoying "degrees of truth" answers. One forge may have better heat treatment practices and geometry than another that employs an equivalent or even superior steel, so steel type is not as much of a consideration as it generally gets turned into. For your stated purposes I would not sweat the steel so long as it's an acceptable one, of which both 1060 and T10 are. As for fit and finish, it can have an impact beyond just looking good or bad. A terrible tsuka fit, cruddy ito wrap, cheap zinc fittings or sub-par wood can all lead to failure.
Unfortunately, there is no one good answer. The best advice is to go with a vendor that has a decent reputation at the price point that you are shopping in.
Beyond the two that you linked there are a few that get good marks for their lower price point swords:
One is Musashi, which has multiple models that can be bought from Swordnarmory and Kult of Athena. Their 1060, T10 and folded models are all in your wheel house and should perform adequately.
Another is Ryujin. They have several models available at Swordnarmory and the SBG Sword Store.
Munetoshi has their "Jubei" blade, which is extremely affordable. I got one and was very surprised at the quality for the price they ask. You can find that one at Swordnarmory.
Lastly is the Hanwei Practical katana, which is best bought at Kult of Athena. This is a benchmark sword and has gotten good marks for years.
There are of course other vendors for most of these, but the ones I listed all have proven positive reputations. Hope this helps.
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Post by coltj on Oct 17, 2018 3:06:25 GMT
That's one of those questions that has one of those annoying "degrees of truth" answers. One forge may have better heat treatment practices and geometry than another that employs an equivalent or even superior steel, so steel type is not as much of a consideration as it generally gets turned into. For your stated purposes I would not sweat the steel so long as it's an acceptable one, of which both 1060 and T10 are. As for fit and finish, it can have an impact beyond just looking good or bad. A terrible tsuka fit, cruddy ito wrap, cheap zinc fittings or sub-par wood can all lead to failure.
Unfortunately, there is no one good answer. The best advice is to go with a vendor that has a decent reputation at the price point that you are shopping in.
Beyond the two that you linked there are a few that get good marks for their lower price point swords:
One is Musashi, which has multiple models that can be bought from Swordnarmory and Kult of Athena. Their 1060, T10 and folded models are all in your wheel house and should perform adequately.
Another is Ryujin. They have several models available at Swordnarmory and the SBG Sword Store.
Munetoshi has their "Jubei" blade, which is extremely affordable. I got one and was very surprised at the quality for the price they ask. You can find that one at Swordnarmory.
Lastly is the Hanwei Practical katana, which is best bought at Kult of Athena. This is a benchmark sword and has gotten good marks for years.
There are of course other vendors for most of these, but the ones I listed all have proven positive reputations. Hope this helps.
I'd say that answers it perfectly, just the type of answer I think I was looking for. Realistic and honest without being complicated. Understood on the other parts of the katana, was just curious if anyone one vendor/brand separated itself in one aspect but failed in another. Allowing one to piece well priced components together if it even works that way with katana's. Thanks.
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 21, 2018 22:52:00 GMT
I second what Adrian said, there really are several different details which make it fairly complicated to provide a simple answer. The saturation in available choices for katana also makes it more difficult to find a good option.
Steel type is not necessarily as important as the skill of the bladesmith who works with it and how they design the sword. Of great importantance is how the blade is shaped and finished (polished and sharpened). Some folks bemoan katana as clunky because the ones they've swung are too thickly built whereas others cite katana as a particularly agile sword as they've handled lively ones. Some swords are hardened and sharpened to the point where the edge is more chip prone than a sword that possesses a more robust edge geometry and a lesser hardness. Some swords are polished beautifully, others are utilitarian and some are plain unimpressive.
It really becomes more a matter of what you want out of the sword. If you want it to be overbuilt to withstand abuse, it'll feel like a completely different weapon than if it is designed as an agile dueling and defense weapon. It's best to consider how you want the sword to feel in the hand and what you want to cut with it and then work from there. Then consider how you want it to look and to what extent you want it to be polished and consider that second.
Then you're off to considering the aesthetic theme of the fittings and such, but it's really important to consider the shape of the handle and the quality of the grip wrap. Even if someone offers a blade in a desirable steel (say t10) for an significantly lower price point, it likely not only has an inferior polish (which may be plain ugly) and a poorly shaped blade, but the tsuka assembly may just be plain awful and the handle wrap may just implode (figuratively speaking). Generally, I suggest looking at $300 or so as being the minimum to spend on a katana if you want it to hold up to use and be a fun instrument to train with. Every source of production swords have their quirks, it's best to research each and decide which pro's and con's matter the most to you and pick a sword from there.
Hope that was of some help. If you're interested in feedback on specific models and manufacturers, always feel free to ask for opinions. Folk around here are always enthusiastic to chime in with great input.
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Post by coltj on Oct 22, 2018 4:11:10 GMT
I second what Adrian said, there really are several different details which make it fairly complicated to provide a simple answer. The saturation in available choices for katana also makes it more difficult to find a good option. Steel type is not necessarily as important as the skill of the bladesmith who works with it and how they design the sword. Of great importantance is how the blade is shaped and finished (polished and sharpened). Some folks bemoan katana as clunky because the ones they've swung are too thickly built whereas others cite katana as a particularly agile sword as they've handled lively ones. Some swords are hardened and sharpened to the point where the edge is more chip prone than a sword that possesses a more robust edge geometry and a lesser hardness. Some swords are polished beautifully, others are utilitarian and some are plain unimpressive. It really becomes more a matter of what you want out of the sword. If you want it to be overbuilt to withstand abuse, it'll feel like a completely different weapon than if it is designed as an agile dueling and defense weapon. It's best to consider how you want the sword to feel in the hand and what you want to cut with it and then work from there. Then consider how you want it to look and to what extent you want it to be polished and consider that second. Then you're off to considering the aesthetic theme of the fittings and such, but it's really important to consider the shape of the handle and the quality of the grip wrap. Even if someone offers a blade in a desirable steel (say t10) for an significantly lower price point, it likely not only has an inferior polish (which may be plain ugly) and a poorly shaped blade, but the tsuka assembly may just be plain awful and the handle wrap may just implode (figuratively speaking). Generally, I suggest looking at $300 or so as being the minimum to spend on a katana if you want it to hold up to use and be a fun instrument to train with. Every source of production swords have their quirks, it's best to research each and decide which pro's and con's matter the most to you and pick a sword from there. Hope that was of some help. If you're interested in feedback on specific models and manufacturers, always feel free to ask for opinions. Folk around here are always enthusiastic to chime in with great input. Excellent post. I think im at the point where I can’t answer some of those questions as I have no experience with a katana. At at this point I’m just going to have to purchase one and go from there, then another to even hope to be able to start understanding what it is that feels like home. Im sure I’ve found the same brands that are often brought up. Sbg store Jkoo Swords of Northshire True Swords Cult of Athena and so on Thanks again for all the replies and information from all.
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 27, 2018 21:05:30 GMT
I'm a big fan of the approach of 'buy one or two katana at a lower price, discern what you like and don't like, and then buy something more expensive to taste'. I started off interested in the more robust swords (thick shinogi-zukuri blades), immediately fell in love with more agile blades once I tried them (like a kanmuri-otoshi or finely tapered shobu) and have since become a big fan of whatever feels great in a single hand. Trying a variety is really the best way to learn and gain an appreciation for all the different ways a katana can feel in the hand.
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Post by coltj on Nov 11, 2018 13:34:34 GMT
I'm a big fan of the approach of 'buy one or two katana at a lower price, discern what you like and don't like, and then buy something more expensive to taste'. I started off interested in the more robust swords (thick shinogi-zukuri blades), immediately fell in love with more agile blades once I tried them (like a kanmuri-otoshi or finely tapered shobu) and have since become a big fan of whatever feels great in a single hand. Trying a variety is really the best way to learn and gain an appreciation for all the different ways a katana can feel in the hand. I just received my second. Haha. First purchase was a Ryujin from the SBG store. Second was from swords of Northshire. Both 1060 blades. I'll try to get pictures and reviews comparison up.
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Post by csills2313 on Nov 11, 2018 14:18:55 GMT
I really look forward to seeing the pictures and reviews of your new swords. They will make for good discussion
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Post by coltj on Nov 12, 2018 19:31:16 GMT
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Post by lostarrow on Mar 5, 2019 15:10:53 GMT
Hi Coltj! I'll let the people who know more about your price range talk to you about models to look at. I think it's awesome that you're concerned with using the sword and cutting and not so much with destructive testing - personally I see it as abuse but to each their own. As far as customization goes, you'll have the easiest time switching out the tsuba or hand guard. You might have to do a little filing or shimming, but it's not a big deal at all. If you find neutral handle parts you can customize a theme to be more personalized easier. For some people it doesn't matter but being able to identify positively with your sword can make using it a more positive and fulfilling experience. It sounds fruity and the robots out there won't understand it but a certain amount of romance makes the world a more fun place to be in. Hope you find something you like. Take your time, don't rush into doing anything you aren't 100% sure about, and if in doubt or uncomfortable set the thing down, regroup, and come back. All the best. Thanks for the kind words. I wholeheartedly agree with about making it your own. For sure I’d like to get more in depth and technical; however, for now I just want the best value to have a foundation to learn and be able to appreciate later. Def not destroying anything haha, I’m sure machetes would be better for that. As stated I appreciate that others have fun doing it but I just want a quality first experience for now. "A certain amount of romance makes the world a more fun place to be in" very well said. I agree completely , its kind of like when you were a kid and everything was more magical, before you find out what life is like
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Post by lostarrow on Mar 5, 2019 15:17:58 GMT
One thing you should consider that i didn't was shipping. Any sword coming from china is going to take anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months to get here. Could be much longer with custom options.
The 2 swords ive ordered from the SBG Store came in about 5 days or less. And my ronin dojo i had 2 days after i ordered it.
My hanbon took about a month and my huawei was the fastest thing i ever got out of China, it was here in 10 or 12 days.
Just something to consider. I dont mind waiting but i think maybe waiting 2 months for my first sword would of been torture.
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