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Post by croxton on Dec 15, 2018 2:45:23 GMT
So before I say anything else I want to explain what I need help with. So I live on a yacht and me, my wife, my best friend and his wife. And the area of the world we are sailing has many pirate attacks and last month we where robbed pretty harshly and my best friend was shot in the arm. Our only deffence (because many ports will not allow you to dock with guns) was my old T10 steel katana I got back in high school (that finally snapped in that raid). I have been a swordsman for most of my life but now I need a functional sword that can stand up to the salt water corrosion, as well as can take a beating and stay sharp enough I can defend myself if need be. But I take great pride in my swords as well so I still want to be able to have a hamon on the blade. I was thinking about getting a custom one, but never being that into steel types and such I need your suggestions on what steel would be good for my situation. It's my first time here so I hope I can get some lovely info from you all, anything would be nice!
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Post by Jordan Williams on Dec 15, 2018 3:30:42 GMT
I mean if I was in a fantastic environment of using a sword to defend myself from pirates I would choose a cutlass and keep it wrapped in oil cloth. Not a katana with a lot of parts that cab expand and retract with differing climates and temperatures.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Dec 15, 2018 6:59:03 GMT
Welcome to the forum croxton. Any kind of coating on the blade can help with corrosion but will also probably hide the hamon. Laquer? A completely laquered kat?? I'd hang a nice laquered kat on the wall and a Cold Steel Cutlass Machete or Tactical Katana Machete under it. If it has to be a kat I'd take my Hanwei Tactical Katana (and Waki) well greased, but they have no hamon.
I assume every detail that makes a katana a beautifull sword makes it also a bad weapon on sea. Perhaps there are some expensive super steels that withstand corrosion better but I don't know if they can show a hamon.
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Post by howler on Dec 15, 2018 8:28:30 GMT
CS Cutlass machete was made for your requirements. If you want something smaller, a large bowie would do nicely.
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Post by zabazagobo on Dec 15, 2018 10:10:24 GMT
Well now, that's quite the situation you have there. And kudos to you for choosing to focus on pragmatism. To be honest, I myself would feel rather comfortable taking my chances in similar situations with a t10 katana from Huawei. They do most things perfectly, with little to no fuss, so I would opt for one of their swords if you want an effective 'tidy business' sort of blade with a nicely done handle. I usually root for CAS Iberia products (they're beautiful and great for martial arts)...but given a life or death scenario, I have greater peace of mind grabbing a Huawei, for what it's worth.
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Post by Verity on Dec 15, 2018 16:22:43 GMT
As many know, quality of the smith and forge work is far more important than the steel.
If you are dead set on a differentially hardened blade, maybe an L6/Bainite? Durability I hear on these is incredibly high. I've never used one myself however.
But if you truly are entrusting your life to this blade, it seems like you may want to step well beyond the normal lower tier forges.
This may be a good case for a Howard Clark if you are dead set on a katana that is differentially hardened.
Or something in that class.
I'd be less concerned with budget when my life is on the line.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 15, 2018 17:49:10 GMT
Welcome to the forum Croxton. I must say that you have a problem. My first choice would be a firearm such as a SKS or AK, but like you I am prevented from firearms. I understand your affection for katanas. I have 2 and an iaido and have long considered katanas the most beautiful of swords. Although recently I obtained my first 2 sabres and must confess looking at them hanging in the wall rack with their sweeping long graceful lines may give my katanas a run for their place aesthetically. But would not choose either in your circumstances as the humidity and salt air would destroy them. My first choice would be a cutlass. My cutlass is by Weapon Edge and I love it, but for the reasons above would not recommend it. Instead I’d choose the Cold Steel Cutlass Machete. They are inexpensive, and the finish is about prefect for your conditions. I live in the tropics where rust is a constant problem. I have several of CS’s machetes and a tomahawk and have never had a rust problem with them. I wish I could say the same with my more expensive swords. You can further reduce rust possibilities by keeping them wrapped in an oily rag and/or waxed. I use a paste car wax. A more expensive method is to coat them with LPS-3. The manufacturer states a 2 year rust free period. I’ve never had rust with LPS-3 but use it sparingly due to difficulty for me to obtain it. Whatever you decide good luck.
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Post by zabazagobo on Dec 15, 2018 18:22:42 GMT
The others raised good points. I sort of assumed a less expensive option would suffice, and not to discount Huawei, but it might be worth it to look at more expensive custom piece made of tool steel (L6, S7, etc.) for added peace of mind for reliability. Of course, I honesty think that something like a t10 blade in shobu zukuri or kanmuri-otoshi would be perfectly reliable and lively for this sort of scenario (if it can slice cleanly through iron, piping and drywall without chipping or rolling the edge, it can handle combat), so I wouldn't discount getting a t10 blade and remounting it with an extra sturdy tsuka. Not sure on corrosion prevention; I'll leave that one to the experts.
Or you could always nab a pair of longswords and cosplay Geralt of Rivia. Pirates wouldn't want any of that guy.
More seriously, you might also consider other projectile weapons, like crossbows. I'm not sure what legal restrictions on such are like in your waters, but a crossbow would be a great option for handling those scurvy dogs.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Dec 15, 2018 18:37:36 GMT
CPM3V steel should have a better corrosion resistance but it seems hard to get a hamon with it. Perhaps Lancelot Chan knows more?
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Post by vermithrax on Dec 16, 2018 1:47:41 GMT
A radar alarm system and either a home rigged flamethrower or molotov cocktails to throw at boats may be a better idea? better to not be boarded at all IMO.
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Post by croxton on Dec 16, 2018 2:32:28 GMT
Hey thanks for being so kind and understanding, and the reason I don't get a cutlas is they are single ended and when I trained in my younger days I used both hands and am extremely comfortable and good at my 2 handed katana. And for me I am dead set on katana because my whole family has used them so I want to keep it going. I have narrowed my steels to folded T10 and because through a small amount of research and your suggestions I feel that's the best. Also what do you think would be the best hamon type. Right now sense I started my customization paper I think Hitatsura hamon would be the best. Also I watched a couple blacksmith videos and I think a jacket of either L6 or T10 with a spine of 5160 spring steel could be amazing if I can get it custom to that level. Also kanmuri-otoshi style of a katana I think would be good. Let me know your futher thoughts. Thanks all the feedback!
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Dec 16, 2018 2:36:44 GMT
CPM3V is the worst to polish, most people end up with just a satin finish
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Post by elbrittania39 on Dec 16, 2018 4:22:37 GMT
tbh, now a days i wouldnt trust your life to a sword ever. Theres a good chance your assailants could have guns, and if their intention is to rob you, whipping out a sword pretty much just guarantees they'll opt for murder too. The best thing you could do is avoid conflict in the first place, and just not sail to places where pirate attacks are even a possibility. If you think thats not an option, and conflict is inevitable, get a gun. Hide it in those ports if you have to, but there is no way you should be choosing to carry a sword into a modern day gun fight. Its suicidal.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Dec 16, 2018 8:21:11 GMT
I believe that while going for folded and laminated is prettier and nicer, both of these options augment the probabilities of flaws in the construction of your blade. There is no need to go folded and/or laminated in this day and age to have a good sword. In fact, going for a stolid, mono spring steel (5150 or 9260) is your best bet, but you want a pretty hamon...
You state that your life may depend of the quality and reliability of your blade, so in the end what do you want, a pretty sword or a sturdy, reliable sword?
I suggest you get both: A pretty folded, laminated sword that you can look at so you can sleep at night, then also buy a utilitarian, mono tempered spring steel blade to fight off bad pirates.
That being said, you really make a choice of living such a lifestyle in a place where you get shot at and boarded by hostile people?
You live on a boat, move somewhere else dude.
o7
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Post by Lancelot Chan on Dec 16, 2018 8:28:49 GMT
3V won't have a hamon for sure, but you won't need it with 3V anyway. :D 3V can goes to 61 HRC tempered already, which is as hard as sword with hamon can go, while retaining the very strong impact resistance.
In your case though, a gun will be better. I know you said you can't have one. The pirates are almost certain to be armed with guns though, since they've to halt your ship before boarding if not "night raiding" a stationary ship, thus they must have ranged weapon for sure.
Good luck!
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Post by csills2313 on Dec 16, 2018 12:13:22 GMT
tbh, now a days i wouldnt trust your life to a sword ever. Theres a good chance your assailants could have guns, and if their intention is to rob you, whipping out a sword pretty much just guarantees they'll opt for murder too. The best thing you could do is avoid conflict in the first place, and just not sail to places where pirate attacks are even a possibility. If you think thats not an option, and conflict is inevitable, get a gun. Hide it in those ports if you have to, but there is no way you should be choosing to carry a sword into a modern day gun fight. Its suicidal. I agree. For me the best defensive weapon is a 12 or 10 gauge shotgun. You can shorten the barrel to the legal limit and it becomes the best close quarters weapon available. Using a sword for self defense would be a last resort for me.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 16, 2018 15:32:12 GMT
I understand your like for a two handed katana and its beauty. My first sword was a katana largely for that reason. It was an easy transition from stick fighting and felt natural. You appear amongst other things to be thinking on a single track. A CS Cutlass Machete, and don’t let the name machete or price fool you, can be had for 20 some USD if you catch one at the right time and about 30 otherwise + shipping of course. Buy your pretty katana and this workhorse both. Food for thought, while a katana is great in both hands, what if you only have one arm due to injury or whatever? With a little familiarization that one handed machete can be swung like second nature, executing guards and cuts. Another suggestion to consider and that is a ko-katana. I am sure that I have more room in my house than you on your boat and would choose a shorter blade than on my 28” katanas if I had the choice. I can stand stationary and would have no problem cutting around and in my house with a katana, but for your purposes, combat, your foot work could take you all over the place.
Csills2313 with all due respect you speak like an American. When the government says “no firearms” they mean no firearms. It makes no difference type, size, calibre. And the last place you would want to be is in a Latin prison. Assuming Croxton is or will be travelling in that area. Mexico is extremely intolerant of people bringing firearms in. Prisons in Central America are hell holes and I understand those in Mexico are no better.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Dec 16, 2018 16:18:21 GMT
A boarding pike or spear as earlier suggested would-be greatly useful. If you really want a katana, why not modernize it? Or have one for display and one for defense, ie one with a pretty hamon and one with a spring temper, some kind of weather resistant handle, and no wooden parts?
Edit: Gandy is also very correct and I respect his opinion on this subject.
There is a reason short single handed swords were used on board ships. Get a rack of CS cutlass machetes, I guarantee they'll outfight a katana. If you have only one arm due to injury a sword balanced for two handed use won't be as much use.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Dec 16, 2018 16:41:24 GMT
I agree the only thing better than a machete is a rack of machetes. Hehehe
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Dec 16, 2018 16:54:48 GMT
I'm pondering if it's possible to mount a slingshot on a cutlass machete...
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