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Post by snowbite on Jan 27, 2019 17:24:01 GMT
Hi all, my first post here after lurking for a couple weeks. Thank you for helping out us new guys. After reading and learning (and changing my mind every 24 hours), I hope you can help me find my first real katana. Size (most important): I come from a proud line of giant hobbits, so I need to keep the blade length as close to 27” as possible, and a handle around 10.” Budget: under $300 Style: I’m looking for light, fast & good-looking. Traditional, no chintz, and looking for that je ne sais quoi. Tough to do without handling the sword in person, Amen? Steel: I don't have enough experience to be picky, really. Fittings: pegged & removable tsuka, no plastic. I’m not afraid of tinkering to fix minor fitting problems (short of re-wrapping the tsuka). This would be for kata and infrequent light cutting. I have zero experience in cutting, but I have a rudimentary background in Kendo/Iaido. Where I’m at so far in the hunt: I was just about to pull the trigger on a Hanwei PK Classic because it was the only one of the PK series with a 27” blade. Then I found out the tsuka is glued to the nakago? Unacceptable. kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=PC1070I keep coming back to the Musashi Bamboo that was so highly regarded here at SBG, and “ticks” a lot of my boxes. Decent steel, 27.5” blade, real ray skin, real hamon, brass fittings. However, the price has climbed to $124 ($146 delivered). Is this still a good value? www.trueswords.com/Bamboo-Warrior-Musashi-Carbon-Steel-Katana-Sword-30284I heard the Munetoshi Lion Dog mentioned as a decent choice. Perfect length for me, great price, but like most of the good swords at SnA, it’s out of stock. www.swordnarmory.com/munetoshi-liondog-1060-dh-handmade-differentially-hardened-samurai-katana-sword-red-saya/For the “budget custom” category, I visited Sinosword and filled out a custom quote for just a hair under $300 delivered. Got a quote within 3 hours, but I don’t want to wait a month or more to get it! So, I put together a Ryujin T10 at the SBG store. Got all excited to press the checkout button, then I read a shaky review here on the forums. Bad QC combined with bad CS? Now I’m shy on it. sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product571.html#571Any other contenders that I’m missing?
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Post by snowbite on Jan 27, 2019 19:59:24 GMT
Thanks, I don't know how I missed this one when I was comparing the PKs. I do indeed like the blade length. About the handle, would you consider it thicker than normal? What do you think of the imitation leather (suede)? Are the menuki plastic like on the PK classic? Is the kashira glued on? Thanks for your input! The entire PK series seems to be more for dedicated cutters. With my budget, I've given up trying to find a sword with equal form and function, so now I'm leaning more towards lightness and form.
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Post by MatthewGMK on Jan 27, 2019 20:56:30 GMT
Give Ronin Katana a look over, too.
I recently picked up a Dojo Pro model for $ 295 + shipping. I like its crisp lines and simplicity.
I also have a pair of Ryujin T-10's.
I'm no expert but it seems they're both trying to supply reasonable quality for the price point and not making boasts they don't try to back up.
In the short run, however, remember you appear to be looking for a budget blade. I believe such are " production level " and may not benefit from very careful quality control ...
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Post by zabazagobo on Jan 27, 2019 23:21:55 GMT
Hanwei's a good choice for that budget. Here's an article from CAS Iberia detailing the different types of blade geometries, as seen in the practical series: casiberia.com/resource/performance-series-katana-information/305Here's an article from CAS Iberia detailing the Raptor series: casiberia.com/resource/raptor-series-katana-details/304Tbh, the practical series is not my favorite. Boxy tsuka, expoxied together, etc., etc. A much better choice is the Practical Plus Elite. It has a differentially hardened 1060 blade, cotton ito, genuine samegawa and it can be disassembled. It typically sells for around $350, but it's worth saving the extra cash for it over the cheaper practical options. It's honestly an often overlooked sword that's a fantastic entry level blade. I wish I had bought one when I started. Link to a review of the practical plus elite on the SBG main site: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/practical-plus-elite.htmlLink to the sword on SwordsoftheEast: www.swordsoftheeast.com/paulchenhanweipracticalplusperformanceseriesjapanesekatanasword.aspxNow, around $300, there's some other appealing options by Hanwei. As with the practical plus elite, you go about $50 over your quoted budget, but you get a MUCH nicer sword. So it's worth it, I think. The Takeda Shingen katana looks pretty stylish, as does the Date Masamune. Both have blade lengths around 27 in., have stylish designs and look to have great specs all around. I'd say either of these would be a better buy, as if you study the pictures closely you can tell that the tsuka is much thinner and has a much more refined shape than what is seen on the practical series. No-brainer, in my opinion. Keep in mind there's discount codes floating around for Swords of the East, so you can save some money on these swords. Aside from Hanwei, I'm a big fan of Huawei. Their blades typically hit right around 28 in. sometimes half an inch higher or lower from sword to sword, but they make excellent stuff. A t10 blade from them in shobu zukuri is a pretty darn lightweight and responsive sword that will work wonders. Clocks in at under $300 as well. Link to their shobu for sale: www.ebay.com/itm/Functional-Shobu-Zukuri-Hishi-Gami-Iron-Mokko-Tsuba-Shinken-Japanese-Sword/272885430831?hash=item3f893d3a2f:g:FAUAAOSwv95Z3~~WLink to their ebay store for other options: www.ebay.com/str/huaweiswordsTL;DR: Skip the vanilla practical series, the practical plus elite is better. The Takeda Shingen or Date Masamune look even better. Huawei's always a great choice as well, their shobu zukuri and unokubi zukuri are excellent. Munetoshi's fine, but Hanwei makes a more impressive sword i.m.o. Maybe look over Musashi, but definitely skip Ryujin. Since you want to use the sword for kata, invest in something that will stand the test of time. Don't go cheap, otherwise you'll end spending more in the long haul (like me, speaking from experience lol)
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 27, 2019 23:45:12 GMT
Hey, fellow short guy here. I've gone several different types/brands of katana trying to find one I like and there are a couple of standouts for me. To be clear I like fast, light handling swords with a short-ish to average length blade.
1st place goes to the Hanwei Practical Plus. Got this as an add in on a sword I bought from a friend and was blown away. I'd always meant to grab a Practical line katana since they are kind of the benchmark that most production katana are measured against, and I felt like a dolt for not doing it sooner. Yeah, the tsuka is larger than other's, but it's not too bad and doesn't feel bulky or awkward like the Raptor handle, even with my small man hands.
2nd place goes to the Hauwei Unokubi-zukuri. Again, very light and fast sword. Amazing looking blade, just gorgeous. Overall a great package. The only real reason I have it in second is that the blade is slighter than the Hanwei's, but the Hanwei is shinogi-zukuri so that is kind of to be expected. The base offered saya on the Huawei is also less than amazing, but you can ask for an alternate saya and fix that right up, hahaha.
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Post by snowbite on Jan 28, 2019 2:45:42 GMT
LOL, you guys are giving me the "creeps"...budget creep, spec creep, tradition creep.
Still doing my homework but the Practical Plus Elite at SotE is looking really good!
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 28, 2019 4:12:24 GMT
If you go with Swords of the East I'd recommend emailing them first to make sure the sword is in stock prior to ordering. Another great vendor to get one from is Kult of Athena.
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Post by snowbite on Jan 28, 2019 4:19:10 GMT
Yeah, I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning. After a coupon code, SotE was nearly $80 cheaper than KoA! Trying not to get my hopes too high.
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Post by zabazagobo on Jan 28, 2019 8:07:33 GMT
I really like SotE. I recently got a Hanwei Orchid and...it was...FLAWLESS, a first for any production sword I've ever owned. A true unicorn of a sword, and I was giddy with joy, let alone for the price I paid. That alone makes me encourage you to try your luck with them. As well, the 30th anniversary Hanwei Musashi I nabbed from them years ago has also stood the test of time as a very excellent daily practice blade, objectively moreso than my Hanwei Bushido, as much of a fanboy of that sword as I am.
Glad you're intrigued by the practical plus elite. I legitimately receive vicarious joy when someone tries that sword out. It's one of those "if only I knew better back then..." sort of swords for me lol
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Post by zabazagobo on Jan 28, 2019 8:10:29 GMT
Hey, fellow short guy here. I've gone several different types/brands of katana trying to find one I like and there are a couple of standouts for me. To be clear I like fast, light handling swords with a short-ish to average length blade. 1st place goes to the Hanwei Practical Plus. Got this as an add in on a sword I bought from a friend and was blown away. I'd always meant to grab a Practical line katana since they are kind of the benchmark that most production katana are measured against, and I felt like a dolt for not doing it sooner. Yeah, the tsuka is larger than other's, but it's not too bad and doesn't feel bulky or awkward like the Raptor handle, even with my small man hands. 2nd place goes to the Hauwei Unokubi-zukuri. Again, very light and fast sword. Amazing looking blade, just gorgeous. Overall a great package. The only real reason I have it in second is that the blade is slighter than the Hanwei's, but the Hanwei is shinogi-zukuri so that is kind of to be expected. T he base offered saya on the Huawei is also less than amazing, but you can ask for an alternate saya and fix that right up, hahaha.
Too true. The cheaper saya they offer is...well, cheap lol. I think it might just be balsa wood or something. Probably something Uma Thurman would just slice through when she's grumpy and feels like trolling Lucy Liu. Totally worth spending the extra money for a better saya.
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Post by snowbite on Jan 28, 2019 17:37:20 GMT
Called SOTE this morning to ask about inventory, left a message and sent web form request for info. Now I wait.
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Post by snowbite on Jan 28, 2019 19:15:06 GMT
Tbh, the practical series is not my favorite. Boxy tsuka, expoxied together, etc., etc. A much better choice is the Practical Plus Elite. It has a differentially hardened 1060 blade, cotton ito, genuine samegawa and it can be disassembled. It typically sells for around $350, but it's worth saving the extra cash for it over the cheaper practical options. It's honestly an often overlooked sword that's a fantastic entry level blade. I wish I had bought one when I started. Link to a review of the practical plus elite on the SBG main site: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/practical-plus-elite.htmlLink to the sword on SwordsoftheEast: www.swordsoftheeast.com/paulchenhanweipracticalplusperformanceseriesjapanesekatanasword.aspxThis is the sword I chose. James at SOTE returned my call just a couple hours after I left a message and said it was in stock. Nice guy. With a coupon code from a SBG friend here, it came in at $288 delivered. Thanks for your input everyone! zabazagobo The Levin Lance MatthewGMK Adrian Jordan It's folks like you who make a difference for a new guy starting a hobby!
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Post by zabazagobo on Jan 28, 2019 21:00:26 GMT
Glad to be of help. Should be a fun sword, hope you enjoy it.
Also thanks for sharing the Patrick pic, that's a new favorite
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 28, 2019 22:58:10 GMT
Awesome to hear. Hope you really enjoy it.
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Jan 29, 2019 1:25:10 GMT
Not to be snarky, but it feels like all katana are for short guys lol.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 29, 2019 4:31:39 GMT
Not a lot of six and a half foot tall Japanese historically, no, hahaha.
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Post by snowbite on Jan 29, 2019 5:06:38 GMT
Asked for a short sword, and here's the advice I get
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 29, 2019 5:19:23 GMT
Totally need to be able to hit him from across the parking lot.
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Post by snowbite on Jan 29, 2019 22:14:04 GMT
That giddy new-sword-on-the-way feeling ...
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jan 30, 2019 0:15:40 GMT
It's a great feeling.
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