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Post by quesderho on Mar 13, 2019 15:40:32 GMT
Hi all, I am 177-178 cm tall, what is the minimum length katana for me? Extra $80 for to get 75cm blade, from original 72cm, worth it? Full story: Yesterday eBay had a 15% discount. I ordered a $178 katana from 201liche, aka Hero Swords www.ebay.com/itm/Clay-Tempered-Folded-Steel-Japanese-Samurai-Sword-Real-Combat-Katana-Super-SharpThey said it could be customized Then I read the description again and found the blade is only 70cm If includes Habakkuk, it is 72 cm If I want to make custom order, then I need to make another order, and pay $258 That is $80 more, if consider the discount $23 I got, it is $103 more I feel that’s too much. I have no experience on katana. I am a Kungfu practitioner, my jian sword has 75cm blade, my broadsword is 74cm I read some articles on SBG and basically the conclusion is that my height , 177 cm should get a blade length of 75cm. I don’t even know that includes Habakkuk or not. If so, then the original 70cm is way too short. Thanks for every opinion
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Post by zabazagobo on Mar 14, 2019 6:10:56 GMT
We're the same height, less an inch. I find a blade length as described perfectly suitable for anything I do. Blade length recommendations are very context specific statistics and should not be taken at face value. Depending on the style of swordsmanship practiced and the related techniques, blade length is much more importantly considered based on your arm span rather than as a ratio in contrast to your total height. Generally, it is most often considered in association with iai and the ease with which one can draw a blade from the saya. Folk our height historically have no problem using swords that are appreciably longer than the guidelines suggested by modern interpretations/styles.
I typically prefer katana around the 28.5 in length as a maximum as I like swords that are fun to use single handedly. I generally gravitate towards longswords that are roughly 35 in. in length for two handed weapons. I would not fuss about an extra inch, that's a genuinely insignificant difference in length.
$80 for adding 3 cm (1.2 in.) for a sword with a base price of $258 is a hilarious prospect. I would never pay that, and I would argue in no circumstance is that even significant in a functional context. I mean, truly, 80/258 is 31% of price for (3 cm/73 cm) 4.2% of blade length...that's just unreasonable I think as an addendum to yet another order. Try out what you've already purchased and see how you like it before you order a second. Playing around with a sword gives you a basis for understanding likes and dislikes better than any internet guide can.
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Post by quesderho on Mar 15, 2019 8:14:53 GMT
Just now I used a ruler and black tape to simulate a katana , 70 cm blade and 2.5 cm habaki
I held below the habaki and let my arm went down The tip of the ruler touched the ground. Apparently I have long arm or, short legs.
So, does that mean the 70 cm blade is already long enough for me?
Thanks
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Post by quesderho on Mar 15, 2019 9:19:00 GMT
Just now I used a ruler and black tape to simulate a katana , 70 cm blade and 2.5 cm habaki
I held below the habaki and let my arm went down The tip of the ruler touched the ground. Apparently I have long arm or, short legs.
So, does that mean the 70 cm blade is already long enough for me?
Thanks
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Mar 15, 2019 13:29:31 GMT
I don’t see where this is going. Why obtain a sword that you feel is not the proper length or that you feel uncomfortable with because someone says that is what you should be using? They won’t be swinging it, you will. Buy what you feel comfortable with and then when you learn what you are doing adjust on the next one if necessary. Zabazagobo is about your size and is satisfied with a 28.5” blade, I am your size and my three blades are 28.5” w/habaki and I feel no need to change. If you have some burning desire or need for a longer blade with no knowledge of a katana by all means spend the extra $80.
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Post by Silent on Mar 15, 2019 17:48:47 GMT
Go with the 72cm one, its ok.
But I have to say, for the price probably not the best choice.Interesting to see some photos of it when you get it =)
Cya
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Mar 15, 2019 21:58:20 GMT
I am 177-178 cm tall, what is the minimum length katana for me? There's no minimum length (well, if it's under 60cm, it's a wakizashi rather than a katana, so you could say that 60cm is the minimum length). I read some articles on SBG and basically the conclusion is that my height , 177 cm should get a blade length of 75cm. I don’t even know that includes [the habaki] or not. If so, then the original 70cm is way too short. Those recommendations are for iaido (sword drawing) with the intent that the practitioner learns with the longest sword they should be able to draw with good technique. They will find things easier with a shorter sword, but if one day they are wearing a longer sword and there is trouble that leads to drawing the sword, they might be too slow, and die as a result. This is unlikely to happen today, but the idea of the student learning with the longest possible sword continues in some schools of iaido. Basically, these lengths aren't minimums; they're maximums. If you want to challenge yourself fully when learning iaido, use a sword of that maximum length. If your goal is to be comfortable with your sword, shorter is fine. If you're not going to be practicing iaido, longer is fine too.
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Post by quesderho on Mar 16, 2019 6:59:06 GMT
Thank you everybody, I asked the seller to ship the 70+2 cm katana, I.e. the original size last night. Will share pictures to you guys when I receive it. It looks really good on eBay pictures though
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Mar 16, 2019 7:12:31 GMT
Good idea! I'm 194 cm and nearly every swords is a few cm too short for me, never had a problem with it!
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Post by quesderho on Apr 2, 2019 5:58:38 GMT
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Post by pvsampson on Apr 4, 2019 1:49:35 GMT
That looks pretty decent. Are you happy with it?
Also,what is the brand of Jian you have?
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Post by quesderho on Apr 4, 2019 3:36:19 GMT
Yes up to this point I am happy with it, just don’t know whether it has the claimed HRC 60
The sword is the famous Cold Steel Jade Lion Sword. I am not very happy with it, simply because it doesn’t have peg at the handle, and it will become loose if you strike wood or anything else too harshly.
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