Post by bradc on Apr 18, 2019 23:32:36 GMT
Hi everyone,
I have been lurking on the forum for a while and was hoping to join in with a first post on the topic of "Please help me find my first sharp katana .."
I am looking for a sword to use in my Iaido (MJER) practice but have been struggling to find something that meets my needs. Particularly I was wondering if the community could help point me towards production Japanese style swords that have a 2.45 to 2.5 shaku (29" or so) nagasa with a ~11" tsuka. My budget goal for this purchase is ideally under 2000.
Unfortunately most of the highly regarded swords I have been looking at (Hanwei Tori XL for eg.) have 28.5" nagasa and I really prefer something just a little longer for my practice.
I was looking at a Bugei custom but they shut down as I was preparing to order
I have since been looking at Hanwei, Dynasty, and Skyjiro, but have almost no knowledge of the other brands outside of these options.
Among the brands that have caught my attention I have a few nagging concerns:
Things that have concerned me on Dynasty: I have heard of cases of very loose ito.
Things that have concerned me about Skyjiro: Some pictures show habaki that don't look well fitted, well others look great. The kumo is aesthetically pleasing but that fuchi texture looks like it could be a bit rough.
Things that have concerned me about Hanwei: Most of the nice ones are only 28.5", also some very long tsuka.
My "Needs":
2.45 to 2.5 shaku nagasa (29" or so)
Chu Kissaki with a obvious yokote that you can feel.
Tight Tsuka ito
Not too flashy in terms of fitting and saya colour.
Horn koiguchi
Good line up between tsuka and saya (I have seen some bad examples that look bent or offset)
Differentially hardened with a hamon.
Strong Wants
Bo Hi (almost a need)
Tsuka ideally less than 12", I can shorten myself if needed but I am not comfortable if I might need to cut the nakago as well.
Ideally tsuka not shimmed on so I can take it apart for maintenance.
Subtle hamon with an ok polish is nicer to me than obvious etching.
Full wrap Samegawa would be nice.
I would generally like to avoid too much of a project. With a young kid I dont see having the time to fully rewrap a tsuka in the near future. I'd rather pay a little more, but if it's worth it I could make the time.
Any help you could offer pointing me towards options would be great!
I have been lurking on the forum for a while and was hoping to join in with a first post on the topic of "Please help me find my first sharp katana .."
I am looking for a sword to use in my Iaido (MJER) practice but have been struggling to find something that meets my needs. Particularly I was wondering if the community could help point me towards production Japanese style swords that have a 2.45 to 2.5 shaku (29" or so) nagasa with a ~11" tsuka. My budget goal for this purchase is ideally under 2000.
Unfortunately most of the highly regarded swords I have been looking at (Hanwei Tori XL for eg.) have 28.5" nagasa and I really prefer something just a little longer for my practice.
I was looking at a Bugei custom but they shut down as I was preparing to order
I have since been looking at Hanwei, Dynasty, and Skyjiro, but have almost no knowledge of the other brands outside of these options.
Among the brands that have caught my attention I have a few nagging concerns:
Things that have concerned me on Dynasty: I have heard of cases of very loose ito.
Things that have concerned me about Skyjiro: Some pictures show habaki that don't look well fitted, well others look great. The kumo is aesthetically pleasing but that fuchi texture looks like it could be a bit rough.
Things that have concerned me about Hanwei: Most of the nice ones are only 28.5", also some very long tsuka.
My "Needs":
2.45 to 2.5 shaku nagasa (29" or so)
Chu Kissaki with a obvious yokote that you can feel.
Tight Tsuka ito
Not too flashy in terms of fitting and saya colour.
Horn koiguchi
Good line up between tsuka and saya (I have seen some bad examples that look bent or offset)
Differentially hardened with a hamon.
Strong Wants
Bo Hi (almost a need)
Tsuka ideally less than 12", I can shorten myself if needed but I am not comfortable if I might need to cut the nakago as well.
Ideally tsuka not shimmed on so I can take it apart for maintenance.
Subtle hamon with an ok polish is nicer to me than obvious etching.
Full wrap Samegawa would be nice.
I would generally like to avoid too much of a project. With a young kid I dont see having the time to fully rewrap a tsuka in the near future. I'd rather pay a little more, but if it's worth it I could make the time.
Any help you could offer pointing me towards options would be great!