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Post by RufusScorpius on Feb 17, 2020 19:50:58 GMT
I am not comfortable with the dismissal of that story so easily. It's true, I've seen it in Hollywood movies and on the internet. The samurai sword could slice through US gun barrels (albeit only the hot ones) in one stroke with minimal effort. Some guy on some island during some campaign told his brother's uncle's next door neighbor's college roommate's best friend the story 30 years after it happened. And if that isn't proof positive, then I don't know what is.
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Post by treeslicer on Feb 17, 2020 21:47:51 GMT
I am not comfortable with the dismissal of that story so easily. It's true, I've seen it in Hollywood movies and on the internet. The samurai sword could slice through US gun barrels (albeit only the hot ones) in one stroke with minimal effort. Some guy on some island during some campaign told his brother's uncle's next door neighbor's college roommate's best friend the story 30 years after it happened. And if that isn't proof positive, then I don't know what is. You left out the Kempeitai officer telling the geisha who told the Filipina housekeeper who told Mac Arthur........ 
IIRC, cutting the gun barrel was one of the several "supersteel" rumors circulated to increase buyer acceptance of nontraditionally made gunto to help ease the officer sword shortage. The truth of it seems to be that forged DH mill steel gunto blades were as effective as having a koto blade mounted in one, but they won't cut a gunbarrel, either.
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Post by treeslicer on Mar 6, 2020 20:56:04 GMT
I just looked, and the sword is now sold out at the SBG store.
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Post by treeslicer on Apr 15, 2020 21:57:35 GMT
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Post by ambulocetus on Oct 26, 2020 22:32:29 GMT
I recently purchased one of these. I agree with everything in the review, it is a very good deal. Very close to a real Type 98, and cuts better than my favorite Hanwei.
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Post by nq13 on Oct 30, 2020 0:48:02 GMT
Awesome review, loving the brass fittings simple and classy
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Post by Arian297 on Nov 28, 2020 1:26:04 GMT
Thank you for this excellent and in-depth review! You really know your stuff. I am considering buying this gunto as I am really into Japanese tradition and these things look like the distilled, modern version of katana. It's just that the handle is a tad too short for my taste.
As to the technical discussion I would add the following: katana are indeed not intended for direct blade-to-blade contact. They are much too frail for that. Consider also that during the warring periods (the few times when katana were more than ornaments) most of these swords were mass produced in large smithies like Mino. They were not even remotely strong enough to survive any kind of heavy contact. The antique swords we have today are luxury pieces, not stuff that was actually used in war.
As for combat technique, blocking with mune or ha is an illusion. Blocking is either successful, or not. War is not an art form. Most katana "techniques" were developed long after the war, and have no practical application. Further, Japanese wars generally saw spears as the weapon of choice. Katana were in fashion mostly after the wartimes, which is also where they became ornamented pieces of status representation. As such, one should not overestimate the "practical" use of katana, as these things had mostly entertainment value. As they do today ;)
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Post by treeslicer on Jun 23, 2021 19:37:58 GMT
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Post by swordenthusiast on Jun 25, 2021 4:34:08 GMT
Hold to that, my friend. Not at all realistic.
Not a catty attitude...but for real. It's true. We glorify Kenjutsu, and it is often hyperbolized
Katana need to survive impact. Parry. Block, and pinning the opponent's blade. This is a silly iaijutsu influenced bit Just out of curiosity, I know you've been here a while based upon your number of posts, but are you a ranked practitioner of Iaijutsu or Kenjutsu? |
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Post by swordenthusiast on Jun 25, 2021 4:37:42 GMT
Perfect for reenacting the Rape of Nanking or the Bataan death march...   (Full disclosure; I own an original purchased from the estate of the USMC vet who captured it on the battlefield) Is it by any chance the same blade that cleved his buddy in half before he claimed it? |
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Post by Lord Newport on Jun 25, 2021 13:20:53 GMT
Perfect for reenacting the Rape of Nanking or the Bataan death march... (Full disclosure; I own an original purchased from the estate of the USMC vet who captured it on the battlefield) Is it by any chance the same blade that cleved cleaved his buddy in half before he claimed it? Most of the sword use by Japanese officers and NCO's were in executions (beheadings). In combat probably stabbings and slashings as there would be little time for anything else. Besides, I doubt many of the rank and file troops would have had the strength and technique to "cleave a body in half". |
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Post by treeslicer on Jun 25, 2021 15:40:36 GMT
Perfect for reenacting the Rape of Nanking or the Bataan death march... (Full disclosure; I own an original purchased from the estate of the USMC vet who captured it on the battlefield) Is it by any chance the same blade that cleved his buddy in half before he claimed it? I don't have the link handy, but if you are referring to the well-known botched surrender acceptance, that story is not only corroborated, but the sword surfaced for sale a few years ago. Is it by any chance the same blade that cleved cleaved his buddy in half before he claimed it? Most of the sword use by Japanese officers and NCO's were in executions (beheadings). In combat probably stabbings and slashings as there would be little time for anything else. Besides, I doubt many of the rank and file troops would have had the strength and technique to "cleave a body in half". In the story being referenced, the cutter was a "surrendering" IJA 1st. Lt. who whacked the guy searching him into two diagonal pieces with a gunto he'd hidden behind himself. The skill necessary was minimal Toyama Ryu, nothing fancy. IIRC, the blade was a Sengoku period koto. The sword was claimed by the buddy who blew the cutter away.
Truth be known, the primary historical use of the katana other than cutting targets and looking cool, seems to have always been executions, murders, drunken hooliganism, and keeping peasants in line. During WW II, a major use was giving public straw target cutting exhibitions to frighten occupied populations.
I like them because they cut as cool as they look, and as a smith myself, I admire the skill embodied in them.
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Post by Lord Newport on Jun 25, 2021 16:03:48 GMT
Is it by any chance the same blade that cleved his buddy in half before he claimed it? I don't have the link handy, but if you are referring to the well-known botched surrender acceptance, that story is not only corroborated, but the sword surfaced for sale a few years ago. Most of the sword use by Japanese officers and NCO's were in executions (beheadings). In combat probably stabbings and slashings as there would be little time for anything else. Besides, I doubt many of the rank and file troops would have had the strength and technique to "cleave a body in half". In the story being referenced, the cutter was a "surrendering" IJA 1st. Lt. who whacked the guy searching him into two diagonal pieces with a gunto he'd hidden behind himself. The skill necessary was minimal Toyama Ryu, nothing fancy. IIRC, the blade was a Sengoku period koto. The sword was claimed by the buddy who blew the cutter away.
Truth be known, the primary historical use of the katana other than cutting targets and looking cool, seems to have always been executions, murders, drunken hooliganism, and keeping peasants in line. During WW II, a major use was giving public straw target cutting exhibitions to frighten occupied populations.
I like them because they cut as cool as they look, and as a smith myself, I admire the skill embodied in them.
Would love to read the account if you find the link...but I still contend, having done a LOT of cutting / tameshigiri myself, that it would be very difficult if not impossible for a Japanese officer/NCO of "typical stature" to cut an American/Brit soldier of "typical stature" in half, especially considering all the web gear and "kit" soldiers wore into combat. |
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Post by treeslicer on Jun 25, 2021 16:08:14 GMT
I don't have the link handy, but if you are referring to the well-known botched surrender acceptance, that story is not only corroborated, but the sword surfaced for sale a few years ago. In the story being referenced, the cutter was a "surrendering" IJA 1st. Lt. who whacked the guy searching him into two diagonal pieces with a gunto he'd hidden behind himself. The skill necessary was minimal Toyama Ryu, nothing fancy. IIRC, the blade was a Sengoku period koto. The sword was claimed by the buddy who blew the cutter away.
Truth be known, the primary historical use of the katana other than cutting targets and looking cool, seems to have always been executions, murders, drunken hooliganism, and keeping peasants in line. During WW II, a major use was giving public straw target cutting exhibitions to frighten occupied populations.
I like them because they cut as cool as they look, and as a smith myself, I admire the skill embodied in them.
Would love to read the account if you find the link... I'll dig through my records, but anybody who can find it first is encouraged to do so. |
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Post by swordenthusiast on Jun 25, 2021 16:44:55 GMT
I don't have the link handy, but if you are referring to the well-known botched surrender acceptance, that story is not only corroborated, but the sword surfaced for sale a few years ago. In the story being referenced, the cutter was a "surrendering" IJA 1st. Lt. who whacked the guy searching him into two diagonal pieces with a gunto he'd hidden behind himself. The skill necessary was minimal Toyama Ryu, nothing fancy. IIRC, the blade was a Sengoku period koto. The sword was claimed by the buddy who blew the cutter away.
Truth be known, the primary historical use of the katana other than cutting targets and looking cool, seems to have always been executions, murders, drunken hooliganism, and keeping peasants in line. During WW II, a major use was giving public straw target cutting exhibitions to frighten occupied populations.
I like them because they cut as cool as they look, and as a smith myself, I admire the skill embodied in them.
Would love to read the account if you find the link...but I still contend, having done a LOT of cutting / tameshigiri myself, that it would be very difficult if not impossible for a Japanese officer/NCO of "typical stature" to cut an American/Brit soldier of "typical stature" in half, especially considering all the web gear and "kit" soldiers wore into combat. That's the one! |
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Post by treeslicer on Jun 25, 2021 16:47:51 GMT
I don't have the link handy, but if you are referring to the well-known botched surrender acceptance, that story is not only corroborated, but the sword surfaced for sale a few years ago. In the story being referenced, the cutter was a "surrendering" IJA 1st. Lt. who whacked the guy searching him into two diagonal pieces with a gunto he'd hidden behind himself. The skill necessary was minimal Toyama Ryu, nothing fancy. IIRC, the blade was a Sengoku period koto. The sword was claimed by the buddy who blew the cutter away.
Truth be known, the primary historical use of the katana other than cutting targets and looking cool, seems to have always been executions, murders, drunken hooliganism, and keeping peasants in line. During WW II, a major use was giving public straw target cutting exhibitions to frighten occupied populations.
I like them because they cut as cool as they look, and as a smith myself, I admire the skill embodied in them.
Would love to read the account if you find the link...but I still contend, having done a LOT of cutting / tameshigiri myself, that it would be very difficult if not impossible for a Japanese officer/NCO of "typical stature" to cut an American/Brit soldier of "typical stature" in half, especially considering all the web gear and "kit" soldiers wore into combat. My guess is that the guy might have been wearing nothing more above the waist than a green t-shirt and dogtags when it happened. That wasn't uncommon in the Pacific, and this incident happened during the final tidying-up on Iwo-Jima, not during active combat. Some of the nastier incidents (including the final banzai attack on the small garrison left at the airfield) occurred after most troops had been withdrawn and most of the remainder had had their ammo confiscated.
Here's the first thing I found. I recalled the provenance wrong, if the article is accurate. as it dates the blade Shinshinto. "H.H." is Harunaka Hoshino, and the rest of the citation is in the photo.
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Post by Arlequin on Jun 30, 2021 14:49:02 GMT
So thanks to Treeslicers review, I bought this last week and it came in yesterday lol. First off, gotta say, the blades a steal no matter how you look at it. If you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket, and also want a unique looking piece to your collection, you'll probably love this. The saya is probably my favorite part. The blade is also pretty slick. I dont know how they did it so well, but this thing really just glides out when you draw it. I dont know if ill make a full review, as most of complaints will just mirror Tree Slicers, the tassle in particular is an odd thing. Its looks nice when you have it on the wall, but it just makes the handling very akward now matter how you tie it up, also the boshi, while I was impressed at how well they did the hamon, as ive seen swords twice and even 3 times this price struggle to get a clean hamon line all the way up the kissaki, its kinda ruined by the cheap artificial yokote polish. Would of much prefered they left it alone. Also kinda wish it had a nice thin sugaha as I think it compliments the slender blade better than midare but thats just my personal bias. One thing I know for sure though, I've already decided to get the blade polished and the tsuka rewrapped/repaneled. When its completed Ill post before and after photo to show people what it can look like at its fullest potential
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Post by swordenthusiast on Jul 1, 2021 0:43:10 GMT
So thanks to Treeslicers review, I bought this last week and it came in yesterday lol. First off, gotta say, the blades a steal no matter how you look at it. If you have $200 burning a hole in your pocket, and also want a unique looking piece to your collection, you'll probably love this. The saya is probably my favorite part. The blade is also pretty slick. I dont know how they did it so well, but this thing really just glides out when you draw it. I dont know if ill make a full review, as most of complaints will just mirror Tree Slicers, the tassle in particular is an odd thing. Its looks nice when you have it on the wall, but it just makes the handling very akward now matter how you tie it up, also the boshi, while I was impressed at how well they did the hamon, as ive seen swords twice and even 3 times this price struggle to get a clean hamon line all the way up the kissaki, its kinda ruined by the cheap artificial yokote polish. Would of much prefered they left it alone. Also kinda wish it had a nice thin sugaha as I think it compliments the slender blade better than midare but thats just my personal bias. One thing I know for sure though, I've already decided to get the blade polished and the tsuka rewrapped/repaneled. When its completed Ill post before and after photo to show people what it can look like at its fullest potential Look forward to seeing the photos. |
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Post by derpythespy on Mar 21, 2022 19:56:06 GMT
IDK if others had the same issue but here goes.
The Katana came in a display box (Which is cool and all) but I honestly have some criticism about it.
I don't know if it's because I'm a beginner or I know nothing about Katanas, but I don't think the inside of the Saya should be void of wood where it really matters. About 3 inches in, the spine section's wood is completely missing. For the blade end (the edge section) it is void of any wood after 4 inches. the side has wood but it is quite inadequate.
The saya rattles around badly and does not fit the blade well. It is only held in barely by the catch.
I don't know if the blade has been damaged during shipping, but the tip section (about 3 inches) arrived damaged with dulled edges and cannot cut paper without ripping it. As I mentioned, I'm not an expert and I have no clue if this is what it's supposed to be like...
the first time I unsheathed the katana, I noticed there were a lot of horizontal scratches on it. I just assumed they tested the blade but I found out later that it's been rubbing against the wood in the saya and practically ruining the finish.
Paul explained that at the price, it's more important that the katana itself is alright rather than the Saya, but if it can't even cut paper properly, I don't know what I can use this for other than maybe display purposes...
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Post by eastman on Mar 22, 2022 0:13:52 GMT
can you post pictures? sounds like the saya was damaged in transit
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