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Post by rudric on Mar 10, 2020 21:51:05 GMT
Thank you for allowing me on this forum. A few words about me:
Just started kendo (although I practiced shotokan for 30+ years) and bought my training swords with no issue. I also wanted a strong /durable /reliable / low-maintenance beater and I decided to buy a Hanwei Raptor Shinogi Zukuri (because of 5160, TH and good overall reputation). I'm 5'11" /85kg. I live in London, UK.
And here is the problem: to my surprise, it seems there are no more Raptors in the UK! After extensive search, I found:
1. A couple of unsold Unokubi Raptors - but my dojo doesn't like the tip 2. A few Nanbokucho Zukuri Raptors - but in this case, I'm worried about the tip durability...looks fragile. 3. The only other 5160 TH I found are the Four Seasons Katanas from Dragon King. I'm thinking Spring Sakura, but honestly, ANYTHING would do at this point. 4. A couple of Ronin Dojo Pro 5. Cheness Kurome and Ayami 9260 differentially tempered (so says the description...I didn't know 9260 can be DH). 6. Cold Steel Warriors
Everything else - Cheness SGC / Tenchi - are all gone, just some wakizashi left unsold.
Do you guys have any opinion on Dragon King's 5160 TH Katanas? I know the steel is not as important as the treatment and I don't know how Dragon King compares to Hanwei. I googled everywhere but there is no endurance testing.
I know they are not popular like Raptors, but I thought - maybe I'm lucky and someone could advise? Should I buy something more expensive - like the Bamboo Mat / Tsunami - Great Wave / Hana / Fletching? But they are not beaters, right?
Any advice will be highly appreciated.
MANY THANKS in advance,
Mike
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Post by MOK on Mar 10, 2020 23:59:42 GMT
I wouldn't worry too much about the Nanbokucho Raptor tip being fragile; the Shobu is similar but even more acute, and mine has never had any kind of problems. It is very big for a katana, though.
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Mar 11, 2020 1:06:14 GMT
Thank you for allowing me on this forum. A few words about me: Just started kendo (although I practiced shotokan for 30+ years) and bought my training swords with no issue. I also wanted a strong /durable /reliable / low-maintenance beater and I decided to buy a Hanwei Raptor Shinogi Zukuri (because of 5160, TH and good overall reputation). I'm 5'11" /85kg. I live in London, UK. And here is the problem: to my surprise, it seems there are no more Raptors in the UK! After extensive search, I found: 1. A couple of unsold Unokubi Raptors - but my dojo doesn't like the tip 2. A few Nanbokucho Zukuri Raptors - but in this case, I'm worried about the tip durability...looks fragile. 3. The only other 5160 TH I found are the Four Seasons Katanas from Dragon King. I'm thinking Spring Sakura, but honestly, ANYTHING would do at this point. 4. A couple of Ronin Dojo Pro 5. Cheness Kurome and Ayami 9260 differentially tempered (so says the description...I didn't know 9260 can be DH). 6. Cold Steel Warriors Everything else - Cheness SGC / Tenchi - are all gone, just some wakizashi left unsold. Do you guys have any opinion on Dragon King's 5160 TH Katanas? I know the steel is not as important as the treatment and I don't know how Dragon King compares to Hanwei. I googled everywhere but there is no endurance testing. I know they are not popular like Raptors, but I thought - maybe I'm lucky and someone could advise? Should I buy something more expensive - like the Bamboo Mat / Tsunami - Great Wave / Hana / Fletching? But they are not beaters, right? Any advice will be highly appreciated. MANY THANKS in advance, Mike I'm pretty sure those Cheness 9260 swords are Through Hardened. I believe only their Kaze line of 9260 swords are Differently Hardened.
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Post by rudric on Mar 11, 2020 12:34:35 GMT
What would you be doing with the tip, specifically, that makes you believe it is too fragile for? Nothing special - I just wouldn't like to see it chipped easily. I bought two 1060 katanas a few years ago as gifts and...a few weeks later the tips were blunt and ugly. In both cases, they just cut some cans.
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Post by rudric on Mar 11, 2020 12:36:12 GMT
I wouldn't worry too much about the Nanbokucho Raptor tip being fragile; the Shobu is similar but even more acute, and mine has never had any kind of problems. It is very big for a katana, though. Thanks! yes, size is also an issue for Nanbokucho. Dragon King Spring Sakura is much smaller.
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Post by maewyn on Mar 11, 2020 12:49:29 GMT
Maybe the Hanwei Renshu if you dont feel comfortable with the Nambo,which is a good sword and cutter.Feels good for its size. Theres also the Dynasty Forge Musha series.
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Post by rudric on Mar 11, 2020 13:08:47 GMT
Thanks maewyn. Yes they have Hanwei Renshu here. No Dynasty Forge anymore, unfortunately (don't know why. Two years ago they offered everything).
Unfortunately, we can't test a sword before buying either. Which is why I'm grateful to learn from your experience.
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Post by Dandelion on Mar 11, 2020 16:15:20 GMT
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Mar 11, 2020 16:27:15 GMT
Dragon King is a subbrand of Cas Iberia/Hanwei. They even use a steel that's usually only used by Hanwei. So I'd expect similar quality.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Mar 11, 2020 17:06:23 GMT
What would you be doing with the tip, specifically, that makes you believe it is too fragile for? Nothing special - I just wouldn't like to see it chipped easily. I bought two 1060 katanas a few years ago as gifts and...a few weeks later the tips were blunt and ugly. In both cases, they just cut some cans. :( I would have thought 1060 would have no issue even with tin cans, must have been a tempering issue. I do wish more companies would state the hardness of their swords. Companies are eager to state the metal(s) used but do not seem willing to state how well they processed it.
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Post by rudric on Mar 11, 2020 17:37:50 GMT
Yes I already contacted both these websites. I asked them to import a Shinogi Raptor for me (and was ready to pay a premium). They refused. I actually found one in ...Netherlands! I guess I could drive from London to Amsterdam, but I would end up paying at least three times the price of that katana )
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Post by Dandelion on Mar 11, 2020 17:57:45 GMT
Yes I already contacted both these websites. I asked them to import a Shinogi Raptor for me (and was ready to pay a premium). They refused. I actually found one in ...Netherlands! I guess I could drive from London to Amsterdam, but I would end up paying at least three times the price of that katana ) They wont deliver?
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Post by rudric on Mar 12, 2020 8:31:53 GMT
Don't think they can anymore...under the European rules we can still travel freely between countries (with everything we can carry in a car for example), but all postage goes through Customs. And the new UK weapons law is very restrictive for katanas and knives. I heard Customs now keep your package for months while checking who you are, why do you need it etc. Driving is faster and a safe bet. Although, with the coronavirus lockdown being declared any day now, leaving the country is out of the question. Oh well. It seems my only option for 5160 TH at the moment is Dragon KIng. A youtube reviewer said "it's not that bad"...but he wouldn't buy it again.
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