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Post by tsmspace on May 3, 2020 5:05:03 GMT
Well,,, I broke my katana.
Well, if it's just bottles, it technically still works. I'm not sure, but the chips are probably working like serrations, (it feels like it), and it seems to cut bottles about the same as before.
So, the edge is super nice once you hone it up,,, it can really hold a fine edge. It's really something compared to other inexpensive swords I've had, but as I am now sure,,, the edge won't stay with you. It will find little places in the grass to live instead.
I broke the katana when I accidently hit the log I was using to hold the bottles. It probably actually chipped because I hit a knot, but just the same, I am somewhat gutted. It didn't even cleave the log in half, and now it's broken. I could be more understanding if a great wash of disbelief first came over me as I saw the incredible damage to the log, then I later noticed the chipping, but instead it was like,,,, disappointing in log damage and broke.
Well, I don't know because then I was tripping out that the sword suddenly feels floppier, but perhaps I never tested its floppiness yet because I was trying to be so careful with it. Also, it was warm right where it floppies,,, but maybe that's because the sun was shining on it, but the strong of the blade doesn't ever get wet from the bottles.
At any rate, I think the ruling is out, that you will not want to be as careful as you need to to justify the sokojikara t-10. If you so much as accidentally hit a log, it will break. I am calling this a negative review.
Incidentally here is my cutting video in which it chips.
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Post by Lancelot Chan on May 3, 2020 5:57:34 GMT
Wow. Are you sure there's no small rocks embedded into that wood? :)
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on May 3, 2020 6:12:09 GMT
At least you weren't hit by an arrow!
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Post by tsmspace on May 3, 2020 7:02:46 GMT
Wow. Are you sure there's no small rocks embedded into that wood? I'm hoping my sword is like those reapers from lotr. That way, the little bits of my sword will slowly work their way to the heart of the log, and kill it.
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Post by tsmspace on May 3, 2020 7:03:12 GMT
At least you weren't hit by an arrow! one arrow won't kill me!!!
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Post by tsmspace on May 3, 2020 7:03:40 GMT
Here's my little review
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Post by Lancelot Chan on May 3, 2020 7:06:53 GMT
Hira Zukuri? It takes a lot of skill to make a durable hira zukuri sword
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on May 3, 2020 12:37:37 GMT
Oh man, that’s a bummer and I know upsetting. I feel for you just by looking at that.
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Post by MOK on May 3, 2020 15:54:06 GMT
Oof! Such a little slip-up, such a big mess. Of course a very hard, very thin edge is easy to screw up with, but still... feels bad, man. But hey, all the more incentive to work on your technique, right?
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Post by tsmspace on May 3, 2020 20:20:24 GMT
Oof! Such a little slip-up, such a big mess. Of course a very hard, very thin edge is easy to screw up with, but still... feels bad, man. But hey, all the more incentive to work on your technique, right? yup.... little slip up = missed by over 1 foot...... hmmm.....
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Post by treeslicer on May 3, 2020 21:59:18 GMT
I've watched the videos and concluded that the design was intended to be a dedicated exhibition mat cutter. Basically a hira-zukuri straight razor, or giant sushi knife. For that they did it right, but I've never liked that approach, and don't own a specialized mat cutter. I've looked at some Sokojikara ads and didn't find this one. What's the model?
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Post by tsmspace on May 3, 2020 22:47:40 GMT
I've watched the videos and concluded that the design was intended to be a dedicated exhibition mat cutter. Basically a hira-zukuri straight razor, or giant sushi knife. For that they did it right, but I've never liked that approach, and don't own a specialized mat cutter. I've looked at some Sokojikara ads and didn't find this one. What's the model? well, I honestly think the blades are basically made all the same, then the uniqueness is basically down to the "furniture", which sets the different t-10 models. I could be wrong, but I think all the t-10's are the same blade. www.budk.com/Sokojikara-T10-Samurai-Sword-with-Brown-Wrap-and-Black-Scabbard-36509as for owning a mat cutter,, I guess first of all I didn't know about that until after I bought it. Then, actually, I think it's acceptable since I'm not buying a weapon, just a toy to play with, I guess I want the one that cuts super easy for cheap until I get some skills. Of course, then again some skills would have been nice, because I missed by a foot, and that's why it broke. as for owning a real sword, it seems to me that the quality of the sword will have to be pretty high to check all the boxes, so the price will have to be pretty high to qualify as a "real weapon". Everything else will probably not work for you when you need it to, it's not likely you're going to need a katana and it won't undergo any stress before you get to use it to make you safe. probably you will go up against a lot of other materials before you get to strike an opponent if you actually use it for self defense, so anything less than super durable and super sharp and super agile and you basically don't have it anyway. Therefore,,, between the options for budget katana, I would have been ok if it were durable and dull, but I am equally willing to be accepting of delicate but sharp,, I do think , however, that for the same price, and without compromising the edge-holding ability, it could have been a bit more tough. I certainly feel that there is probably some inconsistency in the manufacturing that results from it being a new product, probably by people without as much experience, and with some sacrifices in the hardening process, either because of newer makers or because of a newer process that they will just get better at over time.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on May 4, 2020 18:00:03 GMT
I haven't really cut in recent years as my focus has been studying antique swords but I would recommend making a simple stand for cutting bottles. Back when I cut bottles etc. I used very simple T shaped cutting stands. My design was very easy and simple to make and you could make several of different heights in a minute or two. Buy bunch of broom sticks/handles, and a piece of plywood or something similar. Cut plywood into small square shaped pieces about the size of the base of bottles or a tad smaller. Then nail them to broom stick to make a T shaped stand. Cut the stick to desired length, sharpen the other end of the stick and press it on the ground. Sorry about your sword, I just felt it chipped quite easily.
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Post by Lancelot Chan on May 4, 2020 18:10:59 GMT
Hira Zukuri can cut hard targets like PPR pipes (simulating living bone) alright. So it's not just mats cutting only. But then it takes a well made one to do so, and a skillful one to use.
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Post by MOK on May 4, 2020 18:23:11 GMT
I've watched the videos and concluded that the design was intended to be a dedicated exhibition mat cutter. Basically a hira-zukuri straight razor, or giant sushi knife. For that they did it right, but I've never liked that approach, and don't own a specialized mat cutter. I've looked at some Sokojikara ads and didn't find this one. What's the model? well, I honestly think the blades are basically made all the same, then the uniqueness is basically down to the "furniture", which sets the different t-10 models. I could be wrong, but I think all the t-10's are the same blade. www.budk.com/Sokojikara-T10-Samurai-Sword-with-Brown-Wrap-and-Black-Scabbard-36509Well, I can't see a central ridge on yours, which would mean it has a "hira zukuri" cross-section instead of the more common "shinogi zukuri" as seen on the one you just linked. This makes for a more acute but also more fragile edge. As Lancelot Chan said, it can still be plenty durable enough but takes more skill and care to make so, and either way it's less forgiving of screw-ups in use.
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Post by jayotterstein on May 5, 2020 21:02:43 GMT
That looks to be the "Dynasty" model? Hira Zukuri sugata is traditionally not common due to the thin profile and it's propensity to chip or roll on harder targets. Much more common on Tanto or smaller Wakizashi. A very hard edge on it and it will sail through tatami and other light targets, but will chip very easily on harder targets. if you want a general purpose cutter, get a through hardened shinogi zukuri with light niku. Something in the .06 to .07 carbon content range.
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Post by tsmspace on May 6, 2020 6:27:17 GMT
That looks to be the "Dynasty" model? Hira Zukuri sugata is traditionally not common due to the thin profile and it's propensity to chip or roll on harder targets. Much more common on Tanto or smaller Wakizashi. A very hard edge on it and it will sail through tatami and other light targets, but will chip very easily on harder targets. if you want a general purpose cutter, get a through hardened shinogi zukuri with light niku. Something in the .06 to .07 carbon content range. how much do you think such a katana is going to be, and do you have a few models I should look up for a baseline?? I have a shinwa with the shinogi zukuri that was some years ago a "bamboo stalk katana" on budk. it was about 40$. I still have it, I took everything off pretty early on because the handle-wood was like a sponge, and you can see it in my handle pic. anyway, it takes a set if I don't cut through with it, but it's fairly sharp right now, and it does bottles mostly fine until you get to the harder bottles. (my skills are low, so I make bad cuts often, and also my good cuts probably are all blade and no technique). ,,, also, it really loses the edge when I have a bad cut also, and i need to redress it. I have noticed many katanas around 250$. the dynasty katana (yes) was about 200$, and technically is still cutting. now it has a small patch of serrations, basically, because the chipped area is nasty sharp-like. It almost looks like the intentional serrations on a pocket knife, where one side is flush to the bevel, and the other side has like a secondary bevel, and honestly I couldn't tell the difference cutting more bottles. I probably won't worry about it for a while, because I ordered a sharkalope to be excited about. However, many reviewers fall into two camps: super nice or nothing less,, or super cheap but does technically cut what I will have around,,, but I already have the shinwa. I'm not opposed, and even likely, to buy more cheapos like the musashi, because I've bought so much cheapo already, and there are benefits to the variety, and benefits to the lack of required maintenance. (honestly, it's a nice experience to let them rust, because I will know what that's like, and I cleaned them after they looked like they were pulled from the titanic, and it was fun, and remarkable how they cleaned up and looked all still there after a few years of absolute neglect,,, I don't want to buy a nice katana that would be respected by many and last generations even at 200$, and waste it. I mean, if it's a good sword, it might seriously last generations. I'm not going to use it THAT much, but if it's good then you would want to keep it that way).
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Post by jayotterstein on May 6, 2020 13:56:21 GMT
That looks to be the "Dynasty" model? Hira Zukuri sugata is traditionally not common due to the thin profile and it's propensity to chip or roll on harder targets. Much more common on Tanto or smaller Wakizashi. A very hard edge on it and it will sail through tatami and other light targets, but will chip very easily on harder targets. if you want a general purpose cutter, get a through hardened shinogi zukuri with light niku. Something in the .06 to .07 carbon content range. how much do you think such a katana is going to be, and do you have a few models I should look up for a baseline?? I have a shinwa with the shinogi zukuri that was some years ago a "bamboo stalk katana" on budk. it was about 40$. I still have it, I took everything off pretty early on because the handle-wood was like a sponge, and you can see it in my handle pic. anyway, it takes a set if I don't cut through with it, but it's fairly sharp right now, and it does bottles mostly fine until you get to the harder bottles. (my skills are low, so I make bad cuts often, and also my good cuts probably are all blade and no technique). ,,, also, it really loses the edge when I have a bad cut also, and i need to redress it. I have noticed many katanas around 250$. the dynasty katana (yes) was about 200$, and technically is still cutting. now it has a small patch of serrations, basically, because the chipped area is nasty sharp-like. It almost looks like the intentional serrations on a pocket knife, where one side is flush to the bevel, and the other side has like a secondary bevel, and honestly I couldn't tell the difference cutting more bottles. I probably won't worry about it for a while, because I ordered a sharkalope to be excited about. However, many reviewers fall into two camps: super nice or nothing less,, or super cheap but does technically cut what I will have around,,, but I already have the shinwa. I'm not opposed, and even likely, to buy more cheapos like the musashi, because I've bought so much cheapo already, and there are benefits to the variety, and benefits to the lack of required maintenance. (honestly, it's a nice experience to let them rust, because I will know what that's like, and I cleaned them after they looked like they were pulled from the titanic, and it was fun, and remarkable how they cleaned up and looked all still there after a few years of absolute neglect,,, I don't want to buy a nice katana that would be respected by many and last generations even at 200$, and waste it. I mean, if it's a good sword, it might seriously last generations. I'm not going to use it THAT much, but if it's good then you would want to keep it that way). Huawei Through Hardened Shinogi Zukuri - $200 - Ordered one similar to this for one of our students. Very well made blade, properly built tsuka core, fitted habaki, tight Ito with hishigami. Fittings are very basic but also very sturdy. Cut tatami very well and would be a good backyard cutter too. I should note, you will want to check with them if they can ship to you. There are some difficulties shipping to certain places right now. www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Forged-Oil-Quenched-9260-Shinogi-Zukuri-Hishi-Gami-Shinken-Mat-Cutter/282738639221?hash=item41d4894175:g:EMMAAOSw8lBTrAIVIf you want to go cheaper, pick up a Musashi, although the tsuka core will be pretty poor.
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Post by tsmspace on May 7, 2020 5:12:13 GMT
how much do you think such a katana is going to be, and do you have a few models I should look up for a baseline?? I have a shinwa with the shinogi zukuri that was some years ago a "bamboo stalk katana" on budk. it was about 40$. I still have it, I took everything off pretty early on because the handle-wood was like a sponge, and you can see it in my handle pic. anyway, it takes a set if I don't cut through with it, but it's fairly sharp right now, and it does bottles mostly fine until you get to the harder bottles. (my skills are low, so I make bad cuts often, and also my good cuts probably are all blade and no technique). ,,, also, it really loses the edge when I have a bad cut also, and i need to redress it. I have noticed many katanas around 250$. the dynasty katana (yes) was about 200$, and technically is still cutting. now it has a small patch of serrations, basically, because the chipped area is nasty sharp-like. It almost looks like the intentional serrations on a pocket knife, where one side is flush to the bevel, and the other side has like a secondary bevel, and honestly I couldn't tell the difference cutting more bottles. I probably won't worry about it for a while, because I ordered a sharkalope to be excited about. However, many reviewers fall into two camps: super nice or nothing less,, or super cheap but does technically cut what I will have around,,, but I already have the shinwa. I'm not opposed, and even likely, to buy more cheapos like the musashi, because I've bought so much cheapo already, and there are benefits to the variety, and benefits to the lack of required maintenance. (honestly, it's a nice experience to let them rust, because I will know what that's like, and I cleaned them after they looked like they were pulled from the titanic, and it was fun, and remarkable how they cleaned up and looked all still there after a few years of absolute neglect,,, I don't want to buy a nice katana that would be respected by many and last generations even at 200$, and waste it. I mean, if it's a good sword, it might seriously last generations. I'm not going to use it THAT much, but if it's good then you would want to keep it that way). Huawei Through Hardened Shinogi Zukuri - $200 - Ordered one similar to this for one of our students. Very well made blade, properly built tsuka core, fitted habaki, tight Ito with hishigami. Fittings are very basic but also very sturdy. Cut tatami very well and would be a good backyard cutter too. I should note, you will want to check with them if they can ship to you. There are some difficulties shipping to certain places right now. www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Forged-Oil-Quenched-9260-Shinogi-Zukuri-Hishi-Gami-Shinken-Mat-Cutter/282738639221?hash=item41d4894175:g:EMMAAOSw8lBTrAIVIf you want to go cheaper, pick up a Musashi, although the tsuka core will be pretty poor. yes the tsuka core bothers me greatly when too soft, I am very interested in your link. thanks!!
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