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Post by BenjiWazza90 on Aug 2, 2020 17:45:47 GMT
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 570
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Post by Ouroboros on Aug 2, 2020 18:16:20 GMT
Welcome O Guest Benji, Go on, create an account, theres narry another site like this out there that contains everything you need to make that determination. Reviews and tales from the dark side of the saya...mmmm Q: what do you plan on doing with his sword? Are you a student learning the proper use.and etiquette of the venerable and mystic Katana? Perhaps you lean more towards the aesthetic side of things and like a blade with hamon and nice furniture but will never engage in tamishigiri.... perhaps you are a lover of iaido and need a stout solid practice blade?
Check out the classified sections here. You might be surprised by whats on sale.
Ouro
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Post by benjiwazza90. on Aug 2, 2020 18:29:40 GMT
Hi Ouro, Thanks for your warm welcome and for your thoughtful reply! I really appreciate it. I've just registered an account as well which is pending approval Honestly I've been fascinated by these beautiful instruments since a very young age and now that I'm old enough and have my own money - I want one! In terms of what I'll use it for, well it will more than likely spend most of it's time on a wall being admired, therefore I desire something aesthetically pleasing as well as adhering to my childlike expectations. I get that these aren't toys and they are made for a purpose which might not be fulfilled under my ownership, I just want something beautiful and practical...Maybe one day I will decide to take up on of those disciplines you mentioned so no wall hanger, no plastic, good value for money and aesthetically pleasing as well as functional to a certain extent! Thanks again
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Post by benjiwazza90. on Aug 2, 2020 18:39:50 GMT
Welcome O Guest Benji, Go on, create an account, theres narry another site like this out there that contains everything you need to make that determination. Reviews and tales from the dark side of the saya...mmmm Q: what do you plan on doing with his sword? Are you a student learning the proper use.and etiquette of the venerable and mystic Katana? Perhaps you lean more towards the aesthetic side of things and like a blade with hamon and nice furniture but will never engage in tamishigiri.... perhaps you are a lover of iaido and need a stout solid practice blade? Check out the classified sections here. You might be surprised by whats on sale. Ouro Contributing factors include my location (UK) and that chose these two inparticular based on a LOT of helpful information on this website, from Paul's reviews to people's personal experiences. I think I just need help making my mind up cause this market seems like a minefield and I don't want to be wasting my money by missing something glaringly obvious between these two items 😅 so sorry for my ignorance but that's why I thought I'd ask the experts
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 570
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Post by Ouroboros on Aug 2, 2020 19:29:25 GMT
Well, the practical xl light is made by Hanwei. I like Hanwei swords, theyve had some really good models in the past and there are lots of folks here that use them in their practice regimes. I do not own a hanwei practical plus but from what i understand, its not a bad starter katana at all! Hanwei is known to have a frosty hamon that can be polished down a little and brought out without the frostiness of the factory acid etch...a minor point really Ive found the fit and finish of hanwei swords to be good but not excellent (u get what u pay for) and the tsuka can sometimes be compared to axe handles. Im.not sure how much customization u can do when ordering one to make it 'different' Ryujin, I own a ryujin kat, no bohi, Musashi ring tsuba. I like the way it flows in the hand when im using it for iaido. Cutting water bottles, newspaper wrapped pool noodles and other "soft targets" is fun with this sword. Again, the blade has been differentially hardened giving it a nice hamon. I find the ryujin sites offer more customizations to make your sword a little more unique .. a little more "you." If you were already planning on joining a dojo and learning one or more japanese swprd arts, i would recommend the practical, maybe without the xl geometry to start or with if yiu were planning on cutting. For a good looking conversation piece that offers you spme customizations at time of purchase, ryujin. Might not have been much help but i think you know what strikes your fancy--just consider what you plan on doing with the sword and go from there. And RufusScorpius would have me crucified if i disnt also add the obligatory warning of "sharp metal, not a plastic He-man sword" so do be safe good sir. Cheers, Ouro
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Post by benjiwazza90. on Aug 2, 2020 19:55:16 GMT
Well, the practical xl light is made by Hanwei. I like Hanwei swords, theyve had some really good models in the past and there are lots of folks here that use them in their practice regimes. I do not own a hanwei practical plus but from what i understand, its not a bad starter katana at all! Hanwei is known to have a frosty hamon that can be polished down a little and brought out without the frostiness of the factory acid etch...a minor point really Ive found the fit and finish of hanwei swords to be good but not excellent (u get what u pay for) and the tsuka can sometimes be compared to axe handles. Im.not sure how much customization u can do when ordering one to make it 'different' Ryujin, I own a ryujin kat, no bohi, Musashi ring tsuba. I like the way it flows in the hand when im using it for iaido. Cutting water bottles, newspaper wrapped pool noodles and other "soft targets" is fun with this sword. Again, the blade has been differentially hardened giving it a nice hamon. I find the ryujin sites offer more customizations to make your sword a little more unique .. a little more "you." If you were already planning on joining a dojo and learning one or more japanese swprd arts, i would recommend the practical, maybe without the xl geometry to start or with if yiu were planning on cutting. For a good looking conversation piece that offers you spme customizations at time of purchase, ryujin. Might not have been much help but i think you know what strikes your fancy--just consider what you plan on doing with the sword and go from there. And RufusScorpius would have me crucified if i disnt also add the obligatory warning of "sharp metal, not a plastic He-man sword" so do be safe good sir. Cheers, Ouro Thank you so much for this, it's certainly given me a lot to think about in the long run, where both pieces are concerned. It is something I hope to have for a long time so I'm sure you can appreciate my fastidiousness! But based on your own experience & knowledge - this information in invaluable and will honestly go a long way in helping me make my final decision on a blade, so thank you. I promise to be careful as well! 😄 Cheers - Ben
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 570
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Post by Ouroboros on Aug 2, 2020 20:34:51 GMT
Hey Ben, Youre morw than welcome to ask after anyones opinion here. We've a lot of really good people who know a lot about this hobby. Take a peek at my members collecrion Post. Tonight ill take some better shots of the ryujin blade so you can see the hamon a little clearer and post a link here for you. Remeber the first sword only whets the appetite ... the 18th sword will be the one you love to use No matter what you decide, you will love either one! Ouro
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 570
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Post by Ouroboros on Aug 2, 2020 21:26:07 GMT
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Post by benjiwazza90. on Aug 2, 2020 21:55:28 GMT
Hey man,
Sorry for the late reply! I'm still waiting on my account to be verified so I've just been checking back here every so often! Thank you for these pics, they're really great and give me a much better example of what I'm looking at buying. In fact I think you've helped me make my mind up after all 😄 I'm going with the custom Ryujin T10 katana for my first sword. I was teetering towards them anyway & you've really confirmed it for me! Thanks so much, you've gone above and beyond to help a stranger. The one you have with the red saya, is that custom? I had initially opted for a matte black one, but yours is really beautiful in that colour! Is it the 'red wine' colour? It's a little hard to make out on the pics they provide on their website!
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Post by RufusScorpius on Aug 2, 2020 22:33:40 GMT
.... And RufusScorpius would have me crucified if i disnt also add the obligatory warning of "sharp metal, not a plastic He-man sword" so do be safe good sir. Cheers, Ouro I think crucifixion would be a bit harsh. Immurement seems more appropriate. But on the serious side, it is always worth mentioning that a sword is in fact a weapon. It should be respected as such. They may be obsolete, but they are still quite dangerous.
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 570
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Post by Ouroboros on Aug 2, 2020 23:00:54 GMT
Hey man, Sorry for the late reply! I'm still waiting on my account to be verified so I've just been checking back here every so often! Thank you for these pics, they're really great and give me a much better example of what I'm looking at buying. In fact I think you've helped me make my mind up after all 😄 I'm going with the custom Ryujin T10 katana for my first sword. I was teetering towards them anyway & you've really confirmed it for me! Thanks so much, you've gone above and beyond to help a stranger. The one you have with the red saya, is that custom? I had initially opted for a matte black one, but yours is really beautiful in that colour! Is it the 'red wine' colour? It's a little hard to make out on the pics they provide on their website! Thanks for your kind words, there are lots of folks here who love to help I received this ryujin from a forum member 2 years back. I believe its the red imitation mahogany OR the red glossy granite. If i were picking one from the link, id grab the red imitation mahogany AND spend a few bucks and grab a black saya fit ro my first kat too. Changing the look of your Kat is as easy as popping a new saya on there and maybe collecting a few different tsuba. The "fun" of your choice will be how you expand her furniture over time and how you display her. Also fun is learning proper technique--to that end, you may want ro branch out and find a locql dojo or mentor who can direct your studies of this ancient martial art....i guarantee you wont be disappointed if you do. Im glad to help anyone who asks, our community is small but grows by one or two here and there as people learn what they want and what they dont, what they like and what really turns them off. When your account is created, drop me a line, i would be happy to chat you through any questions. Ryujin in Natural Light
Enjoy, Ouro
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2020 11:18:57 GMT
So after all of that! I ended up getting a totally different katana 😅 I thought I had made my mind up with the Ryujin but then I remembered I've always wanted one of those Hanwei blades since I was a little kid and so I knew I had to make that a reality. I ordered a Practical Plus Elite and it arrived today. Honestly it's everything I dreamed it would be and more, I'm absolutely blown away! Just stunning and beautifully put together...I'm lost for words. You were right though, I already can tell this maybe my first katana but it certainly won't be my last! Thanks again my friend
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Ouroboros
Member
Imperial, Mysterious In Amorous Array
Posts: 570
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Post by Ouroboros on Aug 4, 2020 11:52:08 GMT
You are more than welcome. Im glad you found something that will always be what you wanted and not something you will look at and kick yourself over (like my first car, a renault 4 from the mid sixties).
Congratulations! You have purchased an excellent sword. Now, if you can find it, pick up a copy of "spirit of the sword" by Nakamura Taisaburo...
Hey, you got your account! Welcome Aboard!
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