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Post by lutz on Sept 1, 2021 14:43:26 GMT
Hello everyone, I just made an account in the hope that someone could help me with a bit of a problem, since I haven't found anything on this topic.
Recently I bought a reproduction sword, which I'm pretty happy with, however I can't help but to notice that on the back of the kissaki (please enlighten me what that is called, if that even has a specific name), something is a little off. Now by what I have seen, a katanas taper should be a bit thicker near the tip which is noticeable on the spine, like so: So this is what it should look like (I guess). But every time, checking this part on my sword I really can't notice it: Note that these reproductions are marketed as the same model by the seller, that's why I'm kind bummed about that part. Now I'm wondering, is this a reason to return the sword? Or is this like an omega level of nitpickiness. Price of the sword was 450USD. Can someone with more expertise tell if this is acceptable?
Thanks in advance for anyone answering and have a nice day.
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Post by bradc on Sept 1, 2021 16:27:16 GMT
I don't see any major faults considering the price point. Perhaps it's a little asymmetrical, but it doesn't look fragile. There is some variety in the shape at the kissaki relating to the general geometry of the sword including the shinogi and ko-shinogi and mitsukado placement. www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/shaping.htmlAlso look up the terms matsubakado and munesaki which are used to describes the shapes. Sakikasane describes the width in that region.
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tera
Moderator
Posts: 1,666
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Post by tera on Sept 1, 2021 16:43:16 GMT
If there is a production katana manufacturer who can reliably get blade geometry perfect on all but less than 1% of their product at less than $500, I'd like to hear about it.
My sub $100 Musashi is asymetrical at the kissaki, but at that price I am not surprise. I bought a tanto from a manufacturer that I felt was getting unfairly targeted for a single negative review here and, well, the blade geometry is a bit of a mess. So, I'm not even reviewing it. The only other blade I have is by Munetoshi at about a $350 price point. The Kissaki is almost perfect, but the contours of the mune (for the unokubi zukuri profile) are just a little off. Nothing critical, and I am still most happy with their work over other companies so far.
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Post by lutz on Sept 1, 2021 17:14:21 GMT
I don't see any major faults considering the price point. Perhaps it's a little asymmetrical, but it doesn't look fragile. There is some variety in the shape at the kissaki relating to the general geometry of the sword including the shinogi and ko-shinogi and mitsukado placement. www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/shaping.htmlAlso look up the terms matsubakado and munesaki which are used to describes the shapes. Sakikasane describes the width in that region. Thank you, this really gives me a peace of mind and it's really nice of you to share that link regarding the terminology aswell. I guess I'll have to edjucate myself a bit more on that matter.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Sept 1, 2021 17:45:18 GMT
While I wouldn’t consider that correct and would prefer otherwise at that price I’d live with it hoping for better the next time. I assume that it isn’t interfering with anything and only cosmetic. Welcome to the forum.
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Post by zsg1313 on Sept 1, 2021 20:47:40 GMT
Id say it's less common to have that flare than to not have it on any Chinese production blade. Bugei always has it. Others, not so much.
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Post by haon on Sept 2, 2021 6:07:51 GMT
I haven't seen it on any production sword I had in my hands. This doesn't have to mean anything, but I guess most don't come with a flared kissaki. Also, even in the few antiques I saw, not all had this, and when they had this feature, it often was to varying degrees. Don't worry, the sword looks fine to me.
If it annoys you because of the visuals or because you'd like to shear the most weight possible of the weight, you could ask a blacksmith if he could grind it down a bit. That, of course, is also depending on the polish your sword has, and how much work it is to renew it.
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Post by shepherd214 on Sept 11, 2021 22:34:42 GMT
Some have the flare, some don't. Cold Steel swords have a massive flare towards the tip, it's extremely noticeable and I think looks very cool. I'd rather have the flare but as long as it looks reasonably thick towards towards tip it's not a big deal if there's actually a flare there, for under 500 bucks. Still would be pretty robust if it's around 4-5mm thick.
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Post by Stef on Sept 25, 2021 9:06:58 GMT
I don't see any major faults considering the price point. Perhaps it's a little asymmetrical, but it doesn't look fragile. There is some variety in the shape at the kissaki relating to the general geometry of the sword including the shinogi and ko-shinogi and mitsukado placement. www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/shaping.htmlAlso look up the terms matsubakado and munesaki which are used to describes the shapes. Sakikasane describes the width in that region. nice link thank you very much
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