Kami Katana and quality of a different manufacturer
Sept 25, 2021 22:42:12 GMT
Post by raf on Sept 25, 2021 22:42:12 GMT
Hi, I know there's a thread for basic beginners questions, but I guess I have a few specific ones to which I didn't quite find a crystal clear answer so far. Also, a bunch of links (or rather: picture links) there appear to be dead. So I'll just jump right into it and simply ask....
I'm interested in buying a Katana sooner or later (rather sooner I guess, more on that later). The purpose at the moment would be for decoration only. However, I would not want a cheap replica that cannot be actually used properly - I'm not a fan of "fake" decoration and I would certainly want something that I could, if I decide to get deeper into it, actually use after a proper amount of training. In other words, I would want a bit of quality there. (To those who are concerned, I would consider the environment to be safe - no kids, pets or questionable people around it).
One that always fascinated me was the Kami Katana (Paul Chen / Hanwei). I liked that one ~20 years ago when I first saw it on the internet as a teenager, and I still do. It appears that very, very few vendors in Europe still have those (the most trustworthy shop I found apparently ran out a few days ago and I only see one more store that still might have it... ). It seems they are not made any more, so I guess I should be kinda fast. Which is why I'm trying to ask here and buy before any plans to actually use it. Anyhow:
I could swear that back then, when I drooled over them as a teenager, they were always advertised as being made of 1095 carbon steel. Today they are listed as K120C powder steel. I also believe (my memory may cheat on me here) that they had a higher HRC rating back then.
Also, when looking for alternatives I stumbled upon this vendor / manufacturer here. However, I'm slightly skeptical. Is this a known manufacturer? Are those actually usable swords? They seem a bit expensive for purely decorative items, but I cannot remember having seen this manufacturer anywhere so far, neither did any of the more expensive swords look like this. The name also isn't helpful when trying to look up reviews on the web, for obvious reasons...
I'm interested in buying a Katana sooner or later (rather sooner I guess, more on that later). The purpose at the moment would be for decoration only. However, I would not want a cheap replica that cannot be actually used properly - I'm not a fan of "fake" decoration and I would certainly want something that I could, if I decide to get deeper into it, actually use after a proper amount of training. In other words, I would want a bit of quality there. (To those who are concerned, I would consider the environment to be safe - no kids, pets or questionable people around it).
One that always fascinated me was the Kami Katana (Paul Chen / Hanwei). I liked that one ~20 years ago when I first saw it on the internet as a teenager, and I still do. It appears that very, very few vendors in Europe still have those (the most trustworthy shop I found apparently ran out a few days ago and I only see one more store that still might have it... ). It seems they are not made any more, so I guess I should be kinda fast. Which is why I'm trying to ask here and buy before any plans to actually use it. Anyhow:
I could swear that back then, when I drooled over them as a teenager, they were always advertised as being made of 1095 carbon steel. Today they are listed as K120C powder steel. I also believe (my memory may cheat on me here) that they had a higher HRC rating back then.
I read a little on the advantages of powder steel, but I still cannot help but wonder: Was this an improvement or a decrease of quality, or did it stay pretty much the same? Is the lower HRC (if my memory serves me well) of any concern? The price certainly is similar, it's still around 1,5k Euro.
Also, when looking for alternatives I stumbled upon this vendor / manufacturer here. However, I'm slightly skeptical. Is this a known manufacturer? Are those actually usable swords? They seem a bit expensive for purely decorative items, but I cannot remember having seen this manufacturer anywhere so far, neither did any of the more expensive swords look like this. The name also isn't helpful when trying to look up reviews on the web, for obvious reasons...
What to think of it, or others from this vendor / manufacturer? How would I spot if this is of acceptable quality, or something that you should never take off the wall?
Hope to get an answer or two here. And even more to get that Kami before it's completely sold out and can never be bought again (I'd gladly take links to trustworthy vendors who still might have it by the way).