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Post by porkchopexpress on Nov 23, 2021 0:52:21 GMT
I was wondering if you folks could help an absolute greenhorn when it comes to katana. I just received my first katana after considerable research and to my disappointment will be returning it. I'm looking for a 300$ starter sword, just something tight and solid, also differentially hardened would be a plus.
Thank you for reading and I appreciate your patience with what must be a tired subject. P.S I've heard good things about Huawei
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Post by alientude on Nov 23, 2021 1:00:26 GMT
My HuaWei is the best katana I've owned, but they're extremely backlogged right now. Some other options:
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Post by phoule on Nov 23, 2021 2:01:49 GMT
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Post by porkchopexpress on Nov 23, 2021 2:10:02 GMT
Thank you for the reply, I appreciate the advice and the links. I'd gone with a maker suggested on this site and got a lemon (I don't want to speak poorly of them as I have not yet received a reply on my return). Is it normal to feel the tang shifting inside the tsuka and for the tsuba and fittings to be crooked and have gaps? All my experience is with european swords. Thoughts on ronin katana?
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Post by alientude on Nov 23, 2021 2:13:52 GMT
It is most definitely not normal or acceptable. Everything should be completely tight and straight on a new katana.
I don't have any experience with RK katana, so I can't help there.
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Post by noktorn on Nov 23, 2021 2:18:42 GMT
My HuaWei is the best katana I've owned, but they're extremely backlogged right now. Some other options:
I'll second Ryujin here. I have their "custom" (heavy quotes--you can choose the color of the ito wrapping, the tsuba, and the saya, but that's it. You'll get generic fuchi and kashira that are the same across all their custom models) O Katana, and their $200 Type 98 Shin Gunto repro, and they're both fantastic for the money. The temper lines on them are different than any other DH Katana I have. They barely show normally, but when they catch the light right, they shine like none of my other katanas do. Nitpicks are only that the sageo on the saya is shoelace, and the saya itself is incredibly loose. The Gunto is just fantastic, no complaints other than the tassel it comes with being way too long. I have a Ronin Dojo Pro that is extremely solid in overall build, but it is through hardened, so maybe not up your alley. I have a Dragon King Fletching Katana. It's gorgeous looking and well made. It feels like a crowbar in my hand compared to all my other swords, but that's a strictly personal thing, and I know i've seen other people comment that theirs feel well balanced. It's just a teensy bit above the $300 mark though. I would stay away from the custom/semi-custom forges (Jkoo/Sinosword, Hanbon, Ryansword, Shinken-sword, etc.) if this is your first katana though. Way too much you need to know, and they quality tends to vary a lot more from sword to sword. I've had four katana from four different semi-custom forges, all of them with varying degrees of satisfaction: Swords of Northshire - good, Jkoo/Sinosword - piss poor, Shinken-sword - okay/good, and Ryansword - good. All of this, of course, depends on you not being willing to put up with Huawei's wait times and lack of communication. If you can do that, you'd probably be happiest going with one of their blades.
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Post by porkchopexpress on Nov 23, 2021 2:37:26 GMT
That definitely helps to narrow down options which makes it a little less daunting. It seems quality can vary from sword to sword with a lot of makers.
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Post by nddave on Nov 23, 2021 10:55:00 GMT
That definitely helps to narrow down options which makes it a little less daunting. It seems quality can vary from sword to sword with a lot of makers. Hey Jack, why don't you go ask Wang about a katana....? Lol! If you're willing to spend a little over $300 I highly recommend the Dragon King Hana Katana. Best production katana I've owned. Here's my recent follow up review and a link to the best price on SBG Store where it's in stock surprisingly. sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product651.html
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Post by porkchopexpress on Nov 23, 2021 12:28:41 GMT
Haha! "It's all in the reflexes." Thank you for the recommendation, I like the simplicity and clean looking lines of that sword.
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Post by nddave on Nov 23, 2021 15:18:09 GMT
Haha! "It's all in the reflexes." Thank you for the recommendation, I like the simplicity and clean looking lines of that sword. Couldn't help with your username, lol! Yes that's why I went for it too. It looked very clean and it's profile very right, add in the specs and I was sold. It's just that we'll put together and the weight and balance are superb.
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George
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Post by George on Nov 24, 2021 11:36:35 GMT
This was the first "real" katana I purchased over a decade ago Musashi Bamboo I gave it to a friend of mine after many years of heavy use, including tatami and green bamboo. Apart from getting pretty blunt, I could never fault it. Now I own blades well over $2000 including real Nihonto. I purchased a new Musashi a couple of weeks ago, something my nephews can swing around and cut up some bottles (they're all Karate junior black belts) at Christmas time. I tell you what, I'm still VERY impressed by this $130 katana. Couldn't fault it. A great sword for the price in my opinion. Plus it's cheap enough, you won't cry to much if something happens to it.
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Post by porkchopexpress on Nov 25, 2021 1:57:35 GMT
The reviews for the musashi a pretty glowing for what it is, I might just pick one up as a beater. Do you think all the 1060 diff hardened models are pretty much the same besides the hardware?
Also thank you to everyone who's taken the time to answer, this really is a great community.
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Post by nddave on Nov 25, 2021 5:35:08 GMT
The reviews for the musashi a pretty glowing for what it is, I might just pick one up as a beater. Do you think all the 1060 diff hardened models are pretty much the same besides the hardware? Also thank you to everyone who's taken the time to answer, this really is a great community. Yes same blades different furniture. No problem glad we could help.
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George
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Post by George on Nov 25, 2021 9:57:14 GMT
Thoughts on ronin katana? This is gonna cop a lot of hate around here... Well, maybe not so much nowadays, but the two Ronins I've owned have been my least favorite swords. I personally would never buy one again. There is just something really off with them. It's been a long while since I had them so to give you exact specifics now is tricky, but I sold them on very quickly. All the hype on this forum about them back in the day really didn't align with my experience or expectations. Pretty sure a mod got banned or something for pushing them so hard, or receiving a commission for each sword sold, but not mentioning that in any reviews, but I left the forum so don't really know the fully story. I my opinion, you should go with the recommendations people have already given. You won't go wrong with what ever you choose. All solid options :)
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Nov 25, 2021 12:50:55 GMT
I’ll pretty much echo George’s input. My first katana over a decade ago was a Musashi Bamboo. That was under a $100 at that time, I know has risen since he says $130 and that sounds about right. I still have mine and it’s still going strong, all tight, and sharp. I think I might have sharpened it once but the hamon is there. Over the years the black ito has faded a little but not loose nor frayed. I did apply clear fingernail polish to protect it. And the same is not as white as it was. Not only have my two Musashis served me, the other is an iaito, they have a good reputation as an entry level katana. Lots of luck on whatever you decide.
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tera
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Post by tera on Nov 25, 2021 16:04:09 GMT
My first live blade was also a Musashi Bamboo. I bought one made during the pandemic and found it had some issues but ultimately decided to keep it, and am glad I did. I posted a review/discussion here: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/64730/musashi-shirakawa-bamboo-review-manufactureKeep in mind my only point of reference was a Hanwei worth 6 to 8 times what I paid for the Musashi. It isn't perfect, but it fits a purpose and I've seen worse work by a higher priced manufacturer since then. If I wasn't broke, I might try to buy another Musashi or two for customization. What I'd say is if you buy a Musashi, get it from Kult of Athena. They seem to back their sales and believe in quality inspection. Mine came from an Amazon vendor with VERY low stock so it was a grab-bag.
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Post by porkchopexpress on Nov 26, 2021 13:09:28 GMT
Still waiting to hear back from the company I bought my first sword from, understandable with the holiday. Because I'm a compulsive tinkerer I've put a lot of work into it over the fast few days (which means I'll have to keep it) reffiting, refinishing and lots of sharpening. It's turned out quite nice, though we'll see if it holds up to cutting and once I hear back from the seller I may do a write up. Btw, I picked up a black friday musashi 1060 mantis at sword n armory after some recommendations, I'll be interested to see how a 100$ sword stacks up. They are having a 15% off deal and free shipping but are getting cleaned out quick so check it out if you wanna make an impulse buy
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Nov 26, 2021 13:46:41 GMT
I too am a tinkerer and find that much of the part of the enjoyment in sword collecting. Normally nothing drastic, just tweaking the sword here and there to my whims. By all means let us know about the Musashi.
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Post by MichaelRS on Nov 27, 2021 6:53:29 GMT
I like these guys well enough and they offer a variety of different bear blades if you want to go that route and have somebody else apply upgraded fixtures. Or they have their standard fixtures from the custom menu. The link below actually list ALL of their blades in the drop-down menu. The blade types on their custom page are only the most common. They have a sale the email if you have any questions. www.hanbonforge.com/Bare-Blades/Hand-Made-Real-Blades-for-Japanese-Samurai-Sword-Katana
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Post by shepherd214 on Nov 30, 2021 19:37:25 GMT
Still waiting to hear back from the company I bought my first sword from, understandable with the holiday. Because I'm a compulsive tinkerer I've put a lot of work into it over the fast few days (which means I'll have to keep it) reffiting, refinishing and lots of sharpening. It's turned out quite nice, though we'll see if it holds up to cutting and once I hear back from the seller I may do a write up. Btw, I picked up a black friday musashi 1060 mantis at sword n armory after some recommendations, I'll be interested to see how a 100$ sword stacks up. They are having a 15% off deal and free shipping but are getting cleaned out quick so check it out if you wanna make an impulse buy I'm very interested to hear which company this is so I can make more informed decisions lol.
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