|
Post by mikesd on Oct 3, 2023 14:24:12 GMT
First, let me say, I bought this Wakizashi, before I found this site. I think I'll be spending a lot of time here, reading as much a I can. But, I did do some reading before buying this, and it had some of the right buzz words (i.e. carbon steel), but I have no idea if that is just PR or lies. I bought this because I wanted a short sword, and this was plain (wasn't gaudy looking), with no chinese writing on it. And it seemed like it wasn't stainless. There doesn't seem to be any flaws. The layering is unnecessary, is light, and seems good. But is it carbon steel? They don't say what kind. And the thing that really bothers me about this is it's not temptered. At least it doesn't say tempered and some of the questions indicate that it's not tempered. Why wouldn't a sword, have basic tempering. As far as I can determine, if not tempered, the only ssue might be the edge won't hold. And it is very sharp. I'm assuming that since it isn't tempered, that it can't be classified as real. I'm sure there are better short swords, at lower price, but what about this particular one. Is this one likely to break, on the first sapling I try to whack on? www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZJ3RYV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailsAnyway, this sword is either going to be kept or sacrificed, to test it. I have no problem seeing what it might take to break it. If it holds up, I can always buy another. $150 isn't even close to my pain threshold. Thanks, Mike PS: I'll be posting a howdy post, when I can find the right place to post one.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Oct 3, 2023 16:52:05 GMT
Welcome to the forum. I’ll try to address your questions, without having seen your wakizashi. I have no reason to believe that the blade is not carbon steel. However, ‘carbon steel’ is a catch all term. For the price and the fact they don’t state the specific type of steel I suspect the it is at the lower end of the spectrum, perhaps 1045, but could be a notch higher. I would also guess that it is in all likelihood tempered. I highly doubt it isn’t. Having said that, there are good and bad tempering jobs. But in all likelihood the tempering is satisfactory and I would not worry. If it is 1045 steel it will be on the softer side of blades. This does not mean that there is a problem obtaining a sharp edge as you already know. The issue, if you want to call it that, is edge retention. Meaning that you will have to sharpen more frequently to maintain that edge. Granted, there are better swords out there, but I would not be too quick to call it junk and tear it up. As far as Chinese writing, if you may find some on the tang. As for seeing how much abuse the sword will take; all swords have a limit, and tree cutting is not recommended for any sword. This is not to say that people don’t. Also, a full-blown katana with a longer blade and heavier would be better suited. Not that I’m suggesting this. If sapling cutting is your goal a $22 Tramontina machete is your best bet and I dare say do a better job. An Ontario, being heavier, will probably do a better job on hard wood, but the price jumps.
As for posting your ‘howdy’ we have a sub-board under “Adrian Jordan memorial Café” titled “Welcome Wagon”.
|
|
|
Post by blairbob on Oct 3, 2023 16:56:30 GMT
I've seen this brand around.
All steel has carbon in it, or it would be iron alloy.
Looking at their offerings, they use 1095 and T10 (which should have a bit more carbon unless it's something like T8).
They also have some offerings in 1060 steel so they might have folded 1095 and 1060 together as apparently that is sometimes done
If you start with either one of those, you'll end up with less carbon than you started with (0.95-1%) after you fold it 11x.
|
|
|
Post by larason2 on Oct 3, 2023 18:49:52 GMT
I agree it's probably been through-hardened and tempered. It's not differentially hardened, but through hardening is a good, reliable process. It looks quite nice, I'd say you got a pretty good sword for the money. I wouldn't be afraid to cut with it, but I'd avoid hard targets, it's not meant for that.
|
|
|
Post by mikesd on Oct 3, 2023 20:38:09 GMT
As for seeing how much abuse the sword will take; all swords have a limit, and tree cutting is not recommended for any sword. This is not to say that people don’t. Also, a full-blown katana with a longer blade and heavier would be better suited. Not that I’m suggesting this. If sapling cutting is your goal a $22 Tramontina machete is your best bet and I dare say do a better job. An Ontario, being heavier, will probably do a better job on hard wood, but the price jumps. Reply: I do plan to get a larger Katana. I've been looking at one of the Hanwei or Cold Steel swords Katana around 40" OAL. The only reason I questioned the tempering was one of the answers on Amazon was answered by saying "not tempered" and I didn't specifically see it mentioned. I just found it odd that they wouldn't mention it.
|
|
|
Post by blairbob on Oct 3, 2023 23:14:59 GMT
maybe "not tempered" means no differential hardening/hamon.
i'm gonna guess they are probably using a translator program
|
|
|
Post by blairbob on Oct 3, 2023 23:36:18 GMT
while i want to like the cold steel katana, too many reports (including KultOfAthena outright stating) that there are issues with the fit and tightness of the wrap.
as I don't have the money to just buy a sword for semprinis and giggles though I suppose I could try doing it just for funsies and selling them at something of a loss. Ehhh
I have liked and never had anything wrong with any Hanwei swords nor ones I've handled (well, my Raptor might have places where you can see a tiny pieces of the wood in the knots) but that was also the pre fire days besides my Raptor.
but some ppl have reported having issues with the higher end hanwei though a gentlemen just bought a Dragonfly seconds that sounds like it was good in a recent thread.
|
|
|
Post by mikesd on Oct 4, 2023 3:35:44 GMT
My second blade arrived just now. This one is a Tanto. Different seller. It looks very well made. Everything tight. No flaws that my untrained eyes could see. Sheath blade has good fit. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BN9YKN7Z?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_imageNow I need to look into getting a Katana. I'll probably splurge a bit on that one and get one from a known swordsmith. It will be one I will likely buy as a collectible. Much like I do with my firearms. Many I have never fired. I'm going to Japan in the spring. Maybe I can get one there. I'm still going to get a Hanwei (I think. Or similar).
|
|
|
Post by Lord Newport on Oct 4, 2023 3:59:11 GMT
One should never forget that you almost always "get what you pay for"...
|
|
|
Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Oct 4, 2023 5:33:37 GMT
That's the problem which those Amazon product advertising texts of unknown makers. Not clear! Even if there are no blatant lies there's too much room for interpretation. Probably it's a folded, through harded TH blade of 1045 or 1060 plain carbon steel. Cheap but usable. With bad luck it's a decorative wall hanger without heat treatment.
|
|
|
Post by blairbob on Oct 4, 2023 13:30:38 GMT
it's pretty much why I have zero desire in anything sold off Amazon though I do peruse from time to time in case I might want to chance them.
Because I really don't want to spend a lot of money on something like a tanto or wakazashi that are dulled as iaito or that I will dull to be iaito if they are just for training.
I don't trust basically any of the reviews as anyone actually knowledgeable in production level katana beyond it cuts paper, it's pointy, it rattles in the saya, the koiguchi is too tight/loose.
when i had more Amazon credit and no idea what to do with it, I was looking more closely.
it's a bit different now that we are out of the swordpocalypse that we were back in 2020-2021 or so.
|
|
|
Post by blairbob on Oct 4, 2023 13:31:22 GMT
Tanto looks alright, more or less. It just depends in what condition it actually shows up at your door.
decent deal for $118.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Oct 4, 2023 13:46:22 GMT
Rather than patronizing Amazon you would be better off dealing with a reputable sword dealer. I’m sure our members can chime in with their favourites. Although I have dealt with them only once since they changed hands a popular site is KoA (Kult of Athena) www.kultofathena.com/
|
|
|
Post by mikesd on Oct 4, 2023 14:06:06 GMT
Rather than patronizing Amazon you would be better off dealing with a reputable sword dealer. I’m sure our members can chime in with their favourites. Although I have dealt with them only once since they changed hands a popular site is KoA (Kult of Athena) www.kultofathena.com/RepReply: That's what I intend to do, especially if I guy more expensive swords. I use Amazon a lot, but mostly because of the no questions asked return policy. But now they have gone to a minimum of 30 days (more like 45), to get a return. That's ridiculous since I know they receive the return within a couple days
|
|
|
Post by mikesd on Oct 4, 2023 14:15:07 GMT
That's the problem which those Amazon product advertising texts of unknown makers. Not clear! Even if there are no blatant lies there's too much room for interpretation. Probably it's a folded, through harded TH blade of 1045 or 1060 plain carbon steel. Cheap but usable. With bad luck it's a decorative wall hanger without heat treatment. I will generaly give them the benefit of the doubt, if they give a blade carbon content number, or claim some sort of heat treatment. But I won't trust vague terms and expect the worse. But sometimes I'll take a chance, if the price is right. I've made some pretty good buys on ebay in the past, and got some realy good collectibles, at low prices. But times have changed now. Everyone on ebay is over-charging now, so I rarely go their now. I've had pretty good luck on Amazon, by reading between the lines. My idea of a wall hanger is different than most. I won't hang anything that's fake, phony, or not real. I'd rather hang a $1000 real sword, in any condidion, than a pretty sword that's made of junk. I'm not a museum, a martial artist, or a Ninja wannabe. I'm just a user (and or enthusiast). I buy stuff I like. Anything I put on the wall, "I" want to see it. So it has to be something I like.
|
|
|
Post by mrstabby on Oct 4, 2023 19:15:04 GMT
I will generaly give them the benefit of the doubt, if they give a blade carbon content number, or claim some sort of heat treatment. But I won't trust vague terms and expect the worse. I wouldn't trust the cheap no-namers. If they say it's 1095 its very likely 1045, if they say its T10 its 1045, and if they say generic carbon steel its - you guessed it - 1045. If they lie about the steel they lie about their temper as well I'd wager.
It's more about the heat treat anyways. A good temper on a 1045 is better than a bad one on anything else.
For me, unless I know the seller and the manufacturer is good, I won't buy on amazon. Because even name brand swords don't mean much when unscrupulous people sell bad condition items on amazon (especially dangerous on "good deals"). The bigger amazon gets, the more crap happens. Yeah, you can use amazon a-z, it has worked for me a few times, still... It feels like buying a headset at the gas station to me.
|
|
|
Post by blairbob on Oct 5, 2023 17:43:09 GMT
Yeah, part of me would like to tell Bezos to get fracked, but these no name brands are cheap enough they are temping to gamble on for under $150.
My dealings with KoA were good. but i'm not really interested in hanwei or dragon king. I could be tempted to complete my Raptor collection or their tacticals though. I really think a kydex/aluminum saya for the tacticals would be better than wood.
I just saw Bugei put out some ads which I thought is odd. I spy the Ronin-katana stuff a lot, especially the stuff marked down but am told they have issue though i like some of their looks. I think my buddy told me his tanto he bought has a burr on the kissaki he needs to fix. I either pay money out for something nice to train with or just get something to put in my obi as i no longer have my tanto.
Intend to just go RVA/Cloudhammer but I am not interesting in waiting for anything longer than 6months. Already was burnt once and while I don't think they would do that, just no desire. Or patience. Kinda like their practical tachi rn. Was thinking i'd prefer longer than 28.5" nagas though and that means custom through cloudhammer. And i'm not interested in their sanmai.
I want a simple folded blade to be pretty that probably will just train solo with.
I flip between buy something stock that is red and black or maybe just have someone rewrap the tsuka with the menuki i want in wine red with black same
|
|