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Post by exv on Oct 21, 2023 16:19:08 GMT
Any one lucky enough to own both and can have a head to head comparison. My heart leans towards HC cause it is like twice the price.
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Post by treeslicer on Oct 21, 2023 18:45:12 GMT
Ahhh, King Kong vs. Godzilla.
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Post by alientude on Oct 21, 2023 19:06:30 GMT
Keep in mind that with Howard Clark, you're getting a bare blade and habaki, while at roughly half the price, Motohara gets you a fully mounted katana.
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Post by larason2 on Oct 21, 2023 22:27:46 GMT
In my opinion it's never quite the same thing to get a custom sword from a smith vs. one from a company. If you want an heirloom piece, go for Howard Clark. If you want a good quality sword with high level koshirae, get a motohara. They're not quite the same thing though.
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Post by blairbob on Oct 21, 2023 22:51:08 GMT
saw the thread on reddit.
the Howard Clark blade should retain their value a lot more and there are a lot less blades out there because of turn around time.
Motohara still retain a lot of their value when sold used compared to other katana outside of Japan from Asia.
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Post by wildv on Oct 22, 2023 14:33:55 GMT
Any one lucky enough to own both and can have a head to head comparison. My heart leans towards HC cause it is like twice the price. This is easy - Howard Clark. Motohara is a "poor mans HC." Or in better terms Motohara is a very well made production blade. HC is a special one-off type of sword, the same kind you would get in Japan. Re-sell also reflects this.
If you know cars, it's easier to compare/explain - HC is a Ferrari F8 and Motohara is a Nissan 370Z.
I hope this helps!
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Post by vidar on Oct 22, 2023 20:31:11 GMT
Depends on what your expectations are. If you see it as an investment, I would take a Nihonto. If it’s for kata practice, I would also take a Nihonto. If it’s for cutting, I would recommend a cheaper production sword if your skill is not so good, or a Nihonto if your skill is good. Both Howard Clark and Evolution blades are really good swords I suppose, but if you’re passionate about Japanese swords, I would most of the time recommend a true Japanese sword.
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Post by maro on Nov 7, 2023 3:27:50 GMT
Whilst Motohara blades are very good, they are not in the same league as Howard Clark's blades. They do mount them though - I've currently got an HC Wakizashi being mounted by them
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Post by toddstratton1 on Nov 13, 2023 2:57:42 GMT
Any one lucky enough to own both and can have a head to head comparison. My heart leans towards HC cause it is like twice the price. This is easy - Howard Clark. Motohara is a "poor mans HC." Or in better terms Motohara is a very well made production blade. HC is a special one-off type of sword, the same kind you would get in Japan. Re-sell also reflects this.
If you know cars, it's easier to compare/explain - HC is a Ferrari F8 and Motohara is a Nissan 370Z.
I hope this helps!
I wouldn't really call a Motohara a production type blade, as every one is customisable for all dimensions and etc. It's not as bespoke as a fully mounted HC sword. But it is more than enough to last a lifetime for all intended training and cutting purposes. A fully mounted HC sword is also over like 10k+ and a huge wait time to get it all done between the bare blade. Paying someone else for Polishing, mounting etc. The Howard Clark swords are definitely the highest end mono steel custom smith swords you can get your hands on for sure. I guess the difference depends on goals. Budget would be the largest factor. There is a sense of diminishing returns on performance of a sword after a certain level of craftsmanship, for the extra price range. If you're in a financial position to pay for a Howard Clark than you definitely won't be disappointed. But a Motohara Katana can do just as much for you at a fraction of the cost.
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Post by Robert in California on Nov 13, 2023 13:02:43 GMT
For most of us, a HC is too much money and too long a wait. But I know that if I had a HC, I would not use it for anything that could scratch or ding it. It takes very little to really drop the resale price.
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Post by jckang on Nov 15, 2023 1:15:54 GMT
Get the best of both worlds, a blade by Howard Clark mounted by Motohara
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Post by wildv on Nov 23, 2023 12:57:54 GMT
This is easy - Howard Clark. Motohara is a "poor mans HC." Or in better terms Motohara is a very well made production blade. HC is a special one-off type of sword, the same kind you would get in Japan. Re-sell also reflects this.
If you know cars, it's easier to compare/explain - HC is a Ferrari F8 and Motohara is a Nissan 370Z.
I hope this helps!
I wouldn't really call a Motohara a production type blade, as every one is customisable for all dimensions and etc. It's not as bespoke as a fully mounted HC sword. But it is more than enough to last a lifetime for all intended training and cutting purposes. A fully mounted HC sword is also over like 10k+ and a huge wait time to get it all done between the bare blade. Paying someone else for Polishing, mounting etc. The Howard Clark swords are definitely the highest end mono steel custom smith swords you can get your hands on for sure. I guess the difference depends on goals. Budget would be the largest factor. There is a sense of diminishing returns on performance of a sword after a certain level of craftsmanship, for the extra price range. If you're in a financial position to pay for a Howard Clark than you definitely won't be disappointed. But a Motohara Katana can do just as much for you at a fraction of the cost. I mean tomayto, tomahto. You're pretty much saying the same thing, I would NOT be disappointment to own a Nissan 370Z. But who doesn't love a Ferrari? I don't agree with the statement "I wouldn't really call a Motohara a production type blade" but I understand your point. Hanbon are also fully customizeable, but they are most definitely a production blade. I think the distinction can be black and white here, if every part of the sword and furniture has to be one-off made just for you, you're in custom town. If it's drag and drop, multiple choice options or pick a part (my Motohara was) you're in production town baby! I know Motohara can have custom stuff made but most good -- and not so good forges can do this too BTW. This distinction could be easily made. Now the levels of what a production blade is and can be vary to a huge degree. My Motohara and my Citadel are LEAGUES ahead of my custom Hanbon kat. "But a Motohara Katana can do just as much for you at a fraction of the cost." There are also lots of swords that you could make that comparison to Motohara even. The Hanwei Raptors for example. Ronin Dojo Pro's. It goes on and on till you're down to a $120 sword haha.
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Post by darknovashin on Nov 24, 2023 17:33:28 GMT
I have been very lucky recently and have an example of both options. At some point, I will get around to taking them out of their fittings and taking measures, but I think it's all been listed out well here so far.
Howard Clark is a master of his craft. He will create you a sword on par with or above any other modern smiths and that's before taking into account his use of Bainite in his blades. There are examples and reviews of his blades online but the one that stands out most to me is one from Alientude (who commented above) reviewing a Howard Clark katana used as a dojo blade for competition cutting for years that is still completely straight and has needed minimal touch ups to the polish and sharpen. The shear number of swings that blade has taken at mats without failing is incredible, doubly considering the varying levels of skill used. However, the differential hardening process is rough on the metal (he has quoted a 66% chance of failure previously) and so you are paying a premium for it. Nowadays, he generally will only make a blade in a forge polish which will need polishing and fitting before it's ready to use, but there are a couple older examples where he did the entire set of fittings including one I think still on the classified page. Only a couple modern polishers are familiar with the Bainite blades and know how to maximize their beauty and sharpness as it's a tough steel to work with due in part to the durability. Ted Tenold, Josiah Boomershine, John DeMasa, and now Motohara are the ones I have seen recommended. The fittings will vary between craftsmen so that can be above, below or on par with a Motohara katana depending on your desires, but the polish is an extremely important part of both looks and function so it can't be underestimated.
Motohara or Evolution Blades is run by Jason Yoon who is, if I remember correctly, a practitioner of Toyama Ryu and his pride as a swordsman shines through in the company's work. I purchased a reservation on a blade from this forum and expected to just live with the previous customer's decisions, but Jason reached out directly and worked with me to get a weapon that would be better fit and functional for me. This included arranging for a new blade and finding a separate use for the reserved blade that was already forged, something I did not expect and likely required him soaking additional costs. Having received the final piece, I am very happy with the result. They work in multiple modern tool and knife steels that can provide all the durability and function you can hope for as well as having custom blade curvatures, cross-sections, and sharpening to optimize it further for your uses. While they are closer to a production blade than one from Howard Clark, much like Albion, they are very good at what they do and provide many of the same customizations and tweaks you would get from sitting down with the craftsmen directly.
I am lucky to have 2 Howard Clark blades (one mounted and polished by Josiah and one by Fred Lohman I think), a third being polished/mounted by Josiah, and a 4th in Howard's queue after a number of years of saving up and recently received my first Motohara as mentioned. I think that 4th blade and the one I have in hand mounted by Lohman will be going to Motohara for mounting given my experience with Jason and the resulting katana. For me, I think this is the best of both worlds, and Howard Clark has sent his own blades to him for restoration and fitting which is as good of a vote of confidence as one can hope for.
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Post by wildv on Nov 25, 2023 7:34:19 GMT
I have been very lucky recently and have an example of both options. At some point, I will get around to taking them out of their fittings and taking measures, but I think it's all been listed out well here so far. Howard Clark is a master of his craft. He will create you a sword on par with or above any other modern smiths and that's before taking into account his use of Bainite in his blades. There are examples and reviews of his blades online but the one that stands out most to me is one from Alientude (who commented above) reviewing a Howard Clark katana used as a dojo blade for competition cutting for years that is still completely straight and has needed minimal touch ups to the polish and sharpen. The shear number of swings that blade has taken at mats without failing is incredible, doubly considering the varying levels of skill used. However, the differential hardening process is rough on the metal (he has quoted a 66% chance of failure previously) and so you are paying a premium for it. Nowadays, he generally will only make a blade in a forge polish which will need polishing and fitting before it's ready to use, but there are a couple older examples where he did the entire set of fittings including one I think still on the classified page. Only a couple modern polishers are familiar with the Bainite blades and know how to maximize their beauty and sharpness as it's a tough steel to work with due in part to the durability. Ted Tenold, Josiah Boomershine, John DeMasa, and now Motohara are the ones I have seen recommended. The fittings will vary between craftsmen so that can be above, below or on par with a Motohara katana depending on your desires, but the polish is an extremely important part of both looks and function so it can't be underestimated. Motohara or Evolution Blades is run by Jason Yoon who is, if I remember correctly, a practitioner of Toyama Ryu and his pride as a swordsman shines through in the company's work. I purchased a reservation on a blade from this forum and expected to just live with the previous customer's decisions, but Jason reached out directly and worked with me to get a weapon that would be better fit and functional for me. This included arranging for a new blade and finding a separate use for the reserved blade that was already forged, something I did not expect and likely required him soaking additional costs. Having received the final piece, I am very happy with the result. They work in multiple modern tool and knife steels that can provide all the durability and function you can hope for as well as having custom blade curvatures, cross-sections, and sharpening to optimize it further for your uses. While they are closer to a production blade than one from Howard Clark, much like Albion, they are very good at what they do and provide many of the same customizations and tweaks you would get from sitting down with the craftsmen directly. I am lucky to have 2 Howard Clark blades (one mounted and polished by Josiah and one by Fred Lohman I think), a third being polished/mounted by Josiah, and a 4th in Howard's queue after a number of years of saving up and recently received my first Motohara as mentioned. I think that 4th blade and the one I have in hand mounted by Lohman will be going to Motohara for mounting given my experience with Jason and the resulting katana. For me, I think this is the best of both worlds, and Howard Clark has sent his own blades to him for restoration and fitting which is as good of a vote of confidence as one can hope for. I also a lucky one who owns both a HC (much older blade around a decade now) and a Motohara. But correct me if I'm wrong, did you say you have FOUR, count that FOUR HC blades either in your hand or on the way?? Wow!!
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Post by darknovashin on Nov 25, 2023 18:29:03 GMT
Yep! I have been very lucky, particularly in the last couple years with things coming together. Long, long ago, I wanted one when Howard Clark was still working with Bugei, and I have kept desire that in the back of my mind since. Now, I have finally started to have the resources to acquire them and have spent a couple years looking and saving. Still going to be a number of years till I have all 4 in hand, but my plan is to ultimately collect and fit them with fittings based on each of the Saint Beasts/Divine Animals.
The first I acquired when Howard posted a set of unfinished blades he had around the forge that had failed to meet parameters (usually too shallow sori) or were experiments with different quenching processes about 3 years ago now. That one is currently with Josiah Boomershine and, last I heard (admittedly 2 years ago) it had finished the polishing process and the fittings were in hand to make it white tiger themed. I hope to have that one in hand soon as it looks incredible in the full polish photos Josiah sent me 2 years ago. The second I got from the SBG classifieds this year and was polished and fit also by Josiah with a pair of custom Menuki of a mythologic beast akin to a turtle. I plan to make that the black tortoise blade, but I will need a new Tsuba and seppa to fit the theme and fix the looseness causing a rattle at the tsuba. The third is the reserved one which is in the queue and will be fit to be the crimson sparrow blade. I have an antique Tsuba for it and am looking for the other fittings. The fourth I also acquired on the SBG classifieds and was fit by I think Fred Lohman. I don't like the current fitting set and the habaki shaping worries me a bit since it is both uneven and it looks like it was overfiled a bit with a missing chunk at the mune, so will be eventually going to Jason at Motohara to be refit in 2024 once I save a bit more. It's solid for now at least to use in iaido, if a bit tip heavy. The last of the planned set of 5 is still only in the planning stage, but I hope to put in a request to Howard by the end of the year as I haven't seen any of his blades on the market or in collections at the length I was hoping for (30.5 inch nagasa with a long enough tang for an 11 inch tsuka). And that's going to be it for me as that set of 5 is will be worth more than anything else I own except the house. >.<
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Post by wildv on Nov 26, 2023 0:55:44 GMT
Yep! I have been very lucky, particularly in the last couple years with things coming together. Long, long ago, I wanted one when Howard Clark was still working with Bugei, and I have kept desire that in the back of my mind since. Now, I have finally started to have the resources to acquire them and have spent a couple years looking and saving. Still going to be a number of years till I have all 4 in hand, but my plan is to ultimately collect and fit them with fittings based on each of the Saint Beasts/Divine Animals. The first I acquired when Howard posted a set of unfinished blades he had around the forge that had failed to meet parameters (usually too shallow sori) or were experiments with different quenching processes about 3 years ago now. That one is currently with Josiah Boomershine and, last I heard (admittedly 2 years ago) it had finished the polishing process and the fittings were in hand to make it white tiger themed. I hope to have that one in hand soon as it looks incredible in the full polish photos Josiah sent me 2 years ago. The second I got from the SBG classifieds this year and was polished and fit also by Josiah with a pair of custom Menuki of a mythologic beast akin to a turtle. I plan to make that the black tortoise blade, but I will need a new Tsuba and seppa to fit the theme and fix the looseness causing a rattle at the tsuba. The third is the reserved one which is in the queue and will be fit to be the crimson sparrow blade. I have an antique Tsuba for it and am looking for the other fittings. The fourth I also acquired on the SBG classifieds and was fit by I think Fred Lohman. I don't like the current fitting set and the habaki shaping worries me a bit since it is both uneven and it looks like it was overfiled a bit with a missing chunk at the mune, so will be eventually going to Jason at Motohara to be refit in 2024 once I save a bit more. It's solid for now at least to use in iaido, if a bit tip heavy. The last of the planned set of 5 is still only in the planning stage, but I hope to put in a request to Howard by the end of the year as I haven't seen any of his blades on the market or in collections at the length I was hoping for (30.5 inch nagasa with a long enough tang for an 11 inch tsuka). And that's going to be it for me as that set of 5 is will be worth more than anything else I own except the house. >.< Wow, that all sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing. 30.5 blade with 11 tsuka is my total sweet spot! If I had more cash, I'd order one of them too. My HC is a bit short for me (27.5 and 10.5), but it was a second hand purchase on a deal I just couldn't pass up. Maybe I could sell it and start from scratch? But then that worries me as I might end up with no HC blade haha! He is getting really old
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Post by toddstratton1 on Nov 26, 2023 1:03:23 GMT
Yep! I have been very lucky, particularly in the last couple years with things coming together. Long, long ago, I wanted one when Howard Clark was still working with Bugei, and I have kept desire that in the back of my mind since. Now, I have finally started to have the resources to acquire them and have spent a couple years looking and saving. Still going to be a number of years till I have all 4 in hand, but my plan is to ultimately collect and fit them with fittings based on each of the Saint Beasts/Divine Animals. The first I acquired when Howard posted a set of unfinished blades he had around the forge that had failed to meet parameters (usually too shallow sori) or were experiments with different quenching processes about 3 years ago now. That one is currently with Josiah Boomershine and, last I heard (admittedly 2 years ago) it had finished the polishing process and the fittings were in hand to make it white tiger themed. I hope to have that one in hand soon as it looks incredible in the full polish photos Josiah sent me 2 years ago. The second I got from the SBG classifieds this year and was polished and fit also by Josiah with a pair of custom Menuki of a mythologic beast akin to a turtle. I plan to make that the black tortoise blade, but I will need a new Tsuba and seppa to fit the theme and fix the looseness causing a rattle at the tsuba. The third is the reserved one which is in the queue and will be fit to be the crimson sparrow blade. I have an antique Tsuba for it and am looking for the other fittings. The fourth I also acquired on the SBG classifieds and was fit by I think Fred Lohman. I don't like the current fitting set and the habaki shaping worries me a bit since it is both uneven and it looks like it was overfiled a bit with a missing chunk at the mune, so will be eventually going to Jason at Motohara to be refit in 2024 once I save a bit more. It's solid for now at least to use in iaido, if a bit tip heavy. The last of the planned set of 5 is still only in the planning stage, but I hope to put in a request to Howard by the end of the year as I haven't seen any of his blades on the market or in collections at the length I was hoping for (30.5 inch nagasa with a long enough tang for an 11 inch tsuka). And that's going to be it for me as that set of 5 is will be worth more than anything else I own except the house. >.< Wow, that all sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing. 30.5 blade with 11 tsuka is my total sweet spot! If I had more cash, I'd order one of them too. My HC is a bit short for me (27.5 and 10.5), but it was a second hand purchase on a deal I just couldn't pass up. Maybe I could sell it and start from scratch? But then that worries me as I might end up with no HC blade haha! He is getting really old I'm tittering on the edge of putting in a commission myself before I lose the chance, if he retires.
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Post by wildv on Nov 26, 2023 6:27:43 GMT
Wow, that all sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing. 30.5 blade with 11 tsuka is my total sweet spot! If I had more cash, I'd order one of them too. My HC is a bit short for me (27.5 and 10.5), but it was a second hand purchase on a deal I just couldn't pass up. Maybe I could sell it and start from scratch? But then that worries me as I might end up with no HC blade haha! He is getting really old I'm tittering on the edge of putting in a commission myself before I lose the chance, if he retires. I'm thinking about just ordering a bare blade from him and then sitting on it. That way at least you've got the blade! I'd personally love some Roman Urban fittings, but could NOT afford all that in one go. Have you handled a HC? They're definitely worth it! It could be the price tag but they feel slightly more "alive" than Motohara if that makes any sense? I almost mean alive as in sentient, but I cannot explain it really in words. Those that are more poetic than I and have handled/owned one might be able to chime in? But once again, it could just be the price and mystique I'm feeling? However I also get a similar feeling from one of my nihonto tanto. I do not know much about it, it is signed and from muromachi, but the feeling is "it's seen stuff." Sorry, I'm not trying to derail this thread, but I think this is also another distinction you can make between the two. Anyone else know what I'm rambling about haha?
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Post by toddstratton1 on Nov 26, 2023 12:40:51 GMT
I'm tittering on the edge of putting in a commission myself before I lose the chance, if he retires. I'm thinking about just ordering a bare blade from him and then sitting on it. That way at least you've got the blade! I'd personally love some Roman Urban fittings, but could NOT afford all that in one go. Have you handled a HC? They're definitely worth it! It could be the price tag but they feel slightly more "alive" than Motohara if that makes any sense? I almost mean alive as in sentient, but I cannot explain it really in words. Those that are more poetic than I and have handled/owned one might be able to chime in? But once again, it could just be the price and mystique I'm feeling? However I also get a similar feeling from one of my nihonto tanto. I do not know much about it, it is signed and from muromachi, but the feeling is "it's seen stuff." Sorry, I'm not trying to derail this thread, but I think this is also another distinction you can make between the two. Anyone else know what I'm rambling about haha? Maybe because of the sense of really good balance and handling makes if feel alive? I get that same feeling with Angus trim swords, and some of my albions. As for swords used in history that's a whole other ball game of extra "stuff". I don't think Howard Clark offers anything but bare blades with his commissions anymore. And you have to find someone else to polish it and make the fittings etc. I hope he is still taking commissions though. On facebook and his site he will occasionally post bare blades that are for sale. So I wasn't sure if he was also taking custom commissions on top of that. There were some really nice HC blades up for sale on the forums recently. I think I would want one a bit bigger though, at least 31 inch nagasa and with a good blade for hard target cutting, rather than the grass cutter blades he does that are geared toward light targets and slicing. My motohara katana has a 32 inch Nagasa with bohi, and it is superbly balanced despite being a very large katana, in part also due to bohi and a very noticeable distal tapering on the spine of the blade. If it was without bohi though it would probably be far more tip heavy, I think it sits a 4 inch or 4.5 inch POB. But overall a heavier sword than some of my classmates swords which are around the 28 inch mark. I haven't got to handle a HC blade yet myself but a few people in my organization have them. I go to a Toyama Ryu Batto school, Jason Yoon who owns Motohara Katana also goes there and introduced me to the school so we train together sometimes, he has shown me many motohara katana, and most students who have shinken have his swords as well. He does offer polishing and mounting for HC blades I believe, his Smith is in Korea. I think I need to bite the bullet on a Howard Clark sword commission and just do it, because I always wanted to own at least one. And ideally with the sword dimensions I really like as well. It's just super expensive for me to invest into it, they do hold their value extremely well though, and resale value. The thing with Howard Clark swords is you have to be willing to shell a ton of money to get one after all is said and done, and then the time waiting for everything to finish between the bare blade taking like 2 years if he is still accepting commissions, and then the extra work to polish and mount the sword after. Don't know what that time line looks like, and with all that you will be spending at least 8 to 10 k ish? An extremely hefty investment, but if you can have the means to do it, no real issue why not to do it. A person should have some good experience with JSA first though so they know what they really want and like before going down that rabbit hole and spending a small fortune. For all intended training purposes alone a Motohara Katana is enough to practice and compete at the highest levels, but Japan won't let you bring monosteel swords into their country. A Howard Clark is like an heirloom sword that will meet all the demands of training and competing at any level. But comes at a heavy cost of wait time and money. A Howard Clark sword is worth it, but a person who has enough money for one would benefit by just getting a motohara for the time period of waiting they would need to do for it to be finished. If they want to sell the Motohara at that point they could, but I'm sure they might not. As multiple swords can have different training purposes and it's nice to have variety. Bohi vs Nohi, length of nagasa differences, blade geometry for differentd intended targets i.e. hard vs soft target focused or a blend. Etc. It's around the 2k-3k mark for a Motohara Katana that doesn't have expensive fittings and 4 month wait time. You can get that and train to your desires while waiting for the long wait of a Howard Clark, best of both worlds.
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Post by bluetruefu on Dec 13, 2023 13:16:32 GMT
I'm tittering on the edge of putting in a commission myself before I lose the chance, if he retires. I'm thinking about just ordering a bare blade from him and then sitting on it. That way at least you've got the blade! I'd personally love some Roman Urban fittings, but could NOT afford all that in one go. Have you handled a HC? They're definitely worth it! It could be the price tag but they feel slightly more "alive" than Motohara if that makes any sense? I almost mean alive as in sentient, but I cannot explain it really in words. Those that are more poetic than I and have handled/owned one might be able to chime in? But once again, it could just be the price and mystique I'm feeling? However I also get a similar feeling from one of my nihonto tanto. I do not know much about it, it is signed and from muromachi, but the feeling is "it's seen stuff." Sorry, I'm not trying to derail this thread, but I think this is also another distinction you can make between the two. Anyone else know what I'm rambling about haha? Hello there, I came to speak more about the feeling of "alive". It doesn't have anything to do with price, I once bought multiple katanas from the same brand and they were the same model. One felt awful, like holding a dead fish. I was baffled but at the time just didn't even want to hold it. I thought maybe it will feel better to someone else and I sold it immediately, I wish I would have kept it to study or use as an example.. Later I purchased a ko katana that spoke to me in a positive way. It felt like it was just apart of me. To quote a Thor line "It's terribly well balanced". The terrible part is because I wanted it to feel powerful or something but instead it more fits me like a puzzle piece and it feels real natural to swing. So balance probably has a lot to do with it and the persons dimensions. I've owned over 20 katanas and only the one has felt like a glove. It is something that only a "collector" experiences I think because they handle and get to experience more than most. It's something I think about all the time especially witnessing Mathew Jensen. He has put together more high quality custom swords than anybody but doesn't keep any. I have asked him on his stream and he says none of them once completed spoke to him when he handled them. Which is wild! Imagine spending so much money and it doesn't feel good in the end.. Anyway, I wish there was a place we could go to feel how swords handled before buying them. Online shopping is just a dice roll, some handle average and do the person just fine but they never discover the feeling of one that feels alive in their hand or speaks to them. As you said it's hard to describe and my discription may not have matched your experience but it is a sensation that exists.
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