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Post by danny on Jan 3, 2024 20:01:07 GMT
Complete noob here. Looking for a katana for some practice and because I just like Katana's Now I have a hard time judging if this swords hamon is real. The person says it's 1095 steel and brand new. Can't Identify the brand so impossible to see what value it has. Any help is appreciated. Pictures ibb.co/GnSQmG4ibb.co/kgf8yK6ibb.co/tpXRpN7ibb.co/Thf1dPm
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 3, 2024 20:14:53 GMT
Pretty typical Chinese replica a la Longquan etc. Probably a middle-tier, but on the lower end, production. That is, you could certainly do a lot worse for, say, under $500 US, but with a higher budget there's better out there.
My biggest worry about this specific blade is the hamon (which does look real to me) runs pretty close to the edge at several points. Not immediately bad, but it's only got a few sharpenings in it before it's basically fatally flawed.
Otherwise the fittings are pretty mediocre and I'm going to assume not particularly tight, but you could certainly do worse.
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Post by danny on Jan 3, 2024 20:22:20 GMT
Pretty typical Chinese replica a la Longqua Thank you for the info! Yeah he's asking €400 And €500 for this one: ibb.co/F7Jtb78ibb.co/4Jbwj8gibb.co/YQ1JJMDibb.co/jzsGV6hMy biggest fear is getting something that's blunt after a couple strikes like I see with the cheaper models on YouTube because its made of cheese-grade steel and a steel brush hamon. 700 would be my absolute max to spend.
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 3, 2024 20:31:49 GMT
The box and sword bag in the pictures are a dead give-away that they are chinese reproductions. 2nd looks better in the blade in my opinion, though might just be the lighting. EDIT but the wrap loks a bit messy Also the Hamon looks pretty real, so it should not be so soft that it won't hold an edge. If it's really 1095 is another matter, but should be ok.
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 3, 2024 20:47:44 GMT
But maybe have a look on Kult of Athena, you might find something in that price range there.
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Post by danny on Jan 3, 2024 20:48:09 GMT
Thanks! I guess I better save up a little more and buy something verified that's definitely worth the money.
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Post by larason2 on Jan 3, 2024 23:42:35 GMT
I agree the hamon's dangerously close to the edge in places, and it doesn't look terribly realistic. I'm also worried about how close some of those dips get down to the shinogi-ji. It may just be the photos, but the blade looks awfully thin, there's basically no niku. I'd say it's a risk. Whatever they're asking, there's definitely better blades for the money.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 4, 2024 0:03:01 GMT
You could certainly do a lot worse than either of these, but you've got equal odds to do a lot better for the money.
Of course, having photos of (and, ideally handling) a specific sword before buying it is almost worth paying extra. You can buy a certain model of sword, even one with a good reputation, from an online seller (that also has a good reputation) and still be dissatisfied with the sword you get, whether because it doesn't fit the aesthetic you hoped for or because luck was not on your side and you got a bad example. Dozens of folks have come to this very forum to complain about the "good" sword that wasn't. Online buying is a gamble, but you can luck out and get good deals.
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Post by blairbob on Jan 4, 2024 2:07:08 GMT
i definitely would not pay 400-500 euros for these unless there just isn't that much available and you cannot import a sword from China or elsewhere in Europe. you can get something a lot more blingier for 400-500 euros from Ryansword or Hanbo or YariNoHanzo (though I'll need to look at some videos of theirs because if their higher end lines are just as thick in the tsuka, no way would i be interested them anymore unless it's just for show)
the hamon could be fake but just might be oil quenched with a cheap polish. i would hope it's fake because as mentioned it runs way too close to the ha.
$150 euros max and i doubt i would pay 100 because you just buy something else like a YariNoHanzo (checked out a student of my buddy's 2nd from the bottom line and it was decent though the tsuka was thick like a Musashi but for $130+shipping, whatever. His sensei just loves YnH for some reason, even with the shipping from Europe which is dumb to me)
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Post by madirish on Jan 4, 2024 19:33:33 GMT
Check out some of Alientude's reviews of lower/mid tier katanas!
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Post by blairbob on Jan 5, 2024 2:00:49 GMT
i have though i can't recall if I've seen one YariNoHanzo on them
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Post by crazyjons on Jan 5, 2024 4:13:41 GMT
I agree that those look more like $100 katanas not $400.
There's so many choices out there in that price range. Lots of options.
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Post by danny on Jan 7, 2024 23:12:33 GMT
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Post by blairbob on Jan 8, 2024 7:34:18 GMT
definitely nice though apparently a bit more expensive than 400-500 Euros. Still a lot more sword than what you initially posted.
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Post by danny on Jan 8, 2024 15:06:25 GMT
definitely nice though apparently a bit more expensive than 400-500 Euros. Still a lot more sword than what you initially posted. Thanks! I found a person that bought it, yet never used it. So I got it for €500. There is no give in the hilt wrap or tjuba or any signs of wear. Really happy with it being my first sword.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 8, 2024 15:21:46 GMT
If I'm right, Daimyo FF (forge-folded) is Dynasty Forge's upper-level line and do typically go for well over €500, so I'd say you did quite well.
Okay so I looked them up and it seems they're on a really good sale right now for $725 US, but it looks like that's about €660 so you still came out on top.
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Post by blairbob on Jan 9, 2024 3:29:43 GMT
yeah, the retail price is around $1.45k but selling for 725. Tbh, I don't know if they ever sold for that much years ago before they started liquidating them.
likely a good deal for 500E if it holds up
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Jan 9, 2024 15:34:40 GMT
EXCELLENT deal. I think it was definately the right choice. This way you also have more possibilities if something goes wrong. Dynasty Forge has a good reputation, so I have little doubt it will be solid. Also has a lot more meat underneath the Hamon line.
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