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Post by guillermus on Jun 16, 2024 17:42:13 GMT
Hi everyone. I´m thinking on buy my first "real" katana. I think that I´ve and idea on which I should to buy, but I prefer to ask you first.
I don´t need a beast.... I would not fight with, maybe cut pool noodles or even tatami, most of time it'll be on a table support, but I want something good. So, I´m going to ask you about three katanas I´ve seen and I like.
These are my three options:
Dragonfly katana Unokubi Zukuri TaoForge made from high carbon steel 1060
John Lee katana 47 Ronin made from 9260 spring steel
Raptor Katana Shinogi Zukuri Hanwei made from 5160 spring steel (maybe I like it the most)
What do you thing about these swords? Wich would be your choice?
Thank you everyone
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Post by larason2 on Jun 16, 2024 20:26:47 GMT
I think you're leaning toward the right choice. Unokubi zukuri is interesting, but its not the classic form, same with the shobu zukuri for option 2. Option 1 is really cold steel. They can be good, I have several swords from them, but sometimes quality control from them isn't great. The fittings will probably all be similar quality, maybe a bit better from Hanwei. The Hanwei can be hard to get though. For light cutting the steel isn't going to matter much, they should all be reasonably good.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jun 17, 2024 14:24:15 GMT
The Raptor would be my choice,... and indeed it was 11 years ago, without complaints. It has no hamon and the grip is "axe handle" style, but I like it this way. Real geometric yokote and an allround blade, not a broad specialized cutting blade.
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Post by guillermus on Jun 17, 2024 21:05:09 GMT
I supposed to. Andi, I think I read in another post that you had a Raptor, I see that you still have it. Hanwei have to models, the Unokubi zukuri and the shinogi zukuri (the first is already 8 cms longer than the second one), which is yours?
So The Raptor it´s not the best in something but is good in all purposes?
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Post by Arlequin on Jun 18, 2024 2:14:36 GMT
I supposed to. Andi, I think I read in another post that you had a Raptor, I see that you still have it. Hanwei have to models, the Unokubi zukuri and the shinogi zukuri (the first is already 8 cms longer than the second one), which is yours? So The Raptor it´s not the best in something but is good in all purposes? What's your budget? I would recommend Shadowdancer. They have some decent budget options, there tsuka are generally better too.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Posts: 10,124
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jun 18, 2024 3:59:00 GMT
I bought the shinogi zukuri because I wanted the classic form as my first classic kat. I had a Hanwei Tactical Katana first, which is the little sister of the Raptor line, the fastest and lightest of the 5160 blades. The Raptors are tough swords but not differentially hardened and therefore have not the hamon which is typical for katana. They have bulkier handles than many other reproductions which is often disliked, but not from me. It's a question of taste, what you like or not.
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Post by guillermus on Jun 18, 2024 7:10:43 GMT
I supposed to. Andi, I think I read in another post that you had a Raptor, I see that you still have it. Hanwei have to models, the Unokubi zukuri and the shinogi zukuri (the first is already 8 cms longer than the second one), which is yours? So The Raptor it´s not the best in something but is good in all purposes? What's your budget? I would recommend Shadowdancer. They have some decent budget options, there tsuka are generally better too. My budget...400-500 euros. I´m from Spain, and I prefer to buy here to avoid customs and added taxes
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Post by guillermus on Jun 18, 2024 7:17:30 GMT
I bought the shinogi zukuri because I wanted the classic form as my first classic kat. I had a Hanwei Tactical Katana first, which is the little sister of the Raptor line, the fastest and lightest of the 5160 blades. The Raptors are tough swords but not differentially hardened and therefore have not the hamon which is typical for katana. They have bulkier handles than many other reproductions which is often disliked, but not from me. It's a question of taste, what you like or not. So you have the same as I´ve seen. I prefer shinogi zukuri too. I like classical form, but I don't mind some variations. The Unokubi doesn´t like me because it's far from de classic line of katana
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Post by wildv on Jun 18, 2024 12:35:26 GMT
Raptor is really good.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Jun 18, 2024 14:58:12 GMT
Unokubi zukuri is a form that you get when you rework a naginata blade with strong tip curvature to a less curved katana. www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/styles.htmlIt's something special and less tough than shinogi zukuri. I'd like to have one but didn't found an interesting one yet. The Raptor Unokubi has an a bit strange tip section I don't like.
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Post by guillermus on Jun 19, 2024 19:39:34 GMT
Thank you very much. Another point to the Raptor
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Post by guillermus on Jun 19, 2024 19:49:58 GMT
Unokubi zukuri is a form that you get when you rework a naginata blade with strong tip curvature to a less curved katana. www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/styles.htmlIt's something special and less tough than shinogi zukuri. I'd like to have one but didn't found an interesting one yet. The Raptor Unokubi has an a bit strange tip section I don't like. This information has been really good for me. So I can deduce that the names of the swords depends on the way they are forged. I have the same sense, the blade of the Unokubi (specially the tip) doesn´t like me at all. Ok Andi, you've helped me a lot. I thank you very much the information about japanese blades.
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Post by blairbob on Jun 20, 2024 9:07:37 GMT
That's just your opinion, man!
Also, I have one but I don't really like the yokote on it. Yuck. Doesn't matter when training or cutting though.
I love U no Kubi besides Shobu and Kanmuri otoshi.
After 20yrs, pretty bored with Shinogi Zukuri.
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Post by blairbob on Jun 20, 2024 9:42:05 GMT
The tsuka fit to hand is ehhh ok. It's not preferably for Iai, it's fine for the most part for kenjutsu and cutting. My wrap seems tight enough but I think the koiguchi isn't very tight anymore likely because of weather because I really haven't used it much for Batto.
My U no Kubi Raptor isn't the heaviest blade I've ever or handled but it's not really light. This is not a blade most could use for Iai unless you are a big strong dude. It's no joke to draw and cut with one handed.
The appeal of the Raptors is something that isn't likely to bend or have a tsuka fail if you are cutting hard targets. And has always been at an entry level budget compared to their Forged line. It's just a bit more expensive than their Practical vanilla models (not the Elite or XL)
I got it because I always wanted a Raptor back in the day and I wanted a blade I could trust for the newbies not to bend (besides replacing the LL U no Kubi of mine that was stolen a decade and a half ago). That being said, I don't think their basic swordwork is competent to put one in their hands (I don't teach them but I train with the group) and not be something of a danger to themselves or the floor which is why I ended up picking up a Musashi (it's pretty light).
In the future, I will probably look into another U no Kubi or Shobu sword with a much better fit tsuka. At least I know the Raptor can take a beating if need be though I have never cut anything harder than bamboo or thin dowels.
If I want to cut a tree down, I have a Danish Axe. If I want to penetrate a wooden door or car, I'll use a spear or sledgehammer.
OTOH, I really would like to try to cut a pork or cow shoulder one of these days. And then grill it.
U no Kubi for Iai isn't for everyone out there for Batto and same goes for Shobu and any kissaki without yokote. Hell, they were sort of designed before Batto became popular.
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Post by wildv on Jun 21, 2024 2:19:28 GMT
Hi everyone. I´m thinking on buy my first "real" katana. I think that I´ve and idea on which I should to buy, but I prefer to ask you first. I don´t need a beast.... I would not fight with, maybe cut pool noodles or even tatami, most of time it'll be on a table support, but I want something good. So, I´m going to ask you about three katanas I´ve seen and I like. These are my three options: Dragonfly katana Unokubi Zukuri TaoForge made from high carbon steel 1060 John Lee katana 47 Ronin made from 9260 spring steel Raptor Katana Shinogi Zukuri Hanwei made from 5160 spring steel (maybe I like it the most) What do you thing about these swords? Wich would be your choice? Thank you everyone $1200 US for a Muromachi Tadamitsu katana That is a razor sharp heavy beast How can you find one for that price?
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Post by wildv on Jun 21, 2024 14:26:20 GMT
Can you share the link to your sale thread on the forums?
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Post by guillermus on Jun 23, 2024 16:29:27 GMT
Ok, I think my first choice will be for shinogi Zukuri. Maybe in the future I could explore for another options.
Thank you all for share your opinions
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