Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 1:52:21 GMT
i need a good opinion. I'm thinking of starting a sword collection, and am a little cautious now ever since i bought my stainless steel wall hanger that might as well have been a flaming brazier with my $40 in it. I have went to the good old SGB store, and the review pages, and have decided to buy a Hanwei Practical Plus Katana Elite. Is this a good sword to start off on? any comments from people who own this sword or any general opinions would be great. Thanks. and did anyone realize "katana" is not in the forum's spell check?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2009 2:01:09 GMT
It's up to you really, I think hanwei is a good starter company. Just don't treat it like it's indestructible and you'll like it fine.
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Post by kidcasanova on Mar 24, 2009 2:05:42 GMT
It's not in the spell check because it defaults to English words only, and, well, katana is Japanese. ;D
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ecovolo
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"Ich bin ein Landsknecht."
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Post by ecovolo on Mar 24, 2009 5:14:47 GMT
If you're interested in cutting, tameshigiri, or just collecting, all the way around I've heard good things about Hanwei's Practical series. The PPK Elite is a good starter, I say buy it.
--Edward
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2009 22:37:03 GMT
I have no personal experience with it, but I have heard good things from a few fellow local (how to call them erm...) swordsmen about it.
I guess it depends on what your goal is, but it's a pretty good sword.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2009 22:59:38 GMT
what will you be cutting? bottles? mats? or a bit of everything?
the elite series, and xl series, both cut awesome. the pk elite is my fav pk of them all, but this is for cutting mats, i wouldnt reccomend a 'performance series hanwei' if you plan on doing a lot of bottle cutting.
several people have chipped the edges on bottles (just look in the clasifieds), those swords are definately designed for mats.
have you considered hanweis new raptor series?
or my personal pick, the dynasty forge musha class?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 12:18:53 GMT
Hi guys. New to the forum (well ive been lurking for about a year but never registered).
The PPKE was the first "real" sword I owned. The construction and the finish of the entire katana is fantastic. The tsuka on the ppke is tight and feels sure in your hands, the ito is wonderfully wrapped. As others have said, dont expect it to be unbreakable and you'll have it for a while. Ive had mine for about a year and Ive cut a lot of milk bottles with it and its doing great.
I didnt really appreciate how good it was until I decided to buy a cheap hand forged katana to use as a garden beater.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 12:27:37 GMT
I have the PPK XL light model. It is very well made. Although I prefer a lighter Katana, this is a great sword for the money. It's solid in every way. It's not fancy by any stretch of the imagination but it is certainly functional. It's my mainstay cutter as I get the "impression" it's stouter than my other Katana's, including my Cheness "Kaze"...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 13:13:43 GMT
I have a PPK Elite Katana and I have nothing bad to say about it. It looks good and functions great. The weight and balance are very good for a sword in it's price range. The fittings are pleasing but not too fancy and it is able to be disassembled. I am very happy with this sword indeed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 15:26:57 GMT
There are so many good katanas to start with that it is rather hard to decide on one. Choose one and try it, then you will have more data to work with, and trust me when I say that this won't be your last katana, it gets addictive.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 17:12:48 GMT
Thanks to everyone who replied, does anyone have any suggestions though for a quality, good level sword about like this one that wont chip on harder targets?
perhaps the PPK XL?
anyway, if i cant find a sword with a stronger blade geopmetry i will just buy this one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 17:47:38 GMT
XL is more prone to chipping due to thinner blade profile. Try dynasty forge musha class.
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Post by Reisz on Apr 15, 2009 21:08:01 GMT
I would Suggest the Shinogi-zukuri (read: normal looking one) of the Hanwei Raptor series for durability, as far as I know it is the strongest in the Hanwei line up, and the one I have dry handled feels great, you can get them for less than the ppk Elite, but one of the reasons they are more durable is the lack of a differentially hardened edge, that ever desirable Hamon is missing. but they are still an exceptionally functional sword that I think is quite handsome. Have a look at www.wiwingtiswordsupply.com under Hanwei Japanese, that seems to be the best price for them at the moment. Either way good luck with your first purchase! -Reisz
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2009 22:19:03 GMT
I guess it depends on your wallet. I started on a cheap yet functional Musashi...there is a member here that deals Musashi for a good price-Sam I Am. Hanwei is the way to go if you got the loot, I recently purchased(and reviewed on here) a PPK and could not be happier with it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2009 13:51:43 GMT
It's not in the spell check because it defaults to English words only, and, well, katana is Japanese. ;D Not to mention, if you can't spell katana, maybe you shouldn't be getting one. LOL Just a joke. If Japanese swords strike your fancy, you could do much worse than a PPK Elite.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2009 23:00:47 GMT
I've been looking aroung the SGB reviews/store, and i think im going to go with a Cheness 9260 spring steel "Tenchi". Anyone who owns this sword wanna give me an opinion?
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Post by wiwingti on May 23, 2009 0:11:02 GMT
i personally have one(PPK) and it is a good starter but, it is a sword to cut mats or (light bottles)and not to cut anything that you would like to cut. if you want a beater you would be better to go to a Hanwei/Raptor, or a Dynasty forge musha class ( it is spring steel)( have them all)
or even a chenes 9260
my two cents.
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Insane
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I'm not mental... Just Insane
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Post by Insane on May 23, 2009 5:38:39 GMT
I own a practical plus elite and just love it. Hanwei always have a very nice finish to there swords and are just solid.
The elite is pretty nice to look at although simple and it cuts wonderfully. It's a great value for your money.
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Post by sparky on May 24, 2009 23:24:09 GMT
I've been looking aroung the SGB reviews/store, and i think im going to go with a Cheness 9260 spring steel "Tenchi". Anyone who owns this sword wanna give me an opinion? I love mine! I also have NO skills with a sword what-so-ever, and I have not screwed mine up! Yet? It also cuts wonderfully.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2009 2:46:31 GMT
PPK Elite, not an owner myself but I would concur with the other owners opinions that if you treat it right and be conscious of your cutting form it will be a more then excellent blade. Dont abuse it, wont lose it
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