Advice on my first Samurai Sword

B

BlakeK

Joined
Jun 13, 2014
Messages
31
Hi all at Blade Forums,

I'm very knew to bladed weapon collecting and so far i have only bought a couple of fantasy display daggers. But now i want to buy my 1st real Katana. I see no point in picking up a cheap punched steel Anime sword with a rubbish rats tail tang that will break after one swing. What i'm after is functional "battle ready" Katana at a reasonable price that is made of high quality carbon steel with a full tang that can be used for blade practice (cutting grass mats, water bottles etc). I've found a website here in England that seems to have exactly what i'm looking for. If i post a few links, would you good people please tell me if they are good swords and if they will do the job i'm after... Thanks

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88&products_id=881

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88&products_id=878

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=873

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=875
 
Those swords look like the ones selling on ebay from chinese manufacturers. They might be ok. I have a highlander repro blade that has a nice hamon from there.

I'd recommend you consider manufacturers hanwei, cheness, cold steel before these though. There are other brands that are highly thought of but I don't have experience with them ronin etc.

Another good site is sword buyers guide for reviews.. The ones you were looking at will probably do the job but with the makers I put above you can guarantee that the sword will do the job...
 
pap11y said:
Those swords look like the ones selling on ebay from chinese manufacturers. They might be ok. I have a highlander repro blade that has a nice hamon from there.

I'd recommend you consider manufacturers hanwei, cheness, cold steel before these though. There are other brands that are highly thought of but I don't have experience with them ronin etc.

Another good site is sword buyers guide for reviews.. The ones you were looking at will probably do the job but with the makers I put above you can guarantee that the sword will do the job...
Click to expand...

Hi pap11y, thanks for the info. Those brands do indeed sell some great swords, but unfortunately most are out of my price range and their products are based outside of the UK. UK law states that "Hand Forged" Samurai Swords are Legal and Ok to own and buy in the UK, but it's illegal to ship them to the UK. It's an insane law, but most nations cannot import bladed weapons to us. There's a ban on all "Curved" blades that are not traditionally hand forged and are longer than 41" here, it's crazy. As if a straight blade is in some way less dangerous :/ lol.

I guess i'll be fine with the swords i linked so long as they will not break...
 
Ugh. That last line is the issue.

1095 is good stuff, but not ideal for swords. It's just a little brittle in that length. I've made a few with that steel, but wouldn't trust them, and that's with a professional heat treat I know I can trust.

Hanwei blades are all "traditionally made" and thus legal for you. I would start there. If a lower end Hanwei is out of your budget, you have no business buying swords right now. Save your money. Most of the other brands mentioned also do not fall under the 2008 sword ban, due to the method of manufacture, and are available from a variety of UK resellers.
 
BlakeK said:
Hi all at Blade Forums,

I'm very knew to bladed weapon collecting and so far i have only bought a couple of fantasy display daggers. But now i want to buy my 1st real Katana. I see no point in picking up a cheap punched steel Anime sword with a rubbish rats tail tang that will break after one swing. What i'm after is functional "battle ready" Katana at a reasonable price that is made of high quality carbon steel with a full tang that can be used for blade practice (cutting grass mats, water bottles etc). I've found a website here in England that seems to have exactly what i'm looking for. If i post a few links, would you good people please tell me if they are good swords and if they will do the job i'm after... Thanks

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88&products_id=881

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88&products_id=878

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=873

http://www.real-swords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=875
Click to expand...

Buying a katana is of secondary importance. I would suggest signing up for a few kendo lessons and taking it from there. Your instructor will then be able to advise you on what to get, when to get it and where to best get it. Swords are only weapons in the sense when paired with a specific technique. If you find that the style is not for you, then it may be worth considering the longsword or other weapons. Real swords are very expensive. The abuse you expend on your instructor's training equipment will spare damage your own investment. Learn first, decide what you like, then make the commitment on a good sword that you can be proud of. Once you know what you are doing, your decision will be driven by things like, length, weight, balance, profile and cross section; you will be picking something that comfortably fits you, your style and what you like to do. It will no longer be as generic as steel type or who makes a good sword.

n2s
 
Thank you all for your replies. I took FlowerofLifes advice and after a bit of my own research, i've decided a RK Dojo Pro is a pretty great cutter for the price :)
 
i firmly believe its the best sword for the money, i have #17 and love it, the only negative i have found is that the sia has lithium coated on the inside of it that occasionally rubs off on the blade, my understanding is they put it there to prevent rusting.
i will take a few artistic pics of mine later, its a great looking sword with massive cutting power
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top