Can someone suggest a decent Katana that costs less than 100.00

For under 100.00 keep your eyes out over in Kult of Athena in the Dent & Scratch Blowouts section if you can dig up $19 more there is a decent one in there now
 
Viper715 said:
I have one long blade a Ninjato that I've owned for about 20 years. My mother bought it for me when I was ten. I used it for my martial arts class. It came sharp but I was very proud of it and hand sharpened it to a razors edge. We bought it at a military surplus store for about $75 back then. I have used it heavily the entire time I have had it. It has cut through 3 inch trees many times usually in one strike. The only thing that has happened is the Tsuba has became slightly loose. I would have thought that there would be as good or better blades by now for a similar or slightly higher price but I guess they don't make them like the used to.
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Not to try calling you out or anything, but there are elements of your story that are really not adding up to me--first off, that your sensei allowed you to use a so-called "ninjato" (or kiriha zukuri) in classes. Secondly, that you were able to cut through a 3"-thick tree in one stroke with it. It's not uncommon for an axe take two strokes to go through a piece of wood that thick.

Be careful--that sword's liable to let loose any time. :o
 
I'd like to see that cut and hat's off to you, a 3" diameter tree is over 7 si cross section, a 2 by 4 (1.5 by 3.5) is only 5.25 si and not too many people can cut a 2 by 4 in one strike (though presumably it's at an angle and the area of the cut will be larger)

...but it still sounds "unsafe"
 
I can weigh-in on the cheap sword topic, having sold literally hundreds of them. Right off the bat, the Masahiro , Ryomon etc. swords are cheap wallhangers and nothing more. Part of my job at the knife store was to answer questions about product performance and one of the more common questions pertaining to swords is "Could I actually use this?". Not feeling comfortable answering those questions without actually trying the swords out myself, I did exactly that with a few 'practical' models using pool noodles, carboard tubes and rolled news paper tubes. I know that those materials are not reccomended for actual cutting practice but I had already wasted enough money on the sacrificial swords and wasn't about to shell out for mats as well. I also felt that the heaver materials would make for a good pass or fail test. Most of the cheaper examples failed miserably within the first few cuts and a couple failed catastrophically. The Masahiro and Ryomon blades twisted uncomfortably in the hand and edges either rolled or chipped with one 'hand forged' sword breaking clean in half and flinging off into the grass.
The only sword that performed reasonably well was the Hanwei practical katana though the tsukaito unravelled and the tsuba became loose, despite the glue and was generally uncomfortable to wield. Even my Hanwei Kami was more comfortable and I never liked the substantialweight and strange balance of that sword.
I walked away from the experience very happy that I had shelled out for at least some of the nicer Hanwei models. I never got the chance to try out the Musashi line but I suspect they are along the same lines as Masahiro etc. You'll find a lot of positive reviews online but I would wager that the majority of reviewers don't have any real experience with swords and don't have any reference material other than the wallhangers at flea markets and the like.
I'd start with a decent iato and find a respectable teacher before you look for a live sword. If you insist on buying some cheap junk, get the United Cutlery full-tang katana with the riveted wood handle. At least that sword is less likely to break and come flying back at you but wear some leather gloves, safety glasses, a face shield, maybe some logging gear, etc. and don't post any pics of the hole in your foot.
 
Kohai999 said:
That ninjato is MOST likely made of stainless steel, and someday, if you keep cutting trees, you will have a very nasty surprise, and hopefully don't hurt anyone else.

Youv'e been lucky, plain and simple.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
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Seconded.

In point of fact they do still make them like they used to. If you buy a sub-100 dollar sword you are going to get a sub-100 dollar sword.
 
I am no sword expert but my advice would be please don't do it. I have seen a guy get stabbed in the stomach while doing a sword sale informercial. A large piece of it broke off and flipped right into his abdomen when he hit the sword against something.

The youtube video is posted on the forums here somewhere. I am sorry but I don't remember off hand where. When a large piece of sword goes flying it is a dangerous situation.
 
Blais said:
I can weigh-in on the cheap sword topic, having sold literally hundreds of them. Right off the bat, the Masahiro , Ryomon etc. swords are cheap wallhangers and nothing more. Part of my job at the knife store was to answer questions about product performance and one of the more common questions pertaining to swords is "Could I actually use this?". Not feeling comfortable answering those questions without actually trying the swords out myself, I did exactly that with a few 'practical' models using pool noodles, carboard tubes and rolled news paper tubes. I know that those materials are not reccomended for actual cutting practice but I had already wasted enough money on the sacrificial swords and wasn't about to shell out for mats as well. I also felt that the heaver materials would make for a good pass or fail test. Most of the cheaper examples failed miserably within the first few cuts and a couple failed catastrophically. The Masahiro and Ryomon blades twisted uncomfortably in the hand and edges either rolled or chipped with one 'hand forged' sword breaking clean in half and flinging off into the grass.
The only sword that performed reasonably well was the Hanwei practical katana though the tsukaito unravelled and the tsuba became loose, despite the glue and was generally uncomfortable to wield. Even my Hanwei Kami was more comfortable and I never liked the substantialweight and strange balance of that sword.
I walked away from the experience very happy that I had shelled out for at least some of the nicer Hanwei models. I never got the chance to try out the Musashi line but I suspect they are along the same lines as Masahiro etc. You'll find a lot of positive reviews online but I would wager that the majority of reviewers don't have any real experience with swords and don't have any reference material other than the wallhangers at flea markets and the like.
I'd start with a decent iato and find a respectable teacher before you look for a live sword. If you insist on buying some cheap junk, get the United Cutlery full-tang katana with the riveted wood handle. At least that sword is less likely to break and come flying back at you but wear some leather gloves, safety glasses, a face shield, maybe some logging gear, etc. and don't post any pics of the hole in your foot.
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All great advice and observations, from a "been there, done that" perspective.....THIS is some of the quality content that we are so in need of in the Swords s/f....Thanks!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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