After reading the Sword Forum Mag. comparision of various Paul Chen models and the Kris Cutlery equivilant of the Practical Katana, I had pretty much decided on the Kris Cutlery sword. Two things keep me wondering.
First, it wasn't until after I finished that I realized the the Sword Forum article is coming up on 4 years old. I'm curious if the flaws (according to the magazine), expecially the issue with certain plastic parts, etc., have possibley been successfully addressed by the Paul Chen and company and that the current offering of the Practical Katana may be a bit improved?
Second, I now find that the two swords, which were, at the time, similarly priced has changed, substantially. The Kris Cutlery katana is now approx. $225. The Chen Prac. Katana, OTOH, can now be commonly purchased on ebay for $100 less. Since this sword is simply an initial buy to determine if my interest is sufficient to purchase a much more expensive sword (newly made or 50 years old) I'm wondering if the extra hundred dollars will be well spent.
We're talking about initial use for iaido and perhaps some amateurish cutting excercises. Even tho' I don't profess to have the skills (as yet) to properly use these blades, I do want the sword to be of "practical" use, rather than a wallhanger. Incidently, I also prefer the curvature of the Kris blade. Opinions please and please Don't be too hard on an ignorant beginner. ;-)
First, it wasn't until after I finished that I realized the the Sword Forum article is coming up on 4 years old. I'm curious if the flaws (according to the magazine), expecially the issue with certain plastic parts, etc., have possibley been successfully addressed by the Paul Chen and company and that the current offering of the Practical Katana may be a bit improved?
Second, I now find that the two swords, which were, at the time, similarly priced has changed, substantially. The Kris Cutlery katana is now approx. $225. The Chen Prac. Katana, OTOH, can now be commonly purchased on ebay for $100 less. Since this sword is simply an initial buy to determine if my interest is sufficient to purchase a much more expensive sword (newly made or 50 years old) I'm wondering if the extra hundred dollars will be well spent.
We're talking about initial use for iaido and perhaps some amateurish cutting excercises. Even tho' I don't profess to have the skills (as yet) to properly use these blades, I do want the sword to be of "practical" use, rather than a wallhanger. Incidently, I also prefer the curvature of the Kris blade. Opinions please and please Don't be too hard on an ignorant beginner. ;-)
