Claymore or katana?

C

-Cataclysm-

Joined
Mar 30, 2006
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2
I'm thinking about getting a sword soon, and I was thinking I should either get a claymore or a katana. What should I get?
 
If your looking for something that is both pretty and functional I'd suggest more of a hand and a half style broadsword. Plenty big but not as unwieldy as a claymore and also looks great on the wall. If your sold on having a single edged weapon their are a couple of falchion type swords to choose from too. Kinda the best of both worlds.
 
I think it's a subjective sort of question that only you can answer. If you were practicing JSA a katana would be a no brainer. If you were a Scottish reenactor so would a claymore. If you just want a sword that looks cool... well you have to decide which one is cooler for you...
 
Agreed.
Claymore: Just be warned there aren't many good claymore reproductions out there under 700 dollars. If you just want to use it as a wallhanger (but it is at least passably functional) you might want to look at the Windlass or the Del Tin line. Moving up look at Arms and Armor.
Katana: Quite a few options here. Depends on what you want to spend regarding production katana - the most "traditional-looking" at the very low-end would probably be the Masahiro group. Moving up a bit you get the Cheness and Hanwei Practical line competing with Kris Cutlery.
 
Don't use a sword you aren't trained to use.
If you are trained in using a claymore then get a claymore for use. Same with the katana.

I have a bokken (practise wooden katana) and well, lets just say if I had a live blade i'd be missing a few limbs. Its dangerous. Please make sure you have swordsman training before purchasing a live blade.
 
inspira said:
Don't use a sword you aren't trained to use.
If you are trained in using a claymore then get a claymore for use. Same with the katana.

I have a bokken (practise wooden katana) and well, lets just say if I had a live blade i'd be missing a few limbs. Its dangerous. Please make sure you have swordsman training before purchasing a live blade.
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While I agree that some training would be a good thing if you plan to be out swinging your sword at targets on a regular basis.. I must say that I've got quite a few live blades but am in no way a practicing swordsman. Not every buyer purchases a sword in order to practice martial arts... not every stamp collector is sending mail...
 
If you're at all interested in European swords, go to myArmoury.com. They have a wealth of information there, tons of pictures and links to manufacturer's websites. If you want information on katanas, SFI is a good place to go; they also have very useful European sword info as well.

Go to those sites - read, learn and ask questions. Good luck.

Mark
 
inspira said:
Don't use a sword you aren't trained to use.
If you are trained in using a claymore then get a claymore for use. Same with the katana.

I have a bokken (practise wooden katana) and well, lets just say if I had a live blade i'd be missing a few limbs. Its dangerous. Please make sure you have swordsman training before purchasing a live blade.
Click to expand...

Well, I train with knives, so I was thinking I should try swords now. I guess I should probably get a practice sword first, but I also want to get a real sword soon.
 
-Cataclysm- said:
Well, I train with knives, so I was thinking I should try swords now. I guess I should probably get a practice sword first, but I also want to get a real sword soon.
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Swords are expensive. I'd recommend you get an inexpensive practice blade, and *really* see if you like it...before you plunk down a stack of hundreds on something that winds up on a dusty wall or in a corner.

I'm sure you'd rather lose a little if it meant gaining a lot!
 
The other side of the whole expensive thing is that you run into a problem of depreciation in all "production" stuff. With Paul Chen stuff and below, you really can't buy something and hock it off later without losing a fair amount in the transaction. But if you get a custom piece, then you're much more likely to be able to recoup your original investment. In many cases, depending on how long you hold onto it, and what goes on with the smith in the meantime, you may actually turn a profit. Of course, this is all if and only if you treat it well while it's in your hands. Then there are things like Angus Trim swords and other semi-production swords that hold their value quite well, and you might well end up losing 15% or less of the original price, depending on condition and other things. Not too bad, considering - it's kind of like a really cheap lease for the experience.

Just thought I'd throw that out, since Cataclysm didn't mention a price bracket.
 
I dont think you can use a custom sword like that and expect it not to depreciate either.

An expensive live blade is easily ruined with incorrent cutting technique. No-ones gonna cry over their Paul Chen.
 
I don't normally recommend Cold Steel blades, but their swords can be found at bargain prices and are decently made. I have a Grosse Messer, and the discontinued 2-handed war sword. Their katana is not bad, but overpriced- there are plenty of better choices for a user katana depending on how traditional you want it to look. Himalayan Imports, Kris Cutlery, Paul Chen, Bugei are just a few.
Angus Trim swords are worth a look, they are a bit more expensive but are well regarded.
 
KATANA but I have a thing for them, I've seen cutting demos that impressed me. If it were me I would go for a Paul Chen folded katana thier pricey, but worth it.
 
I stated this on another thread, if there was a Swords 101 textbook THIS essay would be chapter 1:

http://www.thearma.org/essays/nobest.htm

Learn a LOT about swords before you consider making a purchase. You say you been knife training--what style of knife? A katana or two-handed claymore doesn't have much in common with the knife--imho--but many one-handed swords DO

Research, reasearch, research
 
tom mayo said:
Glocks are best!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:
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For self defense? Well yes a Glock is better then a sword... although not as good as a Colt or Smith and Wesson IMHO. However if one wants a sword then a Glock isn't exactly a sword...
 
I know many master swordsmen of late were self taught. I would suggest buying non-sharp versions of both swords, wood is better to start with.

I like the Wushu Taiji Jians myself, but own a couple of swords and boken. I don't use my Katana to train with though, that could be a big mistake. I practice cuts with the wooden sword and almost never even take the real thing out of its saya. I have my eye on a nice custom taiji jian but it will run 3-5 K. The one I practice with is only about $150.

I also use a european sword as well, made for hard use re-enactment and nonsharp. If I master it then I may pursue a real one. Basically all of my swords except my katana and straight sword aren't sharp, but are steel.

If you buy a boken and a waster and spend a few months with each of them, then you will have a better idea of what you want in the end.
 
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