Could the Katana be made with a longer blade?

Z

Zrazys

Joined
Jun 17, 1999
Messages
18
Hello,

I really like the basic Everest Katana, but the blade is a little short for my liking. I have a bokken with a 29" inch blade and that length seems to be perfect.
Could the katana be, or has it ever been made with a longer blade? I'm thinking of a 29" blade with an 11" or 12" handle/grip. Would that be possible?
Also, how much does the current basic Katana weigh? How long is the tang under the grip/handle?

Thanks.

Zrazys,
(a happy owner of a WWII with the old style but cap.)
 
Do you want a longer blade or longer handle?

The HI katana weighs about 2 and a quarter pounds give or take a little since each one is an individual handmade effort.

The tang goes all the way thru the handle and is peened over the pommel.

In the katana arena the HI katana has earned the reputation of being the ugliest and strongest.
 
Hi Bill,

I'd like a Katana with a 29" blade and an 11" handle, perhaps a 12" handle would be better. The entire sword would be 40"-41" long. I practice a non-traditional style of kenjutsu, so I'm not concerned about the appearance of a regular katana. I'd like something that works, so to speak. I actually like the workman like style of the Everest Katana.
 
If you get serious about it email me, we'll work out the details, and I'll ask BirGorkha what they think.
 
It depends on what is more important to you. The steel blade is probably going to be heavier than your bokken (even if it is one of those fancy lignum vitae ones). Theoretically, the shorter blade will handle more like the wooden blade than a longer one.

My H.I. katana weighs about the same as a suburito. but the shorter length makes it handle similar to a bokken.

Check out the archives for more information.
 
Hello Bruise,

How much more would a 40" Katana (11" handle/29" blade) weigh? It wouldn't seem to be that much, perhaps several ounces more.
Could the extra length affect the handling that much? I realize the kami's are used to making a 36" Katana, but the extra length wouldn't seem to matter.

Thanks.
 
Tis true, it wouldn't weigh much more. I only have one and it's 36 inches and handles more like a bokken. I haven't tried anything longer or shorter. Other than this one, I've only used wood.

If you do decide to get a 40" made lemme know how it handles. Have you tried other steel katanas?
 
I got a few of those at Taco Bell tonight!;) Just make sure you roll the windows down after you eat them!!!!:eek: :eek: :D
 
Hello again Bruise,

I haven't tried any other steel Katana's. I have held one of the Paul Chen Bamboo Katanas, and it seemed to be ok. I was going to get a Kris Cutlery 29" blade Katana, but they don't have any in stock at the old price of $175.00. It seems that the swordsmiths over in the Phillipines wanted more money and the price is going up over $200. That sword had a good review over at swordforum.com. But at the new price, I might as well go with a HI Katana. It had good reviews as well.

Thanks.
 
It all depends on what you want. As Uncle Bill says it's ugly compared to a Paul Chen blade. However with its solid handle and full tang it is most likely more able to take abuse. I put the point of mine on the ground, held the handle and flexed the blade by about 2 or 3 laterally to either side repeatedly. Each time the blade returned to true.

I haven't done any test cutting with it, though perhaps I will this spring. I sort of got hooked on khuks. :D

Other than the reviews on this forum, I haven't read anything else on the HI or the other makers katanas. Perhaps I'll go have a look. :o
 
Several HI katanas have passed the cow spine test with no difficulty. Our old pal, Ray Chiappelli, has done things with his katana that no katana should be made to do and it remains bruised but undamaged. But they are ugly.
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
Several HI katanas have passed the cow spine test with no difficulty. Our old pal, Ray Chiappelli, has done things with his katana that no katana should be made to do and it remains bruised but undamaged. But they are ugly.
Click to expand...

How is our old friend Ray by the way? Ray hasn't dropped in on us in a month of Sundays while he used to be here at least once in a while.
It was always good to have one of the very 1st if not the 1st H.I.K.K.* around.
Himalayan Imports Khukuri Knut.*
 
Ray is not having the best of times. His Dad is dying and he's trying to spend time with Dad while he's still here. And, to add to his miseries the company he worked for downsized and closed the office where Ray worked so he's also out of a job. But Ray is a tough guy and a survivor. We ain't seen the last of him. He's just away for awhile.
 
You know, everyone keeps saying the HI Katana is ugly. I'd like to offer up another opinion :) .

I rather think that the HI kat is more like a low maintanence, pretty tomboy of a gal. One who looks great in jeans and doesn't mind getting dirty for fun. After getting mine from Rene, I don't think I'd like to have a more expensive 'traditional' kat. ... at least for now. Even if I did end up with one, I think I'd still reach for my HI kat. In fact, I'll probably special order another HI kat when I can afford it. ... maybe with a longer blade/handle (really like that horn handled version that showed up awhile ago).

Other, fancier kats are more like the supermodel type of women. Beautiful, sleek, but high maintenance and expensive. They'll do wonderful things, but can be bruised and damaged, or just plain make you cringe to 'really' use them for fear of damaging such an expensive item. And, like a high maintenance gal, the possibility of deserting you at the most important moment, when you really need her, is always a potential reality :)

Okay, just my opinion. I've always been a sucker for tomboys, and the current one I'm interested plays with swords, bows and knives too :D.

Alan (stepping down off his soapbox and realizing he is up much too early for a day off)
 
Thanks, Al. The HI katana can use all the help it can get in the beauty contests -- exactly like the tomboy gal.
 
Changes I'd like to see on my HI Kat:

Longer handle. I'd like about one hands-width space between the hands; I currently have about two inches.

Oval handle cross-section. The current handle is basicly round; feels sorta like holding a broomstick.

Brass guard (tsuba). I really like the engraving on the current steel one, but it's much too susceptable to rust. The guard tends to get handled/touched a lot, even when the kat is in its sheath.

It also feels rather point-heavy in my in-expert opinion. A longer, maybe heavier handle would help counter-balance it.
 
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