Good, Bad and the Ugly of Nihonto

K

KKHansen

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I have read a lot of post based on both oppinion and factual hands on experience with a number of Katana's and other Japanese sword styles.

For reference and maybe a sticky post for future buyer ho about a listing of Good, Bad and Ugly experinces that memebers have had. Omit the I new a guys who's cousin had issues with this or that.

Just a factual buyers guide to possible save future buyers something you had the misfortune to have run across.

I have a few to post already in hte Okay to really Bad and Ugly.

Karsten
 
1st was a White on White LU series sold by Handmadesword on eBay. This was the 1st Katana I had bought from these folks that the box was Stamped "Made In China"

I had checked a number of times about the quality of thier Katana's listed and was asured all were safe as cutting and practice swords.

This one came with a White Saya, Dirty White Ito or wrap and a very dull blade. It was also shipped the a Red and Black Silk box and marketed to have an extra long grip "14" inches.

These are off colors like Satin Brown with Brown Cotton Ito, White on White, Black Saya with Red Ito,and some Black on Black.

These are wall hangers and NOT meant to be taken apart or used other than as a big letter opener.

After contacting SunpointBlvd.com and Handmadesword who told me that all their swords were good to go for cutting, disassembly and what not and the sword was NOT coming apart, I took it apart.

The Tang was way under sized and embedded into the handle with some epoxy or resin....Hence a second that should not have been sold for anything other than a Wall Hanger.

Below is what was left of the handle that was set in resin and said to be a cutting blade.

mvc001sam8.jpg


Sunpointblvd.com and Handmadesword on eBay did nothing other than deny they had ever stated anything.....So this was a $75.00 learning experince to end with a bowl of junk.

Karsten
 
I had a Chen Practical Katana a few years ago. IMHO a piece of junk, not
even a wall hanger. Of course I'm really prejudiced against modern non-
Japanese forged blades, being a student/collector of antique Japanese swords.
I've about 200 links to Japanese sword sites, mostly dealers in antique swords,
although some for martial arts on my website.

The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm

Rich S
 
A good idea, but unfortunately the information in such a thread would only be as good as the knowledge and experience of those posting. Some of it would be pretty good. Some of the reviews would be total bunk. If you are a newby how would you be able to tell the difference? For example I happen to believe that anything posted by Rich S should hold a GREAT deal of weight, but I have no idea if some other poster has any knowledge beyond having handled some of the bazillion cheap katana like objects coming out of China.

In other words I don't believe that there is any subsitute for actual study of swords to gain knowledge of swords.
 
Triton said:
A good idea, but unfortunately the information in such a thread would only be as good as the knowledge and experience of those posting. Some of it would be pretty good. Some of the reviews would be total bunk. If you are a newby how would you be able to tell the difference? For example I happen to believe that anything posted by Rich S should hold a GREAT deal of weight, but I have no idea if some other poster has any knowledge beyond having handled some of the bazillion cheap katana like objects coming out of China.

In other words I don't believe that there is any subsitute for actual study of swords to gain knowledge of swords.
Click to expand...

I would agree and I will admit I am less than a Novice where it comes to these. My thinking was to get the Cheap Chinese Junk it's just air time so folks would know better.

I don't want to dispute the real Nihonto's or the prized high dollar Non production blades but rather expose the junk that is out there. I know all to well from buying Khukuri's there are good ones and then there is junk.

Like the LU series I posted above...Maybe it will keep someone else from making the same mistake and save more to buy wiser and not buy the Made in China stuff.

If people gave an honest accessment of what they had bought and what hey actually received quality wise it might give more credence to buying the high quality swords.

I Like if posting what happened with the LU Series Katana above saves some people money it was worth it.

At the same time if there is an affordable high quality maker out there folks have found get, share the knowledege and take the business to them.

Karsten
 
Not all made in China swords are crap. You just need to make a wise decision. Of course I am a beginner too, but after days of reading in swordforums.com, I found out even bugei, Paul Chen's high end, last legend, dynasty forge and many other decent sword companies' swords are from China too. These swords are among the best of production swords. My advice: if you make your decision quick you'll regret quicker. Go to http://forums.swordforum.com/ do some serious reading and research then make you own decision.
 
I have a Cheness 9260 through hardened katana and for what I want to do with it itis perfect. If you were going to actualy fight someone with a sword this is the one you would want to use. Unless you were really rich then you would want a Howard Clark banite. It is through hardened so the only hamon is fake.
It is stronger than a real ninhonto and just as sharp. It does not have anything aproaching the beauty and soul of a real ninhinto or even a good modern custom. The fittings are crap ,I bought a shirasaya and am having a good tsuka ,and a good wrap done along with some good production fittings.
For most people that is probably not needed.
Basically under 200$ don't bother
under 300$ cheness
300$ to 700$ Oni Forge, probably what you want (great value)
800$ to 1500$ high end production swords like last legend are really not worth the money either get a nice oni or save for a custom.
If you must have a real ninhonto you can get a mumei(unsigned )wakizashi
for around 2000$ from a reputable dealer.(If you touch it with a dremel you should have to disembowel yourself with it to atone.)
 
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