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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Hanwei Prctical Plus Katana
- Thread starter Brendan
- Start date
I own one. For under $230 USD, it is a bargain for the price. It has features of more expensive swords (real samegawa inserts, leather-esque tsuka-ito, good factory polish) for less money. A good starter sword, in my opinion, certainly a couple steps above the Practical Katana or Kris Cutlery katana. Use it as a springboard to better swords like the high-end production stuff from Bugei, or an all-out custom katana from Howard Clark or Rick Barrett.
The only thing I didn't like was the long tsuka, so I cut it down from 12" down to 10.5", rewrapped that portion of the tsuka-ito and replaced the kashira.
The only thing I didn't like was the long tsuka, so I cut it down from 12" down to 10.5", rewrapped that portion of the tsuka-ito and replaced the kashira.
Both the fuchi and kashira are made of brass, but black powder coated. When I said 'replace', I meant putting the original kashira back on the tsuka. You can replace them with better fittings, I guess, but why bother on a $230 sword? If it were on a full custom blade, I'd understand, but the expense of new fittings for the sake of new fittings is not worth it.
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2003
- Messages
- 5,594
Depending on what you want do with your sword, the Hanwei practical plus katana should be all you ever need.
I can only speak with a smattering of knowledge, but the fittings make up a large part of the price.
Bugei does not make swords, they are retailers. Many of their swords are Hanwei.
There are many good real Japanese katana in the US if you want genuine japanese steel.
I think the most important thing I can say is this: The Japanese sword, despite common popular myths, was not intended to last forever.
It was designed to survive one battle.
The hard sharp part breaks off during real battle but the soft spine keeps it functional long enough to keep fighting. After the battle, you throw it away or have it remade into a short sword or knife.
So, you have to be circumspect about these things.
Your Hanwei is probably just as good as 90% of the swords used in the Japanese Fuedal era.
I can only speak with a smattering of knowledge, but the fittings make up a large part of the price.
Bugei does not make swords, they are retailers. Many of their swords are Hanwei.
There are many good real Japanese katana in the US if you want genuine japanese steel.
I think the most important thing I can say is this: The Japanese sword, despite common popular myths, was not intended to last forever.
It was designed to survive one battle.
The hard sharp part breaks off during real battle but the soft spine keeps it functional long enough to keep fighting. After the battle, you throw it away or have it remade into a short sword or knife.
So, you have to be circumspect about these things.
Your Hanwei is probably just as good as 90% of the swords used in the Japanese Fuedal era.
With regards to the japanese sword being a one-shot weapon, I think you're referring to the mass produced swords (kazu-uchimono) for the lower ranking samurai and/or ashigaru. Higher quality blades by renowned smiths, while certainly not designed to cut through car engine blocks or oak trees (like ANY sword can do that, lol), are made to a higher standard.
With regards to higher quality blades, the koshirae AND the polish make up a substantial portion of the end price. You can put regular brass kodogu on a Howard Clark L6 and it'll still perform just as well. Never mind that uncoated brass tsuba, fuchi/kashira, menuki are ugly as sin and garish in the extreme. People don't want ugly fittings, and thus are willing to spend extraordinary amounts of cash on custom-made kodogu from master craftsmen. I'm guilty of that myself. I spent over $400 on a tsuba, fuchi/kashira, kojiri and menuki from Patrick Hastings, and that was just his basic, simple Higo work (but they're exactly what I like anyway). If you wanted nanako work, or carvings of dragons, waterfalls, and other themes, be prepared to fork out twice as much, if not more.
Then there's the issue of the saya. Good saya cost upwards of $200 USD, fully lacquered with horn kurigata and koiguchi, hand-carved to fit the blade perfectly (as opposed to commercial saya, which are one-size fits all).
Then there's the issue of the tsuka. $60 - $80 for a custom carved tsuka. $50 for the silk tsukaito. $75 for a high quality full wrap of samegawa. $60 - $100 for a really good wrap by an experienced tsukamakishi.
THEN there's the polishing - which can cost upwards of $60 USD an INCH of nagasa, for a sashikomi or kesho style polish by a master togishi. Most people opt for a tameshigiri polish, $25 - $30 an inch.
So be glad that you can get a relatively well-made kazu-uchimono for under $230
With regards to higher quality blades, the koshirae AND the polish make up a substantial portion of the end price. You can put regular brass kodogu on a Howard Clark L6 and it'll still perform just as well. Never mind that uncoated brass tsuba, fuchi/kashira, menuki are ugly as sin and garish in the extreme. People don't want ugly fittings, and thus are willing to spend extraordinary amounts of cash on custom-made kodogu from master craftsmen. I'm guilty of that myself. I spent over $400 on a tsuba, fuchi/kashira, kojiri and menuki from Patrick Hastings, and that was just his basic, simple Higo work (but they're exactly what I like anyway). If you wanted nanako work, or carvings of dragons, waterfalls, and other themes, be prepared to fork out twice as much, if not more.
Then there's the issue of the saya. Good saya cost upwards of $200 USD, fully lacquered with horn kurigata and koiguchi, hand-carved to fit the blade perfectly (as opposed to commercial saya, which are one-size fits all).
Then there's the issue of the tsuka. $60 - $80 for a custom carved tsuka. $50 for the silk tsukaito. $75 for a high quality full wrap of samegawa. $60 - $100 for a really good wrap by an experienced tsukamakishi.
THEN there's the polishing - which can cost upwards of $60 USD an INCH of nagasa, for a sashikomi or kesho style polish by a master togishi. Most people opt for a tameshigiri polish, $25 - $30 an inch.
So be glad that you can get a relatively well-made kazu-uchimono for under $230
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2002
- Messages
- 3,548
The HI katana is pretty enough for me 
I have Cold Steel's as well, it is not bad.
One day I would like a traditionally forged one for tameshigiri, but these are fine for now.
I have heard good things about the Hanwei katanas, swordforum.com will have more info.
I have Cold Steel's as well, it is not bad.
One day I would like a traditionally forged one for tameshigiri, but these are fine for now.
I have heard good things about the Hanwei katanas, swordforum.com will have more info.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 8,911
I'm a phillistine when it comes to swords. I want the blade to be fully capable of use without breaking or coming apart in (God forbid ) a real fight for your life.
I believe my Everest katana and Small Tibetan sword meet that standard and exceed it. Plus they are not museum pieces or collector's items that modifying would ruin the value of. If what I do is done well and another person likes the work ( say I fit the katana with an oosik or mammoth bone handle and gemstone/silver inlays ) it may even increase the value. If not, it certainly adds value to it for me, and makes it more mine.
And they have small idiosyncracies that the kamis did not bother with that I can true up and remove. That also adds to it's meaning for me.
Then again maybe I've reread Heinlein's Glory Road too often.
I believe my Everest katana and Small Tibetan sword meet that standard and exceed it. Plus they are not museum pieces or collector's items that modifying would ruin the value of. If what I do is done well and another person likes the work ( say I fit the katana with an oosik or mammoth bone handle and gemstone/silver inlays ) it may even increase the value. If not, it certainly adds value to it for me, and makes it more mine.
And they have small idiosyncracies that the kamis did not bother with that I can true up and remove. That also adds to it's meaning for me.
Then again maybe I've reread Heinlein's Glory Road too often.
- Joined
- May 18, 1999
- Messages
- 15,395
If it's Heinlein's I know I've read it.
I treasure my paperbacks and have had to replace "Time Enough for Love" because I had read it so much I had it held together with rubberbands. I still have it in spite of the new copy.It's about time to break them out and read the ones I've got all over again.
Maybe this winter when the days are short and the nights are long and cold. Heinlein is my favorite SciFi writer of all time!!!!
I've heard that Spider Robinson is sort of like Heinlein and although I like what little I've read of his it hasn't been enough to make that kind of judgement.
Another good read is Asimov's "Foundation" series and some of those I have in hardback.
I'm thinking that I may have the whole series in hardback as I think it was brought out as a complete anthology, is that the right word?
I don't read as much SciFi as I used to. My only connection with it now is my Analog subscription that I've had for years.
Analog and Blade are the only magazines I subscribe to now and it will be dire straits indeed if I ever have to give them up.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2003
- Messages
- 53
The Hanwei swords are great values, but they are not made the same way as traditional Japanese blades. More like WW2 guntos. They will do the job and is well worth the money.
As for Japanese swords lasting for just one battle, i will have to disagree. If that is the case then you will not see too many old swords around. And there are a LOT of old Japanese swords that are still around. Perhaps more than any other type of antique swords.
Antique Japanese swords are not that expensive, considering what some of the modern American copies cost (yikes). Except for Hanwei, i will personally stay clear of any other modern Japanese swords, ones made in Japan included. You could get a very decent 300 year old wakizashi for under $1000.
Now, will someone please tell me where i could find a nice antique Kukri?
alf
As for Japanese swords lasting for just one battle, i will have to disagree. If that is the case then you will not see too many old swords around. And there are a LOT of old Japanese swords that are still around. Perhaps more than any other type of antique swords.
Antique Japanese swords are not that expensive, considering what some of the modern American copies cost (yikes). Except for Hanwei, i will personally stay clear of any other modern Japanese swords, ones made in Japan included. You could get a very decent 300 year old wakizashi for under $1000.
Now, will someone please tell me where i could find a nice antique Kukri?
alf
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2003
- Messages
- 302
Go here and ask. LOTS of folks with lots of experience with it.
http://forums.swordforum.com/index.php?
http://forums.swordforum.com/index.php?
- Joined
- May 18, 1999
- Messages
- 15,395
Atlanta Cutlery is having a sale on antique kukris right now. They also have kardas, and I understand chakmas.
The kukris run from $159/00 to $99.00 and you can't beat a deal like that. Do a search on Atlanta Cutlery, AC, WW I, WW II or Bhojpure. and you should get some hits.
There is no Damascus in their offerings however.
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2003
- Messages
- 53
replied to wrong post...
alf
alf
A Fine post Dan, you hit quite a few things on the head. Things that people interested in owning or practicing need to know but are rarely told.
Namely, the seperation between Japanese swords as art, and Japanese swords as weapons.
Japanese swords as art is the area where people get frustrated with the costs and the market in general (unless they are quite wealthy, by which good for them) The costs and detail oriented importance contributing to that cost are of utmost importance. There are many "just so's" (curvature just so, hada just so, weight just so, etc)and this is what makes it so expensive. Additionally, as much as I hate to say it, it is also a prestige market. One the concentrates on names.
Japanese swords as weapons is a much different game. Here's what lies at the core- the performance differences between a forged hanwei blade and a ASSAB K-120C blade with nice fittings is next to nothing if at all. The same goes for a KC edge quenched blade versus a high end smiths blade. They will have very similar edge durability, lateral flexibility, etc. The only exception to this is the now-cliched L6 Bainite Katana which is basically immune to bending, but indestructable? absolutely not.
What I'm trying to get across here requires a very corny analogy. Unlike in the videogames that first inspire many people to take interest in real swords, more money does not buy "higher attack power" or "durability." It buys fit and it buys finish. It buys more expensive fittings and a better polish (and polish can be VERY expensive)....and we're talking $1000s for the upgrades that do nothing to strengthen or sharpen the blade.
Namely, the seperation between Japanese swords as art, and Japanese swords as weapons.
Japanese swords as art is the area where people get frustrated with the costs and the market in general (unless they are quite wealthy, by which good for them) The costs and detail oriented importance contributing to that cost are of utmost importance. There are many "just so's" (curvature just so, hada just so, weight just so, etc)and this is what makes it so expensive. Additionally, as much as I hate to say it, it is also a prestige market. One the concentrates on names.
Japanese swords as weapons is a much different game. Here's what lies at the core- the performance differences between a forged hanwei blade and a ASSAB K-120C blade with nice fittings is next to nothing if at all. The same goes for a KC edge quenched blade versus a high end smiths blade. They will have very similar edge durability, lateral flexibility, etc. The only exception to this is the now-cliched L6 Bainite Katana which is basically immune to bending, but indestructable? absolutely not.
What I'm trying to get across here requires a very corny analogy. Unlike in the videogames that first inspire many people to take interest in real swords, more money does not buy "higher attack power" or "durability." It buys fit and it buys finish. It buys more expensive fittings and a better polish (and polish can be VERY expensive)....and we're talking $1000s for the upgrades that do nothing to strengthen or sharpen the blade.
