Help me choose a "user" katana at a good price point, would you?

I know; and every time that I have tried it, I wind up with the sword parting company with my hand! It has only been good fortune that nobody has been close enough to get hurt.
 
Phil,

I used to do Batto-jutsu, and I still have a couple katana (as well as a 14th Century wak', but that's a different thing alltogether...)

Paul Chen has a solid hold on the traditional & well built market. They have a range of swords going all the way to the near-investment grade, and they all are good performers and are at least traditional looking (the more you pay, the more traditional they are. At the lower price point, you might not get "true" same, you might get cotton ito instead of silk, etc.) Outside of true custom and authentic Nihonto, the Paul Chen are the reference among traditional Jpz sword martial-artists.

I'd suggest you browse the Bugei.com store to check the offering. They're not always the cheapest prices, but they have a solid reputation for quality and customer service in the community. Plus, some of the Paul Chen are exclusive to them.

You might also go to swordforum and ask the question there.

I must warn you that Jpz-style blades are much more expensive than other swords, as there's much more work involved if you want to polish the blade properly and bring out the hamon. IMHO, there are very careful choices to be made at the high range: top of the line Chen, polished but unmounted US made sword by Howard Clark, papered authentic wakisashi, etc.

JD
 
I purchased my Cold Steel katana from bakeymc from ebay. I have purchased other Cold steel swords directly from him, since. Good prices, good service. The Warrior katana is on ebay for $280, that's not bad.
I'm saving up for a Wally Hayes Tsunami, someday. Beautiful blade. I have a Himalayan Imports katana coming, great bargain for the money. I want a sword I can use without worrying about harming it.
 
Originally posted by Danbo
Rob Criswell? I own a Wakizashi(sp), and I would think the full size version would do you just fine. Certainly built for training and use with the vacuum heat treated A2 blade, titanium guard and micarta wrapped handle. Not traditional, but probably more functional than most and priced under $400.
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I've got a Criswell 28" katana and I really like it. I was just cutting water bottles with it today. The balance on this blade is incredible.
 
Originally posted by Joss
Compared to what?
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We have occasional cutting days at the dojo I attend. Swords used range from the low-end stainless stuff you see on ebay for $19.95 to traditional stuff like the PK and KC katana. One of my friends even has a really nice damascus blade, so I have a good chance to make comparisons.

There's a lot of debate about the Criswell's hollow grind, but everyone really likes the balance. The blade seems a little skinny to me, but I'm used to European blades. There have been a lot of other posts by Glen Morrill and others about the toughness of this blade and that's one of the reasons why I bought it. I probably would have been fine with a PK, but we already have a few at the dojo so I thought I would try something a little different. I'm very pleased with mine.
 
I've decided that instead of a Japanese sword I'm going to purchase a "Banshee Sword" from CAS Iberia. It's more in keeping with the style and size of sword that I really like. I suppose it's nice that it's Chinese, rather than Japanese, given that I study a CMA, but that's not really a big deal to me.

SH2126.jpg
 
Nice looking sword, but a very strange name for a Chinese sword. Or is "Banshee" some form of transliteration of a Chinese word aswell as the English version of the name of an Irish spirit, and not a very happy one, at that?
 
Phil, what type of chinese martial art you practice?

does the tradition of your school, have specific weapon or sword of choice?

how do you practice?

ZS
 
Actually that sword is patterned after a Burmese dha or a Thai Dharb. Or I forget, is it a Burmese Dharb and a Thai Dha? At any rate it's not exactly Chinese. I've seen it suggested that the name is a corruption of a word for a Burmese fighting art.
 
Originally posted by Sharp Phil
I've decided that instead of a Japanese sword I'm going to purchase a "Banshee Sword" from CAS Iberia. It's more in keeping with the style and size of sword that I really like. I suppose it's nice that it's Chinese, rather than Japanese, given that I study a CMA, but that's not really a big deal to me.

SH2126.jpg
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Nice, here are the details from their website regarding this sword;

"Banshee" Cutting Sword Developed from the Burmese "Da", the Banshee is a light, superbly balanced cutting sword for one- or two-hand use. The high-carbon steel forged blade features a rugged full-length tang for power and rugged reliability. A spring clip provides positive retention of the sword in the scabbard and, in combination with the included shoulder strap, allows many carrying options. The ultimate brush cutter!
MEASUREMENTS:
...BLADE LENGTH: 21”
...HANDLE LENGTH: 11”
...OVERALL LENGTH: 36”
...WEIGHT: 1lb 7oz


So, did you get it yet?
G2
 
seconds the Kris Cutlery option. and they have been working to make some more traditional fittings as of late. No idea where they are on that, tho.

Keith
 
Originally posted by Joss
Compared to what?
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I've handled a Paul Chen PK and a Last Legend katana (new design), and the Criswell seems better balanced so it feels lighter and quicker than the other two. I must admit, however, that I like the blade design on the Last Legends the best. The Criswell feels great and cuts well, but I really prefer the flat grind of the LL blade. In terms of cutting, I would say its a tie between the Criswell and the Last Legend. I used them both last Saturday, so I had a good chance to compare them. Frankly, I want one of both!
 
Originally posted by Gary W. Graley
Nice, here are the details from their website regarding this sword;

"Banshee" Cutting Sword Developed from the Burmese "Da", the Banshee is a light, superbly balanced cutting sword for one- or two-hand use. The high-carbon steel forged blade features a rugged full-length tang for power and rugged reliability. A spring clip provides positive retention of the sword in the scabbard and, in combination with the included shoulder strap, allows many carrying options. The ultimate brush cutter!
MEASUREMENTS:
...BLADE LENGTH: 21”
...HANDLE LENGTH: 11”
...OVERALL LENGTH: 36”
...WEIGHT: 1lb 7oz


So, did you get it yet?
G2
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Does anyone know what the thickness is? Does it have a distal taper?
 
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