Is Spring steel and Cheness any good?

[smcjoecohen@yahoo]

I wanted to ask ou about Katana's. I've been looking at Cheness for a while now. They seem to have some pretty nice practical sword for around $300. I think I want 9260 spring steel, or 9620??? Anyway I want to use the sword to cut stuff like small saplings, split firewood, general fun stuff ya know? Should I spend the extra $150 on something like Hanwei Practical PRO?

 

[BePrepared]

you want to use a katana to split firewood?

Not a great idea. Even very good steel won't make a katana blade capable of that kind of abuse. The edge of a katana is THIN. It is made for soft tissue and bone, not chopping wood.

Through hardened 9260 is the toughest katana steel i've personally used.

 

[Firestrike]

How long do you need it to be?

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/rodent-rucki-cg/

This runs just over $300 depending on options a little more than $400, not exactly the traditional kind, but more than tough enough to do what your asking. Oh and it comes with the Busse and kin warranty.

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Good rule of thumb: Don't use katana to chop wood. While wood is generally less tough than bone, they're still not generally designed for it. For that stated purpose, I would get a cheap blade from Cold Steel's machete line or from Condor. Spend fewer than 100 dollars and get something better suited for the job.

 

[BePrepared]

Busse AK47... tough enough to cut a car in half and generally katana shaped

Here's mine

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

See, now I want a video... That would be entertaining to see. Although, I've got a 1080 carbon steel waki that I've used to chop up sheet metal and the like. Doesn't actually take Infi to be super tough. Just a good heat treat and good geometry.

 

[smcjoecohen@yahoo]

you want to use a katana to split firewood?

Not a great idea. Even very good steel won't make a katana blade capable of that kind of abuse. The edge of a katana is THIN. It is made for soft tissue and bone, not chopping wood.

Through hardened 9260 is the toughest katana steel i've personally used.

Not to split wood, or to cut saplings. I saw videos online w/guys doing that stuff w/Katana, that's why I said that. I want one that can perform as a real Katana is intended. More to the point are Cheness cutlery 9260 blades any good?

 

[BePrepared]

Not to split wood, or to cut saplings. I saw videos online w/guys doing that stuff w/Katana, that's why I said that. I want one that can perform as a real Katana is intended. More to the point are Cheness cutlery 9260 blades any good?

They are VERY good in that price point. If you are looking for "traditional" then no, they're not traditional, but if durability and the ability to do cutting are your goal, then Cheness is excellent. Their 9260 is far tougher than most of the blades available at similar price points, but while it WOULD cut saplings and whatnot, the blade profile of a katana is not designed for those tasks. It will do the job, but not nearly as well as a good machete that cost 10% of the cost. It will also become dull and damaged much more easily than a machete because a machete was DESIGNED for those tasks.

if your goal is to cut humans in half, get a katana. If your goal is to clear bushes while camping, get a machete.

For maximum durability, get a No-Hi 9260 through hardened blade such as the Ayame, Kurome, or Techi. I'm actually about the buy a Tenchi Ko-Katana just because you got me thinking about it

 

[Snakebreaker]

I have the Cheness Oni-Yuri and O-Katana. I have had them and used them very hard for years now. Very impressive steel. No issues what so ever.

 

[smcjoecohen@yahoo]

Done.