Katanas, pix and deals.

Bill Martino

Bill Martino

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Here are two katanas made and marked by Sanu. Both are 36 inches overall (26 and 10) and weight a bit over two pounds. Both flawless. Engraved tsubas -- horn handle has round tsuba, wood has oval)

The first is a standard katana with wood handle. It comes with a wood wrapped in leather scabbard as shown.

The second is a horn and silver handle and the blade has a more pronounced curve than usual. Sanu thought perhaps people might like this so sent it for consideration. It is flawless also and comes with a heavy leather scabbard as shown.

These are the only two katanas I have in stock and I wanted to offer them here on the forum to nephews (and nieces) before sticking them on the shopping site.

Special pricing for nephews (and nieces) is $50 off regular.

We will deliver the wood handled model to your door for $195.

We will deliver the silver and horn handled model to your door for $245.

Call or email if interested.

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Blessings from the computer shack in Reno.

Uncle Bill
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I Like the strait blade on the first! I wish I had the $$ So I could get it, one day I will order one! I just wish that day was NOW!!!

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Chris B.
 
The more I look at it the more I like the horn handeled Katana! Man that's a tough choice!!!

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Chris B.
 
I Love the Quality products this forum exposses me to because I am use to crap blades that breake after slight abuse and the are beautiful however I hate that I don't have a bank account big enough to cover even half the weapons I fall in love with.

Bella
 
What is the tsuba material? I'd guess some kind of nickel silver ( aka german silver, aka white brass ) what I think kamis just call "white metal".

One round, one oval, and my own has a "cat's eye shape. Definitely custom made, you just don't know how custom til it gets here.

I love the look of the more curved blade. I may be wrong, but it looks more like a katana as opposed to the straighter blades which remind me of the stainless non-katana "ninja" garbage.

Not putting the straighter Birghorka blades down, I'm keeping mine, and can see advantages/disadvantages in straight vs. curved.

Maybe someone can explain the Japanese or asian reasons for straight/curved? I see asian blades that move me more than some Japanese.

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"Holiness is not a very serious business, and it is a very serious business indeed. I misspeak - it is not a solemn business."
 
PS: other than cat's eye tsuba mine looks almost exactly like the wood handled one as it came.

I did not like the grooves when I first saw them, did not like them when I grabbed mine, and after hands on examination I still disdained them.

There was enough belly under the grooves to completely remove them and retain the lower symmetry. I did.
 
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Maybe someone can explain the Japanese or asian reasons for straight/curved? I see asian blades that move me more than some Japanese.
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Rusty,
My jujutsu instructor (who also holds belts in Karate and Ninjutsu) claims that the curve is a function of the differential tempering, and that before the edge is hardened, the blanks are all straight.

Any katana experts ever hear this? I've often wondered if it's just a martial arts myth.

Patrick

 
Every time I see an HI katana as UBDOTD, I wish it were made of laminated steel made from sand iron... not because of quality nor preference, but legality to imoport to Japan. Legal katana must be made from traditional material in traditional way, and by certified katana master.
Why so? Please don't ask me reason for law.

When I will visit Uncle Bill, I might be tempted to take a large suitcase with me.

No, officer, it's not me. HIKV (Himalayan Import Katana Virus) just forced me to do so.

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Otokohadaremo yumenofunanori.
Shonennohinoakogare shinutokimade wasurezunidaiterumonodayo.
 
Hi Wrongfriend, couldn't you just not call it a Katana, how about an Iato???
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Why not try getting it in as a langsax?

Just a thought,

Several guys I know have gotten around customs between the USA and Canada with the classification of "wallhanging ornament." Which is what swords become to alot of people.

Bob
 
Oh you are a mean uncle! Just after I ordered the sabre and that curved blade is calling oh so much! What next? Are you going to put up a tarwar by Durba for the afternoon UBDS just to tempt me? Now I know why some of the people on here resort to living in caves!
Rick
 
And the flat leather scabbard has to go. It's a loser. That it is more likely to rust the blade is almost irrelevant. It doesn't work. Yes, it holds the blade and protects the edge. But it has a tendency to cling, greatly inhibiting removal, is too flexible and any pressure on the sides practically lock the blade in place.

In short, if you need to use the blade, good luck at having it be a situation where you can pull it out at leisure prior to use.

This isn't any kind of put down. The way I see it, that's just how it is. And it's my opinion. If other more knowlegeable folks say yea or nay to the same issue, go with the guys who know the best.

Oh, and I have decided that I was right when I noted a wobble in the edge on mine and a kink on the spine 3 or 4 inches back from the point.

After about 50 close examinations for the wobble and kink I see them 2 out of 3 examinations, and don't see them the other third.

They are correctable with a little stoning. Whether I have the eyes to do it myself is another matter.

On a thousand dollar blade I'd take it back and say fix it, and I'll pick it back up in a week. No big deal, end of story. QC will always catch most flaws, and miss others.

That is on a blade I paid a thousand for. Mine cost less than a fifth of of that. The little quirks I find are - to ME - proof this is a battleworthy blade made first to hold up in use and second to look pretty.

I'd say on the balance, the above critique is more of an endorsement than a put down. For those who still don't get it, it falls short of perfection, comes reasonaby close though, and is a real deal for the money paid.

 
I've never experienced a Durba first hand, but I love my Sanu made Malla. He did a great job.

Bob
 
I agree completely on the scabbard, I won't let it sit over night the way it is. I have had to remove rust twice, but caught it before it got that bad. I also agree on the quality and price. It's hard to find a blade for 245 that will stand up as well as these will.

As far as the degree of bend it must be the heat treatment that curves the blade, look what happens to the Khukuris!
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That aside the curve is in line with the type of point and armor it needed to go through. As far s folding I believe they were folded 20 times not 200 as hollywood likes to mention from time to time.

Uncle, Just poking fun at you! If I didn't like any of my modest collection I wouldn't have ordered another! As always I am in amazement of what comes to my door!

Rick

[This message has been edited by rhj (edited 06-27-2001).]
 
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