Kris Katana 25 II folded steel.

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averageguy

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https://www.kriscutlery.com/documents/japanese.html

My step dad called me the other day and said he wanted a sword. I took a look at the Kris site and recomended this based on some research into inexpensive swords I did about 10 years ago. I forgot how impulsive he is and he called me minutes later and said he had ordered one - in fact he ordered two - one for me - bless his heart. I'm a little nervous now because, in truth, I know very little about swords and I hope I did not steer him wrong. What do you guys think.:thumbup::thumbdn:
 
In truth, I am not sure of the quality of these swords from Kris cuttlery. I am sure of the quality of the swords from the following sites: They are what I consider cutting edge clasics, without being actually true Japanese works of art, obviously. These swords range from 250 to 2500, but I guarantee they are the very best for the money, without the guesswork of how good are they. Their metal, forging techniques, hardening, zone-tempering, hamon, fittings, etc are of great quality, especially when compared against lesser brands of the same price.

http://www.nihonzashi.com/
The above site is an actual dojo, so they promote ONLY really great equipment, but with anything, you should discriminate what is best for you.

http://www.mantisswords.com/
Again, this site is of superior quality equipment, really can't go wrong, for the price of each item, compared against others of same price point.

http://www.casiberia.com/cat_japanese.asp
Now, in case you havent figured it out yet, this site is the actual maker of the other site's swords. Cas-Iberia and Paul Chen have formed an aliance of sorts, so both are fantastic.

ps: On the higher end - for the money a BAINITE blade; which is made of PURE swedish L-6 bandsaw tool steel is as good as ANY expensive traditional folded damascus blade costing thousands of dollars more. The purpose of the folding process was to remove impurities to make a superior steel from relatively crappy ore; whereas, with the Swedish steel it already comes from the factory 100% pure and damned strong.
 
Hi, I`ve had Kris Cutlery swords for years and they are more than worth the money, well tempered, straight, good handles,etc.

You will be very happy with them, they might not be Japanese original, but they are good blades.

Best Regards,

Alejandro
 
Kris has a long track record of providing a good value for the money. Their shop is out of the Phillipines, so they are a little different then the chitanas found on most other sites. You did fine no worries.
 
Thanks for that input guys - I was on edge for awhile there since I was having a hard time finding any recent write-ups on these.
I realize now that the Japanese sword market is quite expansive with all the new imports from China. A decade ago though, these and the Chen Practical were about the only plays for a decent basic sword.

The amount of stuff being offered now is quite impressive and any number of these having been positively reviewed. It seems we are at a confluence of quality and price out of China, at least in this low end market of swords, that I don't think will last forever and represents a lot of value for the budget minded buyer like myself.

The folded model like the one my step dad ordered are indeed Chinese blades.
 
Averageguy,
I think you might take a closer look at what the Chinese "low end market" is. Kris' products are medium priced, highly serviceable and very tough. A very long ways from "low end market!" Can't wait to hear about how you are going to wear one out.
Some Kris iterms are made in China and others in the Philippines. I do not know where the Eurpoean blades are made but if you are interested, give Kris a call at 510-758-9912. They are very nice, informative people and I have never heard/read a complaint about the quality or longevity of their products.
If anyone has, I'd like to hear about that too.
thanks
--ho
 
I've had some experiences with the KC japanese swords. I used to use them for tameshigiri (test cutting using wara/bamboo), and they performed just fine. No nicks whateoever on the edge of the blade. However, I never heard about the folded steel series. IMHO, they are decent user swords with decent price range.

A bainite blade for $1000 ? I think that's pretty cheap. The last blade I bought from Howard Clark costed me $1500-ish ($60 / inch). But you cannot get one from HC anymore, you gotta get it from Bugei and it costs now more than $6000 (including the fittings and polish). That's the last I heard though.
 
averageguy said:
https://www.kriscutlery.com/documents/japanese.html

My step dad called me the other day and said he wanted a sword. I took a look at the Kris site and recomended this based on some research into inexpensive swords I did about 10 years ago. I forgot how impulsive he is and he called me minutes later and said he had ordered one - in fact he ordered two - one for me - bless his heart. I'm a little nervous now because, in truth, I know very little about swords and I hope I did not steer him wrong. What do you guys think.:thumbup::thumbdn:
Click to expand...

I have handled a couple of their Japanese swords at a friend’s house. He is a big time collector of Japanese styled swords, and I just asked him how he would compare the kris cutlery swords to other brands. More or less, he said that dollar for dollar, they are probably the best swords on the market , usually outperforming several other brands 2-3 times as much, and even big name company swords such as Casiberia, Paul Chen, and Cold Steel. He actually has the exact sword you were inquiring about, he just said, “Tell him not to worry, he’s in good hands”. :thumbup:
 
the Bainite blades i was refering to are actually running about $1,700; when i wrote this thread I was in a bit of a hurry and didnt have the time to look up actual costs. Considering purchase of Bainite blades, try MANTISSWORD, they have them in stock for same or similar price, and definitely not $6,500. You could get an actual Tamahagane blade for less than that, around $3,500. Personal thoughts, the Bainite is just as good. Yes, Tamahagane blades are produced using authentic means, but they are by no means better, especially when compared against L6, that stuff is as tuff as they come and hold one hell of an edge, with no edge rolling, so long as the HT is correct.
 
Just from a philisophical standpoint, why do you suppose that there is such an immense price differential between a fully mounted and polished Howard Clark blade and one from Mantisswords?
 
There could be many reasons for this; but to name a few: Manufacturing practices, Not fully polished, Injection molded fittings and not individually made hand-made fittings, etc. if you look at any SHOP like Cas-hanwei forge, they are a volume driven business, and although their blades are made with a great deal of care, they cannot be compared to 1 bladesmith making 1 blade and all fittings by hand. the attention to detail is always going to be more stringent when 1 bladesmith produces the item from start to finish and their name is going to be placed on the blade which represents them. Conversely, a manufacturing shop will do the best they can to get out the highest balance of quantity/quanlity possible. If the sacrifice to quality, mostly cosmetic, is going to get them an extra blade a day for each smith employed then they come out ahead. Don't get me wrong, they do take pride in making these blades, but will never match the care of an individual smithy. Also, none of the manufactured blades have a fully hand polished blade that will virtually blind you. they are mostly finished to a semi-polish in order to save time, and fingers. Like I said though, things where it counts, such as HT, annealing, metal selection, all should be second to none, in either case.
 
Excellent. I'm glad you recognize the difference. I've long been here pointing out that in swords one does in fact get what one pays for. I'm glad to see that other people see it too.
 
Received my Kris 25" folded katana this afternoon.
All I can say is, I am awed by this peice.
The Kris sword feels lighter and better balanced than the Dawson wakizashi pictured alongside - my only other experience with swords. It feels solid in the hand and looks very sharp with a very nice and even polish. The geometry of the blade produces a finer (thinner) than expected edge.
Fittings are simple but the combinations of colors here are, imho, very good looking, understated - elegant?
The pictures that follow don't do the sword justice and I have not yet wiped the blade - there appears to be the thinnist coat of something on there. At some point I will attempt some pictures of the blade.
I was going to say - best $150.00 I've spent in a while - but this was a gift. I am VERY pleased.

k1.jpg


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Yes, but it's not prominent. You have to be in just the right light and look at just the right angle and squint your eyes.

I remain very impressed at the value coming out of China right now.
 
I've heard some good things about the KC celtic sword. Does anyone have any experience with their european swords?

I read not too long ago on this forum someone's glowing assessment of the KC Celtic. How about the Viking sword?
 
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