kriss cutlery or crisswell

M

madscientist

Joined
May 12, 2000
Messages
309
I am thinking of getting a good working katana. I have been looking at both the criswell and the kriss cutlery one. Is the crisswell worth the extra $100 or so?

Thanks
Mike
 
Can only speak for the Criswell swords, have a Wakizashi from him and it handles very nice and came with a razor sharp edge. This is the second one that I had, the first had slightly thicker edge and I asked if I could get one a little thinner but still tough, Rob Criswell said no problem, he admitted that some of the first few swords were a little on the thick side, but now he was making them so they really cut well.

Also you might want to check out the November issue of Blade, there is an article that speaks to this point, came away with a positive conclusion.

G2

------------------
"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...

G2 LeatherWorks
 
Does anyone know a website for samples of his work? Mr. Criswel I mean.

------------------
<A HREF="http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~soo/balisong/balisong.html
</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
A conoisseur of champagne would not appreciate hearing someone call Sprite or Fresca "champagne" just because it's clear and is carbonated.

Nothing against his work, just what it is called.

Shinryû the snob.
 
As this can be a touchy subject, I will refrain from expressing my opinions on the topic.

Like I said, I don't have anything personal against what is being made...but I think things should be given names that are accurate. Like that'll ever happen...

Shinryû.
 
Cut the poor guys some slack Robert, he is just using the language the way everyone else does so that everyone will understand him. There are folks that get irate about "americanized tantos" being called "tantos" too.

Madscientist, my recommendation is to go with the Kris katana. Why? Well that is the one I own and I have been very pleased with it. I'm afraid I don't know anything about the other sword.
 
Thanks I think I will, I was looking at both but the only real advantage in the crisswell seems to be g10 scales? And at 5'6" the 26 inch blade seems nice,

Sorry about the 5 to 10 K crack, it's late

Mike

 
Triton:

Yeah I know I should give folks more slack really...But most people I think have some sort of soft nerve that gets stomped on quite a bit.

And as far as a KC blade goes, I would suggest it more also. I even owned and cut with a KC wakizashi for a while until I found a better home for it. However, I think KC blades make better project swords than "out of the box" ones. I only say this now that I found out how the handle construction worked on my wakizashi.

But they work well and are good for the money.

Shinryû.
 
Presumably a Kris Cutlery katana would never be mistaken for anything a traditional Japanese swordsmith or anyone else working in that school would sell as a katana.

But, if you had Japanese swordfighting skills and a Kris Cutlery katana, would you have a decent weapon, as well as a good weed-abatement tool?


------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
AKTI Member # SA00001
 
In a word yes. I have heard some people recommend wrapping the grips because they get slippery when you are sweaty but other then that, yes if you have a KC29 you have a sword that will be excellent for cutting practice (although maybe not as good for iai) and if you have a KC26 you will have a decent cutter which can be used for iai as well. As for weeds, no problem at all.
 

Tough choice, esp. since the discounted price on the Criswells at that knifemart.com site is considerably less than the cost quoted in Rob's ad in Blade. ($199 for the Wak vs. $249 in the ad!)

However, having seen a picture of the bare Kris katana blade I see that it has the correct shape and size of tang to build a new (and better looking/working) handle on. (Tang is not drilled for the peg though... I wonder why?) Also, the Kris blades are hand forged, differentially hardened 5160 vs. laser cut A-2 tool steel. The Criswell swords are far better looking, but if I were to get a Kris I would be ripping the crappy handle and Tsuba off and installing new ones in a hurry. Personally, I may just buy the Criswell "Wakizashi" to play with now, and then wait until the rumored Kris Katana with traditional fittings is released later in the year.

PM.
 
I'm not all that fond of the tsuka myself but that double cucumber musashi style tsuba is kind of nice in an understated sort of way. Just my opinion.
 
I know this topic is dead but I just received my Criswell Wakazashi and I think its fantastic. I would highly recommend it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top