Looking for comparison between HI Katana and a similar "good" katana.

Walking Man

Walking Man

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Hi, all....
I'm not looking for a "What's better" thread, I'm just interested in info.
If anyone out there who knows a bit about katanas and could do a comparison between an HI katana and a comparable quality katana, such as a Cold Steel, or maybe a Paul Chen, I'd appreciate it. I'm not looking for info on fit, finish, or looks as much as feel, thickness, cutting ability, strength, grip, etc. (in other word, PERFORMANCE)
THANKS!
 
That's a good question, and one I imagine no one wants to touch with a 17' pole...comparative reviews are not allowed by the managment of BF. I can only tell you what I've 'gleaned' from reading, and that is the HI Katana is a great sword for the price, not as pretty as many, but strong. Now- what has that to do with martial arts and swords? I don't know. I don't know swords. That's why there are sword forums. When you get into different balances and mediums being penetrated, and what not, you need to talk to an expert.

Some of the forumites might be able to tell you how their Katana's did on wood and brush or misc.

munk
 
I browsed around the other forums to see if there might be an answer to your question out there, couldn't come up with much. I can tell you there's some good info on HI katanas in the HI archives, if you dig around a bit. I reckon it would come down to what you intend to use the katana for as to which one would suit you best. I'm not much into swords, kind of hard to whittle or gut fish with, but there's some fellows here that can give you good advice based on first hand experience with theirs. Good luck, and scrounge around the other forums a bit, you might have more success than I did.

Sarge
 
Thanks for the good help, Sarge.

We do have some khuk crazies here that also own swords and have swung them all.

munk
 
munk said:
comparative reviews are not allowed by the managment of BF.
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You are joking, right?
I'm not really looking for a comparative review persay.... Just a comparison. What I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to know is this: Is the HI katana a true version of a katana or it is heavier, thicker, or different from what is considered a traditional katana. I realize definitions vary about what a traditional katana is, but I'm willing to accept a loose interpretation. Thanks.
Also, I'd like to know how the thickness of the grip varies.
 
Sorry- mispoke- comparative reviews are not allowed here, but in the appropriate BF forum.

I think some HI Katana owners should be showing up eventually and telling you how their's feel compared to the 'real thing'.

munk
 
deleted becuase i didnt refresh the page in time to see the correct posts :) while i do beleive that the only people who are likely to have an HI katana as well as anything to compare it to personally will be found in the HI forum or the cantina, i can see why this would be better suited for the review forum.



my katana from HI is 35oz at 36.5" total length, and the cold steel warrior katana is 40.6oz at 40.5".

my katana from HI is 9/32" thick, the cold steel warrior katana is 9/32" thick.
 
Walking Man said:
You are joking, right?
I'm not really looking for a comparative review persay.... Just a comparison. What I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to know is this:

Is the HI katana a true version of a katana or it is heavier, thicker, or different from what is considered a traditional katana.
Click to expand...

Afraid not Walking Man, not a joke at all.:( :grumpy:

I don't own an Everest Katana but even Uncle Bill said not to compare the Everest Katana to a real katana because you would be disappointed.
However they are surdy as all hell and tough cutting tools according to my friend Broken Arrow who got a cow's spine from a slaughter house and cut it in two several times with no damage using a wood backstop shortly after they came out.
Broken Arrow did several tests using the Everest Katana as a person would use a sword and it passed with flying colors.
Like the Kumar Kobra they are indeed swords and are *Not* to be used for chopping down trees or even large branches.

Do an advanced search and put Broken Arrow in the poster's box and then click the not exact spelling as I don't recall exactly how Ray signed his forum name.
 
Walking Man said:
Hi, all....
I'm not looking for a "What's better" thread, I'm just interested in info.
If anyone out there who knows a bit about katanas and could do a comparison between an HI katana and a comparable quality katana, such as a Cold Steel, or maybe a Paul Chen, I'd appreciate it. I'm not looking for info on fit, finish, or looks as much as feel, thickness, cutting ability, strength, grip, etc. (in other word, PERFORMANCE)
THANKS!
Click to expand...

It is my rather confused understanding that we cannot speak about knives other than HI's on this particular forum. After all, it is HI's forum. You have posted this a bad time asking about other makes of knives.

Watch out or you will have a zillion moderators all over you.
 
Yvsa said:
I don't own an Everest Katana but even Uncle Bill said not to compare the Everest Katana to a real katana because you would be disappointed.
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AH HA!!!!!
Another point...... I'm not asking for a comparison between a "real" multithousand dollar katana, only one of similar and fair value.
SethMurdoc gave me good info, pretty much what I was looking for.
 
Again.... I don't want to discuss the good or the bad, just differences. If this threads needs to be moved, so be it, and MY SINCERE APOLOGIES!
 
basically, with a good rendition of the HI katana, your going to get something that is among the best practice katanas you can get for the money, especially if its a deal of the day.

they are the same construction as the khukuries, so they are meant to be used.

i would agree that if your looking to compare the two, your going to be disapointed, just like if your trying to compare the khukuries to custom blades.

the khukuries and the various knives from himalayan imports are meant to be working tools, everything else you get is icing on the cake. i would be lying if i said the fit and finish was excellent on my katana by my american 2,000$ (minimum) shop set up standards, but it doesnt have to be.



your question was in regards to geometry rather then performance. the form of the katana from HI differs from old style katana's in that the handle swells out in the center, as apposed to a standard katana wich is basically straight from hilt to pommel, possible with a curve in it. the benefit of this is that it gives something for your hand to grip as the blade is pulled away from you by centrifigal (centrifugal?) force. if i intended to use my katana at the moment, i would probably sand it down to give it a little more grip. it is also a full wood construct as apposed to wrapped, but again you can find wood handles katana's, its just a different style.

the other 2 differences are basically the way the blade is made and finished. the entire blade is tapered towards the edge, where a traditional katana may have flat sides, and then the main edge bevel. on HI's version, you will see hammer marks along the blade. the other difference is the kissaki. but to some degree that is determined by what style of katana you are thinking of. there was/is a huge array of kissaki styles. the only real difference you'll see is the hammer marks though.


functionally, you'll notice the swelled handle, and the completely tapered blade (even though it looks like its 9/16" from the spine to the beggining of the main bevel, its actually thinner at the start of the bevel then at the spine). other then that, you might notice a difference in the amount of sori, but again thats more of the style of katana then then anything else.
 
SethMurdoc said:
your question was in regards to geometry rather then performance.
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No, and Yes!
In a sword, the two are nearly inseparable.... especially since I already have a pretty good idea of the strength of an HI blade.
Thanks for the info!
It is VERY much appreciated.
 
I don't own the Hi version, and I am not an expert on swords.
What little I know tells me that with Hi - you are getting a Nepal interpretation of a Katana. A Cold Steel is not a traditional katana.
Neither are the cheaper Katanas (<250) from most makers.

A traditional katana has a blade that is differentially tempered by coating it in clay and dipping it in water during the treatment process. The more expensive ones have folded steel blades.

The edge is likely to be very hard, and I would not try to chop poles with it. Some less expensive katanas are through hardened, i.e. spring tempered. This varies by brand.

The handle of a traditional model can be removed and is shaped differently. It is attached in place by bamboo pegs.

In terms of functionality, I would expect that weight and balance would be different, because of the handle on the Hi sword.

The Hi swords are very tough and strong from reports on the forum, and good values.
 
Based on the very few near-quality traditional kats I have handled, the Everest Kat is nothing more than a look-alike. This is NOT a bad thing. The HI kat is stout as all get out, but mine balances a little funny. It does not have the balance and grace of a traditional kat at all. However, i wouldn't trade it for the world. I did some torture tests with mine. Hacked up some plywood, did some full force chops into a hickory broom handle, bound three pool noodles together for some slicing practice. It passed very easily. I have no doubt in my mind that you could take this sword into battle and have it come out in one piece. It's constructed just like a khuk, only skinnier and stretched out;) thru tang with a pinned keeper.
Like Yvsa said, you wouldn't want to chop wood with it, but who would honestly pick a kat as a woodsman's tool?:confused: However, it will stand up to anything that a sword is supposed to.
Very tough, one of my top 5 fav HI products, always within arms reach when a bump in the night is heard. That's how i feel about the Everest Kat;)

Jake
edit: "pasted" is not a word. "passed" is.
 
I can tell you there's some good info on HI katanas in the HI archives, if you dig around a bit
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I seem to remember a comparison of sorts done awhile back...I can't remember who did it? Cliff Stamp? I might be mixing memories on that one:o
 
I have never handled the HI katana, but from the pics I have seen its not very traditional, but that's ok since its said to be a good performer. If you want to get technical and anal about being traditional then its not very close, its more katana styled. The handle appears to be straight, which traditional katanas handle fallowed the sori (or curve), the handles also generally had same' (ray skin) wrap with silk tsuka-maki (handle wrap) with the tsuka (handle) core being wasted in an hour glass shape. The blades geometry is different then traditional katanas, but again this wont affects its perforumance, it just isn't very traditional. It also don't have a traditional saya (scabbard) which is wood core with lacquer over it and a sageo cord (for putting around the obi, or belt).

Personally I find the HI katana attractive in its own right, it may not be traditional but it sure looks like a user.

You would probably get more information about traditional katanas and such over at the BF sword forum. Or posting this on another sites sword forum.

If I remember right, Steve Ferguson has both the HI katana and some more traditional designs. You may want to ask him how they compare side by side.
 
Walking Man,

There is a forum I used to visit a lot years ago that specializes in sword discussion, I believe it was/is still called sword forums (maybe something like swordforums.com). Anyhow, the range of sword knowledge there is like the range of khukuri knowledge here.
There being so many folks there that buy and own just about every type of sword available (and actually not available), that I would not be surprized if you asking about any first hand HI sword experience would get you some good responses :)

Just a thought, if you want to track the forum down and give them a shot for more answers :)

In any case, good luck with your search for answers :)
 
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