There is a good bit of talk about low-cost swords and the like; however, I havent heard anyones opinions for a great Mid-Priced sword. Now when I state Mid-Priced, I am referring to a Semi-custom to fully custom Katana, differentially tempered soft core and harder outer skin, as in traditional methods. Currently the only one I am aware of is Paul Chen @ Hanwei Forge / Cas Iberia. They have a Tamahagane class Katana for about $3000. My biggest gripe is that I have seen some of the work from their forge and it is inconsistant, nothing I've seen is bad, but even on their best models the polish, Tsuba, Grind or something just isnt quite right. Again, these are little things but for that kind of money I would expect damn near perfection. Any takers on this???
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
MID PRICES KATANAS 2k - 8k?
- Thread starter Serengeti
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http://www.mvforge.com/
http://www.rawblades.com/
http://tigerclawforge.net/home
http://www.waltersorrells.com/blades/
Somewhat around your range.
.
Now, to your questions.
Well of course Hanwei is inconsistent - it isn't just one smith. It's supposed to be production-level quantity and quality. The extra price is just more time spent and more experienced/better workers doing the tasks.
For 3,000 - I wouldn't expect perfection, especially as it is a hand-made product.
Now if we're talking in the 10-20,000 USD range... maybe.
http://www.rawblades.com/
http://tigerclawforge.net/home
http://www.waltersorrells.com/blades/
Somewhat around your range.
.Now, to your questions.
Well of course Hanwei is inconsistent - it isn't just one smith. It's supposed to be production-level quantity and quality. The extra price is just more time spent and more experienced/better workers doing the tasks.
For 3,000 - I wouldn't expect perfection, especially as it is a hand-made product.
Now if we're talking in the 10-20,000 USD range... maybe.
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Yep! Howard Clark at www.mvforge.com Unfortunately he is not taking orders at this time. They just had an opening for 20 spots but that has been filled. They will occasionally offer a katana from their website.
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Hey guys, thanks for the input. I'm actually pretty knowledgable about mass manufacturing methods, and kind of figured that the Hanwei stuff, along with most other production shops would have irregularities coming out on a regular basis, depending on the smith and the time he is alloted, or if it's a Monday. Anyway, I really don't expect "perfection" at this price, it's actually kind of hard to explain. First of all, By trade I am a Quality Assurance Manager, so I tend to look at details. When I look at any product, for the money, I value what I see against what Price they ask and them weigh the scales. Does the appearance and performance justify that hight price tag?, Could it have been made better at that price?, Is it great workmanship but of a poor design?, etc. Anyway, I was just wondering what others thought on this subject. Concerning the HT, hamon, etc I am currently starting my own knife shop and am picking up a good deal of info from Bladeforums, long term goal is to forge swords.
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I would not spend a cent with that frickin' weirdo, especially not for BS hyped up S7 shoddily built ass ugly things he calls swords.
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Heh, if i had a couple grand i would either go with Sam himself or with John Lundemo, John at www.odinblades.com does some of the most incredible stuff around, although there is a custom sword and knife guy near me who has some really beautiful L6 katana for about $1500 AUD.
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I agree with Sam, for the record.
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I'd give Bailey Bradshaw a call. Not precisely sure where his prices are on his swords, but it is worth asking - they are pretty amazing. In addition to being a seriously talented maker, he is also a pretty serious practitioner.
From Bailey's site: http://www.bradshawcutlery.com/page/page/4082640.htm
"Japanese style swords
The elegant curve, imposing presence and ultra refined cleanliness of the overall look is what draws me so intensely to Nihonto. When I fisrt set out to make knives, the end goal was to make a Japanese style sword. Seven years, too many failed blades to recall, and lots of blisters and sore muscles later, I had forged and heat treated my first katana. I was so elated, I put it down and took a victory lap around the building where my shop was located. I trained with that katana for several years, and it served me well. It now resides with a satisfied collector.
My approach to swordsmithing is a little different than some. I don't try to make blades of every style, but have found what I like in regards to overall shape, and hamon style. My all time favorite blade is one of Nambokucho period styling, shinogi-zukuri with high shinogi and large kissaki. I also enjoy hira zukuri blades. The hamon I specialize in is called hitatsura, or "all over". This style of hamon was produced primarily by smith of the Soshu-den school. It features so much activity, both above and below the shinogi, while stiffening the blade at the same time. I have found I can make my blades lighter and thinner with increased resistance to lateral deflection resulting in the dreaded bent blade.
I do all of the work on my swords, including the blade polishing, saya, tsuka-maki and fittings. This provides my customers with a one stop sword buying experience that is difficult to aquire anywhere else. The thought of buying a bare, unpolished blade, then having to wait for a polisher, someone to mount it, aquireing the fittings and getting all the work finished within a couple of years is mindboggling to me. Let me know what you want, and when I am finished, you have a completely finished, functional sword ready for the dojo or display. My orders are usually completed within one year.
I test all of my blades on hard targets such a 1-2" hardwood sapplings. I have extensive training in kenjutsu, and know what a high performance blade should do. I push my blades far beyond what I would advise anyone else to attempt, so I know the swords will perform as designed.......perfectly."
Roger
From Bailey's site: http://www.bradshawcutlery.com/page/page/4082640.htm
"Japanese style swords
The elegant curve, imposing presence and ultra refined cleanliness of the overall look is what draws me so intensely to Nihonto. When I fisrt set out to make knives, the end goal was to make a Japanese style sword. Seven years, too many failed blades to recall, and lots of blisters and sore muscles later, I had forged and heat treated my first katana. I was so elated, I put it down and took a victory lap around the building where my shop was located. I trained with that katana for several years, and it served me well. It now resides with a satisfied collector.
My approach to swordsmithing is a little different than some. I don't try to make blades of every style, but have found what I like in regards to overall shape, and hamon style. My all time favorite blade is one of Nambokucho period styling, shinogi-zukuri with high shinogi and large kissaki. I also enjoy hira zukuri blades. The hamon I specialize in is called hitatsura, or "all over". This style of hamon was produced primarily by smith of the Soshu-den school. It features so much activity, both above and below the shinogi, while stiffening the blade at the same time. I have found I can make my blades lighter and thinner with increased resistance to lateral deflection resulting in the dreaded bent blade.
I do all of the work on my swords, including the blade polishing, saya, tsuka-maki and fittings. This provides my customers with a one stop sword buying experience that is difficult to aquire anywhere else. The thought of buying a bare, unpolished blade, then having to wait for a polisher, someone to mount it, aquireing the fittings and getting all the work finished within a couple of years is mindboggling to me. Let me know what you want, and when I am finished, you have a completely finished, functional sword ready for the dojo or display. My orders are usually completed within one year.
I test all of my blades on hard targets such a 1-2" hardwood sapplings. I have extensive training in kenjutsu, and know what a high performance blade should do. I push my blades far beyond what I would advise anyone else to attempt, so I know the swords will perform as designed.......perfectly."
Roger
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