New Sword Fever

It sounds like the Rodent Waki is the way to go. The traditional Katana is an excellent design for its purpose. But for those of us that just don't plan on taking up any real training in Japanese cutting/fencing, the Busse/Swamp Rat AK/Ruck/Waki seem to fit the bill nicely. I think of them as a fun ax. No one is worried about the absolute perfect technique in your average wood chopping action with an ax. But axes don't seem to be as fun. I don't think the OP is REALLY talking about doing something "stupid" so much as he's looking to have some fun with a large blade and doesn't want to worry about getting some highly mastered technique down just to have a little fun.
 
PBJ said:
I've been considering a sturdy, hard-use katana and found this. They claim is head together even being after striking some steel pipes.

http://sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/SBG-Katana.html

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/Official-SBG-Katana.html

Are any of the experienced forumites at all familiar with this SBG katana? Is this the real deal?
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Paul had organized a collective bargaining chip to offer deals such as listed. Once sourced at the point of production, the advantages of such offerings is a marginal price break that may be beneficial for someone hoping such a deal will make decisions for them. While the customizations for these may look like a "wow, such the deal" proposition, watching the whole process evolve in the communities will show that even the first go was faulty in premise from the start.

Paul has done a great job in making it possible for a budding sword interest to spend money at what may seem deep discounts, while supporting himself and his site. I'm not going to say outright that this is a horrible thing but the truths and misinformation gives no one a great benefit past less expensive swords being salable and relatively safe. I do have the quotes available from Paul himself supporting the boards and site in saying that "having fun is more important than understanding the truths". Tew kewl, I guess.

The circus of silly tests is nothing new and the steel pole routine far from an original use as "proof" those are the best for the money and you need to spend money though him in order to reap the benefits available to the mere consumer on the street. Paul is only too willing to use other's examples and information to offer such as some exclusive disclosure of greatness. It honestly makes me a bit ill but I can respect while understanding the showmanship and business acumen.

Wow, they're targeting professional level wares. Does that mean buying one leads to both knowledge about Japanese style swords and also offer a step up in professional training and swordsmanship?

C'mon. it gets to be enough to make anyone hurl. The swords are what they are. Nothing mysterious in the end and something that went through a fitment of growing pains in itself. If the problems are/were not apparent, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate one's own needs and understandings of the particular sword genre.

SGB does offer any following their trends to get some pretty good discounts and a place for any vendor wanting to join, a chance to spam (er, support) as they wish. Kool-Aid for all and to all a happy purse.

The place to read about SBG katana deals is on that board itself. There will be mention of both the good and bad points. The bad usually ignored as excuses for allowances without direct comparison to what one might buy for the money. SBG is a sellers paradise that more than sways popular vote and some artificial reality some thrive in.

Enjoy

GC

wordy at times, ain't I
 
horseclover said:
Paul had organized a collective bargaining chip to offer deals such as listed. Once sourced at the point of production, the advantages of such offerings is a marginal price break that may be beneficial for someone hoping such a deal will make decisions for them. While the customizations for these may look like a "wow, such the deal" proposition, watching the whole process evolve in the communities will show that even the first go was faulty in premise from the start.

Paul has done a great job in making it possible for a budding sword interest to spend money at what may seem deep discounts, while supporting himself and his site. I'm not going to say outright that this is a horrible thing but the truths and misinformation gives no one a great benefit past less expensive swords being salable and relatively safe. I do have the quotes available from Paul himself supporting the boards and site in saying that "having fun is more important than understanding the truths". Tew kewl, I guess.

The circus of silly tests is nothing new and the steel pole routine far from an original use as "proof" those are the best for the money and you need to spend money though him in order to reap the benefits available to the mere consumer on the street. Paul is only too willing to use other's examples and information to offer such as some exclusive disclosure of greatness. It honestly makes me a bit ill but I can respect while understanding the showmanship and business acumen.

Wow, they're targeting professional level wares. Does that mean buying one leads to both knowledge about Japanese style swords and also offer a step up in professional training and swordsmanship?

C'mon. it gets to be enough to make anyone hurl. The swords are what they are. Nothing mysterious in the end and something that went through a fitment of growing pains in itself. If the problems are/were not apparent, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate one's own needs and understandings of the particular sword genre.

SGB does offer any following their trends to get some pretty good discounts and a place for any vendor wanting to join, a chance to spam (er, support) as they wish. Kool-Aid for all and to all a happy purse.

The place to read about SBG katana deals is on that board itself. There will be mention of both the good and bad points. The bad usually ignored as excuses for allowances without direct comparison to what one might buy for the money. SBG is a sellers paradise that more than sways popular vote and some artificial reality some thrive in.

Enjoy

GC

wordy at times, ain't I
Click to expand...

Most excellent post:thumbup:
 
horseclover said:
Paul had organized a collective bargaining chip to offer deals such as listed. .......While the customizations for these may look like a "wow, such the deal" proposition, watching the whole process evolve in the communities will show that even the first go was faulty in premise from the start.

GC

wordy at times, ain't I
Click to expand...

Glenn, right?

While this would be a great post(it is), it would also be great that you took some positions and expounded on what you THOUGHT, instead of what you simply KNOW.....is that fair?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I guess I am in a bit of stealth mode here but not really. Long ago in a distant place, someone here robbed my username after my starting at other boards in 1998/1999 and he has posted all of a couple of times here at BF. Horseclover is another I have used over the years. Hotspur on a few, while there are a couple of imposters around.

As to positions and knowing or thinking about them, my post regarding the site mentioned and the swords linked kind of speak for themselves. As I had expanded on that on the other board when they first appeared, I'd be repeating myself here. The SBG boards simply points out that there is something for everyone somewhere. I simply came to the conclusion that they had nothing much to offer me of my time there (or here for that matter:));).

I would underline that I am not a Japanese happy pants samureye type, I have simply watched the market and paid some attention over the years. My real interests simply went other directions.

Most of all, I have tried to encourage the truly curious to do a bit of legwork on their own.

Cheers

GC

Sparks might sell me the original username that seems unused these days but it would mean little at this juncture

One n dammit

Glen
 
horseclover said:
Paul had organized a collective bargaining chip to offer deals such as listed. Once sourced at the point of production, the advantages of such offerings is a marginal price break that may be beneficial for someone hoping such a deal will make decisions for them. While the customizations for these may look like a "wow, such the deal" proposition, watching the whole process evolve in the communities will show that even the first go was faulty in premise from the start.

Paul has done a great job in making it possible for a budding sword interest to spend money at what may seem deep discounts, while supporting himself and his site. I'm not going to say outright that this is a horrible thing but the truths and misinformation gives no one a great benefit past less expensive swords being salable and relatively safe. I do have the quotes available from Paul himself supporting the boards and site in saying that "having fun is more important than understanding the truths". Tew kewl, I guess.

The circus of silly tests is nothing new and the steel pole routine far from an original use as "proof" those are the best for the money and you need to spend money though him in order to reap the benefits available to the mere consumer on the street. Paul is only too willing to use other's examples and information to offer such as some exclusive disclosure of greatness. It honestly makes me a bit ill but I can respect while understanding the showmanship and business acumen.

Wow, they're targeting professional level wares. Does that mean buying one leads to both knowledge about Japanese style swords and also offer a step up in professional training and swordsmanship?

C'mon. it gets to be enough to make anyone hurl. The swords are what they are. Nothing mysterious in the end and something that went through a fitment of growing pains in itself. If the problems are/were not apparent, it may be time to take a step back and evaluate one's own needs and understandings of the particular sword genre.

SGB does offer any following their trends to get some pretty good discounts and a place for any vendor wanting to join, a chance to spam (er, support) as they wish. Kool-Aid for all and to all a happy purse.

The place to read about SBG katana deals is on that board itself. There will be mention of both the good and bad points. The bad usually ignored as excuses for allowances without direct comparison to what one might buy for the money. SBG is a sellers paradise that more than sways popular vote and some artificial reality some thrive in.

Enjoy

GC

wordy at times, ain't I
Click to expand...


Perhaps I'm being dense but ... are you saying their katana isn't as sturdy or fit for real use? Or is it that you disapprove of their advertising?
 
PBJ said:
Perhaps I'm being dense but ... are you saying their katana isn't as sturdy or fit for real use? Or is it that you disapprove of their advertising?
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Second paragraph and I believe I was fairly succint in my feelings regarding use.

I'm not going to say outright that this is a horrible thing but the truths and misinformation gives no one a great benefit past less expensive swords being salable and relatively safe.

What constitutes real use in your ideation of wanting a Japanese style sword? What limitations are expected? What do you know of traditional use of these swords? What would any rather know before pursuing some samureye fantasy?


Cheers

GC
 
i was hoping those with experience and training, who have used or handled a real katana (battle worthy), and who have used or handled the SBG katanas could give a clear review of an SBG katana, ie, edge holding, strength, balance and any other observations that an experienced student of japanese sword disciplines might have.
 
I understand how you feel. I didn't even know what a Busse or a Swamp Rat was a month ago. Now I'm waiting for a Waki, and a AK47 to show up at the post office....
 
Kohai999 said:
Glenn, right?

While this would be a great post(it is), it would also be great that you took some positions and expounded on what you THOUGHT, instead of what you simply KNOW.....is that fair?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Speaking of reviews and stuff congratulations on your participation in the latest edition of Blade Magazine.

With regard to the topic at hand I've always been of the opinion that the review is only as good as the knowledge and experience of the reviewer. I also know conflicts of interest result in huge penalties both economic and legal in most of the business world.
 
Triton said:
Speaking of reviews and stuff congratulations on your participation in the latest edition of Blade Magazine.

With regard to the topic at hand I've always been of the opinion that the review is only as good as the knowledge and experience of the reviewer. I also know conflicts of interest result in huge penalties both economic and legal in most of the business world.
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1. Thanks, I haven't seen it yet. Which article is it?

2. I agree with you about reviews and opinions, which is why it is always good to give people an idea of your background, and any possible conflicts of interest....once the disclaimer is tendered....have at it....real experience should be posited...and gathered as a body of knowledge.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
1. Thanks, I haven't seen it yet. Which article is it?
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It was the one on the top 10 knives I had no idea you were such a mover and shaker in the knife world. :) (Well okay that's not entirely true, I did have some idea but they really seemed to think highly of you) :thumbup:

Kohai999 said:
2. I agree with you about reviews and opinions, which is why it is always good to give people an idea of your background, and any possible conflicts of interest....once the disclaimer is tendered....have at it....real experience should be posited...and gathered as a body of knowledge.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...

Just to be absolutely clear for anyone reading this was in NO way a shot at Steven. I was referring to the website in question. I hope no one took it the other way.
 
Triton said:
It was the one on the top 10 knives I had no idea you were such a mover and shaker in the knife world. :) (Well okay that's not entirely true, I did have some idea but they really seemed to think highly of you) :thumbup:.
Click to expand...

I collaborate for no $$.:D You get what you pay for(rimshot, please):eek:


Triton said:
Just to be absolutely clear for anyone reading this was in NO way a shot at Steven. I was referring to the website in question. I hope no one took it the other way.
Click to expand...

I didn't take it as a shot, but was addressing what you were saying.....sometimes in the cybernet, beginners get treated as sages, and true experts like Rich S. are treated like persona non grata due to the ignorance of the reader.....we gotta kill that crap.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
I collaborate for no $$.:D You get what you pay for(rimshot, please):eek:

I didn't take it as a shot, but was addressing what you were saying.....sometimes in the cybernet, beginners get treated as sages, and true experts like Rich S. are treated like persona non grata due to the ignorance of the reader.....we gotta kill that crap.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...


Agreed on all points. It's particularly bizarre when you see some backyard ninja show up here to tell Rich he doesn't know what he is talking about.
 
ROTFL..bizzare is an understatement.

Honestly, all it does it make the people with expierience not want to participate........but we've been down this road already;)
 
the rodent will take tons and tons of abuse. If you break it, their warranty will replace it, as long is you don't intentionally break it. If you are going to be chopping trees, etc, it would be my choice for sure.
 
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