New to katanas, recommendations?

T

tarman245

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Nov 17, 2009
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Similar to what another user posted earlier, recently while looking across knife websites I found myself looking at katana swords. A buddy of mine has a cheap one that I like messing with, so I've been thinking about getting one. My question to you guys, since I don't know anything about swords, is there any kind of useable full size katana I get get for around $80 to $100? I would like to use it a bit. I'm not gonna use it for anything hardcore, but I don't want to chop at something with it and it falls apart, you know?
 
From what I have researched and am thinking of getting myself is a Cheness 9260 Katana. They are as robust as you are going to get for the money. They may be a little more than your budget, but I would not get anything cheaper. These swords can literally bend 90 degrees and spring right back into place. No other steel I know can do this for the price your are getting.

If you look hard you can find them for around $150-$200. Honestly, if you cheap out you will break it and you will not only risk the chance of injuring yourself, but you will then have to dish out another $100.

You know what they say... Cry once.
 
I tend to agree, cheap means just that. If you're going to get a live blade then be prepared to pay several hundred to perhaps a thousand or so for a good sword.
Get an iaito first for practise and try and find a dojo for real training.
You won't cut anything off by accident with an iaito, maybe poke a few holes in things, but at least no serious injuries will be suffered. Once you're used to it then try the live blade.

For live blades I'd also look at Last Legend, Bugei Trading. If you want to go better quality there are quite a few makers out there that will get you a nice blade. I was going to say there is a list somewhere if memory serves me.
 
Yes, most of the really inexpensive katana are intended for just wall hanging and are likely to bend or break when used to actually strike something. :(

If you want one that you can really cut with, look for one that is advertised as suitable for tameshigiri (cutting practice). They will be a bit more expensive, but they will last under use. You might also want to check out Paul Chen and CAS Iberia who both make some good, entry level "using" swords. Look for their "practical" line of blades which can be found in the $150-200 price range.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I've been looking for a katana that I can hang on the wall, but something that'll hold together if I had to hack at something. I've always wanted one, now I gotta figure more out about them. In a similar topic, anyone know where I can find some decent throwing stars?
 
tarman245 said:
I've always wanted one, now I gotta figure more out about them. In a similar topic, anyone know where I can find some decent throwing stars?
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Do you want to commit a felony in the State of Kalifornia?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
ccr said:
heres a link to some nice stars

http://www.wu-hai-lung.ws/Black%20Dragon%20Forge%205.htm

they are illegal in california but as long as you use good judgment it should be fine.
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Wow, dude.:eek:

Good judgment would be to not even think about having an illegal weapon that brings a felony charge with it. Especially in California.

He steps outside for a little target throwing practice, his bleeding heart neighbor calls the cops on him and he's now a felon.
Bad idea all around.
 
My great grandfather was one of the first civil rights lawyers to take on the Klan in the Florida Panhandle. He used to say that you have a moral duty to obey all the good laws, and to break all the bad ones. :cool:

Kalifornia has a bunch of bad laws. Show me a "felon" that's only so designated because he got caught with a pointy piece of metal, and I'll hire him any day. Sure you need to get rid of bad laws, but when a law is just fucking stupid (like this one) it loses all legitimacy. If you're willing to roll the dice on the jail time, there's no moral or ethical stigma attached to ignoring it in my mind. Somehow I suspect a lot of folks think like me.
 
misque said:
He steps outside for a little target throwing practice, his bleeding heart neighbor calls the cops on him and he's now a felon.
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I think the "good judgment" part would preclude flashing an illegal weapon in public, even in your own back yard, but maybe that's just me.

Not that I would recomend courting a felony just to own a toy (which no matter how well made they are is all throwing stars are). But then, I would never live in Kalifornia to begin with. :p
 
I know they're illegal, that doesn't bother me. The butterfly knives, brass knuckles and blackjacks I have are felonies too. But I'm not stupid with them, I just collect knives and other weapons. It's not like I'm carrying anything on my person.

And California is a great place to live.
 
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halromberg said:
Kalifornia has a bunch of bad laws. Show me a "felon" that's only so designated because he got caught with a pointy piece of metal, and I'll hire him any day. Sure you need to get rid of bad laws, but when a law is just fucking stupid (like this one) it loses all legitimacy..
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I agree 100%. If if a piece of pointed metal is a felony, thats a pretty stupid law which I don't care about. Throwing stars are not really even a practical weapon. I wouldn't carry them, there would be no point. I'm a regular law abiding citizen, I can have whatever I want in my house.
 
No argument about the stupidity of the law. It's a bad law and needs to be overturned. There is no shortage of bad legislation out there, especially in California.
Still, it's not a reason to court disaster.

If you absolutely must have throwing stars, please, as one knife lover to another, exercise all due diligence. Becoming a martyr of a stupid law sucks big.
 
I understand what your saying man. I just wanted to get a few to throw in my backyard, I doubt anyone would mind. In my neighborhood everyone stays to themselves, people can pretty much do as they please. Shooting a gun in the backyard is one thing, but tossing a couple pieces of cheap sharpened pot steel, I'm sure no one'll care.
 
make your own throwing stars. it's not exactly a complicated item; all you need is a flat peice of metal, a Sharpie, and a bench grinder or Dremel.

halromberg said:
My great grandfather was one of the first civil rights lawyers to take on the Klan in the Florida Panhandle. He used to say that you have a moral duty to obey all the good laws, and to break all the bad ones. :cool:

Kalifornia has a bunch of bad laws. Show me a "felon" that's only so designated because he got caught with a pointy piece of metal, and I'll hire him any day. Sure you need to get rid of bad laws, but when a law is just fucking stupid (like this one) it loses all legitimacy. If you're willing to roll the dice on the jail time, there's no moral or ethical stigma attached to ignoring it in my mind. Somehow I suspect a lot of folks think like me.
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food-smiley-004.gif
 
tarman245 said:
I understand what your saying man. I just wanted to get a few to throw in my backyard, I doubt anyone would mind. In my neighborhood everyone stays to themselves, people can pretty much do as they please. Shooting a gun in the backyard is one thing, but tossing a couple pieces of cheap sharpened pot steel, I'm sure no one'll care.
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My friend thought the same. However, while he was walking his dog one night with a pair of nunchaku around his neck, the police suddenly appeared and arrested him. That little walk cost him thousands of dollars in attorney's fees. Stupid law, yes. But think about the cost/benefit. Do you have a basement?
 
No basement. I'm not worried about it, theres usually not too many police in my backyard. I wish I had the tools to make some, unfortunatly I don't.
 
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