opinions....

G

galen59

Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
247
It's my birthday and the wife will let me spend $500 +/- on a katana, what would you get and why...G.
 
Same for me, about to buy my first blade and want to ask if there is any other good maker? I want one that isn't just for show.
 
paul chen is pretty good. also, take a look at some of the cold steel swords. there are way better swords, but not many for under 500 bux. good luck.
 
I don't trust cold steel, I've seen breakage, this is not my first blade, just looking for something for the money..G.
 
ive never owned a CS sword, but a buddy has one(he is in his 50's, doesnt work it to hard). he likes it, but its only his second katana. i have the paul chen "ninja" sword, i like the straight blades for some reason. mine has had a rough life, but it has done well, it has two minor chips from some abuse a few years ago, other than that its been good. good luck.
 
Here's a good thread from the sword forums that has a lot of good info for a first time buyer. I have two katanas, a Bugei and a Dynasty Forge. I'll be selling the Dynasty Forge one as soon as my Gold Membership I bought a few days ago gets activated.

Be careful though...they are addicting!:)

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41155

Best,
Frank
 
Munetoshi brand. Available through Sword'n'Armory. They use 1095 and/or T10. The hamons they achieve are GORGEOUS. The fit, finish and fittings are decent quality, they use real ray skin samigawa on the tsuka and they cost less than the Paul Chen/Hanwei stuff.
I'm not knocking PC/Hanwei.
I own a Practical Elite Katana and it is an excellent sword for the money. I just believe you get more bang for your buck with Munetoshi.

http://www.swordnarmory.com/Munetoshi-Brand-Handmade-Japanese-Samurai-Sword-s/304.htm
 
tell you what..you want a sharp, durable sword you can cut with,thats made to handle an "unskilled" cutter get this

http://www.swordnarmory.com/product-p/sh2415.htm

it doesnt have a hamon, but it is made of 5160 which helps it take more abuse and wont twist or bend on a botched cut as a sword with hamon. I will say it's a beefy sword.

and with the money left over you can stash it away for a rainy day:)
 
Also check out Kris cutlery, pretty decent 5160 blades and reasonably priced.

BTW at $500 you are approaching the price of reasonable WW2 machined NCO sword and antique wakizashi
 
The Hanwei Raptor series is supposed to be a good place to start. Also check out the offering from Kris Cutlery as previously mentioned. Dynasty Forge has excellent quality control on their blades as well.
 
Hi galen59. I have this odd habit to buy knives/swords ect, and just beat the beans out of them. I do this because I really want to see what steels, qunches, makers, claims, and edge-holding some makers Really have! If I had a wife that was cool enough *lucky guy* to let me go out and buy a $500+ katana... My list is short. My first choice is a Howard Clark 1086/c Katana. As I see it one of the toughest swords out there. I had one and traded it for other items worth some big $$$s but very sorry I did. Second choice Paul Chen, then Hanwei has come good blades. I have beat the beans out of a Cold Steel katana, and it has not broken *yet* but its hangin in there for the money. (warrior series just less polish if you really want to use and cut things for fun) Some of the others look so nice its hard to take a swing at things, but, a custom maker can work with you on what kind of use or finish you would like. Lots of Very good info here from other users as well. (Put it all together and you have one big sharp mind.) Thats whats so very great about this forum. Enjoy. edgy
 
I ended up getting a Hanwei Bamboo mat, quite frankly its the best katana I've ever bought for the $$, can anyone tell what HWS2 is? I love it Cuts mats like butter, a big thumbs up, retail, $900 I paid $440
 
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