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.
Exactly what I'm looking for.
I agree with ALL of the points you value mentioned above. The Waki fits the bill.
I have considered purchasing a Cheness Wakizashi blade and custom handling the blade myself with micarta. At least they are full convex grind and their 9260 series is theoretically pretty tough. But, I am just not sure how tough. I am very learry of a blade that size breaking during hard use. A broken blade tip is a potentially dangerous flying object.
I actually have a Criswell Wakizashi. While it is a pretty blade and supposed to be tough, it is hollow grind - which I DON'T care for and do not like or want on a wakizashi. It is a HORRIBLE grind IMO for a sword. Also, and somewhat interesting. The Criswell, while similar in weight and size (see below) balances quite a bit differently and is much more blade heavy.
While this would theoretically give the Criswell more power in the blade, it is just a bit much to control with one hand. I like the feel and balance of the Rodent Waki much better AND the proper convex grind on the Waki. :thumbup:
Further, the Waki's convex grind AND thinner blade will cut way better than the Criswell. I have never chopped with the Criswell. But, I have plenty enough experience with other big blades to KNOW without needing to swing my Criswell.
And I have a LOT more confidence in the toughness and heat-treatment from Swamp Rat! :thumbup:
The Swamp Rat Waki is a FREAKIN' awesome blade. It is almost everything in DESIGN, shape, size, thickness, grind, etc. I could have hoped for. Although, I am STILL not sure what the pommel design is all about. ????????
But,... if I have to find complaint, I "WISH" my Waki's came SATIN at this high a price. :grumpy: - I had hoped the CG's would be around $275 - $300 and $375 - $400 should buy a SATIN Waki IMO - Both my SATIN Criswell and SATIN Northwind cost me at or under $200.... And I could get a Cheness for under $200 as well (I could find 9260 Wakizashi blades with just Shirasaya for around $120). And ALL of those blades come with the INDUSTRY STANDARD "SATIN" finish - Further, they all also came with a sheath/scabbord!.........So, based on things I keep seeing ("Res-C" handled S5LE for around $200 and such!), I guess the satin LE Waki's will be way more expensive than I had hoped and more expensive than I can justify. At this point, I assume the Satin LE Waki's might be close to $550 - $600 or so (???????). - ...... WAY out of my justification range.
So, I picked up my two CG's and can't hold my breath for the LE's. I guess I will have to satin finish my CG's myself AGAIN! :grumpy: - Getting VERY tired of satin finishing blades. :grumpy:
Anyway, in spite of my frustration about lack of satin at a reasonable price, most people don't feel how I do about satin finishes. And the Waki "IS" freakin' awesome. I have to recommend people to GET IT!
:thumbup:
Pics or it didn't happen
I have them all except the Waki in G10. Eric posted the weights. I just measured my micarta lengths and excepted Eric's weights for the two. 
). Tough or not , it is still very large and very sharp. I own MANY knives and nothing in my collection earns my respect and attention for care when just handling the katana. I sometimes get nervous handling it. It makes Wakis, Northwinds, and machetes seem like toys.
I also have a Cheness "Kaze" katana with hamon. The ito is cheaply done in cotton IMO. And the Seppa could be a better fit (being picky). But, if the ito had been a nicer material and little tighter, I would be VERY impressed with my Cheness katana - Especially considering I only paid about $150.
The grinds are INCREDIBLE!!! Fine details in the convex to sharp edge. FINELY detailed spine, etc. I personally did some finer polishing. But, the factory polish was pretty decent and otherwise an amazing blade and again an amazing price.
However, I can't speak for it's toughness or durability. I have not hit anything hard with it. And without knowing how durable it is, it is effectively a VERY NICE looking display blade. And hard for me to catagorize "Worth" outside of display/collectible without knowing it's functional abilities.
I could be wrong, but my main concern about using the Cheness for HARD use might be the handle and it's method for attachment. I am just a little leary about it.
Also, it is actually just TOO nice for me to take out and beat on something with it and it is my only katana. If I had two, I would probably go beat on one. And considering the price, someday I will probably pick up another and beat on it. :thumbup: But, until then, I will save my one as a GORGEOUS display. I have always wanted a katana and consider it the pinnacle of my collection - even if more symbolic than functional.
I can say the Cheness Kaze katana is a VICIOUS weapon ... or at least could be (especially if sufficiently tough
.I seriously consider the katana to be "TOO" large for any practical purpose - at least for my purposes and my opinion.
I believed prior to receiving my Katana that a Katana was not well suited in size for any practical use and that a Wakizashi was a MUCH better size for potential practical use. After receiving my Katana, I still believe the Wakizashi size is much more practical.
A Wakizashi is WAY more suited for carry in the woods or for those who fantasize about self defense use, a Wakizashi is WAY better suited for CQC. A Katana needs LOTS of room to swing.
Consider this: Anywhere you can't make a FULL swing with a large golf driver you probably can't swing a Katana "properly" either.
Also, a well designed, balanced and weighted Wakizashi (like the Rodent Waki :thumbup: ) can easily be managed with either one hand or both hands if situation justifies.
But, plan on needing to be built like Arnold to control a full size katana "properly" with one hand..... and I am not convinced Arnold could control a full size Katana "properly" with one hand.
The Waki size is just WAY more practical and useful - IMO. :thumbup:
A "Ko-Katana" is about 7"-10" shorter than a full size katana and not too much larger than a Wakizashi. So, much more practical and potentially useful than a full size katana. But, I honestly still feel the Wakizashi sizes are even more practical.
I think full size katanas are best suited for display and goza, tatami or water bottles - unless VERY well trained.
For a "user", Cheness claims their 9260 to be their toughest steel.
I would recommend looking at the Tenchi without bo-hi or the SGC series. I am not sure which is tougher, but even Cheness claims the "thinner/taller" SGC to be a better cutter.
. I had to sell some stuff, but it's worth it to me.
I'm hoping I've just managed to sneak on to this. This is about the perfect blade for my purposes.
Just fits inside the stupid UK legislation, for about the best bit of home defense zombie chopping kit, to my eyes
I've dropped an email for Sage blade and Black / Green G10.
So fingers crossed
Cool
