Sub-$300 Katana (2014 edition)

You can cut wet newspaper as a target.....but....all newspaper is recycled paper and actually has a fair amount of aluminum oxide in it....It WILL scratch your blade and will prematurely dull the edge if it is used habitually as a cutting medium.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
TrueBlue11c said:
Kohai,
where do you get your tatami from?
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I use Mugen Dachi tatami omote....my dojo will purchase in bulk once a year.

Also have a weird strain of clumping bamboo growing in my back yard that is a monster. Average stalk is 2" diameter with 3/4" wall thickness....it will put the hurt on your sword if you are not dead on with hasuji and speed.

However.....http://www.nihonzashi.com/tatami.aspx has these in stock, and they are in Florida, so it might just be worth it to drive down and load up your truck. Shipping on a box of 20 mats averages about $30.00.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Scotty2Hotty said:
Hello everyone! I am new to this forum. Seems like a bunch of great guys here with plenty of knowledge. I hate to beat a dead horse here, but I am interested in your opinions/recommendations. Someone posted a similar thread, but it started to get into machetes and what-not. I am not interested in what manufacturers you heard about. What I am looking for is personal experience, and owners of katanas. I have done much research, and have checked out just about every manufacturer there is. Been interested for awhile in katanas in particular. I would soon like to purchase one, in the $200-$300 range. I plan on test cutting with it and practicing iaido as well. Aesthetics aren't everything, a good functional katana is what I am looking for. I guess I want the most "bang for the buck," as does everyone. Most posts like these are dated, and I want current opinions. I am leaning toward the Ronin Katana Dojo Pro series, as this seems to fit my needs and budget. I have read all the old reviews both good and bad(very few bad). Has anyone had any experience with their new 2014 models? How do these differ from their previous offerings? I know there will be short-comings in this price range, but this will be my first katana. In time, I may upgrade to a better one, or maybe not need to. Hopefully, Mr. Ridgeway will chime in on this! But I look forward to any/all of your recommendations! Reviews would be awesome! "X vs. Y" would be great! I welcome links!(although if they are older, I've probably seem them) Please help me decide! Thank you, good sirs.
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HSTS 9260 Tsunami.

Any Huawei, starting from their 9260 models and up to sub $300 models. Your shopping experience may vary if you do a custom order outside of the basic options.

Dynasty Forge Musha 1060, if you can still find them under $300.

Ronin DP is a decent sub $300 choice too.

Just commenting on what I own and/or have cut with...
 
scottkane said:
HSTS 9260 Tsunami.

Any Huawei, starting from their 9260 models and up to sub $300 models. Your shopping experience may vary if you do a custom order outside of the basic options.

Dynasty Forge Musha 1060, if you can still find them under $300.

Ronin DP is a decent sub $300 choice too.

Just commenting on what I own and/or have cut with...
Click to expand...

Thank you for your input! All excellent recommendations. The Dynasty Forge Musha's aren't bad from the Kult, but the only one in stock close to my price range is a musashi theme w/ a bo-hi. I am totally SOL w/ the HSTS, but I have heard great things about them. Just can't find any... I did check into Huawei, I really liked the customizability options. My only concern is the whole "ebay" thing. I'm not sure how they compare to the DP. You said you owned a Huawei? If so, what model? You own a DP as well? If so, what model?
 
Scotty2Hotty said:
Thank you for your input! All excellent recommendations. The Dynasty Forge Musha's aren't bad from the Kult, but the only one in stock close to my price range is a musashi theme w/ a bo-hi. I am totally SOL w/ the HSTS, but I have heard great things about them. Just can't find any... I did check into Huawei, I really liked the customizability options. My only concern is the whole "ebay" thing. I'm not sure how they compare to the DP. You said you owned a Huawei? If so, what model? You own a DP as well? If so, what model?
Click to expand...

If you're interested in HSTS, contact them through their web site. HSTS sometimes has swords that aren't listed on their site.

I purchased a couple Huawei kats within the last year; a sub $125 9260 I gave to a friend, and a higher priced differentially hardened shinogi zukuri. I just ordered a third (DH unokubi zukuri). I haven't done a custom order with them yet. I just stick with the basic options available for the particular model. Their mounting quality (wrap, tsuka shape/fit, alignment of tsuka, fittings, blade, etc.) is good for the price ranges.

I have a model 2 DP and a friend of mine has the 26" DP. They're decent through-hardened 1060 cutters.
 
About the HSTS... I just read TrueBlue's thread, so I seen your comment about contacting them. Thanks. Sounds like you really like Huawei. How do they compare to the HSTS and the DP? Sounds like you think they are all decent, but gimme something to work with here, HAHAHA. Rate them for me, please. Thanks!
 
Gonna pick up a Dynasty Forge, eh? They look like they have good offerings. A lot on the Kult is backordered though...
 
Doing alright and yourself? Yea, I've been cutting rope and bamboo, my lil Skyjiro is kicking a$$.
Waiting for my tatami to come in.
 
I'm doing alright. You ended up getting some mats? From the site STeven linked? How many did you get, and what did it run you? That blade looks great, in the description, it sounds a lot like the Ronin Elites. I looked at their site, and they don't have that model, it's just on the Kult. Does that mean it's discontinued?
 
I think it is discontinued. I'm just going to get a couple tatami for now, getting them from swords of might. maybe get some beach mats too. I will order in bulk from the place Steven recommended when I have enough cash. Plus I have multiple things being made. You'll get a kick out of one of the items.
 
It appears it just has a different theme. I guess the "silver wave" theme is just the one they are doing currently.
 
Yea, they're basically the same. I'd like to see how Dynasty compares to my others. If I could get some of my stuff sold then I'd go ahead and order it.
 
I have been thinking about blade length a little bit... It should coordinate with your height, but what if you got lil alligator arms? The Japanese were notoriously short, right?
 
Scotty2Hotty said:
About the HSTS... I just read TrueBlue's thread, so I seen your comment about contacting them. Thanks. Sounds like you really like Huawei. How do they compare to the HSTS and the DP? Sounds like you think they are all decent, but gimme something to work with here, HAHAHA. Rate them for me, please. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Considering quality of blade, mounting execution, fittings, price point, and owning and cutting with limited examples of these swords, here's my opinion...

HSTS 9260 #1
Huawei, a close 2nd
Dynasty Forge Musha, a close 2nd
Ronin DP #3

The HSTS got #1 because of more detailed attention to mounting quality than Huawei or DF.

With the exception of the HSTS 9260's (I have two), all required some tuning in areas of fuchi fit, kashira fit, tsukamaki end knot, saya koiguchi/habaki fitting. Some more than others, but that's pretty much the norm with the low price point.

If you want a cheap beater Japanese style kat (sub $150) that'll probably be ok to go out of box, take a look at the Huawei 9260 shinogi zukuri models... lots of bang for the buck. Although I've seen one report of a lemon with a busted nakago, but most feedback has been favorable on these beater blades from guys who cut with them. Search youtube, there's a guy that did a quite impressive destruction test on a Huawei 9260.

Disclaimer: My sample pool is small and quality can vary on inexpensive Japanese style swords, YMMV :)
 
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