Sub-$300 Katana for real cutting... recommendations please?

BePrepared

BePrepared

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Aug 26, 2010
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I'm looking for a katana (or possibly a Maki) to use for real cutting (mat and bamboo). My budget is $200-300

I do not care about the aesthetics of this particular weapon. I care about its durability, construction, and handling characteristics.

If you have a personal favorite in that range, please let me know what it is, why you like it, what you've done with it, and roughly what it costs.

If you have a picture or link to it handy that'd be great.

I know 300 is NOT sufficient to get myself a genuine, top shelf (or second or third for that matter) so it's not necessary to tell me that

thanks guys
 
Look into the Raptor Series and the Practical Series made by Cas Hanwei. They generally go for a little over $300 new but you may be able to find them used for much less.
 
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I have cut sumac with my dynasty forge mushashi. It's an ok value for the money.

I've looked at the kris cutlery katana but do not own one, I did purchase a bare blade from them though and it is very nice so you could consider them.
 
by the way, i have absolutely zero formal JSA training. I have some informal training by someone who did have formal training

on the other hand, my martial arts training is not at all insignificant. I am aware that the two are not comparable

I plan to enroll in the local kenjutsu class when it opens for new enrollment
 
BePrepared said:
by the way, i have absolutely zero formal JSA training. I have some informal training by someone who did have formal training

on the other hand, my martial arts training is not at all insignificant. I am aware that the two are not comparable

I plan to enroll in the local kenjutsu class when it opens for new enrollment
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you may want to hold off then. Different schools of sword study have different methods to decide how long the sword and the tsuka should be. if you order a sword not and its not the right "kind" it will be all but useless to you for use.

That said, anything James Williams stands behind is something I trust to be of good quality.
 
viva la said:
you may want to hold off then. Different schools of sword study have different methods to decide how long the sword and the tsuka should be. if you order a sword not and its not the right "kind" it will be all but useless to you for use.

That said, anything James Williams stands behind is something I trust to be of good quality.
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probably good advice, but if need be, i will invest in another when that time comes. My funds are renewable

By James Williams, I assume you mean Bugei but as far as i know, their swords start in the 1200 range and go up from there. Were you indicating that he endorses something in the $300 price range? If so, please tell me what so that i can buy it
 
BePrepared said:
probably good advice, but if need be, i will invest in another when that time comes. My funds are renewable

By James Williams, I assume you mean Bugei but as far as i know, their swords start in the 1200 range and go up from there. Were you indicating that he endorses something in the $300 price range? If so, please tell me what so that i can buy it
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Yes, that James Williams. He designed the Raptor series mentioned above at CAS Henwei. I believe they also sell it on the Bugei website.

As far as cheap swords that I would use, the Raptor is probably about the cheapest I would go, and trust. I believe if you google him and raptor you will find videos of him using and cutting with it.

Another consideration is if you want to study a sword art is looking at an iaido sword (non sharpened) to use for practicing. I would not recommend, and a real sword instructor will not let you use, a live blade.

Edit: here is the video, scroll to the bottom of the page

http://www.cashanwei.com/resources.aspx?node=304
 
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wow, i had no idea!... well, i guess that's my next investment... $200 is a steal

thank you sir
 
BePrepared said:
wow, i had no idea!... well, i guess that's my next investment... $200 is a steal

thank you sir
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np...i may have to pick one up for myself.

i wish the waki didnt have the handle wrapped like it is...
 
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I could really use a hand with this next step. It seems there are several models of this sword. I am not at all familiar with the differences. Are they purely cosmetic, or is there some difference in functionality between the ones listed below?

If there is a functional difference, which would be better for my intended purposes ( Bamboo cutting, kata & tameshigiri)?

Thanks guys


CAS Hanwei SH2413 Raptor Blade Raptor Katana 1 Mohohia Zukuri

CAS Hanwei SH2416 Raptor Blade Raptor Katana 4 Namb Zukuri

CAS Hanwei SH2415 Raptor Katana 3 Unokubi Zukuri

CAS Hanwei SH2417 Raptor Blade Raptor Katana 5 Shobu Zukuri
 
CasHanwei may have moved on a bit over the years, but earlier cutting reviews do not show them to be the bees knees most people have cracked them up to be.

For me, kris cutlery or the other Paul Chen (Cheness cutlery) are the best value for money cutters on that price point.
 
BePrepared said:
I could really use a hand with this next step. It seems there are several models of this sword. I am not at all familiar with the differences. Are they purely cosmetic, or is there some difference in functionality between the ones listed below?

If there is a functional difference, which would be better for my intended purposes ( Bamboo cutting, kata & tameshigiri)?

Thanks guys


CAS Hanwei SH2413 Raptor Blade Raptor Katana 1 Mohohia Zukuri

CAS Hanwei SH2416 Raptor Blade Raptor Katana 4 Namb Zukuri

CAS Hanwei SH2415 Raptor Katana 3 Unokubi Zukuri

CAS Hanwei SH2417 Raptor Blade Raptor Katana 5 Shobu Zukuri
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from James William's website:

Initially three different blade shapes were produced to provide a choice for the customer. The first is a "standard" 28 inch shinogi zukuri design with an 11" tsuka. This length combination and shape is one of the most common lengths used by Japanese sword art students. A 29 inch shobu zukuri design was also created with a 13" tsuka for those who like the early style "iris leaf" shape of shobu zukuri. And finally, a 28.5 inch Unokubi Zukuri ("cormorant's neck") sword with 13 inch tsuka was created for those who like the more exotic styling of a more complex blade shaping. While the unokubi zukuri shape is less common than other shapes, the choice of the tough, durable through-hardened 5160 steel made the design a good choice for creating an aggressive, fast cutter.


No real difference in function, more cosmetic than anything IMO. I would choose the one you believe most appealing to yourself.

i prefer the Shinogi Zukuri Katana for the more traditional handle wrap.
 
although, I don't believe any of those would be suitable for iaido (depending on the style i suppose)
 
using a sharpened sword for iaido with my current skill level would be criminal... and i think i probably mean that literally.
 
Warning: I know Ricky, one of the owners of Hung Shing True Sharp personally however keep in mind I am NOT promoting him simply because he is a friend I am promoting him because he sells katana's that actually cut out of the box, and boy do they cut. As always however, practice SAFE cutting and inspect every and any sword prior to cutting. Be sure to check for safety issues.

http://hsts.weebly.com/
If you want a blade designed for tameshigiri and are willing to forgive crappy fittings and you do NOT mind NONTRADITIONAL features and designs there's also Hung Shing True Sharp, little more economical but man his blades cut like NO other. The reason for poor alloy fittings (koshirae) is because the money goes towards the design and polishing of the blade.
His blades come with what he calls 0 bevel edge. meaning the edge is convex with little to no microbevel (typically none) and with symmetrical angles on both sides. In other words, no short cuts or putting extremely wide microbevels to "protect" the edge from tree choppers, just pure performance for tameshigiri.

We meet every other week to train and cut tatami omote and wara mats. Testing different weapons, Cheness, Kris Cutlery, Ronin Katana, Munetoshi, Hanwei, and a couple others. So far only Munetoshi "Matsu" has gotten anywhere out of the box, the other Munetoshi however were no good out of the box.
His blades cut through tatami omote like it was a piece of cake.
Here's one of ko-katanas in action by Mat, one the people I meet up with for tameshigiri.
[video=youtube;CkRR410bFAo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkRR410bFAo[/video]

He is currently still prototyping several new designs and handle materials, he may also do an upgraded fittings like iron/steel koshirae he is still not sure.
 
viva la said:
no, you use an Iaido sword for Iaido. you use one of the above swords for cutting practice.
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NO, you use and iaito for iaido. Try not to correct someone unless you have your facts straight.
You can use a shinken for iaido, but you better have some flawless technique.
My reasoning for not using one of the raptors for iaido has to do with the leingth of the tsuka.
 
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