Sword Advice - Ankerson, I need your help matey !!

Brendan

Brendan

Joined
Feb 13, 2002
Messages
3,679
Hi Chaps

I've been looking at Katana's the last couple of weeks and need some advice on a good begginer's sword - a real sword for collectors purposes.

Must be able to do the do !!

:D
 
Brendan,

I need to Know what you are going to use the Katana for exactly.

What is your budget?

How tall are you?
 
I am 1 metre and 80 centimetres in my socks

I am going to use it as a collectors piece but want something new that can withstand using to test a bit


Budget not important as I am broke anyway - helps to dream

B
 
If youre looking for collection purposes (ie. not to use more along the lines of investment purposes), custom made is the best route. Production stuff tends not to appreciate. Even some custom stuff, wont appreciate. However, as most collector will tell you, never count on stuff appreciating. Until the 80s (who said those 80s Ninja Movies never did any good), even Japanese Swords could still be found relatively cheap. However, a good custom built sword, can put you back a few grand. Though deals can be found with newer smiths in Japan, and there are quite a few smiths in the US, that could probably give you a reasonable deal. However, as far as production kats go Rick Barret is producing some nice semi-custom pieces that are a step above regular Paul Chen stuff. Bugei's stuff has a decent reputation, as they inspect all the stuff they get. However, at the prices both are charging, I would personally save for a custom. Now, gunto's, WWII era japanese swords, can often be found for under a grand still, sometimes real cheap depending on quality. Some can be quite nice. Check out local arm shows. Dont know if you have anything equivalent to the US gun show over in Britain. Also, if you havent checked it out, look at Dr. Rich Stein's site, helluva nice guy. THE JAPANESE SWORD INDEX There's alot of good info there. Anyways, if youre real cheap, but want something more traditional looking than an HI Kat, and have some spare time, you could alwas buy a bare blade from Kris Cutlery, and mount it up yourself. Not quite traditional, but a decent price, and a fun weekend project.
 
If youre looking for collection purposes (ie. not to use more along the lines of investment purposes), custom made is the best route. Production stuff tends not to appreciate. Even some custom stuff, wont appreciate. However, as most collector will tell you, never count on stuff appreciating. Until the 80s (who said those 80s Ninja Movies never did any good), even Japanese Swords could still be found relatively cheap. However, a good custom built sword, can put you back a few grand. Though deals can be found with newer smiths in Japan, and there are quite a few smiths in the US, that could probably give you a reasonable deal. However, as far as production kats go Rick Barret is producing some nice semi-custom pieces that are a step above regular Paul Chen stuff. Bugei's stuff has a decent reputation, as they inspect all the stuff they get. However, at the prices both are charging, I would personally save for a custom. Now, gunto's, WWII era japanese swords, can often be found for under a grand still, sometimes real cheap depending on quality. Some can be quite nice. Check out local arm shows. Dont know if you have anything equivalent to the US gun show over in Britain. Also, if you havent checked it out, look at Dr. Rich Stein's site, helluva nice guy. THE JAPANESE SWORD INDEX There's alot of good info there. Anyways, if youre real cheap, but want something more traditional looking than an HI Kat, and have some spare time, you could alwas buy a bare blade from Kris Cutlery, and mount it up yourself. Not quite traditional, but a decent price, and a fun weekend project.
 
Originally posted by Brendan
What do u have Ank
Click to expand...


I have a Paul Chen Bushido and Tiger right now, ordering a Bugei Bamboo in a week or so.
 
Federico,


With a full custom Katana the wait time is aroud 12 months or more. And the prices are in the $5,000 range for good Katanas. Worth every penny if you have the cash and don't mind the wait. I have been working on designing a Custom Katana through Bugei.
 
Ank if you do a hard search for a new strugglin smith you can get something a little cheaper, last time I looked I was able to find a new sword by a new Japanese smith for about 2 grand, though its been a while since I last looked. Check out this link, never did business with them, but they seem to have decent prices, some swords under 2k even.Japanese Swords Though alot I dunno if it fits the criteria since they sell alot of old stuff, though in the past they had some new stuff as well.
 
Heres why I gave up hopes of trying to own a genuine Japanese Katana. For less than the price as Paul Chen's cheapest katana on Bugei, I was able to buy these 3 kris, all over 100 years old, and these two barongs.
mymorokris2.jpg

mymorokris1.jpg

mymorokris3.jpg

oldbarong.jpg

WWIIbarongcollage.jpg
 
Now just think about how many HI khuks you could buy for the same price:eek: Just teasing:rolleyes: :p :D
 
For the price you paid for those kris and barongs you could have bought thousands of loaves of stale french bread. :D
 
Federico,

I don't shop price, I want to know what I am getting into. And If I am going to get a custom Katana I want one from a Smith with an excellent reputation.
 
Ankerson you use either Paul chen swords for cutting? Curious which you like better, been looking to buy a good semi-traditional katana for cutting. Been leaning towards tiger, because of size (i'm 6'4) and i dislike square tsubas.

Thnx :)
 
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