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

Originally posted by Darkforster
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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The Tiger would be a better choice of you.

I like the Bushido the best because of the balance, but that is my opinion.
 
Ank reputation has to start somewhere:D That aside, especially with traditional Japanese Swords made by Japanese smiths, price depends alot on how well they do in the show thingies (forget the name). Where thier work gets judge, and all that by how it fits criteria for "traditional" pieces. Amazing what winning a competition can do to price inflation. Anyways, the point is, many beginning smiths have very good swords, that just arent appreciated not because they are of inferior quality, but because of something as inane as not having won certain contests. So while Howard Clark makes some high end pieces, one should thumb thier noses down on another smith, just because thier arent a whole bunch of articles written about them. Though Bruise is right, for the same money we could buy lotsa stale french bread, probably be a safer too:D
 
Ooh...I forgot to add, while most people use the hand thing, where they measure from a standing position from where thier hand is to the ground, to determine proper blade length, I would say it would be better to ask your sensei. Japanese Sword Arts are picky with that type of thing, and Ive known of a few Sensei's who arent too happy with students buying swords without thier consultation. Also, not everyone believes in that hand measure thingy.
 
Originally posted by Brendan
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
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Blade lengh for you should be between 28.5"~29" or about 74 centimeters long.

But if I were you I would try and handle a few katanas with different blade lenghs and Tsuka (Handle) lenghts to be sure.

I like a 28.5" blade and 14" Tsuka myself, but that is your choice depending on what feel you want.(Balance)
 
Federico,

You have some good points there.:)

But if I am going to spend $5000 or more on a custom Katana it better be right.;) Sticking with someone like Howard Clark is good when spending some serious money. And The Katana will hold it's value if I ever choose to sell it later. (Something to think about)
 
Brendan, go to the Japanese Sword Index, if you are really really serious about a purchase. Its a great resource for all things related to the Japanese Sword. From history, to making, to dealers, to appreciation, to usage, etc... There's even a forum to boot. Again the link is http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/ As for Nosyuiado, last time I dealt with them (arghh they made you register to get thier catalogs and see thier product lines) thier main focus was iato (practice swords). Iato are glorified practice swords, mostly made of aluminum, and not made to cut. However, at the time (this was 3-4 years ago) they did carry traditional blades (not made by them but by modern Japanese Smiths) in a separate section. Anyways, with modern Japanese Smiths, there's a rating system dependent on how blades perform in these annual contests (you can find more details on Dr. Steins Site), thatll pretty much guarantee the higher the rating the better the sword. If I remember correctly Juyo was the high rating. However, the high rating swords, are gonnna cost the high rated prices. Which is why I suggested beggining smiths in the first place. If you take the time to learn about judging these swords, the way theyre polished should tell you whether or not its quality, so why pay extra because someone won a contest. The sword before and after the contest is the same sword, however the price can jump from a couple grand to five grand, and so on as the smith gains reputation. As for US smiths, there is Howard Clark (known for perfomance blades pushing cutting technology), Michael Bell (traditionally trained smith and polisher, can even make his own steel, makes a cable sword that is considered very very good), Rick Barrett is another name that got tossed around as a good smith, geez there's a whole lot more. Forumites Ben Sweet, and Broken Arrow have dealt with the high-end stuff first hand, they could probably tell you how these swords handled, I can only repeat what Ive read or have been told. Normally I refer people to the EEWRS, but in this case SFI (sword forum international) is another resource for this stuff. They love modern made stuff over there, and could probably give you a much better list that is more current to boot. However, with a pregnant wife and a new house, are you really sure you need to be planning on buying a Katana:D :p
 
Jill's not preganant - that's just Yvsa trying to wind me up.

We are getting the house though, I want to start researching Katana's now so when I am rich I can get one.

:D
 
getting the house!!!

You will come to love it! The days cleaning gutters, the plumbing's mysterious leaks, the wind tunnel effect created on a blustery day with all the windows closed. And a lawn..I hope...nothing gives one more pleasure than watching those civilized weeds we call grass continue to grow relentlessly, ever pursuing the sky in an attempt to bankrupt you by wrecking mowers, bending blades, and spewing fumes into your lungs...few things in life are as marvelous as that damned grass growing WHILE you are cutting it... and the irony!! La !! how the irony thrills as there continues to be a bald spot of the miserable patch of land that you are paying money to own , as all the while, unbidden, grass grow lushly in cracks in the pathway or sidewalk, crumbling even more of your investment which slowly drains the life blood out of you as you race from one repair to another, never getting ahead, just lunging to catch the falling plates from your spinning sticks.


(er...maybe I should go back on those meds.)

good luck, Brennan
 
Originally posted by Brendan
Jill's not preganant - that's just Yvsa trying to wind me up.
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Brendan if you don't keep your swimmers under control it won't be long, all it takes is one wild one slipping through when Jill gets you wound up.:rolleyes: :p ;)

And then there goes your kat, among other things.:p ;)

To get back on topic, a real swordsman knows when it's safe to unsheath his sword whether it's a kat or, a hand and a half bastard, pun intended.;) :p :D
 
Not to mention the practice swords.

( I think I'll leave that one lay right there and go do something else. Promptly! )
 
Originally posted by Rusty
Not to mention the practice swords.

( I think I'll leave that one lay right there and go do something else. Promptly! )
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Rusty,

You were going somewhere with that I am sure.;)
 
heeehe eheehe. The swordsman also knows that he must verbally acknowledge when he is drawing the sword from the scabbard, so his intentions are made known. For Iaido, is is most likely a "Kiai!" or "Os!", but you might try this one Brendan:

"S'cuse me while I whip this out."

:):):);)

Keith
 
So why do I see Peyroni's disease as inevitably the next topic of discussion among the swordsmen on this forum? Maybe I'll have to get Dr. Winborne's tape on using the bent blade!
 
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