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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.
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Sword of black wind
- Thread starter T-Man
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They are not something to use as real swords really, but they will hold up to bashing around from what I gather, the price is good if you wanna have something to goof off with. Be careful though.
Shinryû.
Shinryû.
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Check out http://www.angelic.org/highlander/swords/agrussellninja.html for a review this sword and a much better option. The "Ninja Sword" by Mineral Mountain is far superior. Don't bother trying to buy it from AG Russell however- they don't carry it anymore. Mineral Mountain still sells it under the new (and equally erroneous) name "wakizashi". Check out ebay- MM often sells their stuff there.
Regarding the Ninja Sword by Mineral Mountain, I have long admired its lines and proportions but understood it to have a chisel
grind.
Can anyone confirm this either way?
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Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11, Freedom
If one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself.
Can anyone confirm this either way?
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Luke 22:36, John 18:6-11, Freedom
If one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself.
Triton
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TomW,
That's not entirely true. There are many things out there like this thing that purport to be sword but when you get down to it the only thing that they have in common with a real sword is that they have long blades and that they are sharp. You see for a sword to be effective it has to have a certain cross sectional geometry, a certain heat treatment, be made of a certain steel and so on and so forth. Not all the things the we see going through here being called sword fit into any or even most of these criteria.
That's not entirely true. There are many things out there like this thing that purport to be sword but when you get down to it the only thing that they have in common with a real sword is that they have long blades and that they are sharp. You see for a sword to be effective it has to have a certain cross sectional geometry, a certain heat treatment, be made of a certain steel and so on and so forth. Not all the things the we see going through here being called sword fit into any or even most of these criteria.
Effective for what? Since the real use of swords ended before any of us were born.
Go to a large show and handle an assortment of swords from many different times and places. Some will ne nice well made weapons some will not be so good. They're all SWORDS they're all REAL swords except to the sword snob.
[This message has been edited by TomW (edited 11-02-2000).]
Go to a large show and handle an assortment of swords from many different times and places. Some will ne nice well made weapons some will not be so good. They're all SWORDS they're all REAL swords except to the sword snob.
[This message has been edited by TomW (edited 11-02-2000).]
What is the criteria that makes a sword a sword? I see swords in many shapes and styles. Battle swords ceremomnial/ritual, short, long, heavy, light. Somewhere along the way what did I happen to miss that makes a sword a sword? This is a seroius question. I'm not a sword expert my any stretch of the imagination so please enlighten me.
[This message has been edited by TomW (edited 11-03-2000).]
[This message has been edited by TomW (edited 11-03-2000).]
Triton
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Welll the criteria are going to be different from person to person I suppose but I think there are several things that most sword folks would agree on.
1) A sword must be made of carbon steel
Those stainless things aren't swords, they are sword like objects.
2) A sword must fall within historical weight norms. Something that weighs 15 lbs is a sword like object
3) A sword must have a proper heat treatment. Something that is going to shatter during use isn't a sword it is a wall decoration.
4) A sword must have a proper balance point and center of percussion if it can't be used properly once again it is decoration.
More later...
1) A sword must be made of carbon steel
Those stainless things aren't swords, they are sword like objects.
2) A sword must fall within historical weight norms. Something that weighs 15 lbs is a sword like object
3) A sword must have a proper heat treatment. Something that is going to shatter during use isn't a sword it is a wall decoration.
4) A sword must have a proper balance point and center of percussion if it can't be used properly once again it is decoration.
More later...
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Webster: Sword: A weapon with a long blade for cutting or thrusting often used as a symbol of honor or authority.
The black wind katana sounds like a sword to me.
It may not be traditional. It might not be beautiful. It need not even be very functional, but it is still a sword.
Thats like saying that a beat up ford pinto is not a REAL car. It may not be a high performance, top of the line automobile, but it is still a car.
I think our pride in nice, traditional well made weapons makes us a little unrealistic at times.
The black winds swords ARE well made. They are not decorative, ornate or traditional. They are made from decent materials, they are sturdy(one piece of steel) and they are affordable.
And to tell you the truth, I have 10 swords hanging on my wall, if anything happened where I needed to grab a sword off of my wall and get abusive with it, I would go for the Black winds sword. It is one solid piece of steel. Nothing to come loose, no juncture(weakness) between handle and blade. And I will not be worried if it gets dammaged.
Is it a sword? Your darn tootin it is. Is it the BEST sword? Not even close. But it is good at what it is supposed to be.
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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive"
The black wind katana sounds like a sword to me.
It may not be traditional. It might not be beautiful. It need not even be very functional, but it is still a sword.
Thats like saying that a beat up ford pinto is not a REAL car. It may not be a high performance, top of the line automobile, but it is still a car.
I think our pride in nice, traditional well made weapons makes us a little unrealistic at times.
The black winds swords ARE well made. They are not decorative, ornate or traditional. They are made from decent materials, they are sturdy(one piece of steel) and they are affordable.
And to tell you the truth, I have 10 swords hanging on my wall, if anything happened where I needed to grab a sword off of my wall and get abusive with it, I would go for the Black winds sword. It is one solid piece of steel. Nothing to come loose, no juncture(weakness) between handle and blade. And I will not be worried if it gets dammaged.
Is it a sword? Your darn tootin it is. Is it the BEST sword? Not even close. But it is good at what it is supposed to be.
------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
Triton
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TMW,
I see your point, but where do you draw the line. Is a stainless katanoid from Taiwan a sword? By the webster definition it is, but is it really a sword or just decoration? Does this apply to these blackwind swords? Maybe not, but it is all in where you draw the line I guess.
I see your point, but where do you draw the line. Is a stainless katanoid from Taiwan a sword? By the webster definition it is, but is it really a sword or just decoration? Does this apply to these blackwind swords? Maybe not, but it is all in where you draw the line I guess.
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No wait, I think I'll omit everything I just said in this post since I don't want to get bitched at again.
[This message has been edited by Robert Marotz (edited 11-03-2000).]
[This message has been edited by Robert Marotz (edited 11-03-2000).]
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Robert,
Please, do not refrain from posting your feelings. As long as they are not rude comments and/or personal attacks then it is a legitimate opinion.
If it results in bitching then so be it.
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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
Please, do not refrain from posting your feelings. As long as they are not rude comments and/or personal attacks then it is a legitimate opinion.
If it results in bitching then so be it.
------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
- Joined
- Jul 2, 1999
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I don't think there is a need to draw the line. Anyone can call anything a sword, if it fits the definition. The question is; is it a good sword? is it a traditional sword? etc.
I think the problem is not with the word "Sword", but with the word "Katana". people use the term "Katana" too loosely. It is a term that has a lot of specific requirements to be met.
Just because I make a sword with a curved blade doesn't make it a katana.
This is just my opinion, though.
------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
I think the problem is not with the word "Sword", but with the word "Katana". people use the term "Katana" too loosely. It is a term that has a lot of specific requirements to be met.
Just because I make a sword with a curved blade doesn't make it a katana.
This is just my opinion, though.
------------------
Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
-------------
"only the paranoid will survive"
- Joined
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Particularly when the term "katana" actually stems from the type of mounts mixed with a particular size blade and the way it is worn.
However, I think you'll find the literal translation to just be "sword" in most cases, which is much more an abroad term.
I think the erroneous naming has bothered me more than just about anyone else here, but I'm also a snob. And TMA, I will refrain from posting when my comments can be viewed upon as derogatory (though it's not my intent). I could give a damn less if someone whines at me, the only problem I have is that when my comments are taken the wrong way, it detracts from any real focus of my posts and also detracts from the quality of the discussion.
Even though I have a reasonably rudimentary grasp on the english language, I cannot properly express my perspective in a light that many people will understand or interpret correctly. And since my opinion is unneeded, I don't have to go to the trouble of having to express it.
But moving right along, the word katana in and of itself is too popular and too etched in peoples' minds that it's difficult to alleviate the situation. Plus, think of all the marketers and folks who think Japanese words are "cool." And of course, there's no rule saying they can't name their things incorrectly. And since "katana" means sword, there will be the argument that they can call whatever they want a katana (if they can pronounce it right).
Katana is the most popular example perhaps but there's a hell of a lot more styles out there that are not named appropriately. But regardless of whether or not anyone really acknowledges it, it's not likely to change anything.
Shinryû.
However, I think you'll find the literal translation to just be "sword" in most cases, which is much more an abroad term.
I think the erroneous naming has bothered me more than just about anyone else here, but I'm also a snob. And TMA, I will refrain from posting when my comments can be viewed upon as derogatory (though it's not my intent). I could give a damn less if someone whines at me, the only problem I have is that when my comments are taken the wrong way, it detracts from any real focus of my posts and also detracts from the quality of the discussion.
Even though I have a reasonably rudimentary grasp on the english language, I cannot properly express my perspective in a light that many people will understand or interpret correctly. And since my opinion is unneeded, I don't have to go to the trouble of having to express it.
But moving right along, the word katana in and of itself is too popular and too etched in peoples' minds that it's difficult to alleviate the situation. Plus, think of all the marketers and folks who think Japanese words are "cool." And of course, there's no rule saying they can't name their things incorrectly. And since "katana" means sword, there will be the argument that they can call whatever they want a katana (if they can pronounce it right).
Katana is the most popular example perhaps but there's a hell of a lot more styles out there that are not named appropriately. But regardless of whether or not anyone really acknowledges it, it's not likely to change anything.
Shinryû.
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Languages are always evolving, I'm afraid the American interpretation of "katana" is here to stay. In this sense, katana simply means a sword with Japanese characteristics.
What these characteristics are is completely subjective. Some would argue that a katana must be fully traditional to be worthy of the name. Others may say the hamon is the determining factor. For some, the interpretation is even more liberal. I think you'll find this is largely a result of people trying to defend what they have invested in.
Personally, I don't really mind so long as the Black Wind swords are not called Nihon-to or Shinsakuto.
So far as what the definition of sword is. . . well, if it can kill you, then it's pretty real don't you think. If someone were to attack me with one, wall-hanger or not, I would treat it with the respect worthy of any real weapon.
What these characteristics are is completely subjective. Some would argue that a katana must be fully traditional to be worthy of the name. Others may say the hamon is the determining factor. For some, the interpretation is even more liberal. I think you'll find this is largely a result of people trying to defend what they have invested in.
Personally, I don't really mind so long as the Black Wind swords are not called Nihon-to or Shinsakuto.
So far as what the definition of sword is. . . well, if it can kill you, then it's pretty real don't you think. If someone were to attack me with one, wall-hanger or not, I would treat it with the respect worthy of any real weapon.
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The only thing that irks me is that katana is the definitive interpretation for a Japanese sword... (edit-in: interpretation for many people who don't know better)
People fail to realize that there ARE reasons why an uchigatana is an uchigatana, a koshigatana is a koshigatana, a tachi is a tachi, a handachi is a handachi, and so forth. But you're right...it's probably here to stay.
[This message has been edited by Robert Marotz (edited 11-03-2000).]
People fail to realize that there ARE reasons why an uchigatana is an uchigatana, a koshigatana is a koshigatana, a tachi is a tachi, a handachi is a handachi, and so forth. But you're right...it's probably here to stay.
[This message has been edited by Robert Marotz (edited 11-03-2000).]
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The annoying thing is when you tell someone you're a sword collector interested in katanas, someone always says something like his friend's mom has one hanging on their wall. Or that the new store in the mall is selling them at a great price.
You take time to explain the difference, but it doesn't really matter. Katana is now a household word, I'll just have to use another word for it.
You take time to explain the difference, but it doesn't really matter. Katana is now a household word, I'll just have to use another word for it.