Katanas~ Suggestions!

[Mikan]

I'm in the mood for a katana!   (Who knows what'll happen with the way I am) But!! alas, it cant suck. Im looking for Battle-ready High quality hand-forged blade (not stainless steel junk) No Price limit.

Choice #1 :http://www.collectibleswordsusa.com/Thaitsuki-Sokueto-Hondachi-Katana-KTN5-p-16827.html

Only thing I found in a 4 hour search xD  I guess other option is handcrafted when I go to japan.

Something, Mikan WONT break.

[fohfoh]

http://www.trueswords.com/cold-steel-battle-ready-katana-longest-88bok-p-1950.html

[relic2279]

If money really isn't an object, and you want something you can actually use that isn't a show piece, they start at around a few thousand US for a decent katana that come with certification papers.

Search Ebay for Katana, and sort by highest priced.

[fohfoh]

If money really isn't an object, and you want something you can actually use that isn't a show piece, they start at around a few thousand US for a decent katana that come with certification papers.

Search Ebay for Katana, and sort by highest priced.

Surely you jest. Though she said no price range, how do you think she is going to get several grand? What happened? A lottery ticket? For a 17 year old? 

[kureshii]

If money really isn't an object, and you want something you can actually use that isn't a show piece, they start at around a few thousand US for a decent katana that come with certification papers.

Search Ebay for Katana, and sort by highest priced.

Surely you jest. Though she said no price range, how do you think she is going to get several grand? What happened? A lottery ticket? For a 17 year old? 

Come on now, what makes you think she's actually going to buy that?

I'm still waiting to see that quad-core, quad-channel laptop she was planning to buy...

[relic2279]

To be honest, I wasn't joking.

I spent 2 grand US on a schon pool cue

(though I used to play amateur pool and was ranked in Viking's tourneys) Who knows, he/she could be a rich kid... I wasn't, but damned if I wanted that stick when I was 19. I busted my ass to get enough cash for it.

[Arc-sama]

My friend collects swords ... High quality stuff ... I think they were made by Paul Chin.  So it was a couple grand.  The last one he showed me was custom polish silver blade super shiny w/ white handle.

I found his website ... Paul Chin <~~ Link

There are low end & high end stuff there from what I quickly saw.

[mgz]

yea your lower end handmade blade will start around 300-500 if memory serves(totally guesstimating from when i was looking around a few years back).
That isnt for a pretty sword that is for a functional sword that will still be a nice sword just not necessarily the same quality materials and definately not the same level of refining and the hours in making the blade.

No sword you get will be unbreakable if you use it improperly, if you plan to use it properly most decent non handmade blades will function just fine and cost MUCH less money

[Stom]

No sword you get will be unbreakable if you use it improperly, if you plan to use it properly most decent non handmade blades will function just fine and cost MUCH less money

my Grandmother had a Katana which her uncle got during WWII (off a fallen Japanese officer). they used to use it on the farm to chop down fibrous plants, when she sold it to a collector early last year, its blade was nicked in many places with the leading edge very dull. though if it had been properly maintained it might have been a different story

[mgz]

No sword you get will be unbreakable if you use it improperly, if you plan to use it properly most decent non handmade blades will function just fine and cost MUCH less money

my Grandmother had a Katana which her uncle got during WWII (off a fallen Japanese officer). they used to use it on the farm to chop down fibrous plants, when she sold it to a collector early last year, its blade was nicked in many places with the leading edge very dull. though if it had been properly maintained it might have been a different story

if they were worried about properly maintaining it they probably wouldnt have used it for what they did as they make blades for that purpose.

[fohfoh]

I really wanted a wootz steel blade or Damascus steel. Those are damn pricey though. I believe they're called "water etched blades" by the Japanese.

But hell, you find a nice one, the pattern is really nice.

[cubensis55]

Spend your money on something that's actually useful...?

[kich]

*ahem*

If you're going for functional and affordable, look for a production blade.

Cheness makes katanas that are workhorses. Their furniture takes a hit in

quality but for the price range the blades are unbeatable.

http://www.chenessinc.com/

Their 9260 line is an incredible value. Again, keep in mind that they are

designed to be used, not for beauty, but most people won't know the difference.

Zhi Swords has some good quality works, though I've heard you should spend the extra

cash for their higher-quality polishing.
http://www.zhisword.com/index.php


Look at SFI. They have some good deals in their classifieds and they're trustworthy folks. They can point you in the right direction for exactly what you're looking for, be it a Masahiro, Cheness, or Paul Chen (Hanwei Forge).
http://forums.swordforum.com

Ok....I'm gonna shut up now. I'm a little bit of a sword nerd...

I could go on all day and throw brands

[Mikan]

*ahem*

If you're going for functional and affordable, look for a production blade.

Cheness makes katanas that are workhorses. Their furniture takes a hit in

quality but for the price range the blades are unbeatable.

http://www.chenessinc.com/

Their 9260 line is an incredible value. Again, keep in mind that they are

designed to be used, not for beauty, but most people won't know the difference.

Zhi Swords has some good quality works, though I've heard you should spend the extra

cash for their higher-quality polishing.
http://www.zhisword.com/index.php


Look at SFI. They have some good deals in their classifieds and they're trustworthy folks. They can point you in the right direction for exactly what you're looking for, be it a Masahiro, Cheness, or Paul Chen (Hanwei Forge).
http://forums.swordforum.com

Ok....I'm gonna shut up now. I'm a little bit of a sword nerd...

I could go on all day and throw brands

Cheness's are awesome, I so far 2 people reccomend them. Im gonna go with that. As it is for use and not to sit and gather dust :/

[kich]

Cheness's are awesome, I so far 2 people reccomend them. Im gonna go with that. As it is for use and not to sit and gather dust :/

I think you'll be happy with them. I suggest going with their 9260 line. They're extremely durable.

Cleaning kit...well, some people use them, some don't. A good machine oil from the hardware store (I use sewing machine oil myself) or Royal Purple and some cotton squares they use for cleaning guns works well for the blade.

My next purchase will probably be a Cheness 9260 Ko-Katana. The ex absconded with our 1045 Ko-Katana when we broke up. 

[Takeshi]

Spend your money on something that's actually useful...?

1+

[kich]

Considering the main focus of this board I'm not sure any of us should be saying what is useful and what isn't.

I say if she wants to get a katana, the least some of us can do is give her the information she needs to get the best deal and the most enjoyment out of her investment.

We all have interests that aren't 'useful' in the traditional sense (anime, anyone?), and there's nothing wrong with that.

Besides, when the zombie apocalypse starts and the bullets run out, you all will wish you had a sword to cut down zeds with! 

So go for it, Mikan! If you get a Cheness PM me and tell me how it is, m'kay?

[Enzedder]

Considering the main focus of this board I'm not sure any of us should be saying what is useful and what isn't.

I say if she wants to get a katana, the least some of us can do is give her the information she needs to get the best deal and the most enjoyment out of her investment.

We all have interests that aren't 'useful' in the traditional sense (anime, anyone?), and there's nothing wrong with that.

Besides, when the zombie apocalypse starts and the bullets run out, you all will wish you had a sword to cut down zeds with! 

So go for it, Mikan! If you get a Cheness PM me and tell me how it is, m'kay?

+1 Wish I had a katana but oh well. Maybe a little later in life.

Thanks for the info though. Now I know where to go to get a good one.

[Kuroshima]

Hehe awesome thread....
Useful? Not really. Funny? Oh yes


That's right, I need to get one for the upcoming zombie apocalypse.... Nice reason.

[cubensis55]

//facepalm