@Ink - and other sword enthusiasts...

[ink]

I used the cheapie to cut down my corn harvest last year (only about 30 stalks or so)

 

[steely07]

this is some video shot by a crazy reviewer of the same Oni blade I have

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUDjKpmoDZc&feature=player_embedded

I'd never do this, but it's good to know it's tough.

Have just realized i'm thread-jacking, so will leave it there

[Nurminen]

this is some video shot by a crazy reviewer of the same Oni blade I have

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUDjKpmoDZc&feature=player_embedded

I'd never do this, but it's good to know it's tough.

Have just realized i'm thread-jacking, so will leave it there

 

Any thoughts ? http://www.wkc-sports.com/

[steely07]

I don't recognize the brand, and I'm no expert, but from my reading, it's best to stick to "known" brands if you can, that said, the company does seem to have a long history making swords.

Have a read around here

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/authentic-japanese-swords.html

And look at brands like Paul Chen, Cheness, Hanwei, Ryumon, Cold Steel, most mentioned and reviewed on that page.

My take on it is like Ink says, if you're going to buy one, even if you never intend to use it for cutting, get something that can cut, the steel quality will be better.

I'd also highly recommend these guys :

http://kultofathena.com/swords-japanese.asp

Excellent to deal with and very helpful too.

Steely

[Nurminen]

I don't recognize the brand, and I'm no expert, but from my reading, it's best to stick to "known" brands if you can, that said, the company does seem to have a long history making swords.

Have a read around here

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/authentic-japanese-swords.html

And look at brands like Paul Chen, Cheness, Hanwei, Ryumon, Cold Steel, most mentioned and reviewed on that page.

My take on it is like Ink says, if you're going to buy one, even if you never intend to use it for cutting, get something that can cut, the steel quality will be better.

I'd also highly recommend these guys :

http://kultofathena.com/swords-japanese.asp

Excellent to deal with and very helpful too.

Steely

Ok, thank you very much.

[ink]

this is some video shot by a crazy reviewer of the same Oni blade I have

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUDjKpmoDZc&feature=player_embedded

I'd never do this, but it's good to know it's tough.

Have just realized i'm thread-jacking, so will leave it there

ya that is pushing it for a keeper, a tester for that purpose though would be cool...still pretty crazy what they can do.

Any thoughts ? http://www.wkc-sports.com/

do not get stainless steel.....good for knives...bad for swords....


BTW Paul Chen and Henwei are one and the same....he does very  good stuff, I have owned 3 of his weapons, The Musashi Katana, The Tiger Katana, and the hero's axe...all were exceptional quality 

cold steel is very good I have heard....

anything with a carbon blade will be good..(should be). obviously the cheaper it is the cheaper it will be made....

but a good cutting sword around 300 is worth it to me...it wont be traditional at all, or folded or clay used in the heat treating, so it wont have a Hamon line...but it still will cut when needed....

as with any Carbon Blade you gotta oil it.

[steely07]

cold steel cutting demo, makes me want to BBQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3nAuowwqhI

[ink]

 

start it at 4:06 and you can see why Stainless steel should never be used for sword making



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thFhRAWjoYQ&feature=related

[steely07]

hehe, yep, I've seen that, it's why I advised (as you did) to go with quality, it costs more, but it's safer

[ink]

hehe, yep, I've seen that, it's why I advised (as you did) to go with quality, it costs more, but it's safer

love that video for some reason..."oh that hurt"   

[Nurminen]

start it at 4:06 and you can see why Stainless steel should never be used for sword making



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thFhRAWjoYQ&feature=related

  Thanks.

[icepac]

I still have all the tools I forged in high school......but no swords.

[GScholz]

 

I do love all swords, but I grew up mesmerized by the Japanese culture..the Bushido way.......even though I am far closer to Vikings in blood...

although the Vikings were not what people think they were.

No the Vikings certainly weren't the horn-helmeted drunkard savages Hollywood likes to portray. While the Japanese were excellent sword smiths I really never could learn to like their ritualistic, almost religious martial code. I'm much more attracted to the western martial arts which is more scientific, militaristic and practical in its pursuit of military efficiency. The sword and shield combination is hard to beat in real-world military application. Medieval and renaissance martial arts are popular in Europe, and I'm led to believe it's gaining in popularity in the US as well.

Sword and shield instruction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkhpqAGdZPc


An interesting crossover sparring match between eastern and western martial artists:

Bokken vs Longsword: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFGPCTMp2cw

The Bokken is obviously faster than the practice longsword, but not by much, and the longsword has the advantage in reach (which won at least two touches in the match). Interesting how two different martial arts styles separated by geography and centuries of time can be so evenly matched in practice. That Kendo-guy does look very cool though. 

If I were to invest in a quality sword I think I'd go for a bastard sword.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIsec-MTGwU

I really like that one because it's so flexible in the styles and techniques you can use it with.


Choreographed show-fights are also popular over here. This one's from Germany: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB3nN8j4BF8   Fun stuff!  

Amazing work.  That is a true craftsman.

Interesting as it is, I simply do not see the benefit in a sword these days outside museums or a zombie apocalypse give the choice of firearms available.

Swords and other martial arts weapons might be better than a baseball bat or a knife, but in a world dominated by firearms they're pretty useless. The only reason to buy one would be because you're an enthusiast/collector/reenactor or if the weapon is used in sports like Kendo or fencing.

[Slash27]

I feel like watching Excalibur now.

[GScholz]

Or if you haven't already seen it, you could give Arn the Knight Templar a try. It's a Swedish movie "duology" based on Jan Guillou's excellent books. Several historical battles are portrayed including the epic Battle of Montgisard.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837106/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0950739/


Opening scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6-yP7Kh6fY

Seeing a knight charge with a war lance like that is pretty awe inspiring. The two movies also give a unique insight into the struggles the Norse peoples went through during the times when Scandinavia was converted to Christianity.