New Sword ^_^

[Kaitou Ace]

Just got a new katana in ^_^ so figured I'd make a post all about it, with pictures and all. http://animeforum.com/images/smilies/ph34r.gif


Generaly swords come in a few varieties.

There are your standard "wall hangers" these include 99% of the katana you can find out there, like the "Highlander" katana, the "authentic ninja sword" etc. These are all made out of stainless steel (220 or 440), and are very dangerous if you try to use them. Mainly to yourself. These blades are prone to shattering, have rat-tail tang (a tang is a part of the blade thats in the handle), or no tang. These tend to cost anywhere from $15 to $200, depending on how nice they look, and how big of a sucker you seem to be to the seller. The hamon (wavy line on the edge of the blade) is usualy etched in by machine.

The sword I have doesn't fall into that category ^_^;
It's a cutting sword, fairly well made for tameshigiri (cutting practice). The sword is differentialy tempered, with a real hamon line (produced by tempering the metal with clay). A proper hamon will generaly go all the way through the edge, and thus be identical on both sides). This makes the edge harder then the back, allowing the sword to cut better, and absorb more stress.

It's the Tokugawa Katana by Hanwei, a chinese company that specializes in swords, and has a very strong line of good katana blades. This is one of the mid-range pieces, and is a limited edition sword, being a replica of the type of katana that were favored in the 17th century tokugawa shogunate.
The sword blade is 28 1/2" in length, and weighs about 2.5 pounds. It's well balanced, and the handle is about 11" in length. This is slightly shorter of a sword then I prefer, but I can live with it.


http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/in_saya.jpg
sword in saya (scabbard)

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/tsuka_in_saya.jpg
tsuka closeup
The tsuka is the handle of the sword. The tsuka-ito or handle wrapping is leather in this case. The same is imitation unfortunately (the white part of the handle) it's supposed to be sting ray skin, but when costs are cut, they tend to use plastic substitue.
The menuki or the handle ornaments (there to improve grip) are gold plated sakura flowers. The kashira on the end of the handle is rounded in higo style, as opposed to jidai, which would have been a flat cap.

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/tsuba-mekugi-habaki.jpg
Here you can see some of the tsuba, the mekugi (bamboo peg, holding the blade in place), the habaki (brass collar for the blade), and the seppa (brass washers around the tsuba, for better fit)

You can also see the hamon in this picture.


http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/tsuba.jpg
tsuba closeup
It's an interesting design. If you hold the sword wrong, it could certanly rub your skin the wrong way. I like this tsuba, but I may see about changing it later.



http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/kashira.jpg
kashira or the cap on the end of the handle. You can also see the leather wrap nicely here.

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/menuki.jpg
a close up of one of the menuki here. gold plated sakura flowers. I generaly prefer smaller menuki, but these aren't too badly done.


http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/kissaki.jpg
kissaki or tip of the blade closeup. You can see the hamon nicely here as well. Also the yokote which is the line separating the kissaki from the blade body is clearly visible. (that seeming discoloration in the shinogi-ji or blade flat is just a reflection from a lamp)

This is a good low to mid-range sword, and I am very happy with it. The balance is nice, and it feels light enough for regular use.

In about two weeks my iaito will come, which is a non-sharp katana used for iaijutsu practice. That sword is coming from japan, and the furniture on it is somewhat nicer. However, it is made from an aluminium-zinc alloy, and as such can not hold a blade. It's the type of sword you start training with, and generaly work with until about 4th or 5th dan black belt in most schools. When the iaito arrives, I'll be taking pics of that as well ^_^;

Also at that time my sword maitenance kit will arrive, and I will be able to take this sword apart (as well as the iaito) and I may post pictures of what a dissasembled blade looks like, if people are interested ^_^

[red storm]

.............. I want one too.

[Alyssa]

lol - and I thought you were gonna mention some new weapon in the new RPG game - oh well O.o, this is a very delicate and reminiscing katana I might have to add. You have good tastes in your blades - Karel would be jealous of you about now - lol.

One question though - how much did it cost you for such a weapon, and how were you able to obtain such a beauty?

It seems like this might be a neat hobby of yours. ^_^

[Karel]

Nice sword indeed. now watch some kid like that Myzero dude come here and say something like.. you ain't no samurai and you know it,

The two swords I currently own.. well nothing much to say about them, exept that they are mildly sharp practice katana and Wakizashi. Very stylish black Scabbard with a designed hamon.

Here are the next swords I have in line. They are a bit more dangerous in every way so I'll probably end up using them for real action like if some one broke into my house or something.

http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?1016GT

http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?1201GT

[Alyssa]

These two blades are very beautiful, but I love the second sword better. Looks very amazing. Who in the world has enough time to showcase these blades? They are a nice art, but they sure do cost a lot for the cool ones. O.o

[Kaitou Ace]

Those two are pretty good swords. I've seen the musashi version. They are by the same company that made this sword, Hanwei, but those are at the upper end of their mid-level blades, and this one here is closer to the bottom of it. Well the kami is one of their upper end, but if you are going to do that, you may as well go with bugei directly (www.bugei.com).

The sword you are holding looks like a "last orchid" type, one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43338&item=2286242567&tc=photo

The saya is nice on them, but I'd not cut anything with it, that type of sword is prone to breaking: http://media.ebaumsworld.com/katanaslip.mpg
It's basically a wallhanger more then a practice sword. If you want to learn swordfighting, an iaito is the way to go. I had to get one for my class, so most of my current sword money went towards one.

The one I have is priced at over 300 generaly, but I managed to get it for 200 as a "last in stock" item at a retailer, and it's a pretty good deal, as they are no longer producing them. I have another Hanwei sword, a more entry level type blade, and two chinese swords. The japanese swords are what I wish to collect, so I'll get more of them as time goes on.

[Princess Minako]

you have the one I poke you with Kaitou too. The one you whack leonid with. which one is the red one? I liked your swords, or the fact that if anything happend you had one within reach to slice my unassuming would be attacker ^_^

The Goddess has Spoken

[Kaitou Ace]

heh well that was the bamboo one ne? I have a pair of shinai (bamboo swords), and a pair of daito bokken (wooden swords) and a pair of suburito (heavier bokken)\\

[Princess Minako]

yes but which one was the red one?

The Goddess has Spoken

[||°*+¨TaRkEmI¨+*°||]

those are beautiful swords, they look expensive oÓ...
where they expensive? ._.U

[Zedekiah]

now watch some kid like that Myzero dude come here and say something like.. you ain't no samurai and you know it.

And that's a lie?

Anyway, neat-oh sword. What was the price? And was it hard to come by?

[Genghis Beatrix]

They look pretty... I wish I had a sword...

[Cless Alvein]

Definately nicer than mine. A few more months I may be able to start collecting again...

[Kaitou Ace]

Ah the red wakizashi? Thats just a wallhanger. And I am taking samurai swordfighting now O_o; thats what kenjutsu and iaijutsu are ^_^;

That sword cost me $200, but it generaly goes for over $300.

[Karel]

Heck the cheaper the better I'd say.. even more when it's you're friend who runs the store that gives you one.

[ninjaStan]

awesome sword dude, i'd like to have 1 of those

[Karel]

well if it's not to use, I suppose everyone could use a nice looking sword on their wall to proudly display.

Exept you got some idiots who are offended just by the fact that you own a sword and they decide to talk bad about you.

[galdon]

man, i wish i had a good sword, the closest i've got is a pathetic blade that is used to cut tall grass (the name evades me)

so how do you tell if a sword is good or not? because there is a sword shop in the mall that my dad says only sells overpriced junk (its like 300 for a shield and 450 for a herculess sword)

[LadyPSerenity]

I want one... I want a pretty sword...

[Alyssa]

While you have a sword mounted on your wall to proudly display of, I have an archery platinum bow and arrow that I used in archery contests back a few years ago. Ahh, a lot of trophies that time... those were the days.

And perhaps someday I'll buy like a $100 sword just for the heck of it - lol.

[Metaldork]

Nice Swords. But i like to see those big swords with the edges in them

[Eternal Serena]

Iggy-sama, I can't remember if it was you or Lonny that got me into sword collecting. Probably both your fault >> I don't have any good ones...yet. I found that link you gave me for the plus katana and will hopefully get it soon ^^; Gah, we have a very spiffy knife and sword store in the local mall that carries bokkens. *sigh* I very much want one. I totally wanna learn how to use them >.< I can't believe you got a new one...tis unfair! I hate you ;.; (you know I'm joking) Eh, here's a piccy of my first sword my mom got me from ebay ^^; My others are definitely display...this one is too obviously. Tis very sad though. My family knows how much I love swords and they desperately try to get me some, but alas they are all displays ^^; Although I did get a spiffy two blade one from China Town. Looks like a cane and it comes apart into two. I like that one...blades are kinda unstable though ^^; Oh heck, here's a piccy of that too. Go ahead, laugh at my unfortunate state!

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/sword3.jpg
http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/swords1.jpg

[Princess Mononoke]

man you know alot about swords.

[Princess Minako]

you should see him poke people with it, he's good ^^

The Goddess has Spoken

[Queen-of-Mars]

Very nice, Igor. For such a weapon that price was a steal. The sword I bought was basically just something to say "I have a sword." Until I have some sort of income that is more than my hundred per month now, I can't afford such a thing. =/ Ah well, I can always continue my collection of better blades after I get good job.

[Fabala]

I know diddly about swords, but I love the detail work ^^;

Very nice.

[Pakachu]

that is a niiiice blade!!!
for a real nice price too!!!

<-is also jealous. <.<

[Havana]

Wow..those are some nice looking swords.

[Predator]

Nice Swords...It would be awesome to fight in the japanese times with those I can only imagation...The art of swordsmanship takes a while to learn and now we have guns. Which are not very fun to play with...unless you like to hunt or go to the target range.

Marksman vs. Swordsman

[Myzery]

nice sword

[Shadowstarr]

omg
that sword is soooo cool

[OnSilentWings]

its a nice blade to be sure...my grandfather used to collect swords and knives so when he passed away I inherited a modest collection myself. I assume since you only paid about 200 that its only stainless and not folded steel but it'll work perfectly for what you have in mind. Honestly although I love a katanas length and design I find something like a ring pommel sabre or an assyrian scimitar easier to use...but then again maybe its because the only way I was taught to use a sword was one handed. Also since your goin to be learning how to use the blades I suggest you get some heavier pieces to build your strength and stamina...or just grab a bokken and fashion some weights for it then strap them to the blade portion. Thats what I did when my gramps was teaching me how to use blades and it really does wonders once you finally settle down on your own sword (I practiced using a Teutonic long-sword one handed for a while before really starting to use my sabre and I found it made the blade light as air...it will take you some time to get used to the balance change though)

[Himura Enishi]

awesome sword kaitou, looks amazing. I have a question about my sword tho, acutally more like i'd like some background/history about it. I got it from a neighbor a while back, and he was a Marine way back in WWII and said he got this when they were in Japan. It's just curious though because it seems very different than 'traditional' japanese swords......

[Pakachu]

due to the industrial look(brass handle?)
my guess is it was made during that time
possibly as a combat knife(looks pretty small in the pic)
other than that no real clue.

did he say where in japan he got it or how?

next on antiques roadshow....

[Himura Enishi]

The small look is just because im crappy at taking pictures, and from handle to blade tip its actually 3 feet (36in.). I dont remember him ever telling me where he specifically got it, but I remember they did go to Kyoto and Yamagata

[Kaitou Ace]

It isn't a stainless steel sword, but actualy a high carbon steel hand forged, and clay tempered sword. It's not folded, but the tempering proccess is authentic, and produces a sword that can be used for cutting, while stainless steel swords are toys, nothing more. The fact that this sword is made for cutting practice means that it can't be a stainless steel blades, as those can never be used to cut anything.

Also it's not a very good idea to just strap weights onto a bokken for practice, mainly because of the balance O_o; you can get a suburito, which is a heavy bokken, and those come in different weights, from 3 - 6 lb generaly, which is more then enough, as a katana is usualy in the area of 2.5 lb. Plus a bokken with weights wouldn't be allowed into a dojo O_o;

I have seen Assyrian scimitars tho' and they are rather wicked looking blades.

Hm... and I can't say myself, Himura, but I'd reccomend posting that pic over at swordforum.com, there are plenty of people there who know about swords. The Nihon-to forum on there would be your best bet.

[Leo Seta]

Nice sword Kaitou, espically for the price and the fact that it's carbon steel.

*sigh* I wish I could affod to own a decent sword or start kenjutsu or iaijutsu. Damn being a uni student... oh well I guess I'll start in a couple of years. Studying fencing will do for now, sabers are so much more fun than foils...

[[Boolean]]

Nice sharp sword. I wish I could get a sword, alas, I do not have any money, and my parents are poor.

[Himura Enishi]

thanks for the site Kaitou, ill post some pics there later and see if they know anything. I also forgot that there is also various signs etched into my sword, so here are some pics of them

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/s1.jpg

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/s2.jpg

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/s3.jpg

http://www.animeforum.com/uploads/ss4.jpg
^this marking is on the back of the sword

[Kaitou Ace]

O_o;; hm.. can't say much of anything about the patterns. And there is only one reason I know of for notches to be put into the back of the blade. I dobut it's the right one here tho O_o;;;

[Princess Minako]

I'm curious what that reason is?

The Goddess has Spoken

[amuro1]

your's looks way better than mine

[Eternal Serena]

Iggy-sama, shall I assume that reason of putting notches is a notch for each kill or something? *poke* You commented for everyone else except for me >>;

[SaceGolem2]

Really Nice swords. I personally wouldn't want one on my wall unless I could use it. Oh yeah and nice to know that you know alot about its history and the differences to fake and real ones.

[Himura Enishi]

Iggy-sama, shall I assume that reason of putting notches is a notch for each kill or something? :confused:

u mean my sword may of acutally killed people..................AWESOME!!!!!!

[Gjallarhorn]

kick[donkey]....im guessing that was expensive as hell...i got a rapier made in 1829, costed about $350, and a naginata made form tempered carbon steel for $500(??), but the katana looks of higher quality....nice find......
i got:
daito
naginata(really good quality)
wakasashi
kodachi
really old rapier
2 crap katanas(bad quality...just decoration)
a double blade katana
a U.S marines sabre from some military shop in florida
replica of a 16th century french rapier

[Eternal Serena]

I hate everyone who has better swords than me >>

[Kaitou Ace]

Heh ES is right O_o; thats the only reason I know of to have notches on the back of the blade. You add one after each kill. Not saying it's neccesarily why they are on your blade 'course ^_^;;; but you never know O_o;
Naginata are pretty cool too, I wouldn't mind getting my hads on one of those eventually also.

[[BlackDeath]]

SWORD PORN, you pervert, perving out pics of swords! lmao xD

Wow, well isn't this cool, just knowing that you have a new sword is going to improve my life in what way?

[Kaitou Ace]

Himura: Was just browsing ebay, and stumbled onto something that looked familiar:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20272&item=2290246287&rd=1
It looks like the one you have ^_^; so I guess that would be the origin of your blade then.

[Anime_Overload]

Got 2 Samuri swords but their fakes. but they do have real blades.

[MasterMind]

i have one that was givin to me buy may grand parent they bought it while some were in asia no sure were but its real and i like it but yeah dude that sword is nice

[Moved_to_new_account]

hah, I wish I had real swords, it'd eb so cool

[sword_master]

everyone who has shown a sword has a cool and neat work of art of weaonery i like them all

[Shadow_Warrior]

well that mean i want one darn my age i to young to buy one.....but i love swords and practicing swordman ship

[dark_evo_chaos_x]

cool, thats all I can say, awesome

[Saiyuko]

Heh,awesome katana you got there.

[Moved_to_new_account]

so ethier I'm blind, but how much was it

[Daenerys]

But have you killed anyone with it yet?

[Moved_to_new_account]

lmao AI, wth, why would he want to kill someone *whhya re you looking at me that way?*

[Daenerys]

A sword isn't a sword unless it's been stained with someone's blood.

[Moved_to_new_account]

true, oh so true, but not anymorew nowadays

[Daenerys]

So true now-a-days.

All my swords have been christened with human blood!

..A few of them my own, but that doesn't matter.

[Gjallarhorn]

a sword doesnt have to be stained with blood, and i doubt it would be a good thing for whoever the blood came from.......but a couple of mine have blood on them.......:ninja:

[Daenerys]

xD

I accidently cut myself with everything. I cut myself on my laptop and what not. So it's not TOO bad... xD

But how else are you going to christen a sword? You have to use it on something.

[Moved_to_new_account]

so you accidently cut yourself with your own blades, wow, and I tohought I was clumsy

[Daenerys]

Well, I bought my friend this Arwen replica sword, and I was walking in her room, and I tripped over it barefooted... And also I was taking it out of the box, and I cut myself.

Same with my swords. Always when I take them out of boxes.

[Moved_to_new_account]

hmm, start wearing gloves. at least theyve been stained with blood though, too bad its not a lot of other ppl's blood

[Cyllwen]

That is an awsome sword. I am glad that you shared it with us.

[Tiggit]

i have 3 or 4 short swords... but nothing like this

[Blue Tiger]

The Swords Are Awsome, I Wish I Had Them. How Much Did They Cost?

[kaisen]

That is probably the coolest sword i've ever seen!
I wish i had 1... Well that's not gonna happen (for now)...
i'm gonna get 1 sooner or later!!!

[sephiroth33]

i have a katana too but it is pretty dull

[viperson]

wats with this sword any way its really exspensiv but i really would not now

[kaisen]

if the sword costs 2 or 3 hundred there...
it gonna cost almost a thousand in my country!!!!

[Zeke_Asakura]

In my country $1.00 = P50.00

[Dark_Flame_Alchemist]

Me Likey Swordy'z!!!!

[Mugetsu]

It's so....beautiful:)

[Gizoku]

thats awesome....i wish i had a sword

[/Aifa|]

Whoa! That one is cool! I have a katana and wakizashi at home. O_O

[Bushidowarriord]

Wow, thats a very nice katana. All I have is a bokken -_-... my parents wont let me have a sword, they say its dangerous http://animegalleries.net/bbs/images/smilies/dry.gif lol oh well, once i move out ill get one for sure =D.

I need to get a new bokken though, mines all dirty and i snapped it in half a while back lol, had to glue it together with wood glue =P

[Kaitou Ace]

this is an old thread O_o;
ty about the katana, it's fun to play with ^_^; I have a new iaito that i will take pics of shortly.
and it's a bad idea to glue together a broken bokken. that can be dangerous in practice.

[Bushidowarriord]

Lol yea i know, but it seems to be holding up fairly well, and i dont use it as heavily as i used to anymore =P
And yea now that u mention it i just checked its original date and you started it back last year lol. Guess someone just saw it and brought it to the forefront of the posts lol.

[Uchiha Ulquiorra]

nice sword i got a few like that, but unfortunatly i dont have a digital camera to show you them

[darkfire]

thats pretty kool but i perfur the hand and a half kinght swords. i have a few i should do somthing with them

[Marie2007]

cool swords wish i had one

[The Wing Man]

I have probally seen atleast over a million swords in my life because my parents own a tobacco store.But we also sell hundreds of knife products, you can get 3 swords like that for 12 dollars.Ofcourse, the qaulity would not be the same as that sword.But i think if your gonna buy a sword, why not buy cheap?I think i have just seen enough out of this world swords.That cost nothing at all, but you should buy the better stuff like kaitou's sword.But i would advice to buy the cheap stuff for a collection, the sword's will last if you do not screw with them.

[The Blades of Blood]

tose are awsome i have some off of kill bill

[-Shizu-]

cool....

[Krsnik]

I have a couple of Katana's, and that's a darn nice one. That looks pretty sharp, which i'm not sure how you managed to get it sharp. =P

[THE SITH]

That is a sweet looking sword.

[harakiri]

.............. I want one too.
So do I.

[ChaosAlchemist]

I see the sword is very well crafted the crafter of this sword must have had a really good idea for it. the blade is also very well sharpened and shaped I must say.

[Kurumirina]

hey nice sword u have there...I have one kantana too that I bought in bejing but I don`t have any digital camera to prove it though....I wonder how u get that sword of ur`z to be that way.....

[Amix]

That's a nice sword Ace, I want one too, but I'm too young, my parents might buy one for me if I get the money.

[Vagary]

Kewl sword! ^_^

[sumae_the_firewolf]

That is VERY interesting. I hope to one day get one.... Better go beg my Rents (parents) -_-

[Blackwaltz]

Dude that sword is awesome. Personally I'd like to get a Sakabatou, you know just to have one. It would be cool to show it off.

[AngelxWithin]

Those are very interesting swords.
I'd show you mine, but the cops took it. -.-

[Prophet of Death]

That sword is really cool and it makes me wish I had one of my own.. I want a long one that can cut through things in one slash Zzzz

[Inuyashayoukai2]

its kool and all but like i bet it isnt one that u could use in actual combat then again not to many of them left