what sword

[desperado]

i have been given the choice of a decently priced sword of my choice if i get my grades up. give me your suggestion, i want one that is functional, sharp, and can take a beating. at the moment im looking at http://www.weaponmasters.com/?ID=af020e1b973b5dba668995e93b08ef1f&FDX=&FMAX=&SORT=&ITEM=KE2044&SORT=&FDX=&FMAX= if you have any other suggestions or disclaimers let me know

[CDLviking]

Being a student of Shinkendo, I must ask what you plan on doing with this sword. I'm also a bit wary of that site. An "absolutely flawless" sword fit for cutting should run much higher than 300 dollars. I'd say a minimum for for a shinken would be $500, and I do mean minimum, like if you have an insider connection. Taking care of a shinken requires much effort as well. Since they rust easily, they must be maintained after each use.

[desperado]

yeah i noticed that as well. but that is a idea for a sword i would want. second im not to familar with the shinken personally (i am quite knoweledgable about the rapier though but i want something a bit different to mess around with) but i would like to find a good place that does have them. do you have any links that has ones that one wouldnt need to be wary of?

[CDLviking]

I would try http://www.shinkendo.com. They have a listing of all the Shinkendo dojos in the world. Since Shinkendo focuses on using real swords, not shinai like in Kendo, they would probably be the most knowledgable on the subject. They have a forum on the site too, so you could ask on there. If I were to purchase a sword I would do it through my sensei. I must also stress how important it is to be properly trained in Japanese swordsmanship before purchasing one. It is quite easy to seriously hurt yourself with a shinken. There has never been a single serious injury in the Shinkendo school because we concentrate very hard on safety, but people have been known in other schools of Japanese swordsmanship to cut off their own thumbs just by drawing their sword.

[desperado]

i know a bit about swords since i am very very familar with the rapier so i do beleive i would be safe and i will check that site out after i get back from martial arts

[Mr. SmartyPants]

i bought a katana priced at 80 at otakon a few motnhs ago ^_^
i got it for 70 though, hehehe. Cause the guy let me off 10 bucks casue i only had 70

get a katana!

[CDLviking]

He wants a funtional sword though. I gaurantee you that an 80 dollar katana is not good for cutting.

[Solid Ronin]

He wants a funtional sword though. I gaurantee you that an 80 dollar katana is not good for cutting.

I agree.

A sakkabatto eh? not my style but hey it seems cool.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

He wants a funtional sword though. I gaurantee you that an 80 dollar katana is not good for cutting.

well... i know that.... well... actually it's okay at cutting. I cut some stuff with it ^_^
(like paper for instance lol)

okay my katana is kinda cheap lol

[WhiteKnight23]

Hey I bought a sword recently and I would just suggest you go to this web site. http://www.swordsofhonor.com/greatsword/swords1.html

We carry a wide selection of swords, from Medieval swords, to Fantasy/Movie Swords, to Samurai swords, to Chinese Swords, to Military swords, to Rapiers. All swords are of the highest quality, usually forged out of high carbon spring steel, and are battle ready.

So ya HAVE FUN choosing

A little back ground on Spring Steel- Yes it is the steel springs are made of. But listen here, they keep there shape even after hitting an anvil and they are flexable enough they won't snap. Awesome metal for blades.

[desperado]

i have been thinking of taking something similar or taking shinkendo sometime. the reason i really want the sakkabato so i can acctually defend my household without getting tried for murder (if it ever happens) and second i like the idea of the swords. but anyways yeah i was taught a bit about rapiers but nothing is stronger then the japanese technique of folding steel. and hey thanks for the sites i am looking at them now

[CDLviking]

That site seems a bit better, but I'm still leery of buying a katana over the internet. (Off topic: That battle armor they show for Oda Nobunaga probably isn't very authentic, as Nobunaga was known for his love of western culture, and often wore western style armor.)

The Shinkendo site also has an interesting article on the forging of swords. The key to a Japanese sword isn't actually the folding (though it is also important), but the differential cooling of the blade. The different techniques for doing this is part of differentiates the Master Swordsmiths of the time. Masamune (recognize that name?) the most intricate cooling I've ever seen.

[desperado]

yeah him and (i think) murasume had some cool stuff they made

[desperado]

man none of the schools are near me and i dont mean even in my state

[CDLviking]

It's relatively new because it Obata Toshishiro broke away from a different federation over safety issues. You could also try a web search for iado. I think that's how you spell it.

[Kaligraphic]

iaido - don't forget that second i.

The folding process used in Japanese blades, while intriguing, was actually used to overcome the relatively poor quality of Japanese iron ore. With modern ironmongery, the folding is no longer necessary, and some smiths will say that monosteel blades can be stronger than folded steel, given the state of modern metallurgy.

[desperado]

hmmm interesting... i have always been interested in that. but yeah i will look that up after school since im looking for a type of weapon to take after i get my blackbelt.

[agasfas]

i really want to get into sword collecting. My personal favorite is the katana. I really want to buy authentic swords. Most replicas cost about $180 and below and the quality my suffer in some cases, but not all. I did some research and a true authentic sword (also personalized) costs about $2000 and up. I read somewhere that the Japanese Gov't only licenses a couple "special" sword smiths a year. It usually takes them about a month or longer to make and the smiths bend/fold the metal thousands of times (to make it stronger i think). I wish i still had that one site... Though for the price and quailty replicas arn't a bad deal.

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[CDLviking]

I believe Japanese swordsmiths are limited to making 2 swords a year. This is so that the supply remains low keeping sword prices higher. Most swords used by sword practitioners do not come from these smiths, but if they do they are really nice. Obata Toshishiro has one that he has only had to have sharpened once.

[kaji]

I guess I dont get it.
If you are going to spend $400 on a sword, I would hope it was either a artifact, a serious collectors item (able to retain or gain in value), or a replica that you intend to use in actual training.

Just owning a sword that sits on a shelf that has no history or story or purpose, just seams like such a waste of resourses.

Dont get me wrong, I have collected many things in the past, but all have served a purpose. Either a game I can play, or anime I could watch or Manga I can read, but nothing that just sits on a shelf, not for that much money.

Oh-well. I guess thats just me. I hope what ever you get serves a purpose.

-kaji

[CDLviking]

I guess I dont get it.
If you are going to spend $400 on a sword, I would hope it was either a artifact, a serious collectors item (able to retain or gain in value), or a replica that you intend to use in actual training.

For one of those swords, you're going to be paying alot more than $400.

[Tidus20]

I think that you should get Cloud's buster sword.

[desperado]

man i wish i could remeber what kenshin said about the big sword the guy in the white jacket used (man i need to watch kenshin again) that really applies to clouds buster sword and all gigantic swords

[CDLviking]

Probably that they can only be swung up and down, or side to side because of their great size, making them very easy to predict.