Question about Japanese sword.

Hey yall.....
My wife is looking to buy a Japanese sword (Katana orWakazashi). She is in Haidong Gumdo (Korean sword fighting) and will need a sword to get her black belt. She has been mulling over which kind to get and so forth. Not wanting to spend a great deal of money on it either. I told her you really get what you pay for it too. In most cases, yes. She doesn't need a high end sword by any means, but something that is decent quality. She would like something in the $200- $400 price range. I know good luck. Ebay has a few swords listed that she likes. She is short, so the swords total length needs to be 36" to at most 39". It also needs to be full tang and sharp (battle ready as they call it). Handle wrapped and all that jazz too.

This is one listing she looked at on eBay......Any comments by someone who knows about these Japanese swords would be appreciated. Or a place to look or maybe a member here has one they would like to sell?

Katana Wakazashi Japanese Sword SET Folded Steel Iron Tsuba Accessory Optional | eBay

Thanks!

I would be leery of a Japanese sword made in China. Same guys make straight razors you know. And as far as you get what you pay for , this is not always the case with swords either. You best hook up with somebody that knows their swords. Would be a shame if it broke during her test.
Now this is just to give you something to start thinking about until knowledge comes along. I am no sword guy. If I was to buy one though I trust the heck out of these guys. Battle Ready Swords - Cold Steel Knives But like I said I know nothing of her art or swords.

I would look ask something like a Paul Chen Practical or practical plus series Katana by CAS Hanwei
Should be in you price range
Very reputable items

You will also need to get a maintenance kit for it that includes the oil and powder etc to prevent any rusting etc
The Hanwei can be fully broken down and then she can modify and interchange the Tsuba, Tsuka later to something different if she wants to jazz it up a bit

If you are looking or quality, made in China probably is not the best option. The above mentioned Paul Chen is popular and seems to be decent quality.
Walter Sorrells makes Japanese swords, although the prices are above your range, but I think it is worth to take a look even for the picture porn only.

If I were looking for one I would also opt for the cold steel sword. Warrior Series | Swords | Cold Steel UK

That seller may have improved since, but I'd wary after reading threads like this or this.

I would hesitate to buy on ebay outside of Huawei, St-Nihonto or resellers of well-known brands. I personally prefer antiques, but I totally understand not wanting to risk a 500 years old blade on tameshigiri or even kata :)

I know this might sound a bit obvious, but have you asked at the club she trains at, someone there would surely be able to point you in the right direction, or even have one to sell or trade.

Hey yall.... Great food for thought on the suggestions given. She wants a fancy looking sword and not a plain looking one. I know, I know. She knows what she wants and not budging. It will be her first sword and not used a great deal. When she gets more advanced and uses a sword more often, then she is willing to get a higher priced one. The people in her club have more or less high end swords and every sword she shows them, they say "looks good to me"....

I told her about the guys on this site and would ask. So my duty is done.....lol

Again to everyone who responded, thanks! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Substance

I would look ask something like a Paul Chen Practical or practical plus series Katana by CAS Hanwei
Should be in you price range
Very reputable items

---

This is the 3 pc set I have & I can't say enough good about them. Ebay is a dangerous place to purchase swords, I got snookered twice on some swords...but I got a couple of old wakazashi's from there too. Many of the Chinese swords are soft steel, even if they say damascus. Look up the Paul Chen's swords & you can't go wrong for the price.

I haven't done any cutting in a while, but they work well on tatami (sp?) and pool noodles. The pool noodle cutting was just for cut placement. We would put a mark with a sharpie and cut at different angles as well as having the noodles placed at different locations.

Edit: Add link for review: Putting Paul Chen Swords to the test ? the Practical Plus Katana!

Despite its country of origin the Paul Chen practical katana is a good sword I know this first hand. The practical plus has genuine rayskin on the ito and more traditional tsuba and ornate fittings, though a bit slower/heftier. The cold steel sword mentioned is..hyped and not a lasting edge from what I've heard, like the tempered edge is very thin and poorly done and once it's honed down a little, it's lost.

If you were okay with spending 5-10k, Howard Clarke L6-Bainite Katanas. Extraordinary.

anything more and your looking at needing an export permit for your blade from the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai. A fairly simple request, though it can take commonly 2-4 weeks to have the appraisal and if granted, the paperwork allowing export in hand.

First katana? Uses it for martial arts? Get the practical katana, it's a great blade.