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A Beginners Guide to Authentic Japanese Swords"How to find Dojo Quality Cutters
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The overwhelming majority of cheap Japanese style swords being sold online are not in any way functional. Sure, they are made of steel and yes, some of them might even be sharp - but sharpness alone doesn't mean very much if the blade bends or snaps on the first strike...
Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with buying some nice looking Samurai sword sets to display over the mantelpiece, etc.
I know the swords in the pic below should be displayed with the Tanto on the top and Katana on the bottom - but I actually prefer them the modern, "upside down" way!
The only problem is that many people who believe they are starting a collection of authentic Japanese swords aren't getting what they think they paid for...
For my complete article on the critical differences between ornamental swords and the real thing, click here
Essentially, most display swords are made of Stainless steel - which is a great choice for knives - but in anything over 12" long (like a sword) it tends to become overly brittle. What makes things worse though is that the tang of display swords is typically a thin steel rod welded to the blade. Such a tang tends to bend and or break off inside the handle when swung, which can sometimes send the blade flying out like a missile...
In short, a functional Katana at an absolute bare minimum needs:
Any sword which possesses these most basic characteristics stands at least a reasonable chance of being a half decent facsimile. And indeed there are quite a few very roughly made mass produced 'bare bones authentic Japanese swords wanna-be's' available for around the US$100 mark that are at least a step up from the stainless steel wall hangers...
At the US$50 to $100 'bare bones' Katana market, there is really only one brand that I believe makes a reasonably aesthetically pleasing, yet most importantly - a strong and functional cutting Katana - and that is Musashi Swords...
In this side by side comparative review we look at two swords made by this brand, and find one in particular that performs well above what its price point would suggest.
PRICE: US$59 each
PRICE: US$54 to $70
PRICE: US$59 to $75
PRICE: US$80 to $129
PRICE: US$59 to $99
PRICE: US$127 to $259
'Masahiro' Bamboo Katana - Review by Marc Ridgeway
Click here for the full review
Of course, at the end of the day while the swords above might be reasonably decent cutters, these cheapies aren't anything even close to authentic Japanese swords.
Despite being of questionable quality, they are all missing one very important component that strictly speaking is not 100% necessary in creating a 'functional' replica but that all truly authentic Japanese swords possess...
There are several techniques used in the forging of authentic Japanese swords that are rarely present in our sub-US$300 mark.
One such technique is folding, in which the steel of traditionally forged authentic Japanese swords was folded in on itself around 10 to 16 times to remove impurities inherent in medieval Japanese steel, which was of a somewhat poor quality and consistency.
These days, considering the quality of modern steel, such techniques tend to be of cosmetic value only.
But there is one additional unique technique that is still very relevant in the creation of authentic Japanese swords - a technique that creates the wavy and beautiful temper line on the edge of the blade: the Hamon.
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VIDEO: Production Sword Hamon Four Production Katana Hamon in Order of appearance: Cheness Kaze Katana, SBG $330 custom Katana, Hanwei Practical Plus Katana and the Official SBG Katana |
A real Hamon like the ones shown in the video above are the result of differential hardening. In other words, the edge of the sword is made much harder than the shock absorbant spine.
For more info on the various techniques used to create an authentic Samurai sword, click here
If authentic Japanese swords were as hard all the way through as they are on the edge, they would be too brittle to use in combat. On the other hand, if there were as soft as they are on the back, they would quickly lose their edge.
The differentially hardened sword thus combines the best of both worlds, and is achieved by a process that involves covering the spine of the sword with a special clay before heating and quenching the blade, hardening the edge and creating the visible temper line between hard and soft.
99% of all 'Samurai swords' in our target price range have a fake acid etched or stencil ground 'hamon' because, naturally enough, this process adds a fair amount of time and extra costs into the production of a sword. And as a result of this extra cost and effort, there are only a hanful of swords to choose in our sub US$300 price range from that are truly differentially tempered (though the number is steadily growing)...
While my tests revealed it is not truly 'martial arts grade' (see Mark Ridgeways article Production Katana Swords: A discussion on our sister site SMG for more info on the various grades of mass produced swords on the market) - for a machine made blade, it is actually not all that far off and definitely a worthwhile purchase...
PRICE: US$80 to $99
Some of the most reliable entry level authentic Japanese swords are the 'Practical' and 'Performance' range by Paul Chen's Hanwei Forge and the 'Kaze' Katana by Cheness Cutlery - though I have personally also created a range of authentic Japanese swords including the SBG exclusive custom Katana and the Official SBG Katana line, designed to address my own needs and requirements for entry to mid level Martial arts grade blades...
Anyway, let's take a look at all these swords - and several other new contenders who are making the most authentic Japanese swords in our price range, starting with the Hanwei Practical series...
PRICE: $223 to $399
PRICE: US$153 to $275
PRICE: US$234 to $399
The influx of New Japanese swords on the market from a variety of makers it became sink or swim time for the Hanwei forge in our sub US$300 price range, as the standard 'Practical' series started to look more and more dated.. Instead of just lowering their prices, Hanwei stepped up to the challenge and drastically improved their entry level differentially hardened authentic japanese swords.
The review by Marc Ridgeway detailing these design changes is also a beginners guide to intermediate Japanese sword terminology, as well as a resource on how to fully customize your sword.
PRICE: US$164 to $289
PRICE: US$169 to $289
PRICE: US$249 to $419
THE ZATOICHI - SWORD IN A STICK!
This seems like a good place to mention what is without a doubt the cheapest sword made by Hanwei - the Zatoichi sword.
Though they certainly aren't authentic Japanese swords, when you consider the US$100 price tag, these swords don't do too badly...
For a long time the Practical Plus Katana was considered to be the ONLY choice for semi authentic Japanese swords.
However, the most notable new entry to the world of production Japanese swords are the "great blades with basic fittings" line being produced by another gentleman (who is, by pure coincidence, also named Paul Chen!), from Cheness Cutlery...
Since 2005 Mr. Chen and a team of ex-Chinese Government Armament smiths have been working closely together to produce hand forged swords exclusively with the entry level practictioner of the Japanese sword arts in mind.
Click here for our exclusive interview with Paul Chen from Cheness Cutlery, including insights into how Cheness Cutlery got started, his unique "lowest price/highest quality blades" philosophy and his own personal favorite swords from the Cheness line up and more!
By using generic fittings, while at the same time reducing their margins much lower than any other sword seller/manufacturer, Cheness Cutlery have made it possible to buy dojo quality authentic Japanese swords for serious martial arts practice all for a price tag of around US$250!
These new swords have caused quite a stir on the numerous sword forums, not least of which on Sword Forum International.
In all cases, Mr. Chen has proven himself to be extremely honest, transparent and upfront about his swords and has offered a rare insiders account into the Japanese production sword industry.
While Cheness Cutlery specialize in providing martial artists a large range of extremely practical and tough mono-steel "dojo cutters" - he also produces some differentially hardened authentic Japanese swords such as the Kanbai and the jewel in the Cheness crown, the Kaze Katana.
Even after all these years, the Kaze Katana is still my personal favorite of all the sub US$300 Authentic Japanese swords on the market...
This tried and tested, thick and sturdy blade sports a classic differentially tempered edge with the kind of strength and cutting power that is usually found on authentic Japanese swords several times the price.
Unlike the even the upgraded Hanwei Practical Katana line, whose Hamon temper line is acid enhanced to artificially bring out the detail - the Kanbai and the Kaze's 'Natural' Hamon is VERY subtle, authentic and quite beautiful.
Of course, the end result of these thick, differentially hardened swords are blades that are extremely effecient cutters - making slicing up traditionally soaked full and half Tatami mats from the esteemed Mugen Dachi company (Tameshigiri.com) a walk in park!
While the fittings are fairly plain and utilitarian, Cheness seriously squeeze their margins to bring such a well made blade in under the $300 price point and as you can see from the review below, they are extremely popular and well received.
PRICE: US$299
PRICE: US$229
Of course, the sword industry is never static - and in recent years there have been several other manufacturers who have attempted to make functional replicas of authentic Japanese swords under the $300 price point - with varying degrees of success..
Here are a few of them:Including:
PRICE: US$249 to $379
One of these projects was to create a line of relatively low cost customized Katana - primarily in response to many Chinese based ebay sellers who were (and still are) marketing custom made authentic Japanese swords but offering instead a very random quality control (and 'selective' after sales support if there was a problem)..
The goal was to make it safe for buyers by working with a forge that knew what they were doing, specify a high level of quality control, import the swords into North America - inspect them again, and once they were shipped out - ensure that the end result was a good one. Everytime!
| VIDEO: SBG Custom Katana Destructive Tests As you can see, I tested the T10 tool steel custom katana quite hard before offering them to the rest of the sword community... |
At $329.99 they are slightly more expensive than some of the swords we have seen previously - but with extremely tight margins - it's not that much to pay to own a sword designed to your own personal tastes in a Katana...
PRICE: US$329
While authentic Japanese swords that are differentially hardened are reasonably rare in our price tag, full on durable monosteel through hardened "beater" swords are significantly more common.
Essentially though, there are really only 4 main brands worth a serious look at in the sub US$300 price range: Cold Steel, Dynasty Forge, Ronin Katana and Cheness Cutlery.
Unlike the closer replicas of authentic Japanese swords we looked at above, these "beaters" do not have a hamon (at least not a REAL one), but as you will soon see - for heavy duty and frequent use cutting practices - it is sacrificed to create a more flexible and resilient blade and is actually a distinct advantage for their intended application! (click here for more information on 1060 and other carbon steel swords).The first in our line up is the Cold Steel Warrior Series Katana 88BK, which are considered by many to be the toughest beater swords on the market. While at first glance they may look like authentic Japanese swords, truth be told they are about as far removed from the originals as you can get...
On the negative side these swords are somewhat unbalanced, making them totally without grace and the ability to recover quickly from each strike and are often described as basically big, overbuilt choppers.
However as 'big overbuild choppers' the monosteel (without even bothering with a fake hamon), through hardened 1050 Carbon Steel blades are very sharp and strong. And as aptly demonstrated in their numerous promotional videos, are quite capable of taking on some pretty heavy duty targets...
"Despite all this though, these Cold Steel blades just ain't close to being authentic Japanese swords..." (then again, a lot of fans of super heavy duty Japanese style beaters like this one don't really mind...)
PRICE: US$299 to $549
While cold steel commission their Japanese swords from smiths trained by legendary Fred Chen, Dynasty Forge source their blades directly from his Huano Forge.
And it shows...
PRICE: US$229 to $299
PRICE: US$275
PRICE: US$275
PRICE: US$275
Finally, Cheness Cutlery specializes in a range of SUPER TOUGH BLADES, practical dojo cutter blades designed for frequent and heavy usage that actually handle like authentic Japanese swords should - and as a result - are extremely popular with budget conscious martial artists and dojos around the world.
And it's here that you'll find one of my personal favourite swords of all time...
There are a series of swords by Mr.Chen that have all of the good qualities and none of the bad ones that leave just about every other Japanese style "beater" sword for dead...
And that's Cheness Cutleries 9260 Silicon Alloy Carbon Spring Steel series swords - with the original flagship of this line - the Tenchi - followed by many others in various configurations responsible for revolutionizing what was possible with a sub US$300 Katana...
Not only are these swords EXCEPTIONALLY durable and viscously tough, but while they are no featherweights they handle like a real Katana should, with the end result being a sword that combinines the durability of a MONSTER beater with the handling characteristics of authentic Japanese swords...
You can get an idea of just how much of a hiding these tough swords can handle, check out the destructive testing shown on Sword Forum International Moderators Martin "Oz" Austwicks Ragged Staff Homepage where he puts the (now retired) Shura Katana through its paces (and then some).
Or just take a look at the video complilation below to see some destructive tests on several of their 9260 Katana that would see most swords end up on the scrap heap....
Yet even after all this ALL of these swords were still intact!!
PRICE: US$279
PRICE: US$299
PRICE: US$269
PRICE: US$229
PRICE: US$249
PRICE: US$249
Ever wondered what a side by side comparison of the fittings, handling and cutting ability of some of the most popular sub US$300 Katana would be like?
Well, wonder no more!
Michael Mahaffey from Michigan gives the low-down on Japanese swords by Masahiro, Cheness Cutlery, The Hanwei Forge - and the results may well surprise you...!
Check out Mike's full review here on SBG
At the end of the day ALL sub US$300 Japanese swords, be they dojo cutters, beaters or simply sharp carbon steel replicas have one thing in common - despite how well they might perform, they are still NOT truly authentic Japanese swords...
With the proliferation of these bare basic Japanese style swords, it is unfair (and unreasonable) to compare them to a high level $1,500-$2000 production sword or (heaven forbid) a real Shinken/Nihonto (Authentic Japanese swords made in Japan by a master smith).
Sure, if you are looking for a decent cutter for dojo applications, backyard cutting or a functional sword for display purposes (after all, a display sword that will fall apart if swung through the air is more embarrassing than impressive) - these swords will all meet (and probably exceed!) your requirements. But that said, ALL OF THEM HAVE THEIR ISSUES, especially when compared to truly authentic Japanese swords in the US$1000+ price range. They simply aren't in the same league - it's like comparing a Ferrari to a Pinto...!
Yes, all of the swords described above (apart from the cheap collectibles, which are made by machine) are hand forged. But none are made by a master smith - they are all made in China by blue collar workers...
True enough, some are better than others. Personally, I've found that the Dojo Pro series by Ronin Katana are the most consistently good swords currently on the market.Minor issues with most of these brands such as scrappy looking rayskin, cheap synthetic leather or 'shoelacy' cotton ito on the tsuka (handle), a rattling saya (scabbard) or an imperfect level of polish, ugly kissaki (tip) and some scratches or slight bends in the blade (and many other small imperfections that do not effect the swords overall functionality) are pretty common and largely to be expected (though hopefully not all at the same time on a single blade!).
Indeed, at their worst, sub US$300 swords can have serious issues with the handle, loose fittings that pass initial inspection but rapidly loosen over time (because of the way they are fitted in the first place) and other annoying or even potentially dangerous issues.
At the end of the day, it is simply impossible to produce truly authentic Japanese swords at the sub US$300 price point...
So if these imperfections or dealing with your vendor about these possible issues bother you - there is simply no choice but to fork out the money and buy something at around the $1,000. Bearing in mind that even a $1,000+ production blade doesn't compare to a $5,000 custom sword - or a high end custom sword doesn't compare to a genuine $30,000 Japanese forged Nihonto...
It's all relative, and at each level there are imperfections...
And as long as you keep this in mind, you can get a great deal of fun and satisfaction out of these bare bones Katana. Just don't expect to get a Ferrari for a Ford's price tag and you won't be disappointed...! ;-)
Here's a few examples of what to expect at the $300++ level..
PRICE: US$1999
PRICE: AU$490
PRICE: AU$590
DISCONTINUED
For General Information on authentic Japanese swords, as well as guides to any unfamiliar terminology, sword history and much (much) more I strongly recommend a visit to what many people consider to be the best site on authentic Japanese swords - Richard Stein's Japanese Sword Guide which is the most recommended site in my own Japanese Sword Sites Directory, which lists all the best informational sites and sellers of Katana from $20 to $80,000...
There's also an absolute mountain of information on authentic Japanese swords over at the Sword Forum International - just using the search function there will uncover an absolute goldmine of useful info, user reviews and more. Check it out - highly recommended, though almost as addictive as collecting authentic Japanese swords! ;-)
Here are a few basic tutorials on how to do exactly that:
How to Wrap Your Own Ito - Itomaki for Beginners
Another Ito Style - How to Do a 'Battle Wrap'
How to Make Your Own Tsuba
Another classic 'all in one' tutorial can be found online my MacAbee Knives - the pdf Construction of the Shinken in the Modern Age
Good luck, and have fun with your projects!
Since the MugenDachi Company stopped selling tatami mats direct to the public in 2009, it has become increasingly hard to source good quality tatami mats.
Some lovers of authentic Japanese swords have resorted to using beach mats, however it takes up to 3 to 4 beach mats to equal the same level of resistance that a single tatami mat offers, making this something of a false economy..
Luckily, there are now three main distribution points for real MugenDachi tatami mats – here at Sword N Armory for the North American market, Karasu Swordworks in Europe and Ozi Tatami in Australia.
Happy (and safe) Cutting!!
"What's the deal with you selling and promoting a couple of 'SBG' swords?"
Stay up to date with all the latest tips on how to get the best deals when you buy swords online, plus win competitions, get free gift vouchers, read interviews, learn sword fighting techniques and much, MUCH more.
SUB-ARTICLES
A Beginners Guide to Buying Samurai Sword Sets
JEWELS IN THE JUNK: Searching for the best quality, low priced Samurai Swords (double review)
Interview with Paul Chen from Cheness Cutlery
Comparative Review of 7 Entry to Mid Level Katana
A brief Overview of Samurai Sword History
Japanese Sword Sites Directory
Demystifying the Authentic Samurai Sword
Cracked Tsuka, the scourge of Production Swords?HANDS ON REVIEWS
Zetsurin Katana (Musashi) - Review by Corey Sullivan
Rosewood Shirasaya (Musashi) - Review by Paul Southren
Cherry Blossom (Masahiro) - Review by Dan Dacombe
Shadow Warrior (Masahiro) - Review by Keith R
Bamboo (Masahiro/Jin Long) - Review by Michael Mahaffey
Practical Plus Katana (Hanwei Forge) - Review by Paul Southren
Practical Katana (Hanwei Forge) - Review by Michael Mahaffey
Practical Pro Katana (Hanwei Forge) - Review by Mark Mowrey
Practical Katana Elite (Hanwei Forge) - Review by Marc Ridgeway
Practical XL Katana (Hanwei Forge) - Review by S. Kang
Practical XL Light Katana (Hanwei Forge) - Review by Paul Southren
Practical Plus Elite Katana (Hanwei Forge) - Review by Serge Winckelmans
Zatoichi Sword (Hanwei Forge) - Review by Paul Southren
Kaze Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Paul Southren
Kaze Ko Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Mark Mowrey
Kanbai Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Paul Southren
Ko Buke (Valiant Armoury) - Review by Paul Southren
Chikara Katana (Global Gear) - Review by Paul Southren
1060 Dragon (Ryumon) - Review by Paul Southren
SBG Custom Katana (SBG) - Review by Paul Southren
88BKW Warrior Katana (Cold Steel) - Review by John K
Musha Class Katana (Dynasty Forge) - Review by Ric Speak
Wind Katana (Musashi) - Review by Paul Southren
Poison Ivy (Musashi) - Review by Brian Kunz
Tenchi Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Paul Southren
SGC Tsukikage (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Paul Southren
O Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Paul Southren
Tenchi Ko Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Grayson C
Kurome Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Paul Southren
Ayame Katana (Cheness Cutlery) - Review by Tony Klassen
Yasha Katana (Musashi) - Review by Paul Southren
Official SBG Torakami Katana (discontinued)
Official SBG Kuramono Katana (discontinued)
Shinto Elite (Hanwei) - Review by Kenny
I hope this information on authentic Japanese swords has been helpful. To return to the sword-buyers-guide.com Homepage from A Beginners Guide To Authentic Japanese Swords, click here.
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