A Beginners Guide to Authentic Japanese Swords

"How to find Dojo Quality Cutters
at a fraction of the price you might expect to pay..."

Paul Cutting with the Cheness Kaze Katan

The author test cutting with a Cheness Kaze Katana.

At the end of the day, it is impossible to buy truly authentic Japanese swords on a budget of under US$300.

Indeed, the starting price for most entry level Shinken is often much closer to US$1000 and goes up (and up and UP) from there.

However in our price range, there are but a handful which come at least reasonably close to the 'real thing' in terms of their appearance, functionality and handling.

And quite a few more that are not quite 'traditional' in their construction but are amazingly tough 'Dojo Quality' cutters - Japanese style "beaters" if you will...

In this article, we will be taking a look at these two main categories of swords - affordable 'authentic Japanese swords' and functional yet contemporary 'cutters'.

But before we do, let's take a look at the most common and misrepresented types of Japanese style 'swords' on the market place, of which there are probably more of these available than any other type of sword around - the stainless steel Japanese style sword like objects...


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Japanese Sword Like Objects...

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!
A typical set of Display quality Shirasaya Katana

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...

MORE INFO

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...

Bare Bones Japanese Style Swords...

In short, a functional Katana at an absolute bare minimum needs:

  • to be forged from properly heat treated high carbon steel.
  • a full tang and solid assembly, preferably double pegged to the handle for extra safety.
  • and a weight no more than 3lbs that is properly balanced to reach optimum cutting velocity.

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...


FEATURED COMPARATIVE REVIEW

Katana Swords


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.




Side by Side Comparative Reviews

"Musashi Swords Double Review"
Musashi Swords

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$59 each

OVERVIEW: Low cost, machine made blades that actually perform pretty well considering the price point. Not serious use blades, but good value.






Budget Katana Reviews

"Zetsurin"
Musashi Swords

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$54 to $70

OVERVIEW: A very attractive collectible sword with a decent machine made blade. While the blade is considered 'functional' the lack of a hand guard means that this should be seen more as a display piece than a practical cutter.



Musaashi Swords Rosewood Shirasaya
"Rosewood Shirasaya"
Musashi Swords

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$59 to $75

OVERVIEW: A surprisingly good quality machine made blade that makes a great project piece for customization. Review includes some customization resources.



Masahiro Cherry Blossom Katana
"Cherry Blossom"
Masahiro

2 Star Rating

PRICE: US$80 to $129

OVERVIEW: A pretty average sword at this price point, could do better and could do worse for the same money though..



"Shadow Warrior"
Masahiro

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$59 to $99

OVERVIEW: Probably one of the better entry level collectible blades by Musashi. Unique and attractive style, and while not a serious martial arts grade sword it is suitable for light, occasional cutting.



"United Black 'Shikyo' Katana"
United Cutlery

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$127 to $259

OVERVIEW: A basic 1045 carbon steel blade, but with extremely unique and yet well made, contemporary (almost Gothic) styled fittings, this unusual entry by United Cutlery into the 'bare bones' functional category is worth a look for those who are looking for something a little 'out of the ordinary'.






Archived Swords
ARCHIVED REVIEWS
DISCONTINUED MODELS

'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...

Traditionally Forged Differentially Hardened Katana Blades...

The natural Hamon of the Cheness Cutlery Kaze-Ko Katana

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.

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.

TRADITIONAL FORGING

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)...


IMPORTANT UPDATE
Before we go on to examine some authentic Japanese swords with real differentially hardened blades, there is a revolutionary new Katana that hit the market it 2009 (and sold out within a few weeks) that has a REAL hamon, and yet sells for under $100 bucks!

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...


"Bamboo"
Musashi Swords

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$80 to $99

OVERVIEW: Machine made blade, with hand clayed REAL hamon, and actually pretty darned good quality fittings, this is a fast, lightweight - ALMOST a 4 star - sword, and for the price, is really something quite revolutionary..





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...


HANWEI Traditional Katana

HanweiÂ’s Practical Plus Katana
"Practical Plus Katana"
Hanwei Forge

3 Star Rating

PRICE: $223 to $399

OVERVIEW: Probably the most commonly seen entry level Katana in dojo across the world, the PPK is still a good sword for traditional target cutting, but looking a little dated with recent innovations in the marketplace.



"Practical Katana"
Hanwei Forge

2 Star Rating

PRICE: US$153 to $275

OVERVIEW: It looks pretty dated now, but the PK was the original, lowest cost differentially hardened blade on the market for many years. Still a decent sword, but it's possible to do a lot better these days.



"Practical Pro Katana"
Hanwei Forge

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$234 to $399

OVERVIEW: This is probably Hanwei's best sword in the classic Practical series line and is quite a strong, reliable workhorse of a cutter, but just a little expensive for what it is when compared to recent market offerings.






HANWEI 'PERFORMANCE' SERIES

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.

Click here for the low down






Other Performance Series Katana

Hanwei Practical XL Katana
"Practical XL Katana"
Hanwei Forge

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$164 to $289

OVERVIEW: The fittings are not all that attractive or traditional, and neither is the blade geometry, but these swords are some of the most effective cutters of traditional targets currently on the market.



"Practical XL Light Katana"
Hanwei Forge

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$169 to $289

OVERVIEW: Same basic non-traditional design as the XL reviewed above, but with a bo-hi/fuller (blood groove) to lighten and speed up the blade. Amazing cutting results on tatami mats.



"Practical Plus Elite Katana"
Hanwei Forge

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$249 to $419

OVERVIEW: A traditional blade with great fittings and the pinnacle of Hanwei's Practical Katana line. Extremely close to a full five star rating, but let down slighly by the hamon. Otherwise, an exceptional buy well worth investing in.






Zatoichi, a Japanese blade in a walking stick

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...

Japanese Sword Art Katana by 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.

PAUL CHEN INTERVIEW

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.


6 minute 30 second video documenting the entire process of forging a Cheness sword from a lump of ore to the finished product.

For a beginners perspective of Mr. Chen's swords, check out this review of the Higo Sword of Cheness Cutlery by Jeff Daniels

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.


The Cheness 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.

Kaze blades showing the hamon

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!


Despite my Gung Ho Cutting, the latter half of this short vid shows that you really don't need to use much force at all with these swords...


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.

CHENESS Traditional Katana

Cheness Cutlery Kaze Katana
"Kaze Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$299

OVERVIEW: Very thick and durable blade with natural hamon line, the Kaze is my personal favorite of the sub US$300 Katana. Very close to a full five star rating, and let down only because of the fittings - the blade is exceptional.




"Kaze Ko Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$229

OVERVIEW: Same basic design as the Kaze Katana above but with a shoter blade. Excellent detailed review that covers pros and cons that are applicable to BOTH of these swords.






Archived Cheness
ARCHIVED REVIEWS
DISCONTINUED MODELS

Kanbai Katana - Review by Paul Southren (ed)





DH Katana by Other Manufacturers

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:


Other Traditional Katana Reviews

Valiant Armoury Ko Buke Katana
"Ko Buke"
Valiant Armoury

2 Star Rating
PRICE: US$164 to $229

OVERVIEW: Valiant Armories attempt at a functional, traditional Katana. While it missed the mark, it was not all THAT bad and the review is a good indication of what most other manufacturers tend to produce when trying to crack the Katana market.




"AISI 1060 Dragon"
Ryumon

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$249 to $379

OVERVIEW: The Ryumon Dragon did not sell well originally, but was later discovered to be quite a gem. While the original version reviewed here has been discontinued, Ryumon have updated it and rereleased it. Well worth the price and then some, a solid rating 4 sword.



Munetoshi T10 Katana
"Light Cutter Katana T10"
Munetoshi

4 Star Rating
PRICE: US$168

OVERVIEW: Good fittings, great natural hamon, and exceptional price - there is very little not to like about this offering by up and coming sword brand 'Munetoshi'.






And FINALLY....


SBG's Own Exclusive Katana Line!!

After many years of having seen every martial arts grade Katana on the market, and knowing that there was SOMETHING missing in all of the current offerings, I decided to take the plunge and see if I could improve upon what was currently on the market...

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...

It was (and still is) a challenge to supply these to the sword community (the downside is that we have to batch orders together several times a year and it takes around 90 days for them to be completed) but its better than the alternative of going it alone and hoping for the best..!

Click here to see some of our completed successful custom designs

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...

Official SBG Katana - $330 Custom Swords

SBG Custom Katana
"SBG Entry Level Custom Katana"
Sword Buyers Guide Exclusive
4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$329

OVERVIEW: Beautiful T10 tool steel blades in your choice of fittings, the final result is limited only by your imagination! The review includes extensive test results to ensure that these swords were up to SBG's high standards.







Contemporary Monosteel Beaters

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).

Cold Steel

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...

No hamon, but this is one heck of a mean Japanese sword

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...)


COLD STEEL MONO-TEMPERED BEATERS

Cold Steel 88BWK Warrior Katana
"88BWK Warrior Series Katana"
Cold Steel

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$299 to $549

OVERVIEW: While it may be tip heavy and cumbersome, it is one of the strongest, sharpest and meanest monotempered cutters on the market and extremely thick and tough. Not to everyone's taste, but everyone should have one just for the fun of it..





DYNASTY FORGE

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...

Dynasty Forge Musha Class Katana

Applying their considerable design skills to the sub US$300 market as diligently as they do for their $2000+ blades, the end result of this endeavor is the second generation MUSHA class of Katana.

While they are most certainly not authentic Japanese swords like their higher end models; (after all, they are machine polished blades for a start) as far as cutting goes, any shortcuts they might take don't seem to effect the performance too much.


DYNASTY FORGE MUSHA CLASS KATANA

Dynasty Forge Musha Class Katana
"Musha Class Katana"
Dynasty Forge

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$229 to $299

OVERVIEW: Beautifully machine polished blades with keen edges ready to cut right out of the box, the Musha class of Katana might not be traditionally made, but they make up for it in their simplistic beauty and raw functionality. The main drawback is probably that they are almost always backordered..





Ronin Katana 'Dotanuki' Blades

Ronin Katana are the result of 7 years of feedback and refinement between Chris Scroggin in California and one of the biggest forges in China that can make pretty much any kind of Japanese sword you can imagine (click here for Chris's interview with the forge master on our sister site). In Chris's case - he opted to strip away all the nonsense and concentrate on Dojo Grade Swords designed for frequent cutting practices - the Dojo and Dojo Pro Line of 1060 monosteel beaters.

And MAN can these swords cut!


It is not only the sheer cutting power of these 1060 monosteel hand made blades that sets them apart from the competiton however. It is also the fact that they concentrate ONLY on details that are essential to a true heavy, frequent use Katana - using iron fittings when most other makes use zinc alloy, finishing them by hand when others speed it up with a machine polish, even using super tightly wrapped silk instead of cotton.

In short, these are almost certainly the best choice for when you want a no BS, seriously made sword that you can rely on year after year and have revolutionized what is possible since 2010.

For an overview of Ronin Katana click here



RONIN KATANA DOTANUKI SWORD REVIEWS

Ronin Katana Model 2
"Dojo Pro Model 2 - Ochou"
Ronin Katana

5 Star Rating

PRICE: US$275

OVERVIEW: Paul Southren's review of the model 2 Ochou Katana started with me being very impressed by the swords overall construction. And then ASTOUNDED by its sheer cutting power!



Ronin Katana Comparison Review
"Dojo Pro Models 2 and 5"
Ronin Katana

5 Star Rating

PRICE: US$275

OVERVIEW: This side by side review of two Dojo Pro models by Marc Ridgeway demonstrates why these swords are in a league of their own and have few serious competitors at this particular price point.



"Dojo Pro Model 3 - Tsuru"
Ronin Katana

5 Star Rating

PRICE: US$275

OVERVIEW: Model #3 with a traditional double crane iron tsuba is reviewed here, with the reviewer concluding that THIS is the kind of sword he wants in the middle of a zombie apocalypse..





Cheness Cutleries 9260 Spring Steel Dojo Cutters

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...

Because I've saved the Toughest Beaters of them all for Last...
Cheness Cutleries revolutionary 9260 Tenchi Spring Steel Katana.

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!!




CHENESS Monosteel Monster Beaters!

Cheness Cutleries 9260 Tenchi Katana
"9260 Tenchi Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

5 Star Rating

PRICE: US$279

OVERVIEW: The flagship of the 9260 monotempered line, the Tenchi is a traditional Katana geometry that has a reputation for extreme durability. It might not be the prettiest sword on the market, but it is a real workhorse.



"9260 SGC Series Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

5 Star Rating

PRICE: US$299

OVERVIEW: Same durable blade as the Tenchi, but with an modern geometry designed for heavy duty cutting. A beast of a thing.



"9260 Spring Steel O Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

5 Star Rating

PRICE: US$269

OVERVIEW: With a massive 33" Monosteel 9260 blade, the O Katana is actually surprisingly lightweight and fast, yet my tests revealed it is still as durable as the other models. Best suited for taller practitioners (6' and over).



"Tenchi Ko Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$229

OVERVIEW: Fast handling, short bladed version of the Tenchi Ko Katana.



"Kurome Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$249

OVERVIEW: Unique shobu zukuri geometry with a scalpel like tip. While it is one of their most attractive swords, the tip's geometry does not make it as strong as the other 9260 spring steel swords.



"Ayame Katana"
Cheness Cutlery

4 Star Rating

PRICE: US$249

OVERVIEW: Same basic shobu style as the Kurome, but with an even more pronounced, needle like tip for deep penetration into soft targets.






A comparative side by side Review of 7 Entry level semi authentic Japanese swords

7 swords and 7 reviews in one...

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





One Final (Very Important) Word...

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!).

Some issues with production Katana

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..


'Higher End' Production Katana Reviews
Musashi Yasha Katana
"Yasha"
Musashi Swords

3 Star Rating

PRICE: US$1999

OVERVIEW: At around $2,000 these swords have excellent blades, but the fittings are the same as the sub US$300 and BADLY let this sword down. Definitely needs a remount to do the blade justice.



"Chikara"
Global Gear

5 Star Rating

PRICE: AU$490

OVERVIEW: An sword exclsuive to Australian retailer Global Gear, this sword can be shipped worthwhile and is WELL worth it. The hamon is one the most attractive I have seen anywhere, and is an exceptionally good sword for the money.




"G-1000 Titanium infused Katana"
Global Gear

4 Star Rating

PRICE: AU$590

OVERVIEW: Another Global Gear Exclsuive, this titanium infused Katana is certainly something very unique, and while Titanium infusion does not result in the kind of 'miracle' blade Hollywood might suggest, it does have one or two very interesting, practical advantages...




"Shinto Elite"
Hanwei Forge

5 Star Rating

DISCONTINUED

OVERVIEW: Recently discontinued, the Shinto Elite was my previous recommendation for anyone looking for a higher quality sword that those found at the US$300 Katana line..





Further Resources

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! ;-)


Customizing Your Swords

One way of taking a very basic Japanese sword and turning it into something unique and special is by learning some basic customization skills, such as how to wrap ito (itomaki) or making your own tsuba.

Wrapping your own ito

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!




Sources for Tatami Mats

Mugen Dachi Tatami Omote

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!!





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JAPANESE SWORDS INDEX

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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