Higher grade Katana

by Adrian M.D.Kurt
(Germany (Frankfurt))

Hello at first,

I have saved some money to buy a Katana for Tameshigiri. Actually im looking for an higher grade Katana which means a Katana with traditional fittings, extreme sharpness "out of the box", "real visible hamon" and which is quite good to handle.

It can be on a price level like 1000-2000€ (or $1250 to $2500)

I’m from Germany and I was looking at some German pages like:

http://schwertshop.de/index.htm

I’m writing at your site cause no-one in German forums can help me, cause at 99% there are people wich are thinkin of a good Katana has to have an price like 35.000€ -.-

(for your information it will be my first Katana so i want one which is a "really good" one thats why i saved a bit money for it)=D

Actually I found one at a German site which i liked due the appearance. (Of course you don’t understand or can read german so here are the data's from the Katana i found). Its price:1750$ (€)

Data:
German steel used
Multiple folded and differential hardened
Hand forged with (Bohi) on both sides
The cutting edge is particulary flat
circa. 8196 were
(Mune) = 40degrees
Cutting Edge = 60degrees HRC Rockwell
The Steel is blue colored
The blue color of the blade is the color of the steel, which is archived by a special technique
Overall with scabbard: 107 cm
Overall length: 104.5 cm
Handle: 31 cm
Blade length approx 71cm
Sori:2,54cm
Main focus (measured by Habaki) at ca. 11cm
Total weight: without Saya about 1170 gr

I hope you can help me with this and I’m already thank you,

Sincerly yours,

Adrian Kurt

FIND A SWORD RESULT

Wow, I’ve heard of sword snobbery before Adrian, but to claim that a good Katana has to have a price tag of 35.000€ (around US$45,000) takes the cake..!

If all you are looking for is something very well made, with proper handling, traditional fittings, extreme sharpness out of the box and a real visible hamon – there is no need to spend anywhere near as much as $1250 – our own Professional Grade Katana Series ticks all of these boxes and has been favourably compared to swords two or three times the price (total cost including shipping and duties would cost around US$700).

While these swords are exceptional value – I’m thinking that you probably want to go a level or two above these – and with your intended budget, there really are some great options.

Many people love and swear by Bugei Swords – which are made for James Williams by the Hanwei forge. These swords are well known for a very high level of quality – serious martial arts grade swords that come in a wide variety of styles but all have one thing in common: high levels of quality control, traditional fittings, great handling, real hamon, folded steel, you name it – they have it!

As you are in Germany, you’d have to import it into the EU and this can be a hassle, never-mind adding significantly to the cost – so while we are looking internationally for your sword, let’s go outside the box for a moment…

In our Japanese sword directory – there are listed in order of price a series of great places to buy Katana – from $50 cheapies to $100,000 antiques..

I’d recommend having a look through the listings from Bugei onwards – because you can find an assortment of antiques and recently made Nihonto (Katana made in Japan) that may be in the upper end of your budget, but will definitely meet all your requirements and then some (or indeed, you may even consider buying a bare blade from Japan and having it mounted professionally to your EXACT tastes!).

Finally though, I’d like to make a few comments on the sword you have found so far – because to be honest, it looks like a nice piece and the sori is very pronounced and quite unique.

I’ve often found that the best way to select your perfect sword is to go with what your ‘gut feeling’ is telling you and THEN do some research to make sure that everything checks out.

I don’t know this particular company and yes, cannot read German – so what I would recommend is this: have a look through the links I provided above to see if any of the other options jump out at you. If they don’t and nothing ‘shines’ brighter than this piece that you are interested in, start to do a bit more research on it. Find out more about the type of steel used and how it is made. Ask lots of questions to the sellers – if they are honest and patient, that’s a very good sign – but also check their reputation online and do lots of google searches to see what comes up.

Personally, I think that your initial choice WILL suit your requirements and you are definitely on the right track. But let’s open up for some comments and see what other visitors recommend.

Best of luck with your quest!

- Paul