FIND A SWORD SYSTEM RESULT:
"I'm a serious martial artist and want something for use in the dojo. Which martial arts swords seem to be popular with other dojo and why?"
Out of all the martial arts swords made over the last few years, it is still the
Practical Plus Katana (PPK) by Paul Chen's Hanwei Forge that seems to be the most prevelant in dojo all across the world, but only because it is inexpensive and has been around the longest (indeed, at one point it was pretty much the only economical choice for a basic cutting sword).
But these days, there are a lot more options - and few dojo buy the PPK anymore, and why should they? Nowdays, for around $300 it is entirely possible to get so much more...
For example, while the PPK is still around, Hanwei have also made an updated, upgraded version of it - the Practical Plus Elite - which has everything that the 'classic' PPK should have had - most notably the better quality fittings assembled with a lot more attention to detail and a more consistently sharpened blade.
While they are exceptional on tatami, the only disadvantage is that the blades are often a little too sharp for their own good - as my friend Shihan Roger Young found out testing one on reeds (pictured below)..
(Many Hanwei blades have always been on the slightly fragile side, and as such should be considered as precision implements).
A much tougher differentially hardened Katana blade that survived the same tests without so much as breaking a sweat is the Cheness Cutlery Kaze Katana, whose blade seems largely impervious to chipping and has a tendency to bend it if hits a target at the wrong angle with too much force rather than break (which of course, is not something you want happening in a training hall!) (Indeed, Cheness Cutlery are well known for supplying both monotempered and differentially hardened Katana to MANY dojo all across the world, as they focus on the blades - though many choose to remount them as the fittings are pretty basic).
Finally, while I hate to toot the SBG horn here, our own exclusive line of SBG Professional Grade Katana are proving to be quite revolutionary in what is possible with entry level martial arts swords - which is no surprise as they were developed over the course of 2+ years to meet the high standards of a panel of 5th to 7th dan sensei's dojo requirements!
The only disadvantage is that the only way to secure them is by pre-order, though it does keep the cost MUCH lower than what would be the normal market price for one of these..
Recommended Martial Arts Swords Reviews
"Official SBG Professional Grade Katana"
Sword Buyers Guide Exclusive
PRICE: US$329 to $399
OVERVIEW: My
own personal swords several years in the making, the dark themed
'Kuramono' and the limited edition Tiger themed 'Torakami' are extremely carefully made
and inspected, with the best value for money ratio possible. (review
includes extensive backstory and testing results).
"Kaze Katana"
Cheness Cutlery
PRICE: US$264 to $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.
"Practical Plus Elite Katana"
Hanwei Forge
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.
All three of these martial arts swords are very suitable as an entry level blade for the dojo, it all just depends on your preferences, requirements (and in the case of the SBG Katana series) - patience..!
I hope that you have been able to find one of these martial arts swords that suits your dojos needs.
If not click here to return to our Beginners Guide to Authentic Japanese Swords from the find a sword systems page on selecting good Martial Arts Swords
