TACTICAL Ninja Sword Reviews
Ontario Knife Co
DISCONTINUED
OVERVIEW: While sadly discontinued, this simple blade had many pale imitators, but nothing compares to original. At least not yet..
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Ninja Swords Online"Hollywood vs History: the search for a fully functional Ninjato"When most people think of Ninja swords, they are generally thinking of one of two designs. Either the cheap stainless steel ‘tactical’ Ninja swords or the straight edged ‘Hollywood’ versions. Neither of these versions would have ever been used by the historical Ninja. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t have their merits... In this article, we will be taking a look at these two main categories, but also introducing a third... Because, as you will see, there was such thing as a historical Ninjato – it just doesn’t look anything like what most people would expect.. QUICK RECOMMENDATIONS BY PAUL
Click on the links to be taken to the respective reviews
While there are only a handful of tactical swords and Shinobigatana (Ninja swords) on the market, there are two in particular that are of real interest. The first is the straight bladed Ninjato style sword by Hanwei; a light, fast and short blade that is frigteningly sharp and efficient, though historians question if this sword ever really existed outside the realms of Hollywood and fantasy. But the other one of note is the Bujinkan Oniyuri sword byu Cheness Cutlery, and amazingly durable and versatile short bladed, long handled glaive of a sword within a standard length saya that is truly one of the most fascinating and unique swords on the market.
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Tactical Ninja SwordsTypically retailing at around $10 to $60 on sites such as Trueswords.com – these swords are obviously the most commonly available Ninja style blades on the internet. However, as far as performance goes, it should come as no surprise that these one piece ‘full tang’ swords are left wanting. And while they may feel sharp – the sad reality is that they could not cut their way out of a paper bag. For an example, as you can see from the video below, they do ok against very light targets like water filled plastic milk jugs, but send a buddy bottle flying for a home run... Naturally though, there are a few exceptions. And the review below, submitted by a SBG visitor, demonstrates that while most 'Tactical' Ninja swords on the market are not really worthwhile - there was one out there that costs just a little more, and while now discontinued, was worth every penny (and then some). Hollywood Ninja SwordsThe second most common style of Ninja swords are the straight bladed Chokuto style ‘Hollywood’ Swords. 
The actual historical accuracy of these swords is very doubtful to say the least. (There are no actual antique swords of this style and it is generally believed that the design is a modern invention of martial arts master Stephen K. Hayes). But regardless of whether or not this design is historically accurate, it is this style of sword that most people imagine when they are asked to describe a Ninjato. The majority of Hollywood Ninja swords are not much better than the ‘Tactical’ Ninjato. However, there are a few that are actually quite functional – and one in particular that would have to be one of my favourite and most practical swords of all time... Musashi Swords make an all blackened steel Ninjato, the Koga Ninja Sword (Reviewed Here) that is quite a decent cutter, though somewhat simplistic looking. And Masahiro make one that is reasonably attractive and functional, the Tsunami Nin-to, though the blade is a little thin and the tip completely wrong.. But the best and without a doubt deadliest Ninjato is the Hanwei Practical Shinobi Ninja-to, which as you will see from the video review below, is a very nice little sword indeed... Hollywood Ninja Sword Reviews Hanwei Forge
PRICE: US$149 to $275
OVERVIEW: Arguably the best 'Ninjato' style sword on the market, what it lacks in the 'heavy duty' department it more than makes up for in speed and slicing ability.
 Musashi Swords
 PRICE: US$59 to $99
OVERVIEW: While it is a cheap machine made imitation, for the money the Koga Ninja sword is not a bad starting point for those on a shoestring budget.
Authentic Ninja SwordsAsk 10 different people what kind of swords the Ninja used and you’ll get 10 different answers. Indeed, 3 or 4 of those answers will likely include ‘there was no such thing as Ninja, just specialized Samurai trained in Chinese techniques of espionage and assassination’. However, there is one modern day organization that is dedicated to penetrating the shadows, and has created a very down to earth and practical martial arts system based on the fighting style of the classical Ninja – and that is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi’s Bujinkan Federation. 
If you ask Dr. Hatsumi about Ninja swords, he will tell you that they were typically swords that looked like a normal Japanese Katana when sheathed, but disguised a much shorter blade that could clear the scabbard in an instant and was versatile enough to be used in situations where a normal Katana would become cumbersome and unwieldily... In response to requests by practitioners of the Bujinkan, my favourite manufacturer of Japanese swords, Cheness Cutlery, developed a custom Bujinkan Ninjato made to closely resemble one owned by Dr. Hatsumi – the Togakure Ryu Ninjato.  And as you will see, it is easily the toughest and most affordable custom Shinobigatana on the market... PAUL'S PICK OF THE LITTERBUJINKAN KATANA This unique sword is one very versatile piece. Considering the Bujinkan’s reputation for practicality, it should come as no surprise that they are made from the legendary and almost indestructible 9260 Spring Steel that Cheness have become so famous for. In my full review of this sword, I push it far beyond the boundaries I would dare even think of doing with any other of the Ninja swords on the market – taking on a thick pine wood 2x4 (against the grain I might add!), cutting deep into heavy steel tubing and splitting countless firewood blocks... And the worst of all the damage? Let’s just say that my respect for the Cheness 9260 Silicon Alloy Spring Steel continues to deepen with every destructive test I undertake... Authentic Ninja Sword Reviews Cheness Cutlery
 PRICE: US$234 to $249
OVERVIEW: When sheathed, it looks like a normal Katana with a long handle. But when drawn it acts like a short hafted naginata! Very unique, and as you will see in this review, extremely tough and durable to boot.
CONCLUSIONSo there you have it. A selection of sub US$300 Ninja swords, from the tactical, to the Hollywood replicas and even the real thing. Personally, out of all the Ninja swords out there, the two reviewed here are the only two really worth getting. And while they might be just a little more expensive than the mountain of low end ‘Ninjato’ – if you were a real modern day Ninja whose life depended on the sword you selected – you wouldn’t touch any of the others with a 10’ pole... Further ResourcesIt can be very difficult getting accurate information on Ninja swords and the Ninja in general. However this particular post on by Bujinkan Practitioner Dale Seago Sword Forum International Is one of the most concise and best stated run downs on Ninja swords and the Ninja in general.
I also strongly recommend taking a look at this 2 page PDF written by Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi entitled the Historical Ninja. Another good idea is not to rely too much on Hollywood for historical information, but to enjoy it for what it is – entertainment. ;-)  
FREE Online MagazineStay 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. NINJA SWORDS INDEX
I hope this information on Ninja Swords has been helpful. To return the Sword Buyers Guide's Homepage from Ninja Swords Online, click here |
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