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..

Make a Selection Tactical Ninja Swords Hollywood Ninja Swords - the Ninjato Authentic Ninja Swords Or simply scroll down to continue...

Tactical Ninja Swords

Typically 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 is one out there that costs just a little more, but is worth every penny (and then some). TACTICAL Ninja Sword Reviews ”Blackwind Katana” Review by Mr. B. Smith Manufacturer: Ontario Knife Co. Status: AVAILABLE Classification: Fully Functional Beater Price Range: US$132 Overall Rating: NOT RATED Click here for the full review Hollywood Ninja Swords The 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 ”Practical Ninja Sword” Review by Paul Southren (Editor) Manufacturer: Hanwei Forge Status: AVAILABLE Classification: Differentially Hardened Cutter Price Range: US$169 to $271 Overall Rating: 4/5 (Excellent) Click here for the full review ”Koga Ninja Sword” Review by Jesse Haushalter Manufacturer: Musashi Swords Status: AVAILABLE Classification: Budget Ninja sword Price Range: US$59 to $75 Overall Rating: 4/5 (Excellent) Click here for the full review

Authentic Ninja Swords

Ask 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.

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.

PAUL'S PICK OF THE LITTER BUJINKAN 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 ”The Oniyuri” Review by Paul Southren (Editor) Manufacturer: Cheness Cutlery Status: AVAILABLE Classification: Ultra Durable Cutter Price Range: US$249 Overall Rating: 4/5 (Excellent) Click here for the full review

CONCLUSION

So 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 Resources

It 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. ;-)

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