quality of shinwa swords

by yagami
(cooperstown ny)

exaple of a shinwa model

exaple of a shinwa model

QUESTION:I recently have been looking for a good japanese katana, and have found several that look to be good quality, made from a company called shinwa. what is the story behind the sword? are they as good as they are said to be, and fully functional?


ANSWER: Hi Yagami,

I've never personally bothered with them as they seem to be a feature of Bud-K, who generally only sell swords with extremely high margins... So I am straight off the bad nervous of the quality of these swords...

That and the fact they overhype them too much...

Sorry, but if I were you I would be hesitant about spending my hard earned on them...

Kind Regards,

- Paul

Comments for quality of shinwa swords

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on target and to the point
by: Anonymous

very honest answer that addresses the swords lacking in a diplomatic and truthful manner
Shinwa? or is it?
by: shaithis

By doing a little comparison research, I began noticing that 'Shinwa' swords are available on sites other than BudK under different names. It is looking more like they may be a house brand manufacturer that allowsyou to stamp your name to it and sell it as your own. one such name is the 'zatachi' nodichi which I have seen on trueswords.com, Budk.com and others listed as 'Shinwa' brand, 'Zatachi'brand and with no'brand' name at all. All that being said, I own 2 'shinwa's (a 'royal' and a 'noble') and they are both full tang and I am happy with them.
bud k shinwa
by: Anonymous

gota agree with paul if bud k sells them they can't be good....just look at the other crap they sell like cold steel,wouldn't buy that junk either just because it is sold at bud k.
but on the other hand some may say its its just plain assanine to condem a swords quality without ever have even picked one up!
just in fun paul,we all trust your judgement as you are one of the few that actualy do real testing on swords and have probably tested more than most have ever owned.
why dis Budk?
by: Jim Engwall

I am disappointed by the outright condemnations of Bud K merely because of their profit margin, hype or because they sell some poor quality items, by the way Cold Steel is NOT junk!
First off their profit margin is not out of line. As a former retail store owner myself, profit is determined by many factors, but most retailers charge "keystone", a formula that usually equals a 50%-100% markup. I highly doubt Bud K is anywhere near that. I have seen both local and online stores that charge double of what Bud K is asking for the exact same item. I'm not saying they offer the lowest prices anywhere, but they ARE reasonable. I have purchased many items from them and have been very pleased with the results.
Obviously they do sell some items of inferior quality but they don't claim otherwise; you get what you pay for. Most of those swords are under $60, usually in the $20 - $40 range.
As far as Shinwa, they are an exceptional value. Any damascus blade with real stingray skin for under $200 is a good deal, period! Yes I know there is better quality damascus out there, but for those prices? Also Bud K's low shipping costs blow most ebayers out of the running.
I was very interested in purchasing a sword from this website, but harshly cutting down the competition for such trivial reasons has lit a bad light in my mind. However the quality claims made here may one day change my opinion.
why dis Budk?
by: Jim Engwall

I am disappointed by the outright condemnations of Bud K merely because of their profit margin, hype or because they sell some poor quality items, by the way Cold Steel is NOT junk!
First off their profit margin is not out of line. As a former retail store owner myself, profit is determined by many factors, but most retailers charge "keystone", a formula that usually equals a 50%-100% markup. I highly doubt Bud K is anywhere near that. I have seen both local and online stores that charge double of what Bud K is asking for the exact same item. I'm not saying they offer the lowest prices anywhere, but they ARE reasonable. I have purchased many items from them and have been very pleased with the results.
Obviously they do sell some items of inferior quality but they don't claim otherwise; you get what you pay for. Most of those swords are under $60, usually in the $20 - $40 range.
As far as Shinwa, they are an exceptional value. Any damascus blade with real stingray skin for under $200 is a good deal, period! Yes I know there is better quality damascus out there, but for those prices? Also Bud K's low shipping costs blow most ebayers out of the running.
I was very interested in purchasing a sword from this website, but harshly cutting down the competition for such trivial reasons has lit a bad light in my mind. However the quality claims made here may one day change my opinion.
Worth the money...
by: Anonymous

I recently purchased what BudK called "Shinwa purple knight damascus katana"... its a hira zukuri styled blade with good quality parts on the koshirae.

More importantly, I've tested it out (abusive use) on a tree stump, and have confirmed it to be more than durable enough. (nearly 1/4 inch gashes on the stump without any visible damage to the blade)

With the price they ask, its a steal.
Really?
by: Anonymous

So... you guys are saying that just because the swords come from Budk, they must be bad? You should probably do some research. I mean, of course if you buy a 6 dollar knife or sword it's gonna suck. However, there's a reason the price is where it's at. Before you go around saying that everything that comes from Budk is terrible, look at the things they sell on there. Stuff from Gil Hibben generally isn't crap, and the same can be said for stuff from Cold Steel. So your condemnations of Shinwa simply because they are sold at Budk are just highly opinionated comments from people who don't know much about what they're talking about.
Shinwa
by: Odin

I own Shinwa that is no longer even produced. Had two years of solid abuse in it and even a few hogs taken with it and it just recently had to have the tsuka replaced. Know how uch I paid for it? A whoppin $90, and it worth much more than that.
you all just confuse others
by: Daniel

I Hate to say it but all of you just seem to confuse everyone looking at this site on Shinwa swords. Cause some of you hate them simply because budk sells them. Few seem to have actually tested one of their swords and those who claim they have them actually seem to like them. I am going to go ahead and purchase one simply because if it does turn out it is bad, the price isnt so bad am going to feel ripped off. Who knows it might actually be a good piece. I dont have a collection of swords and this will be mostly a display piece for my sitting room. I will comment back later as a novice sword buy and my opinion on the piece soon
Devil in the Details
by: Niccolo Bella-Isla

Shinwa may be a subsidiary of BudK, but that in itself is not a good reason to dismiss them entirely. I own one myself and have yet to find anything wrong with it, aside from the fact that the logo is etched onto the blade. Of course some flaws are going to slip through the cracks given BudK's policy of quantity over quality, but for every unhappy customer speaking out there are hundreds (if not thousands) who are content with their purchases.

As for Cold Steel, their knives and swords seem to be of acceptable if not exceptional quality. Granted, they seem to put more effort into some items than others, but overall they're good weapons. The fact that BudK sells Cold Steel does not mean that CS is a brand to be dismissed, as Kult of Athena also sells them and is one of the more universally respected websites I've come across. Cold Steel is simply very widespread in its marketing tactics and attempts to make their product as accessible as possible.
Hmmm..
by: Anonymous

I bought one of their swords a while ago and i have given it a few swings to test the durability.....it's as stable as can be with not to many flaws, although i will agree most the stuff on budk is cheap...but some of their items are great pieces and totally worth getting....i have had my katana for about almost 2 years and as many times as i have swung that thing nothing happened whatsoever....please actually test one of their swords before you go off the deep end and say it's crap.
Shina Sword Stamps
by: Aaron Winchester

If someone could email me this answer that would be much appreciated:

I was wondering, do all Shinwa swords have the company stamp on the blade?

Aaron Winchester - Touketsu_Tenshi@yahoo.com
Thanks
shinwa niadochi sword
by: Anonymous

they are great swords i think u should get it. the only reason mine broke was becuse i hit it into a sheat of plywood lying on a gravel drive way then hit it into the side of a 4 by 4 . they have great balance and stay sharp .get one , just not the red one it sucks acording to revews
shinwa niadochi sword
by: Anonymous

they are great swords i think u should get it. the only reason mine broke was becuse i hit it into a sheat of plywood lying on a gravel drive way then hit it into the side of a 4 by 4 . they have great balance and stay sharp .get one , just not the red one it sucks acording to revews
suck it
by: Anonymous

cold steel sucks they make every thing with shit qulity the knives dull faster then plastic.
Shiwa Swords
by: Daniel V.

I own six Shinwa swords and use every one.They are not only very good quality,their the most beautiful swords in my collection.
you get what ya pay for
by: griffin

i saw some bashing of the shinwa's here and i couldent help but try to debunk that.

im mostly a firearms collector and have no knowledge what so ever when it comes to swords. i decided to purchase a shinwa some time ago because it seemed like one of the best "cheap swords" money could buy. i paid 165 buck for mine, well over the price i could have paid online. took a practice swing for the first time and accidently thrusted the blade into the pavement! as my heart sank i looked at the tip of the blade and not a scratch! i mean holly S#$T! i really swung that thing! took it to the woods and i had no trouble chopping through skinny aspens. only thing i noticed is after trying on a thiker aspen the blade started to cant or bend to the left, so i bent it back. the blades dont seem to keep an edge on harder targets but they are durable. i overpaid for mine and im happy with it. i probably would have been willing to pay 200 for it but no more! so in my humble opinion, if you paid under 125 for one of these "beginner" blades you really have nothing to cry about, you really get more than what these swords are selling for. considering you could spend the same amount of money and get total crap!
Your sword and you.
by: Daniel V.

I think some of you don't know what a sword is for.Thay are not for chopping wood or cutting through wire.I have many swords cheap and expensive, stainless steal,damascus,and very good steal like 1065.I love them all I work out with a sword to keep my mind and spirit as one. though out histoy most swords were quickly pounded out,not good steal,they broke easy on the battle field.that's why we have legendary swords in history they didn't break. No matter what kind of sword you have,stainless,damascus,or the highest quallity steal,It's far better than any steal in histoy.Swords are for killing the enemy we no longer use swords for this in these modern times.but we still love our swords and knifes.as we should.For me it's an ancient rite my heradage is Saxon,and I stronglly embrace my ancient background.I'm a disabled vet.and I use my swords and knifes to keep my mind and body in tune,I'm an avid knife thrower,It's fun and a skill that help me in many way's. Anyway stop abuseing and start embracing your sword as part of yourself.Like I said It's not important how good the quallity of your sword is It's how you feal about your sword and your self.Swing your sword with pride and respect,use it to shake off the tension of work,kid's,the media and other problems that come with the every shackels that come with every day humdrum of life.And it's always true you get what you pay for.Sorry this was'nt better writen.With respect.Daniel V.spambot
Shinwa swords
by: Daniel V.

I have sevral shinwas two regals black dragon,dragon lord zatiochie black.nodachie,and a pearl katana.I have many other Japanese swords I don't use any of my swords for chopping wood or wire.I do slice through melons,plastic bottles filled with water,and sometimes rope.Mostly I use my shinwa's for working out to releive stress.Swords are not for chopping wood.Historicly there for killing the enemy.Sinse we don't use swords in battle anymore It's kind of funny how important our swords are to us.Shinwa swords are a good quallity sword and also beautiful.No matter what kind of sword you have always use caution when useing it.When it comes to steal our steal today,whether it's stainless,or carbon steal it's better steal than at any other time in history Know your sword.Know the differance between battle ready and display swords.Never swing display swords.Thank you.Daniel V. spambot
Japanese swords
by: Daniel V.

By the way Japanese swords have been illegal in Japan sinse the end of WWII.All Japanese swords are made elswhere.D V.
SPELLING!!!!!!!!! @ Daniel. V.
by: Anonymous

I hate to pulverize your comments Daniel, but your spelling makes me weep.
spelling
by: Daniel V.

Sorry I don't spell better.DV
spelling
by: Daniel V.

I see what you mean,not steal,steel.sorry DV
contempt prior to investigation
by: highball

there is a principle which is a bar against all information,which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance
Comment on Highball
by: Daniel V.

Absolute nonsense!!!your saying all information is ignorant.When truth is not acknowledged what is left is ignorance.
shinwa blades
by: Anonymous

I recently purchased one of these supposed high quality fully functional nodachi swords. I am out raged that i spent 120 dollars on this piece of garbage. firstly none of them are hand forged or damascus, they use a stamping process with layers of cheap ass metal to make a look that resembles damascus blades. I went out to test its strength today and discovered that the blade is so weak it bent forward over a young sappling. being the sword enthusiast i am, i was disgusted with shinwa and will never make another purchase from them again. And to think that in this day and age anyone would actually tell the truth about their product. Please someone refer me to a real sword maker, preferably in the style of ancient Japan
the previous poster is an idiot
by: Anonymous

its impossible to do that with a sword. either your lying or you just cant use a sword right. i used one and it worked better than cold steel!
the previous poster is an idiot
by: Anonymous

its impossible to do that with a sword. either your lying or you just cant use a sword right. i used one and it worked better than cold steel!
real nice
by: Aaron FLA

wife just got me the double edged shinwa sword as a gift, very pleased...i have a little knife collection already, and this is my first sword. seems high quality, looks great, and has a good solid feel. Sliced right through both heavy cardboard boxes it shipped in with one swipe...couple of 1-2" saplings pine trees like butter...I'll be making future purchases from shinwa.
Shinwa and Swords
by: Daniel V

Let me start by saying Shinwa swords are as good a quallity well made swords as any out there.You have to understand that swords have never been better then they are today.Before the industrial age most swords were quickly pounded out,they were iron with blotchy carbon throughout the blabe and broke easy in battle.Makeing a high quallity sword took alot of time and were very expensive,not to mention in the old wourld commen men were not allowed to own a sword or firearm,thus the second amendment of our constitution.Mostly through out history swords were not razor sharp,for instance calvery swords were not issued edged,remember a thin narrow piece of steel will open you up.The steel we have today is better than the steel from any other point in history,stainless or carbon it's stronger.Just one more thing,Paul you are very knowledgeable about swords,but I feel you are trying to sell a brand of sword,I'm sure you're Ronin swords are great.I watched the vidio's of you and your son atemting to slice through plastic bottles of water.With respect I think you swing a sword like your swinging a baseball bat.If you strike and slice in the same motion you can slice rings from the bottle without disturbing the water under your cut and without knocking the bottle off it's perch. With respcet Daniel V.
Daniel v was wrong
by: katana

Dear Daniel
I have an original 1300s katana. The sowrds ov the new days dont compare at all, I also have an original 1400s katana I bought 50 new swords and sliced thru them like butter with the 1400s katana I also tried slicing thru a shinwa and only chipped the 2 I'm pissed that my 1400s katana is damaged but I also know that new swords do not compare to true original katanas

Kindest regards: Katana
Daniel v was wrong
by: katana

Dear Daniel
I have an original 1300s katana. The sowrds ov the new days dont compare at all, I also have an original 1400s katana I bought 50 new swords and sliced thru them like butter with the 1400s katana I also tried slicing thru a shinwa and only chipped the 2 I'm pissed that my 1400s katana is damaged but I also know that new swords do not compare to true original katanas

Kindest regards:Seans Katana
For Sean Katana
by: Daniel V

Why on earth would you take such an old sword and cut though a new sword? With respect,if you are a responsable swordsman why take the chance of ruining these wonderful ancient swords.These swords are museum pieces and should be treated as such.Anyway I can break any sword with a piece of rebar or angle iron. Take care.Daniel V.
For Sean Katana
by: Daniel V

After thinking more about what you said,my previous history lesson stands true.Know one in there right mind whould do what you claim to have done,I can't believe a word you wrote.14th.and15th.century swords are hard enough to come by,so it is impossable for me to believe that you or anyone else whould be foolish enough to use them in the manner you claim to have used them.And if by any chance it is true,you are not a responsable swordsman or even a swordsman at all.Just an other dumb ass gamer that thinks he is a swordsman,in which case you join all the other dumb asses writing reviews about how bad your Shinwa sword is after bending it around a tree.With regards Daniel V.
To Daniel V
by: The Spelling and Grammar Police

Dude,
Please copy and paste every one of your posts into a spell checker. If you're going to act as the "resident Shinwa expert and thread advocate," then please make your posts legible. When you type a reply, don't you see that red line under almost every other word you type? That's because it's spelled wrong, in the wrong context or improper grammar. It's really horrible!
It's not just steel--it's almost everything you type!
to shinwa blades guy from jan 24 2012
by: Anonymous


There is no way in hell you bent your blade in the foward direction attempting to cut a sapling unless the blade wasn't tempered at all. My shinwa nodachi slices thru 3 inch oak trees like they aren't even there. I have owned 5 katanas from musashi, furubushido and shinwa. And I must say my shinwa is certainly the toughest one yet...Tho my musashi 1060 clay tempered can easily slice 2 1/2 ft of wire fence like butter with no damage to the blade.shinwa is a great sword if you get the right one.
pointless
by: Anonymous

why is everyone rating the quality of the sword from whacking it against the stupidest shit imaginable.lay off the cartoons swords arent supposed to cut through other swords, fences or trees, or pavement.you probably shouldn't have a sword if your gunna try to chop super hard stuff. if you wanna chop trees get a machete. no matter what the steel grade is stainless 1045-5160 carbon/spring steels. it will break and bend if you bash it against things way thicker denser and more solid. even machetes bend after repeated bashing/hacking and thats what they are for. And ifyou haven't bend or broke your heavy grade steel swordsfrom doin stupid shit yet doesn't mean its not gunna happen. the point is the only thing you should be cutting is melons and bottles and people, mostly people and thats illegal so if you aren't cutting tatami mats or melons and bottles don't get a sword
Shinwa swords.
by: Daniel V.

I am not an advocate for Shinwa swords,it's just Shinwa's are a good cheap sword.Those of you fools out there that attack my spelling and grammar can't attack my knowledge or history of swords and steel.Stop bothering me and everyone else with your nonsense,if you want to chop down trees with a sword then you deserve to have a broken sword.Get an education or some training,or lieve the swordsmanship to the experts. Daniel of Nebraska.
Its your choice
by: TylerV

I am a Martel Artist, I own 9 swords, 2 are Shinwa,
They are very beautiful, If your looking for a sweet display sword they are awesome!They will protect you, but if you hit against concrete like a monkey, you will be disappointed, its your money... just watch the videos (on youtube) and YOU judge for yourself. Just review it before you buy it, the shinwa O-dachi is nice you cant go wrong with that one... the proof is in the pudding, I personally stick with Cheness Cutlery THEY NEVER GO WRONG!!!!!
tdragon
by: tdragon

I currently own 2 shinwa demascus, i gave one to my brother, and i own 1 musashi katana which i have had for years. ive been practicing bujinkan ninjitsu and okinawan karate, martial arts has been my life. my brother's sword bent when cutting a thin piece of wood although it was straightened out easily and it did cut as well as kept its retention nicely, i will say, as a striking sword shinwa demascus is a good sword, but fully functional, i have found that my musashi sword out performs shinwa demascus. over all i was expecting more from shinwa demascus.
Shinwa
by: Anonymous

I know knives but am relatively new at swords. I have seen the cheap swords that are not full tang and the blade wobbles at the hilt. I purchased a Shinwa Katana and it is solid and full tang. If a burglar broke into my house and my pitbull doesn't deter him, I trust the Shinwa to seal the deal and end his crime spree.
As for chopping things... don't. If you want to chop things, buy an ax. Swords are cutters and slashers, not choppers. Use them for what they are designed for. Even super quality steel will fail when used improperly. Swords are designed to cut thru flesh and some bone, not trees and concrete. You wouldn't use a sword to chop down a tree in real life, so don't judge the quality of a sword because it doesn't sever a tree from it's base when you swing it. It might work in the movies, but not reality. In the movies, people can fly. I don't suggest you try that, either :)
shinwa review
by: Anonymous

it was mentioned in another post that shinwa swords can be found on budk so i decided to buy one to test it out ill admit that iv seen blades way sharper out of the package but it still had a slightly above average edge to it and as for the strength and structure of the sword i couldn't find any obvious flaws or loose decorative pieces which i usually find to be an on going problem with these types of swords and the blade was able to cut through a four and a half inch log in one swing the blade didnt get a ding or break so in my opinion for the price range shinwa swords are perfectly priced for the quality of them and are probably the highest quality item's on the budk website
shinwa sword quality
by: Anonymous

I recently bought my first shinwa sword, and although I am definitely not a sword expert, my shinwa damascus sword was razor sharp right out of the box and knowing its main use is for slashing and stabbing, I had to test its quality. I filled 3gallon milk jugs with water and proceeded to make them pay for stealing my water...lol... so I swung my damascus and one swoop, cut all 3 jugs in half like they wasn't even there ! I decided to take another swing to cut the 1/2's in 1/2 and hit the plastic barrel at a weird angel and the sword bent....I was devistated...even though it bent back easily, it looks slightly warped !
Great Price
by: Anonymous

$189.99 is the perfect price for this quality sword
you should buy one
by: Brian

first of ill address budk's prices. they charge what they do because they are usually iether partnered with the company who's merch their selling or buy it in bulk, sometimes both. yeah they sell cold steel, and while most cold steel products are shit, there are a few that are quite nice. shinwa swords are usually of good quality, the reson being the blades are completely hand made, and are usually made of a good steel. however the tsuba's, grip, etc are mass produced (still of good quality though.) there are nearly an uncountable amount of good reviews for the product. they are sturdy, and hold up nearly as well through use as some thousand dollar swords. now of course not all of their models are perfect, i would stay away from the "Teal" model simply because thats the only one ive seen anything negative about. i do my fare share of testing myself and i can say while they arent perfect (hard to find a sword that is) they are of the best quality you can get at such a low price. also for those bud-k naysayer's they are partnered with and sell authentic K-BAR knives, which in case you dont know are some of the best youl ever find, but they buy them in bulk so the can sell them at a reduced price, of course they sell knockoffs to but those are in a separate catagory. my point being BudK is a fanominal resource for people who buy surplus or want quality without spending all their money. shinwa is a good brand.

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