Question about swords from handmadesword.com

by Erik
(Idaho Falls)

QUESTION: Thank you for your time in taking this email and putting on such an awesome website. I have learned much from the time I spent on this there.

I have twin 4 month old girls at home so money for my wife and is very tight. I have found a few swords from a place called handmadesword.com. All of the swords there look decent enough but I would like a professionals opinion. Below are some Damascus steel swords that were in my price range. Would you please review them and tell me what you think. Thank you again and please keep up the good work.

http://www.handmadesword.com/109l.html
http://www.handmadesword.com/234.html

ANSWER:Hi Erik,

For these two blades, well - I would recommend saving your money. Handmadesword.com has a mixed reputation, but a Damascus steel sword at this price range is very likely to have some major problems due to the speed at which it is churned out to be able to meet the target price...

Personally, I would recommend you stick with something like Musashi Swords, still not amazing quality - but certainly better overall and the recommended sellers will not let you down if there is a problem.

Hope this helps.

- Paul

Comments for Question about swords from handmadesword.com

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I'm in a similar situation
by: Joe

I'm in a similar situation. I've been practicing iaido for almost 4 months and I'm looking for a sword for kata. My teacher sells Japanese stuff which is expensive. The cheapest iaito made of aluminum is almost $500. I have owned the zinc alloy stuff when I studied Kung Fu and found it to be crap so I switched to steel. Of course the fittings were not as nice but they were real swords that would not get damaged. My friend who is obsessed with The samurai culture owns a shinken from handmadeswords.com let me show it to our sensei and said it was a decent sword. Of course the fittings were changed so I don't know if they were as good or worst. He claimed they were changed for esthetic reasons only. Now my question is should I go with a cheness deluxe iaito, a musashi, a ryansword or a handmadeswords.com? They are all under $200
for the negative nay sayers...learn something
by: Anonymous

Samurai Swords Daily Specials - Handmade Sword
www.handmadesword.com a leading supplier of popular types of Japanese swords, including Samurai swords, Katana swords and Iaido swords, is pleased to offer their daily specials on various styles of blades. The daily specials provide customers with a 20% discount.

Walnut, Calif. (PRWEB) August 13, 2009 -- Handmadesword.com, a prominent supplier of popular types of Japanese swords, such as Samurai swords, Katana swords and Iaido swords, is currently offering Samurai swords daily specials on a variety of blades. Customers receive 20% off from the standard price.

Jerry Goldman, owner of Handmade Sword stated "Our daily specials have become increasingly popular. Customers enjoy the variety of quality Japanese swords we offer on our daily specials." Depending on the day, Samurai swords collectors and others have opportunities to receive a 20% discount on Katanas, Iaido swords, a Japanese Samurai sword and other Japanese sword styles at www.handmadesword.com

The Handmadesword website is a popular place for collectors and martial artists. The online store offers a wide variety of hand-made, traditional Japanese Samurai sword styles. They're often purchased as attractive decorative items. The Japanese long sword, also known as the Katana, has become an increasingly popular item. The Japanese style swords are also used in the martial arts and for practical applications such as cutting down bamboo.

Jerry Goldman stated "We have a large number of repeat customers who are very pleased with the quality of our swords." All the swords, except for the Iaido swords are razor sharp and functional. Handmade Sword offers Samurai swords for sale in a wide price range. Customers can buy a Samurai sword for under one hundred dollars. A wholesale discount is provided on the Japanese swords.

Jerry Goldman said "We oversee the entire procedure, from the design and forging of the blades to quality control and the importing and selling of the swords." He went on to say "Our customers receive high quality Samurai swords at very competitive prices." Collectors and martial art practitioners are looking for a trustworthy dealer. Handmade Sword has been in business for more than 10 years due to providing hand-made, quality blades. The staff members are experts on Samurai and Katana swords.

About Handmade Sword:

Handmade Sword is inspired by the ancient Samurai traditions of sword-making. The online Japanese swords company has been offering Japanese Samurai swords, Katana swords, the Wakizashi, the Tanto blade, movie replicas and sword accessories, internationally for over 10 years. The company also offers special color blades and makes custom designed swords.

Contact:

Handmade Sword
Walnut, CA
Telephone: 909-480-4866
http://www.handmadesword.com
Recently purchased, very pleased
by: Jason

This seems to be the page google brings up first when researching this company. Having done alot of research before my purchase, I must say, the internet's verdict of this sword retailer is unfounded. I just bought a mid-range sword from them for 200, a beautiful katana of 1095 steel. I've been in contact with the support, and from what I know of the owner (Jerry, who was the one emailing me) he provided me with further information about the sword's manufacturing and how to care for it. I've been a martial artist for 3 years now, and while that might still be considered novice level, I was very pleased with this sword's quality. I recommend this company highly.
Is handmadeswords.com a trust worthy site and if not which one is
by: Anonymous

I am planning to buy a shirasaya clay tempered sword from handmadeswords.com I just wanted to know are there products good and is the site trustworthy
my experience with handmadeswords.com
by: Anonymous

I own the #397 clay tempered Katana in shirasaya from handmadesword.com as one of 5 Japanese blades in my collection. It is decent enough quality (for the price), my tsuka started to split after prolonged use (i have since changed the hardware). The steel has proven to very good quality, the factory doesn't ship it as sharp as some others but I honed it to a legitimate razor's edge. Jerry answered any questions I have asked and I have done business with them on 2 occasions since, once for the matching tanto and again for a beater-wakizashi
Wow
by: Anonymous

The sword I received from this company was AMAZING. It was assembled well, the blade was razor sharp, all the fittings and wrappings were tight, and the saya fit perfectly without any blade rattle. Holy crap.. Best value for a katana, and I have bought many for display and practical use. Highest recommendations.
Better choices
by: Anonymous

I want to say handmade swords quality is good I own one but try budo-aoi.com or if your looking for expensive real sword try jidai.jp/ these are the real better choices thanks
a little help with selection!!
by: Vince

can't choose between the common known and reputable Paul Chen Hanwei Tori xl light or Handmade swords' daisho deal right here PLEASE HELP ME thank u... http://www.handmadesword.com/928-29.html
a little help with selection!!
by: Vince

can't choose between the common known and reputable Paul Chen Hanwei Tori xl light or Handmade swords' daisho deal right here PLEASE HELP ME thank u... http://www.handmadesword.com/928-29.html
good stuff
by: guy with a katana

i purchased a damascus katana from handmadesword.com and it was a high quality piece. i cut lots of things with it, it held an edge, always felt solid, and was dollar for dollar better than my 1095 valiant armory blade. also, i dont know if it's because of their forging process specifically, or if it's common to other folded blades, but it was quite a bit lighter than it's non folded counter parts. teaching others to cut, it took some abuse, and never cracked, or broke and always performed well. i'd recommend one, if you can still get one, many of the damascus blades on handmadesword are no longer available. :( bummer
Two swords I purchased, nice enough
by: Jim

I purchased #390 that is 1060 carbon steel and the #654 which is 1045 carbon steel.

The #390 is well balanced with a good feel and has stood up well to light cutting without loosing the edge. I asked what the hardness is and on this one the cutting edge is 50-55 HRC and the back is 40-45 HRC.

On #654, I wouldn't use this for cutting. But it handles well and has good balance, best for forms and no-contact practice swings. It cutting edge is 45-50 HRC and the back is 40-45 HRC. Looks pretty on a stand at least.

I haven't tried anything too destructive with these swords, to be honest I don't think they would take it that well.

The customer service is good and I've always had prompt replies to my emails and fast delivery.

So there you go, that was my experience with them. decide for yourself. I will probably buy another one from them at some time. But I would do anything too expensive.
you get what you pay for here
by: Anonymous

In my less than extensive experience I can honestly say you get what you pay for. Making a "real" katana takes a lot of time, sweat and skill. Trust me I am a novice blacksmith and a welder and you don't just churn out quality swords. Steel itself is not that expensive compared to say-silver or gold but it is pricey to get good tool steel and the process is quite extensive to make a sword. If the sword is truly water quenched and differentially tempered about thirty percent to fifty percent are lost due to cracking during the quenching process. I have purchased swords from Paul Chen and they may be expensive but you are getting what you pay for. I have used Chen swords to cut everything from mats to bamboo and broom handles. No damage.
Not a big fan
by: Zakatashi

I have a katana and a wakazashi from them. Both around 130-200$ price range. The balance on both are just absolutely horrible. All the weight is at the end of the sword so it's like a baseball bat. Also, I hate the ito wrap. They feel feel like a wool sweater. What gets me is all the designs they have. Very traditional and a large variety of fittings like tsubas. Mine are both sharpened perfectly but the weight and the handle...no getting used to it. I have a friend who loves their swords, but he bought the high end ones. I preferably like hanweii.

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