I want to buy a sword. What brand and size should I get?

[Tanaka]

What makes you suggest that one? Just out of curiosity

Because what he is talking about matches that sword. I really don't think he needs a live blade so I was neglecting on mentioning it. But now I just do not care.

I see where you are coming from but still want to own a sword just to have I suppose. I am going to go with the Cold Steel Warrior Series. So basically the Bujinkan uses the regular Katana as their sword? I thought I read somewhere that the handle was shorter or longer to make it look slower than it was.

Was it called the Togakure Ryu Ninjato? How long was the blade and handle of the traditional ninja sword? I just kind of want one and as dumb as it sounds would be neat to have something battle proven. I wont train with a real sword but I see it as training with a plastic gun and not owning a real one.

 

[Supra Vijai]

Because what he is talking about matches that sword. I really don't think he needs a live blade so I was neglecting on mentioning it. But now I just do not care.

Ahh... thanks!

 

[Sanke]

Kip,

By this point, i'm fairly sure there's little to no point in trying to convince you to not buy a live blade, so do whatever you want, although I will say one more time for the record: it's not a good idea.
However, there is one thing that you said that stuck out in one of your last posts, and not in a good way...

I feel that I should have one since I am training to use one. It is not for looks, not for training, but for knowing I have an actual sword since I spend time learning how to use a Bokken.

You say you feel you should have a sword around, as you're training to use one... why exactly?
I'm confused as to what you think you'd do with it. If it's not for training, or for looks, that only really leaves using it as a weapon, for self defense or otherwise (unless you don't count tameshigiri, or any kind of cutting as 'training') which is frankly quite a disturbing thought.
If that's the case, you've not only missed the point of training JSA, but probably missed the point of martial arts as a whole. You probably need a long conversation with your instructor, if you even have one, and not only for your sake.

Either way, whatever you end up doing, for your own sake, and that of the martial arts community as a whole: don't go and hurt yourself or anyone else.
That's about all i can really say on the matter.
Best of luck with whatever choice you make in the end.

 

[Chris Parker]

Right. I've been away for the last two days or so, but there are some things that need to be said (again, it seems....)

I see where you are coming from but still want to own a sword just to have I suppose. I am going to go with the Cold Steel Warrior Series. So basically the Bujinkan uses the regular Katana as their sword? I thought I read somewhere that the handle was shorter or longer to make it look slower than it was.

For crying out loud.... "it was longer or shorter (?) to make it look slower than it was"? What? First off, that doesn't make any internal sense. Secondly, it doens't make any practical sense. Thirdly, it doesn't make any tactical sense. No idea where on earth you got such an idea from....

Was it called the Togakure Ryu Ninjato? How long was the blade and handle of the traditional ninja sword?

Togakure Ryu had a few specific-measurement swords, but as you've been told already, you are highly unlikely to actually study the use of those weapons, so, uh, what's the point of this again?

I just kind of want one and as dumb as it sounds would be neat to have something battle proven.

I don't think you really have any understanding of what "battle proven" is in this context, frankly. Seriously, it's not the weapons for the most part, it's the tactics and methods of using the weapon. You're caught up in a lot of fantasy still.

I wont train with a real sword but I see it as training with a plastic gun and not owning a real one.

Bad analogy. First off, a plastic gun won't allow you to train with it (as a gun in it's usage), whereas a bokken does allow you to train swordsmanship properly. The plastic gun can only allow you to learn things like gun disarming, in which case owning a gun yourself is not what is needed either (after all, what are you going to do, own a gun so you can give it to the bad guys, then disarm them?). Secondly, a gun is a legitimate self defence weapon (more in some areas than others) in a modern context and society.... having a sword just isn't. So your analogy fails in all aspects, and therefore has no relevance to your decision or logic.

I want it to be completely functional.

Okay, do you know what it takes for a sword to be considered "completely functional"? And I'm not talking about mass-produced, Japanese sword inspired, supposedly "practical" swords that are out there here. I'm talking about a truly functional weapon, down to it's balance, weight, fittings, wrapping, saya, and more. There's a lot more to a sword than a sharp metal blade, and if you're after, as you say, a 'battle proven' weapon, then these things are going to be important.

And I don't think you have any idea of them yet.

I am not at a skill level to train with live blades but want one.

You have been training with a Bujinkan group "on and off for about a year"... I'd personally doubt whether you're at the skill level to use a bokken safely with any real pressure. Here's something for you to ponder... the first character in "Ninjutsu/Ninpo/Ninja" has a number of connotations, one of the most dominant being patience. I recommend embracing that aspect of the term.

I feel that I should have one since I am training to use one.

Gotta tell you, you're probably not learning to use a sword. More likely the sword is being used to aid in lessons, but that is very different. And even if you are learning sword properly (not likely by your posts here, though....), then the first thing you will learn is respect for the weapon, which would have you cooling your jets. But are you suggesting that just because you are attending a school that uses a particular weapon, then that is reason enough for you to own one? What's next, you'll be asking us for the best, most battle-proven naginata for you to own, because your instructor taught a bit of it?

It is not for looks, not for training, but for knowing I have an actual sword since I spend time learning how to use a Bokken.

So it's not for looks (for show or display), not for training.... er, what the hell is it for then?!? Just to "know you have it"? And, frankly, if you feel that you should have a sword around, and train in it for self defence, then you have completely missed the point of sword training. Completely.

What length blade and handle do most of the guys use in the Bujinkan?

For the love of all the flowers in the garden of life, stop it, okay?

http://martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89440 "Katana vs Ninja Sword? What's the best Combat Sword?", August last year.

I know the Katana is sharp enough to cut through stuff that a machette and hatchett wont. I also know it never needs sharpening. Who makes the absolute best Katana that will stand up to hard use?
What swords are allowed to be used in Ninjitsu? as in names? Who makes the best Ninja sword out there? Other than the shorter length that allows you to get it out faster; are there any other advantages to a ninja sword over a Katana?
Is the ninja sword which has the longer handle to appear like a Katana accepted by Mater Hatsummi?
Who makes the best training Katana, Ninja sword, and bo staff?

My answer there:

As for what ones are "allowed" to be used, not really sure you understand things here. The sword used in training Japanese sword arts is a bokken, a wooden training sword shaped like a katana. There are also short sword versions, known as kodachi (short sword/tachi) or wakizashi (mounted on the side/side arm) predominantly, and again there are bokken forms of these. Additionally, you may sometimes use a Togakure Ryu sword, which is a shorter blade with a regular tsuka/handle and saya/scabbard. There is no such thing as a sword that is "allowed" or "disallowed", just the proper tools for training. Join a school, train, learn, and do as instructed there.

It is a katana. Forget about any distinctions. Katana just means sword, anyway. As to advantages in different dimentions, join a school, train, study, and learn. You currently have no baseline that you can compare with, so anything that could be said is rather pointless.

Join a school, train, study, then ask your instructor what they allow in their school. Forget what Hatsumi "accepts", he isn't really concerned with what someone outside of his dojo is doing.

A month later, same thread....

Im am starting to train in the Bujikan. I was wondering what the traditional swords were that I might train with. I know the Katana is known as one of the best designs out there but was wondering who if anyone in the Bujikan used a katana. I was under the impression that teh ninjato was the sword of the ninja. I am refering to the one carried most often in the past.

I would like to own a top quality sword that can actually be used to cut stuff like bamboo.

My answer to that one:

Kip, I'm going to strongly suggest you re-read my post here (post number 5) as it answers everything you are continuing to ask.

Then you start this thread with this:

What is the traditional Bujinkan sword length? Did they ever use double sided swords?

I have the cash now to purchase one and one later. I realize that I am not at the level yet to use one but I still want one. Who makes the strongest, longest lasting, best built swords? How does Cold Steel compare to the combat proven ones used a long time ago? What size and brand should I consider?

http://www.coldsteel.com/japanwarrior.html

http://www.coldsteel.com/japanimperial.html

I want the traditional sized Ninja sword that is made with the proven blade type and process that made the Katana legendary for have a blade that was razor sharp and would not dull.

Oh, and I may point out that you also posted:

I have the cash now to purchase one and one later. I realize that I am not at the level yet to use one but I still want one. Who makes the strongest, longest lasting, best built swords? How does Cold Steel compare to the combat proven ones used a long time ago? What size and brand should I consider?

How do you reconcile that with your post of last December of:

I am going to wait and get a sword later on when I am ready.

From the "New and Old Katana" thread you started. This comment was in responce to my post, by the way.

Seriously, though. Don't ask the same damn question ("what size is the Bujinkan sword?") again. You've been answered more than once already.

 

[Indagator]

What size is the traditional Bujinkan semi-automatic carbine?

I have been training with a plastic SKK carbine for three weeks, and I'm ready to start doing live-fire training with an 8 shot mag but I want to make sure I'm using the correct traditional Bujinkan carbine.

Did they use carbines with a rifled barrel?



Sorry. Couldn't resist. Something about all of those repetitive posts asking the same question over and over just made me have to poke fun somehow...

 

[Flying Crane]

Here's something for you to ponder... the first character in "Ninjutsu/Ninpo/Ninja" has a number of connotations, one of the most dominant being patience. I recommend embracing that aspect of the term.

yeah yeah patience...how long with THAT take?

-Ed Gruberman

 

[Thesemindz]

Don't be an idiot Indagator.

Everybody knows the Bujinkan uses a 30 round magazine.

Amateurs.


-Rob

 

[Supra Vijai]

Gee guys... I always thought traditionally training was done with an A12 fully automatic assault shotgun like this one?

 

[Indagator]

Gee guys... I always thought traditionally training was done with an A12 fully automatic assault shotgun like this one?

Awwww, great, now ya got me drooling on my keyboard!

 

[Thesemindz]

I thought they used a shorter barrel to make it look slower. Or faster.


-Rob

 

[Supra Vijai]

I thought they used a shorter barrel to make it look slower. Or faster.


-Rob

Nah, that's only the Togakure version. Get your facts straight man!