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

[kip42]

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.

 

[jks9199]

You've got a lot of myths tied up there. Any blade will dull as the edge cuts; the Japanese didn't have some sort of magical steel that never dulled.

If you want a traditional style blade, look for a manufacturer who makes traditional blades. That's not Cold Steel. Cold Steel makes good blades, but they're factory produced. Lots of experienced sword art practitioners have reported being less than satisfied with the weight & balance.

But... Why get a live blade now at all? It's an invitation to get hurt...

Have you asked your instructor for recommendations?

 

[Jon-Bhoy]

Have you asked your instructor for recommendations?

Quoted and bolded to re-emphasize.

 

[Stealthy]

I have the cash now to purchase one and one later. Who makes the strongest, longest lasting, best built swords? How does Cold Steel compare to the combat proven ones used a long time ago?

You need one of these.

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/main.html

 

[Sanke]

Hi Kip.

Before my instructor gets here and says this, you don't need a sword, much less a sharp one. It will on no way help you train, and it will most certainly not make you anymore of a ninja.
Honestly, the best you're going to get is a wallhanger, because trust me, you CANNOT afford anything close to what youre looking for.

I've followed a number of threads you've posted in or started, honestly, you've not listened to any of the advice given so far. If you want some advice, I hope you listen to this:
DONT waste your money, you DON'T need a sword, TALK to your instructor, and for the sake of stressing the point, if you ignore this and do get a sword, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES swing it around, and certainly NOT around other people. Even if it isn't a traditional blade, sharp is sharp. Above all else, be safe, but I'd really recommend following the advice that the more senior members here have given you, because honestly, they know alot more about this than you do, and they are right.

Hoping you don't injure yourself at the least,

Sanke

 

[Kage-Ronin]

http://www.j-armory.com/index.html

I own a custom blade from this company. I highly recommend them.

 

[Tanaka]

Unless you are just trying to give us a topic to talk about and discuss. If you really have to ask us those questions. Then you most likely(or more than likely) do not need to be getting a live blade. Unless it's going to be sitting on a stand or for show. I don't think anyone legitimate here is going to recommend something for you on this matter. Because none of them want to be responsible for getting someone hurt. After reading your post; it will raise many red flags with them.

 

[Chris Parker]

Hi Kip.

Before my instructor gets here and says this......

A valient effort, but I'm not really just going to let this one slide....

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.

Kip.

For the love of all good, holy, and sweetly spiced in the world, what on earth are you doing?!?!? You have posted this type of question a number of times, and each time been told how far off you are, only to have you come back and do it all again! For crying out loud, stop, okay? To kill this idea of yours, let's rip it apart, shall we?

What is the traditional Bujinkan sword length?

There isn't a "traditional Bujinkan sword length", the standard bokken is used in classes, you have been told this before. Don't ask again.

Did they ever use double sided swords?

The only Japanese swords with double edges were incredibly rare, and nothing to do with any of the systems in the Bujinkan. The most famous is known as the Kogarasu Maru, and is a single Tachi, rather than a type. This question is based in fantasy, don't ask again.

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.

Having the money to "buy a sword now, and one later" just sounds bizarre. Especially when you then follow up by stating that you know you have no reason or the requisite skill and experience to justify having one. I advise re-examining your priorities and putting your money towards something that could actually help you, such as actual training tools, training aids, reference material, and so on. Your instructor should be the best person to ask for such advice as to what you should get, and in what order.

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

[URL="http://www.coldsteel.com/japanimperial.html"]http://www.coldsteel.com/japanimperial.html[/URL]

For the love of sandwiches....

http://martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89440

http://martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91850

You are asking the same thing you have asked and been answered on before, the entire premise of your question is based in pure fantasy, and has no reality to it whatsoever. Don't ask it again.

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.

You have absolutely no idea what on earth you're talking about, don't ask this again.

I'm sorry if I'm wrong here, but I'm starting to think that frankly, you're just here to troll, asking about movie-fantasy ideas in order to rile us up (seems to get a certain reaction out of me when you keep going with it, so well done if that's it). You don't listen to the answers you are provided with, you ask the same things again and again, disappear for a few months only to return with the same questions again.... honestly, if you're not trolling, then you really need to get your head out of the fantasy. And listen to what you're being told.

Right now there is no reason to encourage you or answer your questions, especially not to provide any recommendations as you show no ability to discern what is good or bad.

Do not buy a sword.

Stop living in fantasy land.

Okay?

 

[Sanke]

I'd also just like to throw this out there:
Does no one at cold steel actually know how to use the weapons they make? :S they seem to make an awful lot of them, I just figured at least one of would know how to actually cut with them...

 

[jks9199]

Lynn Thompson plays with most of the stuff Cold Steel makes. Some of it IS good. And, from all the accounts I've read, most of it is solid and well made technically or from a manufacturing standpoint. I think some of the issue is just that they make so many different things that they just can't get some of the details right... And I think some of them are just hard to get right without the requisite training and experience in the weapon and forgings in question.

 

[Chris Parker]

Okay, went out, came back again. Looked at the Cold Steel pages this time, honestly mainly due to Sanke's post (you'll pay for that, by the way....), and the following must be said in regards to Cold Steel's products.

They are in no way, shape, or form, Katana or similar. They are modern, heavy, thickened primarily single edged curved blades designed for amateur "cutters" with no real understanding of what cutting is really about. The similarities are superficial in design (being in look only, not construction), and the naming is co-opted with little basis. Frankly, if they impress you as "Japanese Swords" then you have no knowledge at all, and should strive to learn before putting any hard-earned or even easily won money down on such inaccurate items.

When it comes to the "cutting and testing" videos, all they show is that the company themselves have no idea about the weapons, or their usage, and are only interested in what they can sell, and the idea of cutting for it's own sake (cause it's cool, dammit!). The examples and demonstrations given are universally terrible, and show that any piece of heavy sharp metal can cut through a number of objects, which is no surprise, nor is it in any way any indication of anything of value being offered. Their "torture tests" are even more ludicrous, frankly. If they impress you, you have no knowledge of what makes a good sword, or the way they are used. Get more education before even considering putting down any hard-earned, or easily won money on such items.

Oh, and one last thing. Size and brand? These ain't t-shirts, you know. Not the right questions, and not ones that can be answered from a distance (via a message board). Size especially needs to be done by an experienced person, and they need to see you in action with a bokken in order to give any useful advice. If they just look at you, they'll have a basic idea, but a lot more is needed than that.

 

[tenzen]

Paul chen makes some good blades. Very sturdy and with a nice weight to them.

 

[Chris Parker]

The Paul Chen product can suffer from poor finish and fittings in some cases, my Iaito doesn't fit it's saya, for instance. And I really would recommend against recommending anything to this poster, based on their history.

 

[OKenpo942]

Sorry to make light of a subject you are obviously very passionate about, Mr. Parker, however, maybe you should recommend the best and sharpest blade he can possibly afford (keeping your specifications in mind) and let him give it a whirl.

Maybe there would be a loss of digits, or perhaps a hand. I hear it is very difficult to wield a sword with a nub.

You could probably then get a good blade really cheap... Just sayin'. .

Again, I know you are passionate about this topic and rightfully so. God bless and stay safe. This is in no way meant to offend anyone. Thanks.

James

 

[yorkshirelad]

Jerry Seinfeld wrote a book in the mid ninetys called "Letters from a nut". He wrote to many corporations, hotels, Casinos, even the King of Tonga. The letters were all weird, but hilarious at the same time. He signed them all using the psuedonym Ted L Nancy. Each letter is shown as a facimile on one side of the page and the reply is shown opposite. The whole premise of the book is, wasting people's time with nonsense.

I think Kip is playing the same game, but I still find all the responses funny. I know Bugei is a big part of your life Chris, and I really appreciate your contributions here, (I've learned alot from you), but sometimes I think you take things way too seriously.

Kip, go ahead and buy a sword. Pick one out that looks nice, just don't cut yourself, or anyone alse with it. Oh, and please don't take it out to the park in an attempt to impress the ladies.

 

[Sukerkin]

Very bad advice, YL. All it takes is one {expletive deleted} with a 'katana' to do something daft and all of us end up on the rack.

That's what happened in Britain and it'll happen in the States too {fingers crossed that it doesn't}. Within a generation, it is likely that there will be hardly any JSA in Britain - which is a great shame as at one time the highly-ranked Japanese that were coming over to train us were pretty convinved that the UK would be a center of excellence for these arts.

 

[yorkshirelad]

Very bad advice, YL. All it takes is one {expletive deleted} with a 'katana' to do something daft and all of us end up on the rack.

That's what happened in Britain and it'll happen in the States too {fingers crossed that it doesn't}. Within a generation, it is likely that there will be hardly any JSA in Britain - which is a great shame as at one time the highly-ranked Japanese that were coming over to train us were pretty convinved that the UK would be a center of excellence for these arts.

I don't think for one second that this Kip fella is at all serious about buying any kind of katana. He's a wind up merchant pure and simple. Why would he post such a question when he already has an instructor who can guide him? Surely his instructor has already said, "Don't worry about a katana Kip San. Here's a bokken, get your mits around that!"
We know from past threads that he hasn't got any intention to follow the advice he's been given. This is just a hobby for him, an amusing past time, posting silly questions to get the desired response. It's best not to feed him, although I do find the whole thing a tad amusing.

 

[Sanke]

I don't think for one second that this Kip fella is at all serious about buying any kind of katana. He's a wind up merchant pure and simple. Why would he post such a question when he already has an instructor who can guide him? Surely his instructor has already said, "Don't worry about a katana Kip San. Here's a bokken, get your mits around that!"
We know from past threads that he hasn't got any intention to follow the advice he's been given. This is just a hobby for him, an amusing past time, posting silly questions to get the desired response. It's best not to feed him, although I do find the whole thing a tad amusing.

It's more a matter of if he IS actually serious, or even worse, doesn't have an instructor, and is just going off videos and forums. Honestly, I don't really want to point anyone in the right (or wrong!) direction for buying a live blade, regardless of quality, because on the off-chance that they ARE actually serious? They could hurt themselves, worse others, and just as bad have the local authorities crack down on sword-ownership laws to the point where it stops JSA practitioners from being able to train.

Here in Victoria, Australia, (Also my facts may be a bit off, feel free to correct me if you know), there were some gangs around the Asian communities that were taking cheap wallhangers and using them to initiate new members of their gangs by telling them to go and draw blood.
The response was to crack down on sword-owners, legit or otherwise, and it is now quite difficult to get any kind of sword down here, Iaito or otherwise, without having to go through a land-slide of paperwork (that said, there are still some club memberships which entitle you to own Iaito, but I have heard they are considering revoking them as well).

So while this could just be a case of 'Don't feed the troll', I for one think it's not so bad to err on the side of caution, in case Kip actually WOULD go out and buy a live blade and do something that he, and others, would regret.

Also just on a lighter note...

Looked at the Cold Steel pages this time, honestly mainly due to Sanke's post (you'll pay for that, by the way....)

I have a sudden sinking feeling in my hara....

 

[Stealthy]

maybe you should recommend the best and sharpest blade he can possibly afford (keeping your specifications in mind) and let him give it a whirl.

I already recommended a good one above. It was only $45,000USD and has been sold now, I wonder if he got it :supcool:

 

[fangjian]

http://sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/

I had a great experience through this site.