Reverse Blade Sword

[trueaspirer]

I am considering getting a reverse bladed sword. It is both decent price and decent quality, though neither top-of-the-line nor a cheap rip-off.
First of all, should I get it.
Second, should a go for a more expensive one in the hopes that is will also be better quality?

 

[Flying Crane]

What is a Reverse Bladed Sword? In which art(s) is it used? Do you have training, or are you in a position to get training for it? Is there a link to the sword, so we can see what it is and get a sense of the quality?

 

[trueaspirer]

It is used in Japanese arts. I have limited training with it. I don't have a link yet, but I will try to get one soon.
Thanks!

 

[Chris deMonch]

What Japanese arts use the sakabatou? I've never known it to exist outside of Watsuki's story.

 

[pgsmith]

What is a Reverse Bladed Sword? In which art(s) is it used? Do you have training, or are you in a position to get training for it? Is there a link to the sword, so we can see what it is and get a sense of the quality?

The reverse bladed sword is from a popular Japanese anime. It has no historical equivalent and cannot actually be used in any sword art, therefore there is no way to get training.

First of all, should I get it.

If it is something that you really like, go for it.

Second, should a go for a more expensive one in the hopes that is will also be better quality?

I would recommend going for the cheaper one if you like the looks of it. Quality is pretty much irrelevant since it can only be used for decoration anyway.

 

[OUMoose]

Rurouni Kenshin fan in our midst it seems.

 

[trueaspirer]

Ah, you guys got me, I'm a Rurouni Kenshi fan. :uhyeah:
However, in all seriousness, I've definitely heard of it being used in real Japanese arts. I don't have much information on it at the moment, but I am doing research because it interests me so...

 

[Xue Sheng]

Rurouni Kenshin fan in our midst it seems.

You mean Kenshin Himura...the Batosai.......never heard of him.

 

[Flying Crane]

Ah, you guys got me, I'm a Rurouni Kenshi fan. :uhyeah:
However, in all seriousness, I've definitely heard of it being used in real Japanese arts. I don't have much information on it at the moment, but I am doing research because it interests me so...

well, if you decide to get it, I always advocate quality over saving a few bucks. If you can afford it, spend the extra money to get something that you have reason to believe is better quality. Even if it just ends up sitting on your wall as a decoration, what would you rather have, something that is real, or something that you know is a piece of junk, even if it looks pretty? Personally, I'd go with the real one. Otherwise it is just cheap, junky artwork, and it always looks tacky.

 

[pgsmith]

However, in all seriousness, I've definitely heard of it being used in real Japanese arts. I don't have much information on it at the moment, but I am doing research because it interests me so...

I'm sorry, but it is strictly a product of the author's imagination. There are only two types of very rare Japanese swords that come anywhere close to the reverse bladed sword in the anime. Both types are tanto (knives less that 12 inches) with a backwards curve. One is serrated and was used by fisherman, the other is more conventional and was used for removing heads on the battlefield. If someone told you that there is really an art that uses something as silly as a reverse bladed sword, they are either clueless or lying to you. I've been involved in the Japanese sword arts for a number of years now, and I can honestly tell you that a reverse bladed sword makes absolutely no sense in the real world.

I do agree with Michael though in that you don't want to put something tacky and crappy looking on your wall.

 

[Swordlady]

I'm sorry, but it is strictly a product of the author's imagination. There are only two types of very rare Japanese swords that come anywhere close to the reverse bladed sword in the anime. Both types are tanto (knives less that 12 inches) with a backwards curve. One is serrated and was used by fisherman, the other is more conventional and was used for removing heads on the battlefield. If someone told you that there is really an art that uses something as silly as a reverse bladed sword, they are either clueless or lying to you. I've been involved in the Japanese sword arts for a number of years now, and I can honestly tell you that a reverse bladed sword makes absolutely no sense in the real world.

I do agree with Michael though in that you don't want to put something tacky and crappy looking on your wall.

What Paul just said. If you want a reverse blade katana anyway, it can and has been done by at least one swordmaker. Rick Barrett made one for a customer; it was on his website for a while. It wasn't cheap; if I remember correctly, that sword was about $5000.

This one eBay seller named paartist86 sold reverse blade katana in the past. You cold give them a try, if you like. From what I understand, paartist's katana are "servicable", but the fittings are much to be desired. I personally don't care for paartist's swords.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Reverse blade swords a neat, and I've considered getting one myself, being an anime fan, and the idea interested me.
But, the others are right, it's a fantasy blade only, and any that you get should only decorate your wall, and not be used.

 

[monkey]

Look up mastercutlery.com they have all kinds of Katanas-reverse blades-epie-& more.There price is resonable & I imagine most place like Asian world ect get from them As it is mainly for dealers or schools.

 

[trueaspirer]

Thanks, guys, for your advice and info. I could have sworn there was a real art, but I believe you that there isnt.
-*sighs*-

 

[Swordlady]

There's nothing wrong with owning a fantasy sword - just as long as you know that it is based on a made-up world. And don't bring it to the dojo.

 

[Blindside]

I'm assuming you are looking for something like the sword that comes out of the anime, but there are several examples of "reverse bladed swords" out there, they just don't come from Japan. Take a look at some of the longer Khukri, ginunting, or yataghan.

Lamont

 

[pgsmith]

However, while those blades are inward curving to varying degrees, they are not "reverse bladed." As a comparison, here's a picture of a Turkish yatagan ...

Here's a sword-length kukhri ...

Please take note of the tip curvature of both of these swords.

Now here is a picture of the "reverse bladed katana" from the Kenshin anime ...

 

[Blindside]

However, while those blades are inward curving to varying degrees, they are not "reverse bladed." As a comparison, here's a picture of a Turkish yatagan ...

Here's a sword-length kukhri ...

Please take note of the tip curvature of both of these swords.

Now here is a picture of the "reverse bladed katana" from the Kenshin anime ...

Whoops, you are correct sir!

Lamont

 

[Walter Wong]

It is used in Japanese arts. I have limited training with it. I don't have a link yet, but I will try to get one soon.
Thanks!

You are completely wrong. Reverse blade swords don't exist or used in Japanese sword arts because there is no combative value of a reverse blade sword in the context of legitimate Japanese swordsmanship.

Reverse blade sword is strictly a fantasy weapon of the Kenshin anime. To have one for real is more for novelty reasons and not for training in a classical Japanese sword art.

 

[Edmund BlackAdder]

The reverse blade katana is a work of fantasy, however, there have been other blades that did have the "edge" on the inside. I saw a Chinese sword once that looked like an inside-out scimitar, person who showed it to me swore it was authentic. It was carbon steel, not stainless, but looked, hand made. Haven't seen anthing like it since, so it might have been something someone slapped together to wow a tourist. I've seen some short blades that had a reverse edge on them too.

But, the Kenshin sword, cool as it is, is fantasy. Looks good on the wall though.