TimexXaio03 Posted January 13, 2005 Posted January 13, 2005 Hi im new to the boards here, but I'm wondering what would be the best or is the best samurai sword for competitions and practice. and what is the best length of the sword? short, mid or long?
Shorinryu Sensei Posted January 13, 2005 Posted January 13, 2005 Hi im new to the boards here, but I'm wondering what would be the best or is the best samurai sword for competitions and practice. and what is the best length of the sword? short, mid or long? I've been a tournament weapons judge for about 25 years and have seen some "interesting" demonstrations of skill with various weapons, including the katana...aka samurai sword. One instance was this black belt that swung the weapon a bit to much and the aluminum blade bent to close to 90 degrees where it met the hilt, making it look really strange! So, I wouldn't recommend aluminum blades. Also, I frown on razor sharp blades during competitions for one reason. They are VERY dangerous not only to the competitor, but to the judges and spectators also. If one got lose, it could potentially kill someone. At the tournaments we participat at, bladed weapons must be either dull, or the sharp edge must be covered with a strong tape..such as duct tape. As for length of the blade...I'd go with the full length katana. My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!"
isshinryu5toforever Posted January 13, 2005 Posted January 13, 2005 I would ask someone who has experience with katana at tournaments. I know that many companies produce Iaito swords which are not sharp, and used for practice and competition. That is all however, they are not full contact blades. I know that Bugei makes Iaito katana beginning at $480. Other than that you'll have to do some looking. Go with a full length katana, the length of the blade however will be determined by the style of iaito or ia-jutsu you study and by your own height. The best thing to do is ask your instructor. He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.- Tao Te Ching"Move as swift as a wind, stay as silent as forest, attack as fierce as fire, undefeatable defense like a mountain."- Sun Tzu, the Art of War
tufrthanu Posted January 13, 2005 Posted January 13, 2005 Here is a great Forum I found online...of course you will have to register to post but if you have sword questions this is the place to get answers. http://swordforum.com/ Long Live the Fighters!
wingedsoldier Posted January 13, 2005 Posted January 13, 2005 to answer your question on length, my preference is more midlength, like wakazashi or kodachi because it's more compact and you can sneak around easier. kodachi is also a good defensive weapon. katana is good for melee and gives you a long reach. the smallest is just knife or tanto, and there's a lot you can do with it, but you wouldn't really use it as a primary weapon unless you specialize in knife fighting.
Hudson Posted January 14, 2005 Posted January 14, 2005 Sounds like you're looking at a full size katana. The blade bent at 90 degrees? That sounds like an awfully shoddy sword as well. I don't know exactly what they use at tournaments, but there are some good prices on forged steel katana around, Google is probably a good place to start your search. The game of chess is much like a swordfight; you must think before you move.
battousai16 Posted January 14, 2005 Posted January 14, 2005 be careful with google, there's a lot of crap. i'd check out paul chen, my self. "I hear you can kill 200 men and play a mean six string at the same time..."-Six String Samurai
aefibird Posted January 15, 2005 Posted January 15, 2005 If you're looking for a cheap sword, then try eBay - but remember, it's buyer beware. If you're wanting something that'll last with a bit more quality than is usually found in eBay swords, then Paul Chen is a great place to look. "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers!
sAtelitte Posted January 16, 2005 Posted January 16, 2005 A couple of weeks ago i searched the internet for places where you could buy katanas, Wakizashi, tanto, etc Here's what i found: bugei (argueably the best and most expensive) https://www.bugei.com http://www.swordforumbugei.com/gallery/ their swordgallery CAS/Hanwei (Paul chen) http://www.thesteelsource.com/html/hanwei.htm Also intresting: http://www.nootrope.net/firstsword.html http://www.mantisswords.com/swords.htm It's not really on topic but i hope this helps. https://www.shaolin.be
Samurai Shotokan Posted January 16, 2005 Posted January 16, 2005 Its a nice blade and everything but i see alot of negative reviews though the blade is made of carbon steel that is forged but i dont know why but they always say its weak and is banned in practices mine doesnt feel dangerous a practise swinging it and it feels extremely secure. The handle is made with some plastics that makes it weaker than other swords if somebody can prove to me that they are weak for traditional cutting practises make a video and show me!! Its easy to keep saying that and compare it to a of 15 000 dollars sword than something affordable some people make them sound like there Go karts compared to a real car 28 movies, 50 years Godzilla is King of the Monsters"nothing like a good workout" Paul Pheonix
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