Japanese Sword Primer

S

Skunkabilly

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
Messages
86
OK I know nothing about swords, except they're sharp and pointy.

What are the three words on the sets that people put above their fireplaces with their other Oriental knicknacks? The swords are on a rack and are sized regular, large and super-size.

I have heard the terms Katana and Tanto tossed about, are they a general blade shape or do they imply a certain size or use?

Thanks for your patience.
 
Samurais usually wore three blades when they hit the town; a long sword (katana), a short sword (wakasashi), and a knife (tanto). That's why you see a rack of three blades.

I think a Strider set would be a pretty cool concept. Only it would be insanely expensive, and ATS-34 would not be an ideal long sword steel.
 
Hello Skunkabilly,

If you really want to know more about swords I suggest:

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm (the best for oriental style)

http://www.kismeta.com/diGrasse/zablocki_SabreFencing.htm (great to see rapier moves)

http://www.thehaca.com/ (very good in historical and medieval fencing)

http://ejmas.com/tin/ (iaido stuff)

http://www.angelfire.com/wa/swordcollector/ (to swordcollectors)

http://swordforum.com/ (the best online magazine and lots of informations about swords)

Cheers !!!

;)
 
BTW, if you really like a Strideresque sword, try making it yourself.

Take a metalshop course at the local community college, use their tools to grind a sword blank. This should take an hour, half that with practice. Mail it to Paul Bos for heat-threat, tie some paracords to the handle, and there you have it. A sword for $100, including cost of the course.

Due to lack of facilities, traditional sword making is not something anyone can learn, but this you can do.
 
I'm more interested in Oriental (I'm not a rug, I'm a person!!! ;)) swords than anything else. My heritage says I should learn more about Chinese swords than Japanese, but the Japanese ones really turn me on for some reason.

Not sure if I really want to learn the art of fighting just yet, but would like a set for decorative pieces.
 
Are any of you familiar with the Blade Sword by Factory X? I personally love that sword, but someone informed me that it was actually 100% usable! I tested the balance, and it was balanced about 2-3 inches from the handle, and it's sharpened too!

Can anybody tell me if this sword is fully functional?


thanks!

aXed
 
Well to be honest the tip is not very strong. It can be bent outta shape quite easily
As for using it, If u have seen the rest of factory X stuff, U will know for sure that the blade sword is no different.

Why would they heat treat and forge this sword specifically when they probably would not have the machinery or faclities to do it.
 
Do you have a picture of the Blade Sword by Factory X? I dont think i have ever seen one. Or do you have a link to thier website? Thanks.
 
I don't know for sure about that sword, but it is stainless and I expect that the hilt assembly is probably not up to any sort of real performance as well. Two strikes against it.
 
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