looking for a live katana that could cut another in two!!

L

larrytwohig

Joined
Dec 6, 2002
Messages
395
I'm looking for something that's aesthetically pleasing, leaning more towards a simplified look, but at the same time functional, and so far I've narrowed it down to the following, organized into price ranges:

low:
Cold Steel Warrior Single-Edge Forged Katana
Paul Chen Practical Plus Forged Katana

mid:
Paul Chen Musashi Forged Katana
Criswell A2 Katana

hi (well, for me):
Bugei Samurai Katana (I know also a Hanwei, but forged/folded!)
Paul Chen Forged/Folded Tiger Katana
Cicada Forge Forged/Folded Katana

I know that the prices are quite different, but here's my dilemma... I've always wanted a forged & folded "real" katana, ever since I was a kid... you know, made in the traditional fashion, such as the hi-end ones listed above, with hundreds of layers... but is there a significant difference in performance (I do plan on using it) between say, a Criswell, which is made by stock-removal, and really cool-looking, and a more expensive folded sword.

Or perhaps I could put it better this way:
If one was to swing a Criswell and a Bugei at each other, same speed, perfectly perpendicular impact on the same part of the blade... which would could the other in half, or which would display the least amount of damage, in your opinion??

I don't have limitless finds, but I could squeeze one of the pricier ones listed, and I'm of the type who thinks "hey, if I'm going to buy something, it might as well be good quality, and last longer than me!" So, modern Vs. traditional, and cheaper Vs. more expensive... is the cost justifiable??

Your thoughts on the blades listed above, personal experiences, comparos, as well as other recommendations on katanas are more than welcome!

Thanks in advance!
 
One sword cutting the other in half ??? Unfortunately there are thousands of myths out there. Try to learn fact not myth. The toughest sword ?probably made of L6 by Howard Clark, available from Bugei for $6000. Of the favorite steels of swordmakers 5160 and L6 are the most common and both can be heat treated to get tougher austenite but even with martensite Are very tough. These also can be folded for example 5160/O1. You pays your money and takes your choice.
 
Originally posted by larrytwohig
If one was to swing a Criswell and a Bugei at each other, same speed, perfectly perpendicular impact on the same part of the blade... which would could the other in half, or which would display the least amount of damage, in your opinion??
Click to expand...

I suspect that both swords would be relegated to the scrap heap after the hypothetical encounter you've described. I've got a Criswell 28" katana and I really love it. I've also eyed the Bugei blades and think that they are worth every penny. Its mostly a question of what you can afford and what you are looking for. Frankly, both the Criswell and Bugei are tough blades. In my case, money was scarce so I went for pure functionality in the Criswell and am very pleased. I've used it for tameshi-giri exercises and there are usually three or four students each session asking to cut with it. I have no doubt the Bugei is also of excellent quality. If I were to do it again, I would probably still buy the Criswell and with the money I saved figure out a way to get my hands on an RMJ Eagle Talon tomahawk. Then I'd have two toys for the price of the Bugei. If I won the lottery, I'd buy all three.
 
larrytwohig,

Cold Steel Imperial Double-Edged Katana. Like European sabers, has curved blade AND dual edge. This allows superior striking ability from any angle, while "standard" Katana that has tanto point does not... Maximize your chances for survival by having another edge to utilize... Too, the CS dbl-edge is slightly shorter than the "regular" Katana. Slightly shorter grip, but still more than capable of double handed use... At a little more than two pounds, it's fast, sure, and quite sturdy... True, more expensive than the Warrior series by CS, and $50 more than the Imperial Katana, but you DO get what you pay for... Shucks, if quiet "conflict resolution" is necessary for survival, my Imperial Double-Edged Katana is paired with my Ontario/Bagwell Hell's Belle... See John Clements' "Renaissance Swordsmanship," and you'll see sword and knife used together VERY effectively... Also, read Colonel Dwight C. McLemore's superb "Bowie and Big Knife Fighting System." Shows beauty of the "back-cut," among other things... The other swords you have listed, are probably very nice, but the design of the blade helps determine the ways in which it can be utilized... Just my two cents worth...

Regards and Respects,
Carter, oldpaladin, out...
 
thanks for the replies guys! I actually ended up going with a Hossom espada short sword, since it relates more directly to the art I study... picked up a hossom daga to keep her company as well... and the sword blade is double-sided! ;)
 
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