Real swords

S

Silverthorn

Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
3,910
Ok I know that I have no real need for a "Real" Sword.
I am not a Knight, or a Samurai, or a Ninja, but I do have a fascination with certain blades none the less.
Right now I am fixated on eastern blades like Chinese sabers (Dao), Dha, and some broad swords.
I have found what LOOKS like a great "HIGH QUALITY CHINESE BROADSWORD "QING DAO" Clay Tempered" on a well known auction site.
The maker has many swords listed, and they all look good. However, the price seems SOoooooo cheap to me for a hand made sword with all the engraving, and things like ebony scabbard, and handle.
Is it possible that these are just being made with so little labor cost that they are still making a solid profit at this price, and that they are actually as quality as they "look" ?
I really like the size, and style of the one, in particular, but I dont want a wall hanger, even though its likely to sit on a stand and look pretty. I want a proper sword.
What do you guys think ?
Its a decent chunk of change, and I dont want to get taken on it, if they are just pretty junk, then I would rather have one of the makers here make me something to my specs.
Anyway, I figured someone here might have bought one before, or know of their quality, so any and all feedback welcome, I am not particularly thin skinned ..lol
 
I'll say the words that no one ever wants to hear.

With swords as with everything you typically get what you pay for. If something is stupid cheap there's a reason, and it's not because someone out of the goodness of their heart wants to give you a ridiculous bargain.
 
One of these?

k12501.jpg


$400 is not exactly cheap but falls in line with a lot of production from China. Handmade can be a bit misleading in that parts ae assembled. I don't know the track record for the seller and it may be they are shuffling usernames, as there don't seem to be a lot of sales for the seller recorded in feedback.

The engraving is not done by hand in multiples but cast with some follow up. Parts from a bin of them. My concern with some of these coming from China is that the wood for the scabbards and handles are often green. This leads to seam separation. I had picked up a chokuto (straight sword) Japanese type in rosewood and it may have just been an issue of bonding but one of the reasons it was cheap second hand.

The blades are generally pretty good and if it were 25% of the asking price, I would worry but if the pictured sword is what you are looking at, that is about fair street price, not really discounted and I am sure they make money in selling them at $400 and probably making a happy shop with happy workers.

if you are feeling froggy, jump :)

Check out KUlt of Athena for a broad range of swords and ppricing. Do consider that $100 does not get you much of a sword but more money will get you what you are seeing similar to the swwrd pictured above.

Cheers

GC
 
@ GC, Thank you sir.
You have answered exactly what I was asking. I figured 400 bucks isnt crazy cheap, but I was thinking, crap if these are hand engraved and ebony handles and scabbard and folded steel .. isnt 400 bucks low ? ..
I appreciate the help because this is a pretty nice blade for 400 if its well made, If it wasnt 400ish could at least get me most of the way to a sword from a few of the great makers here on BF.

PS Sword of Athena has a sword that I want, but it has been back ordered for like a year and a half ..lol

The Auction site seller seems to be selling under many names. If you look at pretty much any of the "Folded Steel" swords the lay out of the description is identical including the type of art in the spread.
Not sure why they would do that with most of the ones that I looked at in the 400 feedback range and positive, you would think they would rather have 1 seller with 2k+ positive feedback.
 
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i certainly wouldn't spend 400 for that blade. It's probably well made and looks nice enough, but for 400, you can get a GOOD quality blade from a well known manufacturer.

Also, if you want a USER, don't get a folded steel blade. In that price range, you want a through hardened blade preferably out of 5160 or 9260 steel.

To get a good user quality blade in folded steel, you're going to pay a lot more
 
Yeah I was thinking about Bruce Culberson, or Stewart Branson, Maybe Stormcrow, for what I am looking for.
I am pretty sure though for what I want, its going to run me more than the sword on the auction site, which I am ok with ..lol you tend to get what you pay for, and my mind has been opened to what it takes to make a quality blade.
Really wanting something in the 20ish inch blade range, with about 7-8 inches of handle, with a very similar blade shape to the sword GC posted.
The BBQ challenge sword that Bruce showed is what started this desire..lol then some of Stewart's stuff like his Japanese Fusion just set this feel in my head that I cant get out.
Not a Katana, not a bush Waki, a Camp Saber with a wide blade, cut and thrust type, stout enough to do light chopping but light enough to work for machete tasks.
If the Condor Discord had a different blade shape and maybe a bit thicker, I would be thinking just regrind it. Like I said in my original post, I have no real NEED, but a million uses .. :D
I think though that your correct, and that I will be better served having one made, by one of the great guys here.
 
Crimson Falcon has been working on some designs for a new Dao. If you want a VERY functional blade that looks pretty nice but can be used to clear trees or kill zombies, he's your guy. It won't look "authentic" but it will be a full tang 5160 steel blade. This is a pic of the most recent one he was working on

20130228_205048_zpsae790929.jpg


He made me a kukri a while back. He worked with me for over a week getting the design EXACTLY like i wanted it. It's incredibly tough, and looks great. It's also a truly awesome chopper
 
He has my personal recommendation. He has really kicked up his game in the last few months. His prices will be MUCH more pleasant than some of the other custom makers round here

here's the gladius he made a while back

20130307_125157_zps97892484.jpg
 
Check out Sword Buyer's Guide for some low budget, authentic looking swords, or MyArmoury if you want advice on a higher end sword.
 
KP513 said:
That gladius looks excellent, does this Crimson Falcon have a website?
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unfortunately, he doesn't, but you can message him here Crimsonfalcon07. He'll get back to you pretty quick. He may be booked up for a while though. He's quickly becoming more popular.
 
Btw, what's wrong with folded steel blades for using? :confused:

Traditional katanas and Viking swords were made of folded steel, and I'm pretty sure they got used. ;)
 
I have a 7" fixed blade being made by Crimson Falcon right now. Can't wait to try it out.
 
baeleg said:
Btw, what's wrong with folded steel blades for using? :confused:

Traditional katanas and Viking swords were made of folded steel, and I'm pretty sure they got used. ;)
Click to expand...

I can get more complex with this explanation, but here's the simple version. Modern spring steels, 9260, 5160 etc, are stronger and more pure than any of the ancient steels. Folding was a process used to distribute CARBON throughout the structure of the steel. Modern steels have highly uniform carbon distribution, and therefore need no folding.

What you call "folded steel" is usually 2 different steels folded together in what is called a "pattern weld". This creates a nice looking pattern, but is NOT as tough as a blade of the same shape made of through hardened 9260
 
Thanks for the recommendation, BePrepared.

I am indeed working on some dao style blades. I'll have 1 5160 blade (22" OAL) coming, and 2 3V swords, so keep your eyes peeled in the next few months. More later, as I'm out of town and can't talk long...

There are a few popular auction site vendors who I've purchased from and gotten good products, one in Australia, and another in China. Shoot me a message if you're curious.
 
Great swords guys! I am really considering making a long-cherished dream come true and purchase a katana sword. However, I don't really have a clue what an adequate price would be and where to get it. Any suggestions would be appreciated :)
 
If a dha would fit the bill, check out Hanwei's Banshee. You can get them for under $200 at Knife Center (typical 3-6 month wait); I'm sure you can find them elsewhere. I have one; it's a fine entry level sword. Plus, it seems to get decent reviews for what it is.

But I'd have to echo BePrepared...I have a CrimsonFalcon gladius similar to the one pictured; and it's a very nice no-frills real and functional sword. He used 5160 on it, which is an excellent sword steel. I'm intending to put up a small review, if we can ever finish these stupid Sequestration drills and get back to real work; but I'm very pleased with it. I'll wager his dao is the same quality. I'm mulling over one of those; or, he just posted another small sword in another thread that I like as well.

I agree with Triton...there will always be a reason why something is less expensive than something else; so "you get what you pay for" is not a bad mantra to follow. Paying a good smith is worth it.

Edited to add: I see that you mentioned StormCrow...he is awesome, as well! I met him at Blade Show; and I've got one of his bush swords. Another fine 5160 blade, with his own personal style that evokes the primative. He is another one for whom I'm working on a rough design request...just need to figure out what I want (which, of course, is the difficult part!).

Eric R. said:
Great swords guys! I am really considering making a long-cherished dream come true and purchase a katana sword. However, I don't really have a clue what an adequate price would be and where to get it. Any suggestions would be appreciated :)
Click to expand...

Are you a traditionalist? Or would you be more interested in a modern interpretation? And if so, what kind of lines?

I have the Apokatana from Zombie Tools; and I love it. It is, however, very much a modern interpretation.

So what appeals to you? Is it the basic blade style; or do you like the historical aspect as well?
 
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