Topic: Recommendations

[GuyB]

The significant other has expressed interest in me getting her a sword for Christmas (a katana.. the Ninja-to isn't very useful apparently). As one of the 'sneaky people', she needs to practice a few sword kata for her next grading, and it turns out this is difficult to do with a bokken shoved down your belt.. a 'real sword' is required.

Here's the feature wish-list:

A short, light blade (for easy drawring by the diminutive Tabby-chan).
A fuller (so it goes 'swoosh' in the kata)
A prominent Hamon and good quality fittings (so it looks pretty and lasts)
Cost under £500

AFAIK it wont be used for cutting.. so if its *very* sharp, I'll probably have to blunten it a little (for my own piece of mind if nothing else). TBH she could probably get away with using a SLO.. but seeing as its a present, I'd like it to be 'nice' if you know what I mean.

So, any suggestions?

[Moley]

Really light, good "Swoosh" excellent fittings = Real Sword is the Paul chen/hanwei "Shinto"Only problem is this is RAZOR SHARP !. To be honest it would be a shame to blunt it as this would destroy a beautiful blade.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHINTO-KATANA-Paul-Chen-Samurai_W0QQitemZ7194269878QQcategoryZ47347QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Slightly cheaper and still light enough and also sharp is the Tony Long daimyo series.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Daimyo-Katana-Hand-forged-Japanese-Paul-Chen-type_W0QQitemZ6577468354QQcategoryZ20272QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Paul Chen/Hanwei Orchid is also light but No Bo-Hi (Groove) also very expensive. However there are Tony Long copies of this sword available much cheaper. and with Bo-Hi (Haven't seen one myself)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FOLDED-ORCHID-KATANA-SAMURAI-SWORD-PAUL-CHEN-OIL_W0QQitemZ6577017681QQcategoryZ20272QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ever thought of an Iaito ? (Not sharp)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Paul-Chen-Name-Wave-Iaito_W0QQitemZ6575445525QQcategoryZ20272QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thought about a Wakizashi ?

[GuyB]

Thanks Moley, thats just the sort of advice I needed. I think *I'd* prefer her to have an Iai-to (for obvious reasons).. but we'll have to talk about it. Are Iai-to's 'unrealistically' light? are there any other differences?

[Moley]

A proper iaito is made of a plastic/metal alloy that cannot be sharpened . They are the only sword allowed in Japan. Swords are classed as Firearms in Japan and you cannot own a Real one. !
All Iaido Practicioners use one.

I believe however that the Paul Chen iaito is made of steel but is not sharpened.

[GuyB]

Well, we talked it through and apparently Iaito's are 'what you're meant to use' for these things anyway. She likes the 'elegent simplicity' of the PaulChen 'wave' iaito.. so I guess thats the one!

I showed her the 'proper swords' suggested too.. and although she did drool a bit over the 'orchid' ("thats _made_ for a girl!").. she stuck to her guns.

They also come in different size blades down to 26' on fudoshin.co.uk, so I'll probably order directly from there.

Thanks again for the help,

Guy

[Moley]

Mention my name to Graham Feather at Fudoshin and you'll probably get a HUGE discount.

[GuyB]

Well.. the Nami Iaito arrived today (sunday.. wierd huh?). I've not had much of a chance to look at it yet but:-

a) Everything seems solidly put together (on the Iato itself)
b) It seems very 'workman like' and has an authentic feel.. 
c) The hamon is very prominent 
d) Its as light as a bokken, but much better balanced (as you say, its C.o.G. is close to the tsuba).. its going to be very easy to handle. 
e) Its reassuringly blunt (about as sharp as a butter knife) 
f) One of the fittings (a small metal lug where the 'strap' is attched to the scabbard) has come loose in transit.. It looks like it might need a small dab of glue to secure it. 
g) The blade is covered in 'gunk' 
h) There are a couple of important looking leaflets in the box that we probably need to look at.. they're probably to do with maintainence.

[GuyB]

e) Its reassuringly blunt (about as sharp as a butter knife) 

Correction.. the last inches at the tip are quite sharp!

I've fixed the loose fitting on the scabbard now.. just needed a tiny dab of glue. Had another inspection today, under better lighting.. the blade is really very nice.. not too long (we went for 28 inches in the end) - a wonderful hamon (well as far as my limited experience of these things goes) and it has a very pleasing taper, making it look very elegant - a test swipe resulted in a very loud 'swoosh'.. i think the recipient be pleased 

[Moley]

Well Done !  / / / / / /