Posted on 02/28/2005 6:58:07 AM PST by Calpernia
The Highlander??????????
If the victim were killed with a broadsword would the author have said "killed with a knight's sword"?
Is it so hard to say "killed with a katana (a sword used by the samurai)"?
"Oh the senselessness of it all. When will Congress ban all of these assault swords? They need to close the loophole at sword shows. Who really needs a sword anyway? Of course, the Congress should still allow swords for hunting..."
We need to get these swords "fingerprinted" to aid in criminal investigations(not aware that a few passes with the Arkansas stone will change the fingerprint...).
All your swords are belong to us.
Since this is a family site.....
I wouldn't say that any swords under $1000 are not worth looking at. If all you demand is authentic feel and balance, and decent steel and craftsmanship, and you don't care about its 'pedigree', I've seen many nice swords under $1000, some even made in China. I've got my eye on one for under $200 that has a real hamon and feels like the real thing. Plus that way I won't have to kill myself in shame when I inevitably chip or break the edge while out swinging it around in the yard :)
"From the dawn of time we came..."
http://soundamerica.com/sounds/movies/D-i/Highlander/
I'm suspicious.
A real katana is made of hammered folded steel, tempered through a differential hardening process which causes the distinctive curve, and is sharpened by polishing; the handle usually features real ray skin and is wrapped with silk cord. You don't get all that for under $1000.
This in contrast with cheap mass-produced "samurai swords", which are usually 440C stainless steel, cut to shape, and machine-sharpened; the handle usually features plastic wrapped in nylon. That's your usual $50-300 blade.
Ultimately depends on what you're using it for. Having fun swinging it around? get what you like. Practicing Iaido, Tameshegiri, etc.? you'll need proper balance and a real edge.
(Sarcasm off)
But if I did that, I wouldn't be worthy to hold the sword.
"And after he got the sword out, he said to me "hey, hold this piece of rice paper 'bout this far apart". -Lester 'one-arm' Finchley
No kidding! I was a wee nervous and did say a quick prayer for my fingers. I am sure that sword would have lopped em off as easily as it sliced through that paper!
The real old one did have the scabbard made of sting ray skin too. It is black with white dots all over it. Very beautiful.
I'm talking about decent medium-carbon steel, not folded but the same all the way through. Probably forged out of old Chinese railroad tracks. It does get the real heat treat that causes the curve and the plain straight hamon. It's no stainless steel wall hanger. The tsuka is nylon, both epoxied and pinned to the tang, so it is a safe tight bond and water will never affect it, unlike the real thing. Fittings and wrapping are OK and the saya is lacquered wood. You can never take the sword apart and change anything on it though. I think all that is well worth $200.
A properly manufactured and maintained Samurai sword is essentially a 3-foot long razor blade. The crime scene must have been a mess.
..goto hppt://www.bugei.com, a fine sword retailer.
Thanks, don't know about, http://www.swordforum.com
Do an eBay search for 'Chen Katana' and check out the Hanwei Forge offerings for us cheap poor people. I don't have a job right now...I am ronin :) This one is what I'm thinking of for a yard sword. 6th generation practical katana. You know, to do the hedges.
An ex leo, who prolly had a firearm, is killed by a guy with a blade.
Just goes to show, that banning the weapon, or having the weapon, doesnt mean squat, as long as there are nutjobs that want to kill you, and have the patience to set up a plan...
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