*cough* As much as I'd <i>adore</i> believing shockwave would go out and spend all his money on a "fake" sword, I find it hard to believe.
Its real, end of story. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
ShockehIf a packet drops on the web and nobody's near to see it...Join Date: 2002-11-19Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
<!--QuoteBegin-Haze+Mar 2 2005, 10:01 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Haze @ Mar 2 2005, 10:01 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> *cough* As much as I'd <i>adore</i> believing shockwave would go out and spend all his money on a "fake" sword, I find it hard to believe.
Its real, end of story. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Well, it *Is* fake in that it isn't a geniune Samurai sword, but as I didn't have £5k or so to buy one, I settled for a modern equivalent....
So, real sword, yes. Real blade, yes. ORIGINAL sword, no.
I know a guy who had been stationed in Japan during his time in the navy, who apparently had courted the granddaughter of one of the last sword smiths who still used the traditional methods in forging, and since she had a lot of guys who treated her like crap, said grandfather sold him a set (katana, wakazashi, tanto) for $200. He doesn't take the swords out from the deposit box thing he has them at at the bank except to clean them every once in a while, but he has all the certificate and paper work that let him get through customs with it.
TalesinOur own little well of hateJoin Date: 2002-11-08Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
Shockeh, so the yakiba (hamon is a slight misnomer) has an irregular pattern to it? Is it mirrored on both sides of the blade? Is it more of o-midari (think a jaggy line) or the stereotypical 'turbulent sea' undulation?
Also, a 60-HRC can prove problematic, as the edge is brittle with that degree of hardness. You'd ideally want a 55-58 HRC edge, and a mid-40 spine. You might consider tempering it in your oven at 250F to relieve some of the brittleness of the edge, by the by.
<!--QuoteBegin-Sub zer0+Mar 2 2005, 06:33 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sub zer0 @ Mar 2 2005, 06:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> it mean it wasnt even made right was it folded the way they were made were erm intersteng and the way they tested them even more ewy
im not acusing you of getting a plastic sword just that it doesnt look that fantastic ... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> WTH, use grammar every once in a while please. This took me almost a minute to read and could mean about 4-5 different things depending on where you put your gramatical breaks.
Sometimes it doesn't matter sub, but stuff like that is seriously annoying.
ShockehIf a packet drops on the web and nobody's near to see it...Join Date: 2002-11-19Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
<!--QuoteBegin-Talesin+Mar 2 2005, 11:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Talesin @ Mar 2 2005, 11:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Shockeh, so the yakiba (hamon is a slight misnomer) has an irregular pattern to it? Is it mirrored on both sides of the blade? Is it more of o-midari (think a jaggy line) or the stereotypical 'turbulent sea' undulation? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Okay....
Bear in mind I'm not an expert on these things, I have a greater than average interest, and I've read up, but I wouldn't claim to have examined many, so I'm going from a potentially shaky start. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
a. The pattern is irregular. In places it will be more pronounced 'into' the blade than others. b. It's on both sides, from what I can see. c. It's quite distinct. It doesn't 'blur' into the rest of the metal, the trailing edge is fairly visible.
As for the brittleness, I'm not <b>that</b> upset if it's mildly brittle as a blade. I have no intention of seeing if it can defeat a breastbone & ribcage, as I never intend to swing at one. I simply have always wanted to own one that I found attractive and I felt was accurate <i>enough</i> that I didn't feel I'd bought one of the many (many many!) 2 bit knockoffs you can buy in any dubious tack-store throughout the world.
A little lost by your mention of the hardness scale however, as far as I knew HRC60 should be quite sound?
TalesinOur own little well of hateJoin Date: 2002-11-08Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
HRC60 means it's HARD, not that it's sound. Remember, the harder something is, the more brittle it is... especially when it's that thin. It's the flexability that keeps it from snapping. Sure, if it was something like titanium it might be fine. But with carbon steel even, when you get an edge that fine, it's quite likely to chip if you're swinging it at anything that it was originally intended for. It's kinda like mica. It's a hard stone, but you can snap it in half with your hands, because it's that hard (and not dense). If it had more flexibility, it would be significantly more difficult to break. Another example would be onyx... an incredibly hard, but incredibly brittle stone.
Like I said, 250F in your oven may re-temper (or detemper, depending on who you ask) the hardness of the metal and restore the flexability to its proper state. I'm not sure if you'll need to remove the grips and tsuba though.
Also, a mirrored yakiba is a sign that it was ground. If it's a forged blade, the yakiba is formed by the hammer strikes. No two blades are the same. And both sides are usually quite different. The sharpness of that line depends on the carbon content of the metal.. the wider it is, the less carbon. Also, a black/gray line is a sign of acid etching.. a properly polished katana, that line (and the edge) will be a bright white.
SidCorwid of the FreeJoin Date: 2003-01-28Member: 12903Members, Constellation
I bought a Katana for $14 (Canadian)... it was falling apart.. so I fixed it then sharpend and polished it myself. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
In all honesty Katanas are over used and getting a little lame (I mean why does everyone need to have one?) Me I'd rather go for a good old European broadsword or something.
But yeah, guns'd be cooler.
-EDIT- Theres a nice Airsoft SA-80 I'm looking at by the way, although its a spring model <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> -EDIT-
BadKarmaThe Advanced Literature monsters burned my house and gave me a 7Join Date: 2002-11-12Member: 8260Members
<!--QuoteBegin-TommyVercetti+Mar 2 2005, 08:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TommyVercetti @ Mar 2 2005, 08:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> That's a nice sword, but if I were collecting weapons I'd buy guns. Lots of guns. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Good man. Something long by DPMS would be at the top of my list.
question: "proper" as in intended for cutting, intended for training or some other varient which doesn't come to mind? I think where I live if you want anything in between crappy immitation and genuine antique blade you have to order them from Far Off Lands (ok, maybe just interstate) and pay an arm and a leg.
While we're at it, in the picture the blade looks a bit shorter than I'd expect (I'm judging by a bokken I have). What's the variation in blade length for swords considered to be katanas?
ShockehIf a packet drops on the web and nobody's near to see it...Join Date: 2002-11-19Member: 9336NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
edited March 2005
Doh!
Sorry Tale, okay, I understand about the brittleness, I didn't understand you about 'mirroring' (I took you to mean was it present <i>at all</i> on each side). It's certainly <b>not</b> identical.
I'm not disappointed with it as a purchase, I knew I wouldn't be getting anything perfect simply because I didn't have the resources to do so. I'm just glad it's better than one of the aforementioned movie knock-offs.
I'm going to clean it properly when I get home, I'll try & take some better photos (in retrospect, that one is HORRIBLE) then.
Ah.....
found a review or two... this about summarises my fears & hopes. Some good, some bad. Can't really argue really. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I normally train hard with a Japanese style sword until the tsuka ito (handle wrapping) packs down, and then remove the handle and make one out of hardwood.
Unlike the stainless steel replicas with a fake yakiba (flame edge) etched into it with acid, this model has a real hamon (edge badge). The shallow sori (curvature) is a lot like the Bizen sword style.
I hear that the hardness of the ha (edge) is in the 60's on the Rockwell scale with the spine in the 40's. I am very concerned that this makes the blade too brittle and too soft. It cuts very well so far. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He also makes mention of some blades of this make having physical flaws due to poor quality control, but I (THANKFULLY!) can't spot any fatal flaws or nicks. Once again of course, I'm going from online pictures & a few books I've picked up to know what to look for.
tankefuglOne Script To Rule Them All...Trondheim, NorwayJoin Date: 2002-11-14Member: 8641Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
Shockwave, that's sooo cheating! Your birthday is the 7th <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
ZunniThe best thing to happen to I&S in a long whileJoin Date: 2002-11-26Member: 10016Members
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Your bedroom weapon is much nicer than mine.
That wasn't about penises.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
A) lol B) until he's half asleep and grabs the wrong end..
no they dont, you dont touch one and it splits in half the wrod is only a tool . you need strength like any weapon so no pking a sheep with a sword hoping they will split in half
Comments
Its real, end of story. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I roll with <i>CowBlades,</i> son.
<img src='http://twoflow.co.uk/cowblade.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
You think you know someone...
Its real, end of story. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, it *Is* fake in that it isn't a geniune Samurai sword, but as I didn't have £5k or so to buy one, I settled for a modern equivalent....
So, real sword, yes. Real blade, yes. ORIGINAL sword, no.
- Shockwave
Also, a 60-HRC can prove problematic, as the edge is brittle with that degree of hardness. You'd ideally want a 55-58 HRC edge, and a mid-40 spine.
You might consider tempering it in your oven at 250F to relieve some of the brittleness of the edge, by the by.
How much did it run you, off-hand?
im not acusing you of getting a plastic sword just that it doesnt look that fantastic ...
im not acusing you of getting a plastic sword just that it doesnt look that fantastic ... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTH, use grammar every once in a while please. This took me almost a minute to read and could mean about 4-5 different things depending on where you put your gramatical breaks.
Sometimes it doesn't matter sub, but stuff like that is seriously annoying.
Okay....
Bear in mind I'm not an expert on these things, I have a greater than average interest, and I've read up, but I wouldn't claim to have examined many, so I'm going from a potentially shaky start. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
a. The pattern is irregular. In places it will be more pronounced 'into' the blade than others.
b. It's on both sides, from what I can see.
c. It's quite distinct. It doesn't 'blur' into the rest of the metal, the trailing edge is fairly visible.
As for the brittleness, I'm not <b>that</b> upset if it's mildly brittle as a blade. I have no intention of seeing if it can defeat a breastbone & ribcage, as I never intend to swing at one. I simply have always wanted to own one that I found attractive and I felt was accurate <i>enough</i> that I didn't feel I'd bought one of the many (many many!) 2 bit knockoffs you can buy in any dubious tack-store throughout the world.
A little lost by your mention of the hardness scale however, as far as I knew HRC60 should be quite sound?
(Wanders off to google)
- Shockwave
Like I said, 250F in your oven may re-temper (or detemper, depending on who you ask) the hardness of the metal and restore the flexability to its proper state. I'm not sure if you'll need to remove the grips and tsuba though.
Also, a mirrored yakiba is a sign that it was ground. If it's a forged blade, the yakiba is formed by the hammer strikes. No two blades are the same. And both sides are usually quite different.
The sharpness of that line depends on the carbon content of the metal.. the wider it is, the less carbon. Also, a black/gray line is a sign of acid etching.. a properly polished katana, that line (and the edge) will be a bright white.
Not detracting, just informing.
Anyways, here's my collection of blades:
<img src='http://stupidsid.250free.com/misc/Picture25.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://stupidsid.250free.com/misc/Picture9.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://stupidsid.250free.com/misc/LoboSwords.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.stircraz.cnc.net/PA-7875.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
I just bought this and have no pictures of it.
But yeah, guns'd be cooler.
-EDIT- Theres a nice Airsoft SA-80 I'm looking at by the way, although its a spring model <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> -EDIT-
Good man. Something long by DPMS would be at the top of my list.
question: "proper" as in intended for cutting, intended for training or some other varient which doesn't come to mind? I think where I live if you want anything in between crappy immitation and genuine antique blade you have to order them from Far Off Lands (ok, maybe just interstate) and pay an arm and a leg.
While we're at it, in the picture the blade looks a bit shorter than I'd expect (I'm judging by a bokken I have). What's the variation in blade length for swords considered to be katanas?
Sorry Tale, okay, I understand about the brittleness, I didn't understand you about 'mirroring' (I took you to mean was it present <i>at all</i> on each side). It's certainly <b>not</b> identical.
I'm not disappointed with it as a purchase, I knew I wouldn't be getting anything perfect simply because I didn't have the resources to do so. I'm just glad it's better than one of the aforementioned movie knock-offs.
I'm going to clean it properly when I get home, I'll try & take some better photos (in retrospect, that one is HORRIBLE) then.
Ah.....
found a review or two... this about summarises my fears & hopes. Some good, some bad. Can't really argue really. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I normally train hard with a Japanese style sword until the tsuka ito (handle wrapping) packs down, and then remove the handle and make one out of hardwood.
Unlike the stainless steel replicas with a fake yakiba (flame edge) etched into it with acid, this model has a real hamon (edge badge). The shallow sori (curvature) is a lot like the Bizen sword style.
I hear that the hardness of the ha (edge) is in the 60's on the Rockwell scale with the spine in the 40's. I am very concerned that this makes the blade too brittle and too soft. It cuts very well so far.
<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He also makes mention of some blades of this make having physical flaws due to poor quality control, but I (THANKFULLY!) can't spot any fatal flaws or nicks. Once again of course, I'm going from online pictures & a few books I've picked up to know what to look for.
- Shockwave
And errmm....Sid FTW! Cane sword = pimp!
<a href='http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Mr.JEBURTO/100_0261.jpg' target='_blank'>1</a>
<a href='http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v187/Mr.JEBURTO/100_0264.jpg' target='_blank'>2</a>
and Sid if you've got any restiration tips feel free to share them with me =]
Your bedroom weapon is much nicer than mine.
That wasn't about penises.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
A) lol
B) until he's half asleep and grabs the wrong end..
...
<span style='font-size:5pt;line-height:100%'>...UltimaGecko needs a sword (though, not for any legitimate purpose other than collecting).</span>