Bemidjiblade
Member
Hey all... as a fencer just getting into oriental style swords... what is the word on Paul Chen blades?
Paul Chen
- Thread starter Bemidjiblade
- Start date
- Status
bad_dad_brad
Member
They are supposed to be good but I can't find an internet dealer who can deliver. At first I just wanted a cheap but nice looking sword. Forget it since the movie "Kill Bill" came out. Those are all gone.
My experience with buying swords on the internet has been grim, and I would suggest finding a reputable dealer. Before spending a grand or more on a katana you will want to inspect it.
Paul Chin is the real deal, but skip the internet and try to buy from someone you trust.
Although stay away from the cheap Chinese steel unless you only want to brandish your Katana on your wall. The good stuff is Swedish powdered and multi folded steel. Very pretty too. But expect to pay a grand at least for that quality.
I am still searching.
My experience with buying swords on the internet has been grim, and I would suggest finding a reputable dealer. Before spending a grand or more on a katana you will want to inspect it.
Paul Chin is the real deal, but skip the internet and try to buy from someone you trust.
Although stay away from the cheap Chinese steel unless you only want to brandish your Katana on your wall. The good stuff is Swedish powdered and multi folded steel. Very pretty too. But expect to pay a grand at least for that quality.
I am still searching.
They are the most authentic you can get for under a grand. One thing you should beware of, these are handmade and hand heat treated blades and there is no way to guarantee consistant quality when mass produced like this. I have no idea if or how Paul Chen tests each blade, you just never know if a lemon slipt through.
If you've taken Japanese sword instruction the sensei is always careful to inspect your blade before he trusts a student with one for the first time. New swords are carefully tested to make sure they can stand up to the rigors of actual cutting. And an experienced student will regularly dismantle and inspect the sword for signs of fatigue. These safety procedures exist for good reasons, its not unknown for swords to break unexpectedly and kill someone.
In today's world anyone can just buy a katana without any training. If you use it for cutting practice build up to it slowly until you have confidence in the blade and furniture.
You are a fencer so you should know some sword safety basics already. But for novices there really should be some rules of sword safety. Let me post five:
1. Never wing the sword without checking everything around you, this include behind you and above you, to make sure there isn't something or someone in the way.
2. Never point your sword at anything you're not prepared to bleed. This includes your own bodyparts such as legs and feet.
3. Never chop anything you haven't tested on before.
4. All swords can break. They cannot be used like crowbars, do not abuse them.
5. Inspect your sword before every use, maintain it after every use.
If you've taken Japanese sword instruction the sensei is always careful to inspect your blade before he trusts a student with one for the first time. New swords are carefully tested to make sure they can stand up to the rigors of actual cutting. And an experienced student will regularly dismantle and inspect the sword for signs of fatigue. These safety procedures exist for good reasons, its not unknown for swords to break unexpectedly and kill someone.
In today's world anyone can just buy a katana without any training. If you use it for cutting practice build up to it slowly until you have confidence in the blade and furniture.
You are a fencer so you should know some sword safety basics already. But for novices there really should be some rules of sword safety. Let me post five:
1. Never wing the sword without checking everything around you, this include behind you and above you, to make sure there isn't something or someone in the way.
2. Never point your sword at anything you're not prepared to bleed. This includes your own bodyparts such as legs and feet.
3. Never chop anything you haven't tested on before.
4. All swords can break. They cannot be used like crowbars, do not abuse them.
5. Inspect your sword before every use, maintain it after every use.
MrAcheson
Member
Chen swords are very good. I recommend getting the Practical Plus Katana model or better so that you can take down the sword for maintenance if necessary. Last Legend also makes some good blades if you find Chen to be unavailable.
Hanwei makes some very good user blades at a good price point. They have done wonders to revolutionize the offerings out there on the market. I'm more partial to the Bugei/Paul Chen semi-customs like the Bamboo or Dragonfly series. I do like some of the blades that are priced less than that. But if I were in the $500-ish price point, I would get a Last Legend from http://www.whiteherondojo.net That is because I can get the LL fitted to my body. I like a 27" blade and a 13" tsuka length...which I can get from LL.
Third_Rail
Member
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2004
- Messages
- 4,979
Kill Bill upped the prices on GOOD katanas like you wouldn't believe. I'm a bit annoyed, really.
It took almost 5 months for my shipment to come in and at that I only got 1/5 of what I ordered. I was told by CAS and Cold Steel that it was taking months to get anything out of China and that backorders were stacking up. I have the Practical Katana and Waki from CAS and have handled most of the others at SHOT or Blade. I've gotten Practical Plus and Cutting swords for several folks and was impressed with them as well. What may be the best approach is to get the bare blade and have it built.
The Kris katanas have a good reputation for users and would make a good alternative.
http://swordforum.com/fall99/lineup-1.html
The Kris katanas have a good reputation for users and would make a good alternative.
http://swordforum.com/fall99/lineup-1.html
bad_dad_brad
Member
Check down towards the end of page two.
I just got my Cold Steel Warrior Series Katana.
Awesome quality - worth the wait I guess.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77293&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
I just got my Cold Steel Warrior Series Katana.
Awesome quality - worth the wait I guess.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=77293&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
Jim March
Member
Search this forum for the words "everest" and "katana" 
.
.- Status