Sources for Combat Worthy Katanas

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

The other night at my Modern Arnis class we were doing Espada y Daga (Sword and Dagger) drills. During the class I used a wooden Katana training sword in place of the much shorter (machete length) swords we use. Many of the other students were a bit intimidated by its additional length. While doing the drills I got a very good idea of the superiority of the additional length and chopping power of the Katana.

As a result...I want a live one!

Can anyone suggest a good source for high quality, combat worthy Katanas?

If you suggest a source, please specify which model of Katana if the firm offers more than one model.

Thanks for the help.

- Anthony

 

[Jim March]

Go here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=288

And here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3458

 

[Drjones]

www.bugei.com makes nice stuff.

No offense, but just understand that terms like "combat worthy," "Battle ready" etc. are just marketing hype.

It is hard to give suggestions without knowing more:

What is your price range? Kats go from several hundred dollars to six figures.

What are you going to use it for?

Check out www.swordforums.com - VERY knowledgeable folk over there.

I was going to get a Bugei blade, but decided I am going to wait several years until I'm working full time and buy a real Kat.

Those start at at least $5000 or so.

 

[hso]

I'd add knifeforums.com and bladeforums.com to swordforums for places to search. Swordforums is an in depth focus site while the other two are more general. Take a look at http://www.jssus.org/ , http://users.interconnect.net/rpolansky/Nihontophile/html/newbie1.htm, and http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm for additional specific information on katana.

You'll need some time to read enough to sort out what you want vs what you can pay for vs what you need.

 

[MrAcheson]

Kris cutlery sells couple nice beater katanas at their website as well. Its www.kriscutlery.com I believe.

 

[Aikibiker]

I'll second the Kris Cutlery swords. I am very impressed with mine and they get good reviews over at Swordforum.com, which is sort of the THR for swords. (More English people though.)

A KT 29 or KT 26 should work pretty well as a hard practice sword, capable of repeated abuse.

As for actually going into combat with a sword? That is pretty dumb. I mean the sword was the medieval equivalent to an officers pistol. They offer very little penetration against armor and are flimsy compared to other available weapons of the time.

In modern terms it would be like going to Afghanistan with the Army and only packing a Beretta. Sure it is a great fire arm, but it is the wrong weapon for the job. Sidearms are a weapon of convenience.

However if you enjoy sword work and just want to practice like I do then go ahead. Just please don't think about using one in real life.

Unless the mutant biker zombies attack, then you and I will stand back to back as we cut a swath through the unholy hordes.

 

[Baba Louie]

If I recall properly, I believe that Barry Dawson's Waks were being bought by several of the troops during the last foray in the mid-east desert, the shorter blade being somewhat easier to carry around than the Katana.

Not cheap, but I've been told they're pretty good. But then again,
I've never actually met someone or even read about someone who used one in a combat situation.

I've got a Wakazishi made by his nephew-in-law(?), one M. Chism, I picked up at a SOF show here in LV back in 99. At the time they were about $900, but I believe they're equal to one of Barry's blades.

Adios

 

[Harold Mayo]

http://www.dfoggknives.com/katana.html


This is a fantastic bladesmith, guys. Really good. Prices aren't too bad for custom work, either. I plan on getting one of these katanas at some point, though it's not in the cards for the immediate future.

BTW, I think that these katanas are "only" around $2000. Not too shabby for a hand-made sword. Check out the rest of the guy's site.