I'm looking for a sword to buy.

[Wyndham]

it's my Birthday is on August the fourteenth, and I'm turning seventeen.
I get to do two things with my birthday money, which is at a consistent rate. this year ill get at least about 70 dollars. half my money is going to go towards a katana. not an expensive one, I just would love to have one to go on my tv. ive wanted to get one since I saw one in a movie at age 5.
now here's the problem.
I have three possible scources to buy mine from. ebay. amazon. a store my friend in NC knows(id send him the money). or my friend Mellen's dad who sells them out of his basement.
I will most likely get about 100-120 dollars.
i only need 39 dollars to repay my mom for the PS2 she helpedme buy.
and i dont want one thats too cheap.
so where should i buy my new sword, what should i look for, and is there anything i should watch out for.
I'm looking for one with a black handle and sheath, because it's my favourite colour.
or possibly a dark red.

and why am i putting this in fkl?
because i want to get advice from people who I've interacted with in a certain way, because this is pretty much the place i spend most of internet time on.
and only a few of my friends even own one, and fewer know the difference between a ripoff and something that is worth my money.

[Nohra]

1.) Balance. A poorly balanced sword = http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif
2.) Blade quality. If it's too flexible, http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif
3.) Pie cutting ability. If it can't cut pie, http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

[Arislan]

Any sword you buy at around 100-120 dollars is going to be a display sword. IE, half tang at most, and not at all sharp. And if it *is* sharpened, it's going to basically be pot metal, and will dull after a few hits against anything. At that rate, you're just as well off buying a 30 dollar neat looking but non functional sword as you are buying a 150 dollar sword that looks really neat.

[Wyndham]

On 2005-07-17 19:29, Arislan wrote:
Any sword you buy at around 100-120 dollars is going to be a display sword. IE, half tang at most, and not at all sharp. And if it *is* sharpened, it's going to basically be pot metal, and will dull after a few hits against anything. At that rate, you're just as well off buying a 30 dollar neat looking but non functional sword as you are buying a 150 dollar sword that looks really neat.



oh yeah, im also considering waiting until Xmas when ill get even more money. >_>

[Blitzkommando]

I have a cousin that makes swords as a profession. His cheap models run about ten grand. A good knife is gonna run you about a grand as well. Custom swords are collectors items, especially 'battle quality' swords. You are better off just buying a $30 Wal-Mart sword if you aren't willing to spend at least a couple grand.

[Wyndham]

On 2005-07-17 19:34, BLITZKOMMANDO wrote:
I have a cousin that makes swords as a profession. His cheap models run about ten grand. A good knife is gonna run you about a grand as well. Custom swords are collectors items, especially 'battle quality' swords. You are better off just buying a $30 Wal-Mart sword if you aren't willing to spend at least a couple grand.



i know that.
i want high end crap.

[Blitzkommando]

On 2005-07-17 19:36, Oran1324 wrote:


On 2005-07-17 19:34, BLITZKOMMANDO wrote:
I have a cousin that makes swords as a profession. His cheap models run about ten grand. A good knife is gonna run you about a grand as well. Custom swords are collectors items, especially 'battle quality' swords. You are better off just buying a $30 Wal-Mart sword if you aren't willing to spend at least a couple grand.



i know that.
i want high end crap.


So wait.. Your mom checks your internet history but is going to let you buy a $10000+ sword? I hope you can find a good low rate loan for that thing.

[Wyndham]

On 2005-07-17 20:33, BLITZKOMMANDO wrote:


On 2005-07-17 19:36, Oran1324 wrote:


On 2005-07-17 19:34, BLITZKOMMANDO wrote:
I have a cousin that makes swords as a profession. His cheap models run about ten grand. A good knife is gonna run you about a grand as well. Custom swords are collectors items, especially 'battle quality' swords. You are better off just buying a $30 Wal-Mart sword if you aren't willing to spend at least a couple grand.



i know that.
i want high end crap.


So wait.. Your mom checks your internet history but is going to let you buy a $10000+ sword? I hope you can find a good low rate loan for that thing.



i meant high end crap as the 50-150 range.

[HAYABUSA-FMW-]

On 2005-07-17 20:52, Oran1324 wrote:

i meant high end crap as the 50-150 range.



On 2005-07-17 19:29, Arislan wrote:

Any sword you buy at around 100-120 dollars is going to be a display sword.

At that rate, you're just as well off buying a 30 dollar neat looking but non functional sword as you are buying a 150 dollar sword that looks really neat.
READ EVERYTHING. Your biggest problem.
Also don't use the sword to hit things, which Arislan also covered.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: HAYABUSA-FMW- on 2005-07-18 00:54 ]</font>

[Daikarin]

I once saw a japanese katana on a chinese store. Wondering what it was doing there, I decided to take a look.

When I took it out of the swordguard, it had dry blood in it. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

Therefore, ALL IS STUPID.

[Sef]

On 2005-07-18 07:25, Even_Jin wrote:
I once saw a japanese katana on a chinese store.

When I took it out of the swordguard, it had dry blood in it. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_eek.gif

[Anubis_]

I remember once I was considering buying the Kings Sword from LOTRROTK from their official catalong which runs for about $450...

Yeah. well I thought about it lol..

What I agree with most..?

Just get a cheap cool looking display one then.. If your considering 70 bucks at first.. then thats about as high as you need to go.. if that High..

Unless you just want an authentic high quality sword that'll run for 1000 bucks. which if you ask me.. isn't worth it.. Now if I was a samurai it be different.. But...

[Daikarin]

Grammar nazi http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

[Sef]

On 2005-07-18 07:37, Even_Jin wrote:
Grammar nazi http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif


I'm just saying maybe it killed the chinese store. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

[Dek]

http://www.swordsonline.com

I have already gone to this site and I'm sure there is something you might be interested in.

Too bad they discontinued 7 out of 8 of their Star Wars products http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

[Daikarin]

On 2005-07-18 07:44, Sef wrote:


On 2005-07-18 07:37, Even_Jin wrote:
Grammar nazi http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif


I'm just saying maybe it killed the chinese store. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif



Impossible, I was there.

[Neith]

All I'd say is to watch out for cheap swords- they can break incredibly easily.

I only have a cheap sword (around £20 http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif), but I only use it as a display piece, and it rarely comes out of the sheath, except when it needs cleaning.

Check the blade material too. I cant remember off-hand, but I'm sure you want a carbon-steel blade if you want it to be anything other than a wall-hanger. I might be wrong about that though, so don't take what I say as the truth.

And obviously, buy from a respectable dealer.

[Nohra]

But the most important thing...

It must cut pie. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif

[Uncle_bob]

Swords? Meh. If you want something to just cut up things, get a machete. A "sword" just isn't designed to absorb impacts from hard objects like a machete is.

You know all that classic sword fighting you see in the movies? Can't really happen like that in real life. The parrying could work if you're good. But if you smash two swords blade to blade at full force, they'll both break, or chip at the very least.

The same goes for wood, and 4 foot thick steel poles. If you try to cut into those with a sword over and over, especially with something thin like a katana, you'll break it.

So if you want a "sword", just go get a display kind since I doubt you'll be needing a real sword for fighting anyone. That's what a gun is for. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

And as Nohra said, it must cut pie.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Uncle_bob on 2005-07-18 11:25 ]</font>

[Blitzkommando]

That is for the most part true. However, it all depends on the steel used for the sword. Katanas, because they are really a "sword inside a sword" are extremely flexable, yet also extremely durable. It's very hard to explain but the inside metal is what gives it the flex while the outside gives it the stiffness and durability.

I just wish I had a place to upload this video I have. It took 7 bullets from a mounted .30 cal machinegun to destroy a katana. And, I believe it was 4 of the bullets were cut straight in half by the sword. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_eek.gif That is a whole heck of a lot of force to finally break the sword.

Anyway, when I was in Washington (state) at my mother's family reunion I met my cousin who makes swords and his teacher. I learned some pretty awesome stuff about swords and knives from his teacher. They are also one of the companies who are working on a replacement for the standard issue Marines knife, so I feel pretty confident in what they say. And I got to hold me a real gothic sword so that was cool too, just weighed 40 pounds.

[Nohra]

Yeah, but a good sword (like that katana) still costs you your entire ass. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

[Kizaragu]

On 2005-07-18 12:48, Nohra wrote:
Yeah, but a good sword (like that katana) still costs you your entire ass. http://pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif
Depends how highly sought after your ass is.
Mines worth a few quid I tell thee.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kizaragu on 2005-07-18 13:19 ]</font>

[navci]

50-150 isn't high end. That is low end crap.

Best one you can get under 1000 bucks.

Practical Katana (http://www.casiberia.com/cas/product_details.asp?id=SH1070)

Now.
Something that cost your ass:
Orchid Katana (http://www.casiberia.com/cas/product_details.asp?id=SH1207)

Also. These are not bad.
Cold Steel Warrior series (http://www.coldsteel.com/88kwarser.html)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: navinator on 2005-07-18 13:19 ]</font>

[navci]

On 2005-07-18 12:25, BLITZKOMMANDO wrote:
That is for the most part true. However, it all depends on the steel used for the sword. Katanas, because they are really a "sword inside a sword" are extremely flexable, yet also extremely durable. It's very hard to explain but the inside metal is what gives it the flex while the outside gives it the stiffness and durability.


It is the differential tempering that gives the katana flexibility as well as being durable. Ever wonder why the Katana is curved? It is a natural phoenomenon, you can't make a differntial tempered katana without it being curved. The back of the blade is harder than the front (or was it the other way? point is one side is harder than another) hence it can be tough, yet still absorbs impact.

Sword fighting is possible. But not with most swords you see available around now.

[Wyndham]

On 2005-07-18 13:27, navinator wrote:


On 2005-07-18 12:25, BLITZKOMMANDO wrote:
That is for the most part true. However, it all depends on the steel used for the sword. Katanas, because they are really a "sword inside a sword" are extremely flexable, yet also extremely durable. It's very hard to explain but the inside metal is what gives it the flex while the outside gives it the stiffness and durability.


It is the differential tempering that gives the katana flexibility as well as being durable. Ever wonder why the Katana is curved? It is a natural phoenomenon, you can't make a differntial tempered katana without it being curved. The back of the blade is harder than the front (or was it the other way? point is one side is harder than another) hence it can be tough, yet still absorbs impact.

Sword fighting is possible. But not with most swords you see available around now.



the back is the softer side, it is encased in clay if i remember correctly during certain parts of it being made, but i read about this stuff 3 years ago. anyway, i've narrowed it down to two, yes, display ones, but theone i buy will serve it's purpose.
I'm considering buying an okay one (like the one you showed me in the first link, Navi) later down the road, but for now I just want a crappy one.
thank you everyone for your help. and yes, they both can cut pie.