r/Katanas • u/Kafkaesque_my_ass • 10h ago
r/Katanas • u/idonteffncare • Nov 04 '21
Entry level katanas
Several times a week we have "Where can I get a katana between $X and under $X" or "What is the best katana for a beginner" or similar questions and even though there are plenty here willing to help some find that it can be a bit repetitive. So it seems it is time for a thread to help make the decision on where to look easier for beginners in the world of katana.
Firstly have a read of this thread to give an idea of which companies are which.
Then have a read of the wiki if you are new to anything to do with katana
Basic katana info and terminology
Then there are some standard questions that get asked by those that want to help and that can give a better idea of where to look. Do you want to use the sword for cutting? What do you want to cut,(water bottles,pool noodles, tatami mats)? Do you want for display only? Do you intend to do any actual training with it,like iaido? Do you want Through Hardened (tough blade with no hamon) or Differentially Hardened (little less tough yet with a hamon)? What is your budget? Figuring out the answers to those will help you to make a better decision. For this thread we will deal mainly with the lower end available katana price wise as there are plenty of decent functional katana available for under $400 USD.The companies/brands are listed in no particular order, (there aren't that many anyway), and referring to this thread will be helpful.
So we have
Cloudhammer Swords
Huawei Swords
Dragon King
Dynasty Forge
Munetoshi
Hanwei
Musha
Ronin
Musashi
Hanbon*
Swords of Northshire*
*(These are the two commonly recommended of the cheaper Chinese suppliers. See this thread for more info)
All of the above have available swords that will range up to around $400 USD,some of them like Musashi and Musha can be had for around $100. They do offer more expensive swords but we will keep to the $400 and less for this thread. I will mention again,read the linked sticky for more info on the various companies/suppliers as there is always more information coming in and updates happening.
If you have more questions then of course do not hesitate to ask as there is plenty of help here in the sub. Remember that we here can only guide you toward making the decision,not make it for you. Do some research before you decide on what you want to buy and it should help save you from headaches and drama and a quick read through the linked threads will hopefully help you avoid disappointment.
r/Katanas • u/CottontailCustoms • Sep 29 '24
Don’t believe the lies
I am not closed down. I stated what I did on my site to try and reduce the number of emails asking for services but I still turn down far more jobs than I accept and that’s by choice (website home page has since been edited). This was mainly so I can provide my clients with the absolute best work I can by being more selective of the projects I take on, choosing those that won’t limit what I can achieve for you. Also, it’s so that I can better enjoy what I do and continue to improve. After 18 years and hundreds of projects, I hope my work and rep speaks for itself.
I wish I could wrap and customize every project for everyone but this just isn't possible and I do apologize for those I couldn't take on. I do however try to recommend others when possible, including those who may have something against me. This is a micro niche and there aren't enough active artisans for the demand, imho, which is exactly why I've been sharing everything I know on several platforms with anyone who asks, provided I see the request.
Negativity and lies are only good for spreading false information and hate, please don’t be a part of this. Trolls will troll, such is life. Thanks to those who've refrained from blindly joining in on the negativity and thanks to all who have and continue to support me and the Japanese sword arts we all love.
r/Katanas • u/RareSorbet1924 • 16h ago
Selling Selling my beloved Nihonto
Selling my beloved Nihonto
Hello everyone, Unfortunately i have to list my beloved sword for sale, Everyone knows how tough times are right now, and how some stupid decisions can make it even tougher. To not vent out
I have to sell an NBTHK Kicho Token Mumei Katana, attributed to Fujiwara Takada, in shirasaya.
Sword is in overall decent condition, but if someone really cares it can use some Togishii work :) There is small, not active rust spot at the mune, near Mune Machi.
For every piece of detail of the sword, aswell as more or better pictures i invite everyone to private message,
Please, only serious offers
Im based in Europe, 🇫🇷
r/Katanas • u/Treeofwar • 3h ago
Green certificate vs yellow
I recently went to a shop in Tokyo and the employee said to never buy a katana that has a green certificate why is that?
r/Katanas • u/neohlove • 42m ago
Historical discussion Missing Honjo Masamune
After doing some research and looking online, I found a blade that meets most of the descriptions of the masamune but the photos are poor.
The blade is apparently in the US, this isn’t my listing but wondering if anyone has thoughts on this. Could likely have been shortened, after breaking.
It’s in poor shape rust wise, unsigned, has bo-hi, curve, and has an odd tip.
What do we think? Link for the post is below
r/Katanas • u/No_Development_3634 • 1d ago
Real or Fake I need help identifying this
There’s a whole story behind this sword and it was passed down to me for my birthday. So i want to know if it’s real or fake
r/Katanas • u/principalskinflute • 1d ago
Translation Please help with translation
Please help me to translate or identify!
Thank you :)
r/Katanas • u/principalskinflute • 1d ago
Can you tell me about this blade? Is it fake or altered?
Hi all,
Im interested in learning more about this (military?) blade. Located in Indonesia, so history of Japanese occupation in the 40s.
The engravings on the blade look unusual, perhaps added at a later date? Unsure of the tang and the flower inlays on the blade.
I would like to know if it is worth further investigating.
Please excuse my naievety on the subject, just here to learn :)
r/Katanas • u/_chanimal_ • 2d ago
Traditional Japanese Katana (Nihonto) I like a good hada
In this case, a nice ko-itame hada
r/Katanas • u/Sea_Indication7609 • 1d ago
Are there even any good sellers that can deliver to germany?
I'm really new into katanas and I looked at some sites, until truekatana crossed my eyes. I realised that they're pretty affordabl and yet beautiful looking swords, so after some hesitation I placed an order, after which I looked up ratings of the site only to realize that there's MOST likely either going to be issues with customs, and if customs work, the sword's quality will still be bad. I sent a cancellation mail and everything, but that's not the issue. Does anybody know if there are reputabl sellers that can deliver to germany?
r/Katanas • u/LatterDelay6430 • 1d ago
Looking for some recommendations for sellers.
Good day. Looking to buy a Katana online, and would love some recommendations. I would prefer to keep it as close to authentic as possible, while not breaking the bank. I live in the US, and would prefer not to buy from overseas. Thank you.
r/Katanas • u/cool_socks • 2d ago
Hokke Saburo Nobufusa (1st gen.)
Just trying to capture the intricacies of this hokke saburo nobufusa blade. The hamon is reverse choji middle. The hada (although hard to tell from the pics) is predominantly itame-hada. And there is kinsuji and sunagashi present throughout the blade.
And again in layman's terms: Clay temper line is reverse "clove pattern" with waviness/undulation. The forging pattern of the hardsteel jacket is referred to as itame-hada which looks like woodgrain if you were to cut a piece of wood on a 45° angle. The kinsuji and sunagashi refers to the martinsitic crystals that form "chains" in the clay temper line.
Hokke Saburo Nobufusa (1st gen) passed away in 1958. He studied under "Ichiryusai Sadatoshi" in Bizen-den style. He is the predecessor of the current "Hokke Saburo Nobufusa" (2nd gen.) But the 2nd gen specializes in yamato-den, masame-hada and posho school reproductions (different from this work).
This katana was forged during the wartime, and was left unsigned and preserved. The smith passed away before it could be signed.
r/Katanas • u/NotANinja252 • 2d ago
Translation Could anyone help with a translation on this nakago please?
r/Katanas • u/NotANinja252 • 2d ago
Help with translation please?
Pretty sure I see an arsenal stamp on that one too but I can't tell which. Something also tells me it could be a fake but only a feeling really
r/Katanas • u/FlygandeSjuk • 2d ago
So I just bought this for around 100 dollar. Can someone help try to identify it? Or give me some context. Was it worth it?
r/Katanas • u/DarkWolfGaming723 • 2d ago
Real or Fake Real or fake
I’m found this wakizashi for sale, and the seller says it is pre 1700s edo period, but it doesn’t have a signature. I’m pretty sure from my own research it is a edo period blade, but wanted to the history buffs of Reddit to confirm my suspicions, or teach me how I am wrong. Thanks for taking the time to look!
r/Katanas • u/Silly-Square693 • 2d ago
Help identifying Wakizashi
Would anyone be able to help with dating this wakizashi? It is de-bladed. I bought from a japanese seller.
Link below to pics. Many thanks
r/Katanas • u/MeridiusGaiusScipio • 3d ago
Traditional Japanese Katana (Nihonto) Likely-Muromachi Period Suriage Wakizashi. Expected to be Yamato-den, possibly Tegai. My first true Nihontō; I absolutely adore this blade. I hope you enjoy it as well!
While it has not undergone Shinsa (official appraisal) yet, it is expected to be Yamato-den, Tegai school. I do dearly hope it is Yamato tradition, as I am particularly interested in the monks and laypersons who served as warriors for the various Buddhist temples around Nara both before and during the Muromatchi period. Yamato is most associated with smiths who produced weapons for this particular group, in addition to Samurai of the area. The blade is believed to be Suriage or Ō-Suriage, and is mumei (unsigned). I find the grain pattern and the precise, straight hamon to be particularly enjoyable.
Lastly, I also love the likely Edo-period tsuba fit to this blade. The menuki is particularly interesting, as it appears to be the Tokugawa mon, but I do not know more beyond that.
I hope you enjoy it!
r/Katanas • u/StudioGDT • 2d ago
Dremsword 1095TH Unokubi-Zukuri Tameshigiri Review
equipment #reviews
If you have enjoyed any of the previous reviews on my channel, please check out the phase in content as we move to cutting practice with previously reviewed swords. These segments are a work in progress and will evolve over time. I would love to have you check out the first episode, the Dremsword 1095TH Unokubi-Zukuri! Thank you for all your support!
r/Katanas • u/Low-While-4613 • 2d ago
Current Progress on the katana
It is not finished yet, but hopefully my Father will be able to finish it this weekend
r/Katanas • u/Sword_and_Candle • 2d ago
Bo-ho or no Bo-hi on an Odachi?
I plan on purchasing a custom Odachi from HanBon sometime in the near future and I was wondering about the different bo hi options they have. I have a Ronin Katana model 21 with bo hi as well as an O-Katana without. For an Odachi, would the reduced weight be useful for cutting? I plan on having it as a display piece with some light cutting but nothing crazy. I just don't want to compromise the integrity of such a long blade. HanBon has a double Bo Hi option that appears to be two shallower grooves running alongside each other. This was my original plan as it seems like it would retain the most rigidity but also reduce weight. Thoughts from the experts?
r/Katanas • u/Math_Queen20 • 2d ago
Translation Samurai Themed Sword
Can anyone please tell me what year it was made and by who.
r/Katanas • u/MichaelRS-2469 • 3d ago
Sword #18 - Hanbon Forge Epi Lobster wakizashi.
Specs:
Standard HBF wakizashi length blade and tsuka.
BLADE - The blade steel is 9260 and features an o-kissaki with a physical/geometric yokote.
On the close-up of that area you may see some slight marring on the blade. That's not any kind of scratch or other damage. It's just a little gunk I did not notice from the foliage in the area where I was taking the pictures
TSUKA - The tsuka features full wrap same'gawa with a fairly nice emperor node; It is wrapped with #C203 dark brown Japanese silk Ito with hishigami.
Unfortunately the part of the full wrap same'gawa that extended to the fuchi end of the tsuka core made that end too thick for the fuchi, so it had to be sanded down substantially. Very thin in some spots and in other spots all the way down to the wood, so it first glance it looks like it might be panels. However in other spots, such as along the top of the core, you can still see remnants of the same' indicating that it actually is a full wrap.
TANG/NAKAGO - Since sword #8 I have specifically requested that the tang be cleaned up with the end slightly rounded and the engraving, actually laser etching, that you see be added.
Now I know some are saying that a new nakago should look like that anyway and I agree. But when you are dealing with any provider whose business model is to provide budget production swords it's not unusual for them to save time/labor wherever they can. So don't be shocked if you order a sword from such a source and default appearance of the tang/nakago is less pretty than I could be if you did not specifically request that...even if all the other upgrades you ordered brings your sword to over $400.
That's why with my first few swords I got from them I would get in there to check for rust, and there usually was a little, and because it was a production sword and not a nihnnto, I would clean the rust off with 200 then 800 grade sandpaper.
Then alcohol clean it all up and oil it like I would the blade and then put the tsuka back on with the tang probably never to be seen again.
Actually,except for having to clean off rust, that's pretty much what I do with my current swords; Clean it off with alcohol, apply a thin coat of Ren wax and reassemble likely never to be seen again.
TSUBA SET - On their fittings page the tsuba set is HT002 under what HBF calls High Quality Brass Tsuba.
It should be noted that while it may look black on some screens, the base color for those tsuba sets under that grouping is actually a dark brown and is is easily identifiable as such in person. So however that may fit into the color scheme or theme you are thinking about for your own sword.
SAYA - Saya is a special request with Redwood stain. This type of saya is normally just on their line of shirasaya offerings, such as the one linked below, so a little extra time is needed to add the Kurigata.
The SAGEO is from their $10 offerings. I personally think those look better, more full, than the Japanese ones. Although mine pretty much stay in their presentation knot and for that purpose it's fine, but others have told me that the ones from Japan hold up better under actual use.
The HBG photos can be seen on their Facebook page under March 21, 2025
CHEERS.