[QUOTE=Daweism;2175871]O.k., If you use proper technique, then bending the sword is a moot point. If you want a Japanese style sword that can take a beating, get a custom made version by Howard Clark. His L6 blades can take crazy abuse. More than any C.S. products. His blades can be ordered through Bugei Trading company. http://bugei.com/

Modern steels also helps to make a tougher, more resilient sword. My forged folded cable steel Katana was made by my friend Michael Bell, and has never bent and the edge has never chipped in all the bone cutting tests that I have used this sword on.

Some pics:
Made by Michael Bell (www.dragonflyforge.com)






Picture of the Habaki.




Picture of the Kissaki (tip of blade)


Picture of the Tsuba (guard)

 

I prefer a Hattori Hanzo sword myself

 

http://www.hanzoswords.com/Hanzo-Swords_c_113.html

 

Them Bugei katanas are expensive! I can imagine how much a custom L6 katana would cost... but they do look nice...

 

Well, I guess you're pretty set on wanting a big ol' Japanese sword, huh?
How about a nodachi then?

 

LOL yeah really.

 

Where did they get the shoe laces back in the day for the handles? kinda weird, the culture that never had shoes invented the first shoe laces

 

 

Might I suggest two things....

go look at the sword forums at
http://forums.swordforum.com
Many many questions regarding "first katana" are posted there and the discussion rages on ad infinitum... I'm sure you will find not only a more appropriate sword than that cold steel one, but perhaps also a cheaper one.

The first question is always - for what purpose do you want one? Practice? Cool looks? functionality? beauty and aesthetics? all of the above?

Paul chen swords have always gotten good reviews over on the sword forums. I personally have a 9260 steel cheness sword (by a different Paul Chen of all things!) and it is relatively indestructable. Not the prettiest sword, but I wanted something that was more functional and affordable than anything else. If interested, try his website at http://www.chenessinc.com/ They make oversized katanas as well.

If all you want is something you can put on display (i.e. wallhanger or sword-like object), then you really don't need to spend much at all...

Again, many options, but I would really advise you go over to the sword forums first before spending money on anything.
-C

 

Shoe laces??? That's a new one! Actually, it's called tsuka ito (silk braided handle wrap). The traditional handle is made of wood, then it is full wrapped with stingray skin, then wrapped with the tsuka ito. Since the whole handle is a laminate of different materials, it is very strong.

Many lower cost swords use cotton wrap instead of silk. Nothing wrong with it, but I usually rub some type of laquer in it to keep the cotton wrap from coming apart.

 

Ryan, great pics on those Nodachis !!!

 

If you on a budget, check out my other friends stuff. He is out of Pinole and his blades are forged. They are excellent for the price and I have tested them on cow leg bones and cow spinal colums. Their edges never chipped.

www.kriscutlery.com

Talk to Cecil, and tell him that Ray sent you.

 

LOL, thanks Ray! I figured I'd go for something traditional, something modern, and then of course a Japanese gal makes everything better, right?

 

What company makes a real nodachi? I've only seen cheap ones, and the Cold Steel nodachi has only a 34" blade...

 

I'd love to have a real Katana.. but then again I'd never use it for what its meant for. It would just sit beside my bed in case a samurai entered my home in the night.