[swwatch]

Do you practice iaido, kendo, naginata-do or kenjutsu? If I look at your question, the awnser is no. You don't need to know the awnser to your question. Find a dojo, then come back in a couple of weeks. Or ask the sensei.

The use of weapons by untrained people like you is dangerous. You might hurt yourself or one of your fellow backyard samurai buddies. Don't buy one, not even a wallhanger.