[gunhijala]

If you want to build up arm strength, get a suburito.

http://www.e-bogu.com/Super_Heavy_Bo...y-natural-.htm

Its heavy enough to build good arm strength and you won't have to worry about cutting yourself. If you can swing it one handed with good tenouchi then you are more than able to use a shinai or normal bokuto one handed.

You can also try writing to the link on koei's website(below) and ask them for a catalogue. They have different types of suburito(one even weighs 4kgs!). The cost will be less than a katana and will benefit your kendo as well.

http://www.koei-budogu.co.jp/koei_budogu_e/index_e.htm

[Sleedyhex]

Just curious.. does anyone know of a fairly decent (cutting exercise) katana for around 250-300ish. I don't really care if it is folded.. since I don't plan on parrying anytime soon.

I have been looking at the practical plus and practical pro katana. I can cut equally with my left or right hand, not that this should be an big deal. Is there any other recommendations other than these katanas. And do any of you have experience with them personally? (BTW it took me a long time to be able to fight left handed as naturally as I do my right, but it comes in handy)

thx again
dev
www.brandon-san.com

[Gideleb]

hmm. my wife would kill me if cut into the wall.... lol.. anywho, that was part of the reason I did not want to spend to much. I figure if i break it or something comes off, I am only out 250ish bucks. If I mess up a folded sword I am out 1000+ bucks. Is there any other vender besides paul chen that makes quality swords for cutting around the 300 dollar range? Also, how often do you have to oil a carbon steel sword. I know how to oil a sword in the tradional manner, with rice paper and all, but do you do it after every cutting exercise, or just like once a week. I don't mind breaking a 300 dollar sword during exercises, but if it rusts because I did not take care of it right, I would be really pissed at myself.

thx for the responses
dev

[Hedkffiz]

unless of course, he jabs you in a vital organ. then you have bit of time to get him back...

i was also wondering about katanas. what about in the 500$ range?

[N9u9ie4p]

If you want to build up arm strength, get a suburito. shinken/iaito are more fun :P

[slimfifa]

do you do any swords related martial arts? im just asking..

[Skete]

kendo, that is about it. I do it over at the university (texas tech). I really enjoying battleing my friends though. I have a really good friend who uses western style. It is harder than I thought to defend against a ton of thrusts to the belly. What I really want this katana for is for cutting exercises and to make my forearms a bit stronger, maybe to the point where I can use the long sword with one hand almost as good as I can use it with two hands. Do you have any recommendations besides the katanas I mentioned above?

this may not have to do wiht anything, but western-style shouldnt really be so hard. even if he gets a good stab, the rule of traditional kenjitsu is "one slash, one kill" and u have more chances of surviving a slim stab in the gut, then a "men" cut that goes from the top of the head, straight down, barely even stopped by the ribcage. ur gonna be wounded, but hes gonna be split in half. the outcome should be a draw. lol

[robstamps]

kendo, that is about it. I do it over at the university (texas tech). I really enjoying battleing my friends though. I have a really good friend who uses western style. It is harder than I thought to defend against a ton of thrusts to the belly. What I really want this katana for is for cutting exercises and to make my forearms a bit stronger, maybe to the point where I can use the long sword with one hand almost as good as I can use it with two hands. Do you have any recommendations besides the katanas I mentioned above?

[i32I7qyH]

I got the PC Tsunami a couple of weeks ago. Arround 500$, it's not really sharp (dunno about the lower end Paul Chens) but the blade is better for cutting by design (I recon all PC's need additional sharping before using it for tameshigiri). It's a little heavier and the balance is more towards the tip (increasing speed). PC uses little pieces of same to cover the handle, better (expensiver swords) have a full cover. After using it for few weeks the strips of same move a bit exposing the wood underneath. The cotton already shows marks of use (starting to fade in color). They use a plastic cap on the end of the scabbard which is crap, when performing noto (sheeting) you are very likely to break the saya (because the plastic isn't strong enough to handle a little force). The saya is basic, more expensive saya's have a piece of sturdy wood or bamboo to protect the saya from the sharp of the sword. With a sharpend sword you are very likely to cut trough it some day. The pegs are made out of normal wood, I already had them replaced by bamboo pegs (more secure).

For the price they are the best blades you can get. If, however, I would have the additional cash I would definatly go for a better one. Either the LL's or the top end folded steel blades. I don't know for sure but I guess you'll be enjoying the blade with all its fittings a lot longer. Then again, if something goes wrong you are very likely to destroy a 1000$ blade. I got lucky last week, when cutting trough a cardboard box I hit a wall, a little piece of the tip (1mm) broke off straight away.

Best Regards,

Louis

[DF9sLGSU]

For the price, you cant beat CAS Iberia/Hanwei swords. Bugei and LL swords are incredible, but for someone with a budget...no. 'Nuff said. I don't have a whole lot of money to throw around yet, so I tend to preffer CAS/Hanwei over Bugei or LL. In fact, I just mailed out for the Practical Pro...so anyhoo. As far as oiling is concerned, yes. Oil it whenever the old coat looks too gunky or dry. Also oil after every tameshigiri session...and even if no cutting is done but someone touches the blade, oil it again. The other oils in the skin will cause corrosion in the carbon steel. Make sure you get off all of the old oil before applying a new coat. Oh, and dont use the powder ball every time. Use it, like, once a month or so unless you have the ability to polish the blade. Otherwise, the powder will remove the finish if it is over-used. Limestone powder, it's like super-fine sandpaper. Rock on. (^_^) \m/

Kev