I'm sure we've got some weapons collectors here. I'm looking into aquiring a decent katana with fairly authentic craftsmanship largely as a wall hangar. I am looking especially for Damascus steel. I've had my eye on this one: http://www.trueswords.com/musashi-sharp-damascus-steel-katana-sword-4096-layers-p-4992.html

Does anyone know if this is decent? I don't want to spend much more than what that one costs on a wall hanger.

I was watching an episode of Nova on PBS where this sword expert guy was saying that a really good broadsword is a much better sword than a katana. A bit heavier, but cuts just as well even with a dull blade, so it's more reliable with less maintenance. Any sword experts out there know anything about that?

What I found quickly: http://budk.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=159690& Much cheaper than the one you linked.

Damascus steel isn't a real thing anymore. Anything you see labeled damascus steel is regular steel stained to look like damascus steel. The actual method for making real damascus steel is lost to the ages.

If it's only as a wall hanger, I wouldn't spend $180. If it's for semi-functional cutting like messing around with plants (green stems only, don't cut branches!) I wouldn't spend more than $100. If it's for cutting tatami mats, either for sport or hobby, look for one with differential hardening. It makes the edge harder, so it's more durable and potentially sharper. It also helps prevent the blade from warping or shattering. If you really want to spend money, find one with a folded edge.

I have a $100 "functional" piece of junk that fell apart after a couple weeks, and I have a $60 functional beauty of a blade (which isn't sold anymore IIRC) that's survived well. Neither are differentially hardened, but both have a brushed on hamon (the wavy discoloration differential hardening creates). If you want something pretty, brushed or acidic hamon are alright, but it's not real differential hardening so don't be fooled.

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/ is a fantastic site by the way.

Well I am more of a Katana Denthusiast as I feel like they are the most romanticized weapon in our societies. Despite them not really deserving the fame they get. Good weapons, but nowhere near the point that most people think of them as the ultimate sword or whatever.

About the sword? See whothe maker is and research that person.

Thanks! I like the Musashi's design better though.

Yeah, it looks a little more longer and more curved.

Actually, Damascus is not at all lost. It is made by folding steel of different qualities(and thus colors) together. As a blacksmith I know these things. Thanks for the input though! I was looking at that site in another tab already though LOL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_steel

I was incorrect when I implied it's always stained. That's likely to be what you get sub-$200 though.

My thoughts? If you're just buying it to look at, just buy what ever you want. Get one as pretty or basic, functional or useless as you want.


Heh, I have on of those. Pretty nice, but I prefer cotton or leather wrappings to nylon just for reasons of comfort.

There is pattern welded steel, which is a modern attempt to recreate damascus steel, but there are still a lot of fake damascus (etched metal).


Even as a katana lover (I have five of varying qualities) but I have to say QFT.

Why not make your own then? Would that even be possible?

The pictures I've seen look really legit. Not like the stained blades I've seen. I haven't been able to find a decent review though...

I'm by no means a sword expert, but I've read the same. The japanese steel is supposingly of relatively poor quality too, making the swords more fragile than western swords. Or something like that.

The katana do look cooler though

More of a Damascus steel butter knife type...
Damascus steel katana... sounds wrong

Do you have any idea how much hammering it takes to make a few thousand folds???

EDIT: Not to mention that my forge isn't big enough.

Damascus Steel is not in fact lost, but I suspect it would be incredibly expensive to forge a blade out of it. Authentic Damascus Steel would have to come from a Southern Portion of India if wiki is to be trusted at all. Don't just read wiki, but the links on the two people who have purported to have rediscovered the steel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damascus_steel

Can it be forged today? Yes. Can we make better swords? Probably. But for its time the blade would be legendary for durability.

If its just for decoration never try and use said sword, if you want it to be "battle" ready you will need to pay more.


Edit
Japanese steel was much poorer in quality, so it had to be folded many times during production. However it is remarkably sharp and made first and foremost as a cutting weapon. Japanese armour was much different from European armour as well. Less plated and heavily armoured. So this means a cutting weapon would be more effective. The Samurai armour was typically much more mobile, and they didn't use shields much if at all to my knowledge.

Then look at a Broadsword (which is not what people think it is), I assume you mean a Claymore. Its much more made for stabbing. And with heavy armour prevalent in Europe at the time a slashing sword was completely and utterly useless against them. So the longsword was made to stab into the soft spots on armour. Plate mail was like being a tank in contrast and gave great survivability at the expense of mobility. While a man could mount his horse unaided and even fight with the armour on foot being dismounted typically meant death. The armour in particular caused heating problems. Not to mention once on foot away from the mobile horse the man would be cut down quickly. Well stabbed in this case.

Two different weapons for two different situations. Arguing which one is better is silly. If you took the Longsword over to Japan you would be at a disadvantage. Since you don't need to stab so precisely your sword is at a disadvantage in terms of its ability to cut quickly and many times in a short period. Take the Katana to Europe and you wouldn't be able to even dent plate mail with any cut no matter how strong. And with a curved blade stabbing would be harder.

You can always buy a WW2 officers sword, they are around and people sell them they dont usualy go for much because there were so many of them, and they were decent swords, other than alot of the commercial rubbish they are selling now, ive held an original old katana, nice sword well balanced, a friend owns 2, had both authenticated.

If you like the katana not only for its asthetics but because it is a good sword then go for it, but at least buy one that you cant stand on the blade and snap it in half.

Any idea where to aquire one these Officer's Swords? I am a WWII... enthusiast, so this interests me a good bit.

Being both a sword and WWII enthusiast I'm surprised you're not aware of the officer swords. I'm a WWII enthusiast myself and there are many places you can find not just swords but all sorts of WWII items. Some might depend on whether you're looking for Allied or Japenese officer swords. Either way, make sure you buy from a reputable place and it comes wth some sort of authentication. Preferably a COA. I don't do my collecting online so I can't really provide a good solid reputable website.

Either way, good luck with your sword hunting.

Thanks. I'm really more a reader than a collector, with both Vietnam and WWII. However, I just moved and I have a place over the loft window that BEGS for a sword of some type.

I have a few swords and two Samurai Swords sets.

I actually own a Chinese Officers Sword(Jian) from WWII. Got it and a quality newly forged one(i mean an authentic old style Jian, not those wishy washy dancing ones) about a week ago. Great weapons. One is for practicing and the other is a piece of history. My gf's grandpa likes me a lot and gave me both. His dad was an officer back in WWII. His dad was also a POW for 2 years. My Grandpa was one for 3 years. Kind of weird how things turn out isn't it?