Wow! I never knew this. Is it common in Japan for someone to spend the big money for a Katana?
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Wow! I never knew this. Is it common in Japan for someone to spend the big money for a Katana?
Don't know. I would venture to say that swords of the caliber mentioned above are either family heirlooms, in museums or being sold to collectors.
What is usually seen these days is the decorative set. The decorative set comes with a Katana, a Wakizashi, and a nice wooded sword holder. You see these for sale at many stores. Most swords are chrome plated steel. Price will vary based upon the quality from $100 to $500. They make a fine gift. Personally, I would not trust one as a weapon to defend myself. But yes, they could be used to hurt someone.
The price for real (authentic) Samurai Tachi, Katana or Wakazashi swords is much higher and is based upon many factors -- too many to discuss here. But I will say that the sword smith, condition, and age definitely affect the price. And there are rip-offs and they sell for much cheaper.
Of course, with all things Japanese, there is even a process for inspecting the sword.
The construction of a Samurai sword is very interesting. They are very sharp. Here is a sword vs. gun demonstration.
marcellus wallace?
ahh, thankyou, makes it clearer nowLast time I checked, bullets stop people. Like the cop in earlier post said, it's about shot placement.
It's the people who don't know what they are talking about or who have a major jones for a bigger gun who say such trash about bullets not stopping people. And like another poster mentioned, it's not likely the crackhead breaking in will be wearing many layers of clothing, or anticipate all those layers (or a bullet proof vest) during a break in.
The theory that smaller guns don't stop people is about as valid as saying that driving drunk is safer because your body is more relaxed when you do hit another car or object, and you are less likely to break bones while in a relaxed, drunk state, therefore we should all drive drunk.
just didnt think clothing would stop bullets still but yeah, i mean i guess someone can make a spoon lethal, so you can make a low caliber gun lethal not quite the same thing, but hey. thanks though, interesting stuff yeah i know they are, im just saying $14000 still isn't cheap! that sword must be a beast though :O i'd love a proper jap one. i mean mine is nice, but jeez...
I would suggest that you consider using Japanese instead of Jap.
Anyhow, my instructor let me play around with his. It was the most beautiful sword that I have ever held in my life. You could see the history in the blade. Totally awesome.
Oh, it's very sharp -- you can cut tissue by dragging it across the blade.
Getting back to the handgun issue, I think that you definitely need one that fits. By that I mean it fits in your hand, is not overpowering when shooting it, and is easy to get on target.
I had a wonderful Browning BDA 380 with Pacmar grips. Loaded with silver tipped hollow points. Definitely will stop someone and yet you don't need to worry about the rounds going through a wall for the most part. My next choice would be a 45.
You mean, the scene in the movie The Bodyguard (Whitney Houston, Kevin Costner) could actually happen? Very cool.Oh, it's very sharp -- you can cut tissue by dragging it across the blade.
I would suggest that you consider using Japanese instead of Jap.
Anyhow, my instructor let me play around with his. It was the most beautiful sword that I have ever held in my life. You could see the history in the blade. Totally awesome.
Oh, it's very sharp -- you can cut tissue by dragging it across the blade.
I have a preference for Damascus steel myself mostly for aesthetic reasons when it comes to the grain pattern left over from the folding process I prefer that wood like look that the middle eastern smiths put in. As far as edges go, if you know what you are doing almost any blade can be given and maintain such an edge with the proper care.
I've never seen that movie so I can't comment.You mean, the scene in the movie The Bodyguard (Whitney Houston, Kevin Costner) could actually happen? Very cool.
But his Katana is very sharp. I've seen him use it in various demos.
Personally, I would not want to be hit by his shin. I've seen him break three baseball bats with one kick.
Agree, the pattern of the material on the blade can really be cool looking.
The Japanese use a variety of finishes if you will on the their blades.
I wish that you could feel an authentic high quality Tachi, Katana or Wakazashi.
The beauty of the Japanese system is that their blades are very strong while being extremely thin and light. My instructor's, which is about 400 years old, feels like a feather in your hand and it's perfectly balanced. The Japanese way has a hard blade with a soft backside. This allows for blade recovery, rather than breaking, after striking a hard object.
There are other sharp swords in the world. But they are all much heavier and cannot be wielded as quickly.
Note, if the subject is facing you, the ultimate strike with a Katana would be to strike on the left side of your opponent's neck and continue downward through the body to come out below their right arm and above their waist. In essence, you would have the head and right arm in one part and the rest of the body in the other.
I have to agree with you. I think that MOST people who have guns as a means to protect themselves are deluded... and probably watch too many crime shows on television. In all the years I've been alive and all of the different situations I've been in, I've never ever felt threatened enough to need a gun. Actually, the odds of actually needing to pull a weapon out to use it as a form of self-dense is extremely rare. You stand a greater chance of dying of cancer or getting killed in an auto accident than from an intruder. If you're that worried about being assaulted or robbed, then move out of your bad neighborhood or don't travel to one. If you have a lot of valuable stuff, just get a good alarm and maybe a watch dog. You can get alarm systems that will alert the police and have them there in less than 5 minutes in most situations. Most intruders will avoid a home that has a watch dog and alarm system.
Finally, I rarely read about people killing bad people who are breaking into their homes, but I often read about accidental shootings that occur. A few months ago, I read a heartbreaking story about a guy who shot his wife dead when he thought she was an intruder. Then there was a guy I used to work with that told me a story about his car alarm going off late one night because someone was breaking into his car. He told me he grabbed his gun and ran out.... but the person was gone. My first thought was, why would you want to shoot someone just because they were breaking into your car? Isn't that what insurance is for? Is a car so valuable that you would kill someone over it? Why go outside and risk putting yourself in harms way? Having a gun makes a person tempted to do stupid things like that. Since I don't have a gun, I would have done the sensible thing and just called the police, then stayed inside behind locked doors until they got there.
I've never seen that movie so I can't comment.
But his Katana is very sharp. I've seen him use it in various demos.
Personally, I would not want to be hit by his shin. I've seen him break three baseball bats with one kick.
Agree, the pattern of the material on the blade can really be cool looking.
The Japanese use a variety of finishes if you will on the their blades.
I wish that you could feel an authentic high quality Tachi, Katana or Wakazashi.
The beauty of the Japanese system is that their blades are very strong while being extremely thin and light. My instructor's, which is about 400 years old, feels like a feather in your hand and it's perfectly balanced. The Japanese way has a hard blade with a soft backside. This allows for blade recovery, rather than breaking, after striking a hard object.
There are other sharp swords in the world. But they are all much heavier and cannot be wielded as quickly.
Note, if the subject is facing you, the ultimate strike with a Katana would be to strike on the left side of your opponent's neck and continue downward through the body to come out below their right arm and above their waist. In essence, you would have the head and right arm in one part and the rest of the body in the other.
I have they are fine light and useful in certain situations, but too delicate of weapons to be used en mass on the battlefield. Individually they do hold their own and can do plenty of damage in the proper masters hands. The advantage of Damascus blades is the ability to hold an edge under heavy fighting--during the crusades they were a feared weapon to oppose versus European steels on the battle field they had the advantage of remaining sharp thanks in part to the folding techniques and good tempering as compared to the crusaders cruder swords from softer iron alloys which required constant sharpening while in battle. And properly wielded a swordsman of this class of weapon was equally deadly even with the extra weight.
A fine example of a marrying of the two types swords comes from the monks practice of Tai Chi which its practitioners forged a tough light weight almost Scimitar style blade the name of which escapes me at the moment, but very effective defensively.
Here's an interesting video.
Katana vs. 50 Cal
And I'm sure this is not a prime Japanese made Katana.
Katana vs. 50 Cal
And I'm sure this is not a prime Japanese made Katana.
Here's an interesting video.
Katana vs. 50 Cal
And I'm sure this is not a prime Japanese made Katana.
LOL there's very little a 50 cal wont penetrate.
One of my favorites was the Mythbusters episode testing a Katana against a gun barrel.
Like others have said...get a good 9mm semi like the Glock 17/19...get some training...and shoot often.
Cheers.
-J.-
Cheers.
-J.-
I would suggest that you consider using Japanese instead of Jap.
Anyhow, my instructor let me play around with his. It was the most beautiful sword that I have ever held in my life. You could see the history in the blade. Totally awesome.
Oh, it's very sharp -- you can cut tissue by dragging it across the blade.
Getting back to the handgun issue, I think that you definitely need one that fits. By that I mean it fits in your hand, is not overpowering when shooting it, and is easy to get on target.
I had a wonderful Browning BDA 380 with Pacmar grips. Loaded with silver tipped hollow points. Definitely will stop someone and yet you don't need to worry about the rounds going through a wall for the most part. My next choice would be a 45.
okay, i do apologise... if you dont mind me saying, you seem really quite hostile. anyway... yeah i can do the ol' paper test with my katana, havent tried tissue yet though haha
and those videos of gun vs katana are very interesting :O very tough stuff!and in response to some of your other posts.... i relaly do wish i could hold that sword, every katana i've held is always quite heavy. just the thought of one so light... so balanced.... ahh damn that would be a good sword. i'd love a real japanese sword
okay, i do apologise... if you dont mind me saying, you seem really quite hostile. anyway... yeah i can do the ol' paper test with my katana, havent tried tissue yet though haha
and in response to some of your other posts.... i relaly do wish i could hold that sword, every katana i've held is always quite heavy. just the thought of one so light... so balanced.... ahh damn that would be a good sword. i'd love a real japanese sword
You've probably held the cheaper mass produced surgical grade stainless steel display pieces if they were heavy. Those are quite good at holding an edge once one is properly honed but really not much more than display pieces.
But it split 6 bullets before it broke which in itself is pretty amazing.
indeed the force applied to chip the blade in the first shot was impressive for both the blade and the gun.
Accepted and thank you on behalf of the Japanese on this forum.
Interesting. I will say that racist comments such as Jap do get my dander up a bit.
You'll never forget your first time.i relaly do wish i could hold that sword, every katana i've held is always quite heavy. just the thought of one so light... so balanced.... ahh damn that would be a good sword. i'd love a real japanese sword
When I came to Japan, I was like your typical foreigner and didn't know much about Samurai swords. Over time I've learned quite a bit living here. When I was in my prime, I could look at a sword and in a minute or so determine age, authenticity, maker, and a few other characteristics.
If you visit Tokyo or similar city you will see sword shops. Just remember, regardless of the cost, the display models are not highly regarded. The good swords for sale are not shown and to see them, you must know the lingo and protocol.
These days, the truly valuable swords are in museums or family heirlooms. Very few are on the streets. And no, a WWII officer's Katana is not a Samurai sword unless that office was a descendent and it was a family heirloom. Most WWII officer's Katana's were mass produced.
You also have to be careful of rip-offs or imitations. They are rather common. As long as you know, before purchasing fine. But some will charge as if it is the real thing. Definitely need to know the difference.
Here is a good video of a Katana in action.
Yep. That is what is common.
These sets can be expensive. And they look good. But they are not true Samurai sword sets.
What's really cool, IMHO, is a Tachi that's been cut down to a Katana or katana to a Wakazashi. These swords have battle marks, and hence character.
Now in the area of handguns, that was where I was tempted to get a good Wakazashi. Wakazashi's are generally used for home defense due to the small hallways. Of course in a room you could use a Katana. But in a hallway, a Katana is pretty much worthless.
Accepted and thank you on behalf of the Japanese on this forum.
Interesting. I will say that racist comments such as Jap do get my dander up a bit.
You'll never forget your first time.
When I came to Japan, I was like your typical foreigner and didn't know much about Samurai swords. Over time I've learned quite a bit living here. When I was in my prime, I could look at a sword and in a minute or so determine age, authenticity, maker, and a few other characteristics.
If you visit Tokyo or similar city you will see sword shops. Just remember, regardless of the cost, the display models are not highly regarded. The good swords for sale are not shown and to see them, you must know the lingo and protocol.
These days, the truly valuable swords are in museums or family heirlooms. Very few are on the streets. And no, a WWII officer's Katana is not a Samurai sword unless that office was a descendent and it was a family heirloom. Most WWII officer's Katana's were mass produced.
You also have to be careful of rip-offs or imitations. They are rather common. As long as you know, before purchasing fine. But some will charge as if it is the real thing. Definitely need to know the difference.
Here is a good video of a Katana in action.
Yep. That is what is common.
These sets can be expensive. And they look good. But they are not true Samurai sword sets.
What's really cool, IMHO, is a Tachi that's been cut down to a Katana or katana to a Wakazashi. These swords have battle marks, and hence character.
Now in the area of handguns, that was where I was tempted to get a good Wakazashi. Wakazashi's are generally used for home defense due to the small hallways. Of course in a room you could use a Katana. But in a hallway, a Katana is pretty much worthless.
Thats quite alright... though Jap is deemed as racist?
and your not japanese yourself?
ah that sounds cool though, i'd love to be able to tell all that just by looking at a sword! i do not really know a great deal about them really, especially not proper japanese ones, their makers etc, haha.
and lingo + protocol?
sounds interesting.... you mean this steel is so dangerous/valued you have to kinda know what your doing to get it?and yeah wakazashis are interesting, i got one years ago as a gift (stainless steel, full tang but back garden samurai nonetheless) and would find it useful in an environment such as the home.
And mate, that video... thats mad :O
Yes, very much so.
Yep.and lingo + protocol?
Usually an introduction is required as well.
Yep.and lingo + protocol?
Usually an introduction is required as well.
Isn't this the case in pretty much any field of skilled creation?
If you want to get up close and intimate with an original example of some of the most respected items in the world in that field, you have to be reasonably well known in that field yourself, or be good friends with someone who is.
I would venture to say that is true.
Most professions have their own system of communication and information exchange.
That is analogous to my preference toward the Taurus judge as far as guns go. That and of course better range than a blade or at one time my craftsman weed whacker at a very odd moment involving home defense.
Let's just say having a father who was in special forces I learned how to use just about anything at my disposal for self defense and I'll leave it at that
^ For easy home defense, a simple sawed off pump 12 gauge will do wonders.
With pistols, there are so many options. The key is to find what works well for you.
As for me, when I was current I could pick up just about any weapon in the world and fire it effectively. Now days, it would probably take a little time to adjust. Blind drills came in very handy.
With pistols, there are so many options. The key is to find what works well for you.
As for me, when I was current I could pick up just about any weapon in the world and fire it effectively. Now days, it would probably take a little time to adjust. Blind drills came in very handy.
^ For easy home defense, a simple sawed off pump 12 gauge will do wonders.
And the sound it makes when chambering a round speaks many, many languages.