Looks like I am going to find out....

[Vincent Black]

if the Masahiro "Bamboo" Katana is going to be worth the $91 (Shipped) or not. I know...I said my first Katana since I sold my 1st Gen PC Pratical Katana was going to be a Cheness Oniyuri, but I heard about the "Bamboo" Katana being pretty good for the money and I just had to see for myself.

I will let everyone know when I get it if I think it was worth it or not.

-Vincent

[Daniel Bespalko]

Check this out, 2 swords for $150 and shipping is $20
These are quality 1045 blades, equal to if not better than the Bamboo. Choice of 3 different models to mix or match.
http://www.sukottoinc.com/sukotto-swordworks-c-100.html

[Travis Stafford]

That sound like one of those too good to be true deals. Does anyone here own any of those swords? If they are reccomended I might pick up one/two of them for that price.


I just did a search here for Sukotto but found nothing. Is this a new company?



Did an online seach for them and found the same swords on ebay for about half that:
http://stores.ebay.com/Bu-jins-Marti...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

[T Spitz]

I have one...... I love it. It came sharp, tight fittings, and just felt great. I have cut with it and I think that is just a great deal. You will be very happy. I wish I had seem this before I had bought mine!

[Eric Richter]

For the price of $99 I'd pick up a Sukotto just to compare. I haven't been here long but trust Daniel's recommendations, he has great advice.

The only drawback I can see is all 3 models are bohi only, you cannot opt for no bohi. But alot of people won't mind that. I'd love to see more reviews but they do look new, just added those swords to the site in February.

EDIT: JUST NOTICED. If you buy from the site Daniel linked 2, which has the more inflated price...you get a second model FREE! So really, that is the better deal...unless you simply don't want another sword. They each turn out to ~$75 at that deal.

[Simon Öqvist]

As I suspected, the sukotto swords are of very dodgy quality, still very cheap though.

[Daniel Bespalko]

Originally posted by Simon Öqvist


As I suspected, the sukotto swords are of very dodgy quality, still very cheap though.

As in anything in this price range it can be hit or miss, even in upper price ranges quality can vary.
I'm just trying to show some very good swords for a great price.
I believe in the most bang for the buck.
In the case of the Sukotto it's all about the quality of the blade and the fact that the tsukas has 2 pins instead of one like the Mashahiro Bamboo. I did have a Bamboo tsuka start to shake because of the one pin. So I'm a 2 pin believer from now on. One pin is good for Nihonto swords but not for production practical blades.

[Daniel Bespalko]

By the way, since in a previous post an Ebay link showed up, Here is a direct link to the store and the Dragon with more info and better pics.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...OMOBOX:NEWLIST

[Eric Richter]

If the blades are good, I'd still consider that a deal. Throw away the tsuka if you are not satified and order a replacement from any brand that you can modify to fit it (or do a custom job?). For the combined price you would have a good blade, and a tsuka that you are confident with. I am always wanting a DIY project in almost every hobby I get into. custom built computers, modified air rifles, modded cars, etc.

[Daniel Bespalko]

Originally posted by Eric Richter
If the blades are good, I'd still consider that a deal. Throw away the tsuka if you are not satified and order a replacement from any brand that you can modify to fit it (or do a custom job?). For the combined price you would have a good blade, and a tsuka that you are confident with. I am always wanting a DIY project in almost every hobby I get into. custom built computers, modified air rifles, modded cars, etc.

Yep, that's what's nice about the good quality good priced katanas. You can learn without breaking your budget and not worry so much about how you use them. DIY projects on these blades are alot of fun, not to mention the experience you gain.
Experience is the best teacher. The bottom line is a good quality blade that you can use with confidence and also improve it if you want. As a total noobie I smacked an $800 LL into the table I had a water bottle to cut. The sword took the hit, but was I happy? No! Had these blades we are talkin about now been around then, I would have progessed more quickly in having sword cutting fun. Go for it!!!!!!!

[Simon Öqvist]

Go for it!!!!!!!

Maybe I will, but if the fittings are bodged then where should I turn to buy alternative fittings or get a custom job?


[Edit]

I just noticed something strange, the Ö in my name shows as a question mark, it's been fine before, so what's up with that?

[Eric Richter]

http://www.japanese-swords.com/index.htm

Daniel gave me this link in my first thread, they will have everything you need I think. There are other places, search around for "custom tsuka"

[Vincent Black]

Well, I figured for the price, if the blade is at least as good as my first gen Paul Chen Practical Katana was, then I will be happy.

The next one will definitely be the Oniyuri this time, as I do want a short bladed Katana. And it looks like it will handle really fast and feel light.

If I don't like the handle, I am sure I can find someone on these forums that would be willing to make me a decent one.

I also saw the New Practical Katanas at www.nihonzashi.com and am VERY intetersted in the new XL Shinto. I held a first generation Shinto several years ago and loved it. I can't wait to see one with a thicker blade as that was it's main weakness when they first came out.

-Vincent

[Daniel Bespalko]

Originally posted by Simon Öqvist
Maybe I will, but if the fittings are bodged then where should I turn to buy alternative fittings or get a custom job?


[Edit]

I just noticed something strange, the Ö in my name shows as a question mark, it's been fine before, so what's up with that?

One thing you have to remember is these swords are at least made to to used for light cutting. So sometimes the cosmetics may turn you off, but they are usable out of the box. That is the way I look at a budget katana. Can I use it or is it a wallhanger?
I do not believe in wallhangers unless I choose to make a usable and practical katana my own display wallhanger. BUT I know I can use it because that's what it was built for. A minor loose ito or the fact that the diamond shape of the ito is not perfect does not mean the sword is not usable, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I can use even the ugliest look of ito or loose saya sword. Again I reiterate it comes down to the blade. As always some will be better than others. But you have to take into consideration where you are in the game. I say it always comes down to the blade and the rest is relative. Does the ito make the blade cut? NO! Does a better wrap help? Yes! So on and so forth... You need a good foundation to build upon. I don't care how good the ito, same, tsuba, saya, etc. is, the bottom line is the steel it is built around. Of course good steel and good quality on all the other aspects makes an even better sword.
So there will always be tradeoffs. To me the blade (steel) is the most important. Because that is what will do the cutting and nothing else.

[les yeich]

uhhh. . . what on *earth* are they referring to in regards to the kurikata placement? i'm sure they're worth all of $75, that's for sure, but their advertising is reminiscent of the original ll ads that ticked so many people off. i'm just going to keep my opinion quiet on this one. i see nothing that sets them ahead of the masahiro or cheness options.

[Jeff Hagen]

Does anyone have one of these that can post some pictures of the saya? Especially the area around the koiguchi.

I'm thinking about doing a custom saya project in the future, and I want to take a good look at this one to see if it makes a good template.

[Daniel Bespalko]

Originally posted by les yeich
uhhh. . . what on *earth* are they referring to in regards to the kurikata placement? i'm sure they're worth all of $75, that's for sure, but their advertising is reminiscent of the original ll ads that ticked so many people off. i'm just going to keep my opinion quiet on this one. i see nothing that sets them ahead of the masahiro or cheness options.

You are right there is no big deal in where the kurikata (knob for sageo) is placed at a functional and accurate 3.5 inches from the koiguchi. (from the website)
I guess any hype is considered good hype.
My experience on all this is I have had almost $10,000 invested over a 2 year period in swords (katana) so I have seen the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY. I did learn the hard way by having some easy money. Now I think and I'll say it again what swords and I only have katanas are the most bang for the buck. I do not make things up just to post. I deal with reality and try and help members learn from my mistakes. AS everyone will see this is posted in the beginners section. My intention is for beginners to get a quick education and not make the expensive mistakes I did.
So start out with a good budget katana and take it from there, this may turnout not to be a hobby for you. So don't go for the big bucks until you check it out for a good quality budget katana and take it from there.......

[Vincent Black]

^That is excatly what I am about, brother. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK.

I don't want to spend alot of money on one sword when there is a less expesive one that will perform as well/or as needed.

Hopefully I will be happy with this purchase, but if not, then I will chalk it up to experience.

The only swords I have handled were all Paul Chen's and they were all 1st Gen. :

Shinto -LOVED how light it felt.

Musashi - I also loved this sword, but being 5 ft 7in, it seemed a little too big for me, IMO.

Practical Katana -An OK beater Katana.

Practical Ninja -Same as the Practical Katana, but the best made Ninja-to that I had seen as I was used to all the 440 steel wallhangers that were around during the 80's.

I have heard that Paul Chen has come a long way since then and I can't wait for the Shinto XL.

-Vincent

[Daniel Bespalko]

Originally posted by Vincent Black
^That is excatly what I am about, brother. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK.



-Vincent

I always try and express that and I'm glad you caught on. I've had my 2 Bugeis, were they nice? Yes. Where they perfect for the money? NO! I expected perfection and even in the $1000 + range you will still find faults. So for $100 or so what can be so bad?
Did I ever intend to cut with my $1000 + sword? NO! I could not afford to damage it. Did I cut with my $800 LL? Yes. Did it take a beating for what I did? Yes!. Could a budget katana taken the same mild beating? YES. Start out small and see what works for you. I started out with expensive swords that I had to sell because I had some free money to spend. But now I'm back into it because I can have many swords of great quality and only have about $2500 invested in the hobby and have my beaters and display practical katanas. I'm very happy now and recommend noobies go this route. Unless you have big bucks do not invest in expensive swords. Buy what you can afford to use and learn on. As you progress and want to take it further start to upgrade. At least your budget katanas will always be affordable for sale on the secondary market.

[Vincent Black]

That's what I thought. I kinda figured that a $500 sword (Or less!!) probably would be able to take as buch of a beating as the $1,000 swords. (Depending on the steel and assuming it was tempered right)

Personally, I don't plan on ever spending more than $500 on a sword MAX!! And then, knowing me, I wouldn't ever use the damn thing when my $100-$300 MAX swords are around.

$500 for me would buy me a NICE sword to own, but I would never use it.

A $100 sword on the otherhand, would see all kinds of abuse, and when it gets dull, would be used to practice re-sharpening on.

I've looked at the Hayabusa Katana, and have decided that will be one the NICE ones I will have to own and display.

But that is for later, right now, I am looking for the best bang for my buck. If this doesn't turn out to be a decent beater, then all I am out is $100, and the search will continue...

-Vincent

[Eric Richter]

I have the same thinking. Being only 18 and making just enough to barely support myself, I can't really risk buying a $500 sword, just the initial purchase would probably break the bank. At the time I bought my sword I had a small surplus and managed to plan my payments and such before/after it accordingly. Sometimes getting payed once a week has it's advantages, I can recover quickly from small splurges :P

[Daniel Bespalko]

Originally posted by Vincent Black
That's what I thought. I kinda figured that a $500 sword (Or less!!) probably would be able to take as buch of a beating as the $1,000 swords. (Depending on the steel and assuming it was tempered right)

Personally, I don't plan on ever spending more than $500 on a sword MAX!! And then, knowing me, I wouldn't ever use the damn thing when my $100-$300 MAX swords are around.

$500 for me would buy me a NICE sword to own, but I would never use it.

A $100 sword on the otherhand, would see all kinds of abuse, and when it gets dull, would be used to practice re-sharpening on.

I've looked at the Hayabusa Katana, and have decided that will be one the NICE ones I will have to own and display.

But that is for later, right now, I am looking for the best bang for my buck. If this doesn't turn out to be a decent beater, then all I am out is $100, and the search will continue...

-Vincent

VINCENT,
Yes that is called learning, experience and progession. Please take the advice from someone as dumb as me to try and help other people starting out. You are definetly on the right track and thought of the hobby. Spend what you can afford to beat or loose and spend what you can afford to showcase. I love Katanas and have my assortment of what I like to show and what I will use to go as a user. No more $500+ for me, I'm happy with a good Cheness 9260 as a user and a display sword. But then again this is just me. Everything I own can be used or shown for it's own inherent beauty or beat up because it does the job and it's replaceable at an affordable price.

[Vincent Black]

Indeed.

As much as I would LOVE to have a $1,000+ Katana, the reality is that I can get just about the same quality for $500+ and the differences, if any will more than likely be things that I don't have the experience to tell apart so I really won't be missing anything, IMO.

For those that can pluck down the $$$$$$$$$ for an Clark L-6 , be my guest. But I would love to know how much better a sword like that can perform over the best $500+ Katanas in terms of cutting ability and durability.

If anyone can answer that, I would like to know as I have no idea...

-Vincent

[Daniel Bespalko]

Originally posted by Vincent Black
Indeed.

As much as I would LOVE to have a $1,000+ Katana, the reality is that I can get just about the same quality for $500+ and the differences, if any will more than likely be things that I don't have the experience to tell apart so I really won't be missing anything, IMO.

For those that can pluck down the $$$$$$$$$ for an Clark L-6 , be my guest. But I would love to know how much better a sword like that can perform over the best $500+ Katanas in terms of cutting ability and durability.

If anyone can answer that, I would like to know as I have no idea...

-Vincent

Quick answer from most would be you get what you pay for. First off it would be a custom and not a production model. Although I still consider most of his work production as they are very similiar. OK FLAME IF YOU WANT. Clark L-6 could you use this sword? YES! Would it stand up to just about any abuse? YES, most likely. After spending that kind of money unless you were a pro practioner, would you want to use the HC L6? Probably not. There is no doubt the HC line of swords are fantastic. I would love to be able to say I own one. But can I also afford to wait 6 years to get one done to my liking? NOT? Would it be practical for me? NO!. The HC swords are a status symbol and a rare collectors item. They are an investment due to the quality and rarity of the swordsmith. And even after getting a HC blade you can spend thousands more to get it final polished and mounted. If it was not done already.
So I say for the amount of cuts you and I can make and abuse a sword, we can keep our budget in a range to keep buying our $100 - $300 katanas and still be way ahead. 50-100 katanas in the $100-$300 range would probably outlive us and keep the price below a well finished HC L6. Buy what you like and can afford to use or show or hold as an investment. This is only my 2 cents and it's only worth a penny.

[Vincent Black]

That's pretty much was I was thinking. Glad to know that I am not the only one here with that line of thinking.

And if anyone else here has a Masahiro "Bamboo" Katana and would like to comment/share pics, please feel free to do so.

-Vincent