Got to Hold a Real Samurai Sword!

[Coltdriver]

A fellow I have known for about 30 years recently inherited his family's three samurai swords.

I visited this weekend and he let me take a good look at them and hold them.

They are really incredible. One of them, which had the decorative handle and scabbord, was over 400 years old. The other two, which he had in their traveling cases, were over 300 years old.

The heft and sharpness of these things has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. All three of these were absolutely razor sharp. My friend had me hold a piece of paper which he sliced in two. Made me more than a little nervous!

It is easy to see how an enemy could be vanquished with a single stroke from one of these. To cut off an arm or a head would be very easy to do!

 

[HighVelocity]

WOW! Maybe your friend would let you take some pictures so you can show us.

The oldest sword I've ever held was from the Civil War. Not quite as exciting.

 

[Third_Rail]

Have him hold the sword blade up and DROP a piece of silk or paper on it. It'll cut without effort exerted.

 

[hillbilly]

A guy who retired recently from UAFS collects samurai swords.

I've gotten to see his collection...everything from one 600 year old piece to swords cobbled together for army officers in World War II.

The WWII swords are like baseball bats in their heft.

The old swords are frightfully light and balanced.

The old swords are alive, and they very much want to cut things.

hillbilly

 

[Jim Watson]

Exactly the word. They don't refer to them as "live blades" for nothing.
A martial artist friend has a signed sword with a feel that would make you vote for sword control. He does his forms with the antique but to spare its edge does cutting with one of the Communist Chinese copies now common on the market. It is sharp and strong but doesn't compare with the balance of the old sword.

 

[Coltdriver]

That is an interesting word to describe these with. Holding this ancient piece of history was interesting enough but the feel in your hand was really something special.

The balance and heft were absolutely perfect and especially so when combined with the sharpness of the blade. It felt very natural, not like it was trying to get away from you. Very easy to control.

You had a sense that you could, with very little effort, slice right through a mere fleshy person.

 

[auschip]

I would like to see a picture if you can swing it (no pun intended).

 

[mbs357]

I've had a fascination with samurai, ancient Japan, and ancient Japanese weaponry and fighting styles for a while.
I absolutely love katanas, and hope to get one some day.
The plan is to get one from here:
http://www.swordstore.com/

 

[Titus]

I quote myself

If you don't know what you're doing with them, and especially if you're going to be tempted to try cutting with them, look into some training first. There are plenty of ways to injure, maim or kill yourself that may not be obvious and you won't necessarily read about in books.

Especially with good form, but either way, they can cut with the very little effort Coltdriver mentioned.

 

[mbs357]

They are incredibly sharp swords.
I'd be more worried about one accidentally cutting me than my guns accidentally going off.

 

[homeka45]

I'll second the request for pics. Thanks.

 

[proven]

my ex's father has been collecting and dealing in japanese swords for about 25 years. he travels to japan frequently, and has a gallery in new york. i can remember going to her parents house and seeing blades, scabbords, decorated tsubas laying all over his office. talk about jealous. he has some truly beautiful works of japanese art.

make sure you check out Phill Hartsfield. he's making what many consider to be the best japanese style blades on the market. Kaiso Toshishiro Obata, of the International Shinkendo Federation, has praised hartsfield's swords and said that "they have the strongest, sharpest blade he's ever tested". i've handled a few hartsfield's from his kozuka on up to his katanas. the first time i picked up one of hs katanas, i was literally speechless.