Sword Discussion

[The Deco]

Samurai swords were not for sale back then. To get one, you would have to actually be a samurai. Plus: the grandfather paradox would be in effect.

xDDDD

 

[Sicron]

I saw some good sword replicas on this site.
http://www.trueswords.com/ichigo-tensa-bankai-sword-inspired-anime-p-2888.html
(the larger version of this sword is too long)

I wouldn't like to actually use that sword to cut something though. It would probably break in an instant. Though, it does look very awesome.

It would be cheaper to invent a time machine and use it to get to middle ages japan and buy some sword. You will make money in a few seconds with your modern knowledge, people will think you are sorcerer and could pull off shows, like The Wizard of Oz. And then you come back to post-modern times with your ancient money and sell it for fortune, woooo

I don't think you would make a lot of money. People would probably kill you. Instantly.

 

[Painkiller]

I wish I had a katana...
I really wanna have one, they're really cool

 

[Deman]

Most swords that you pick up in stores like that do, Deman. I only have a few that are actually combat-ready and they cost me a fortune, man. They are sickenly expensive.

Exactly. They've actually got blacksmith classes at a community college here. And yeah, I'm not sure how much a community college can really teach you about smithing in a couple of semesters, but I've always fancied the idea of learning the art. Then I could sell combat ready swords at extreme prices.

 

[Avenger]

People would probably kill you. Instantly.

Plato's allegory of the cave concurs with you.

 

[-Origin]

Deman, I saw a documentary on TV about the master swordsmiths of Japan once... the amount of effort and discipline a dozen people have to put into creating a single flawless sword is too much to ask for from our generation. It's insane. One sword takes weeks to make. Weeks! We'd be back on Youtube, Myspace and Facebook after 2 days.

 

[Painkiller]

Deman, I saw a documentary on TV about the master swordsmiths of Japan once... the amount of effort and discipline a dozen people have to put into creating a single flawless sword is too much to ask for from our generation. It's insane. One sword takes weeks to make. Weeks! We'd be back on Youtube, Myspace and Facebook after 2 days.

I agree. But we can change, can't we?
We change every day

 

[Deman]

Deman, I saw a documentary on TV about the master swordsmiths of Japan once... the amount of effort and discipline a dozen people have to put into creating a single flawless sword is too much to ask for from our generation. It's insane. One sword takes weeks to make. Weeks! We'd be back on Youtube, Myspace and Facebook after 2 days.

I want so badly to disagree with you and tell you I could do it, but you're probably right

 

[Avenger]

I agree. But we can change, can't we?
We change every day

Not that much. Convenience will be the death of humanity. D:

 

[Rocky]

i baught a sword from japan cost me 3000us $ thats 1500£ just becuase its japanese 7 folded steel

Sorry, but I have to question the legitimacy of your claim, I was in Japan last year and figured if I'm going to Japan, I have to buy a sword (even just a replica one). On researching I found that real swords not only cost a fortune, but are all considered national treasures of Japan. In order to export one out of the country you need a legal document approved by the government. Without one, you either did something shady or you got taken for a ride.

I did buy a replica one for 18,000Y (most expensive one in the store) I have pics at home and on facebook so I'll post them here when I get a chance.

 

[-Origin]

The most expensive ones I have are Paul Chen Orchid katanas;

On the left, on the back wall;

Which go for about ~ 1,000 US dollars each. In retrospect, not sure if they were worth that price but at least they're sharp as a motherfungus.

Rocky, the thing with exporting katana's is also dependent on whether or not they're sharp or not. There is a bit in the Dutch weapon law which states that if the katana (or any knife, really) is dulled after production, it's not considered a weapon per say, but a decoration. I know there's a lot of wiggle room here but I had to research some of this stuff before I started expanding my collection to ... well, potential dangerous levels. Over here (might be different in other countries), to actually own a sharpened, battle-ready katana you have to have a permit. Because it's a "weapon". In the same sense you're not allowed to carry a baseball bat around here... unless there is a glove near it.

Crazy, I know.

 

[Rocky]

It's not about whether the weapon is sharp or not (as an aside note, it's illegal to manufacture/produce a katana in Japan out of steel without a license to do so. The replica ones - like the one I bought, are made out of this zinc/alluminium alloy which is made in a way that is impossible to sharpen). In Japan all steel swords, whether it's a Masamune sitting in a museum, or a modern day produced one are considered a piece of Japan and you need legal docs to export out of the country IN ADDITION to getting a permit to import them to whatever country you're from.

They're mostly fine with replica's, I told the lady at the airport when I checked it in that it was a replica (Iaito in Japanese) and I declared it at customs in Australia when I landed back (the lady inspecting it was totally freaked out till she called her Supervisor and he said it was fine). If it was sharp I'd have had trouble bringing it into the country (assuming I was even able to leave Japan with it.)

Let me see if I can find some of the articles I read on the subject.

-edit

Found it:

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html

 

[-Origin]

Very interesting read, thanks. It's really amazing how embedded these swords are in the culture and law, I suppose, of Japan. My little tidbit of information up there only applies to Dutch law (as far as I know, anyway). That is how it was explained to me when I went to the police station. If it's not sharp, it can pass as a decoration.

I don't know. I ran out of space to expand my collection anyway, haven't bought a new sword in like a year.

 

[Rocky]

Yeah, the market for "fake real swords" is huge. You take a piece of steel, you cheaply manufacture a blade, add some funky dragons, add a cheap hilt and guard and engrave "made in japan" down the bottom and then sell it for $3000.

Consider how most idiot-westerners (myself included) go ape**** crazy at the thought of owning an "authentic Japanese sword" and you can see how they can get away with scamming. Truth is most of these fake steel swords are produced in Korea.

Anyway you can see why they want to protect the swords as they really are a part of the culture of Japan, a shoddily made Korean sword impersonating a Katana would reflect badly on them.

-edit

Also http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=326242&l=4a6b438b87&id=513405520 not sure if facebook will let non-friends see that but it's the album I made of my sword.

-edit2

Even more also, check out http://www.jidai.jp/shinken.asp really good site that sells swords but also just has a tonne of good info on sword crafting (is slightly engrish though). If you order a Shinken (real steel sword) it takes between 6-12 months to produce! It's most certainly a craft worthy of being considered a national treasure. If I made more money I would so buy one.

 

[-Origin]

Brb, changing pants.

 

[Rocky]

I don't wear pants when I'm looking at swords.

 

[-Origin]

Pro tip. Thank you.

 

[Painkiller]

Sorry, but I have to question the legitimacy of your claim, I was in Japan last year and figured if I'm going to Japan, I have to buy a sword (even just a replica one). On researching I found that real swords not only cost a fortune, but are all considered national treasures of Japan. In order to export one out of the country you need a legal document approved by the government. Without one, you either did something shady or you got taken for a ride.

I did buy a replica one for 18,000Y (most expensive one in the store) I have pics at home and on facebook so I'll post them here when I get a chance.

How much is 18.000Y?
Also, Rocky, you some sort of samurai? xD
Send me some ****, I wanna have a sword, too xD

 

[Rocky]

How much is 18.000Y?
Also, Rocky, you some sort of samurai? xD
Send me some ****, I wanna have a sword, too xD

18,000Y at the time was roughly $300 AUSD, I think with the stand it was just under $400, which would equate to just over $400 in USD.

I wish I was some sort of samurai, I just have a pretty keen interest in pretty much everything Japanese, hence traveling there last year and hopefully again next year.

I only have one sword though, if you want one you'll have to bug Origin to send you one of his numerous ones

 

[Deathshot]

I have more than thirty. ;P

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v217/ThirdEye0pen/NewSwords/

^ When I took 'm down to clean them. Not included are my sets.

How much in total would you say is laying there?