Best Sword for under $300?

F

FirstFreedom

Moderator
Anything straight-bladed, with a 2-hand handle, double-edged, good quality sword/katana/etc., in this price range?

Been looking at some of the Cold Steels, such as the "Grosse Messer", but it doesn't have a double edge.

http://www.coldsteel.com/88gm.html

Also, I really don't want a very long blade - 30" or 32" seems much too long to be very useful - any swords have a 2-hand handle, yet still have a shortish-length blade, somewhat heavy? Say, 16-28"?

Also, on the Cold Steel "Hand and a Half" - it looks nice, though a little long - anyone know if it's single-edged or 2-edged? It doesn't say. It looks like a 2-edged, but normally, if they are 2-edged, they make a point to state that in the description, but this one does not:
http://www.coldsteel.com/88hnh.html

Also looking at the Chinese War Sword:
http://www.coldsteel.com/chinwarswor.html
This one is about perfect in terms of dimensions I'm looking for - long 2-handed handle, shortish blade (23.5) - should be very fast and effective in combat, but would like essentially this sword with a double edge.

For that matter, and other suggestions/input/advice on swords? Please keep in mind I know virtually nothing about swords - have never had one.
 
What are you using it for? I dont think a sword is going to be very helpful in a gunfight. Might tend to be awkward for cleaning game also. In some states you are limited by blade length as to what you can carry unless you are hunting or clearing brush. Here in Texas I think the max is 5 1/2".
 
LOL i'm kinda wondering what the hell your going to do with it. I thinking about getting a sword for some reason a couple of weeks back look on ebay. not sure if those are just for show or you could actually use them but then again I don't know what you'd use them for.:D
 
Swords can be a tricky deal. For a general-purpose wall hanger, not so much. For a "combat ready" weapon, it's much more involved. I have both antique originals and combat replicas of the originals for the practical use most closely matched to those originals. Here's a place I've dealt with many times--very good quality in what they offer that won't completely kill the wallet.

http://www.museumreplicas.com/webstore/Home.aspx
 
I strongly suggest to search this site. Read the information and go to their forums for first hand reports. I have given many of their products as gifts to family and friends. They as well as myself, were very satisfied. Himalayan Imports offers a life time warrantee. Feel free to ask for additional info. :)

My sword is pictured in the "sword" page on the teak table.


http://www.himalayan-imports.com/
 
Ha - ahhh, the reluctance of gunnies to accept the place of non-gun weapons. Pretty funny. Well, it's mostly for fun, but I want it to be functional, too, in case I ever get too poor to buy ammo! :) So, not, don't want a wallhanger at all, but a real worker for slicing and dicing attackers in the tight quarters of the homestead here.

thanks, cochise. They've got a ton of khukris, but unfortunately, not too much selection in swords, though I do like their katana and the short Tibetan sword.

gac009, I can't get that link to work....??

skeeter1, are those supposed to be high quality, or you just not sure?
 
Lot's of 'why would you need a sword' sentiment here! Funny that you don't run into that when you're looking for a bayonet. :D

I don't know a lot, but a few suggestions I could offer are:

NO stainless. It's not safe if you really want to use your sword to cut stuff (or even swing around)

Stay away from ebay stuff unless you're getting a name brand item. DONT buy a sword from china!

Cold steel swords are 'real' in the sense that they can be used. They are good quality steel and well put together, but heavier than they need to be. If you want a sword that is to be used, excess weight isn't a great feature.

Some places that sell real stuff that is designed more like historical swords are:

http://www.albion-swords.com/
http://www.angustrimdirect.com/
http://www.swordarmory.com/
http://www.by-the-sword.com/

Sounds like you're looking for a viking or medieval blade, not sure if you'll find a short double hander though. You might also look at japanese stuff. There are double edged types, but I don't know who makes them now. Under $300 might be a challenge for a quality sword, but they do show up used.

Also you might drop into to http://forums.swordforum.com/ to chat with a bunch of folks who geek over swords like we do over guns. If you posted your question there, I've no doubt you would get some good suggestions. They also have a classified section that sometimes turns up good deals.

hope this helps.
 
musher, that's exactly the help I needed; thanks.

I think I found what I'm looking for here: A Paul Chen Practical Wakizashi:

http://www.japaneseswords4samurai.com/pcpw.htm

under $200, made for real cutting and fighting; differentially tempered for same. I thought initially that the short 6.5" handle would be too short for my wants - but I just wrapped both my hands completely within exactly 6.5" on a tape measure - so it's the perfect "just-right" two handed length - a good hand and a half, anyway.

Thanks all.
 
I've heard a lot of good things about the paul chen practical katana. I'd guess the Wakizashi would be of similar quality.

Certainly easier to swing in the hallway!
 
I've got a small collection of swords advertised as "battle ready" and some are most definately not... be careful as some stage weapons are advertised this way. I do however have a "paul chen practical katana" that I'm pleased with. It feels great and when umm.... engaging, an umm.... evil empty box of rice crispies, it slices through while the bottom barely moves. It arrived very sharp. I think $175-190 on ebay back when I bought it.

after reading some more posts, I think you want space between your hands while swinging a katana (maybe the same for wakizashi) for the cutting motion. Drawing the bottom hand back at the crucial point in your swing adding velocity to the blade. I'm just pretending to know something, I had a thing for swords a while back... all I know I've learned from the ever fallible internet. I'd still recommend the katana, a 20" blade seems to small to me (but I'm certainly bias:) ).
 
You've engaged....a..rice crispy's box?? :eek:

The most I've managed is a pool noodle. Ok, it was a PINK pool noodle, but it was waving around like it was about to attack.
 
Found one even more perfect - the Generation 2 BWT Shinobi Ninja-to....it has the handle size of a katana but the blade length of a wakizashi:

http://www.swordsofhonor.com/ip-026-2.html

Tom, thanks.... do you know if this Gen 2 sword is truly "battle ready" like the Paul Chen's, or junk? 10-4 on the needing more handle room for proper wrist whip.

Look at this page - seems the Gen 2 to be well-made... (??):

http://www.swordsofhonor.com/gen2swhowtha.html

But if you could take this shinobi ninja-to, and make it double-edged, then we'd be be in high cotton.

and if we don't let them know who's boss.... where will it end???
Click to expand...

:D

Edit: Even better than the Gen 2 perhaps, it would seem that Paul Chen also makes a version of the Shinobi Ninja-to:

http://www.kultofathena.com/product...ractical+Shinobi+Ninja-to+-+Black+Version.htm
 
Sorry to say that I've never heard of the Gen2 swords. I like the sword design you've picked out, extra power with the longer handle while still having a shorter blade. One thing I noticed, they use quality tsuba and habaki pieces (usually good indicators on how much the manufacturer spent... there's other pieces they can put on for cheaper that you see aaaaallllll over swords that are junk).

I'm sure you've noticed price difference between that and the paul chen version. Both use quality fittings and I know the paul chen is an overall quality sword. I'm guessing it's because the Gen2 is not made by the modern processes as the paul chen, costing more.

In the end, I think you'll be pleased with either one.
Tom
 
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