Got a little something to show you guys...

Question: What's long, shiny, sharp as hell, and ended up at my porch today?

Check the video to find out. ;)

http://www.jin-shi.com/index.htm
(forgot to put this up)


Soundtrack:

The Herbaliser - Repetitive Loop (Reloop)

Bonobo - D Song

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• new
• Chinese
• sword
• han
• jian
• first
• impressions
• beautiful

[Swordsage]

@Musclehead125 Check out Kult of Athena. That site is well known to sell swords from various companies at fantastic prices, and you're bound to find a quality blade there. Their katana section is HUGE, and they offer swords from great forges.

Since you seem to be on a tight budget, I recommend you buy swords from that site made by Cheness and Musashi. Cheness is a great company, and their swords are as low as $130. Musashi has really low prices, but be careful. The lower, the worse it is.

[Swordsage]

By the way, what kind of sword are you looking for? I'm a little curious.

[Swordsage]

@Musclehead125 Generally they just mean that it's able to be used. You would think it would mean it's able to cut well, but sometimes I've seen people use the term "fully functional" for practice swords that have no sharp edges, and/or aren't built to stand the shock from cutting objects, or hitting another weapon. But for the most part, if you're dealing with a reputable dealer, fully functional generally means a sword that can be swing around, and likely has some cutting ability.

[Swordsage]

... This is really dangerous, not just to you but anyone around you. I've see many times a guy swinging a cheap display sword, and people ducking as sharp metal death comes flying at them.

Now, I have also seen display swords that were very sturdy and well constructed, so much so that you could swing them around in the empty air. But they are still just for decoration, so they wouldn't be proper for cutting, or even light sparing against someone with another weapon. So keep that in mind.

[Swordsage]

@Musclehead125 Short answer: no.

Long answer: Depends, but usually no.

Display swords are usually made to just hang on a wall, not to be handled. So companies tend to skimp on the things that you would look for in a functional sword, namely things like proper tempering of the blade, using the right kind of steel, sturdy full length tangs, a well fitted hilt, and overall decent construction. The last bit is really important: there are a lot of swords where the blade just flies from the handle.

[Swordsage]

@Musclehead125 To be honest, I'd be highly suspicious. Granted, I've seen some fantastic deals in auctions and places that sell used swords, and sometimes people will price swords really low when they're trying to get rid of them. But if the blade is new, and at that price range, then something was usually sacrificed somewhere. If the blade really is high carbon steel, then the next thing to check is if it was tempered well, and how well built the sword is. Those factors are also important.

[Swordsage]

@Musclehead125 Well tempered High carbon steel all the way. If you want a real functional sword you shouldn't settle for anything less. Stainless steel is ok for knives, or if you just want a decorative sword as a wall hanger. But if you want a real sword, there really is no substitute for high carbon steel. There's a reason why it's been the standard for centuries.

[pureaznman]

Awsome Jian man. Just ordered one last week after seeing your review. I will post a review of my own when I receive my jian in a few weeks.

[FlashMob22]

well douring the time period that steal was begining to be yoused in chinese swords they started makeing a small amount of swords that where created as to handed youse and where most usefull for there ability to lock there aponint making them useless

[Swordsage]

Um, asshole. I use it with ONE hand. The two handed grip is just there because that's how the sword is designed.

By the way, I have yet to cut myself with it. Sorry. It's because I actually know how to use it.

I can see now you're just a troll. SO congratulations. You just made your last comment here. You can continue to make black people look stupid if you want, but you won't do it here.