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Suppressors Hanwei Swords...

JasonB

JasonB

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 4, 2007
391
72
Manteca, California
#1
Anyone have info on this manufacturer? Are they of good quality? I am interested in purchasing a nice Katana / Wakizashi ... or does anyone have info on where one could find older / handmade swords? Where to have one made?

Thank you
 
#2
Re: Hanwei Swords...

I do not know if Phill Hartsfield is still in business, but if he is, you might want to look him up. He had a shop in Garden Grove, CA, last I knew. If he is still in business, he can make you either the katana, the wakizashi, or both, and they will be made of better steel than the old ones were. They are not cheap, but they are worth their price.

Good luck!
 
#4
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Sorry to hear that, but it would at least be a lifetime investment.
smile.gif
 
#5
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Hanwei is the industry leader in the area of functional martial arts swords and lots of folks like their stuff, but there's pleanty of great options out there.

Just as it is with gun stuff the first question to ask before i can offer much advice is: what is your budget?
 
#7
Re: Hanwei Swords...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tigerhawk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry to hear that, but it would at least be a lifetime investment.
smile.gif
</div></div>

Very true... but I cannot justify 8k no matter how twisted my mind is...
 
#8
Re: Hanwei Swords...

First time I ever saw a tactical katana by Phill Hartsfield I thought it looked fairly amateurish. I did a double take when I saw the $9000 price tag. However, I haven't seen enough of his work to fairly criticize and I understand he's been in the business for a long time with a loyal following.

There's a long list of custom smiths I could recommend; Howard Clark, Rick Barrett, Anthony DiCristofano, etc. But they're all outside your price range once you get into a fully polished and mounted blade (though you could always keep your eye out because sometimes a phenomenal deal will pop up from a desperate seller).

On the semi-production side I favor Butouken/MAS which are made in South Korea by Yong Soo Park who was featured in The Masters of Fire exhibit at the Museum of Art in Macao along side the works of smiths I respect highly back in 2005.

Their prices have gone up in the past few years but they're still reasonable. The biggest complaint folks have about their swords are the fittings, but they're functional and not unattractive and are also what keep the prices down. They do custom work too (the dropdown menu is just a guide, I understand they'll work to make what you're looking for a reality) but it can get pricey.

If you keep an eye out, the basic models can be had from time to time second hand ~$1000 +/- a few hundred.

Hanwei (also known as Paul Chen) from China made their name because back in the 90's they were the first folks who offered genuinely functional Japanese style swords at an affordable price. My first "real" sword was a PC Practical Katana. It looks fairly cheap today but it was a big deal back in the day. These days they have merged with CAS Iberia and offer a very expansive line with varying price points and it looks like they continue to innovate and offer the buyer a lot of sword for their buck.

That's just me though, lots of other folks have their own opinions and I've not been actively involved in that community in years so I don't offer any of my opinions as expert or definitive.
 
#10
Re: Hanwei Swords...

There was a company I looked at afew years ago the name escapes me but they were in the price range you listed
im 90% sure they were in Ca.
If the name hits me ill pm ya. sorry im not more help.
 
#11
Re: Hanwei Swords...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jason_B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am interested in purchasing a nice Katana / Wakizashi ... </div></div>All advice is subjective speculation until we know what the intended use is.
 
#12
Re: Hanwei Swords...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jason_B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am interested in purchasing a nice Katana / Wakizashi ... </div></div>All advice is subjective speculation until we know what the intended use is. </div></div>

Display mainly... but I want something that is functional and well built. If at some time I can find a school that teaches Niten Ichi-ryu in my area I plan on attending
 
#13
Re: Hanwei Swords...

If you want to learn to use a sword, study first and don't buy anything yet. If you are not planning on using the sword but want one only to display and to study there are plenty authentic examples of wakisashi by lesser swordsmiths in your price range.

For example: http://www.nihontocraft.com/Kaneshige.html

But real swords do require both knowledge and proper care.

 
#18
Re: Hanwei Swords...

i see these all the time at gunshows for about 70 bucks.kidding, I'm not judging or bein an ass but is there really a sport in this or just one of those things that are cool to collect? I honestly have thought of that sort of thing in the same light as LARPERS, old weirdos dressin up like ninjas. Again no disrespect, just curious about the katana sword and training involved.
 
#19
Re: Hanwei Swords...

This guy is a cut (ha!) above the rest. He bring old world craftsmanship with new world science savvy to produce a variety of blades fit for their intended purpose.

http://www.mvforge.com/

Not cheap though but as someone else said, it's a lifetime investment.

Good luck
 
#22
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Are you going to use it? If so, are you already skilled at the art of Kendo? If not, and you plan to use it, I would buy something in a Paul Chen to get started with. One bad slice and you could be looking for a new sword because you bent the shit outa yours. It may not even look F'd up but could be completely ruined. If you just want it as a conversation piece I'd suggest looking into Antique Japanese Swords.

I started to get pretty heavily into Antique Japanese Swords (like 300-500 yrs old) a couple years ago. That world is BRUTAL! The knowledgeable collectors don't want to see you find a decent deal so you never know who to trust. The guys that are willing to help you are few and far between. I've seen some decent Muromachi and older Edo period swords go for the $1500-$3000 range... unmounted. Hope your search is more fruitful than mine was!

Don't even get me started on Polishing!!!

I had actually bought a couple Antique Japanese Swords from a member here a couple years ago. Unfortunately I was given some bad information about one of them and asked the seller for my money back which he gave back without question. As I researched the sword more I discovered I should have kept it! It was a Muromachi Blade mounted in WWII mountings and had a Mon (Family Crest) as the Menuki. The blade was a little tired but it turns out it was actually a bargain at the $700 I paid for it. The history alone was worth that! I'm an Idiot!!!
 
#23
Re: Hanwei Swords...

First let me ask what you plan to do with this sword.

Is it a display piece? If so why not own a REAL one, ie from the Edo or older periods - you can find a "Decent" Katana for 2500 that is real, and an antique.

Now if you want one to try to cut stuff with and to look cool why not just spend $250 on a "Practical Plus" - sharp as need be.

If you find one made in "Traditional" style it will run you a couple of K.

Hanwei, Bugei (Chen), CHen, all decent swords.

I would suggest you NOT buy a Thaitsuki Katana - their Wakizashi's are "Decent" but their Katana's leave TOO much to be desired in the heat treating.


What I would suggest is this - buy a "Practical Plus" or a "Decent" Hanwei sword - send it over to this antique restoration guy that is doing my swords and spend $1000 to have him re-mount it for you.

You can find antique replica fittings at Fred Lohman's shop - that's where I got my bat/moon theme from.

PM me for more info if interested. I should have my swords back in a week or two and will send photos - I got rid of the Thaitsuki and got some hand made swords, amazing what making a guy a flute can do for me - he waved his labor fees for me...

He's also building me a matching new Saya (Sheath) to match the Katana I just bought as well as throwing a low budget mount on my Thaitsuki Wakizashi (Sharp as hell!) - that's my home defense sword there...

This is one of the antique's I am considering purchasing:

http://www.nihontocraft.com/Settsu_Muneshige.html

And the Wakizashi.

http://www.nihontocraft.com/HizenKunisada.html
 
#24
Re: Hanwei Swords...

PS - To exppand on what OneShot said about one bad slice.

Failure to follow safety instructions - could kill someone 20 yards away.

There was a guy that did not cut properly and his Mekugi broke.

That's the bamboo peg that holds the handle onto the blade.

Some swords have two but figure the g-forces on that blade, they can still break and when they do....

His sword flew 20 feet and ended up in the chest of his best friend, and it was razor sharp - it COULD have cut his heart in half, but he survived with a sliced lung and some MAJOR injuries, 6 mos in teh hospital.

Swords are as dangerous as guns are.
 
#25
Re: Hanwei Swords...

What do you think of the Cold Steel offerings Scott? I used to hang out at The Armory in San Francisco where I got all my fencing stuff at. Upstairs they had a building perimeter length wall of swords that were all 'battle ready'. Some were old styled eppe's and such, a few Katana and notable length Japanese variaties, but my favorites were the crossbred ones, ie a katana broadsword, and this beautiful high polish shiny all silver cutlass with a nice black leather dress sheath and hanger kit.
One day I will figure out which sword I want and get one, but pistols and knives are just so much fun!
 
#26
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Hanwei makes some good stuff but you have to pick the correct blades.
I would look on blade forums and talk to a guy who calls himself Kohai. He knows these types of blades!!
 
#27
Re: Hanwei Swords...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jason_B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2-3k is the max I was looking to spend on a Katana ...

Just trying to do some research atm... </div></div>


I had a paul chen tiger in shirasaya .... the blade was amazing, how ever if i had what you have to blow on a sword custom is the only way to go..

and if i didnt go custom bugei would be the only other option here is the link to bugei

http://www.bugei.com/

when i was younger i was heavy into this, their is a custom guy who makes blades from cable steel but off the top of my head i cannot think of his name.

on the bugei web sight i remember the dragon fly katana being all the rave back in the day, but again we are talking well over 10 years ago, when i was 16 was the last time i got into samurai stuff, once i learned you could get black rifles i dropped swords like a bad habit
 
#29
Re: Hanwei Swords...

at the bugei sight i watched the videos for their new line, the "old pine" one strikes my fancy despite it being the cheapest, the amount of activitie in that hamon or temper line is just unreal to me the hamon, the grain and the tip of the blade get my attention most, i really enjoy the "o-kissaki" or long tips
 
#31
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Switch - I would not own a cold steel blade if you gave it to me - they are about mass quantity and sh itty customer service. I will never own another product from them.

Bugei swords are made by Chen guys - chinese made, but good. You can 't go wrong with one but realize they are made FOR Mr Williams.


If you want one of the BEST blades you can get in modern day then pay the bucks and get a Howard Clark blade - hands down it will retain it's value, it will cut you by looking at it wrong, and it will be pretty.
 
#32
Re: Hanwei Swords...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want to learn to use a sword, study first and don't buy anything yet. If you are not planning on using the sword but want one only to display and to study there are plenty authentic examples of wakisashi by lesser swordsmiths in your price range.

For example: http://www.nihontocraft.com/Kaneshige.html

But real swords do require both knowledge and proper care.

</div></div>

Graham - I was considering buying that sword and the Katana the day they listed - still undecided. Waiting on a pool of cash to come in January at which point I may buy those two as an investment only. 80 points is good...
 
#33
Re: Hanwei Swords...

The antique sword market is really flat right now. One can pick up an authentic historic blade for not much money. This presents fantastic opportunities for in-depth study by those who otherwise would not be able to partcipate. But doing that is an entirely different prospect from getting a modern sword for actual Kata use.
 
#34
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Ya, the guy that owns NihontoCraft said it would not be a decent investment but in 10 years if they b ecome popular , say due to some movie or a good economy then they would be a decent investment...but papers are papers and that sets the quality on the blade.

Still, would be nice but I have 1 Katana and 2 Waks already.
 
#35
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Danny knows his stuff.

Swords are not always an investment, but then neither are firearms, or art: One buys them for their instrinsic value, and to appreciate them.
 
#37
Re: Hanwei Swords...

If it's a display item, just make sure you know how to display it correctly. I know it sounds dumb, but a Chinese friend of mine was given a nice set and had them upside down and backwards.

Also realize people and kids are inclined to touch them whereas most people are afraid to touch a gun because it might be loaded. I displayed one of my live blades until I had an incident that involved a friend and a lot of broken items on a shelf. After that, all of my equipment was either put away or hidden in plain sight.
 
#38
Re: Hanwei Swords...

The advice on buying a Practical Plus is sound. If you want a live blade that might have some cutting ability later, that's a good, inexpensive route for a quality blade.

If it's strictly conversation, an antique blade will suit your needs perfectly. Keep us informed and post pics!!
 
#39
Re: Hanwei Swords...

picked this one up in the days of yore...was informed of its origins being forged at the hands of longduk-dong in the early fungusamongus dynasty.
12082010175.jpg
makes a splendid bayonet on a franken-ak, wouldnt you agree?
 
#40
Re: Hanwei Swords...

Truth be told, there are a good many manufacturers of "Japanese swords", but there are only five registered smithing schools in Japan which still produce authentic shinken (translates literally as "real sword", meaning forged for cutting -anything- and sharpened in the traditional manner).

The smiths are limited to the number of shinken they may produce each year. Of the finest of these, many are immediately bought by wealthy collectors, museums, government officials (to be gifted) or by some of the older families to replace swords stolen during WWII. The finest examples, with the best sharpening, custom gold koshirae, valuable antique or custom forged tsuba, etc, will cost you upwards of $140,000 US.

Usually, those which are of fine make, but unremarkable hamon, maker's name, etc, but still far superior examples to many of the sham nihonto being manufactured in the US and Europe, and not from tamahagane, will run you about $3,000-$4,000 US to start.

I suggest if you're interested that you visit Token Mino (www.iaito-katana.com), click "Katana Sword", and then choose "Tamahagane Katana Sword" (excuse the engrish). The Tamahagane swords start at $3,900, whereas a carbon steel version of the same is $1000 approx to start.
 
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