$60-$500 Katana Buying Ramble and Suggestions

[@Cerberusarms]

Great video man, glad people are finding your channel. You definitely deserve the subs!

[@jefesalsero]

@Halley Rodrigo Try using your new Katana to hack your gf's stuffed Teddy Bear. 😁🗡💥

[@stevenfriedman2902]

Honestly Just getting into both of your channels. Started watching Matthew first but then your vids were popping up in my recommendations so I started watching you as well. Was really cool hearing you mention him and now seeing the video he mentions you back!

[@Yellow.1844]

Congrats, no reason for you to have a low subscribers count, the content is amazing

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@beepboop204]

@@Matthew_Jensen

[@jamesR1990]

The reason is it's a niche of a niche. The content is FANTASTIC! But this is largely educational rather than just mindless entertainment. Such channels are normally smaller but real gems when you find them.

[@justauser6229]

My first sword is the exact 50$ sword you reviewed from musashi and after nearly 11 months of practicing with it at least once a week. doing light cutting once in a while its still in great condition. 👍

[@yamo3649]

What website did u get it from?

[@SantaBeige]

Can you send the link where you buy it?

[@KF1]

One thing to mention about cotton ito is that it shrinks over time with changes in humidity etc, so it will actually get tighter and less likely to be a problem than the synth silk. It also absorbs oils from your hands, self-lacquering into a very disgusting (to anyone else) and very functional wrap. It also has just the right amount of friction, synth silk often being way too aggressive. Ok, that's three things, but hey, whatever.

[@SouperAsH]

I don't have the words to express how refreshing it is, seeing a video where the commentary is not censored. Real talk, common sense, and raw truth.

[@utubepunk]

Only halfway through & just leaving a comment for the algorithm! Solid work as always, Matthew.

[@DRWTable]

I would love to see more videos on Katanas. I just had my first custom Katana made. The look of it is from a dark era. It's plain and simple with an all black handle a 1095 clay tempered steel blade with hamon and a HM-10 design. The Fuchi & Kashira is all black no design. Habaki/Seppa is brass, TSUBA is all black no design, and no menuki. I wanted this Katana plain and a dark feel but beautiful.

[@-ius-6502]

Thank you for this amazing informative video; I am new to this and have been looking online but there’s so many and I don’t know 💩… Thank you for taking the time to make this

[@guloguloguy]

WOW!!!!!! THANK YOU, MATTHEW!!!! IT'S REALLY NICE TO HEAR YOUR EDUCATED, EXPERIENCED OPINIONS, AND COMPARISONS, BETWEEN VARIOUS SWORDS, ESPECIALLY COMPARING ORIENTAL, vs EUROPEAN SWORDS!!!...

[@bryanleon812]

Well done. The informative & simplistic language used in this video (including your personal preferences) are of "eye-opening" value. One sword, with so many individual components to consider! Well done. And thank you 😎

[@jefesalsero]

Really enjoying your channel! I'm a newbie who recently discovered the world of Katanas by way of my fairly new WWII-era military firearms collecting hobby - decided to purchase some WWII Shin Guntos and that started me down the rabbit hole and expanding my interest into Katanas in general. Learning a great deal from your channel. Recently purchased an entry-level Katana from Lyuesword and another entry-level model from Murasame. Happy cutting!

[@MCMLXXVII-]

thank you for taking your time to create content for those, like myself, that need realistic information for a realistic battle ready instrument, most importantly saving us time allowing us sound decisions in overall quality. Your passion for this beautiful, necessary artform made from war is what will continue to draw more and more people to your content. As a new subscriber I look forward to new content as well as going through everything you have already created. Keep it up! All the best to you and yours.-E-

[@petepete66]

Please… do you know the Fudoshin odoiro practical katana Naturell … is this a good choice ? .. thx

[@WhatIfBrigade]

I first bought a very cheap Musha katana for my teenager who was in Kendo and a year later bought a matched Ronin Katana scratch and dent Katana Dojo Pro #2 Samurai Sword and a Dojo Pro Wakizashi #1. Honestly happy with the value of both purchases. Especially the scratch and dents from Ronin Katana. Highly recommend for beater swords!

[@elvensteen1]

Great video for the beginners Matthew! Best regards from a fellow Kompletely Katana follower.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thank you.

[@evilagelist3089]

I've been a sword need/friend since I was a kid of 15. You said nothing I didn't already know but it was really entertaining. You deserve more subs. I'm gonna share with a friend.

[@Blindy_Sama]

I recommend and also sell knives on the side myself and I often get the same question about apocalypse or this or the other and people seem to be dumbfounded by the Majesty of the magical katana. I usually look at them smile and tell them to go buy a cold steel sword machete because they're made out of pretty tough steel and they can take a beating or any reputable tactical sword made out of the right types of steel. Of course most people still have the heart set on katana so I generally them ask them what their budget is and go from there. Also, what they actually plan on doing with the sword including if they're going to be whacking stuff in their backyard what they're going to be whacking and the do's and don'ts of basic sword stuff which some people seem to still think that in this day and age you can still cut through a solid 2 x 4 with one stroke with a magical mythical katana or any other magical mythical sword for that reason which I tell them very plainly they're going to be severely disappointed in and out some money if they try.

[@gushlergushler]

It is very nice to see you get some more recognition.

[@ericschmiedecke7367]

Stumbled across your vids yesterday and have been going through the vast majority of them pertaining to "functional" Katana. I thank you greatly for the enjoyable "rambling". I also appreciate the work you do to show what the blades you test are capable of and to impart your experience with these swords. I was looking at a Hanwei Practical Plus Elite to start my cutting/tameshigiri learning and, after watching your videos, I am leaning now toward a Ronin Dojo Pro. I already have respect for the blades from Iaido practice so no need for the $50 "learn what I can whack" blade, but still need something that will be forgiving with my beginner cuts into an actual target (ie mats). When I get better and more confident in my strikes, I will likely move up to a Tori Elite. I am now a subscriber :-)

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

Those cheaper 50$ blades can still be useful in learning things related to cutting even with respect for the blade. However the fact you have respect for the blade does mean you can spend more to start. I'd say figure out a budget route you're willing to spend on where you can get a mono tempered sword and a clay tempered one. Ones that are rather similar to each other. Beaters are still useful for certain times. But having a blade that bends is also useful.

[@excalibur3311]

If you're looking for something ideally accommodating and forgiving for bad cuts, look into getting a blade made of 5160 Spring Steel. Spring Steel is highly flexible and will do a considerably better job retaining its shape versus the Carbon Steels after performing a bad cut on a hard object or surface. Further note: If you're going to spend sub $1500, don't get a blade made of folded steel, just get a well known and respected model like Hanwei's Bamboo Mat - it's well liked in the sword community for cutting and tameshigiri.

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

@@excalibur3311 I'd suggest motohara over hanwei but valid points.

[@DedicatedSpirit8]

You have incredible potential for deadpan jokes every once in a while. You made a comment "People online wracking stuff with swords." Something about the delivery was funny af

[@redsnake93]

One of my favorite channels. Glad your subs are catching up to the quality

[@Satori630]

I am happy to hear your channel is getting more attention. It is definitely well deserved. Thanks for all of the content you have made over the years.

[@2KDUDE22]

You deserve those extra subscriptions! Great job as always.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Thanks. Kind of you to say.

[@JoeSteel1]

For your viewers, Regarding Jkoo...there are many more customizations you can make and request on custom swords that are not listed on the options via Email, they are very helpful and open minded to your requests, like wideness of blade, amount of Sori and many more specifics...

[@katananoob5117]

I ordered a katana from jkoo and they sent me the wrong saya, they did send a new saya after arguing with them a little but the new saya doesn’t really fit well. The first saya they sent looked used.

[@JoeSteel1]

@@katananoob5117 sorry to hear that the importance is that they will attempt to correct your issues...for sure...they are a private forge...thats good in one way but they can get overwhelmed

[@katananoob5117]

@@JoeSteel1 Im pretty happy with the sword and I can make the saya fit a little better but overall I really like it. Ill probably buy more from them.

[@zephaniah4531]

@@katananoob5117 how long does a jkoo katana take to ship??

[@JS-ed2hg]

Thank you so much for your knowledge, I also truly respect your style from the beginning 3 minutes alone.

[@Sicsicka]

I like your channel great info watching your videos I ended up here after a stupid 440 stainless purchase that broke wish I found you sooner. This man is humble but you can tell he loves his swords✊

[@BlazeLeeDragon]

Awesome video you are easy to listen too, give good options without pushing opinions and don't sound like you are talking down to anyone. Great stuff!

[@shanewright344]

Good vid Matt! Very informative 👍 I know you mentioned some vendors in the video, but I just want to reiterate for new sword buyers that online vendors such as Ryan Sword, Swords of the Northshire, and JKOO do not actually manufacture the swords they're selling. The swords are functional "imitations" of Japanese katana swords, using a variety of modern steels, and they are manufactured/forged in China - not in Japan. This doesn't mean that they are inferior blades, it just means that they are not authentic Japanese swords that have been forged using traditional Japanese smithing methods, materials, and iron ores. Japanese katana that have been forged in Japan using historically accurate (traditional) smithing methods are considered national treasures, and getting one can be very difficult, and very expensive - some of these swords have a price tag of $10,000 or more. So, if you're new to sword buying, and you don't have a lot of money to spend, online vendors like JKOO and Swords of the Northshire are great alternatives for the average buyer. They're affordable, the swords are functional, their customer service is great, and they provide plenty of options that allow a person to customize the look and performance of a blade.

[@jeellisse2553]

Thanks for the tip

[@shanewright344]

@@jeellisse2553 You're very welcome

[@UnqualifiedDreams]

3 yrs later and I want you to know as a first time buyer your still the goat 😀

[@miteshmehta6646]

Thanks!

[@Matthew_Jensen]

You bet!

[@Ch3kThat]

Good on your for recognizing the influx of new viewers and creating a video to cater to those specific questions! Keep up the good work

[@aristotleoracles1457]

this video was super informative and i have been collecting Katana's for 30 years or more easy. Thanks and thumbs up!!

[@not-a-raccoon]

Yours is my favorite sword channel. I have a few pieces (two on the way) that you haven't reviewed on your channel before. One is a HuaWei Unokubi Zukuri, and one is a Balaur Arms type XIV arming sword. If you're interested in reviewing them, I live in St Paul so it would be pretty easy to get them to you.

[@rockfieldlangley1955]

Awesome info man! Very helpful.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Glad to be of service.

[@southerndime333]

new subscriber here. youtube recommended me to come your way. i enjoy your content , so, thank you for your time and effort making these videos.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Welcome aboard!

[@OccultNoir]

Thank you for making this in layman's terms. This helped immensely and I will share it.

[@jeffbaade3521]

I’ve had a couple very nice usable swords from Kurt of Athena. Cold steel 2 handed broadsword and Knights of Templar repro broadsword. Both 1060 and came very sharp and very good quality .

[@saberserpent1134]

Ryansword 1095 monosteel shinogi-zukuri: 6 years cutting and counting. Ronin Dojo Pro 1060 monosteel "doutanuki": 8 years cutting and counting. In short, I concur, sir. I would add for buyers planing to cut, to opt for a semi-polished option if possible, as the inevitable scratches show less than with a high-polish finish. Great vid!

[@richardpierce7819]

I'm 5'7" and find a 27 " blade very workable. Some of my swords are 1095 steel , that said I just ordered a Ruyigin Dragon sword made out of T-10 tool steel. Have I made any mistakes.??

[@barearms7598]

Excellent video. I educated myself when I started but knew knife steels and properly treated 1095 like Tops knives is a terrific all around usable steel.

[@krisnaputraperdana8468]

Not only your insights are always great for a fresh enthusiast like me (and I highly value them), your video image quality and lightings are excellent! Thank you as always Matthew sir.

[@jamieadams7550]

Just got a diaho set from shadow dancer swords they are really good with working with me. They are the one s I rally like. The best $ 2000.00 I’ve payed for

[@peterv3216]

Hi Matt, long time follower here. Thank you for the video as always! I bought a kanmuri-otoshi tantō from jkoo last year and I'm very satisfied. My next piece of steel is going to be one of the high end Huawei katanas. I like their tsuka shape better as opposed to CAS hanwei ones. Thank you again for these videos. Keep them coming.

[@JoeSteel1]

Matt, Well deserved channel sub count...Great video, always great information, all good advice, well done...agree with the Ronin DoJo pro & raptor series for well built durable swords

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Much appreciated!

[@ervinstankovic2462]

Love your videos! Awesome information and you are a great speaker

[@fightpsych]

Amazing details! Thank you for sharing.

[@calebmalm2453]

16k!!! Already!!! Congrats

[@rbrad0]

really enjoyed this ramble of yours. thank you for the information

[@kirivanyam5969]

Thank you for your advice on the topic of beginner's sword guide. 😀

[@bwest8372]

I wish I would of seen this before i bought my first 1 lol I'm pretty good after I've studied steels and different things i know what to buy now. I recently bought a T10 steel katana for 169 it's pretty nice. My first 1 was a 1060 zatoichi blade but the handle was glued i wanted a katana to take apart.

[@dimaschine8838]

Thanks a lot for your content. I found your channel recently and already learned many usefull things. Im about to by my first sword, cuz my teacher told me that everyone who is practicing swordsmanship should have one and this video was very useful.

[@shannonwolf2736]

You answered a bunch of questions I had, thank you. Great video as always. What do you or your viewers recommend for sharpening these types of swords, I.e. belt grinder, ceramic stone, etc... ? It would be a learning curve for me no matter what.

[@MiguelReyes-yl3bp]

Straight up water stone, it can be done. I have done so with a traditional tanto I bought on Amazon, because it was dull, maybe needed a good strop. I was able to do it the right way, there are many videos on how to do this.

[@cloudrun654]

You said the website was called Jayku? 8:56

[@t10claytempered16]

Good to see ya' using colorful adjectives for destroying a knife. I collect and am addicted to Ko Katanas and would like to see you enjoy destroy. The speed and ease is awesome

[@VolkXue]

I'm looking for something that's more homage to my love of Samurai culture. I want something as close to traditional and functional as i can get for the price but for the most part it will be a display piece. There's just so many companies and it's hard to tell what's reputable for authenticity. I imagine i would use it more for kata than cutting but i do still care for both functions

[@DrNikolaiLee]

This video was very informative! Amazing job!

[@quentinmac.5579]

How about the brand Shinwa? I’ve seen this brand in BudK catalogs snd they look really good, some I’ve thought about getting but never got around to but while watching this video I thought I’d pop the question about this brand (Shinwa).

[@jeff-hc8ux]

Wooo! happy for you and all your new subs!

[@AlienDemonic]

Great information about swords u the best on KZbin great video. What is an best sword for the zombie apocalypse.

[@savergon]

A lot of great information on swords. Thanks

[@kimpanattoni]

May have been a kinda dumb question... but I am new to the channel and have not spent a long time digging through it for such a thing. :)

[@artmercado1735]

oil is choji the only type of oil to use to preserve a blade, plus whats a good mat-cutting sword

[@ervinstankovic2462]

Thank you for the great content!

[@livingsouthern9358]

Where did you get the scabbard with the ray skin on it. I really like it time stamp 41.00

[@meowmeow147]

I purchased a tanto with a red blade and it looks amazing. Got it for home protection since I’m in a small space a tanto works better for me compared to a katana. For people curious what a red blade tanto looks like, I got it from True Katana and serial number of the tanto is TK-JP-XY20106.

[@sullythepankake9663]

I'd like to get one mainly for wall art. I've spent 8 years (2 years retired) in martial arts and I want to get a sword and I'd like to get back to the sport. For an o shit moment I grab the strap, I'd prefer not to bring a knife to a gun fight

[@ianbaker1848]

Thank you very informative!

[@str3ss529]

Really excellent video man!!! thank you very much!!

[@tonyhoodlass1846]

Forged 1095 with Clay temper like's cloud's is Great or a budget 1060 is good starting out, folded Steel seem's heavy to me, i have a background in Martial Art's

[@katana24]

very informative video, thank you for taking the time to explain it to us

[@kygent508]

Ordered a sword from sinoswords was expecting to get it in Dec but with ships sitting off shore it may be next summer 2022.

[@lazytongue8405]

Great video

[@erichusayn]

Excellent video. Helpful as always. Great video for the new guys. Hahahaha. Im one of those geometric yokote guys. Not a deal breaker, but i much prefer geometric.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Give it time sir..

[@TheReviewPigeon]

Great video bro, thanks for the no bs tips for a newbie in the katana market like me

[@lio88jian]

Broke my $400 Huawei on an old hard 2x2. It was one of the deep sori models, super gorgeous, but live and learn.

[@KF1]

Like it full snapped? Wow. What blade type?

[@lio88jian]

@@KF1 Differentially hardened T-10

[@KF1]

@@lio88jian damn

[@blackwings7373]

Thank you Matthew, you were really helpful

[@iichiigo7751]

4:20 LITERALLY A HELICOPTER OF DEATH DEAR LORD. I can only imagine what was going through your mind watching back the footage and seeing how close that shave was - what sword were you testing there???

[@Matthew_Jensen]

It was a Ronin Hammer Forged series blade.

[@iichiigo7751]

@@Matthew_Jensen I'll definitely be checking that video out! Thank you for the reply - and the content. I used your video reviews to decide on what to get for my first ever katana and went with one of the Ronin Katana Dojo Pro series. Could not be happier! 😊

[@jacostajr86]

What are good places to buy hand made katans. The old school way.

[@Native_love]

Awesome video! What type exactly would you choose to cut multiple heads off of zombies? Asking for a friend. 😀 Subbed!

[@LIONTAMER3D]

At that price? 1095 & properly fitted hardware is all you can ask for. Surprisingly, that seems to be asking for a lot, but it's doable

[@michaelbarr9139]

I think you covered everything. The only other thing i would bring up is don't expect to get genuine nihonto quality for $400. You'll get something that's very nice and functional but it's not going to be perfect. They almost never are. Even when you're paying a couple thousand.

[@JDBeastmode]

4:24 catlike reflexes there buddy 😂

[@roninlifting]

Good video. Subscribed.

[@jonlanden1632]

Does anyone know where to find the Pan sword 🤔 from the movie 🎥 'Hook' 🪝???

[@zenmaxer]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. Very informative and useful video.

[@RadTradX]

I’m glad I found this guy I’m brand freaking new to swords and knives and this has helped a lot because I would commit harakiri if I spent a bunch of money in a shitty katana.

[@Mosamania]

Swords of Northshire I bought a sword from them about 3 months ago and it got lost by UPS during delivery and they have ghosted me since.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

That is a bummer. I know UPS takes a long time to resolve claims but not good to hear about the lack of service.

[@alexanderbattle19]

The Like/Dislike Ratio Displays How Amazing This Video Is. Awesome Video Man. THANK YOU! 🙏

[@Katana-Karl]

I have several custom Jkoo/Sinosword in the kobuse construction and I had a commenter say on one of my videos that he could tell by looking at my blade it was not of kobuse construction. He said they have been found to decieve the customer because kobuse is too time consuming and difficult to make for the prices they offer. Have you heard this? And is there a reverse kobuse? Where the outer layer is softer and is wrapped around a hard core?

[@micahcampa]

you cant see kobuse on the edge it is on the spine so you could etch a spine of a kobuse blade and you could tell if it is

[@erichusayn]

Only one way to find out....

[@Katana-Karl]

@@micahcampa thanks he claimento see the lamination line on the side of one of my supposed "kobuse" katana.

[@Katana-Karl]

@@erichusayn haha! No way hozay

[@micahcampa]

@@Katana-Karl lol he does not know much if he think the can see it on the edge lol yes there is a reverse kobuse it is called wariha tetsu but never see a modern maker do it at least not in production market

[@tallnrough68]

What’s the best budget sword metal ? Sword under $200 ish

[@damianticas9914]

Thanks for the great info

[@MaaZeus]

Regarding Unokubi Zukuri, I can see that shape be beneficial if you have to do a lot of one handed fencing. There is a lot of material removed from the spine of the blade so not only is it lighter the point of balance should be pushed closer to the tsuba too, which usually makes sword feel more agile and nimble. At the cost of some chopping power, obviously. That is always a trade off. Anyway, might be handy if you are a one handed amputee swordsman or you practice some Niten Ichi Ryu style dual wielding and feel like normal katana is too cumbersome for one hand. 🤔 I have actually ordered a semicustom Unokubi Zukuri katana from one of these Lonquan sellers (Tsunami dragon to be specific) so when it arrives, I definetly want to feel how it feels like in one hand. I even took it without bohi so there is more mass around the Tsuba. Dunno if that invalidates the experiment though because you ususlly see Unokubi's WITH a bohi. 😅

[@ky1ejennings]

do you know any info on england’s customer services? i just ordered a $300 53” odachi from ryanswords and i hope i don’t need a license

[@Dreez76]

For someone who appreciates the beauty and history of Katanas, i think 500$ is a good level of higher quality Katana. When i buy a Katana, i want it to be fully functional and ability to disassemble it.

[@T-DsGaming]

Plenty of sub 500 that fit that.

[@justiceforall6412]

Very good and useful content, thank you

[@MikeEstacio]

I wanna make one of those 24 hour long loop videos of just this clip @ 4:22

[@weaponman3872]

What is your opinion on blade curvature, a more curved blade should add more pressure on cutting surface right? And it should also help the blade slide down the draw instead of “chopping” like a straighter blade should do. Do you have a tachi ?do you have a katana with a false edge ?

[@LeeQuesada-CoTGaming]

6:40 was EPIC

[@SebastianHernandez-uo4be]

What's the strongest Katana sword that does not break

[@rhysmilligan7934]

I am about to buy a sword and your videos have been the light in the katana confusion

[@joshmccool7345]

Hello the 9th guard you didn’t like so much stating it looks muddy do you recall the blade it belonged to or is it just a generic guard?,just bought a sword with the same guard but no history. Interesting video. Thank you