How much for a samuri sword?

Hi,

How much does a decent samuri sword cost? I'd like to start saving so I can get one for my wife when she reaches black belt.

It's about the same price as a car.

...And like a car, you can get a great useful one for a lot of money, or you can spend fifty bucks on something which is great in the front room but you wouldn't want to drive it.

Is your wife likely to actually *use* said sword, or just look at it?

:o) Kevin

Theses are decent reproductions, serviceable but not made in 'traditional' Japanese fassion. Definitely useable, -not- wall hangers:
http://www.invis.com/kriscutlery/jswords.html http://www.highlandsteele.com/pages/EM_01.html

Peace favor your sword,

Try www.bugei.com

Depends on what you are looking for...you can get 'non sharpenable' swords out of most magazines for about $50 US. A decent 'Sharpenable' samurai (Brand new) I've seen for anywhere from $500 US to $2000 US.

If you want a TRUE, antique samurai sword...well, we can start around $8000 US and go up from there...

Also, are you talking about a Katana, Wakizashi or other type of sword?

John

One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, One ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them...LOTR

Is your wife a samurai? If she's in an art which uses a sword, she probably has one by now. If she's not, why would she want one?

In any case, a decent new one will run about $8000.

Happy training,

That is not entirely true... You can get a pretty decent, not 100% in shape antique sword for from 500 bucks.

For $500 you get a Gunto, a WW2 officer sword. They are often factory made, some are however handforged with a good hamon. The fittings are often kind of rough, since it was actually used in the field. Some are even in stainless steel, but I wouldn't recommend buying one in stainless (if you want a REAL sword).

For $1000 up to $2000 you can get a actual real sword. That can be in excellent condition, depending on the age of the piece itself.

What one should be aware of is the actual work it is to have own a sword. You must think of the humidity of the surrounding of the sword, also to take proper care of it. It is NOT just something you buy and put on the shelf, it will RUST. And there will be damages that can't be repaired. A sword is not a toy, it is great responsibility. I feel sick every time I see or hear about people who abuse their antiquities.

Also, it is an art itself to evaluate a sword. To see what is and what is not a fatal wound to the sword. And also how to value a sword. Buy a book or two before buying a sword, even if you are thinking about buying a newly made factory made or whatever.

I can recommend these links; http://www.japanesesword.com/ http://japanesesword.homestead.com/files/nihonto.htm

It will get you started, I recomend buying a book first. And think over it at first...

Chris, also check out the following link for another non-traditional but extremely strong Katana: http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum53/HTML/ 000533.html

IMHO they are great value for money...

Best wishes,

Her art does use swords but they usually use the wooden practice swords for safety and because they don't want the real swords to get all banged up. I think they would prefer you get a real one as you get more advanced but I know she would really like one.

She's likely to practice with it but I don't think she'll be getting in many sword fights.