Question about bladed weapons.

[DarkishFriend]

From time to time I'll see the decorative katana sets at places like tobacco shops or tattoo shops along with massive and ridiculous looking knives etc. What I'm wondering is, I went on amazon and looked up naginatas and there are $40 polearms with black steel, decals and serrated edges that look just for appeal, while a normal looking one is around $400, and the decorative katana sets are $40 with 3 blades. Is there a difference between the way these blades are forged or tempered to make such a difference in price? I understand they're not for actual use and I don't plan to have an actual use for anything bladed, but it would be nice to know the thing wouldn't break like the Gorgan Sword if it hit something.

 

[omglazorspewpew]

Decorative blades are for....decoration. If you want a bladed weapon that is for more than that then you will need to spend at least a few hundred bucks...probably in the thousands if you are looking at larger weapons.

The decorative ones are usually quickly made and aren't very useful for "actual use". You might be able to get a few chunks of tree off before it bends on snaps but I wouldn't expect more than that

 

[craftomega]

This should help.

http://www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/sword-steels.html

Read it and all will be revealed.

 

[DarkishFriend]

Thanks, it's what I assumed. The video of the dude breaking the novelty one was rather amusing.

 

[SckizoBoy]

This should help.

http://www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/sword-steels.html

Read it and all will be revealed.

... yeah, that pretty much sums up (or rather diatribes) on what I was going to say (well, about the steel type/quality/manufacture at least)...

However, I'll add that most decorative pieces will have a highly unsuitable tang for practical use. Swing a rat-tail tanged katana lightly a few times and the blade will probably pop out and skewere something/one. Even half-tangs are questionable at the best of times, while single pin full tangs are generally what one needs in a shinken.

And to continue harping on about materials: shark-skin... most pieces less than USD1500(ish) won't use it, though this is slightly pettier than the steel bit.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Its all in the steel. For example, my buddy bought a foot long stainless steel knife for about ten bucks, I got a 4 1/2 inch Carbon Steel Survival Knife for four times that. The difference is mostly material and process. This makes the Carbon Knife much more durable than the stainless, which are surprisingly brittle.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

However, I'll add that most decorative pieces will have a highly unsuitable tang for practical use. Swing a rat-tail tanged katana lightly a few times and the blade will probably pop out and skewere something/one. Even half-tangs are questionable at the best of times, while single pin full tangs are generally what one needs in a shinken.

Heh, I was just going to post this when I read your comment:
I'll post it anyway, 1:40 is where he "swings" it.

With swords you literally get what you pay for. If you want a good sword you have to shell out quite a bit of money. You will never get a high quality sword for $40.

So yeah, buy a $40 sword if you plan having it set permanently hanging on a wall, if you want to do anything else with it (including swinging it just for fun) then you need to get something a bit more expensive.

 

[Captain_Fantastic]

things have been answered for me here but im just putting in my two bits by saying you CAN get a functional sword for cheap because of companies like musashi (around $70 for a carbon steel katana full tang)

 

[emeraldrafael]

its been said but its basically how its made and whats its made off.

Hoenstly, if you want a sword that looks nice but you could still use functionally... well, i've had so pretty good experiences with cold steel products. Though some people I talk to give them a bad rep, so I might just be fortunate.

 

[Vault101]

Decorative blades are for....decoration. If you want a bladed weapon that is for more than that then you will need to spend at least a few hundred bucks...probably in the thousands if you are looking at larger weapons.

The decorative ones are usually quickly made and aren't very useful for "actual use". You might be able to get a few chunks of tree off before it bends on snaps but I wouldn't expect more than that

so thats what you ment then?

people buy authentic functional weopons for chopping down trees