Oshy

Hanwei fittings and castings are typically quite good for the money compared to other modern reproductions.

Im sorry you had a bad experience with your first piece. This video was just to show the quality of the nakago, it's the same that you can expect on the $250 practical XL. I've seen many modern blades in hand from different companies and for what it's worth, I can say Hanwei Paul Chen are a notch above the rest but you cannot expect the same quality and results that your used to with traditional nihontos, especially at the much lower prices. I'm just trying to help but you seem to have made up your mind generalizing all non nihonto as garbage.

Il leave you with this Hanwei video, review of the nakago 17 minutes in. Good luck with your search.

You seem to have made your decision then

No sir it is definitely not. Il try to find some reviews

I no longer own but Hanwei Paul Chen great and we'll respected brand for practitioners. Lots of reviews out there to read and YouTube if you want. Best bang for your buck for functionality in my opinion.

Odd indeed, not my cup of tea asthetically. I feel having the bohi so low would compromise the integrity/strength of the blade if too deep compared to the standard position. Primary purpose is to remove material to lighten up the blade, much more material closer to the mume where it's thicker. *Shrug*

A wall hanger at best. If your looking for a cheap functional piece to cut with, I would recommend a Hanwei. Practical XL posted below for $250 http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH6000XPF&name=Hanwei+Practical+XL+Katana

Welcome Adal

Additional close ups of the fittings would be nice as well.

I enjoy forged in fire for what it is. Some very talented folks there making some impressive pieces in just a few hours/days.

For the price it looks to be a decent starter blade to study and pass on for little to no loss. Could do worse

Looks to have some age purely based on nakago, Edo maybe?

Welcome! A newbie here as well, I would recommend your first investment be in some reference and study materials.

Im thinking this wak wont last long at this price

Great information, thanks everyone!

Thanks Mark, hopefully next year.

Is shinsa typically available at the Chicago show?

These are beautiful!

Anyone have early nambantestu blades(or nambantestu/tamahagane mixture) from late muromachi - early edo to show and tell? How reliant was it that the nakago would be inscribed "motte naman tetsu"? Im sure it probably varies from where the material was being imported from, but are there obvious characteristics that would give it away such as a darker tone and less pronounced hada?

Technically 30-60cm is wakizashi so your just in there at 57.4cm.

Very creative, thanks for sharing! Looking for something a bit more premade thought

Looking for a quality 6 tier wall mount display, all I can find is cheap garbage. Any recommendations?

Pictures can definitely play tricks and portray a material in a lighter tone than it actually is but as Mark points out the original nakago seems to have been lost completely only leaving what used to be polished blade.

Yes, please have patience with us noobs and our elementary questions, comments and incorrect terminology. Cultivating the youth is vital to keeping the tradition, enthusiasm and blades alive long after the current experts pass on.