legaiaflame Posted June 18, 2008 Report Posted June 18, 2008 First off, I'd like to say hello to everyone on the forum. The question that I have is what would you consider the minimum and maximum weight for each of the following sword types: Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto? The reason I'm asking this particular question for, is because I cannot seem to find the any good information on the subject. Quote
Brian Posted June 18, 2008 Report Posted June 18, 2008 Hi Justin (please sign all posts with a name as per the rules, thanks) I think the reason you haven't been able to find such info online is that there is no such thing as maximum or minimum weights. These are personal items made for personal tastes, and no doubt whatever weight you wanted, someone would make it for you. It's like asking what is the minimum and maximum weight for a kitchen knife...there isn't one. Regards, Brian Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted June 18, 2008 Report Posted June 18, 2008 legaiaflame. Is the real reason that you are asking... that you have come across a supposedly Japanese sword which feels somehow too light (or too heavy)? Quote
Ford Hallam Posted June 18, 2008 Report Posted June 18, 2008 There is a way to get an idea of the weight of these blades. Most sites on-line give the length, and width and thickness's at each end of the blade in question. While this won't actually give you a weight as such, ( unless you get involved in some complicated volume/mass calculations :? ) at least you could begin to visualise the sorts of dimensions that are common for each type of blade and period. You may begin to form an idea of average sizes. It could be regarded as pert of the assessment of sugata in general. I suspect this is the sort of unconscious mental assessment most of the more experienced collectors run through. regards, Ford Quote
legaiaflame Posted June 19, 2008 Author Report Posted June 19, 2008 Thank you all for your help on the topic, and maybe I should have asked, "What is the average weight for a particular sword?" Instead of the minimum and maximum weight for a sword. Best Regards, Justin P. Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted June 19, 2008 Report Posted June 19, 2008 If you run searches on Google under such headings as 日本刀　平å‡é‡é‡ you get pages like: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls= ... tnG=Search One site says that a sword blade of 2 shaku 4 sun should not weigh much over 700 gm. The reason the writer gives is that heavier blades were often thought to be blunt, stemming from the fact that in many cases they were untempered. The tempering process reduces the weight? NB The above is not my opinion, but just something I read during a search to answer your question. Quote
Jean Posted June 19, 2008 Report Posted June 19, 2008 Makes me think of a French joke : Question : "What is the right length for legs" Answer : "no matter as long as feet are flat on the ground" It is the same, it will depend on individuals, arm length/strength .. ===> different nagasa===> different weight. The ideal weight depends on each individual. Yours shall not be mine .... Quote
Guest reinhard Posted June 20, 2008 Report Posted June 20, 2008 Makes me think of a French joke : Question : "What is the right length for legs" Answer : "no matter as long as feet are flat on the ground" Jean's joke hit the nail on its head. Swords in general are about balance and proportions. Weight doesn't really matter. reinhard Quote
bluboxer Posted June 20, 2008 Report Posted June 20, 2008 The tempering process reduces the weight? Negative over. Alan Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted June 21, 2008 Report Posted June 21, 2008 The tempering process reduces the weight? Negative over. Alan Thanks for that! Take everything with a pinch of salt, then. Over. Quote
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