Under $200 beginner sword for study

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

Hi All!

I have a friend with kiddo (12 years old) who is looking for their first real nihonto or Gunto to study and learn on. Their budget is $200 so we don’t expect greatness. Does need a shirasaya or koshirae. So he can handle it. I’ll handle the transaction for them. What ya got?

Jesse

[Franco D]

1 hour ago, Infinite_Wisdumb said:

Their budget is $200 

 

Compton's Hundred Masterpieces. 

[NewB]

26 minutes ago, Franco D said:

 

Compton's Hundred Masterpieces. 

 

LOL

 

Or 'komonjo' items on ebay

 

J.

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

thanks for the insights fellas.  I wasnt aware of those items, even after my years of study!  

 

Next?

[NewB]

8 minutes ago, Infinite_Wisdumb said:

thanks for the insights fellas.  I wasnt aware of those items, even after my years of study!  

 

Next?

 

Well, no pun intended but considering the budget I just can't seem to imagine what kind of blade that'd be to be able to be studied. I just sold a totally rusted tanto for $250.. (bare blade, no habaki)

 

So @Franco D has a good point about buying the book. Plenty can be seen and learned from it. 

 

With that said, everything is possible. 

 

Cheers

 

J.

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

Good point John.

[Peter Bleed]

You're throwing money away.

Find a local collector and go visit them. Be polite, bring the kid. Ask advice and look at what you are shown. Bring cookies and make an appointment for a follow-up visit. Be interested and nice...

Peter

[Blagoy]

 

[Mark]

Jesse

 

i will be in Novi MI later this month, or Livonia in early Dec. i can bring a couple $200  swords for you to check out , just remind me the week before

 

mark

[Toryu2020]

Jesse -

What books does this young collector have? What are his areas of interest? We may be able to help out...

 

-t

[ChrisW]

I don't have any in mounts in that price range but I will be at the "Mooresville Victorian Christmas" set up as a vendor out there.  If you, the young collector and his guardian wish to see my collection, I'll be there all day. I'll have all my nihonto, as well as the rest of my non-nihonto.

Were I you, I would definitely take Mark up on his offer though!

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

On 11/10/2022 at 8:15 AM, Mark said:

Jesse

 

i will be in Novi MI later this month, or Livonia in early Dec. i can bring a couple $200  swords for you to check out , just remind me the week before

 

mark

Ill send you a DM Mark, thanks!

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

On 11/10/2022 at 9:12 AM, Toryu2020 said:

Jesse -

What books does this young collector have? What are his areas of interest? We may be able to help out...

 

-t

Hi Thomas.  Not many or any that I am aware of.  He has seen my humble collection in the past (a year or so ago) - but recall he is 12 LOL.  I think the parents are interested in something that he can hold that is affordable and then going from there.  Im just happy to potentially have a new collector entering the fold, who isnt on tech all day

[Alex A]

That's a tough one, dont want to end up with junk.

 

For the money, this is by far the best deal for anyone on a budget, ive seen lately.

 

Sadly, its over budget but i think it would be a great gift. 

 

Actually, with its dimensions it may well be a gift sword for the birth of a child.

 

Reminds me of Yokoyama, the hamon. Blade has 2 different sides and 2 types of hada which is interesting/eductational.

 

Koshirae has issues but ok, blade has a small flaw.

 

Sometimes you got to push the budget for something decent, i don't consider this a killer

 

https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_ja_tachi&katanaA031219.html

 

PS, i saw a cheap wak in koshirae at an arms fair and thought that would be a nice gift for my lad, i brings it home, gives it to him and he turns around and says "its rubbish"

 

He was the same age, even at that age they can just know!

 

 

[Jay M]

If it doesn’t have to be real or historic, try trueswords.com. Can get reproductions or modern practicals to study. Lot of blades for under $200.