Any Irish websites that sell samurai swords

Topsnakebite

any shops or irish websites

I would go to the shop in the city centre of Dublin its a martial arts shop that sell Gi's and other equipment but the have all sorts of weaponry. Its on the corner of Capel St. If your around Dublin yourself.:)

Topsnakebite

Deleted User wrote: »

I would go to the shop in the city centre of Dublin its a martial arts shop that sell Gi's and other equipment but the have all sorts of weaponry. Its on the corner of Capel St. If your around Dublin yourself.:)

thanks i ill have to take a trip up there and check it out

Niall Keane

http://www.oriental-weaponry.co.uk/index.html

I've used these lads, had the sword within a week, also good price internationally speaking. From the USA it can take 6-8 weeks. Swords from the USA are usually cheaper than direct from China etc. Not sure on Katanas etc. but the Paul Chen Chinese swords are probaly the best quality around. When starting out in Chinese martial arts, long time ago now, I remember using some swords / sabers purchased in Irish shops (not there any more), anyway the quality was rubbish, tangs losening with in the handle within a year of not too demanding use. (a few applications etc.) causing the blade to twist constantly.
If you're serious about a japanese sword, you should research the subject and know what you're buying.
Bad swords are v.dangerous for the user and all concerned. Many SLOs (Sword Like Objects) made of brittle stainless steel or even brittle mild steel (carbon content related) will break / snap etc. I remember on a number of occasions breaking cheap chinese sabers in half on training partners as they were trying to use it to defend against another saber or spear. On one occasion, the spear I was using broke through a double handed, other hand supporting the spine of the saber, defensive block, but I managed to pull the breaks and not smash through / into my friends neck.
Also live blades for training are a bad idea, take it from someone who had 48 stiches in my index finger, with motor nerves sewn back together. Never request a sharpened blade, unless you're doing competition cutting. You can always sharpen a blade again, but once you do it will inevitably corrode slightly, so next sharpening some more of your sword is erroded away and so on.
Hope this helps,
Niall

smacl

Niall Keane wrote: »

I remember on a number of occasions breaking cheap chinese sabers in half on training partners as they were trying to use it to defend against another saber or spear. On one occasion, the spear I was using broke through a double handed, other hand supporting the spine of the saber, defensive block, but I managed to pull the breaks and not smash through / into my friends neck.

Yeah, I kind of went off cheap chinese sabres myself around that time. In the middle of an IMAC demo as well if memory serves me correctly.

FWIW, the american site I used for Paul Chen blades was http://www.888knivesrus.com/ I've used them on two occasions to date and found them good, but it's been a few years and customs may be tighter now. As Niall says, you have to research what you are buying, as you will see purely decorative artifacts on the same page as items usable for forms/katas. Most of the swords that I have seen are unsuitable for practicing techniques, with the possible exception of some of the Paul Chen 'Practical' series. IMO, you need to think long and hard as to why you'd want to practice sparring techniques with these weapons, even if the blades are dull. The well balanced heavier weapons are great for solo practice though.

HammerHeadGym

Why Irish just out of interest? For functional blades try bugei.com

Musashi

Depends what you are looking for?

For cutting practice Paul Chen or Cold Steel offerings are good.
For historical re-enactment/living history you can get blunted blades.
For decoration anything will do really.

Are you looking specifically for Japanese style swords?

Sharpening swords is a fairly specialised job, Japanese blades are polished sharp! Not something to undertake yourself unless it's on a sword you are going to use and not worry about damaging it. I sharpen a lot and wouldn't undertake a polish job on a "proper" Japanese sword.

BopNiblets

What if you just want a display sword, are there any places like that here or online (UK ones too)?
I'd like to have one as an art piece, the real ones are wonderfully crafted, but I don't want some cheap mass produced thing either.

(How did The Bride get her sword on the plane in Kill Bill anyway?! )