Are all Chinese made katanas TRASH? [sword talk]

There's a belief that all Chinese made katanas are trash that has been circulating around the internet for quite some time. Today I'm going to be talking about the different grades of Chinese made katanas and why this myth is false. I have had quite a bit of experience with Chinese made katanas having bought many for myself, friends and family as well as I have had a look at quite a number of swords for sale while in China.

Sadly many of these discussions are accompanied by racist comments. Please don't post anything racist.

Swords: 1060 steel katana 70cm blade length
T10 clay tempered wakizashi 55cm blade length
T10 clay tempered wakizashi 55cm blade length

Always be aware of your surroundings and minimise harm to yourself, others and your environment. Never use weapons when intoxicated or upset or for any act of violence.

Check out my Instagram at just_a_bug_swordsman for more content.

[edwardjennings]

"Chinese katanas suck"
Ronin katana: hold my beer

[tommybrowne]

its about time that a young man just says it how it is doent beat around the bush and says it straight. Thankyou Bug!

[alexharris-uiss]

I personally have a 4000 usd japanese made tamahagane katana. But i have a 500 usd chinese made katana that i actually like better. It all comes down to your personal feel and preferences. But every single thing this guy says is dead accurate.

[dmwgunvideos]

I have a Chinese made katana for about $500 US and for the money I am impressed with the blade and the fit and finish is pretty good. I wondered though if they are just junk so thanks for this video.

[KuddlesbergTheFirst]

Some say the ancestors were crafting the "real thing" while the modern counterparts are just common fodder "that lack a soul"? The blood, sweat, and effort poured into it during forging makes the blade feel as if it were a living creature.

[MrMann]

I was impressed with the 1095 steel katana I got for my son so I ordered myself one, from the same seller, although mine is made from 9260 spring steel. His was well made and a beautiful blue gimmick (worth the extra few bucks lol) mine is semi hand polished. Thanks for the video and your breakdown of these swords, I would of felt more confident in my first buy if I had seen this first but my chance paid off

[wrathsinful]

I have some experience with Chinese Katanas. I've a 1045, 1095 and T-10 all made crafted in Longquan all full tang. The 1045 was indeed colored black on the finish and was folded steel without a Hamon. Held up to usual cutting, not paper sharp but bamboo capable $130. The 1095 is a cheapy beater with a Fake hamon for 60$ and the T-10 for $160 that has a true hamon. Do your research on the seller and your purchase and you should be fine. Its just hard to tell past actual use what steel you're getting.

[thebunnybun]

Ive been dying to buy a katana and wakizashi for years and i just ordered the wakizashi still waiting to get it. Im hoping its a decent one.

[adamweaver]

Longquan blades are good. To offer buyers budget swords, they do use cheaper fittings. They also offer way better fittings and scabbard on the more expensive ones. T10 clay tempered swords are awesome BTW.

[bearcurtis]

I’ve had my ten ryu katana for many years and have no complaints it’s 1095 carbon steel and has took every bit of abuse I’ve thrown at it

[arizonaslotwins]

I didn't expect this video too be too in depth, but it would have been nice to see some factory shots and see them being made. I own 5 Katana swords and 3 Ninjato swords including a couple of just fun wall hangers. The other 6 are step ups from those. I have 2 heat treated entry level high carbon 1060 steel Katana swords and I have 3 Decent level swords and the prices he suggests are higher but ballpark priced when I bought mine from 2011-2016.

My highest end swords which are all Ninjato swords (Ninjato swords are just like a Katana but straight not curved) retailed for around 200.00 to 400.00 in 2010. I got the black one (My best sword) in 2011 on sale for 199.00 (400.00 in 2010). It has a leather tsuko ito (cord wrap on the tang) with real strong leather which requires special treatment (Lexol) to preserve the leather. It is also hand forged in modern Damascus steel. (Damascus steel has never been exactly made the same as in historical times hundreds even thousands of years ago. Though, we know it's exact metal makeup almost exactly. Crucible steel is even less known.) I was hoping to hear more about the Decent blades hand forged that are made of Damascus steel since many are made of that steel now.

Tip: All of my entry and decent swords get a gun oil treatment once a year even if I never take them out of the Saya (scabbard).

[alexeireyes]

Thank you very much for posting this very informative video! I appreciate and value your insights. Can you recommend any Chinese manufacturer who make tachi swords in the range of US$ 300 upward? I'm looking for something that can do heavy cutting (3-inch diameter wood, etc.).

[rennie]

Ryujin (the SBG brand) is a pretty decent brand for the price (and superb shipping speed). There's always a few small issues with them (ex. No hishi-gami, ito that's a tiny bit loose, loose saya on the buy, etc etc), but they're trite (and also things that can usually be fixed with a little time and effort) in comparison to the blade itself, which is an absolute monster of a hunk of T10 (with real hamon and decent, workable fit and finish). I own an aikuchi daisho from them, and both of the blades are really excellent. They look alright, and both pack a punch (the pool noodle stock in my basement for this summer doesn't stand a chance). And, although I'm not 100% sure, given that they're an SBG brand, they probably prize feedback a little more than other bigger name brands. But in any case, I'm super happy with my daisho, and would recommend Ryujin to anyone.

[チーズ-lm]

Making it traditionally means youre making everything from scratch. The Blade, Scabbard, Handle and of course, the fittings, putting hard work into to forging the blade, Carving the scabbard and handle from a block of wood and making a unique theme or design for the fittings. thats why having a katana that is unique feels like an honor

In today its just mass produced, blades made with massive machinery unlike those who made it traditionally, fittings cast following one design with relatively low quality, handles and scabbards ready made and not shaped or carved for one blade only

I would buy a traditional one if i already have mastered kendo or iaido (i would just probably have it as an heirloom and would have never use it) but for know I’ll only have the chinese ones or use

[greggpennington]

The usual, critical issue for any sword blade is how well tempered, and how well quenched. These processes are critical to the strength and flexibility of the steel of which the blade is made. Failure in these two areas is usually lethal for a knife or sword blade.

[andyappleton]

Are you saying I can't take my TMNT katana into battle with me?

[mackinaw]

100% correct in my experience, I have a few and agree fittings are usually the weak point but fixable if you care

[brawnswolo]

Awesome video from a blacksmith and steel enthusiast it doesn't matter where they come from its who makes them I have a friend who forages for lyuesword in longquan they make decent affordable swords and some higher end ones but the quality verys by the smith still his father's blades sell for thousands while his sell for hundreds to 1 thousand max it's all in the metal and maker not the country or race of the person

[velazquezarmouries]

Well Huawei kensei and liuyesword ones are really nice and sometimes they are even really high quality ones like the kensei akkorokamui
Also some functional stainless steel swords exist but they are rare like some katanas made by marto in spain or actual ww2 japanese naval swords

[granitestate]

Any experience with Murasame sword company? I recently purchased one of theirs for $179 that said real hamon clay tempered T10. I know it's not top notch by any means. But hopefully decent for almost 200 dollars.