what can I practice a katana on without damaging it?

Question

its kind of cheap but it is a hand forged full tang I don't wanna dishonor it too much either

its kind of cheap but it is a hand forged full tang I don't wanna dishonor it too much either

Ive used a wooden dia jo before and I have a kendo stick

Answer 1

1- get some training.

2- if it is cheap, then chances are it is not "hand forged" and you were lied to, I would get your $40 or $100 back from swordsonline.com or whatever place that sells stainless steel crap you ordered it from. A real cutting blade katana will run you at the very least $800. If you know what to look for and can judge quality you might find a cheaper buy somewhere but 99.9% of the time you will just get ripped off and lied to if you don't know what you are looking for.

If you don't know how or what you should use for cutting practice, you don't know what you are looking for.

If you don't know the significance of a tang in a katana and instead post and harp on advertising puffery, you don't know what you are looking for.

If you are worried about "dishonoring" a sword, you don't know what you are looking for. Today bieng a holiday, I won't insult you on this foolish statement, however I would strongly advise you to not repeat it in the future to anyone that knows anything about swordsmanship and actual swords and quality if you want to be taken seriously.

I suggest 1, buy a real sword, a wallhanger that likely wasn't heat treated will cause at best unpredictable results, and at worst end up shattering with highly amusing results like our favorite home shopping show host learned about fake katanas.

2- get some lessons.

3- get some tatami cutting mats and either build your own (not hard) or buy a stand (waste of money). Do not think you can chop down a tree with it, flesh is softer than trees, use an ax.

Ask your question on www.swordforum.com for more specific questions.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

O.k. first and foremost it takes training and practice to use a katana. There is a little thing called 'technique'. You should find an instructor. Unless you are a really big guy, an O Katana is simply too big for you. Weapons of this variety were not used for dueling, they were more "anti-cavalry" weapons. Rather cumbersome for one against one combat. The Cold Steel katanas are not very historically accurate versions of a Japanese sword - lacking finesse and poorly balanced. They will take a beating though and it sounds like that is what you are giving it. Seriously, you are probably a danger to yourself and possible others around you - find an instructor.

Answer 4

My advice is not to practice with it at all. Instead go to a Martial arts supply store and get a wooden dia jo. It would not dishonor your sword and it would be traditonal to use a wooden practice sword just like they used to do.

Answer 5

You should practice with a Bo-Ken, which is a wooden sword shaped like a katana, but you should take out the katana and make sure it is regularly oiled.

Answer 6

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/aAbq1
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 7

2

Answer 8

I'm not much of a swordsman, but if you want low budget, get some styrofoam. Slash away. My sword is more of a baseball bat.

Answer 9

you could see if it's sharp enough to cut your own head of with?or you could honor it by falling on it?how can you dishonor a replica katana?

Answer 10

You can try to maintain your katana by oiling it when needed. Even Shinai needs constant maintainance.