i need to get a sword as a gift and i don't know much. i know it needs to be a katana, full tang, preferably 40" or more, comes razor sharp. basically a gift for a friend who can go out in the yard and hack things, no display ****. also relatively cheap if possible. i'm losing myself on the net, anyone actually know stuff?

 

So you want basically a cheap knockoff for your buddy to hack weeds with?

For real actual Japaneses steel you're easily looking in the 5k+ range. It would also be a crying shame to ruin a good sword on some rednecks ******* around in the backyard playing ninja.

This is what I'd suggest based on your description. 440 stainless is decent and will hold up to some abuse.

http://www.karatedepot.com/wp-sw-53.html

I like karate depot, I've ordered a some stuff from them in the past.

 

yes a modern knockoff yet functional, the link is helpful thankyou. but in the description it says "sharp" what is that supposed to mean?

 

I changed the link to a better one that is full tang.

If it says "sharp" believe that your buddy will likely cut his fingers off on accident. LOL


For ******* around, you'd be surprised how effective a lowly boken can be.

 

Traditional Katanas are half-tang, do not have a blood groove and have a blade length of 27-30 inches.

Get your friend a shinai and references to a local Kendo class. Once he gets that out of his system, find a boken and a practice (dull) katana from Century or other such generic martial arts distributor and find an Iaido class.

In five to ten years, he'll know what he wants (and needs) in a sword and shop for himself.

- L