It's show and tell time, what blades do you own - for display or use? Pictures would be great to see as well.

So nobody wants to to share?

I was inspired to make this post after seeing the blades that my Sensei and a classmate bought at a swordshow recently. They were so interesting that I thought it'd be neat to see what you guys in other arts are using.

I'd post a picture of my gear, but I dunno if my 3 bokuto would be something that anyone would want to see. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

You can get a pretty good feel for what folks are using in the the average sword dojo by checking out the following sites. http://www.swordstore.com , http://www.tozando.com , and http://www.bugei.com

You'll never give me a break, will ya Mr. Mahan?

I don't want to know what folks are using in the average sword dojo, I want to know what you use. I want to know what Armed_Man_Piker & laf7773 use. I'm not asking for advice on what to get, my Sensei will help me with that decision when it's time.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a discussion on this board that has nothing to do with ninjas, anime or self-training?

Huh. And I thought I was being helpful too. I wasn't offering you any advice on what to purchase. I was telling you where you could find pics of swords that the majority purchase. My apologies for trying to be helpful. I'll know better next time.

Why exactly should I or anyone else go out of their way to borrow a digital camera, snap a bunch of pictures, find some place to upload the pictures too and then post them here? To satisfy your curiosity? Seems like a lot to ask.

And what exactly did my post have to do with Ninja, anime or self training? Aren't you the guy that started the latest Self Training thread?

[This message has been edited by Charles Mahan (edited 02-18-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Charles Mahan (edited 02-18-2005).]

Yen

Agree with Charles here.

My blade would look pretty much like anyone elses, the difference in actual weight or length would not really show in a picture.

Other than the color of wrapping, saigo (sp) etc one blade would look pretty much like any other.

Not sure that you could even tell a "cutting" blade from a zinc alloy one with a normal scanned pic.

Since most folks are not using individually, specifcally made for them, stright from the forge, blades--they pretty much all look alike.

As odd as it sounds, I don't have a camera, and my little sister lost the roll of film that I did manage to take a few pictures with, so you are left with my pixel art skills

Here's my Angelsword dao
[IMG]http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/421596432/0.jpg[/IMG]

and if I ever get the money, I'll comission my wing blade
[IMG]http://www2.propichosting.com/Images/421596432/1.jpg[/IMG]
Unfortunately, wootz damascus isn't cheap, especially intricate patterns like that, so it may be a few years before I can even get on the waiting list (Angelsword currently has a three year wait on special order damascus Avatars).

This is why I like custom blades, you can show them off.

[This message has been edited by Benjamin1986 (edited 02-18-2005).]

The photos are not necessary, just welcomed if you have them. If you don't want to take the time to share, that's truly your perogative. If hosting is an issue, feel free to email them to me and I would be happy to host them for you.

I still would like to know more about what the folks here use. I'll bet a lot of blades have a story behind them.

Benjamin1986 - your pixel art skills leave me in awe, thank you. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]

Yen

Are you actually reading the posts?

Snipy tone of "if you don't want to take the time to share" would indicate to me that you are not.

I am a Japanese sword stylist, with the exception of handle wrapping, "my" blade would look pretty much like anyone elses.

Again with the exception of the color of the handle wrap and color of the saigo (the weights are bit different, but you can't tell that from a picture) my iaito and my shinken are pretty much the same. Even made by the same folks.

Really kinda boring, made to be used, not placed into an on-line photo gallary.