So this naginata wouldn't be good at all?
http://www.trueswords.com/dragon-naginata-huge-staff-blade-p-109.html

Nearly forty dollars worth, maybe.

Just to practice and maybe to cut small branches in the back yard

Then no it is not suitable for your purposes. For practice you will need a genuine naginata not a guady replica and the instruction that goes with it. Actually for real practice you will probably need to start off with a wooden naginata. Something like this: http://bokkenshop.com/eng/318.html The instructor you find(assuming you can find one) would know exactly what you would need to get started.

The thing you linked to is good only for hanging on the wall. It is not meant for actual use and is likely to break with any serious contact. Of course, as hideously ugly as it is, I don't see that it has much decorative value either. It isn't really even shaped like a naginata. The fact that the naginata-like object you linked two costs somewhat less than the wooden training naginata I liked to above, should speak volumes as to the quality of the one you linked too.

As for cutting small branches in the backyard, you need a pair of loppers or a machete.

haha! If you want a katana thats even near the real deal, you'll have to pay at least $350. A reasonable sword costs around $700(thats what I'll be buying). for $700, you get carbon steel, real same, real hamon line, good fittings etc. A good sword. Unless you're going to cut stuff with it(which I'm not planning on doing, its for decoration purposes).

Expect to be saving some money man, but expect to be loving your sword if you finally buy it(and you're going to do tameshi-giri with it). Swords should be picked carefully, because you have to pay it respect for the rest of your life.

There's a lot of good info here but does anyone have any info on good sources for chinese broadswords?
Thanks

Charles,
Please put this thread out of its misery.
Regards