~what's better...paul chen or cold steel...?~

[paul chen]

i still don't know whats the differences ^_^"

[Komyokan_Dojo]

The Cold Steel katans are perfectly suited to those looking for a sword capable of withstanding heavy duty tamashigeri, also Cold Steel has used only traditional materials for the fittings of their Japanese swords which means everything is casted from clack iron.
The Chen series offers a bigger range of different swords including the Practical series which are very cheep.
In the end I prefer Paul Chen swords, however if your planing on doing tamashigeri then Cold Steel is probely better.

[jimswanson]

From handling them in class, I could recommend one of the newer Cold Steel Katanas. Paul Chen's midrange Katanas cost about the same, though I'd get one from a reputable dealer. Getting a good cutter? I'd go with bugei.com. I cut with a couple of their Katanas, very nice, and good quality control.

Jim

[Galo]

From handling them in class, I could recommend one of the newer Cold Steel Katanas. Paul Chen's midrange Katanas cost about the same, though I'd get one from a reputable dealer. Getting a good cutter? I'd go with bugei.com. I cut with a couple of their Katanas, very nice, and good quality control.

Jim
Bugei swords are made by Paul Chen company as well, AFAIN. True, more expensive and more carefully built. But Paul Chen in the end.

Last weekend I had the chance to hold and check a Bugei Shobu Zukuri katana first hand. First striking feature, the super-long tsuka, which personally I don't lilke. Then, the very fine and beautifull fittings which, thou look like the Practical Plus ones, are noticeably finer, with golden touches here and there. Another feature that doesn't go unnoticed is the kissaki, which is wider than the rest of the blade. Very nice piece of work indeed.

[jimswanson]

Bugei swords are made by Paul Chen company as well, AFAIN. True, more expensive and more carefully built. But Paul Chen in the end.

Sorry, forgot to add that in.


Last weekend I had the chance to hold and check a Bugei Shobu Zukuri katana first hand. First striking feature, the super-long tsuka, which personally I don't lilke. Then, the very fine and beautifull fittings which, thou look like the Practical Plus ones, are noticeably finer, with golden touches here and there. Another feature that doesn't go unnoticed is the kissaki, which is wider than the rest of the blade. Very nice piece of work indeed.

I like the Shobu, from what I've heard, it is definitely a cutter. I cut with a Bugei Samurai, very nice.

Jim

[Galo]

Sorry, forgot to add that in.

I like the Shobu, from what I've heard, it is definitely a cutter. I cut with a Bugei Samurai, very nice.

Jim

No prob =)

Yup, it's a very nice piece. I currently own and train with a Practical Plus, but I plan to go for another sword by the end of the year. Problem is I can't still decide if going for "high-price" Paul Chen or try to get a low-cost nihontou shinsakutou. If going for the later, I know I'll be paying quite a lot more. =(