GrymmDAOC posted:
sweeny_comodore posted:
zhengwu IS a swordsmith. they use traditional methods, i think.
they dont make reproductions. they make the real things.
i was directed to zhengwu by "experts".
"did not differ much" can be several ounces.
im assuming your estimate of 3lbs for a european sword is a little high.
id be suprised if most european swords weighed in over 2.5lb.
and that still doesnt change the fact that a katana is going to be a few ounces lighter and more manueverable than a eruopean sword as that is what it was designed to be.
this whole discussion is akin to arguing over shaolin, krav maga, karate, mui tai, etc being better than the rest.
the fact is, they are all slightly different, used differently and a master of any of them is going to beat a slightly less skilled practioner of any of the rest.
you really cant compare the different styles of swords or martial arts because they all work just as good and depend solely on your skill with said martial art, not the art itself.
I am not saying which one is better or worse. There is no best sword.
i am well aware of who mr. Zhengwu is. he is an excellent swordsmith. But unless mr. Zhengwu was around 400 years ago, he is not making historical swords..he is making replicas. And unless he is licensed by the japanese government, is using tamahagane steel and is producing the blade according to a very strict set of rules, he is making a Katana shaped object, and not an officially recognised katana.
Mr. Zhou ZhengWu specialises in the study and manufacture of traditional Chinese and Japanese weaponry using traditional forging techniques.In 2005,his opus 'Han & Wu Swords' being regarded as representative of the only opus in China area was selected in 'Opuses Exhibition of International Sword-casting Masters' held in Macao Art Museum.Thus Mr. Zhou became the first Chinese smith that attended the exhibition of sword-casting in the world.
he doesnt make replicas.
he makes museum quality originals that will cost you around $8k for a good one.
Jesus? No, but there is indeed a god shaped hole in the heart of man, why is yours so empty? -- snarf igraine
the original monotheism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus
