10-18-2003, 05:45 PM
Aye, I'm more than willing to agree that the steel of the original weapon was not a refined product that benefitted from Bessemer's legacy. But I'd also lay good odds that the repro's steel is in fact better because of it. No inclusions, better alloy specifications and controls, more free of slag.
I once lauded the benefits of a sword's soul and its age. Then I realized: old stuff's liable to break... ;)
"What a very, very lovely piece of wall decoration, is it not?"
I find myself agreeing with your remarks to my quote. Then again, my perspective tallied with yours from the very start. You see, this quote was made in sarcasm.
There's a point where the curve in functionality and the curve of price intersect: where you have to pay a certain amount to attain a brand new and reliable sword for cutting. You'll find that some $250-$300 is that starting point (depending on sword style origin, since you can get some practical katanas in the mid-250's). From that point on, the price goes up drastically, and the reliability even notches up a bit more. But there is a point where you can buy a sword that is so well-made and fully functional-- but considering just how much you've paid for it will prevent you from ever actually using it as a sword.
A sword that is several thousand dollars is less likely to be used for cutting practice than one that is just as reasonably functional for $375. It'll just get hung up and a wall and turned into an heirloom-- which is, as you've pointed out, just as likely a fate as some $50 stainless steel knockoff bought out of the knife store at the local mall! :)
I once lauded the benefits of a sword's soul and its age. Then I realized: old stuff's liable to break... ;)
"What a very, very lovely piece of wall decoration, is it not?"
I find myself agreeing with your remarks to my quote. Then again, my perspective tallied with yours from the very start. You see, this quote was made in sarcasm.
There's a point where the curve in functionality and the curve of price intersect: where you have to pay a certain amount to attain a brand new and reliable sword for cutting. You'll find that some $250-$300 is that starting point (depending on sword style origin, since you can get some practical katanas in the mid-250's). From that point on, the price goes up drastically, and the reliability even notches up a bit more. But there is a point where you can buy a sword that is so well-made and fully functional-- but considering just how much you've paid for it will prevent you from ever actually using it as a sword.
A sword that is several thousand dollars is less likely to be used for cutting practice than one that is just as reasonably functional for $375. It'll just get hung up and a wall and turned into an heirloom-- which is, as you've pointed out, just as likely a fate as some $50 stainless steel knockoff bought out of the knife store at the local mall! :)
Political Correctness is the idea that you can foster tolerance in a diverse world through the intolerance of anything that strays from a clinical standard.