Oh lawdy, there's ninjers in Oklahoma City

**Lindz** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 4:17pm

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 4:24pm

Read this, Tim/Red Spider.

If your sword is like the ones depicted here, you don't want to be doing *anything* remotely martial with it.
The anatomy of a *wallhanger* katana - Sword Forum International

**vaquero de las nalgas** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 5:46pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

Read this, Tim/Red Spider.

If your sword is like the ones depicted here, you don't want to be doing *anything* remotely martial with it.
The anatomy of a *wallhanger* katana - Sword Forum International

There's a thread somewhere on here, with a video of a couple of guys whacking at each other with katana, in front of a seminar group. One or both are wearing yoroi. I couldn't help thinking, when I was watching it, that the pins on one of those blades was going to come loose and the result being an airborne katana blade, flying towards a group of people at eye level.

**Sri Hanuman** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 5:48pm

Originally Posted by vaquero de las nalgas

There's a thread somewhere on here, with a video of a couple of guys whacking at each other with katana, in front of a seminar group. One or both are wearing yoroi. I couldn't help thinking, when I was watching it, that the pins on one of those blades was going to come loose and the result being an airborne katana blade, flying towards a group of people at eye level.

When will you people learn to let Charles Darwin do his holy work?
It's because of all the padding, safety gear, and foam crap that we have so many ninjas running around.

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 7:01pm

Another cautionary flying-blade-related tale. This wasn't even a wallhanger - but due to the abuse the sword's owner had been putting it through (not dissimilar to what Tim was doing in that vid) over a couple of years, the blade flew out of the tsuka (hilt), whizzed through the air and impaled someone else.

Horrbile cutting accident... - Sword Forum International

This is likely to happen much, much sooner with a cheaply-made wallhanger, in addition to the risk of shattering the blade on impact.

**Flappyhead** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 7:11pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

Not katanas - but it's the same concept.

YouTube - The Perils of Cheap Fantasy Swords

My fiancee has a sword similar to the last one he shows, it is worth the extra bucks for a wall hanger since it's not going to come apart on you. I've got one of those cheap rat tail tanged blades that I won't even pull out any more the blade is so damn wobbly. What's scary is how many people buy those cheap blades when you can feel how loose it is just holding it.

**helmutlvx** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 7:29pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

Another cautionary flying-blade-related tale

Here's the ultimate cautionary tale regarding swords.
YouTube - Cautionary Tales Of Swords #1

**Larus marinus** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 7:39pm

Originally Posted by Flappyhead

My fiancee has a sword similar to the last one he shows, it is worth the extra bucks for a wall hanger since it's not going to come apart on you. I've got one of those cheap rat tail tanged blades that I won't even pull out any more the blade is so damn wobbly. What's scary is how many people buy those cheap blades when you can feel how loose it is just holding it.

eBay is probably a significant source of these dodgy swords, purchased by people who don't know any better. I know that there used to be some real junk listed on eBay UK, using some very misleading descriptions, before they eventually decided to issue a blanket ban on selling swords and knives (that wasn't the reason).

'Combat ready' and 'premium quality 440 grade stainless steel' or 'authentic katana' and 'the finest pressed steel' do not belong in the same blurb. It wouldn't be a problem if the sellers clearly stated that the item in question was 'suitable for ornamental use only', or similar - but by and large, they don't.

I don't suppose that the situation on eBay US has changed.

**Flappyhead** · Posted On: 9/18/2010 9:03pm

Originally Posted by Larus marinus

eBay is probably a significant source of these dodgy swords, purchased by people who don't know any better. I know that there used to be some real junk listed on eBay UK, using some very misleading descriptions, before they eventually decided to issue a blanket ban on selling swords and knives (that wasn't the reason).

'Combat ready' and 'premium quality 440 grade stainless steel' or 'authentic katana' and 'the finest pressed steel' do not belong in the same blurb. It wouldn't be a problem if the sellers clearly stated that the item in question was 'suitable for ornamental use only', or similar - but by and large, they don't.

I don't suppose that the situation on eBay US has changed.

Comic book/sci-fi conventions are another big source. You get enough larpers and cosplayers together and the cheap stuff goes like crack at a whorehouse(of course they jack the price up).