Is this a good sword for cutting?

Question

http://www.coldsteel.com/chinwarswor.html

If not, what better types are out there?

Answer 1

For cutting what?

Answer 2

any sword of good quality will be good for cutting- some are better than others because of better quality and some are just cheap p**s-poor wallhangers that people like to pretend are real swords instead of just being "sword-like objects".

technique (as mentioned before) is important, but just becasue you have good technique won't stop a rat tail tang or poorly crafted sword from breaking.

look for quality-

first off- check the price, I'm no expert on chinese swords but the $400 price tag may validate or invalidate it- demand is not as high as for a katana so I wouldnt' expect a $1000 price tag on such a sword unless it was an antique. probalby around the range of a good european sword which is slightly higher.

so either you are buying an expensive replica that is non-functional and poorly crafted, or you have found a great deal- I'm betting its the former just to be on the safe-side.  when you can't talk to the person or examine the sword or are familiar with a smith's or the vendor's other work- its better to be safe than sorry.

here are a few articles to help you see what goes into discernign a well made sword:

http://swordforum.com/sfu/primer/wellmad...

heat treatment:

http://swordforum.com/sfu/primer/heattre...

sword misconceptions:

http://swordforum.com/sfu/primer/thebest...

famous movie swords:

http://swordforum.com/sfu/primer/moviesw...

everyone's favorite video of what happens when you use a wallhanger (stainless steel).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s0dRcdyi...

Answer 3

it'll do the job it was made for.

Cold steel makes pretty descent products, I have a few friends that own katana from them and are quite happy with them.

I have no experience with their chinese range but it will probably live up to the companies standards.

you must however keep in mind that this kind of sword was originally designed for heavy blows and not for pin point strikes so it might not be set razor sharp.

Answer 4

Vegetables, what else?

Seriously, it looks like a good site.  I like that they had more practical stuff for sale like the Sharkie and the Koga.

Answer 5

It look like a novelty item to me, but it should be just as good as the next sharp steel object.

Actually, efficient cutting has more to do with proper technique than proper equipment. Sure, some swords go above and beyond, but those will cost you a few thousand dollars. But anything not professional is pretty much in the same league. You can cut paper with a wooden sword if you know how to cut.

Answer 6

It looks like for show to me i dont think you should use that for cutting unless it's vegetables or something but if you do kungfu you can practice whatever forms require a butterfly sword

Answer 7

this one's easy. cold steel has a rep for sharp swords. the cool thing about them is they fancy cutting anything from plywood men to hunks of beef on a hook...and they like to throw these videos on youtube.

Check it out and see for yourself. i don't know if they have this blade necessarily, but the Chinese Gim that they offer is a h**l of a sword. again, yes the technique is important, but the sharp thing you're weilding helps.

Large blade for sweeping cuts and drawing the blade through the slash, prominent, sharp point for a nasty stab and a saw back spine to make pulling the blade out of the wound more like a fish hook. double handed weild for improved leverage on the downward and lifting cuts, S guard for hand safety and locking/handling opposing weapons.

i'd call that a good sword without the demo.