Paul Chen Practical XL Katana

[RobbyDoom]

I'm going to get the Paul Chen Practical XL Katana and I was wondering if anyone could give me some info.
I want to change the tsuba when I get it to something a little more flashy. If I was to buy a paul chen tsuba, would it fit like a glove?
or do the paul chen tsubas come in different thickness'?
Anyone have any info?
Thanks in advance.

[wolfhound]

It might, that is if Paul Chen haven't done their usual trick and glued the Tsuka to the Tang like they sometimes do to the cheaper swords in their practical range.

In the subject of the Paul Chen Practical Series dose anyone have any info on the new Practical Light Katana.

[69NINJA]

I'm going to get the Paul Chen Practical XL Katana and I was wondering if anyone could give me some info.
I want to change the tsuba when I get it to something a little more flashy. If I was to buy a paul chen tsuba, would it fit like a glove?
or do the paul chen tsubas come in different thickness?
Anyone have any info?
Thanks in advance.

I picked up this sword from one of our forum brothers Menukisan, ( Its the one used in the video! ) this blade is ABSOLUTLY AMAZING!!! this thing is a true cutting monster, I really cant explain the feel of this sword right now, I can only say you will trully be in awe. However swapping tsubas will definatly be a challenge as the width and thickness of this blade without a doubt overpower the standard sizes.

But please dont let the tsuba disuade you from this sword. While the fittings may be a bit "toned down" on this piece, the second you grip this sword in front of you I promise you'll fall in love. This beast was made for ONE thing: To CUT!

You can always splurge for the Practical PLUS XL if you want a step up. at least to the real same'. honestly I hope to get one of each.

EDIT: I'll even go as far to promise if you buy this sword and dont like it ( I know you will ), I'll buy it back from you lol, seeing as how I have quite a few friends who want mine and i'm not giving mine up.

[Flashing Steel]

only the practical classic has the epoxied tsuka, the elite, xl, xl light all have removable tsuka and i believe have double mekugi for "added safety"

but like already stated these blades are a bit wider so you you can buy another tsuba but you might just have to file it out a bit to make it fit

i don't think thickness would be a big issue and if its too thin you can just throw on another seppa or get a thicker seppa

[RobbyDoom]

Thanks guys.

I totally knew the blade was wider, but didn't really take that into account when I mustered up the idea to change the tsuba. I'll leave it be.
I'll most likely rock another in the practical series and consider then, if I want to change the tsuba.
Thanks again guys!!

[yojimbo]

I picked up this sword from one of our forum brothers Menukisan, ( Its the one used in the video! ) this blade is ABSOLUTLY AMAZING!!! this thing is a true cutting monster, I really cant explain the feel of this sword right now, I can only say you will trully be in awe. However swapping tsubas will definatly be a challenge as the width and thickness of this blade without a doubt overpower the standard sizes.

But please dont let the tsuba disuade you from this sword. While the fittings may be a bit "toned down" on this piece, the second you grip this sword in front of you I promise you'll fall in love. This beast was made for ONE thing: To CUT!

You can always splurge for the Practical PLUS XL if you want a step up. at least to the real same'. honestly I hope to get one of each.

EDIT: I'll even go as far to promise if you buy this sword and dont like it ( I know you will ), I'll buy it back from you lol, seeing as how I have quite a few friends who want mine and i'm not giving mine up.

I have been considering one but I heard they chip easy....what is your experience with that ?

[69NINJA]

I have been considering one but I heard they chip easy....what is your experience with that ?

I would think any blade could chip if not handled right, This blade is easily one of the sharpest that I own but it is by no means 'fragile'. you would have to actually hold this sword to get a true understanding of what i mean. its an absolute work horse. A true competition cutter. If I was forced to put my trust into a single blade from my collection it would be this one, no contest.
It may lack some of the artsy features many people look for in a display piece, but it far makes up for that by being a solid, dependable everyday cutter. also I think the simplicity of the design fits this sword perfectly IMO.
now of course if mistreated any blade will be prone to damage but as long as nobodys cutting down trees or chopping at buckets (coughcough) I dont see this blade ever disappointing.

[Flashing Steel]

part of the reason they allegedly chip so easy is the edge is rather thin on them makes em nice and sharp but the lack of metal reinforcing the edge makes them more fragile, but ninja is right if you have some good technique and arent cutting anythign you shouldn't, there shouldn't be problems of course thats not a guarantee either.

[69NINJA]

Yeah I would worry more about rolling rather than chipping as this piece really is insanely sharp.

[yojimbo]

Thanks for the info. I only cut beach mats and tatami. Can anyone tell me what the length is from the mune machi to kissaki as well as the overall length from tsuba to kissaki ?

[wolfhound]

only the practical classic has the epoxied tsuka, the elite, xl, xl light all have removable tsuka and i believe have double mekugi for "added safety"

but like already stated these blades are a bit wider so you you can buy another tsuba but you might just have to file it out a bit to make it fit

i don't think thickness would be a big issue and if its too thin you can just throw on another seppa or get a thicker seppa

Cool, i knew it was one of them, BTW most of the Paul Chen brand tsubas are sized for the thin PPK style blades so if you want to mount them to a thicker blade you'll need to file it to the right size.

[Flashing Steel]

there is only gonna be about an inch of difference between these two

[yojimbo]

there is only gonna be about an inch of difference between these two

For iaijitsu, I use a 2-3-0...from mune machi to kissaki about 27". Any longer (overall) than about 28.5" and I am doing noto out of range. ~X(

[wolfhound]

For iaijitsu, I use a 2-3-0...from mune machi to kissaki about 27". Any longer (overall) than about 28.5" and I am doing noto out of range. ~X(

Just out of curiosity Yojimbo, how tall are you?

[yojimbo]

Just out of curiosity Yojimbo, how tall are you?

5ft 6in

[wolfhound]

According to the recommendation charts your supposed to be using a 2.40 Shaku BUT I was told by a Japanese Iaidoka the other day that it really doesn't matter how long your blade is, it's how comfortable and proficient you are using it that counts.

We've got a problem in our club with our senior Sensei at the moment, He's moaning on that everyone has to have regulation length Iaito's and being just over 6ft 1 he wants me to have a 2.6 Shaku which I'm not very happy about due to them weighing a tonne and the very poor variety in the koshirae at that length.

He says he used to use a 2.7 Shaku Iaito when he started But most of us believe thats a big fat lie.

[RobbyDoom]

According to the recommendation charts your supposed to be using a 2.40 Shaku BUT I was told by a Japanese Iaidoka the other day that it really doesn't matter how long your blade is, it's how comfortable and proficient you are using it that counts.

Hey Wolf, where might I find said chart? Is there a specific name that would allow me to google it?
Off hand what would you say would be the best length for me being 5'11"?
I could start at the recommended length, then move up or down as I see fit. I have various length blades, and noto is something I have to work on, on a daily basis. I feel better with a shorter blade on noto, but prefer a longer blade to cut. So I'd be interested to see what would be recommended for my height or what ever other factors come into play.

[wolfhound]

Here you go.

150cm - 2.20 Shaku - 66.7cm

155cm - 2.25 Shaku - 68.3cm

http://xs232.xs.to/xs232/08443/1174209564673.png (http://xs.to)

195cm - 2.65 Shaku - 77.8cm

200cm - 2.70 Shaku - 81.9cm

Remember these blade sizes are Recommended not Required which is why I'm a little upset with my Senior Sensei at the moment.

[wolfhound]

Note To Moderators: Sorry guys this was an accidental double post that i edited out, please feel free to delete it.

[Tony Ferrill]

This katana was my first SOM purchase;I have three more now,and the Practical XL would still be my choice to carry into a war.
I have cut with this sword about a dozen times,beach mats which had been soaked overnight.I cleaned and oiled after each session immediately,and cannot tell that the sword has ever been used.Not even small scratches.As 69Ninja has pointed out,bad technique would destroy any weapon-and I also have not tried any bone-but I have confidence in this blade.
As a matter of fact,the only complaint I have ever heard about this sword is it's weight.But it plainly states "XL" in it's name!
Tony says-"Buy it!"
Respect

[Dotanuki]

Here you go.

150cm - 2.20 Shaku - 66.7cm

155cm - 2.25 Shaku - 68.3cm

http://xs232.xs.to/xs232/08443/1174209564673.png (http://xs.to)

195cm - 2.65 Shaku - 77.8cm

200cm - 2.70 Shaku - 81.9cm

Remember these blade sizes are Recommended not Required which is why I'm a little upset with my Senior Sensei at the moment.

I'm curious, what is the source of this chart?
Is it from a particular Iaido organization? Or Ryu?
Your instructor is over 6ft. 6in. then, if he is using a 2.7 shaku sword?
Does your instructor also regulate the size of the tsuka used?

During the Tokugawa Shogunate they standardized all swords to a 2 shaku 3 sun length (64.7cm.)
Check out this link; Scroll down to "The Swords"

http://www.hyoho.com/Nkage1.html

As you can see using a big sword isn't hard if you are trained to use it.

I thought I have seen that chart as a way for non-japanese to determine the corresponding lengths in modern times, westerners being of a bigger body size.
I am not questioning your sensei, just asking questions because I'm curious.

[wolfhound]

The chart came from an Iaito supplier But it's the British Kendo Association (which sadly my club is part of) who enforce this silly size policy, they'll even check at Seminars & Gradings that your using the correct size and mark you down if your not =(

Luckily though our junior Sensei is a bit of a traditionalist an so doesn't care what size Shinken/Iaito that you use as he uses a Shinken with a 2.45 blade when he should be using a 2.50 Shaku blade according to BKA recommendations and so allowed me to use a 2.30 shinken for a while.

And with our senior Sensei being roughly around 5ft 4 i find it very, very hard to believe that he could even draw a 2.70 Shaku blade let alone that used to use one regularly.

[RobbyDoom]

Here you go.

150cm - 2.20 Shaku - 66.7cm

155cm - 2.25 Shaku - 68.3cm

http://xs232.xs.to/xs232/08443/1174209564673.png (http://xs.to)

195cm - 2.65 Shaku - 77.8cm

200cm - 2.70 Shaku - 81.9cm

Remember these blade sizes are Recommended not Required which is why I'm a little upset with my Senior Sensei at the moment.

Wow, so at my height I'd be recommended a blade that's 30 1/4"
I think the Xl will be perfect...enough length for me to cut and short enough for noto.
Thanks Wolf

[Flashing Steel]

i alway sjust use the rule of holding the blade tip down and it should jsut barely touch the ground which leaves me with a 28 inch blade though i prefer a 27 haha

[wolfhound]

Your welcome buddy, just remember as i said they're recommended lengths not required lengths.

As i said when a 6ft Japanese iaidoka says that they are using a 2.3 shaku iaito you realize that they are only recommendations.

BTW RobbyDoom is this going to be your first Paul Chen?

[69NINJA]

Wow, so at my height I'd be recommended a blade that's 30 1/4"
I think the Xl will be perfect...enough length for me to cut and short enough for noto.
Thanks Wolf

Just be sure to take the width of the blade and the higher weight into consideration, Both something to get used to. this beast can leave your forarms on fire, I love that about it though, lets you know your getting stronger.

[wolfhound]

i alway sjust use the rule of holding the blade tip down and it should jsut barely touch the ground which leaves me with a 28 inch blade though i prefer a 27 haha

I totally agree, The in between 2 inches off the floor rule is a better way of doing it IMHO due to the fact that someone might be 6ft tall but not have long legs, theres nothing as bad as performing a slightly over extended Chiburi with a new Iaito/Shinken and driving the Kissaki into the Dojo floor.

[RobbyDoom]

Your welcome buddy, just remember as i said they're recommended lengths not required lengths.

As i said when a 6ft Japanese iaidoka says that they are using a 2.3 shaku iaito you realize that they are only recommendations.

BTW RobbyDoom is this going to be your first Paul Chen?
Indeed it is going to be my first Paul Chen. I think I'm ready for the upgrade. I think that if I get a katana such as said katana, it will employ me to indudge myself in better form and structure. All of the swords I have don't really put me in a 100% mind set to perform at my best.
I think it's because I have OCD, I strive for perfection and feel dwindled when there is a minute flaw in an item I've purchased.
I'm very excited to get this katana!

[RobbyDoom]

Just be sure to take the width of the blade and the higher weight into consideration, Both something to get used to. this beast can leave your forarms on fire, I love that about it though, lets you know your getting stronger.
I've heard about this blade being as such. I was talking to Jonis the other day. He was mentioning the girth of this blade. He exclaimed that it was a power cutter. That's exactly what I'm looking for. All my other swords are light. If it becomes exceedingly difficult for my forearms, I'll of course put the screws to them and buff them up....perhaps some spinach will do...lol.
I’m always looking for a challenge!

[FrozenIpaq]

I have the Practical Plus XL Light and it's a the beast but with a bo-hi ;) For someone who weighs less than 120 this sword is a beast for me. It's much lighter than I thought it would be actually and is well balanced (bo-hi moves the weight downwards so the extra steel from the XL wasn't as noticable). When I first picked it up it felt lighter than my brother's Musashi though!

[yojimbo]

i alway sjust use the rule of holding the blade tip down and it should jsut barely touch the ground which leaves me with a 28 inch blade though i prefer a 27 haha

Same reccomendation my sensei made....which left me with a 2-3-0. Many swords dont say in the blade length description if the length is taken from mune-machi or tsuba . :blackeye:

[wolfhound]

Indeed it is going to be my first Paul Chen. I think I'm ready for the upgrade. I think that if I get a katana such as said katana, it will employ me to indudge myself in better form and structure. All of the swords I have don't really put me in a 100% mind set to perform at my best.
I think it's because I have OCD, I strive for perfection and feel dwindled when there is a minute flaw in an item I've purchased.
I'm very excited to get this katana!

Nah, i don't think it's the OCD, If you were to see collection of blades you'd realize that 66% of them have been modded or customized.

I'm like it at work as well, if i see something that have spare parts for and i can easily upgrade it I'll just do it almost on the spot, I'm just one of these guys who likes to push the envelope a bit.