Wtb: Entry level/budget katana or wakizashi

[Ldesu]

Apologies if this is not the correct place for this post. 

After getting burnt with a non-genuine gunto, the antique dealer I purchased from has agreed to purchase a replacement on my behalf. Unfortunately the budget is pretty low at around $700 AUD. Inflation and exchange rates have not been kind, so my expectations are realistic. 

 

If you are looking to upgrade your collection or offload a genuine but not top quality item please drop me a post with info about what you have and what you are looking for. It does not have to be military. Please feel free to comment, in line with thread guidelines if you wish to make a helpful suggestion. 

 

Thanks for reading. Regards, Luke. 

[ROKUJURO]

Hi Luke,

that amount corresponds to roughly € 450.-- which is too low, I think. I do not know the international market very well, but I believe you will have to double the money to get something (still very) basic.


 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Tough proposition, this seller will often have genuine swords for low prices but there will always be some condition issues with swords in that price range: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/304632988285?hash=item46ed8a827d:g:~FgAAOSwSj1jJ3QL

 

 

[Ldesu]

You may well be right, Rokujuro. I really haven't got a comprehensive knowledge of the market but I'm hoping that something comes up. In the last six months there was at least one item in this price range on the forum here though. 

[Ldesu]

21 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

4 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Tough proposition, this seller will often have genuine swords for low prices but there will always be some condition issues with swords in that price range: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/304632988285?hash=item46ed8a827d:g:~FgAAOSwSj1jJ3QL

 

 

Thanks for the advice John. This item is quite similar to the item I initially purchased, but is unfortunately just a little too pricy. Will try to keep an eye on their store just in case

[Ldesu]

Budget is now $900 aud. 

Hopefully this makes any difference to someone! 

[David Flynn]

G'day Luke,  entry level stuff, hmmm.  I think this is a misnomer.   What one could call "Entry Level", is a blade by a lower level smith.  If you find anything for the price you want, it will be full of problems.   What you're probably looking at realistically is, something around the AU $2.5k - $3k.  Anything under this, you'd probably end up, very disappointed.   Although collectors don't go into this hobby for the money, one must be prudent.   Every few years,  our tastes generally change.   Eg.  After leaning and looking, one may decide to go a particular way.  Then if one wants to trade, one would hope to recoup the money already spent.  Unless you buy something commercially viable, you'd just be throwing your money away.   What I suggest is, that you consider buying a nice lower end Gendaito.  That way, you will probably able to recoup your money when the time comes. 

[b.hennick]

$900 AUD is about $550. The likelihood of finding anything is very slim.

[Okan]

You won’t be able to learn much from a $550 sword..even if you find one, it will be out of polish..my advice would be start investing in some books or save more to get a $1000+ wakizashi or tanto. 
 

 

[Alex A]

Maybe you could visit a local arms fair. (if one nearby)

 

Occasionally see cheap waks in Shirasaya or gunto mounts.

 

A few years ago picked up a wak in koshirae......£260. It was in polish and the koshirae was acceptable for a starter blade.

 

A case of having to get out there and look, gain a bit of knowledge before hand though so you don't end up buying a modern ornament..