[Warlock]

I'm looking to replace my Shinai, but I'd like to get one a bit better quality than what's generally found here in the US. Can any of our members from Asia (or that have been there and might know) let me know roughly what prices are reasonable ? I've seen everything from $19 for a cheap one to $100. I know enough to realize half of what's online is most likely had it's price jacked up pretty far.

Thanks in advance.

[elorran]

Depends what you intend to use it for.  Just general practice of katas and similar motions and styles or for full contact practice between 2 people or more, it is these which cost a lot as they have to survive the beating.

Generally a practive bokken will cost you around $15-$25 for a moderate decent one.  Really you shouldn't need to spend any more than that on one.

A general use half decent shinai will cost around the same price as a bokken for the same use, around $15-$30

If you are after something higher end quality then you are looking at paying something upto roughly $65-$70, asuming that the thing is properly crafted and high quality.  Typically you'd be looking to stay around $45-50 though.  You shouldn't really be spending high than $70 since it'd be a waste of money.  The only time you should be spending more than that is if you want to fork out on something just for showing off and boasting about (which is generally a waste of money in the long run).

And the only time you want to be buying a high end shinai is for frequent practice purposes (ie, cus it's last unlike the cheapo ones) or for proper desomstration purposes.  The general purpose ones mentioned before should be fine for the casual martial artist.

Most of the prices are conversions based on UK prices (since I live in the UK) and from what info I could find on japanese and US prices.  But generally they are about right.

[Stryke 9]

The Internet prices are actually pretty fair, provided you go to the right place. They'll skin ya if you wanna get the real, not-for-practice article (a feckin' $300 tanto?), but shinais, etc. aren't as inexplicably faddish, so they've got reasonable prices.

[Warlock]

Thanks guys. It's been years since I've practiced and my original bokken just isn't what it used to be. Plus my GF wants me yo teach her, hence my reasoning for a Shinai instead of another bokken,...there a bit easier on the tissue if you slip (And lord knows she'll slip quite a bit with me LOL)

Again thanks for the info guys

[CP5670]

This is probably a stupid question, but what is a shinai?

[Stryke 9]

Sorta a practice sword. I haven't actually seen one (played with a bokken once, but mostly I'm of the school where the real thing's the only training), but they appear to look vaguely like combat umbrellas.

[Carl]

or you could do the smart thing and buy a western-style sword.

[Carl]

or you could do the smart thing and by a western-style sword.

[Stryke 9]

Pah. No fun. Heavy, unwieldy, graceless... the double-edged ones you're liable to cut yourself on as much as anyone or anything else. Machetes are one thing, I can practically juggle my machete and come out fine, I wouldn't trust one of those Scottish-type swords for anything.

Plus you can't get as good a slashing action as with a shortish samurai sword.

[Carl]

^ seksi

[Stryke 9]

Roman swords? A bit... stumpy, no?

The whole point of a knife or a sword is to have backup if you can't afford, can't score, or can't use a gun due to short range. THAT would kinda defeat the purpose.

[Carl]

no, the whole purpose of having a sword is that they're cool.


...and it takes making coleslaw to a whole new level.

[Stryke 9]

No, that's the purpose of having a H&K CAWS.

[Turnsky]

he said coleslaw, not sauce

[Stryke 9]

I like mine extra crispy. Got a problem with that?

[Turnsky]

no...
 it depends on personal tastse i guess..

now where did i put that non-eutactic blade (been playing too much deus-ex)

[Stryke 9]

Eh, got the same thing going with Blood. Which is more than a little strange, since normally I find FPSes to be about as mindless as you can get...



EVERYONE DIES!!!!

[Turnsky]

Meh, got blood 2 that's fun..

THAT'S RIGHT, WHO' LAUGHING NOW!!!!!

[Stryke 9]

Me, I couldn't get the sound to work in it. Or much of anything else. I extracted the sound file, and had some good fun with the Evil Dead references, but something tells me that's about as much as I'm ever gonna get out of B2.

Plus, it's not nearly as funny as the original.

[Turnsky]

true...

undying's good scary fun.