School me on Samurai Swords

[El Cid]

I've long wanted a nice samurai sword set (Katana and Waki) to display in the home. Having a low tolerance for non-functional weapons of any kind, I want them to be real swords. That said, I'm not trying to break the bank on something that won't see any real use. I'm finding in my research a wide variety in prices, from $250 to $800. I'm also struggling with the quality of something from Cold Steel. Their swords are on the more reasonable side in so far as prices, but my experience over the years with them as a company has been hit and miss.

Looking primarily at these options:
http://www.swordsdirect.com/paul_chen_professional.html

I've wanted the Golden Oriole set for as long as the internet has been around. I've always been unwilling to pay that kind of money when younger.
http://www.swordsdirect.com/paul-che...le-katana.html

The offerings from Cold Steel:
http://www2.knifecenter.com/kc_new/s...rd&b=oriental&

I know I want a full tang, and I want a traditional wrapped handle. I don't mind paying extra if I'm getting a quality blade set, but I don't want to get sucked in by good marketing.

Any inputs are welcomed.

Thanks!

[themonk]

Take a look at Ronin Katana. They make excellent working swords that I think are way better than the Cold Steel variants. In the $200 - $1500 this is a helpful site - http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/

[Oldurn]

Read up from Sword Buyer's Guide (right hand side): http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/

Their forum is the M4C for swords.

[KUSA]

These are great katanas.

www.chenessinc.com/

[Straight Shooter]

I have a brief experience with a Cold steel sword as follows: former friend of mine had one, I was messing with on a couple occasions.
As I recall, was very blade heavy, not well balanced. It was sharp, did not feel or look "cheap", but he did some slashing/cutting tests on a deer carcass, and the blade chipped on bone once. That's all I got for ya.

[El Cid]

Excellent information gents! Lots of great reading at SBG.

StraightShooter, thank you. I'm sadly not surprised. They seem to be a shell of the company they once were. Or maybe there are just lots of better options now.

[Straight Shooter]

You are welcome sir. You know, about Cold Steel. I agree, they aint what they used to be, however I do have a few things from them I really like, not ALL of it is junk. Some of the Tanto blades are really wicked stuff. And the owner is BATSHIT crazy. There tons & tons of better options, but there are as many worse ones....like Frost...S&W...and a few more I wouldn't let someone walk into my home with!

[DTHN2LGS]

Another good forum with lots of information is Sword Forum Int'l. http://www.swordforum.com/forums/content.php?

.

[El Cid]

Thanks for all the assistance. I pulled the trigger. Will post pics after Mr UPS drops off my early Christmas gift to myself.

Interesting reading. Had no idea there are protocols for how a sword is displayed.
http://www.chenessinc.com/display.htm

[themonk]

What did you end up going with?

Lots of protocols but there is such a unique beauty in a katana on display.