Origin of hanwei swords and japanese makes

[Jagchester]

Hi all,

So I know the hanwei swords are made in china but are they made by subcontractors from different sources (cheaper then hanwei marked up)? Also are there any legitimate japanese swordsmiths (affordable hanwei range)?

Thanks,

Jag

[the blade master]

all hanwie swords are made by paul chen (in china only) he,s the owner/manufacturer no sub contractors are used
also no Japanese sword smiths work for hanwie as I belive that Japanese smiths are not allowed to
work outside japan at all

[Jagchester]

Thanks for the response. Thats very interesting! Loyalty to Japan is amazing

[Moon]

Thanks for the response. Thats very interesting! Loyalty to Japan is amazing

It's not a case of "Loyalty to Japan", to-shi (swordsmiths) have to be licensed and their work certified and registered just like guns, forging blades outside the country would disqualify them from forging shinsakuto (new art swords) in Japan again and any blades they did forge would be worth no more than those from China without the official Japanese documentation.
I've only ever read of two licensed smiths who weren't Japanese, one is a Canadian who still lives and works in Japan, the other was an American who is no longer with us and a tanto of his (made while in Japan) sold a few years back for the price of three or more top end Hanwei katana.

I read this quote by Keith Larman of Summerchild Polishing a long time ago when modern Japanese style swords made outside Japan first became very popular and posted it a few times here...

In the world of swords you often get less than what you paid for, hopefully you get exactly what you paid for, seldom do you get more.

...nothing's changed over the years IMO.

[Jagchester]

Oh that's a little disheartening quote to read! Ah except if you live in America and happen to stumble across a priceless piece in a yard sale for $50

[Moon]

....... Ah except if you live in America and happen to stumble across a priceless piece in a yard sale for $50

Hence - "seldom do you get more" - I suppose.

[the blade master]

unless you happen to turn up the one that's dissaperead during ww2 that's
supposedly worth milions of dollars supposedly taken to America by a us marine
what a supprise that's going to be for someone if it ever turns up again

[Moon]

unless you happen to turn up the one that's dissaperead during ww2 that's
supposedly worth milions of dollars supposedly taken to America by a us marine
what a supprise that's going to be for someone if it ever turns up again

C'mon Mick, we know you've this one stashed.
http://www.sydneytokenkai.com/10.htm

[the blade master]

too right j but don't worry too much as your the sole beneficiary for my collection
when I peg out

[Big Lazy]

Oi, I expect a chen to be slung this way

[the blade master]

no problem not forgetting moons got first dibs on any chen available i.e the peach monkey

[Big Lazy]

I forget which ones you have now?

[the blade master]

the chens are
the mo mo no saru (peach monkey)
the wind and thunder
the Shinto
the ppk& wak
the tea service katana

[Big Lazy]

I'll have the W&T or the Shinto then ta very much. Any update on your departure lol

[the blade master]

well according to the death timer on google its the 17/04/2025 by then I,ll be coming up to 77 can you afford to wait that long