so what steel is the best for the $$$$$
Ok I've read all this with great intrest and have wondered just what is the best steel for someone who will be practicing iaido mostly with an occasional try and cutting. I'm not looking for a supercalafragalistice artistic blade just something that looks good and is well made preferable by a US smith. I've been to japan and seen the wares of the smiths there, nice but so far beyod what I want to spend that I almost ran screaming from the shop. I've read the various types of steels described, L-6, tools steel, Swedish powered, etc used but know little of what that means as far as looks and performance. what I want is just some thing in the $1000-$1500 range for a blade and I'm wondering what I'm looking for. This right now is just speculating as I am probably not good enough to keep from cutting a finger off with a real blade but I am looking at get a "Real Sword" in a year or two...until then my aluminum iai will do.
Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow...
...that's what makes my thumper go