Bo-hi or no Bo-hi

[FrozenIpaq]

Hello all, I was wondering what everyone's personal opinion on a bo-hi on a Katana? I know it is a heated debate as to which is better for the blade, however I'm not entirely concerned about that.

I'm looking to purchase a katana in the near future and have narrowed it down to the Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite (http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=85) or the Paul Chen Practical Plus XL Light Katana (http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=86). The reason why I've narrowed it down to two is simple, both offer what I want/need in a katana, one with a bo-hi and one without. I'm aware that the blade geometry is different on each compared to the standard katana.

I'm looking to purchase a katana for display purposes (I don't want a cheap display sword) and for some backyard training. Whether or not I cut with it extensively is yet to be determined as I want the blade to be in tip-top-shape at all times.

My brother has a Musashi Dragon Katana (I believe that's the model) which he got for sub-$200 from this site and I like the bo-hi on it, but I have not seen a katana without one in person to be able to decide which would look more appeasing to the eyes and function better.

So the ultimate question:

Bo-hi or no Bo-hi?

[Jason Moore]

I find that most customers that do not want a bo hi choose that because they think a sword with a bo hi is somehow weaker than a sword with a bo hi. As far as I know, this is not true. A bo hi just takes a sword and (by removing some of the steel) makes it lighter.

[Taygrd]

Welcome to the forum.
The bo-hi lessens the weight of the sword and some say it makes the sword "quicker"- I do not know if that is correct but it is an opinion floating out there. I think it also has a great deal to do with the actual geometry of the blade with how the bo-hi effects cutting. Some opinions are that the structural strength of the blade is slightly lessened as well with a bo-hi, however it would not be a major deciding point for me. The bo-hi has a more pleasing look on a a sword in my opinion.
Hope this helps

[FrozenIpaq]

I find that most customers that do not want a bo hi choose that because they think a sword with a bo hi is somehow weaker than a sword with a bo hi. As far as I know, this is not true. A bo hi just takes a sword and (by removing some of the steel) makes it lighter.

That's one of the main reasons I want a bo-hi sword (lighter and even a woosh sound, or at least that's what I get with my brother's musashi). It took me a good 3 days (several hours total) to find the sword I wanted from this site, a bo-hi was a must-have when looking so I went through several swords, went from spending approximately 250$ to now 375$ which will take me a bit longer to conjure up.

From what I've read it doesn't affect the integrity of the sword at all. If it did I doubt so many would continue to create such blades.

Just wondering if anyone has a visual preference as to a bo-hi or no bo-hi now I guess. - (EDIT: Thanks Taygrd for your opinion with regards to the look)

EDIT: Thanks Taygrd for your post as well

[Jason Moore]

I personally like both, but since most swords have it, I think it is cool when one doesn't:

http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=48

[FrozenIpaq]

I personally like both, but since most swords have it, I think it is cool when one doesn't:

http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=48


That's one of the main reasons for me debating a bo-hi, it's all too common and I haven't personally seen a blade not have one.

I was looking at the practical elite earlier as well, although I'm not a fan of the tsuba and the saya is too main stream as well (I like the speckled black finish of the Practical Plus Elite), one of the main reasons for me looking at the higher-priced Paul Chens (350-400 range).

I think I shall go with the Practical Plus XL Light Katana from Paul Chen, it's got everything I want (looks and performance that is appeasing to me). Now all I have to do is wait a few weeks to get some more paychecks from work and then order away :) Would get it sooner if I didn't owe someone 300$ ~X(

[Jason Moore]

Oweing money....the story of life! Don't worry, I will have one waiting for you when you are ready...;)

[Taygrd]

I think the only person I do not owe money to is Jason,... or do I?=))

[Brian Brazier]

It is really up to the person, I perfer the feel of a sword with no bohi, I own the Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite and for a guy with medium to heavy build the sword is perfect, but someone smaller may find the sword is to heavy and should probably go with the light. Overall the Elite is light for its size due to the swords great balance, it is even much lighter than my Masahiro swords that have a bohi. As for the woosh sound, if you perform a proper cut on a sword that has no bohi it will make a sliceing sound, its not as loud as a sword with a bohi but it sounds very crisp, and IMO I think it sounds better (I will try and get a video or at leat a recording of the sound). Last thoughts are if the sword will be used for both kata and cutting I would go with the Light, if this swords main pupose will be cutting go with the Elite.

[bobO]

No Bohi for me. Just for the record, you can't take away material from a sword and make it stronger. May make it stiffer, but not stronger. Having said that I do like the aesthetics of hi and bohi, just not on a working sword. My 2 cents. As for the sound, I guess it's cool, but don't count on it to improve your technique, when you do a move right, you'll feel it in your bones.

[FrozenIpaq]

No Bohi for me. Just for the record, you can't take away material from a sword and make it stronger. May make it stiffer, but not stronger. Having said that I do like the aesthetics of hi and bohi, just not on a working sword. My 2 cents. As for the sound, I guess it's cool, but don't count on it to improve your technique, when you do a move right, you'll feel it in your bones.

The sound was just an extra note I threw in there that I noticed with my brother's sword, I don't expect the bohi to improve anything for me besides lighten the weight of the sword as I'm relatively small for my age

[bobO]

Well there you go, your making your choice for all the right reasons then. By the way, welcome to the forum! I like your avatar, it cheers me up for some reason?

[Mako]

I think it's important to understand the origin of Hi (groove) or Bo-Hi (wide groove) in all it's variants before any conclusions related to performance can be drawn.Many historians believe that they were first used to remove surface forging flaws on what was otherwise a perfectly good blade,same theory applies to Horimono (blade carving) and let's not forget that the Samurai were fashion conscious too.
Despite what you may read or be told about 'balance' and 'feedback',there is sufficient evidence that while the presence of Hi/Bo-Hi has little or no significance on the linear strength of a blade,the lateral strength is reduced by approx 30-35% and these blades are more prone to bending when a 'cut' is poorly executed.
Personally and it's just my opinion...the 'balance' of a sword would have been more easily adjusted by the length of the nakago which were relatively short compared to modern made production swords and while audible 'feedback' from a well constructed blade with Bo-Hi when the angle of a 'cut' is correct probably holds true...the same 'feedback' can be heard when the angle is wrong with a poorly constructed blade...so what you hear is not necessarily true.
As for the aesthetics of Hi/Bo-Hi and/or Horimono,it's down to individual preference I guess. ;)

[Jason Moore]

Very cool indeed, thanks Mako. You are like a dictionary of.....everything!

Oh and Taygrd, you owe me bigtime!

[Taygrd]

Oh and Taygrd, you owe me bigtime!
Jason GOOD NEWS!! I was just informed by email that a senator from Nigeria has a large cash settlement for me. I should be able to pay you back in no time-I just need your account number.=))

[bobO]

You know guy's we try to stay on topic, here at SOM forum(can you believe I said that)! One thing I like about the bo-hi on my Ko-kat is that it ends, not just fades away.

[Jason Moore]

Jason GOOD NEWS!! I was just informed by email that a senator from Nigeria has a large cash settlement for me. I should be able to pay you back in no time-I just need your account number.=))

=)) I will need your bank account # as well as I have been emailed by this Chinese guy who found millions of dollars sitting in the bank for an inheritance that noone has claimed. Its there just waiting for us!

[bobO]

Man, I thought that deal was just for me. What some people come up with.

[FrozenIpaq]

Well, just placed in my order for the Paul Chen Practical Plus XL Light :) Now the waiting game!

[Brian Brazier]

it's in stock so you shouldn't be waiting long

[FrozenIpaq]

it's in stock so you shouldn't be waiting long

I know but it's going to be a long wait for me even if it's only a day or two (I'm in CT so the shipping should be relatively fast). SOM has an excellent prices and an impressive map of the shipping times (never saw a site with such a map before)

[Jason Moore]

You will have it soon my friend. :king:

[69NINJA]

I know but it's going to be a long wait for me even if it's only a day or two (I'm in CT so the shipping should be relatively fast). SOM has an excellent prices and an impressive map of the shipping times (never saw a site with such a map before)

I know, Jason is THE BEST!! I put in a order with S.O.M. last monday and less than 48 hours later wednsday morning UPS woke me up with the package!! to me thats untouchable!

Congrats on your new purchase, cant wait to hear about it, I really want to get one for a Primary cutter you know somthing not too flashy that wont break the bank.

~

[bobO]

I've ordered from SOM, and the only way it could have gotten here any faster was if Jason got in his car and drove it to my house( he lives less then 2 hrs from me). Hands down better then anyone I've done business with to date. WE LOVE YOU MAN!!

[FrozenIpaq]

You will have it soon my friend. :king:

Thank you my friend :king:

[Jason Moore]

Well to be honest if you live two hours away, it is just that reason you get it so quickly. The only way you would have to wait longer is if you live further away. But thanks just the same! I love it when customers are happy! :celebration:

[Torawashi]

I have read that the blade with no bo-hi is more of a heavy duty cutter e.g. rigid targets, and the bo-hi blades are more for the softer targets. take a look at the cheness cutlery website and read the blade info they have there. (but buy from Jason) ;^)