FARK.com: (1187328) Neighbor foils armed apartment invasion with samurai sword: "For what it's worth I would stay away from Kendo as it's a 'sportified' version of real Samurai sword fighting. Here in Seattle there's a great style that's taught, Ishi yami ryu or something like that. Basically you remove all rules that kendo has (you can stike/cut your oppoent anywhere). Pretty badass stuff.

And what Nanookanano said, the Paul Chen swords are really good for the money. Don't buy any that are drop forged or made with stainless steel. Just because steel is good for making knives doesn't make it good for swords."