by tonystark | Oct 15, 2025 | Others
Katana and other Japanese swords like nodachi and wakizashi are perennially popular among collectors in the United States as well as among those interested in Japanese culture, or who practice their martial arts.
But no two katana are created equal, and the modern market bears out a ridiculous amount of variety in swords, not always for the better. Some are little better than wallhangers whereas others are true battle-ready swords that can be used for practical purposes; a real sword, if you will.
That being said, if you’re wondering what the best katana sword to buy is, at least for you, here are a couple questions that can help you get to the bottom of it.
● Am I actually going to use this katana for live cutting practice?
This is easily the most important question that you should ask yourself if you are trying to determine the best katana sword to buy. A battle ready katana will sport traditional construction, a full tang, use an appropriate steel alloy, and be clay-tempered with a differential hardness at the edge and spine. As a result, a battle-ready katana is a “real” katana that can be used for live cutting practice and which will be able to handle the rigors of actual use. Do not get any katana that is not battle ready if you intend to do anything with it other than display it as a fixture of decor.
● How much do I care about aesthetics?
Many Japanese swords, and this is not just specific to katana models, are true works of art. If you intend to display this sword, not use it for practice, this is something you will need to consider before you buy. Just remember, aesthetic quality often also impacts price.
● How much do I care about traditional features and materials?
Among other things, a traditional Japanese katana will come with a lacquered saya (sheath) with a cord wrap, sport a ray-skin wrapped tsuka (hilt) and have a blade that has been traditionally tempered with a true hamon line that shows the demarcation between the two zones of hardness in the steel. A real katana sword that has these features will cost more, but will also deliver more value.
● Am I honestly going to put the time and effort into caring for this sword?
A real katana with battle-ready construction will require more care and effort from you, and the most important reason is that the blade will need to be kept clean and oiled to prevent it from rusting. That will be no small commitment from you; either make sure you are prepared for this or get a katana with a blade made of a stainless steel alloy, but remember, this might need to be reserved for display and not for use.
The Best Katana to Buy Is Waiting for You at True Swords
Whether you’re looking for a true battle ready katana, a replica from an anime, or just something to display on your wall, the best katana sword to buy (for you) is waiting at True Swords. Check out their collection. A picture says a thousand words and what you’re looking for is there.
For more information about Rengoku Sword and Japanese Sword Please visit: True Swords.
by tonystark | Oct 13, 2025 | Others
The term “best golf shafts” is highly subjective. Some players need a lower launch, less spin, and stiffer, more replicable consistency, whereas other golfers need a more forgiving shaft with greater flex that sends the ball higher and imparts more spin.
That said, there are some frequent flyers on “best of” lists across the industry. Here are some of the best of the best of them.
- Autoflex golf shafts: More than perhaps any other golf shaft in the industry right now, Autoflex golf shafts have consistently been lauded for their performance, as they promise to add yards to any swing, regardless of swing speed or tempo. Testing has borne this out as well.
- TPT golf shafts: Popular if only because these golf shafts lack spine, TPT golf shafts are perfect for shaft fitting because there is no variation between shaft batches.
- Fujikura Ventus Black: One of the best low-low shafts on the market right now, the Fujikura Ventus Black is beloved by players with high swing speeds and aggressive tempos because it produces low, straight, penetrating drives.
- Fujikura Ventus White: On the other end of the Fujikura Ventus spectrum from the Black, the Ventus White is the most flexible, most active shaft in the Ventus lineup. It produces higher launch and spin profiles, making it ideal for players with slightly slower swing speeds and tempos.
- Mitsubishi Kai’li White: Made with super-strong MR70 fiber, the Mitsubishi Kai’li White has a stiffer tip section for more consistent center face contact and is another one that produces low-low launch and spin characteristics, making it a solid pick for players with fast, strong swing speeds.
- Mitsubishi VANQUISH Shafts: Mitsubishi VANQUISH shafts are flexible, active, provide excellent feedback, and notably, are very lightweight. Among other features, these converge to make them excellent for players with slightly slower swing speeds who prefer greater sensitivity.
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green: This might be the most uncompromising low-low shaft on the market right now, and it produces long, straight, penetrating drives. Swing it as hard as you want, the HZRDUS Smoke Green, affectionately nicknamed “The Hulk” will come up asking for more.
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow: The Project X HZRDUS Smoke Yellow is a lighter, smoother, counterbalanced shaft, which makes it not just ideal for players with more metered tempos, but also for those that swing slightly heavier golf clubs.
- Fujikura Air Speeder Shafts: Fujikura Air Speeder shafts are premium lightweight shafts with low kick points that produce high launch and spin profiles across the board. If you need an active shaft that’s forgiving, loads well, launches high and sends the golf ball further, this is a good place to start.
- Mitsubishi Grand Bassara Shafts: Lastly, we have Mitsubishi Grand Bassara shafts that are very lightweight and highly active from butt to tip. These are high-launching shafts that produce medium spin, putting them in the category of “best golf shafts for players with slower swing speeds,” especially those that crave solid feedback.
Where to Learn More About These and Other Golf Shafts?
While this is by no means a comprehensive list of the best golf shafts on the market (dozens more could be added) it is definitely a good place to start and represents a pretty solid cross section encompassing shafts that are good for players on both ends of the strength and swing speed spectrum.
If you’re interested in learning more about any of these or other golf shafts, or about getting in touch with an experienced fitter, visit Dallas Golf Company, visit their retail shop, or contact them directly today.
For more information about Callaway Driver Shafts and Mitsubishi Vanquish Shaft Please visit: Dallas Golf Company Inc.
by tonystark | Oct 11, 2025 | Others
The seatpost clamp is one of those parts of your unicycle that’s forgotten till you need to do something with it, like adjust your unicycle’s saddle height. Much like the spokes (about which you won’t think much unless the wheel starts to run out of true) the seatpost clamp is a part non-gratis.
Nonetheless, this short post will explore some of the information associated with it that you will want to know.
Adjusting Seatpost Height
The seatpost clamp is the primary part you will engage to raise or lower your unicycle’s saddle height. Some seatpost clamps require tools to adjust them and others do not.
Keep in mind also that the seat tube itself can be cut down with either a hacksaw or a pipe cutter if it is too long and you can’t lower it satisfactorily.
About Bolted Seatpost Clamps
There are two main types of unicycle seatpost clamps. One of them is called a bolted seatpost clamp. Bolted clamps may have either one or two bolts.
One of the main drawbacks associated with this type of seatpost clamp is that you need a tool to loosen or tighten the clamp in the field, which means that if you don’t have the tool you can’t adjust saddle height on the fly.
However, this is rarely if ever a problem since the tool needed is a corresponding hex wrench, and these are included in basically all practical unicycle tools. Just throw one in your pack and you’ll be set.
While slightly less convenient than quick-release clamps, bolted clamps offer a surer fit and can be tightened to ensure that the seat tube does not move or slip.
About Quick-Release Seatpost Clamps
There are also quick-release seatpost clamps that have either one or two levers that lock closed to tighten the clamp, or which open to release the pressure so that the seat tube can be moved up or down, raising or lowering the saddle.
Some riders prefer these, if only because no tools are needed to make adjustments to saddle height. Because of this, adjustments to saddle height can be made in the field without the need to carry tools.
Replacing the Seatpost Clamp in Your Unicycle
The most important thing you will want to remember before replacing your unicycle’s seatpost clamp is that you get an appropriately sized option.
There are numerous common sizes in unicycle seatpost clamps, including (but not limited to) 28.6, 34.9, and 31.8 seatpost clamps (all sizes in mm).
It is critical to ensure that you get an appropriately sized seatpost clamp to ensure compatibility before you intend to complete the replacement.
Where to Find Unicycle Parts Compatible with Your Ride
If you’re here for unicycle parts – whether a tire lever, a new saddle, or a 31.8 seatpost clamp, the place to get it is online at Unicycle.com. No one has more parts for unicycles – or experience – than they do.
If you have any questions before buying any unicycle tools or parts, get in touch with them.
For more information about Odd Bike and Square Taper Crank Please visit: Unicycle.com.
by tonystark | Oct 10, 2025 | Others
Most AR-15 rifles, and to be honest, most gas-operated modern sporting rifles similar to the design, are rear-charging.
As a result, most aftermarket parts that are compatible with mil-spec AR-15 rifles favor a rear-charging configuration.
This standard, however, does not signify that rear-charging is the superior option. There are numerous advantages to an AR-15 with a side charging handle, of which the major ones will be explored here.
With no further ado, here are some of the problems solved by an AR-15 with a side-charging handle.
No Room for Optics
For those of you that use your AR for long-range shooting, you’ll find there will be a lot more room over the receiver for oversized optics when you’re running a side charger. Even were that not the case, the ergonomics will be vastly improved because it’s easier to engage a side-charger than it is to thread your hand under the bell of the optic to reach a rear-charging.
The bottom line is a side-charger will give you more room over the receiver, period.
Broken Cheek Weld During Manual Cycling
AR-15s with side-charging handles are often touted as “faster cycling,” but regardless of whether that’s true or not, one problem they solve – which can’t be argued – is that you’ll never need to break your cheek weld to manually cycle the action.
In fact, not only can you maintain your cheek weld while cycling, keeping a clearer sight picture and ensuring faster, more accurate follow-ups, but you can also keep your other hand on the fire controls if you so wish.
These are two big issues solved outright by AR-15s with side-charging handles.
Frequent Snagging
Not that rear-chargers are necessarily prone to snagging, but the design of some is better than others; either way, many side-chargers sport a superior design with respect to this issue and are not prone to snagging on clothing or gear.
Difficulty Cycling When Wearing Gloves
With thick, heavy gloves, finding and engaging a rear charging handle can be quite difficult, especially in the dark or in the cold.
Engaging an ergonomic side charging handle, however, is a great deal more intuitive, even when wearing gloves. They are both easier to find and cycle.
Cleaner Suppressed Shooting with Gibbz Arms AR-15 with Side-Charging Handles
If you build an AR-15 with a side-charging handle using a Gibbz Arms upper receiver, or just get a G4 rifle from them, you will enjoy their proprietary design which includes a rear access door for the charging handle and bolt carrier group.
Not only does this streamline access to the bolt carrier group as well as general maintenance, it also keeps operating gasses contained within the firearm, preventing back pressure gasses from being vented in your face.
These are only a few of the common problems solved by AR-15 rifles with side-charging configurations, but there are others, some of which are directly addressed by the design of Gibbz Arms charging handles and uppers. For more information, or if you have questions about a side-charger build, visit the previous link or get in touch with their customer service directly.
For more information about side charging upper and Upper Charge Please visit: Gibbz Arms.
by tonystark | Oct 10, 2025 | Others
If you’re in the market for a new Kershaw pocket knife and are a brand fanatic, and you don’t have a Leek yet, something’s up with that. All avowed fans of Kershaw should have at least one Leek in their collection, but it’s even better as an EDC option.
Here are some of the things that make the Leek a consistent bestseller.
Perfect Size
As would be an important prerequisite for any pocket knife, the Kershaw Leek is sized just right for EDC, and is a highly versatile knife.
With a 3” blade, it perfectly straddles the “just right” category of blade sizes, as anything smaller is a bit diminutive, but once you get to 4”, things get a little bit more unwieldy. In other words, the Leek is the perfect size.
Unique and Utilitarian Blade Profile
In the EDC category, the Leek is one of those knives that capitalizes on the popularity of the Wharncliffe profile.
With a gently sloped spine, the Leek sports a very fine point that’s well adapted to piercing tasks, but more robust than a needle point, while also preserving a good amount of edge for cutting tasks.
This makes the Leek highly adaptable and valuable as an EDC knife.
Great Steel
While there is more than one version of this Kershaw pocket knife (more on that in a second) the flagship Leek is made with a 12C28N stainless steel blade, that is exceptionally well suited to resisting corrosion, while also being able to take a ridiculously sharp edge and hold it fairly well – all without being too hard to resharpen.
Fast Deployment
Like many other Kershaw pocket knives, the Leek is equipped with an assisted opening mechanism, enabling rapid and safe deployment, even with one hand.
Safety
The Leek is also a remarkably safe knife, with a Tip-Lock that secures the blade when closed, preventing accidental deployment.
A Strong Lock
Unlike so many other EDC knives which are made with more affordable liner locks, the Leek is outfitted with a frame lock that is stronger and more reliable, while still being easy to operate, even with one hand.
Solid Construction
The all-steel construction of the basic Leek is dense and tough, and won’t let you down even if you have to put the knife to harder-than-usual use every once in a while.
Multiple Variants
If the all-steel version of this Kershaw pocket knife isn’t cutting it for you, rest easy. The Leek has been redone and reimagined more than perhaps any other knife in the Kershaw lineup, and there are variants with other blade steels, handle scales, finishes, colors, and much more.
Made in the United States
Lastly, if you’re looking for a solid option in a little EDC knife that will outperform and exceed your expectations, and the Leek fits the bill, add this to the list of virtues: it’s made in the United States. Also, for what it’s worth the Leek is covered by a limited lifetime warranty so you can buy with peace of mind.
Price
One more bonus: this is not a particularly expensive Kershaw pocket knife, so that’s just one more reason to love the thing.
Here for a New Kershaw Pocket Knife?
It’s no surprise why the Leek is a consistently best-selling Kershaw pocket knife, but whether you want one of these or some other model, make your first visit online to White Mountain Knives, where you can explore this and other Kershaw models, including fixed blades. Plus, White Mountain Knives has a lot of exclusives too.
For more information about Swiss Army Knife Tools and Good Pocket Knife Brands Please visit: White Mountain Knives, LLC.
