What is this "home-brew-bam-boo" of which you speak? Sounds interesting.

I grow and sell my own. Rolling papers are included. They're a tad long, but they seem to last forever.

Don't hold your breath, but there's a simple solution to this problem of "whose sword". The Federation should avoid the obvious conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety involved in peddling swords by publishing a short list of reliable mfgrs and/or acceptable third-party made swords and let students make their own purchasing decisions. If it doesn't want to forgo entirely what I imagine is the advantageous economic benefit of being a monopolist in the provision of blades, it could work out deals with the designated mfrs. for commissions (to come out of the mfgrs. published prices - not out of inflated prices for Federation special swords).

A workable, sensible approach, Mr. Davy!

I am curious, tho --

Is this an issue for US students only? It appears that other national Federations allow the use of non-Federation blades, AND make the less-expensive models available to students as well.

The Bamboo model comes to around $1350USD, all in. That's in Canada.

After exchanging PM's with a few members, I'm also under the impression that dan testing fees are $150USD more expensive in USA than Canada.

Strange...

Is this an issue for US students only? It appears that other national Federations allow the use of non-Federation blades, AND make the less-expensive models available to students as well.

After exchanging PM's with a few members, I'm also under the impression that dan testing fees are $150USD more expensive in USA than Canada.

It's been stated here on the forum before that practitioners in S. Korea are not subject to the same mandate we're discussing here.

As Anthony said, there is no market in Korea for wannabe blades and as someone else mentioned earlier, this is a function of what the market will bear - or, in my estimation, of the typical Korean perception of what the market should bear, keeping in mind that the US is considered by Koreans generally to be both the Elder Brother duty-bound to support the younger and the Big Rice Bowl.

Update on prices....I rechecked my notes and the Flower/Bamboo model WHDGDF jingum is about $1200 here as of a couple months ago. So it's $200 cheaper than the equivalent MAS jingum. Which has no engraving, inlays, etc.
To create the equivalent of a Flower/Bamboo model sword dealing with MAS, it will cost you $1900, because of the blade engraving and the tsuba.

Creating the equivalent of the new model Tiger ($1700) WHDGDF sword will cost you $2370 from MAS, due to the engraving, tsuba, natural wood saya, saya inlay, and extra saya.

The Dragon model is about even with its MAS equivalent, as the only extra add on really over the Tiger is fancier fittings on the saya.

So if you are considering buying a new MAS sword, the WHDGDF swords are frankly less expensive. The thing about the MAS sword is you will get exactly what you ask for, whereas the WHDGDF swords are standardized and you get what it is. They are equally good swords. All comes down to what do you want and what will you pay for.