Probably a real sword. You wouldn't even use a broadsword on a tree- swords aren't meant to be used to chop down wood, for ***** sake. That's what axes are for! Katana are even more fragile, because they are meant to be used with finesse not blindly hacking at a bloody tree. They also have less metal in them, which makes them inherently more fragile.

refund policy on a traditional, customized, and very expensive katana that may or may not have been shipped internationally, I highly doubt it

91 also has a valid point

Some makers of weapons do give a repair with the weapon sometimes even one free to help sell blades. A traditional smith you don't know well and thousands of miles away prob would charge an arm and a leg for the repair. OP should send him the cousin's

repairs maybe, I can give you that but if the blade shattered he could have to remake the whole blade at least and im not sure that would quite fall under a "repair"

Samurai Jack didn't drink for one... For two, who the **** swings around an expensive gift? That would be like someone buying several game console, and someone deciding to jump on them to see if they bounce. It would be pretty upsetting, even if it didn't happen at the gift receivers retirement party!