if your looking for a solid sword try Albion Sword works. I have 4 of theirs. I love the "Steward" myself.
For Katanas on the cheap that will actually work (90% of what you see for sale is crap), try badgerland blades. Not pretty but solid. They also make great machere like blades, their broadswords balance like a crowbar and feel weird in my hands. They don't feel like a real sword, but their other stuff is good.
Katanas have this mythos built up around them by the movies, it's a specialized single edged sword it's not a light saber. I actually like the Tachi style better myself but i'm odd in my opinion of Japanese weapons. If your in metro Milwaukee ever....go to the public museum. They have a surprisingly nice selection of Japanese weapons and armour if your lucky you can catch them while they're still redoing the display and get a reaaaallly nice look at them.
IN Minneapolis? Check out the Okeshott (sp) collection.
Iirc Dawson Knife co made some amazing Katanas in the 90's.
If you see it in a Bud K, or Atlanta cutlery, or Museum Replicas or Renaissance store etc etc catalogue chances are it's garbage and don't buy it, if you did hang it on your wall.