Ronin Katana Comparison Review: Dancing Crane
Feb 20, 2010 0:33:55 GMT
Post by septofclansinclair on Feb 20, 2010 0:33:55 GMT
Ronin Katana Comparison Review: Dancing Crane vs Iron Dragon
Introduction
Sometime last spring I had the privilege of reviewing Ronin Katana’s “Iron Dragon” model. I found it to be an excellent deal for the price ($175) with real silk ito, iron fittings and a thick, beefy blade. I also found some things that I would have preferred changed – things like a wire-brushed hamon, for example, a loose kashira, the use of 1045 steel for the blade and a decidedly odd looking tsuba. The original sword is still available here:
www.roninkatana.com/ronin-katana-iron-dragon-samurai-sword.html
After the review, I was given the opportunity to review one of the new swords and see what changes had been made. What follows here is my opinions on the new sword and how it compares to the old. The new sword is available in the SBG store:
sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product96.html
And on the Ronin Katana main site here:
www.roninkatana.com/dojopro3.html
I am not aware of other places that carry Ronin Katana or I would post them here. Here is the sword that arrived:
(the stand was mine from a previous sword)
Historical overview
Tom K.’s review gave a pretty good overview of the historical accuracy of the dōtanuki blade type. From what I understand they may have been used for executions or in assisting samurai with seppuku – in any case, these thick and powerful blades have a historical precedent.
Initial Impressions
The sword came shipped to Canada by USPS, and sort of took its time in getting here. This isn’t too unusual when you ship across the border using USPS and not UPS or one of the quicker (and more expensive) couriers. This made the sword a pleasant surprise when it did get here.
The first thing I noticed once I opened the box was the colour. The deep brown jumped right out at me, and the rich reddish brown of the horn accents were very striking. And while I was expecting a heavy katana (I prefer bo-hi), the few moments that I took to take it out of the saya and swing it around surprised me – it didn’t feel tip heavy like I thought it would. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself but I was really taken with the Dancing Crane from my first impression. I unfortunately had to run to work right away and leave it behind at home, but I was more intrigued than I thought I would be by the sword at first glance.
Statistics
Nagasa Length: 28” including habiki
Tsuka Length: 11.25” with the kashira
Overall Length: 41.5” including saya
Tsuba Width: 3”
POB: 5”
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Components
The Nagasa
This is one thick blade. I was immediately struck by how it appeared coming out – it had a very “utilitarian” polish that the pictures don’t really capture. It was plenty sharp, don’t get me wrong, but I could tell that it was more designed for the rigors of cutting than looking pretty. Not that it looked bad, not at all – it just looked like tameshigiri or even bottle cutting wouldn’t mar the finish too badly.
I was also relieved to notice the absence of a wire brushed hamon. The kissaki is still counter-polished – pretty normal for this price range – and doesn’t look bad compared to some I’ve seen. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Ronin Katana’s take on a true geometric yokote, but I also am appreciating the price they keep them at. Good blade overall, as good or better than most I’ve seen in this range.
There is not a trace of hamon activity on this TH blade. As Chris from Ronin Katana recently announced, he examined the shipment and any of their katanas that have hamon activity and appear to be DH and not TH were separated. So it sounds like no one needs to worry about getting a blade of “indeterminate temper,” which should lay to rest the loudest concerns being voiced recently.
I feel like I should point out that the habiki is not the standard Chinese fare, but seems much more solid and well fitted than I’ve seen on any sword at this price point before.
Habiki -
Comparison Photos:
(Dancing Crane on the bottom)
(Dancing Crane on the left)
You can note that, while the kissaki appears to be similar on both swords, the lack of wire brushed hamon is definitely an improvement. The polish is better on the newer version as well, just a bit more consistent than on the earlier model. Also, the Iron Dragon is a 1045 blade, while the Dancing Crane is a much more durable 1060.
The Tsuka
The tsuka is tapered and fits my hands well, which is nice for my short fingers. The brown ito is properly wrapped and very tight. This is my favourite feature of the sword, I admit. I’m a sucker for colour – it’s one of the things I appreciate about Ronin Katana’s designs – and this rich brown is definitely a winner. Real samé and silk sets it above alot of what we see in this price range.
Comparison Photo:
(Dancing Crane on the right)
The two tsukas have some similarities – both in silk, and the menuki appear to be the same (listed as brass I believe). The biggest improvement I can see is the colour, and from how it feels in hand I think the new katana has better taper to it – it seems to fit the hand slightly better than the old. This could be a feature of all the new models or just how this one feels individually to me.
The Tsuba
This is a very nice looking tsuba. It definitely seems like a step up from the usual tsubas in this price range, and to be completely honest of the 10+ katanas in my collection this tsuba really stands out. The crane is a common theme in katana fittings, and I really appreciate this take on it.
Comparison photo:
(Dancing Crane on the right)
Where the old tsuba has some moulding or casting marks, the new one is all crisp lines and defined edges. There difference in quality is not mistakable.
The Fuchi-Kashira
These pieces are iron, as advertised, which is nicer than alot of what we see on import katanas. Not intricate designs just nice and simple, which is good. Also noted: the kashira won’t budge. Very nice.
Comparison Photo:
(Dancing Crane on the right)
The fittings here appear almost identical except for the lack of gold accent on the kashira... I can’t tell much difference except to note that they are tighter on the Dancing Crane. Both katanas do better than the “pot metal” fittings that are common on imports.
The Saya
This saya is well-fitted to the blade with minimal, if any, rattling. The laquer is smooth and there isn’t any scuffing that I can see, and like I mentioned earlier the coloured buffalo horn accents look great. The sageo is quite thick and, according to the ad copy is synthetic – I honestly have a hard time telling the difference between some of the better synthetic stuff and the real stuff, but the sageo feels pretty decent regardless.
Comparison Photos:
You can see the two sayas side by side; while both appear to be good and solid there is (in my opinion) an overall quality jump to the Dancing Crane model. The addition of real horn for the Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri accents really sets it apart.
Handling Characteristics
I mentioned before that I expected this sword to feel tip heavy and – at least for someone of my size and strength level, which can modestly be described as “girlish” – difficult to wield. That’s why I always prefer a bo-hi on my swords. But this one is different – not sure exactly what it is, but the handling on this sword just feels right. It strikes a good balance between feeling powerful and flowing smoothly. I took it through as much of its paces as I could, given that it was freezing outside, and it felt good in hand. Really good, actually – I don’t think I’d have any trouble using it for an extended period of time for drills or cutting. It’s very comfortable to wield, which I appreciate.
Test Cutting
It’s still very much winter here, and -20 degrees. Sorry sports fans.
Conclusions
There are a couple of things that I appreciate about Ronin Katanas in general. Chris’ experience in the Chinese forge market, as well as his transparency about his product (such as when he very forthrightly brought up the fact that some swords were showing hamon activity when they were supposed to be TH) speak volumes about the thought and integrity behind this line. Especially in a world of Ebay sellers and buzzowords, this is a rare gift, and if all his swords were of the same quality as the Iron Dragon it would still be worthwhile to deal with him.
The Dancing Crane – and the other katanas in the Dojo Pro line – up the ante. The quality is unmistakable, the overall package very attractive, and at a price of around $260 they really stand out. The biggest concern that most people had with this line – the potential that some blades were DH or had DH properties – has been well addressed by Chris as he has set aside the katanas with hamon activity – no surprises in that area await people ordering these swords.
While my “favourite” swords in my collection are those with sentimental value, judging by quality and value for money alone this sword stands out above the rest. I try my best not to gush but in some cases it is appropriate; this is likely the finest katana in this price range that I’ve had the privilege to review. It does not come out badly when I compared it to a katana more than twice its value, like my Hanwei Golden Oriole. I think that based on this, Ronin Katana may be setting the bar for sub-300 katanas for the next little while.
Pros
- Silk alternating ito wrap in an attractive colour
- Iron fittings with clean lines
- Thick, strong TH 1060 blade
- Very nice overall package for a more than reasonable price
Cons
- counter polished kissaki
- some might prefer if the sageo was real silk instead of imitation
The Bottom Line
I would highly recommend this to newcomers or discerning collectors, excellent value for your money
Introduction
Sometime last spring I had the privilege of reviewing Ronin Katana’s “Iron Dragon” model. I found it to be an excellent deal for the price ($175) with real silk ito, iron fittings and a thick, beefy blade. I also found some things that I would have preferred changed – things like a wire-brushed hamon, for example, a loose kashira, the use of 1045 steel for the blade and a decidedly odd looking tsuba. The original sword is still available here:
www.roninkatana.com/ronin-katana-iron-dragon-samurai-sword.html
After the review, I was given the opportunity to review one of the new swords and see what changes had been made. What follows here is my opinions on the new sword and how it compares to the old. The new sword is available in the SBG store:
sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product96.html
And on the Ronin Katana main site here:
www.roninkatana.com/dojopro3.html
I am not aware of other places that carry Ronin Katana or I would post them here. Here is the sword that arrived:
(the stand was mine from a previous sword)
Historical overview
Tom K.’s review gave a pretty good overview of the historical accuracy of the dōtanuki blade type. From what I understand they may have been used for executions or in assisting samurai with seppuku – in any case, these thick and powerful blades have a historical precedent.
Initial Impressions
The sword came shipped to Canada by USPS, and sort of took its time in getting here. This isn’t too unusual when you ship across the border using USPS and not UPS or one of the quicker (and more expensive) couriers. This made the sword a pleasant surprise when it did get here.
The first thing I noticed once I opened the box was the colour. The deep brown jumped right out at me, and the rich reddish brown of the horn accents were very striking. And while I was expecting a heavy katana (I prefer bo-hi), the few moments that I took to take it out of the saya and swing it around surprised me – it didn’t feel tip heavy like I thought it would. I didn’t want to get ahead of myself but I was really taken with the Dancing Crane from my first impression. I unfortunately had to run to work right away and leave it behind at home, but I was more intrigued than I thought I would be by the sword at first glance.
Statistics
Nagasa Length: 28” including habiki
Tsuka Length: 11.25” with the kashira
Overall Length: 41.5” including saya
Tsuba Width: 3”
POB: 5”
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Components
The Nagasa
This is one thick blade. I was immediately struck by how it appeared coming out – it had a very “utilitarian” polish that the pictures don’t really capture. It was plenty sharp, don’t get me wrong, but I could tell that it was more designed for the rigors of cutting than looking pretty. Not that it looked bad, not at all – it just looked like tameshigiri or even bottle cutting wouldn’t mar the finish too badly.
I was also relieved to notice the absence of a wire brushed hamon. The kissaki is still counter-polished – pretty normal for this price range – and doesn’t look bad compared to some I’ve seen. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Ronin Katana’s take on a true geometric yokote, but I also am appreciating the price they keep them at. Good blade overall, as good or better than most I’ve seen in this range.
There is not a trace of hamon activity on this TH blade. As Chris from Ronin Katana recently announced, he examined the shipment and any of their katanas that have hamon activity and appear to be DH and not TH were separated. So it sounds like no one needs to worry about getting a blade of “indeterminate temper,” which should lay to rest the loudest concerns being voiced recently.
I feel like I should point out that the habiki is not the standard Chinese fare, but seems much more solid and well fitted than I’ve seen on any sword at this price point before.
Habiki -
Comparison Photos:
(Dancing Crane on the bottom)
(Dancing Crane on the left)
You can note that, while the kissaki appears to be similar on both swords, the lack of wire brushed hamon is definitely an improvement. The polish is better on the newer version as well, just a bit more consistent than on the earlier model. Also, the Iron Dragon is a 1045 blade, while the Dancing Crane is a much more durable 1060.
The Tsuka
The tsuka is tapered and fits my hands well, which is nice for my short fingers. The brown ito is properly wrapped and very tight. This is my favourite feature of the sword, I admit. I’m a sucker for colour – it’s one of the things I appreciate about Ronin Katana’s designs – and this rich brown is definitely a winner. Real samé and silk sets it above alot of what we see in this price range.
Comparison Photo:
(Dancing Crane on the right)
The two tsukas have some similarities – both in silk, and the menuki appear to be the same (listed as brass I believe). The biggest improvement I can see is the colour, and from how it feels in hand I think the new katana has better taper to it – it seems to fit the hand slightly better than the old. This could be a feature of all the new models or just how this one feels individually to me.
The Tsuba
This is a very nice looking tsuba. It definitely seems like a step up from the usual tsubas in this price range, and to be completely honest of the 10+ katanas in my collection this tsuba really stands out. The crane is a common theme in katana fittings, and I really appreciate this take on it.
Comparison photo:
(Dancing Crane on the right)
Where the old tsuba has some moulding or casting marks, the new one is all crisp lines and defined edges. There difference in quality is not mistakable.
The Fuchi-Kashira
These pieces are iron, as advertised, which is nicer than alot of what we see on import katanas. Not intricate designs just nice and simple, which is good. Also noted: the kashira won’t budge. Very nice.
Comparison Photo:
(Dancing Crane on the right)
The fittings here appear almost identical except for the lack of gold accent on the kashira... I can’t tell much difference except to note that they are tighter on the Dancing Crane. Both katanas do better than the “pot metal” fittings that are common on imports.
The Saya
This saya is well-fitted to the blade with minimal, if any, rattling. The laquer is smooth and there isn’t any scuffing that I can see, and like I mentioned earlier the coloured buffalo horn accents look great. The sageo is quite thick and, according to the ad copy is synthetic – I honestly have a hard time telling the difference between some of the better synthetic stuff and the real stuff, but the sageo feels pretty decent regardless.
Comparison Photos:
You can see the two sayas side by side; while both appear to be good and solid there is (in my opinion) an overall quality jump to the Dancing Crane model. The addition of real horn for the Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri accents really sets it apart.
Handling Characteristics
I mentioned before that I expected this sword to feel tip heavy and – at least for someone of my size and strength level, which can modestly be described as “girlish” – difficult to wield. That’s why I always prefer a bo-hi on my swords. But this one is different – not sure exactly what it is, but the handling on this sword just feels right. It strikes a good balance between feeling powerful and flowing smoothly. I took it through as much of its paces as I could, given that it was freezing outside, and it felt good in hand. Really good, actually – I don’t think I’d have any trouble using it for an extended period of time for drills or cutting. It’s very comfortable to wield, which I appreciate.
Test Cutting
It’s still very much winter here, and -20 degrees. Sorry sports fans.
Conclusions
There are a couple of things that I appreciate about Ronin Katanas in general. Chris’ experience in the Chinese forge market, as well as his transparency about his product (such as when he very forthrightly brought up the fact that some swords were showing hamon activity when they were supposed to be TH) speak volumes about the thought and integrity behind this line. Especially in a world of Ebay sellers and buzzowords, this is a rare gift, and if all his swords were of the same quality as the Iron Dragon it would still be worthwhile to deal with him.
The Dancing Crane – and the other katanas in the Dojo Pro line – up the ante. The quality is unmistakable, the overall package very attractive, and at a price of around $260 they really stand out. The biggest concern that most people had with this line – the potential that some blades were DH or had DH properties – has been well addressed by Chris as he has set aside the katanas with hamon activity – no surprises in that area await people ordering these swords.
While my “favourite” swords in my collection are those with sentimental value, judging by quality and value for money alone this sword stands out above the rest. I try my best not to gush but in some cases it is appropriate; this is likely the finest katana in this price range that I’ve had the privilege to review. It does not come out badly when I compared it to a katana more than twice its value, like my Hanwei Golden Oriole. I think that based on this, Ronin Katana may be setting the bar for sub-300 katanas for the next little while.
Pros
- Silk alternating ito wrap in an attractive colour
- Iron fittings with clean lines
- Thick, strong TH 1060 blade
- Very nice overall package for a more than reasonable price
Cons
- counter polished kissaki
- some might prefer if the sageo was real silk instead of imitation
The Bottom Line
I would highly recommend this to newcomers or discerning collectors, excellent value for your money