Musashi Takeo Bamboo - One Year Later
Sept 1, 2009 21:01:10 GMT
Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2009 21:01:10 GMT
Musashi Takeo Bamboo Katana
This sword is now a year old and to be honest, it is without question still my favorite sword to cut with. I bought it mainly because of the ridiculous value in the blade, but also because i love the fittings of this model. It is set in the Bamboo theme, i believe to symbolize longeivity. Also, Musashi swords are the quintessential sub $150 "Beater" katana. At only $80, this sword is absolutely the best value for the money i've ever spent. As the only differentially hardened katana that i have ever seen under $100, with a 1045 blade, and in my opinion, some nice fittings, it's definitely worth the price tag.
Statistics~
Blade Length: 27"
Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall: 39"
Weight: ~2.1 Lbs
Tsuba Width: 3"
Sori: .6"
Handling Characteristics~
This sword is absolutely the nicest handling blade i have ever used. At a weight of roughly 2.1 pounds, with a point of balance at about 4", this sword floats through every cut and noto you direct it to. Simply effortless.
The Tsuka~
This is one of my favorite parts about this sword. To me, the shape and dimensions of the tsuka are absolutely perfect. It may seem a little on the small side, but it's well done, and in my case, there are no cracks in the tsuka-ho. The ito is cheap cotton that doesn't alternate, but it's tightly wrapped over decent same panels. The mekugi are done rather well, drilled at opposing angles to each other. The menuki are likely brass covered in the same black substance as the fuchi and kashira, albeit they go very well with the overall theme of the sword. Even after a year of practice and cutting daily, there has been no loosening and the ito has held up very well.
Tsuba, Fuchi, And Kashira~
The tsuba is actually very well made, cast in iron and finished with their blackening substance. I have to say that i really like the tsuba on this blade. The fuchi has the same theme and is likely made of brass. Nicely done, as is the kashira. No loosening here either.
Saya~
Nothing too special here, the standard black glossy saya with crappy sageo. The fit of the blade however, is very tight with no rattling and can easily be drawn with little resistance.
The Blade~
This is where this sword really makes it's mark to me. It is made of 1045 carbon steel and differentially hardened. The hamon is actually quite attractive and there is apparent boshi. Granted, since it is 1045 steel, the blade looses it's edge faster than blades with a higher carbon content. That being said, this sword is exceptionally durable for this category and i didn't need to sharpen or polish the blade until after about six months of use. I only use 2000 grit sandpaper for both polishing and sharpening, just in case anyone was curious.
Cutting~
Amazing light cutter. This sword effortlessly slices through water bottles and milk jugs. Those are my standard cutting mediums, and it's still not difficult to leave a water bottle bottom standing after the cut. I also cut beach mats, but not in as great quantities. This sword cuts them with almost no resistance and i have managed a few double cuts with it as well.
Conclusions~
This sword continues to perform, despite how much use i've put it through. For only $80, i not only got a nice looking sword with a differentially hardened edge, i also got one that i could continue to use for quite some time. It is absolutely the best $80 i've ever spent on a sword and i highly recommend it to anyone wishing to get a user sword that is eminently reliable for backyard cutting.
Pros~
-Beautiful Hamon
-Excellent Tsuka Shaping
-Quality Fittings
-Amazing Handling
-Durable For The Steel Type
-Great Price To Value Ratio
Cons~
-Cosmetic Kissaki
-Plain Saya
-Poor Ito, Sageo, And Decent Same
-Non-Alternating Ito
The Bottom Line~
I would absolutely recommend this sword to anyone. Ridiculous value, a durable backyard cutting blade, and a natural hamon!
This sword is now a year old and to be honest, it is without question still my favorite sword to cut with. I bought it mainly because of the ridiculous value in the blade, but also because i love the fittings of this model. It is set in the Bamboo theme, i believe to symbolize longeivity. Also, Musashi swords are the quintessential sub $150 "Beater" katana. At only $80, this sword is absolutely the best value for the money i've ever spent. As the only differentially hardened katana that i have ever seen under $100, with a 1045 blade, and in my opinion, some nice fittings, it's definitely worth the price tag.
Statistics~
Blade Length: 27"
Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall: 39"
Weight: ~2.1 Lbs
Tsuba Width: 3"
Sori: .6"
Handling Characteristics~
This sword is absolutely the nicest handling blade i have ever used. At a weight of roughly 2.1 pounds, with a point of balance at about 4", this sword floats through every cut and noto you direct it to. Simply effortless.
The Tsuka~
This is one of my favorite parts about this sword. To me, the shape and dimensions of the tsuka are absolutely perfect. It may seem a little on the small side, but it's well done, and in my case, there are no cracks in the tsuka-ho. The ito is cheap cotton that doesn't alternate, but it's tightly wrapped over decent same panels. The mekugi are done rather well, drilled at opposing angles to each other. The menuki are likely brass covered in the same black substance as the fuchi and kashira, albeit they go very well with the overall theme of the sword. Even after a year of practice and cutting daily, there has been no loosening and the ito has held up very well.
Tsuba, Fuchi, And Kashira~
The tsuba is actually very well made, cast in iron and finished with their blackening substance. I have to say that i really like the tsuba on this blade. The fuchi has the same theme and is likely made of brass. Nicely done, as is the kashira. No loosening here either.
Saya~
Nothing too special here, the standard black glossy saya with crappy sageo. The fit of the blade however, is very tight with no rattling and can easily be drawn with little resistance.
The Blade~
This is where this sword really makes it's mark to me. It is made of 1045 carbon steel and differentially hardened. The hamon is actually quite attractive and there is apparent boshi. Granted, since it is 1045 steel, the blade looses it's edge faster than blades with a higher carbon content. That being said, this sword is exceptionally durable for this category and i didn't need to sharpen or polish the blade until after about six months of use. I only use 2000 grit sandpaper for both polishing and sharpening, just in case anyone was curious.
Cutting~
Amazing light cutter. This sword effortlessly slices through water bottles and milk jugs. Those are my standard cutting mediums, and it's still not difficult to leave a water bottle bottom standing after the cut. I also cut beach mats, but not in as great quantities. This sword cuts them with almost no resistance and i have managed a few double cuts with it as well.
Conclusions~
This sword continues to perform, despite how much use i've put it through. For only $80, i not only got a nice looking sword with a differentially hardened edge, i also got one that i could continue to use for quite some time. It is absolutely the best $80 i've ever spent on a sword and i highly recommend it to anyone wishing to get a user sword that is eminently reliable for backyard cutting.
Pros~
-Beautiful Hamon
-Excellent Tsuka Shaping
-Quality Fittings
-Amazing Handling
-Durable For The Steel Type
-Great Price To Value Ratio
Cons~
-Cosmetic Kissaki
-Plain Saya
-Poor Ito, Sageo, And Decent Same
-Non-Alternating Ito
The Bottom Line~
I would absolutely recommend this sword to anyone. Ridiculous value, a durable backyard cutting blade, and a natural hamon!