Ryumon Folded Dragon Practical Katana *update*
Jan 2, 2008 0:12:21 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2008 0:12:21 GMT
~ Ryumon Folded Dragon Practical Katana ~
Review by: J. Ferron, Virginia, U.S.A.
(Cat not included.)
I'd been hinting to my sweety about this sword for weeks, she got the drift, and I got the sword for Xmas. ;D I really wanted something that was differentially hardened, which this is supposed to be - and folded as well. I first saw a couple of Ryumon swords at a knife store in Alabama (I was traveling on business) that looked good, but were a tad overpriced. When I got back, I looked them up and decided on this one.
I don't have a lot to say about the shipping and whatnot, as what I know is second hand. K says it was easy, and the price was right - she got it from Swords of Might, and even got the SBG discount "from that sword site you're always on, *tsk*". Gotta love her.
The stats:
Blade material: 1060 cs
Hardness: 58rc at 'ha', 45rc at 'shinogi-ji'
Blade length: 28"
Hilt length: 10.75"
Overall: 40"
POB (point of balance): 5" (approx)
Weight: 3.1 lbs.
So, I have to preface this with a solid "I don't know anything about Japanese weapons". That having been said, I really like this blade! It's spun as a differentially tempered, folded katana. Everything that I wanted for right around $200!!!
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
While there is no real evidence to disprove the claim of differential tempering and folding, I am a bit disappointed with the lack of visible hamon. You can make it out a little bit, and more on one side than the other, but it's not at all prominent. Also, it was rather tarnished and had one or two minor scratches - a tiny one on the blade and on one side of the habaki. Both were too small even to photo.
After a session with the Metal-Glo, it looks killer:
The Grip
Looks good, feels nice in the hand. Wrapping is cotton over ray skin, pretty typical, I guess. Iron tsuba dragon design is quite cool.
The Scabbard is high gloss lacquer and looks good. The blade fits snugly but not too tightly.
This weapon feels good to hold (I've hardly put it down) and is nimble to swing. I have yet to actually cut anything with it, I'm sorry to say, and won't likely have an opportunity 'til springtime. I'll update at that point. Everything is very solidly constructed - no rattling or wiggling anywhere. As I run a cloth down the "hi", I can feel tiny variations in thickness: a little wobbling of whatever router was used to remove the steel, not a big deal, and invisible to the eye.
One other comment I have is that this is hands down the sharpest sword I've ever seen right out of the box. I imagine it'll cut like crazy.
Testing:
I decided to throw in a short vid of the fun I had with this blade cutting tatami omote! GREAT cutter!
CONCLUSION:
Overall, I'm completely psyched. The only letdown is lack of visible hamon - perhaps there's a way to make it pop? For the money though, not too darn bad. I love the hardware and the blade and its weight and feel.
Historical Accuracy: I'm not even gonna try.
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5 ($215. from SoM minus 5% discount!)
OVERALL: 4/5
Review by: J. Ferron, Virginia, U.S.A.
(Cat not included.)
I'd been hinting to my sweety about this sword for weeks, she got the drift, and I got the sword for Xmas. ;D I really wanted something that was differentially hardened, which this is supposed to be - and folded as well. I first saw a couple of Ryumon swords at a knife store in Alabama (I was traveling on business) that looked good, but were a tad overpriced. When I got back, I looked them up and decided on this one.
I don't have a lot to say about the shipping and whatnot, as what I know is second hand. K says it was easy, and the price was right - she got it from Swords of Might, and even got the SBG discount "from that sword site you're always on, *tsk*". Gotta love her.
The stats:
Blade material: 1060 cs
Hardness: 58rc at 'ha', 45rc at 'shinogi-ji'
Blade length: 28"
Hilt length: 10.75"
Overall: 40"
POB (point of balance): 5" (approx)
Weight: 3.1 lbs.
So, I have to preface this with a solid "I don't know anything about Japanese weapons". That having been said, I really like this blade! It's spun as a differentially tempered, folded katana. Everything that I wanted for right around $200!!!
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
While there is no real evidence to disprove the claim of differential tempering and folding, I am a bit disappointed with the lack of visible hamon. You can make it out a little bit, and more on one side than the other, but it's not at all prominent. Also, it was rather tarnished and had one or two minor scratches - a tiny one on the blade and on one side of the habaki. Both were too small even to photo.
After a session with the Metal-Glo, it looks killer:
The Grip
Looks good, feels nice in the hand. Wrapping is cotton over ray skin, pretty typical, I guess. Iron tsuba dragon design is quite cool.
The Scabbard is high gloss lacquer and looks good. The blade fits snugly but not too tightly.
This weapon feels good to hold (I've hardly put it down) and is nimble to swing. I have yet to actually cut anything with it, I'm sorry to say, and won't likely have an opportunity 'til springtime. I'll update at that point. Everything is very solidly constructed - no rattling or wiggling anywhere. As I run a cloth down the "hi", I can feel tiny variations in thickness: a little wobbling of whatever router was used to remove the steel, not a big deal, and invisible to the eye.
One other comment I have is that this is hands down the sharpest sword I've ever seen right out of the box. I imagine it'll cut like crazy.
Testing:
I decided to throw in a short vid of the fun I had with this blade cutting tatami omote! GREAT cutter!
CONCLUSION:
Overall, I'm completely psyched. The only letdown is lack of visible hamon - perhaps there's a way to make it pop? For the money though, not too darn bad. I love the hardware and the blade and its weight and feel.
Historical Accuracy: I'm not even gonna try.
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5 ($215. from SoM minus 5% discount!)
OVERALL: 4/5