Musashi Asuka Black tanto
Jan 26, 2008 1:37:31 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2008 1:37:31 GMT
Musashi's Asuka Black tanto
on sale as we speak for ------79.00.
With SBG 10 discount code-- 71.10
Shipping in CONUS--------------Free, baby. Free.
Quickly reviewed by ole' VA Farmer, Southwest Virginia
I have been looking for a tanto for awhile, but was struggling with the fact that I can get a decent functional sword for the same/less price than most tantos out there, from decent manufacturers. I had a little problem with one of Musashi's swords, nothing major mind you, but Zinje went above and beyond to make things right. That is really how I came to order this tanto, he gave me credit, and well, that is a story for another thread. I got this tanto at a very good price. I cannot stress how pleased I am with Musashiswords.com and Zinje in general. He has a good product, and backs it with exceptional customer service.
Initial impressions
Packed very nicely, and arrived soundly. Took UPS about a week to get it out here, but that ain't bad. You can see the little silica packs, that help to prevent moisture. I opened the box to another box, and yet another(display) box. Zinje has packed all of the items that I bought from him well, and this was no different. The display box is clear laquer/urethane, maybe pine or box wood who knows, but it has some neat little characters and a smaller version of Musashi's famous "authenticity" certificate. Signed by Sam Sung again. I also have a microwave that is a Samsung, but I think they are different dudes.
STATS--
Overall length----18 inches
Blade length------11 1/4 inches
Handle length-----5 1/4 inches
Blade length-------Habaki to Kissaki 1/4 to about a tenth of an in.
Kissaki length------2 1/2 inches
Weight---------------Whatever .43 kg translates into pounds.
1045 Carbon steel forged with tsukurikomi process, 2 surface Mune(see pics)
Real ray skin wrapped handle(white rayskin) Black cotton ito.
Oxidized copper fuchi, tsuba and kashira. Brass Habaki
Single meguki, mekuni are cherry blossom to match tsuba/fuchi pattern. Tsuba looks okay, but more importantly feels more solid than I expected. The copper fittings add a nice touch. The only way that this could be improved from the factory (within price range) IMO is if it had a black rayskin.
Cotton ito and sageo.
Can hardly see the Musashi logo on the habaki at all. Don't know, this is okay, I guess. I am not ashamed of owning Musashi's or thier logo being on it, in fact I kinda like the double ring logo on the brass.
Saya has the deep, shiny black laquered look that comes with the 150-200 series swords. The blade fits well, doesn't fall out or rattle around.
The blade has thier etched hamon. Really, I do not care for fake hamons at all. Musashi has a wirebrushed hamon that is no different than any other, and I would rather have thier swords without that style of fake. Thier etched one really isn't too bad, and I have said this before, is about as nice a fake hamon of any. But still a fake ;D. Kissaki looks to have been filed, but is a smoother file job than on both of thier swords that I own. I will polish this off. Probably will polish the hamon off too, who knows.
Here is a shot of the blade, before being wiped off, still in its grease. Notice the Mune, the two surfaces I mentioned.
It feels very sharp, haven't even cut with it though. I have never had a Musashi come to me that wasn't razor sharp.
Here is one more shot, next to the Musashi "Mouko" (150-200 range) for size reference.
Many people consider a tanto a knife. This is more like a small sword if you ask me, as it is as long as my elbow to my clenched fist.
No cutting, brothers. It is just too cold here. I will do a cutting vid on it when the weather turns a little, maybe something incorporated with a sword.
Overall--
Fit and finish-- 3/5 the fittings were better quality and feel than I expected. We are still dealing with a sub 100 item though.
Historical Accuracy--Meh, you guys judge for yourselves. I would say maybe a 2/5 considering process, steel, fittings.
Durability--?? No cuts yet.
Quality for money--4/5 I got this for a great price, but having received it , would probably pay full price. It has exceeded my expectation so far.
This is my first tanto. I am pleased with it tremendously. Zinje has been good to me as a consumer, and he works very hard to make sure that we are satisfied. It will sit in its display box in a glass gun cabinet until I feel like putting some plastic bottles in their place. And I will admire it each time I walk by. ;D
Farmer
on sale as we speak for ------79.00.
With SBG 10 discount code-- 71.10
Shipping in CONUS--------------Free, baby. Free.
Quickly reviewed by ole' VA Farmer, Southwest Virginia
I have been looking for a tanto for awhile, but was struggling with the fact that I can get a decent functional sword for the same/less price than most tantos out there, from decent manufacturers. I had a little problem with one of Musashi's swords, nothing major mind you, but Zinje went above and beyond to make things right. That is really how I came to order this tanto, he gave me credit, and well, that is a story for another thread. I got this tanto at a very good price. I cannot stress how pleased I am with Musashiswords.com and Zinje in general. He has a good product, and backs it with exceptional customer service.
Initial impressions
Packed very nicely, and arrived soundly. Took UPS about a week to get it out here, but that ain't bad. You can see the little silica packs, that help to prevent moisture. I opened the box to another box, and yet another(display) box. Zinje has packed all of the items that I bought from him well, and this was no different. The display box is clear laquer/urethane, maybe pine or box wood who knows, but it has some neat little characters and a smaller version of Musashi's famous "authenticity" certificate. Signed by Sam Sung again. I also have a microwave that is a Samsung, but I think they are different dudes.
STATS--
Overall length----18 inches
Blade length------11 1/4 inches
Handle length-----5 1/4 inches
Blade length-------Habaki to Kissaki 1/4 to about a tenth of an in.
Kissaki length------2 1/2 inches
Weight---------------Whatever .43 kg translates into pounds.
1045 Carbon steel forged with tsukurikomi process, 2 surface Mune(see pics)
Real ray skin wrapped handle(white rayskin) Black cotton ito.
Oxidized copper fuchi, tsuba and kashira. Brass Habaki
Single meguki, mekuni are cherry blossom to match tsuba/fuchi pattern. Tsuba looks okay, but more importantly feels more solid than I expected. The copper fittings add a nice touch. The only way that this could be improved from the factory (within price range) IMO is if it had a black rayskin.
Cotton ito and sageo.
Can hardly see the Musashi logo on the habaki at all. Don't know, this is okay, I guess. I am not ashamed of owning Musashi's or thier logo being on it, in fact I kinda like the double ring logo on the brass.
Saya has the deep, shiny black laquered look that comes with the 150-200 series swords. The blade fits well, doesn't fall out or rattle around.
The blade has thier etched hamon. Really, I do not care for fake hamons at all. Musashi has a wirebrushed hamon that is no different than any other, and I would rather have thier swords without that style of fake. Thier etched one really isn't too bad, and I have said this before, is about as nice a fake hamon of any. But still a fake ;D. Kissaki looks to have been filed, but is a smoother file job than on both of thier swords that I own. I will polish this off. Probably will polish the hamon off too, who knows.
Here is a shot of the blade, before being wiped off, still in its grease. Notice the Mune, the two surfaces I mentioned.
It feels very sharp, haven't even cut with it though. I have never had a Musashi come to me that wasn't razor sharp.
Here is one more shot, next to the Musashi "Mouko" (150-200 range) for size reference.
Many people consider a tanto a knife. This is more like a small sword if you ask me, as it is as long as my elbow to my clenched fist.
No cutting, brothers. It is just too cold here. I will do a cutting vid on it when the weather turns a little, maybe something incorporated with a sword.
Overall--
Fit and finish-- 3/5 the fittings were better quality and feel than I expected. We are still dealing with a sub 100 item though.
Historical Accuracy--Meh, you guys judge for yourselves. I would say maybe a 2/5 considering process, steel, fittings.
Durability--?? No cuts yet.
Quality for money--4/5 I got this for a great price, but having received it , would probably pay full price. It has exceeded my expectation so far.
This is my first tanto. I am pleased with it tremendously. Zinje has been good to me as a consumer, and he works very hard to make sure that we are satisfied. It will sit in its display box in a glass gun cabinet until I feel like putting some plastic bottles in their place. And I will admire it each time I walk by. ;D
Farmer