Sakura G-602 Katana from Global Gear
Jul 6, 2008 2:22:43 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2008 2:22:43 GMT
Review By Matthew Boyd, Tasmania, Australia
Blade length: 73.5cm, 29"
Hilt length: 26.5cm, 10.5"
Overall: 100cm, 39.5"
POB (point of balance): 12cm, 4.7" from base of guard
After training for 11 years with my wooden mok kum I decided to bite the bullet and get a real sword for myself in my budget range. I'd spent a bit of time looking at Global Gear, an Australian sword and collectables dealer and also came across a couple of reviews of their swords. Most reviews or comments were quite negative but there were also some glowing reviews of their newer items.
I decided to purchase one of their swords if I could bag one at a good price on Ebay. I managed to snag one for AUD$77 where they normally retail for AUD$350. I just had to wait for it to arrive to see if it was worth the $77 + postage.
The package arrived in excellent shape, well packed in a sturdy cardboard box.
The wooden case inside was undamaged and attractive with a carrying handle and three fastening clips.
Upon opening I found the contents held in place with polystyrene wedges and there was no evidence of movement. The sword bag is of a really high quality fabric with sturdily stiched seams. Shouldn't fall apart in a hurry.
The contents of the maintenance kit appear to be good but I have little experience of these. It included rice papers, oil bottle, brass hammer with a screw-out brass drift and the stone powder ball. The powder had leaked a little.
A certificate was included. It appeared to be a generic, printed certificate that may call my mother's morals into question for all I know.
The tsuka is very firm with no movement and had panels of ray skin under a nylon ito. The sword was advertised as such and this doesn't bother me. It was wrapped very tightly which gives confidence. Two bamboo mekugi protuded about 2 mm beyond the skin on both sides.
The fit of the fuchi was very good but the finish appeared a bit rough in places. I don't know what it is made out of but it feels similar to aluminium but is a different colour.
The kashira is made from the same material. I could pull it down about 1 cm against the ito.
The tsuba is iron and quite attractive. Definately not gaudy, which I like. A lot of scale flaked off the tasuba and it seems to have been treated with some sort of aging paint. It discoloured my hands until I washed it down. The tasuba moved about 1mm rocked from side to side. I had to use some force to do this- it isn't loose at all.
The habaki is an excellent fit but had some scratches and discolouration. I think some of that scale from the tasuba had stuck to it when it had been pushed into the saya.
The saya itself was very well finished, glossy affair that had had some complementary scratches included, like it had been slid across a gritty table-top. Nothing drastic and only visible from closer than arms length.
The blade is just incredible. I never thought I'd get something of this quality for the price. It came with a good coating of a silicone based protectant and shows an excellent polish and no mistakes in the crafting. There is a very slightly visible change in the blade angle about 2/3 of the way down. To me this isn't a problem and only reminds me that this blade was made by humans. (I now realise how hard it is to get good blade photography.) The hamon is very active and draws the eye to it. It has no evidence of being brushed. In fact, I don't think this hamon could be faked. It continues to about 1cm from the point.
I decided to take the sword apart. I drifted out the mekugi easily enough but had to work to get the tsuka off. I used a wooden dowel against the tsuba and a hammer to shift it down the tang. I was able to see why it was hard to get off.
The mekugi holes had been drilled with the tsuka in place and had left large steel burrs that gripped the inside of the tsuka. I spent about 2 minutes with a bastard file cleaning off the flat surfaces then the inside of the mekugi holes with a rat's tail file to make sure they would be able to be replaced without damage.
The tsuka revealed a crack under the fuchi when removed.
And here she is broken down into componants...
...And compared to my old faithful white oak sword.
This sword handles beautifully and says "whoot!" when swung. I haven't heard that note before. The balance suits me to a "T" and doesn't fatigue the forearms unduely. The whole package screams "quality" and "bargain" equally loudly. I am absolutely stoked with this as my first real sword. I would recommend it to anyone.
I recommend this product for a alternative sword oil. I use it on my firearms and have been very happy with it. It is now on my sword too.
CONCLUSION
Historical Accuracy: 3.5/5
Fit and Finish: 4.5/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: ?/5
Value for Money: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Matthew Boyd