SBG "Kokoro Ichi" - From: Ronin Swords
Aug 10, 2008 23:18:15 GMT
Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2008 23:18:15 GMT
SBG Exclusive "Kokoro Ichi" Limited Run 2008
Review by: James Gall Chicago Heights, Illinois U.S.A.
Review by: James Gall Chicago Heights, Illinois U.S.A.
Symbolism......
The Kokoro Ichi or (one mind/heart) was a community project that was started in April of 2008 to make the very first exclusive Japanese sword for the SBG community. The project went down some rough roads as many often do, but we managed to acquire Sensei Brain Dreier's services. Dreier Sensei offered a rather charitable discount in both his products and his professional tsukamaki services which made it possible for our members to receive a $550 retail price sword for only $300 plus shipping. For me, the Kokoro Ichi represents an ideal of our communities resolve to make big things happen, and shows the sword world that even the smallest groups of enthusiasts can make their voice heard when united.
I am very proud to have been a part of this project, and i wish to thank everyone for they're participation which made this possible. And i think that everyone has a rather special place in they're heart for Dreier Sensei for his willingness to help our community and sustaining all of the costs involved in order to make this a reality...
Packaging......
The package was shipped via United Stated Postal Service Priority Service with delivery conformation. Upon opening the box you will notice the ballistic nylon double padded and double zippered sword bag with side pocket and shoulder strap. This bag is tough, and gives you a convenient option for carry your sword in public going to and from the dojo. Inside of the nylon bag is the sword itself which is wrapped in a black cotton dojo bag and nestled safely between the double padding.
The nylon bag is suspended along three foam blocks which "float" the merchandise to keep them safe from any accidental dropping. The item was free of any damage and in perfect condition. The certificate of authenticity was folded in its envelope and placed carefully in the side pocket of the shoulder bag, which is normally a good place for a cleaning kit to be carried as well on your journeys.
Specs......
Blade......
The primary design was based off of the "Deshi" model from Ronin Swords which retails around $550 with custom options. This blade was used for the Kokoro Ichi with exclusive mountings available only to the members of the SBG community for the discount price. The blades are made of a high speed tool steel know as T-10 which is a tungsten based high carbon steel. The construction is a shinogi-zukuri maru-gitae with bo-hi. The shinogi-ji line is crisp as well as the yokote line. The structure is a very uniform in shape, there are no dips or waves along the upper or lower blade bodies and the bo-hi is clean as well. Perfect shaping of the chu-kissaki (Medium) which is a true forged in tip and not just cosmetically counter polished and has fukura-tsuku (Curved Edge).
The steel is a high, almost mirror polish making the hamon very subtle at certain angles. But when the light hits it the nie and nioi lines really "pop out". The hamon on my particular blade is of a Suguha-hotsure (Stray-Straight) base with Hako-midare (Box-Shaped) peaks throughout. The hamon is also filled with lots of tobiyaki (Clouds/Pearls) and yo (Spots in hamon). The hamon ends in an o-maru (Large Circle) boshi. The nakago is a Kengyo (V-Shaped) with the bo-hi ending in hisaki-sagari and has double mekugi-ana drilled though i opted for a traditional single peg. The sori (Curvature) is of the torii (Shallow) variety and is 11/16" deep.
Furniture......
The custom casted menuki were designed from an antique nihonto piece in Dreier Sensei's personal collection and are tachi which are cast from bronze. Each side features a tachi which are mounted in the traditional style of carry with the ha facing down when the katana is at rest or being carried mune down. Each tachi ornament has very fine detailing along the saya, and are wrapped tightly into the tsukaito to assure that they are secure... The hands feel completely comfortable when gripping the tsuka with the menuki just barely touching the side of the small finger, overall it has the feeling of extreme control and precision. The natural swell in the tsuka core with the traditional tapering towards the kashira makes the handle both look and feel superb.
The tsuka-maki was custom wrapped by Dreier Sensei personally and features a "True Blood Red" premium Japanese silk tsukaito in a katate-maki (Battle/War-Wrap) over a paneled black lacquered samegawa with custom cast tachi menuki set. The Fuchi and Kashira are a handsome black iron with a rugged almost utilitarian feel to them. The fittings are not meant to be "flashy" but compliment the design well in they're subtle and simple design. The contrasting colors with the subtle beauty of the mountings makes this sword a true work of art...
Saya......
The saya (Scabbard) is also traditionally tapered with a very thick piece of koguchi (Buffalo Horn) at the mouth. The kurikata is decorated with a polished brass shitodome through which a hearty high quality synthetic blend sageo (Lanyard) is strung and tied in a presentation knot. The saya is a very deep maroon lacquer with a nishiji (Gold Dusted) finish which is then lacquered over again to produce a very rich gloss with metallic activities throughout. This style of finish IS historically accurate and seen on antique nihonto through history.
Unless you are standing within arms reach, or the saya is in a direct light you may not notice the finish, it is subtle at a distance but when you get close it reveals its beauty to the viewer. I like the subtleness of the saya finish, i think it would draw much attention from onlookers or fellow practitioners in a dojo setting. It appears to be a standard black lacquer until you see it in the light and then its obvious that this is something special.
Guard......
The tsuba (Guard) is a rugged and beautiful featuring a mature Japanese pine tree blossoming up through the nakago-ana. The overall circumference is 9 1/4" with peaks and valleys along the perimeter. The thickness is 1/8" sandwiched between two brass seppa (Washers) of which the edges are filed or notched. The pine tree symbolizes youth and longevity and is used as decorative plant in most Japanese gardens. The blackened iron design is a testament to the ideal of "with age, comes knowledge".
Fit & Finish......
The overall finish of this sword is superb... everything is tight and inline respectively. The handling is wonderful, allowing precision with every stroke and almost feels like the blade knows what you want it to do. This piece while a symbol to me of strength and unity, is also symbolic in my quest to gain knowledge in The Way, and become skilled in the arts of the Japanese Sword. The contrasting beauty is something that rivals the "big name" sword companies, and i doubt that any one manufacturer or vendor can best this blade for the price that it was so generously offered to our SBG members.
Authentication......
The certificate of authenticity is printed on a high quality parchment paper and features the detailed specifications and a brief summarization of how these swords are forged. The forge signature of Zheng Zhong adorns both the certificate and the nakago in the form of the Imperial kiri-mon. Dreier Sensei has also used his own personal hanko stamp in "dragons blood" ink which was handed down to him from one of his masters years ago to provide assured conformation of authenticity.
Cutting......
I personally will not be cutting with this sword anytime soon. But i am well aware of the cutting prowess that these blades possess. During and after the project i have been privy to a number of testimonials from Sensei and Deshi alike as to the performance of these T-10 blades. Lets just say that one east coast master referred to these swords as "lightsabers" when cutting through thick bamboo and heavy wara. So i have no doubt that the sword will perform, but for me this will be something to pass on to my family as a symbol of my time in this SBG community and the relationships i have made in it.
Its more of an ideal than a weapon for me,... And i am just glad to have been lucky enough to own one considering the financial distress that has been plaguing not only our community, but the entire global economy. Thankyou to Sensei Brian Dreier for all of his hard work and sacrifice to make this possible, and to all of the people that helped along the way... It would not have happened without everyones support, and i have a special place in my heart for you all...
Conclusion......
Ronin Swords is a "diamond in the rough"... If you want to taste true quality then i suggest you not take my word for it, but rather buy a Ronin Sword and see for yourself. I sleep well at night knowing that if i place an order for a sword, that the utmost care and precision will be given towards putting out a superior product to me as a customer. Don't waste your hard earned dollars on cheap imitations, when you can have better quality for affordable prices.
While this exact theme is not available to the public, you can order almost the same exact sword if you are interested. This sword has shaken my foundation of exactly what a Japanese sword "should be", and i feel it will do the same for others as well when they receive them. Once again i apologize for not doing cutting demonstrations but i'm sure there will be many more reviews of this sword coming soon.
On behalf of the 30 members who own this sword i would like to express my deepest gratitude in your interest in this review of the very first exclusive Japanese sword created by members of the SBG community. Thank you for reading, and keep an eye out in the future for one never knows what we may be "cooking up" for next year 2009...
Ratings......
Historical Accuracy: 3/5
Fit and Finish: 5/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: ?/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Fit and Finish: 5/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: ?/5
Value for Money: 5/5