Bugei Samurai Katana Review
Apr 6, 2010 21:57:41 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2010 21:57:41 GMT
Let me start out by saying my heritage is German. Because of that, I grew up on meat and potatoes as my staple foods. A common reference I heard regarding the Bugei Samurai katana was, "it has a lot of meat." So, I thought I would enjoy this blade given 'our similarities!"
I recently returned a Crane from Bugei, as I just didn't like it. I couldn't feel the blade, and all the "heft" felt as if it were in the tsuka. I suppose for those who like a fast blade, it would be great. But, alas, it is not my cup of tea.
Thankfully, I have a few other katana to compare the samurai to. Prior to receiving it, I felt the SBG Torakami, Cheness Tenchi, and Cheness SGC all felt roughly the same weight. Well, the Bugei Samurai makes no qualms about being the hefty brother. It does weigh more - it is substantial, and it's evident upon closer look of the "meat" on this blade.
The measurements were determined to be 28.5" by 11" and sori at 7/8. Upon measuring the blade upon arrival, they were almost spot on. 28.25" long (doesn't include the habaki), 11 3/8" tsuka, and 7/8" sori. Perfect.
This is a heavy blade. I thought the Torakami was about perfect. Well, the Samurai feels like it wants to cut - a bit more tip heavy I suppose. Not a bad thing, I do like how it differs from my other swords, but if you're looking for a cutter, you need to realize how hefty this sword is - NICE!!
As you can see from one of the pictures below, there appears to be an emperor's node on the same. I'll leave those with far more experience than me to determine if this is or not, but welcome your comments.
The wrap is terrific. Very tight, and comfortable in the hand. The furniture is also quite nice. I thought it would be completely black, but the etching around the samurai character appears gray, and is a nice offset to the remaining black throughout.
The saya is nice, although you can see where they used the buffalo, as it didn't quite polish out the seams.
As for the blade, take a look at the pics. I find it to be very pleasing to the eye, with a great hada. Enjoy the pictures.
I have not cut with it, and don't plan to for a while as I'm all out of mats
If I were to compare the samurai katana from Bugei to the others I have, or the Crane, which I returned, it is substantially heavier, but has a great feel. If you want something to cut with, this is by far the most durable sword I've held from the perspective of "girth" or niku. I'm looking forward to making some nice cuts on bamboo at some point - should do nicely.
Hada/hamon:
Kissaki:
comparison of the SBG Torakami, Bugei Samurai (in the middle) and Cheness Tenchi on the bottom:
SBG Torakami on top, Bugei Samurai on the bottom - notice the difference in the hamon:
What I believe to be an emperor's node on the same:
Niku of the blade. It's tough to discern in the picture, but the girth on this blade is evident when viewing the full blade. It's substantially thicker than the Torakami (on right):
Another shot showing the Bugei Samurai in the middle:
Have to throw this one in, used the torakami a few weeks back to cut through 7 mats
Best,
Chib
I recently returned a Crane from Bugei, as I just didn't like it. I couldn't feel the blade, and all the "heft" felt as if it were in the tsuka. I suppose for those who like a fast blade, it would be great. But, alas, it is not my cup of tea.
Thankfully, I have a few other katana to compare the samurai to. Prior to receiving it, I felt the SBG Torakami, Cheness Tenchi, and Cheness SGC all felt roughly the same weight. Well, the Bugei Samurai makes no qualms about being the hefty brother. It does weigh more - it is substantial, and it's evident upon closer look of the "meat" on this blade.
The measurements were determined to be 28.5" by 11" and sori at 7/8. Upon measuring the blade upon arrival, they were almost spot on. 28.25" long (doesn't include the habaki), 11 3/8" tsuka, and 7/8" sori. Perfect.
This is a heavy blade. I thought the Torakami was about perfect. Well, the Samurai feels like it wants to cut - a bit more tip heavy I suppose. Not a bad thing, I do like how it differs from my other swords, but if you're looking for a cutter, you need to realize how hefty this sword is - NICE!!
As you can see from one of the pictures below, there appears to be an emperor's node on the same. I'll leave those with far more experience than me to determine if this is or not, but welcome your comments.
The wrap is terrific. Very tight, and comfortable in the hand. The furniture is also quite nice. I thought it would be completely black, but the etching around the samurai character appears gray, and is a nice offset to the remaining black throughout.
The saya is nice, although you can see where they used the buffalo, as it didn't quite polish out the seams.
As for the blade, take a look at the pics. I find it to be very pleasing to the eye, with a great hada. Enjoy the pictures.
I have not cut with it, and don't plan to for a while as I'm all out of mats
If I were to compare the samurai katana from Bugei to the others I have, or the Crane, which I returned, it is substantially heavier, but has a great feel. If you want something to cut with, this is by far the most durable sword I've held from the perspective of "girth" or niku. I'm looking forward to making some nice cuts on bamboo at some point - should do nicely.Hada/hamon:
Kissaki:
comparison of the SBG Torakami, Bugei Samurai (in the middle) and Cheness Tenchi on the bottom:
SBG Torakami on top, Bugei Samurai on the bottom - notice the difference in the hamon:
What I believe to be an emperor's node on the same:
Niku of the blade. It's tough to discern in the picture, but the girth on this blade is evident when viewing the full blade. It's substantially thicker than the Torakami (on right):
Another shot showing the Bugei Samurai in the middle:
Have to throw this one in, used the torakami a few weeks back to cut through 7 mats
Best,
Chib
