UBC Exclusive katana by Kensei Sword Arts
Oct 1, 2010 13:32:21 GMT
Post by TomK on Oct 1, 2010 13:32:21 GMT
Back in the begining of this year members of UBC were inspired by the Kokoro Ichi project on SBG and we started talking about having our own UBC katana.
in response to this interest Randy and Marc started the ball rolling on the Wiwingti forums. here's a small timeline of significant happenings in the Birth of the UBC Exclusive:
Jan 23, 2009 Randy posts poll asking if we want a UBC katana. 26 yes votes by 30 Jan 2009
Jan 23, 2009 Randy posts a poll asking what features we would want in the sword
Jan 23, 2009 Randy posts a poll asking how much we would want to pay for the UBC exclusive: 16 = $200-300, 7 = $300-400, 2 = $400-500.
Feb 6, 2009 Marc posts stats on the Dragonfly by Kensei with UBC exclusive modifications in a poll asking us if we want this as our sword. 24 say “Yes” Marc also announces the $325 basic price before shipping etc. I had to pull some strings to get in on the deal bu there was no way I was going to miss this special deal. My passion for the UBC group and the great deal presented were absolutely irresitable forces to me.
Feb 7, 2009 Randy posts that it is time to PAY! $370 shipped to USA
Jun 24, 2009 First pictures of the finished swords from Kensei
Jun 29, 2009 First report of a sword arriving.
Five months from “do you want one” to “here it is.”
So what is it we got?
19 katana 4 wakizashi with custom tsuba designed by UBC member Randy (SBG forumite: Morpeus), a textured black saya, teal green ito and sageo, differentially hardened blade, black samegawa panels, a choice of bohi or no hi and traditional hineri maki. oh yeah I was excited to see this one.
My first impression of the sword was from hear-say since I was at sea. I heard there were some problems with the colors not being right on some of them. the pictures I saw on line made the mistake color (gold and black crackle) look better than the intended color but not all the swords had that. when I had the chance and talked to my wife I asked her what color the saya was. her reply: green and looks like snake skin. HUH??? here's what she saw:
I can see why my wife thought it was green at first. in the right light it does look green.
my first impression of the sword was that it was HUGE. it isn't but it has that feel. I wasted no time digging into the fittings and checking the fit and safety of the sword.
the whole set is very nice, everything about the fittings speak of good quality. there's a little evidence of rubbing on the fuchi but it's still very nice. no cast lines visible on these.
the habaki fit very squarely onto the machi but did not jam in place like most production katana.
these are the kind of seppa I like to see. so much more pleasing than the standard gear-toothed ugliness we usually see.
I like the tsuba. it isn't perfect and you can tell it was a home-made design but there's a lot of charm in it for me. I like that one of my UBC brothers designed it helps me feel connected to the group. I like that. thank you for the tsuba Randy, there's a little bit of you all over the world now.
the kashira is the same design as the fuchi and even though the detail in the design is a bit fuzzy it is beautifully solid with no visible seams or flaws. incidentally, it is obvious this is the same design Cheness is going for on the fitting of the Kaze. I like these MUCH better
the wrap is just amazing on this sword. not only are the diamonds nice and tight but the wrap is so tight I think I'd bruise my thumb before the ito shifts under pressure. I don't know how they got it that tight but it is amazing. the kashira feels like it is glued in place it is so tight. maybe it is, I doubt it, but I can't tell if it is or not by feel.
the wood work in the tsuka is pretty high quality. look at any other production katana tsuka core and you'll see a lot of sloppy work, not here.
the paint/lacquer on the saya is just beautiful. I love it and I'm glad I got the no-hi sword so I got this amazing design right away. sadly the blade does rattle in the saya to an amount that is uncharacteristic of the high quality to be found in the rest of the sword. oh well I guess it couldn't be perfect. again though great clean wood-work. Just look at the koiguchi:
The Blade is very interesting. look closely and you can see the belly of the sori is way up close to the habaki. I like this as it is very unusual in production katana.
yup, the kissaki is cosmetic but it is not that bad looking at all, I can deal with that.
I find it interesting there is no mei or anything on the nakago. I really don't care one way or another but it is kinda unusual.
THE HAMON on my sword is very interesting. some of the UBC swords, like mine, have irregularities in the other wise uneventfully straight suguha hamon. but look at what mine has going on:
I think that's really cool and adds a uniqueness that I just love.
there was a little bit of light card paper wrapped around the nakago, but I'm not complaining the fit with the paper is ROCK SOLID, even without it the fit is reall tight. one of the other guys has a tsuka that is loose without that bit of card. I kept mine in so as not to screw with a good system even if it is a little strange.
Test cutting: I have some tendonitis and had a hard time getting this very heavy sword up to proper speed but it still cut like a dream.
Vital Stats:
Steel: 1070 Differentiall Hardened
weight: 2 pounds 12 ounces
nagasa: 28.5 (and I really notice that extra .5")
sori: .5"
POB: 5.5"
conclusions:
if this sword is anything to judge by (and I think it is) Kensei makes some very good swords. it is true they cost more because of it but it's good to know that for mid-range production katana there are good choices out there other than Hanwei.
Pros: where to begin? how about high quality fittings, interesting blade design, unusual hamon, great cutting ability, very solid construction, clean wood-work, beautiful saya, very durable blade, great out of the box sharpness, tightest tsukamaki I've ever seen by FAR.
Cons: Saya rattles, card-stock paper used to shim and tighten tsuka-nakago fit, cost (usually this sword would be $500-$700), cosmetic yokote, might be too heavy for some of our lighter swords-persons (will at least give them a good work-out) but this can also be a pro for those who want heavy cutting power.
Bottom line: I love it, I would reccomend a Kensei sword to anyone, if they are willing to spend the money. this sword makes me want to buy Kensei swords.
Kensei = Quality
in response to this interest Randy and Marc started the ball rolling on the Wiwingti forums. here's a small timeline of significant happenings in the Birth of the UBC Exclusive:
Jan 23, 2009 Randy posts poll asking if we want a UBC katana. 26 yes votes by 30 Jan 2009
Jan 23, 2009 Randy posts a poll asking what features we would want in the sword
Jan 23, 2009 Randy posts a poll asking how much we would want to pay for the UBC exclusive: 16 = $200-300, 7 = $300-400, 2 = $400-500.
Feb 6, 2009 Marc posts stats on the Dragonfly by Kensei with UBC exclusive modifications in a poll asking us if we want this as our sword. 24 say “Yes” Marc also announces the $325 basic price before shipping etc. I had to pull some strings to get in on the deal bu there was no way I was going to miss this special deal. My passion for the UBC group and the great deal presented were absolutely irresitable forces to me.
Feb 7, 2009 Randy posts that it is time to PAY! $370 shipped to USA
Jun 24, 2009 First pictures of the finished swords from Kensei
Jun 29, 2009 First report of a sword arriving.
Five months from “do you want one” to “here it is.”
So what is it we got?
19 katana 4 wakizashi with custom tsuba designed by UBC member Randy (SBG forumite: Morpeus), a textured black saya, teal green ito and sageo, differentially hardened blade, black samegawa panels, a choice of bohi or no hi and traditional hineri maki. oh yeah I was excited to see this one.
My first impression of the sword was from hear-say since I was at sea. I heard there were some problems with the colors not being right on some of them. the pictures I saw on line made the mistake color (gold and black crackle) look better than the intended color but not all the swords had that. when I had the chance and talked to my wife I asked her what color the saya was. her reply: green and looks like snake skin. HUH??? here's what she saw:
I can see why my wife thought it was green at first. in the right light it does look green.
my first impression of the sword was that it was HUGE. it isn't but it has that feel. I wasted no time digging into the fittings and checking the fit and safety of the sword.
the whole set is very nice, everything about the fittings speak of good quality. there's a little evidence of rubbing on the fuchi but it's still very nice. no cast lines visible on these.
the habaki fit very squarely onto the machi but did not jam in place like most production katana.
these are the kind of seppa I like to see. so much more pleasing than the standard gear-toothed ugliness we usually see.
I like the tsuba. it isn't perfect and you can tell it was a home-made design but there's a lot of charm in it for me. I like that one of my UBC brothers designed it helps me feel connected to the group. I like that. thank you for the tsuba Randy, there's a little bit of you all over the world now.
the kashira is the same design as the fuchi and even though the detail in the design is a bit fuzzy it is beautifully solid with no visible seams or flaws. incidentally, it is obvious this is the same design Cheness is going for on the fitting of the Kaze. I like these MUCH better
the wrap is just amazing on this sword. not only are the diamonds nice and tight but the wrap is so tight I think I'd bruise my thumb before the ito shifts under pressure. I don't know how they got it that tight but it is amazing. the kashira feels like it is glued in place it is so tight. maybe it is, I doubt it, but I can't tell if it is or not by feel.
the wood work in the tsuka is pretty high quality. look at any other production katana tsuka core and you'll see a lot of sloppy work, not here.
the paint/lacquer on the saya is just beautiful. I love it and I'm glad I got the no-hi sword so I got this amazing design right away. sadly the blade does rattle in the saya to an amount that is uncharacteristic of the high quality to be found in the rest of the sword. oh well I guess it couldn't be perfect. again though great clean wood-work. Just look at the koiguchi:
The Blade is very interesting. look closely and you can see the belly of the sori is way up close to the habaki. I like this as it is very unusual in production katana.
yup, the kissaki is cosmetic but it is not that bad looking at all, I can deal with that.
I find it interesting there is no mei or anything on the nakago. I really don't care one way or another but it is kinda unusual.
THE HAMON on my sword is very interesting. some of the UBC swords, like mine, have irregularities in the other wise uneventfully straight suguha hamon. but look at what mine has going on:
I think that's really cool and adds a uniqueness that I just love.
there was a little bit of light card paper wrapped around the nakago, but I'm not complaining the fit with the paper is ROCK SOLID, even without it the fit is reall tight. one of the other guys has a tsuka that is loose without that bit of card. I kept mine in so as not to screw with a good system even if it is a little strange.
Test cutting: I have some tendonitis and had a hard time getting this very heavy sword up to proper speed but it still cut like a dream.
Vital Stats:
Steel: 1070 Differentiall Hardened
weight: 2 pounds 12 ounces
nagasa: 28.5 (and I really notice that extra .5")
sori: .5"
POB: 5.5"
conclusions:
if this sword is anything to judge by (and I think it is) Kensei makes some very good swords. it is true they cost more because of it but it's good to know that for mid-range production katana there are good choices out there other than Hanwei.
Pros: where to begin? how about high quality fittings, interesting blade design, unusual hamon, great cutting ability, very solid construction, clean wood-work, beautiful saya, very durable blade, great out of the box sharpness, tightest tsukamaki I've ever seen by FAR.
Cons: Saya rattles, card-stock paper used to shim and tighten tsuka-nakago fit, cost (usually this sword would be $500-$700), cosmetic yokote, might be too heavy for some of our lighter swords-persons (will at least give them a good work-out) but this can also be a pro for those who want heavy cutting power.
Bottom line: I love it, I would reccomend a Kensei sword to anyone, if they are willing to spend the money. this sword makes me want to buy Kensei swords.
Kensei = Quality