Valiant Armoury Kyoumou Tora Practical Katana
Oct 12, 2010 8:52:04 GMT
Post by serge021974 on Oct 12, 2010 8:52:04 GMT
Valiant Armoury Kyoumou Tora Practical Katana
Review by Serge Winckelmans (Belgium)
Introduction
From time to time I surf on the site of KoA. I like katanas so I look a lot on the Asian part and I saw this katana. I thought it was a reasonable price for a katana with these fittings : a hand forged 1095 high carbon steel blade, sharpened and clay tempered with a natural high polished hamon and bo-hi groove. The double pinned grip is covered in genuine ray skin and a blue cord wrap. The antiqued copper tsuba displays a fearsome tiger ready to pounce. The matching saya is finished in a glossy rich blue with blue cord wrapping. A beautiful red silk travel bag is also included.
This katana costs 159,95$ at Kult of Athena.
Historical overview
In Japan the "Tiger" is an awesome animal and preciously revered not just in Japan but the entire Asian adjoining societies.
Specifically in Japan the tiger is the emblem of the great aristocratic warriors famously known as the samurai. The tiger represents the virtue of courage. It also means revision, improvement, change, and the zen good.
In China, geographically Japan is in China but was craved out by the British 400 hundred years ago ( that's another topic), anyway the tiger means: Dragons rising and tigers leaping is the natural color of the hero, breaking through brambles and thorns he climbs to the top of the mountain.
In other words the tiger reminds us of the impossible, triumphs and the beauty of freedom.
Initial Impressions
Opening the well packed package was a pleasure. The box was packed in the KoA-known quality, so with a lot of paper (buffer). My first impression was : “Mmh, Nice bag”.
But after a quick inspection I saw a few minor points on the katana. The saya was damaged and the meguki were a bit to tall for the tsuka.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 73 cm
Handle/Tsuka Length: 30 cm
Overall Length: 103 cm
Guard/Tsuba Width: 7 cm
POB (Point of Balance): 12 after tsuba
Weight: 1085 Gr.
Components
The Blade/Nagasa
Nice polish, the hamon is hard to see. Sharpness is acceptable. The tests were done without any failure.
The Handle/Tsuka
Tsuka has a good wrap (everything tight). The ito has a good quality, not silk, but good enough. The blue is in little contrast with the saya.
The rayskin has a good quality, as you can see on these pictures.
The menuki are beautiful gold plated koshirae.
The Guard/Tsuba
The Tsuba is, in my opinion, a bit too small. 1 cm more would be better for me. But this is everyones personal opinion.
Habaki
The habaki is well aligned and not glued on the blade.
The Scabbard/Saya
A light blue well finished saya. I’m sorry but I’ve already customized the sageo. This is not original on this katana.
Handling Characteristics
The katanas initial impression is : “Mmm, well balanced and nice sound”
Test Cutting
Cutting some plastic bottles
After cutting the bottles I saw I must have touched the wood. Didn’t felt it. ;-)
Cutting a tatami-mat
My 5 minutes of pleasure :
Conclusions
The Kyoumou Tora Practical Katana is well suited for tamashigiri and other forms of cutting exercises done by those with proper training and supervision. This is a decent katana for a reasonable price.
Pros
Well fit together
A better quality ito and sageo (the original!!) than most ‘shoelace’ fittings
Real hamon
Cons
Damaged saya
The meguki were a bit to tall for the tsuka.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to anyone who would like an inexpensive katana with medium quality fittings and who also want to use the katana for some cutting fun.
Review by Serge Winckelmans (Belgium)
Introduction
From time to time I surf on the site of KoA. I like katanas so I look a lot on the Asian part and I saw this katana. I thought it was a reasonable price for a katana with these fittings : a hand forged 1095 high carbon steel blade, sharpened and clay tempered with a natural high polished hamon and bo-hi groove. The double pinned grip is covered in genuine ray skin and a blue cord wrap. The antiqued copper tsuba displays a fearsome tiger ready to pounce. The matching saya is finished in a glossy rich blue with blue cord wrapping. A beautiful red silk travel bag is also included.
This katana costs 159,95$ at Kult of Athena.
Historical overview
In Japan the "Tiger" is an awesome animal and preciously revered not just in Japan but the entire Asian adjoining societies.
Specifically in Japan the tiger is the emblem of the great aristocratic warriors famously known as the samurai. The tiger represents the virtue of courage. It also means revision, improvement, change, and the zen good.
In China, geographically Japan is in China but was craved out by the British 400 hundred years ago ( that's another topic), anyway the tiger means: Dragons rising and tigers leaping is the natural color of the hero, breaking through brambles and thorns he climbs to the top of the mountain.
In other words the tiger reminds us of the impossible, triumphs and the beauty of freedom.
Initial Impressions
Opening the well packed package was a pleasure. The box was packed in the KoA-known quality, so with a lot of paper (buffer). My first impression was : “Mmh, Nice bag”.
But after a quick inspection I saw a few minor points on the katana. The saya was damaged and the meguki were a bit to tall for the tsuka.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 73 cm
Handle/Tsuka Length: 30 cm
Overall Length: 103 cm
Guard/Tsuba Width: 7 cm
POB (Point of Balance): 12 after tsuba
Weight: 1085 Gr.
Components
The Blade/Nagasa
Nice polish, the hamon is hard to see. Sharpness is acceptable. The tests were done without any failure.
The Handle/Tsuka
Tsuka has a good wrap (everything tight). The ito has a good quality, not silk, but good enough. The blue is in little contrast with the saya.
The rayskin has a good quality, as you can see on these pictures.
The menuki are beautiful gold plated koshirae.
The Guard/Tsuba
The Tsuba is, in my opinion, a bit too small. 1 cm more would be better for me. But this is everyones personal opinion.
Habaki
The habaki is well aligned and not glued on the blade.
The Scabbard/Saya
A light blue well finished saya. I’m sorry but I’ve already customized the sageo. This is not original on this katana.
Handling Characteristics
The katanas initial impression is : “Mmm, well balanced and nice sound”
Test Cutting
Cutting some plastic bottles
After cutting the bottles I saw I must have touched the wood. Didn’t felt it. ;-)
Cutting a tatami-mat
My 5 minutes of pleasure :
Conclusions
The Kyoumou Tora Practical Katana is well suited for tamashigiri and other forms of cutting exercises done by those with proper training and supervision. This is a decent katana for a reasonable price.
Pros
Well fit together
A better quality ito and sageo (the original!!) than most ‘shoelace’ fittings
Real hamon
Cons
Damaged saya
The meguki were a bit to tall for the tsuka.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to anyone who would like an inexpensive katana with medium quality fittings and who also want to use the katana for some cutting fun.