Reviewing two Masahiro Swords
Apr 25, 2007 3:08:44 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2007 3:08:44 GMT
Hi there, sorry to have used other sub-forums for this instead of going right here. Here I'm reviewing a Masahiro Practical Katana
and a Masahiro Fudouu Myouu Katana. Both were bought on razorsharpkatana on eBay. although the Fudouu Myouu was touted as higher end than the Practical, both fall into the same price range (although I bought the Practical on auction for $24.99) of $50 + $35 s/h (shipping to Puerto Rico). Using my limited knowledge (mostly acquired here since joining), I've
deducted the Practical Katana is overly superior to the Fudouu Myouu. Here are the links to each:
Masahiro Practical Katana (no name on razorsharpkatana):
cgi.ebay.com/Handmade-Samurai-Sword-Ray-Skin-Red-Handle-H1226_W0QQitemZ280108067857QQihZ018QQcategoryZ43338QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
or the blue version which is the one I own:
www.swordsdirect.com/masahiro-practical-series-swords.html
for the Fudouu Myouu, this is the link:
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140106506287
Both were put to the same tests to check performance. Sprite 2 liter bottles with Lebron James in it (can't stand the guy) were placed for testing. The Practical did it with honors as it sliced the bottle (and Lebron) perfectly (yeah some chips and bends on the edge ar surfacing from slashing things everyday, but for $24.99..)
Then I couldn't contain myself and lined up 5 plastic containers filled with water and delivered a beautiful rising cut which just felt a bit of resistance from the first container but just breezed through the other ones. Later I put to another simple test: cutting 1" and 1 1/2" branches. Since I live in a second floor, the branches are invading my balcony so eagerly began to slice them, feeling no resistance at all as they fell ceremoniously into the ground. Where I live is very humid and although I clean the swords weekly and bathe it in mineral oil, it has some rust spots,
got a metal polisher that supossedly deals with rust but cannot take it out. Other than that I'm very very happy with my $24.99 sword. here are the specs as the seller (handmadesword and razorsharpkatana sell the same items) had on it:
Featuring:
Blade Material: Iron Wrap High Carbon Steel #1065
Razor Sharp Edge with Blood Groove on Both side of Blade
Blade Thickness: 0.75 cm
Blade Hardness of Edge: 60
Blade Hardness of Back: 40
Handle Length: 11 1/2"
Blade Length: 27"
Overall Length: 41 1/2"
Sword Weight (with Saya): 1.4 KG
Material of Habaki (Blade Collar) & Seppa (Spacer): Brass
Handle: Genuine Ray Skin SAME & Red Japanese Cotton ITO (Braid)
Saya: Black Piano Lacquered Wood saya (scabbard) with Red Cotton Sageo (cord)
The Sword can be Fully Assembled or Disassembled
Tsuba: Brass Demi-God Tsuba (Oda Nobunaga on my case)
Mukugi: 1 Mukugi (Peg)
Package Includes:
1 x Assembled Handmade Full Tang Sword
1 x Deluxe Sword Bag
Now on the Masahiro Fudou Myouu Katana: Comes in a Masahiro Tube (very nice!!), follows all the seller's specifications except one(which I'll discuss later). First let's have a look at it, courtesy of razorsharpkatana:
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140106506287
The detailed description they give includes this:
Featuring:
Blade Material: High Carbon Steel # 1065
Razor Sharp Edge with 2/3 Blood Groove on Both Side of Blade
Blade Thickness: 0.75 CM
Blade Hardness of Edge: HRC 60
Blade Hardness of Back: HRC 40
Handle Length: 13"
Blade Length: 29.5"
Overall Length: 43.5"
Sword Weight (with Saya): 1.4KG
Tsuba: 2 Iron Tsubas
Mukugi: 2 Mukugi (Peg)
Material of Habaki (Blade Collar) & Seppa (Spacer): Copper
Blade: Engraved Fudo Myoo & Fire Spear Symbol on Both Side
Tang: Engraved Description of Fudo Myoo on Both Side
Handle: Genuine Ray Skin SAME & Genuine Leather ITO
Saya: Red Piano Lacquered Wood Saya (Scabbard) with Cotton Sageo (Cord)
The Sword Can be Fully Assembled or Disassembled
Package Includes:
1 x Assembled Handmade Fudo Myoo Sword
1 x Extra Changable Tsuba in Black Cotton Tsuba Bag
1 x Black Deluxe Sword Bag
It says that the sword is sharpened used the "finest japanese whetstone". However its cutting edge leaves a lot to wish for.
After having some fun with the practical, got another Sprite 2 liter with Lebron on it (can't stand the guy) and proceed to slice it.
After carefully checking the edge had not bended or chipped, but the bottle showed a rough edge and a false cut on the upper part of it (another cut above the cut line) making it think poor Lebron had his neck sawed off. I was skeptical, but resolved into slicing branches as there was no use in trying to slice anymore bottles. To my great surprise, instead of clean cuts it did ripoffs of the branches, and in a thicker one needed two cuts to finally rip it in a chop chop action rather than a slice. Amazed I used the Practical again on the same spot and it sliced surgically.
Verdict: I like both swords. They are probably my first real swords (even as they are low low end), for the other one I have has a factory sharpened edge which further denies even slicing thin branches. The Practical has more time with me and has recieved more abuse, but even with its bends and chipoffs, does the job reasonably well (if you look at its price tag). The Fudouu Myouu, while more stylish and reportedly better, fails miserably where the Practical excels. I would recommend those who are on a very very very (emphatic) tight budget to buy one of those Masahiro Practical Katanas @ $49.99, for nothing beats them at that price. The other stuff that has the "handmade or practical" under that price (like the other one I got) is rubbish. The Fudouu Myouu will always look good hanging on my wall where it will probably stay forever. The Practical will delight me when I need to stress out cutting things around, and the other one (edgeless)
will go to a local shop to have it sharpened and will use it as a beater (it's longer and heavier than the other two). Hope this brings a little light on the Masahiro swords I have reviewed
and a Masahiro Fudouu Myouu Katana. Both were bought on razorsharpkatana on eBay. although the Fudouu Myouu was touted as higher end than the Practical, both fall into the same price range (although I bought the Practical on auction for $24.99) of $50 + $35 s/h (shipping to Puerto Rico). Using my limited knowledge (mostly acquired here since joining), I've
deducted the Practical Katana is overly superior to the Fudouu Myouu. Here are the links to each:
Masahiro Practical Katana (no name on razorsharpkatana):
cgi.ebay.com/Handmade-Samurai-Sword-Ray-Skin-Red-Handle-H1226_W0QQitemZ280108067857QQihZ018QQcategoryZ43338QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
or the blue version which is the one I own:
www.swordsdirect.com/masahiro-practical-series-swords.html
for the Fudouu Myouu, this is the link:
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140106506287
Both were put to the same tests to check performance. Sprite 2 liter bottles with Lebron James in it (can't stand the guy) were placed for testing. The Practical did it with honors as it sliced the bottle (and Lebron) perfectly (yeah some chips and bends on the edge ar surfacing from slashing things everyday, but for $24.99..)
Then I couldn't contain myself and lined up 5 plastic containers filled with water and delivered a beautiful rising cut which just felt a bit of resistance from the first container but just breezed through the other ones. Later I put to another simple test: cutting 1" and 1 1/2" branches. Since I live in a second floor, the branches are invading my balcony so eagerly began to slice them, feeling no resistance at all as they fell ceremoniously into the ground. Where I live is very humid and although I clean the swords weekly and bathe it in mineral oil, it has some rust spots,
got a metal polisher that supossedly deals with rust but cannot take it out. Other than that I'm very very happy with my $24.99 sword. here are the specs as the seller (handmadesword and razorsharpkatana sell the same items) had on it:
Featuring:
Blade Material: Iron Wrap High Carbon Steel #1065
Razor Sharp Edge with Blood Groove on Both side of Blade
Blade Thickness: 0.75 cm
Blade Hardness of Edge: 60
Blade Hardness of Back: 40
Handle Length: 11 1/2"
Blade Length: 27"
Overall Length: 41 1/2"
Sword Weight (with Saya): 1.4 KG
Material of Habaki (Blade Collar) & Seppa (Spacer): Brass
Handle: Genuine Ray Skin SAME & Red Japanese Cotton ITO (Braid)
Saya: Black Piano Lacquered Wood saya (scabbard) with Red Cotton Sageo (cord)
The Sword can be Fully Assembled or Disassembled
Tsuba: Brass Demi-God Tsuba (Oda Nobunaga on my case)
Mukugi: 1 Mukugi (Peg)
Package Includes:
1 x Assembled Handmade Full Tang Sword
1 x Deluxe Sword Bag
Now on the Masahiro Fudou Myouu Katana: Comes in a Masahiro Tube (very nice!!), follows all the seller's specifications except one(which I'll discuss later). First let's have a look at it, courtesy of razorsharpkatana:
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140106506287
The detailed description they give includes this:
Featuring:
Blade Material: High Carbon Steel # 1065
Razor Sharp Edge with 2/3 Blood Groove on Both Side of Blade
Blade Thickness: 0.75 CM
Blade Hardness of Edge: HRC 60
Blade Hardness of Back: HRC 40
Handle Length: 13"
Blade Length: 29.5"
Overall Length: 43.5"
Sword Weight (with Saya): 1.4KG
Tsuba: 2 Iron Tsubas
Mukugi: 2 Mukugi (Peg)
Material of Habaki (Blade Collar) & Seppa (Spacer): Copper
Blade: Engraved Fudo Myoo & Fire Spear Symbol on Both Side
Tang: Engraved Description of Fudo Myoo on Both Side
Handle: Genuine Ray Skin SAME & Genuine Leather ITO
Saya: Red Piano Lacquered Wood Saya (Scabbard) with Cotton Sageo (Cord)
The Sword Can be Fully Assembled or Disassembled
Package Includes:
1 x Assembled Handmade Fudo Myoo Sword
1 x Extra Changable Tsuba in Black Cotton Tsuba Bag
1 x Black Deluxe Sword Bag
It says that the sword is sharpened used the "finest japanese whetstone". However its cutting edge leaves a lot to wish for.
After having some fun with the practical, got another Sprite 2 liter with Lebron on it (can't stand the guy) and proceed to slice it.
After carefully checking the edge had not bended or chipped, but the bottle showed a rough edge and a false cut on the upper part of it (another cut above the cut line) making it think poor Lebron had his neck sawed off. I was skeptical, but resolved into slicing branches as there was no use in trying to slice anymore bottles. To my great surprise, instead of clean cuts it did ripoffs of the branches, and in a thicker one needed two cuts to finally rip it in a chop chop action rather than a slice. Amazed I used the Practical again on the same spot and it sliced surgically.
Verdict: I like both swords. They are probably my first real swords (even as they are low low end), for the other one I have has a factory sharpened edge which further denies even slicing thin branches. The Practical has more time with me and has recieved more abuse, but even with its bends and chipoffs, does the job reasonably well (if you look at its price tag). The Fudouu Myouu, while more stylish and reportedly better, fails miserably where the Practical excels. I would recommend those who are on a very very very (emphatic) tight budget to buy one of those Masahiro Practical Katanas @ $49.99, for nothing beats them at that price. The other stuff that has the "handmade or practical" under that price (like the other one I got) is rubbish. The Fudouu Myouu will always look good hanging on my wall where it will probably stay forever. The Practical will delight me when I need to stress out cutting things around, and the other one (edgeless)
will go to a local shop to have it sharpened and will use it as a beater (it's longer and heavier than the other two). Hope this brings a little light on the Masahiro swords I have reviewed