What to check for in a new Katana?
Nov 27, 2010 13:30:58 GMT
Post by craigd on Nov 27, 2010 13:30:58 GMT
Hi all,
I have only had a wall hanger for the past 15 years but today I received my Hanwei Tori Elite and Hanwei Musashi XL Light much to my child-like excitement (it felt like Father Christmas was real again, and I even had my wife film me lol).
However, now I wonder what to check for? I did a search using google and what-not but couldn't find 'an idiots guide to checking out your new Katana'
Some things I have noticed:
1) The Musashi was well oiled, the Elite wasn't
2) The Samegawe on the Musashi seems better _overall_ quality than the Tori (a surprise)
3) If I hold the Tsuka with the blade point down and hit my wrist the Musashi is silent, the Tori has a (slight?) rattle
4) A couple of 3inch or so splinters shook out of the inside of the Tori saya but only a few specks from the musashi
5) The musashi is way too tight a fight into the saya requiring a fairly hard (& I imagine dangerous) yank, the Tori slides easily and nips nicely in the last couple of mm.
Overall to my noobie eyes/hands the Musashi sword (not saya) seems to be a slightly better build quality (which goes against everything I expected/read although some of the materials used do appear to be cheaper) but I do prefer the look and feel of the Tori (although that may be bias )
I bought both weapons with the intention to keep the Tori purely as a collector item with it being folded (until such time as I can afford a nice antique nihonto) and to sell the Musashi. However as I have started MJER & HNIR I can see myself wanting to try my hand at Tameshigiri in a few months/year+ so I want to be sure the Tori is totally safe/has no flaws.
I will try and take some pictures later, but if anyone can give some guidance or point me at a guide that would be great!
Thanks,
Craig
I have only had a wall hanger for the past 15 years but today I received my Hanwei Tori Elite and Hanwei Musashi XL Light much to my child-like excitement (it felt like Father Christmas was real again, and I even had my wife film me lol).
However, now I wonder what to check for? I did a search using google and what-not but couldn't find 'an idiots guide to checking out your new Katana'
Some things I have noticed:
1) The Musashi was well oiled, the Elite wasn't
2) The Samegawe on the Musashi seems better _overall_ quality than the Tori (a surprise)
3) If I hold the Tsuka with the blade point down and hit my wrist the Musashi is silent, the Tori has a (slight?) rattle
4) A couple of 3inch or so splinters shook out of the inside of the Tori saya but only a few specks from the musashi
5) The musashi is way too tight a fight into the saya requiring a fairly hard (& I imagine dangerous) yank, the Tori slides easily and nips nicely in the last couple of mm.
Overall to my noobie eyes/hands the Musashi sword (not saya) seems to be a slightly better build quality (which goes against everything I expected/read although some of the materials used do appear to be cheaper) but I do prefer the look and feel of the Tori (although that may be bias )
I bought both weapons with the intention to keep the Tori purely as a collector item with it being folded (until such time as I can afford a nice antique nihonto) and to sell the Musashi. However as I have started MJER & HNIR I can see myself wanting to try my hand at Tameshigiri in a few months/year+ so I want to be sure the Tori is totally safe/has no flaws.
I will try and take some pictures later, but if anyone can give some guidance or point me at a guide that would be great!
Thanks,
Craig