Kris Cutlery Katana 27II
Feb 1, 2008 4:58:43 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2008 4:58:43 GMT
I just got my first Katana on Tuesday!
I have been reading up on swords on the internet for a while now and was getting a good idea what I would have to spend for a decent functional katana with differential hardening. I figured I would have to spend a couple hundred bucks to get anything worthwhile, and then Wham! I found Kris Cutlery's sale! I found a katana (25II, non folded) on their website for around $125 (all the others were sold out).
I called and talked to Cecil at KC and asked him about the scratch and dent items and he had 2 folded 27IIs for $122.
Cecil is great! I talked to him for quite a while about swords, sword manufacturing, the business of swords (I also run a small business, so I love to talk to others who do) I cannot recommend this business any higher. Cecil is knowledgeable, friendly, and offered to take the sword back if I didn't like it (b/c it was scratched)
Now, on to the Sword. I was surprised at the size of this katana when I opened the box. I have primarily been looking at European swords, witch are commonly over 30" blades so I considered a 27" short, but this is a formidable weapon!
The blade is quite sharp over most of its edge, although not perfectly uniformly so. some places are slightly sharper than others, but even the dull spots are satisfactory for this price. The only exception is the edge on the kissaki is slightly dull ( just barely visible in the light)
This is ok because the kissaki is also where the "scratch and dent" occurs. There are a few machine marks left in the area. very very light on one side, but on the other there is a spot about 1/8" where the machine marks are pretty visible. These would obviously not be present on the non-"scratched" models.
The (real) hamon is very hard to see, although it is visible in some places better than others. This is compounded by the grain of the folded steel, which while very faint, makes it hard to tell which line demarks the hamon and which is just a line of the grain
The bo-hi is attractive and well executed. overall, I would give the blade good marks
The fitting are a mixed bag. I love the simple elegance of the "double comma" tsuba which is smooth except for some small attractive patterning around the rim. however the point of one of the "commas" rubs on by thumb occasionally and will need to be rounded a little. It is black colored brass, as are the fuchi and kashira and dragon menukis. There are panels of what claims to be real ray skin under the ito, and while I cannot confirm or deny, this claim, I can say that it could be dome better. the panels are too narrow and the wood can be seen around them just barely in a couple of places. he blue cotton Ito wrap is very suitably even and extremely tight ( I could hardly shift it using a small screw driver to better cover the ray skin) I am just getting used to this kind of grip, so I cannot comment any further on the comfort or handling of the grip other than to say it is very solid and confidence inspiring.
I have cut a couple of 20 oz soda bottles with it and it cut with ease and I cave no doubts it will be and otherwise excellent cutter. More cut are forthcoming!
Overall, I love my new sword! it is better than I expected for the price, and an excellent addition to my weapon collection.
I have taken several decent pictures and would be happy to post them If someone would be kind enough to tell me how. No sword review is complete without pictures!
I have been reading up on swords on the internet for a while now and was getting a good idea what I would have to spend for a decent functional katana with differential hardening. I figured I would have to spend a couple hundred bucks to get anything worthwhile, and then Wham! I found Kris Cutlery's sale! I found a katana (25II, non folded) on their website for around $125 (all the others were sold out).
I called and talked to Cecil at KC and asked him about the scratch and dent items and he had 2 folded 27IIs for $122.
Cecil is great! I talked to him for quite a while about swords, sword manufacturing, the business of swords (I also run a small business, so I love to talk to others who do) I cannot recommend this business any higher. Cecil is knowledgeable, friendly, and offered to take the sword back if I didn't like it (b/c it was scratched)
Now, on to the Sword. I was surprised at the size of this katana when I opened the box. I have primarily been looking at European swords, witch are commonly over 30" blades so I considered a 27" short, but this is a formidable weapon!
The blade is quite sharp over most of its edge, although not perfectly uniformly so. some places are slightly sharper than others, but even the dull spots are satisfactory for this price. The only exception is the edge on the kissaki is slightly dull ( just barely visible in the light)
This is ok because the kissaki is also where the "scratch and dent" occurs. There are a few machine marks left in the area. very very light on one side, but on the other there is a spot about 1/8" where the machine marks are pretty visible. These would obviously not be present on the non-"scratched" models.
The (real) hamon is very hard to see, although it is visible in some places better than others. This is compounded by the grain of the folded steel, which while very faint, makes it hard to tell which line demarks the hamon and which is just a line of the grain
The bo-hi is attractive and well executed. overall, I would give the blade good marks
The fitting are a mixed bag. I love the simple elegance of the "double comma" tsuba which is smooth except for some small attractive patterning around the rim. however the point of one of the "commas" rubs on by thumb occasionally and will need to be rounded a little. It is black colored brass, as are the fuchi and kashira and dragon menukis. There are panels of what claims to be real ray skin under the ito, and while I cannot confirm or deny, this claim, I can say that it could be dome better. the panels are too narrow and the wood can be seen around them just barely in a couple of places. he blue cotton Ito wrap is very suitably even and extremely tight ( I could hardly shift it using a small screw driver to better cover the ray skin) I am just getting used to this kind of grip, so I cannot comment any further on the comfort or handling of the grip other than to say it is very solid and confidence inspiring.
I have cut a couple of 20 oz soda bottles with it and it cut with ease and I cave no doubts it will be and otherwise excellent cutter. More cut are forthcoming!
Overall, I love my new sword! it is better than I expected for the price, and an excellent addition to my weapon collection.
I have taken several decent pictures and would be happy to post them If someone would be kind enough to tell me how. No sword review is complete without pictures!