WSS Ko-Katana- Short review No Pics
Mar 4, 2011 0:13:38 GMT
Post by Crimsoned on Mar 4, 2011 0:13:38 GMT
So I received my WSS Ko Katana yesterday. Arrived with several black rust stains along the mune and ha, along with some on the habaki, unacceptable in a new condition sword but for me, not really a problem that some oil or mags and a little rubbing can handle. The blade itself came well oiled, so I am unsure where the rust originated from (shipping or perhaps was there already).
The Ito is very tight, the samegawa is of decent quality, competing with some of Hanwei's offerings- no emperor nodes however). Fittings are all good, and I'd say very attractive. The Tsuba is nice, however I will switch it given time, I am no fan of free publicity on anything I buy. Marc's good choice of a satin polish on the ha, and higher polish on the shinogi is well received. The saya is quite aesthetically pleasing, and I'd say its one of the best parts of this sword.
The included sword bag is a nice touch.
There is no play as of yet, and doesn't feel there will be any. I have not taken it apart for closer inspection but I will, although I should have before I even tested it.
It came very sharp, and easily dispatched it's own shipping box with a diagonal downwards strike, and a horizontal slash. Very clean cuts. It only produced 2 cosmetic scratches much to my surprise.
Then came the secondary test I put all my swords though before even attempting truly hard targets like freshly plucked bamboo.
I took a soft wood 2x4 which I had tested my KC 29, Musashi 1060, Hanwei PPK, Hanwei PPE, and a friend's unknown date or smith nihonto. (No nihonto was damaged, and the test was his idea since he's having it polished later this year, actually it did not receive even a scratch).
Unfortunately a bad cut caused some nicks on the WSS Ko-Katana edge near where the kissaski would be. I was saddened, but a bad cut is a bad cut and it is a risk that is taken albeit some katana's fair better then others.
I spoke with Marc, and he said it was a bad cut since he himself had tested his line of swords on many bamboo, and I am inclined to agree with him.
Word of Warning: Remember without proper training even a bad cut can nick a fine blade, even if it doesn't always happen.
I will fix the nicks myself, and clean off the present rust stains and inspect it meanwhile.
I dare not try bamboo on any other sword anymore except my KC 29 III, I am afraid of what can happen with hard bamboo and I am feeling very lucky my other swords sought no similar unfortunate accident.
The Ito is very tight, the samegawa is of decent quality, competing with some of Hanwei's offerings- no emperor nodes however). Fittings are all good, and I'd say very attractive. The Tsuba is nice, however I will switch it given time, I am no fan of free publicity on anything I buy. Marc's good choice of a satin polish on the ha, and higher polish on the shinogi is well received. The saya is quite aesthetically pleasing, and I'd say its one of the best parts of this sword.
The included sword bag is a nice touch.
There is no play as of yet, and doesn't feel there will be any. I have not taken it apart for closer inspection but I will, although I should have before I even tested it.
It came very sharp, and easily dispatched it's own shipping box with a diagonal downwards strike, and a horizontal slash. Very clean cuts. It only produced 2 cosmetic scratches much to my surprise.
Then came the secondary test I put all my swords though before even attempting truly hard targets like freshly plucked bamboo.
I took a soft wood 2x4 which I had tested my KC 29, Musashi 1060, Hanwei PPK, Hanwei PPE, and a friend's unknown date or smith nihonto. (No nihonto was damaged, and the test was his idea since he's having it polished later this year, actually it did not receive even a scratch).
Unfortunately a bad cut caused some nicks on the WSS Ko-Katana edge near where the kissaski would be. I was saddened, but a bad cut is a bad cut and it is a risk that is taken albeit some katana's fair better then others.
I spoke with Marc, and he said it was a bad cut since he himself had tested his line of swords on many bamboo, and I am inclined to agree with him.
Word of Warning: Remember without proper training even a bad cut can nick a fine blade, even if it doesn't always happen.
I will fix the nicks myself, and clean off the present rust stains and inspect it meanwhile.
I dare not try bamboo on any other sword anymore except my KC 29 III, I am afraid of what can happen with hard bamboo and I am feeling very lucky my other swords sought no similar unfortunate accident.