Hanwei Three Monkey vs. Masahiro Musashi Elite
Apr 2, 2011 5:18:18 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2011 5:18:18 GMT
(Top: Hanwei Three Monkey, Mid: Masahiro Musashi Elite, Bottom: my old bokken)
Introduction
I'm gonna give this a shot. I don't think I'm really qualified to be taken too seriously on these reviews, but I can share some info. I'll give you some measurements and my observations on these two swords.
Historical overview
I don't know enough about it to make any intelligent comments.
Full Disclosure
These are the only swords I've handled. Somehow I managed to avoid stainless steel for all these years. A few months ago I realized I could get something functional and relatively affordable. I wasted no time, or thought, and rushed right over to ebay. I at least knew enough to look for carbon steel, but that was about it.
Initial Impressions
old bokken: I love this thing, I got it as a gift from a friend about 10-12 years ago. It cuts up dried up twigs like butter.
Masahiro Musashi Elite: I bought this one on ebay for $80, which was too much looking back on it. It did come in a nice box, and a stand that was made in some high school shop class somewhere. I practically needed a hammer to get it out of the saya the first time. Once I got it out and held it for the first time, I was like.......aaww man. It's heavy and unwieldy. Everything looks cheap. The blade is a little bent. It wasn't what I was looking for. I knew nothing would be as light as the bokken, but I was at least hoping for balance. I wan't planning on a collection, I just wanted one good one. So now I go and buy another one.
Hanwei Three Monkey: This one is much better, and it should be. It costs about four times the price of the Masahiro. But after getting a bomb, I was determined to get that one good sword. And it's good, but there was a rattle in the saya right out of the box. I googled "hanwei saya rattle" and got a lot of hits. I can understand why. Doesn't make me happy, but I realize once you start talking about a custom saya for each sword, the price will go way up. I ripped off a couple small pieces of the packaging foam from the box it came in, and put them down in there. I also cut a 1/2" by 1/4" piece of paper and glued it into the bottom (or top, whatever side is opposite the blade) of the saya. The sword wanted to fall out if I tipped it at all. This tiny piece of paper works great, it holds nice now, not too tight, not too loose.
Statistics
These numbers surprised me. They're a lot different than whats advertised.
Masahiro Musashi Elite:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 28"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 14"
Overall Length: 42 1/2"
Guard/Tsuba Width: 2 3/4"
POB (Point of Balance): 5 3/4"
COP (Center of Percussion): uhhmm
Weight: 2lb 3oz
Hanwei Three Monkey:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 28"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall Length: 39 1/2"
Guard/Tsuba Width: 2 5/8"
POB (Point of Balance): 4 7/8"
COP (Center of Percussion): i don't know
Weight: 1lb 15.2oz!! advertised as 2lb 5oz
old bokken:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 29 1/2"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10 1/4"
Overall Length: 39 3/4"
Guard/Tsuba Width: non-applicable
POB (Point of Balance): 6 7/8"
COP (Center of Percussion): ...
Weight: 1lb 4oz
Components
Ok picture time.
The Blade/Nagasa
I don't know much about what's historically accurate or not, so I'll just show the pics on this one.
Masahiro:
(notice the time and care that went into the wirebrushwork)
Hanwei:
I wish it didn't have that frosty hamon, I'm not gonna mess with it for now though.
old bokken:
The Handle/Tsuka
Masahiro:
It's too big. It's not very tightly wrapped. I think the menuki are plastic. The mekugi are scary. They seem jammed in there kind of crooked. I'm afraid of this sword, I don't trust it to stay together.
Hanwei:
It has a very slight curve to it, but I guess this is the "axe handle". The ito feels comfortable and it's nice and tight.
old bokken:
I sanded it down when i first got it. Then I had masking tape wrapped around it for a while. When I peeled that off, it left a tacky residue which I actually really liked. It's pretty much all worn away now.
The Guard/Tsuba
Masahiro:
Pretty standard design, but this is the one part on this sword that feels solid.
Hanwei:
I love it. It's got monkeys!
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Masahiro:
I think it's plastic. Scares me.
Hanwei:
More monkeys, solid fittings.
Seppa
Masahiro:
Notice how thin they look. seems like you could bend it with your teeth.
Hanwei:
It's just a much better fit.
Sageo
Masahiro:
This thing doesn't look "shoe-lacey", it IS a shoelace. They must have run out when they were making these, and some guy took it out of his keds.
Hanwei:
This is what happened to the original sageo that came with the sword. Once I untied the fancy knot, it was over.
I found Tozando.com though and ordered a couple. This is one of them. They feel wonderful, and Tozando got them to me from Japan in only 3 days!
Handling Characteristics
Masahiro:
I don't want to handle it. It scares me. On top of feeling like it might fly out of the tsuka, it's so tip heavy (to me at least) that I just don't feel comfortable with it at all.
Hanwei:
Handles like a dream. It's really not much heavier than the bokken.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
I have yet to do any cutting. I really want to avoid any accidents, so I'm not in a hurry. I rushed buying my first sword and was unhappy. I don't want to rush this aspect of it and be unhappy. I've been going through the motions of some basic swings with the hanwei, but that's about it so far.
Conclusions
Quality over quantity (at least for me anyway).
Pros
Masahiro: It came with a nice box. I will say the steel feels pretty solid. But I know as much about steel as Charlie Sheen knows about sobriety.
Hanwei: Nice solid feel. Lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. I like the monkeys.
Cons
Masahiro: To sum it up quickly, I just don't feel like it's safe.
Hanwei: saya fit issues, and a ratty sageo are all I can say negative about it.
The Bottom Line
I definitley will not be purchasing another Masahiro sword. The Three Monkey is great and I do plan on purchasing the wakizashi, but I don't think I want a bunch of Hanwei's either. As much as I would prefer a Japanese made blade, it seems out of reach. I'm trying to avoid a big collection, but I am interested in the Kris 29A. The other thing I've been drooling over is the Tozando custom iaito. I have never taken iaido, but it seems like a great way to learn about the sword and improve balance, stability and patience all at the same time. Anyway, I'm getting pretty tired here...I hope you at least enjoyed the pictures.