9260 Tenchi Katana no bo-hi review (updated with video!!!)
Apr 28, 2011 1:21:56 GMT
Post by FernandoP on Apr 28, 2011 1:21:56 GMT
Hello, i am posting here the pictures of my Cheness Tenchi Katana.
Overview: I bought this model after reading other reviews including the one by Paul Southern in the Sword Buyers Guide. After watching what this sword was capable of, i figured it was the ultimate replica, a sturdy weapon that could endure any trial imposed to it... and if well taken care of, maybe last a long time.
I ordered it at Mr Chen's website and and got it delivered a week later, their customer service was magnificent i must say.
I am not going to post the sword spec. If you are interested, it's info can be obtained at www.chenessinc.com or at the Sword Buyers Guide website.
Below are the Tenchi pictures:
It came in a nice box, inside a cotton/linen sword bag, the sword sits well in the box and i got it free of any damage.
This is how the sword looks like, it has a nice geometry and balance. Even having a more forward center of gravity and heavier weight than the bo-hi version, it feels pretty good to handle. It allows the practice of katas despite its weight.
The Hamon is very subtle and even being acid etched, looks pretty nice. The Kissaki also has a Hamon, and it has an asymmetrical shape due to how it was polished i suppose, which doesnt decrease its ability to cut.
Blade is thick, and all the fittings are very tight.
Tsuka has real Samegawa and it's wrapped in tight cotton Ito, Menuki are simple and plain. The sword has 2 Mekugi pins, one made of bamboo and one made of brass, in this sword they were placed in a 45 degree angle which is kinda odd, most swords have straight pins across the tang but well, maybe it makes it harder to loosen up? The way the bamboo pin was inserted kinda damaged the Samegawa in both sides, as it can be seen in the picture above, im not going to post the other side as it looks the same. Brass pin was ok despite its weird angle.
The sword has brass made Tsuba and Kashira/Fuchi, which give it an antique and very charming look. Tsuba has a double ring shape.
Here is when its major flaws come up.
As it can be seen in the last pictures posted above, the blade is slightly wider than the Habaki and as it is returned into the Saya, friction is made against it right before it reaches the habaki... As the Saya gets closer to the Habaki, the blade starts to lock it in place which means the Habaki is useless...
The whole problem is the Saya, whoever crafted it was pretty lazy, it's mouth doesnt fit well into the Habaki or the blade ...
The Saya is ugly and i am definitely going to get myself a custom made one, the Tenchi deserves something better than that. The job was lazy and dude for real, i think this is slacking big time... I have 70 dolar value swords with Sayas 1k times better than this, i would not mind paying an extra to get a better one and here is my advice to Mr Chen: GET BETTER SAYAS!
Sageo is made of some synthetic material and being part of the Saya, i think it should be also replaced by better ones.
Check www.budo-aoi.com for different kinds of good quality sageos.
Cutting:
This sword is a real tank as stated by Paul in his review. I have cut plastic bottles, sapplings, fruits and some other tough junk and the Tenchi relentlessly went through them all. The best part is that it does not show any evidence of it other than a few scratches on the polish. I have also bent its blade past 60 degrees and it came back to normal, the blade is somewhat stiff but very resilient, it is very sharp although it does not seems to be and i can tell you it can be dangerous if you dont have any experience. I have cut myself several times performing katas, the accidents were always very small mistakes that resulted in a lot of blood so be careful.
Pros: Very resilient and strong blade, good balance, tight and very nice looking fittings. An incredible weapon.
Cons: Asymmetrical Kissaki and a poorly crafted, crappy Saya.
Mekugi in 45 degree angle is odd but i cant tell if its better or worse afterall...
Functionality 5/5
Aesthetically 3.5/5 it needs a better saya.
Overview: I bought this model after reading other reviews including the one by Paul Southern in the Sword Buyers Guide. After watching what this sword was capable of, i figured it was the ultimate replica, a sturdy weapon that could endure any trial imposed to it... and if well taken care of, maybe last a long time.
I ordered it at Mr Chen's website and and got it delivered a week later, their customer service was magnificent i must say.
I am not going to post the sword spec. If you are interested, it's info can be obtained at www.chenessinc.com or at the Sword Buyers Guide website.
Below are the Tenchi pictures:
It came in a nice box, inside a cotton/linen sword bag, the sword sits well in the box and i got it free of any damage.
This is how the sword looks like, it has a nice geometry and balance. Even having a more forward center of gravity and heavier weight than the bo-hi version, it feels pretty good to handle. It allows the practice of katas despite its weight.
The Hamon is very subtle and even being acid etched, looks pretty nice. The Kissaki also has a Hamon, and it has an asymmetrical shape due to how it was polished i suppose, which doesnt decrease its ability to cut.
Blade is thick, and all the fittings are very tight.
Tsuka has real Samegawa and it's wrapped in tight cotton Ito, Menuki are simple and plain. The sword has 2 Mekugi pins, one made of bamboo and one made of brass, in this sword they were placed in a 45 degree angle which is kinda odd, most swords have straight pins across the tang but well, maybe it makes it harder to loosen up? The way the bamboo pin was inserted kinda damaged the Samegawa in both sides, as it can be seen in the picture above, im not going to post the other side as it looks the same. Brass pin was ok despite its weird angle.
The sword has brass made Tsuba and Kashira/Fuchi, which give it an antique and very charming look. Tsuba has a double ring shape.
Here is when its major flaws come up.
As it can be seen in the last pictures posted above, the blade is slightly wider than the Habaki and as it is returned into the Saya, friction is made against it right before it reaches the habaki... As the Saya gets closer to the Habaki, the blade starts to lock it in place which means the Habaki is useless...
The whole problem is the Saya, whoever crafted it was pretty lazy, it's mouth doesnt fit well into the Habaki or the blade ...
The Saya is ugly and i am definitely going to get myself a custom made one, the Tenchi deserves something better than that. The job was lazy and dude for real, i think this is slacking big time... I have 70 dolar value swords with Sayas 1k times better than this, i would not mind paying an extra to get a better one and here is my advice to Mr Chen: GET BETTER SAYAS!
Sageo is made of some synthetic material and being part of the Saya, i think it should be also replaced by better ones.
Check www.budo-aoi.com for different kinds of good quality sageos.
Cutting:
This sword is a real tank as stated by Paul in his review. I have cut plastic bottles, sapplings, fruits and some other tough junk and the Tenchi relentlessly went through them all. The best part is that it does not show any evidence of it other than a few scratches on the polish. I have also bent its blade past 60 degrees and it came back to normal, the blade is somewhat stiff but very resilient, it is very sharp although it does not seems to be and i can tell you it can be dangerous if you dont have any experience. I have cut myself several times performing katas, the accidents were always very small mistakes that resulted in a lot of blood so be careful.
Pros: Very resilient and strong blade, good balance, tight and very nice looking fittings. An incredible weapon.
Cons: Asymmetrical Kissaki and a poorly crafted, crappy Saya.
Mekugi in 45 degree angle is odd but i cant tell if its better or worse afterall...
Functionality 5/5
Aesthetically 3.5/5 it needs a better saya.