SBG custom katana (concept unsatisfactory)
Jun 9, 2011 22:17:00 GMT
Post by dirtydan on Jun 9, 2011 22:17:00 GMT
I'm throwing this review out there for the record so that anyone who does this design in the future will have a reference. I ordered an SBG custom katana and had to wait quite a while for it, some will remember that batch 15 was delayed a few months by Chinese new year. It came in a standard SBG package: two Styrofoam halves taped together in a cardboard box. The packaging had no more then the usual amount of shipping abuse on it. I opened it to claim my prize...
Specs: Ninjato blade, 29”, bohi, folded steel, hamidashi tsuba, green fau silk ito, black same, C5 lacquered ocean wave fittings, flat black saya. Overall length 41”, blade length 29”, POB 7”, weight 36.3oz, weight w saya 49.8oz, blade width 1 1/4”, blade thickness 3/8”.
First impressions: Everything was well put together, no looseness or rattling. The folded steel blade blended beautifully into the hamon and the kissaki was well done. The lack of a tsuba with the straight blade gives it a slim profile and the black, golden and green fittings go well together.
Second impressions: After a few minutes of dry handling I concluded that the blade is too long for not having a tsuba to counterbalance it. The POB is out near 7” from the habaki; it feels worse then a Cold Steel kat, more like a Chinese dao then a katana. Massive power cuts but forget about recovery. That fake silk ito had loosened up and is showing the wood core. The fittings close up actually look kind of tacky and feel a bit plasticy. Looking down the blade there is a slight set; nothing critical but I'm wondering how it would affect cutting.
Bottom line: This design is impractical as is. If I were to try this experiment again I would have a 27” bohi blade for balance, cotton ito and no lacquered fittings.
Pros:
-Folded steel+hamon+good polish=pure win!
-Haven't cut with it, but the edge is keen and clean.
-The ninjato blade with the hamidashi tsuba does look cool.
Cons:
-Set in the blade, loose ito, tacky fittings; all cosmetic stuff.
-Piss-poor handling due to blade design.
Specs: Ninjato blade, 29”, bohi, folded steel, hamidashi tsuba, green fau silk ito, black same, C5 lacquered ocean wave fittings, flat black saya. Overall length 41”, blade length 29”, POB 7”, weight 36.3oz, weight w saya 49.8oz, blade width 1 1/4”, blade thickness 3/8”.
First impressions: Everything was well put together, no looseness or rattling. The folded steel blade blended beautifully into the hamon and the kissaki was well done. The lack of a tsuba with the straight blade gives it a slim profile and the black, golden and green fittings go well together.
Second impressions: After a few minutes of dry handling I concluded that the blade is too long for not having a tsuba to counterbalance it. The POB is out near 7” from the habaki; it feels worse then a Cold Steel kat, more like a Chinese dao then a katana. Massive power cuts but forget about recovery. That fake silk ito had loosened up and is showing the wood core. The fittings close up actually look kind of tacky and feel a bit plasticy. Looking down the blade there is a slight set; nothing critical but I'm wondering how it would affect cutting.
Bottom line: This design is impractical as is. If I were to try this experiment again I would have a 27” bohi blade for balance, cotton ito and no lacquered fittings.
Pros:
-Folded steel+hamon+good polish=pure win!
-Haven't cut with it, but the edge is keen and clean.
-The ninjato blade with the hamidashi tsuba does look cool.
Cons:
-Set in the blade, loose ito, tacky fittings; all cosmetic stuff.
-Piss-poor handling due to blade design.