edit: handmade ninja-to designed by master park review
Jun 30, 2011 7:30:46 GMT
Post by nddave on Jun 30, 2011 7:30:46 GMT
Edit: Formerly munetoshi ninja-to review. sword is actually made by an independent forge in california and sold by swordnarmory.
hi everyone,
This is my first review plus I'm doing it on a smart phone so if its a little sloppy, I apologize. I am reviewing the Munetoshi Ninja-To. now I know the ninja-to isn't considered a historically accurate japanese sword, and is considered a modern creation from ninjutsu master Stephen Hayes. but arguments aside, what you have here is a good functional representation of this modern Japanese style sword.
The sword came shipped in two cardboard boxes. the second on opening held the sword in styrofoam. the sword was inside a black cotton sword bag. The blade was housed inside the saya in the bag, also the blade was slid into a thin plastic bag with oil inside to protect it during shipment.
Overall Stats:
Blade Length: 22"
Handle Length: 10"
Overall Length: 33”
Guard: 3x3” square tsuba
Point of Balance: 4”
Center of Percussion: N/A
Weight: A little above 2 lbs
5oz
The blade is 22" made of 1065 mono steel with mirror polish. the hamon is etched. the blade also features a bo-hi.
kissaki is 1" and polished to match the hamon. unlike most ninja-to the kissaki is rounded like a katana rather than squared.
the blade balances at 4" from the tsuba. Its light but feels blade heavy one handed when held above the menuki.
the tsuka is 10" long with white rayskin panels and black alternating cotton ito. The tsuba is blacked steel in the ninja style square, tsuba is 3x3". Seppa and habaki are brass while the tsuka fittings(can't spell traditional names) are brass colored alloy. The saya is 24" long, wood laquered black in high gloss, the sageo is black chemical fiber. The ninja-to is 33" long and weighs 2lbs 5oz without the saya, with saya it is 35" long.
Overall Opinion:
This sword is very impressive for what it is. Aside from a few cosmetic flaws this sword is a good competitor for the title of top ninja-to under $200. The blade is durable and came with a functional edge, not too sharp but definitely sharp enough. the blade is thicker and wider than most katana I've owned but that is also the ninja-to style. The assembily was well done and dis-assembily was easy and met my standards when inspected. The samegawa could have been better and is more off white but for the price it is well done. There are no nicks in the panels and the ito is tight and well wrapped. The diamonds are a little small but so is the tsuka, actually its the smallest in diameter I've held which is nice and comfortable to me. The tsuba is simple and screams ninja with its square design. its painted flat black and is well made with no blemishes. The saya has a few minor bumps in it but nothing to worry to much about. the laquer hides them well. The blade fits snug into it and draws fast, would have preferred cotton sageo but the chemical fiber works and the knot is tied well.
Overall for under $100 this sword is awesome. I've handled both the musashi and hanwei practical ninja and this one beats both overall in my opinion in regards to handling and overall presentation.
Historical Accuracy: n/a Depends on if you believe master park's(chosen ninja) origin of this swords design(its on youtube if your interested). or the theory that the Koga and Iga clan used simple straight blade tool swords.
Durability: 5/5 Strong blade, tight and sturdy construction and hilt assembly.
Sharpness: 4/5 Good edge. Haven't cut much due to the thunder storm but it went through an empty milk jug easily. Its not razor sharp but definitely sharp enough.
Fit and Finish: 4/5 nice and tight, no wobbles, assembles and dis-assembles easily. cheaper parts but for the price can't complain. if it was in the $300 market I'd give it a 3/5.
Overall: 5/5 Aside from a few blemishes and cheaper parts this sword is superb. For under $100 this sword is definitely a five star sword
This ninja-to is for sale at swordnarmory.com for only $94.98, including free shipping. it is described as "the handmade ninja sword designed by master park".
Thanks for reading, D
hi everyone,
This is my first review plus I'm doing it on a smart phone so if its a little sloppy, I apologize. I am reviewing the Munetoshi Ninja-To. now I know the ninja-to isn't considered a historically accurate japanese sword, and is considered a modern creation from ninjutsu master Stephen Hayes. but arguments aside, what you have here is a good functional representation of this modern Japanese style sword.
The sword came shipped in two cardboard boxes. the second on opening held the sword in styrofoam. the sword was inside a black cotton sword bag. The blade was housed inside the saya in the bag, also the blade was slid into a thin plastic bag with oil inside to protect it during shipment.
Overall Stats:
Blade Length: 22"
Handle Length: 10"
Overall Length: 33”
Guard: 3x3” square tsuba
Point of Balance: 4”
Center of Percussion: N/A
Weight: A little above 2 lbs
5oz
The blade is 22" made of 1065 mono steel with mirror polish. the hamon is etched. the blade also features a bo-hi.
kissaki is 1" and polished to match the hamon. unlike most ninja-to the kissaki is rounded like a katana rather than squared.
the blade balances at 4" from the tsuba. Its light but feels blade heavy one handed when held above the menuki.
the tsuka is 10" long with white rayskin panels and black alternating cotton ito. The tsuba is blacked steel in the ninja style square, tsuba is 3x3". Seppa and habaki are brass while the tsuka fittings(can't spell traditional names) are brass colored alloy. The saya is 24" long, wood laquered black in high gloss, the sageo is black chemical fiber. The ninja-to is 33" long and weighs 2lbs 5oz without the saya, with saya it is 35" long.
Overall Opinion:
This sword is very impressive for what it is. Aside from a few cosmetic flaws this sword is a good competitor for the title of top ninja-to under $200. The blade is durable and came with a functional edge, not too sharp but definitely sharp enough. the blade is thicker and wider than most katana I've owned but that is also the ninja-to style. The assembily was well done and dis-assembily was easy and met my standards when inspected. The samegawa could have been better and is more off white but for the price it is well done. There are no nicks in the panels and the ito is tight and well wrapped. The diamonds are a little small but so is the tsuka, actually its the smallest in diameter I've held which is nice and comfortable to me. The tsuba is simple and screams ninja with its square design. its painted flat black and is well made with no blemishes. The saya has a few minor bumps in it but nothing to worry to much about. the laquer hides them well. The blade fits snug into it and draws fast, would have preferred cotton sageo but the chemical fiber works and the knot is tied well.
Overall for under $100 this sword is awesome. I've handled both the musashi and hanwei practical ninja and this one beats both overall in my opinion in regards to handling and overall presentation.
Historical Accuracy: n/a Depends on if you believe master park's(chosen ninja) origin of this swords design(its on youtube if your interested). or the theory that the Koga and Iga clan used simple straight blade tool swords.
Durability: 5/5 Strong blade, tight and sturdy construction and hilt assembly.
Sharpness: 4/5 Good edge. Haven't cut much due to the thunder storm but it went through an empty milk jug easily. Its not razor sharp but definitely sharp enough.
Fit and Finish: 4/5 nice and tight, no wobbles, assembles and dis-assembles easily. cheaper parts but for the price can't complain. if it was in the $300 market I'd give it a 3/5.
Overall: 5/5 Aside from a few blemishes and cheaper parts this sword is superb. For under $100 this sword is definitely a five star sword
This ninja-to is for sale at swordnarmory.com for only $94.98, including free shipping. it is described as "the handmade ninja sword designed by master park".
Thanks for reading, D