Chikara V3 review
Apr 28, 2012 21:57:26 GMT
Post by kasim18 on Apr 28, 2012 21:57:26 GMT
Global Gear Chikara Katana V3 Review
So, everyone here has probably seen the review of the Global Gear Chikara V1 right? Beautiful hamon, nice fittings etc, then the V2 came out, I don’t want to trash talk, but it wasn’t as great. Now, the V3 is about to be released, and here is my review
Specs
Weight with saya-1.3 Kg
Without saya-1 kg
POB- 4 inches from tsuba-within a quarter inch
Blade Material-5160 spring steel
Blade length-29 inches
Tsuka length-11 inches
Overall-40 inches
Fittings-The first thing you will notice is that the ito is not silk or cheap cotton, but suede. This is not traditional by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a trademark of the Chikaras, and very comfortable. The second thing is the tsuba. It is not the tsuba that was on the first two, and many will probably miss it, a second tsuba did come with it. Both good quality and very nice, I will probably switch them if I can get it taken apart. That’s the other thing about the fittings, very, very tightly assembled. I’m sure a more experienced member could take it apart no problem, but I have no experience with that particular activity and I am nervous about applying any more force, it is solid as a rock, not going anywhere during any reasonable use. The saya is a powder coated black and the friction fit there is absolutely perfect
Blade-ah, the legendary Chikara blade. The hamon is breath taking, I mean stunning. So vivid and active, as awe inspiring as the original. :shock: But it is changed. The original was a ‘wave’ hamon, and this is what they called a ‘fire vein’. Less rounded curves and more movement than I saw in the original review. The blade is nicely polish the whole length. There is no yokote, geometric or otherwise, but the kissaki is very nicely shaped, and polished the same as the rest of the blade. Feels very sharp to the touch, will get to cutting later
Handling- :lol: this sword is only a kilo, and the POB is around 4 inches. It handles extremely well. Very fast, turns on a dime, with the bohi making a very nice tachi kaze (sword wind sound) on the infrequent occasions my form is acceptable. But for all the speed, and the fact you could swing all day with little fatigue, it has plenty of presence, you really feel the power of this blade. I don’t want to put it down
Cutting Tests- passed a paper cutting test with flying colors. Then I went out to cut bottles. The empty bottles were batted around the yard due to my horrendous form, so I added water. These cut just fine, along the path I provided, my form really is garbage. :cry: Anyone who has any skill could do some fancy cuts with it
Where to buy-this sword is available exclusively from Global Gear for 490 AUD in Australia, or 590 outside of Australia, plus import taxes. It’s definitely not cheap, but when you look at what else is available, this thing could sell for quite a bit more. Cutting, fittings, blade, it is definitely worth it.
Rating-Four of five stars
Pros
Very nice polish
Incredible handling
Nice cutter
Stunning hamon
Not coming apart during any reasonable use
Extra tsuba, very cool
Perfect saya friction fit-poder coated saya
Cons-
I cannot get it apart, someone with proper experience and tools could do it, but I can’t get it.
Rayskin is much lower quality on one side, but all real skin
Changed tsuba. Still pretty cool and fairly easily switched if it is really an issue, but the old one was a true work of art and has become hard to find
pricey, especially outside of Australia
in all, very nice job Global Gear, congrats on a well made sword.
So, everyone here has probably seen the review of the Global Gear Chikara V1 right? Beautiful hamon, nice fittings etc, then the V2 came out, I don’t want to trash talk, but it wasn’t as great. Now, the V3 is about to be released, and here is my review
Specs
Weight with saya-1.3 Kg
Without saya-1 kg
POB- 4 inches from tsuba-within a quarter inch
Blade Material-5160 spring steel
Blade length-29 inches
Tsuka length-11 inches
Overall-40 inches
Fittings-The first thing you will notice is that the ito is not silk or cheap cotton, but suede. This is not traditional by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a trademark of the Chikaras, and very comfortable. The second thing is the tsuba. It is not the tsuba that was on the first two, and many will probably miss it, a second tsuba did come with it. Both good quality and very nice, I will probably switch them if I can get it taken apart. That’s the other thing about the fittings, very, very tightly assembled. I’m sure a more experienced member could take it apart no problem, but I have no experience with that particular activity and I am nervous about applying any more force, it is solid as a rock, not going anywhere during any reasonable use. The saya is a powder coated black and the friction fit there is absolutely perfect
Blade-ah, the legendary Chikara blade. The hamon is breath taking, I mean stunning. So vivid and active, as awe inspiring as the original. :shock: But it is changed. The original was a ‘wave’ hamon, and this is what they called a ‘fire vein’. Less rounded curves and more movement than I saw in the original review. The blade is nicely polish the whole length. There is no yokote, geometric or otherwise, but the kissaki is very nicely shaped, and polished the same as the rest of the blade. Feels very sharp to the touch, will get to cutting later
Handling- :lol: this sword is only a kilo, and the POB is around 4 inches. It handles extremely well. Very fast, turns on a dime, with the bohi making a very nice tachi kaze (sword wind sound) on the infrequent occasions my form is acceptable. But for all the speed, and the fact you could swing all day with little fatigue, it has plenty of presence, you really feel the power of this blade. I don’t want to put it down
Cutting Tests- passed a paper cutting test with flying colors. Then I went out to cut bottles. The empty bottles were batted around the yard due to my horrendous form, so I added water. These cut just fine, along the path I provided, my form really is garbage. :cry: Anyone who has any skill could do some fancy cuts with it
Where to buy-this sword is available exclusively from Global Gear for 490 AUD in Australia, or 590 outside of Australia, plus import taxes. It’s definitely not cheap, but when you look at what else is available, this thing could sell for quite a bit more. Cutting, fittings, blade, it is definitely worth it.
Rating-Four of five stars
Pros
Very nice polish
Incredible handling
Nice cutter
Stunning hamon
Not coming apart during any reasonable use
Extra tsuba, very cool
Perfect saya friction fit-poder coated saya
Cons-
I cannot get it apart, someone with proper experience and tools could do it, but I can’t get it.
Rayskin is much lower quality on one side, but all real skin
Changed tsuba. Still pretty cool and fairly easily switched if it is really an issue, but the old one was a true work of art and has become hard to find
pricey, especially outside of Australia
in all, very nice job Global Gear, congrats on a well made sword.