Munetoshi Nisshoku
May 17, 2012 4:00:10 GMT
Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on May 17, 2012 4:00:10 GMT
Hello, fellow sword community! This is practically the reason why I have been quiet with my posts. Most importantly, I am here with my very first sword review for 2 reasons:
-So I can practice my reviewer skills Obviously...
-I rarely saw any reviews on the Nisshoku, so... Here.
Introduction
I've always wanted to get a Ko-katana with a longer saya, making it a "Ninja" sword, more specifically the Munetoshi Nisshoku. I was originally planning on buying this sword after I got my SBG Custom, but my impatience got the best of me. So, I bought the sword as a way to feed my impatience and to also have a "Ninja" Sword. And this is my FIRST TIME REVIEWING, so feel free to say what I left out or what parts I didn't put specific info into. :mrgreen:
Historical Background
I'm not going into the ninja sword debate that has been going for a long period of time, but I can say that this sword is what is most considering "the historical type", not the Hollywood type. The historical type is said to have a wakizashi length blade with a standard length size tsuka and and saya, for which was said was for the purpose of hiding a concealed blade that can be drawn out faster than a katana. When the improvised weapon is in its saya, it looked like any ordinary katana most people had back then, much like the Cheness Oniyuri. In general, the weapon was design for an assassin, meaning a ninja! This is just the simplified version of what I have sometimes seen as 2 and a half page long threads explaining the whole origin of the Ninja in general, but for now, the sword is the main thing.
Full Disclosure
I'm just the average collector of swords. I bought this sword with a 5% Discount and free shipping, totaling around $160. Yes, I am a tight budget sword guy and this did hurt my budget, but not a lot. :? It's actually seems worth the value. Though not as tough as the nearly indestructable Cheness Oniyuri, the Munetoshi Nisshoku seems like an ideal alternative for this type of sword.
Initial Impressions
The sword came in the usual cardboard shipping boxes, 2 boxes to be exact. The sword was wrapped in a decorated sword bag and also came with a decorated display box, a certificate of authenticity, and a bag with a spare seppa and 2 extra mekugi pegs. For starters, I like freebies, so this review is steering into a positive one.
The sword is the main thing anyway, and as expected, it was one of the lightest swords I've held, maybe lighter than my Musashi. The sword is short with a long saya anyway. When I pulled it out, it had the usual sword package oil and instinctively wiped it off. This sword is going good so far.
Statistics
According to the SwordNArmory specs page, here are the statistics: (I'll continue to add more on statistics later)
Blade Material: T10 Steel (On the SNA page, the certificate says 1095)
Blade/Nagasa Length: 22"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.5"
Overall Length: 33"
POB (Point of Balance): 4"
Weight: 1.85lb without the saya
Components
I would say, from the eyes of a beginner collector, the fit and finish is above standards compared to other budget katana.
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade features a No-hi and an authentic Notare hamon. Thanks to the T10 Steel, the hamon was displayed on the blade very beautifully. The blade was sharpened all the way to the habaki, which I found odd, since that would mean an increased chance of cutting yourself when putting it back. Though, I did find it cool in a way.
I also noticed that the edge isn't exactly "razor sharp". I did the trick with holding the sword towards the light and see if light reflects off the edge, showing a dull blade, and I did see a thin gline of light shine on small portions of the blade. They were small portions, the blade overall is sharp enough to cut light targets.
The kissaki was smoothly finished, with the hamon having a "Burnt" look on the other side of the blade on the photo above. Aesthetically I found it a really unique type of hamon.
The Tsuka
The tsuka has the standard wrap. The ito doesn't look cotton to me though. It looks a bit more synthetic looking, as you can see the ito reflecting light from the camera. I prefer cotton more personally, but the ito feels nice in the hands.
The Tsuba
A Sukashi moko themed iron tsuba. It was simple, but a it was a bit plain. A bit utilitarian than aesthetic. Overall, it still looks good to the eyes of a beginner. :mrgreen:
The Fuchi-Kashira/Menuki
The overall menuki had a "flower" theme to it. The Fuchi and Kashira, however, had more of a gold pebbled theme.
The Saya
The saya was the usual 29" black lacquered paint and with synthetic sageo. The only significance about it is the obvious fact that it's longer than the blade. :lol:
Handling Characteristics
I'm no 6 footer, nor am I short person. I'm around 5'8" and this is one of the lightest swords I've handled. The handling is very similar to my Musashi Bamboo, yet shorter. The katana has a No-hi so that can mean
Test Cutting
I did the paper cut test and it was able to cut through easily. The top slices were tested on the lower part of the blade, near the habaki, and the ones on the bottom were in the cutting area of the blade, near the kissaki. It hard to see, but the bottom ones were cleaner, for those were cut from the cutting portion of the blade.
And lastly, I tested it on the package box,
Conclusions
This is a good alternative to other "Ninja" katana like the Cheness Oniyuri. Though not as tough as the Oniyuri, the Nisshoku is good to add to anyone's collection that is primarily interested in ninjas and/or shorter bladed swords.
Pros
- Definitely has that authentic "ninja" feel to it
- Fast and light
- Nice, natural Hamon
- Great value, even for someone with a budget like me :roll:
- Comes with a nice display box, sword bag, and spare parts.
Cons
- Some, like me, may dislike the synthetic ito
- It is sharp enough to cut light targets, but not exactly razor sharp.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to anyone who has a few extra cash lying around and is looking for an as nice and cheaper alternative to a "Ninja" Katana
-So I can practice my reviewer skills Obviously...
-I rarely saw any reviews on the Nisshoku, so... Here.
Introduction
I've always wanted to get a Ko-katana with a longer saya, making it a "Ninja" sword, more specifically the Munetoshi Nisshoku. I was originally planning on buying this sword after I got my SBG Custom, but my impatience got the best of me. So, I bought the sword as a way to feed my impatience and to also have a "Ninja" Sword. And this is my FIRST TIME REVIEWING, so feel free to say what I left out or what parts I didn't put specific info into. :mrgreen:
Historical Background
I'm not going into the ninja sword debate that has been going for a long period of time, but I can say that this sword is what is most considering "the historical type", not the Hollywood type. The historical type is said to have a wakizashi length blade with a standard length size tsuka and and saya, for which was said was for the purpose of hiding a concealed blade that can be drawn out faster than a katana. When the improvised weapon is in its saya, it looked like any ordinary katana most people had back then, much like the Cheness Oniyuri. In general, the weapon was design for an assassin, meaning a ninja! This is just the simplified version of what I have sometimes seen as 2 and a half page long threads explaining the whole origin of the Ninja in general, but for now, the sword is the main thing.
Full Disclosure
I'm just the average collector of swords. I bought this sword with a 5% Discount and free shipping, totaling around $160. Yes, I am a tight budget sword guy and this did hurt my budget, but not a lot. :? It's actually seems worth the value. Though not as tough as the nearly indestructable Cheness Oniyuri, the Munetoshi Nisshoku seems like an ideal alternative for this type of sword.
Initial Impressions
The sword came in the usual cardboard shipping boxes, 2 boxes to be exact. The sword was wrapped in a decorated sword bag and also came with a decorated display box, a certificate of authenticity, and a bag with a spare seppa and 2 extra mekugi pegs. For starters, I like freebies, so this review is steering into a positive one.
The sword is the main thing anyway, and as expected, it was one of the lightest swords I've held, maybe lighter than my Musashi. The sword is short with a long saya anyway. When I pulled it out, it had the usual sword package oil and instinctively wiped it off. This sword is going good so far.
Statistics
According to the SwordNArmory specs page, here are the statistics: (I'll continue to add more on statistics later)
Blade Material: T10 Steel (On the SNA page, the certificate says 1095)
Blade/Nagasa Length: 22"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.5"
Overall Length: 33"
POB (Point of Balance): 4"
Weight: 1.85lb without the saya
Components
I would say, from the eyes of a beginner collector, the fit and finish is above standards compared to other budget katana.
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade features a No-hi and an authentic Notare hamon. Thanks to the T10 Steel, the hamon was displayed on the blade very beautifully. The blade was sharpened all the way to the habaki, which I found odd, since that would mean an increased chance of cutting yourself when putting it back. Though, I did find it cool in a way.
I also noticed that the edge isn't exactly "razor sharp". I did the trick with holding the sword towards the light and see if light reflects off the edge, showing a dull blade, and I did see a thin gline of light shine on small portions of the blade. They were small portions, the blade overall is sharp enough to cut light targets.
The kissaki was smoothly finished, with the hamon having a "Burnt" look on the other side of the blade on the photo above. Aesthetically I found it a really unique type of hamon.
The Tsuka
The tsuka has the standard wrap. The ito doesn't look cotton to me though. It looks a bit more synthetic looking, as you can see the ito reflecting light from the camera. I prefer cotton more personally, but the ito feels nice in the hands.
The Tsuba
A Sukashi moko themed iron tsuba. It was simple, but a it was a bit plain. A bit utilitarian than aesthetic. Overall, it still looks good to the eyes of a beginner. :mrgreen:
The Fuchi-Kashira/Menuki
The overall menuki had a "flower" theme to it. The Fuchi and Kashira, however, had more of a gold pebbled theme.
The Saya
The saya was the usual 29" black lacquered paint and with synthetic sageo. The only significance about it is the obvious fact that it's longer than the blade. :lol:
Handling Characteristics
I'm no 6 footer, nor am I short person. I'm around 5'8" and this is one of the lightest swords I've handled. The handling is very similar to my Musashi Bamboo, yet shorter. The katana has a No-hi so that can mean
Test Cutting
I did the paper cut test and it was able to cut through easily. The top slices were tested on the lower part of the blade, near the habaki, and the ones on the bottom were in the cutting area of the blade, near the kissaki. It hard to see, but the bottom ones were cleaner, for those were cut from the cutting portion of the blade.
And lastly, I tested it on the package box,
Conclusions
This is a good alternative to other "Ninja" katana like the Cheness Oniyuri. Though not as tough as the Oniyuri, the Nisshoku is good to add to anyone's collection that is primarily interested in ninjas and/or shorter bladed swords.
Pros
- Definitely has that authentic "ninja" feel to it
- Fast and light
- Nice, natural Hamon
- Great value, even for someone with a budget like me :roll:
- Comes with a nice display box, sword bag, and spare parts.
Cons
- Some, like me, may dislike the synthetic ito
- It is sharp enough to cut light targets, but not exactly razor sharp.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to anyone who has a few extra cash lying around and is looking for an as nice and cheaper alternative to a "Ninja" Katana