Sword N Armory Munetoshi Tactical Wakizashi
Jun 24, 2012 5:25:56 GMT
Post by chrisperoni on Jun 24, 2012 5:25:56 GMT
Sword N Armory Munetoshi Tactical Wakizashi
-review with some comparisons-
by Chris Peroni, June 2012
Introduction
Free sword. Two great words that go great together. That's how I came upon this here Munetoshi Tactical Wakizashi. After scrambling to put together a video submission for the United Backyard Cutters Spring 2012 Multi-Cuts Contest with just one day left to enter, I sat back and said to myself-
"I'm glad I took time to get cutting again. I know I'll never win because I never win anything but at least I had some fun"
Just a couple of days later and I come home to find all these forumites congratulating me! Wicked! I guess I picked the right time to get lucky
The fellows from The Cutting Mechanics were kind enough to cover the cost of the two sword prizes offered by Sword n Armory and contacted me in no time to arrange shipping.
A brief word on the comparisons
(instead of a historical overview)
Essentially this sword is a modern take based on a wakizashi blade. In truth this sword also clearly borrows heavily from the design of the Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi- but I'll get into the comparison of these two tac waks after the regular review of this sword. I'd like to keep the review and the comparisons separate and since I'm writing this post that's just what I'm gonna do.
Full Disclosure
As I've mentioned this sword was given to me for winning a United Backyard Cutters contest. All I had to pay for was the shipping which is a very fair deal. Having explained this I want to say I'm going to be as fair I would ever be regardless. If you know me then you know I say what I feel like and I'm here doin' this review for the betterment of our sword lovin' community. Any bias I show (and there may well be some 'cause me likey this sword ) is based on the effect this sword has on me and how I feel about it compared to the other tac wak which in fact I used to own. Alright then- hope that makes sense.
I also want everyone to recognize I am considering the retail cost of this blade while I review it. At under $100 this is a helluva value.
Initial Impressions
The sword came packaged in classic box-in-box fashion with a standard sword bag tied around the blade and saya. No pics because if you haven't seen what that looks like then go buy a sword man, you'll love it!
First glance of the sword made me smile- I like this tactical look- always have.
Upon lifting the sword from the box and removing the bag I was struck by the lively feeling of the sword. The grip felt great in my hand and I was impressed with how comfortable it felt. Pulling out the blade from its saya I could see it was sharp with a well formed edge. I did note some tarnishing/spots on the habaki and where the tsuba contacts the koiguchi.
I also noticed a small cardboard tag tied to the grip- a spec chart giving different info on the steel type etc. this did throw me off a bit. Turns out this was for another model of sword.
I gave it a few swings in my kitchen and bedroom and was happy with the responsiveness and balance. This is a quick sword for sure. I tested it on a sheet of white paper and found it to be decently paper cutting sharp while leaving just a slightly rough edge.
Statistics
If you don't want to read this part you can watch the video instead
Note the stats at the end of the video are as per SnA; written stats in this review are my own measurements unless otherwise stated
Overall Length: 30 & 3/8"
Nagasa Length: 19 & 3/4"
Sori: 1/2"
Kissaki: 1 & 1/2"
Tsuka: Length 9 & 3/4" , circumference 4" at midpoint of tsuka, thickness (omote to ura) 1", width 1 & 1/4"
Guard/Tsuba: Thickness- 3/16" , length 2 & 5/16" , width 1 & 3/16"
POB (Point of Balance): 2 & 3/8" from top of grip , 1 & 1/2" from munemachi
Weight: as per SnA site - 1.85lbs
COP (Center of Percussion): I can't really tell anything from slapping the end of the tsuka so I tried the bounce/bite test on my stand and it starts to bite the wood about 2 & 1/2" down from the tip and keeps biting all the way down. Even though it bounces a bit for the first 2" or so this blade cuts from kissaki to hamachi man!
Components
Blade: Nohi 1060 monosteel spring tempered with a satin polish, I can clearly make out the scratch pattern lines across the length of the blade- I'd say about a 600 grit polish. Slightly higher polish on shinogi-ji. Keen ha with little niku. It's a no nonsense blade meant for quick cuts and performs admirably at this task. Built for use it's beauty comes from its simplicity.
Tsuka: Nothing traditional about it. Feels good in hand. The G10 slabs on either side of the nagako are comfortable, have a knurled pattern to aid in traction and are rounded on all edges and shaped flush to the steel center. I am curious whether the steel center is truly the nagako, meaning it is all one piece extending through the tsuba to form the blade, or if the nakago is in fact inset into a "U" shaped steel piece showing around all sides. In any case it's as solid a grip as I've ever held and has two large steel pins riveting everything together. I can see at the grooves cut into the tsuka, where the fuchi would be, there is also epoxy used to hold all parts in place.
**update** April 11 2014 - the slabs are coming a bit loose. Seems the glue holding them in place has failed; probably dried out and shrunk. The pins will still keep the slabs in place but I think I'll be taking them off, inspecting the tang (something I wanted to know about for sure anyway) and making a new handle. Also, I think I remember reading somewhere this same issue with another Munetoshi Tac Wak.
Tsuba: Steel with a near mirror polish, has half circle cut outs on each side which are rough finished, as are the holes cut through each end. Some light tarnishing/staining where the saya touches the tsuba was cleaned off easily with oil. Tsuba is solid as a rock.
Habaki: Brass standard fare. It's actually better than I expected considering the price of the sword. However it is just little off center to the ha as can be seen in the following pics. The shape of the habaki doesn't quite follow the shape of the blade. Still, this is typical of any other production katana I've owned and overall it's acceptable. The tarnishing I found on it when I first received it came off easily with a bit of oil. It's tight as a drum.
Saya: Wood with black speckled finish, nylon cord wrapped, plastic koiguchi and kojiri, brass painted kurikata- I say this because I can see the brass paint is scratched off in a couple of spots- the more I consider it the more I figure it's aluminium based on the colouration of the metal underneath and the lightweight feeling. I don't mind the plastic kojiri much but the plastic koiguchi feels cheap. The habaki has a nice tight but not too tight fit to the saya. There's only a tiny bit of rattle at the tip inside the saya when I shake it.
Handling Characteristics
As expected this wakizashi is light and quick. I find it easier to use one handed; when cutting with two hands the blade loses a bit of its presence somehow- as if there's more force imparted from a two arm swing than the blade needs. It's damn fun to cut with and feels extremely well balanced for me.
Test Cutting
Pros & Cons
Pros
-balance, handling
-edge sharpness
-retail price
-habaki good for the price
-aesthetics / visual appeal
Cons
-some plastic parts
-habaki could still be better
Conclusions & The Bottom Line
What do I conclude? This sword is a keeper. It hits all the right spots for me in that way.. you know, when a sword just speaks to you. I can't see anyone being disappointed with this tac wak at the great price it's offered for. Its compact size makes it easy to carry, its balance and weight make it easy to use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparisons to the hanwei tac wak
I've been asked by a few people to give my thoughts on how this Munetoshi sword holds up to the Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi I used to own. For the rest of this comparison I'll refer to the Munetoshi Tactical Wakizashi as MTW and the Hanwei one as HTW.
I fell for the HTW the first time I saw it. The design is not to everybody's tastes but it's that kind of look where if you like it you love it. Clearly many people loved it as the MTW is visually a near perfect match- Munetoshi obviously wants to tap into the same market. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?
The thing about the HTW was, for me, it just wasn't fun to use. I don't really get why since the stats are so similar but the MTW is a TON more fun to cut with. And it's not because the edge is better on the MTW (which it is), it's because the MTW handles so much better for me. I could have put a better edge on the HTW but I wasn't interested in taking the time to do it.edit/add: I seem to have forgotten to mention that it may be something to do with my MTW being nohi, and the HTW of course being with bohi...
Beyond the handling I personally find the slight changes in design on the MTW make it a better looking sword. The tsuba has a little more oval shape to it and is a little more detailed while still being "tactical" looking. I like the steel finish better as well. The pins in the tsuka are bigger and better proportioned to the rest of the sword. the wrap on the saya and gold accent on the kurikata-- again to me these are nicer colours.
Materials-wise the HTW has some advantages which are of particular note given the tactical aspects someone might be considering these swords for.
Blade: MTW has 1060, HTW has 5160 = better rust prevention etc.. HTW has a plasma coating to boot (a big selling point for many people).
-I should note that I've read several reviews on the HTW and tac kat which state the blade(s) are not that sharp out of the box. I noticed that my HTW had a sharp edge but not nearly as sharp as my MTW. The geometry of the edge on the MTW is much better as well.
Saya: HTW is synthetic, and it's wood on the MTW
- now to me this isn't a big deal but I can see where a synthetic saya would be an advantage over a wooden one which could absorb moisture etc. As for the drain hole in the HTW saya, I think that's a bit gimmicky (in a good way) but I could easily drill a hole into the MTW saya.
Habaki: Big win for the MTW on this one. The habaki on the HTW looks like this:
***hanwei habaki multi pic -rough ground edges, very thin on one side, weld spot marks***
Tsuka: I prefer the rounded edges on the MTW and think anyone would. The HTW was just too squared off. The G10 scales of the MTW have a bit more traction to them- slightly more rubber feel vs. a smoother feel on the HTW grip.
Recap
MTW wins for sharpness out of the box, looks, grip feel, handling/balance, and price- which is about half of the cost of the HTW
HTW wins for steel type and finish, saya material in a tactical world
-Chris
-review with some comparisons-
by Chris Peroni, June 2012
Introduction
Free sword. Two great words that go great together. That's how I came upon this here Munetoshi Tactical Wakizashi. After scrambling to put together a video submission for the United Backyard Cutters Spring 2012 Multi-Cuts Contest with just one day left to enter, I sat back and said to myself-
"I'm glad I took time to get cutting again. I know I'll never win because I never win anything but at least I had some fun"
Just a couple of days later and I come home to find all these forumites congratulating me! Wicked! I guess I picked the right time to get lucky
The fellows from The Cutting Mechanics were kind enough to cover the cost of the two sword prizes offered by Sword n Armory and contacted me in no time to arrange shipping.
A brief word on the comparisons
(instead of a historical overview)
Essentially this sword is a modern take based on a wakizashi blade. In truth this sword also clearly borrows heavily from the design of the Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi- but I'll get into the comparison of these two tac waks after the regular review of this sword. I'd like to keep the review and the comparisons separate and since I'm writing this post that's just what I'm gonna do.
Full Disclosure
As I've mentioned this sword was given to me for winning a United Backyard Cutters contest. All I had to pay for was the shipping which is a very fair deal. Having explained this I want to say I'm going to be as fair I would ever be regardless. If you know me then you know I say what I feel like and I'm here doin' this review for the betterment of our sword lovin' community. Any bias I show (and there may well be some 'cause me likey this sword ) is based on the effect this sword has on me and how I feel about it compared to the other tac wak which in fact I used to own. Alright then- hope that makes sense.
I also want everyone to recognize I am considering the retail cost of this blade while I review it. At under $100 this is a helluva value.
Initial Impressions
The sword came packaged in classic box-in-box fashion with a standard sword bag tied around the blade and saya. No pics because if you haven't seen what that looks like then go buy a sword man, you'll love it!
First glance of the sword made me smile- I like this tactical look- always have.
Upon lifting the sword from the box and removing the bag I was struck by the lively feeling of the sword. The grip felt great in my hand and I was impressed with how comfortable it felt. Pulling out the blade from its saya I could see it was sharp with a well formed edge. I did note some tarnishing/spots on the habaki and where the tsuba contacts the koiguchi.
I also noticed a small cardboard tag tied to the grip- a spec chart giving different info on the steel type etc. this did throw me off a bit. Turns out this was for another model of sword.
I gave it a few swings in my kitchen and bedroom and was happy with the responsiveness and balance. This is a quick sword for sure. I tested it on a sheet of white paper and found it to be decently paper cutting sharp while leaving just a slightly rough edge.
Statistics
If you don't want to read this part you can watch the video instead
Note the stats at the end of the video are as per SnA; written stats in this review are my own measurements unless otherwise stated
Overall Length: 30 & 3/8"
Nagasa Length: 19 & 3/4"
Sori: 1/2"
Kissaki: 1 & 1/2"
Tsuka: Length 9 & 3/4" , circumference 4" at midpoint of tsuka, thickness (omote to ura) 1", width 1 & 1/4"
Guard/Tsuba: Thickness- 3/16" , length 2 & 5/16" , width 1 & 3/16"
POB (Point of Balance): 2 & 3/8" from top of grip , 1 & 1/2" from munemachi
Weight: as per SnA site - 1.85lbs
COP (Center of Percussion): I can't really tell anything from slapping the end of the tsuka so I tried the bounce/bite test on my stand and it starts to bite the wood about 2 & 1/2" down from the tip and keeps biting all the way down. Even though it bounces a bit for the first 2" or so this blade cuts from kissaki to hamachi man!
Components
Blade: Nohi 1060 monosteel spring tempered with a satin polish, I can clearly make out the scratch pattern lines across the length of the blade- I'd say about a 600 grit polish. Slightly higher polish on shinogi-ji. Keen ha with little niku. It's a no nonsense blade meant for quick cuts and performs admirably at this task. Built for use it's beauty comes from its simplicity.
Tsuka: Nothing traditional about it. Feels good in hand. The G10 slabs on either side of the nagako are comfortable, have a knurled pattern to aid in traction and are rounded on all edges and shaped flush to the steel center. I am curious whether the steel center is truly the nagako, meaning it is all one piece extending through the tsuba to form the blade, or if the nakago is in fact inset into a "U" shaped steel piece showing around all sides. In any case it's as solid a grip as I've ever held and has two large steel pins riveting everything together. I can see at the grooves cut into the tsuka, where the fuchi would be, there is also epoxy used to hold all parts in place.
**update** April 11 2014 - the slabs are coming a bit loose. Seems the glue holding them in place has failed; probably dried out and shrunk. The pins will still keep the slabs in place but I think I'll be taking them off, inspecting the tang (something I wanted to know about for sure anyway) and making a new handle. Also, I think I remember reading somewhere this same issue with another Munetoshi Tac Wak.
Tsuba: Steel with a near mirror polish, has half circle cut outs on each side which are rough finished, as are the holes cut through each end. Some light tarnishing/staining where the saya touches the tsuba was cleaned off easily with oil. Tsuba is solid as a rock.
Habaki: Brass standard fare. It's actually better than I expected considering the price of the sword. However it is just little off center to the ha as can be seen in the following pics. The shape of the habaki doesn't quite follow the shape of the blade. Still, this is typical of any other production katana I've owned and overall it's acceptable. The tarnishing I found on it when I first received it came off easily with a bit of oil. It's tight as a drum.
Saya: Wood with black speckled finish, nylon cord wrapped, plastic koiguchi and kojiri, brass painted kurikata- I say this because I can see the brass paint is scratched off in a couple of spots- the more I consider it the more I figure it's aluminium based on the colouration of the metal underneath and the lightweight feeling. I don't mind the plastic kojiri much but the plastic koiguchi feels cheap. The habaki has a nice tight but not too tight fit to the saya. There's only a tiny bit of rattle at the tip inside the saya when I shake it.
Handling Characteristics
As expected this wakizashi is light and quick. I find it easier to use one handed; when cutting with two hands the blade loses a bit of its presence somehow- as if there's more force imparted from a two arm swing than the blade needs. It's damn fun to cut with and feels extremely well balanced for me.
Test Cutting
Pros & Cons
Pros
-balance, handling
-edge sharpness
-retail price
-habaki good for the price
-aesthetics / visual appeal
Cons
-some plastic parts
-habaki could still be better
Conclusions & The Bottom Line
What do I conclude? This sword is a keeper. It hits all the right spots for me in that way.. you know, when a sword just speaks to you. I can't see anyone being disappointed with this tac wak at the great price it's offered for. Its compact size makes it easy to carry, its balance and weight make it easy to use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparisons to the hanwei tac wak
I've been asked by a few people to give my thoughts on how this Munetoshi sword holds up to the Hanwei Tactical Wakizashi I used to own. For the rest of this comparison I'll refer to the Munetoshi Tactical Wakizashi as MTW and the Hanwei one as HTW.
I fell for the HTW the first time I saw it. The design is not to everybody's tastes but it's that kind of look where if you like it you love it. Clearly many people loved it as the MTW is visually a near perfect match- Munetoshi obviously wants to tap into the same market. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?
The thing about the HTW was, for me, it just wasn't fun to use. I don't really get why since the stats are so similar but the MTW is a TON more fun to cut with. And it's not because the edge is better on the MTW (which it is), it's because the MTW handles so much better for me. I could have put a better edge on the HTW but I wasn't interested in taking the time to do it.edit/add: I seem to have forgotten to mention that it may be something to do with my MTW being nohi, and the HTW of course being with bohi...
Beyond the handling I personally find the slight changes in design on the MTW make it a better looking sword. The tsuba has a little more oval shape to it and is a little more detailed while still being "tactical" looking. I like the steel finish better as well. The pins in the tsuka are bigger and better proportioned to the rest of the sword. the wrap on the saya and gold accent on the kurikata-- again to me these are nicer colours.
Materials-wise the HTW has some advantages which are of particular note given the tactical aspects someone might be considering these swords for.
Blade: MTW has 1060, HTW has 5160 = better rust prevention etc.. HTW has a plasma coating to boot (a big selling point for many people).
-I should note that I've read several reviews on the HTW and tac kat which state the blade(s) are not that sharp out of the box. I noticed that my HTW had a sharp edge but not nearly as sharp as my MTW. The geometry of the edge on the MTW is much better as well.
Saya: HTW is synthetic, and it's wood on the MTW
- now to me this isn't a big deal but I can see where a synthetic saya would be an advantage over a wooden one which could absorb moisture etc. As for the drain hole in the HTW saya, I think that's a bit gimmicky (in a good way) but I could easily drill a hole into the MTW saya.
Habaki: Big win for the MTW on this one. The habaki on the HTW looks like this:
***hanwei habaki multi pic -rough ground edges, very thin on one side, weld spot marks***
Tsuka: I prefer the rounded edges on the MTW and think anyone would. The HTW was just too squared off. The G10 scales of the MTW have a bit more traction to them- slightly more rubber feel vs. a smoother feel on the HTW grip.
Recap
MTW wins for sharpness out of the box, looks, grip feel, handling/balance, and price- which is about half of the cost of the HTW
HTW wins for steel type and finish, saya material in a tactical world
-Chris