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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jul 25, 2012 17:15:01 GMT
Always a pleasure reading a review by you mate.
For those that have not checked the MSRP yet, it's currently listed at 1700$. Way over my budget production sword wise but I can see this piece justifying the price as this is one of the nicest production swords yet. I started immediately think how this affects PC/Bugei relation.
Marc's review shows really nicely what are you paying from. I agree that this blade looks to be major improvement to old Swedish powder steel blades. Tsuka looks very nice for Hanwei tsuka. The materials used for details are gold and silver (not paint) in tsuba, and brass in F/K. I am pleasantly pleased for the sageo, small detail but great care have been paid to even small details in this sword.
That tsuba is just something out of production sword world...
This will probably be a beacon for Hanweis new offerings. Granted I haven't paid that much attention to the high end production market but things weren't nearly this nice few years ago. This sword shows why Hanwei has been and is awesome.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Jul 25, 2012 17:19:52 GMT
$1700 huh? I don't begrudge them that price at all but it also makes me sad because now I know I'll never own one. I very much love this katana. if only it had no bohi it would be perfect for me. I wonder if the defected ones will be sold and if so what for. something to keep an eye out for no doubt. great review Marc, you lucky, lucky chump.  |
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bpogue
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Post by bpogue on Jul 25, 2012 17:30:39 GMT
The MSRP is $1700. Street price should be less but I haven't a clue where dealers will price it (you all know how that goes...).
Blake
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Post by Pogo4321 on Jul 25, 2012 17:34:05 GMT
Wow. Beautiful sword--kinda thinking green tsuka ito would be nicer, though.
$1700 puts it outta my league for sure--aw, well window shopping is fun.
Nice review, Marc.
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Post by frankthebunny on Jul 25, 2012 17:34:12 GMT
great review Marc. I like the more refined and apparently less etched hada and I'm really liking the beautifully shaped kissaki although I am not so fond of the hi termination. while the shape isn't too bad I feel it's extended just a smidge too far imho and the yokote line is a tad soft. I also like the generous but not over the top torri-sori and lack of the typical Hanwei "frosty" hamon. I don't really see any fumbari but then again it is mounted and there isn't an angle that shows it well in your pics. I think it's nice that they went with a more pleasing shape for the tsuka but it's still a little behind the shinto line in my opinion, in between the shintos and the usual axe shape. I know there are many subtle differences between tsuka shape so I'm just pointing out what I like best. while I think it's nice to have silk, it almost looks like their lower end fuzzy cotton. maybe it was just really humid out when you took the shots when I used to have hair it did that a lot in the humid heat. the weight and balance point seem just right for my preference as I like a well balanced and slightly quicker sword and the fittings aren't necessarily to my taste but look exceptionally well made and nicely detailed. I'm wondering if maybe they'll tune up a few things before offering the finished line, the hi termination & the yokote line? I think it would be fairly priced in the Bushido range (from the past) or maybe even a little more for the elaborate koshirae but in this economy, prices are jacked up and the value of the dollar is down. from the pictures I just don't see this at $1,700 but I have not seen one in person. honestly, I could think of many other swords or options I would spend that kind of money on. -Josh Edit - I forgot to mention that I also really like the 27" nagasa and the sageo is nice too |
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Post by nddave on Jul 25, 2012 17:39:45 GMT
one thing I'd like to point out to you though kuya, is the reason your getting flak from other members is because you come off as being kinda ignorant and bias. for instance marc described the steel being swedish powder in the review. he also stated the finishwas greatly improved over other models using the same steel like the bushido.
I think marc's aggression came from your disregard of this part of the review. perhaps your unfamiliar with the levels of manufacturing including steel grade, forging, and polish. perhaps you have a grudge because their so expensive and like most of us you can't afford them. I don't know.
one aspect I'd like to see though and I hope hanwei does with the new line is take the little things that make this sword improved over other models. namely the tsuka shape and fit and finish, and include them into their lower end models.
it'd be better for business to sell a pk or ppk with higher regards to fit and finish than to focus on high dollar models that few can afford. especially since their in the hole so to speak right now, trying to get their business back in line.
enough derailfrom me back to the review.
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Post by nddave on Jul 25, 2012 17:46:09 GMT
ha, ha. I like it more because of the bohi. just goes to show, you can't please everyone but there's always somebody who likes bohi :lol:
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 25, 2012 17:52:35 GMT
I have to agree with most of what Frank the Bunny said... looks like a very nice sword... reminds me a lot of my Hanwei Bushido. The Bushido was a lot less expensive tho.
Marc... have you had a chance to look over the Bushdio? If not... I'll bring mine next time we meet... the hada is very similar and equaly awesome. The Bushdio is also a shorter Katana but still very sturdy. For the most part this one to me seems like a frog themed Bushido with Bo-hi.
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bpogue
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Post by bpogue on Jul 25, 2012 17:56:18 GMT
Bushido has been one of my favorites for quite some time. Not my cup of tea aesthetically to be honest but the whole package is very similar to the Kaeru.
And just FYI the Bushido currently MSRP's at $1,500. So, they are comparable in current cost.
Blake
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Jul 25, 2012 18:25:22 GMT
Great, thorough review Mark. I've been really looking forward to it since you put out the cutting video, so thank you for posting it.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 25, 2012 18:30:46 GMT
That makes a lot of sense Blake... as they seem very similar in effect and over all quality to me. The Bushido is an awesome sword. I, like you, am not 100% sold on its aesthetics... which is why I'm going to let Frank the Bunny work some of his magic on it... but there is no way one can not hold the Bushido and instantly sense the quality of the sword. I held a friends at a gathering years ago and wanted one ever sense... and was super happy when I at last got one.
The two swords being about 200 apart in value make sense to me, given the similarities. Awhile back, when deals where INSANE, one could get a Bushdio for around 600-800... and it was a great deal at that price. Prices across the board have been going up... so it makes sense.
Maybe I'll get to compare my Bushido side by side with this sword in the near future (hint hint Marc) and see how they compare.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jul 25, 2012 19:25:00 GMT
Blake already said how it compares to Bushido in MSRP. Personally I think this might fit between Tori Elite and Tiger Elite, still expensive sword but a good deal regarding the quality. You US sword lovers have just enjoyed so low prices for a good while now. Even at MSRP this costs way less than Tiger Elite in Finland (c. same as regular Tiger), and personally I've owned a Tiger briefly, and this seems to be much better sword.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 25, 2012 20:34:47 GMT
Yeah, but that is not what I am interested in... tho that *IS* telling to some degree. I'm interested in a side by side comparasion of quality, handling, and the like.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jul 25, 2012 20:59:54 GMT
Yep I understood that was not what you meant, that was just opening sentence of my own thoughts on how this might be priced by dealers, as we are guessing the price.  |
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Post by Don Boogie on Jul 25, 2012 21:31:57 GMT
Hey Marc,another great revieuw Can't wait to get that one in my hands héhé |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2012 22:08:09 GMT
Thanks for the excellent review.
I love the whole thing, especially the frog theme. It reminds me of a story I like alot.
BTW, I showed my gf the pictures and asked her what she thought that sword cost.
"About a thousand dollars?"
"Pretty damn close, honey, I love you!"
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Post by stickem on Jul 26, 2012 0:55:11 GMT
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Post by Jakeonthekob on Jul 26, 2012 2:42:09 GMT
Now that's an interesting kissaki. It's a true chu-kissaki, instead of extended lol. Nice piece.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jul 26, 2012 14:00:43 GMT
The Hunter Katana sounds like my style... I might be interested.... can't find an image of it tho.
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bpogue
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Post by bpogue on Jul 26, 2012 14:45:01 GMT
I just uploaded the main pic:  We haven't had a chance to get good shots of the furniture, working on it. Blake |
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