Ronin Katana Dojo Pro Wakizashi #1
Aug 8, 2012 21:47:51 GMT
Post by Adrian Jordan on Aug 8, 2012 21:47:51 GMT
Introduction:
Hello again. Today I'll be posting an out of box review on the Ronin Katana Dojo Pro Wakizashi, model #1. This is the second Ronin Katana sword that I've owned, the first being the Dojo 1045 Tsunami, shown here. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4441. Forgive the terrible pictures, I was using the webcam from my old laptop to take the pictures. This wakizashi was sent via UPS, was well packaged in two boxes, the first one fortified with bubble wrap. Inside the second box, the sword was further protected by a cloth sword bag and Styrofoam inserts.
This is the first wakizashi that I've ever owned. I've wanted one for quite a while, but when considering one for purchase I have gotten sidetracked and wound up buying a full-length katana. I have been a fan of Ronin Katanas since I bought my first Dojo model, and have longed to get one of their Dojo Pro series. Unfortunately, I've not been financially stable enough to afford one.
Full Disclosure:
I am very disturbed by Megan Fox' thumbs. She seriously has toe thumbs, that is, her thumbs look like toes. If you don't believe me, watch anything she is in and look at her thumbs. Gross.
Also, I did not pay for this sword. I won it in a drawing Ronin Katana held on Facebook on Aug. 1st. I did not have to pay for shipping either. Doesn't get much sweeter than that.
To offset the fact that I'm so jazzed for winning this, I will try to be a little more critical in my review.
Initial Impressions:
PLEASURE!!! Hahaha.
Specifications:
Steel: Through hardened 1060
Saya: Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri.
Weight: 1.8 pounds
POB: 3 1/2 inches
Length in saya: 29 inches
Tsuka: 6 inches
Blade: 21 inches
Habaki to tip: 22 inches
Ito: Silk
Sageo: Synthetic silk
Fuchi: Backened iron
Kashira: Blackened iron
Menuki: Brass
The blade is done is a Shinogi-Zukuri style with a cosmetic, cross-polished kissaki.
Saya:
Made of black lacquered wood, with buffalo horn kurikata, koguchi and kojiri. Included is a synthetic silk sageo, tied in a standard presentation knot.
All are well done and subtle. The saya is light and solid, and the mouth is carved out well.
There are some light smudges near the mouth on one side, like it may have been touched before the lacquer was totally dry. They are nearly impossible to see in most light, though. Here is the best picture I could get of them.
Tsuka:
6" long, with real silk ito, genuine samegawa panels and blackened iron fuchi/kashira.
Unfortunately, the core has a crack in it. This is not a huge deal, as I won't be doing any cutting with it, and I was hoping to be able to get a new, longer tsuka made for it.
Nakago:
Tsuba:
Blackened iron and decorated with a butterfly motif. Well carved and attractive, simple and clean. I love it.
Habaki and Seppa:
An attractive two-level design habaki. Seppa are nice and thick, with a key-fret design. Both are brass, I believe. Blade sits pretty badly off center.
Blade:
Made of TH 1060 steel, it has a satin polish. The polish is a little uneven in spots.
Kissaki is cosmetic. While it is lined up evenly on both sides, there is a flaw in it on one side.
Tip is forged in the diamond shape for extra-strength.
The blade is perfectly straight.
Handling:
With the 22" blade and balance set at 3 and 1/2" it is only slightly blade-heavy. I haven't done, not do I believe I will do any test cutting in the foreseeable future.
Conclusions:
I likes it! The overall shaping and design is very nice, and I love that tsuba. The seppa and habaki are very are my two favorite designs for those pieces. The off-center fit in the habaki and the cracked core are disappointing, but the blow is softened by the fact that I didn't pay a single red cent for this bad boy, hahaha!
Thank you for reading, and please feel free to comment or ask questions. And remember, I love karma.
Hello again. Today I'll be posting an out of box review on the Ronin Katana Dojo Pro Wakizashi, model #1. This is the second Ronin Katana sword that I've owned, the first being the Dojo 1045 Tsunami, shown here. forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4441. Forgive the terrible pictures, I was using the webcam from my old laptop to take the pictures. This wakizashi was sent via UPS, was well packaged in two boxes, the first one fortified with bubble wrap. Inside the second box, the sword was further protected by a cloth sword bag and Styrofoam inserts.
This is the first wakizashi that I've ever owned. I've wanted one for quite a while, but when considering one for purchase I have gotten sidetracked and wound up buying a full-length katana. I have been a fan of Ronin Katanas since I bought my first Dojo model, and have longed to get one of their Dojo Pro series. Unfortunately, I've not been financially stable enough to afford one.
Full Disclosure:
I am very disturbed by Megan Fox' thumbs. She seriously has toe thumbs, that is, her thumbs look like toes. If you don't believe me, watch anything she is in and look at her thumbs. Gross.
Also, I did not pay for this sword. I won it in a drawing Ronin Katana held on Facebook on Aug. 1st. I did not have to pay for shipping either. Doesn't get much sweeter than that.
To offset the fact that I'm so jazzed for winning this, I will try to be a little more critical in my review.
Initial Impressions:
PLEASURE!!! Hahaha.
Specifications:
Steel: Through hardened 1060
Saya: Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri.
Weight: 1.8 pounds
POB: 3 1/2 inches
Length in saya: 29 inches
Tsuka: 6 inches
Blade: 21 inches
Habaki to tip: 22 inches
Ito: Silk
Sageo: Synthetic silk
Fuchi: Backened iron
Kashira: Blackened iron
Menuki: Brass
The blade is done is a Shinogi-Zukuri style with a cosmetic, cross-polished kissaki.
Saya:
Made of black lacquered wood, with buffalo horn kurikata, koguchi and kojiri. Included is a synthetic silk sageo, tied in a standard presentation knot.
All are well done and subtle. The saya is light and solid, and the mouth is carved out well.
There are some light smudges near the mouth on one side, like it may have been touched before the lacquer was totally dry. They are nearly impossible to see in most light, though. Here is the best picture I could get of them.
Tsuka:
6" long, with real silk ito, genuine samegawa panels and blackened iron fuchi/kashira.
Unfortunately, the core has a crack in it. This is not a huge deal, as I won't be doing any cutting with it, and I was hoping to be able to get a new, longer tsuka made for it.
Nakago:
Tsuba:
Blackened iron and decorated with a butterfly motif. Well carved and attractive, simple and clean. I love it.
Habaki and Seppa:
An attractive two-level design habaki. Seppa are nice and thick, with a key-fret design. Both are brass, I believe. Blade sits pretty badly off center.
Blade:
Made of TH 1060 steel, it has a satin polish. The polish is a little uneven in spots.
Kissaki is cosmetic. While it is lined up evenly on both sides, there is a flaw in it on one side.
Tip is forged in the diamond shape for extra-strength.
The blade is perfectly straight.
Handling:
With the 22" blade and balance set at 3 and 1/2" it is only slightly blade-heavy. I haven't done, not do I believe I will do any test cutting in the foreseeable future.
Conclusions:
I likes it! The overall shaping and design is very nice, and I love that tsuba. The seppa and habaki are very are my two favorite designs for those pieces. The off-center fit in the habaki and the cracked core are disappointing, but the blow is softened by the fact that I didn't pay a single red cent for this bad boy, hahaha!
Thank you for reading, and please feel free to comment or ask questions. And remember, I love karma.