Custom SBG Katana Review
Aug 30, 2012 2:47:41 GMT
Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Aug 30, 2012 2:47:41 GMT
Introduction
Hello, SBG Forums! Sorry it took so long... :? (I think this review is a bit late, so I posted it and currently revising any problems and filling out any blanks of info. :mrgreen: I am in a bit of a hurry and busy at the moment...)
Anyway, I'm going to do a review on my newly obtained (AND LONG AWAITED) SBG Custom katana. For about 4 months ago, I have decided on getting a sword that has a good reputation of having a very good quality blade with the option of customization with blade length, blade type, and etc. With an opportunity of finally getting my dream katana and a good cutter packed into a $330 sword, I was willing to take a lot from my budget. And after waiting, and waiting... And waiting. :shock: , it arrived!
Historical overview
Tha Katana has been in many mountings and came in many sizes and shapes (As in the blade geometry). In ancient Japan, the katana was mostly decorated by the tastes of the owner. Details like the ito color, ito wrapping style, the tsuba, the Fuchi-Kashira, and the saya was usually never in the same combination when it came to custom katana. Today, people still have the option of customizing their swords. It was either DIY, senting it to a professional, or having it custom made right from the start. DIY Customization is the common way of customizing a sword, but it is often a problem if you have little to no experience to customizing. Professionals are the best way, but are usually expensive and time consuming. Taking custom orders is the solution the takes some of the problems out. It's still expensive, but it's done professionally and the options of customization are wider, like blade length, and maybe even blade geometry. And sometimes, it's made by some very well-known smiths.
With my sword, I didn't exactly get my favorite fittings (Mine was requested since it wasn't listed on the site.) and the exact color of the tsuba. It's only the Fuchi and the Kashira, so everything else is according to my dream katana.
Full Disclosure
I have purchased this sword on the SBG Store and paid full price for it (359.99). I am just an average collector who has only handle Japanese swords and has some average cutting skills.
Initial Impressions
The sword came in the basic UPS packaging and was encased in a styrofoam case, with the sword wrapped in a black cloth sword bag.
When I first held the sword, I was amazed on how light it is. The sword is a bit lighter than I thought, and the sword gave a different feel that I haven't experience before on other swords. It gave that "Authoritative and Powerful" feel that a No-hi sword would give.
Statistics
The specifications are what I ordered:
Nagasa Length: 29"
Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall Length: 41"
POB (Point of Balance): Getting the info... :?
Weight: Getting the info... :?
Components
The Nagasa
The nagasa is a 29" T10 Steel DH No-hi blade with Horimono. The hamon was midare, which showed up well on the blade. (I couldn't get a good angle with the camera)
My sword was ordered with two Dragon 2 Horimono Engravings, thinking it would mean that the blade would be engraved both sides. Well...
It wasn't engraved on both sides. A bit disappointing, but the quality of the blades quality and polish truly compensates this concern. The blade was so reflective, that you can literally see yourself as if it were a mirror. And with a nicely polished kissaki, I almost forgot about the horimono problem. :lol:
There were tiny specks of rust on the mune, but it's not that big of a problem. Makes sense that the sword would develop rust when it's just sitting at customs...
The Tsuka
The Tsuka is 11" with Black Cotton ito and samegawa. From the original review of the SBG Custom Katana, it looked like it featured a "Manufactured-Quality" Non-Alternating Tsukamaki. My tsuka features a very nicely done alternating tsukamaki and a very well done end-knot, that I'm afraid of my original plan of re-wrapping would ruin the look. :mrgreen:
The Tsuba
The tsuba is the P2 Brass tsuba according to the order page. It features a dragon themed brass look. I originally wanted a blackened finish, but it looks pretty good where it is.
The Fuchi-Kashira and Menuki
The fittings are C13 and features a flower theme, which is exactly off with the whole "Black Dragon" theme that I was going. Since the exact fitting that I request wasn't available, I chose some fittings that may be useful for another katana. :lol: That's not exactly a downside in my view. What is a downside is that it's made of zinc-alloy, something that isn't durable for any good cutter, but they do look very nice and detailed
The Saya
The saya fit of the blade is one of the best I've seen so far, with no rattles whatsoever. Besides the smudges formed from my fingers, no defects were present.
Handling Characteristics
Handling was not bad. The no-hi surely makes the blade heavier, but making swings with it is easy. It's not fast and agile, but it is enough for a no-hi katana.
Test Cutting
This is my first sword that has a true razor sharp edge. With my other swords, it will slice though fairly, yet this sword cuts through paper like a lazer. Also the first time I'm now scared of swinging a sword. :mrgreen:
Sorry, but I have no pics for it, but I did test this on the packaging box. I can definitely tell you that the cuts were very clean, the correct weight distribution of the sword made cuts much easier for a beginner.
Conclusions
After a few days of using this sword, this is by far my new favorite in my collection. I even gave it a sword display box and probably part of my "Do not Touch" group of swords. This sword makes a beginner like me feel that I actually own a sword. :mrgreen:
Pros
- Very great quality blade for $300. Razor sharp edge better than most production swords.
- Good handling
- The ability to customize according to your choice
- Nice Tsukamaki, better than I expected
- Free sword bag (Freebies are always a pro)
Cons
- THE WAIT. Can't stress it enough, but this is practically the biggest con you can get with this sword, the rest is pretty minor.
- Personally, failing to have engravings on both side, even after ordering two quantities, is a bit disappointing
- Zinc-Alloy fittings aren't just durable for the tsuka.
-A couple of minor issues like tiny specks of rust is to be expected of a production sword.
The Bottom Line
This sword is the best sword in my collection. The mix of performance and having personal look is perfect for anyone.
I would recommend this sword to anybody who seeks out a good customized sword. Well... if you can overcome the patience to wait :twisted: ...
For one of the greatest deals you can get for $300 on the sword market.
There will be those minor issues that someone won't like, but that's something we would all expect for a production sword...
Hello, SBG Forums! Sorry it took so long... :? (I think this review is a bit late, so I posted it and currently revising any problems and filling out any blanks of info. :mrgreen: I am in a bit of a hurry and busy at the moment...)
Anyway, I'm going to do a review on my newly obtained (AND LONG AWAITED) SBG Custom katana. For about 4 months ago, I have decided on getting a sword that has a good reputation of having a very good quality blade with the option of customization with blade length, blade type, and etc. With an opportunity of finally getting my dream katana and a good cutter packed into a $330 sword, I was willing to take a lot from my budget. And after waiting, and waiting... And waiting. :shock: , it arrived!
Historical overview
Tha Katana has been in many mountings and came in many sizes and shapes (As in the blade geometry). In ancient Japan, the katana was mostly decorated by the tastes of the owner. Details like the ito color, ito wrapping style, the tsuba, the Fuchi-Kashira, and the saya was usually never in the same combination when it came to custom katana. Today, people still have the option of customizing their swords. It was either DIY, senting it to a professional, or having it custom made right from the start. DIY Customization is the common way of customizing a sword, but it is often a problem if you have little to no experience to customizing. Professionals are the best way, but are usually expensive and time consuming. Taking custom orders is the solution the takes some of the problems out. It's still expensive, but it's done professionally and the options of customization are wider, like blade length, and maybe even blade geometry. And sometimes, it's made by some very well-known smiths.
With my sword, I didn't exactly get my favorite fittings (Mine was requested since it wasn't listed on the site.) and the exact color of the tsuba. It's only the Fuchi and the Kashira, so everything else is according to my dream katana.
Full Disclosure
I have purchased this sword on the SBG Store and paid full price for it (359.99). I am just an average collector who has only handle Japanese swords and has some average cutting skills.
Initial Impressions
The sword came in the basic UPS packaging and was encased in a styrofoam case, with the sword wrapped in a black cloth sword bag.
When I first held the sword, I was amazed on how light it is. The sword is a bit lighter than I thought, and the sword gave a different feel that I haven't experience before on other swords. It gave that "Authoritative and Powerful" feel that a No-hi sword would give.
Statistics
The specifications are what I ordered:
Nagasa Length: 29"
Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall Length: 41"
POB (Point of Balance): Getting the info... :?
Weight: Getting the info... :?
Components
The Nagasa
The nagasa is a 29" T10 Steel DH No-hi blade with Horimono. The hamon was midare, which showed up well on the blade. (I couldn't get a good angle with the camera)
My sword was ordered with two Dragon 2 Horimono Engravings, thinking it would mean that the blade would be engraved both sides. Well...
It wasn't engraved on both sides. A bit disappointing, but the quality of the blades quality and polish truly compensates this concern. The blade was so reflective, that you can literally see yourself as if it were a mirror. And with a nicely polished kissaki, I almost forgot about the horimono problem. :lol:
There were tiny specks of rust on the mune, but it's not that big of a problem. Makes sense that the sword would develop rust when it's just sitting at customs...
The Tsuka
The Tsuka is 11" with Black Cotton ito and samegawa. From the original review of the SBG Custom Katana, it looked like it featured a "Manufactured-Quality" Non-Alternating Tsukamaki. My tsuka features a very nicely done alternating tsukamaki and a very well done end-knot, that I'm afraid of my original plan of re-wrapping would ruin the look. :mrgreen:
The Tsuba
The tsuba is the P2 Brass tsuba according to the order page. It features a dragon themed brass look. I originally wanted a blackened finish, but it looks pretty good where it is.
The Fuchi-Kashira and Menuki
The fittings are C13 and features a flower theme, which is exactly off with the whole "Black Dragon" theme that I was going. Since the exact fitting that I request wasn't available, I chose some fittings that may be useful for another katana. :lol: That's not exactly a downside in my view. What is a downside is that it's made of zinc-alloy, something that isn't durable for any good cutter, but they do look very nice and detailed
The Saya
The saya fit of the blade is one of the best I've seen so far, with no rattles whatsoever. Besides the smudges formed from my fingers, no defects were present.
Handling Characteristics
Handling was not bad. The no-hi surely makes the blade heavier, but making swings with it is easy. It's not fast and agile, but it is enough for a no-hi katana.
Test Cutting
This is my first sword that has a true razor sharp edge. With my other swords, it will slice though fairly, yet this sword cuts through paper like a lazer. Also the first time I'm now scared of swinging a sword. :mrgreen:
Sorry, but I have no pics for it, but I did test this on the packaging box. I can definitely tell you that the cuts were very clean, the correct weight distribution of the sword made cuts much easier for a beginner.
Conclusions
After a few days of using this sword, this is by far my new favorite in my collection. I even gave it a sword display box and probably part of my "Do not Touch" group of swords. This sword makes a beginner like me feel that I actually own a sword. :mrgreen:
Pros
- Very great quality blade for $300. Razor sharp edge better than most production swords.
- Good handling
- The ability to customize according to your choice
- Nice Tsukamaki, better than I expected
- Free sword bag (Freebies are always a pro)
Cons
- THE WAIT. Can't stress it enough, but this is practically the biggest con you can get with this sword, the rest is pretty minor.
- Personally, failing to have engravings on both side, even after ordering two quantities, is a bit disappointing
- Zinc-Alloy fittings aren't just durable for the tsuka.
-A couple of minor issues like tiny specks of rust is to be expected of a production sword.
The Bottom Line
This sword is the best sword in my collection. The mix of performance and having personal look is perfect for anyone.
I would recommend this sword to anybody who seeks out a good customized sword. Well... if you can overcome the patience to wait :twisted: ...
For one of the greatest deals you can get for $300 on the sword market.
There will be those minor issues that someone won't like, but that's something we would all expect for a production sword...