Short Review: Hanwei Yasukuni Colonel's Gunto
Aug 30, 2012 13:16:46 GMT
Post by jblakey on Aug 30, 2012 13:16:46 GMT
Slight Background
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A few years back, Hanwei introduced a couple of gunto replicas. One was a Captain's Gunto, with a 1095 steel blade, and the other was the Colonel's Gunto, with a HW2-S blade. I remember thinking that both looked very nice, and that was it.
Since then, I've been working on making replicas of the Bride's sword from Kill Bill, and I noticed that the Hanwei Gunto's had a length very similar to the sword in the movie. Also, the blade was without bo-hi, just like the blade in the movie.
Then, a classified ad popped up, offering a Colonel's Gunto for sale, and I couldn't resist any more:)
First Impressions
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WOW.
The level of detail paid to the fittings on this thing is amazing. The paint/plating work is 99.99999% perfect. The saya lock clicks in place at exactly the right position, and there is no wiggle at all when the sword is locked in. The sword slides into it's saya like, well, this is a family forum, so I'll keep it clean:) This sword shows some amazing work and craftsmanship.
The blade. I'll let the pics speak for themselves. Razor sharp. Habaki fitted perfectly. Even seating against the fittings. The hamon blows me away. I had seen pics of the hamon for this sword on the internet, and none of them actually showed any detail. This hamon is amazing. Really. Nicest hamon I've ever seen on a production sword, hands down, no comparision.
I was going to sell off the fittings, and remount the thing as my Bride's Sword. Now, I'm still going to remount it, but I'll also keep the original fittings. I'm thinking a shadow box wall mount of some kind for them. They are too nice to let go.
Cons
------
The ito wrap is less than perfect. It's not bad, and it's certainly tight, and done with hishi-gami, but it's no Bunny or Justice...
Other than that, there are no cons.
Note: I took these pics before properly cleaning the blade... there are a few streaks and a bit of dust present.
Recommendations
----------------------
I think there are a few of these still available out there. If you've got the cash, and the inclination, you should get one.
Thanks,
jason
---------------------
A few years back, Hanwei introduced a couple of gunto replicas. One was a Captain's Gunto, with a 1095 steel blade, and the other was the Colonel's Gunto, with a HW2-S blade. I remember thinking that both looked very nice, and that was it.
Since then, I've been working on making replicas of the Bride's sword from Kill Bill, and I noticed that the Hanwei Gunto's had a length very similar to the sword in the movie. Also, the blade was without bo-hi, just like the blade in the movie.
Then, a classified ad popped up, offering a Colonel's Gunto for sale, and I couldn't resist any more:)
First Impressions
---------------------
WOW.
The level of detail paid to the fittings on this thing is amazing. The paint/plating work is 99.99999% perfect. The saya lock clicks in place at exactly the right position, and there is no wiggle at all when the sword is locked in. The sword slides into it's saya like, well, this is a family forum, so I'll keep it clean:) This sword shows some amazing work and craftsmanship.
The blade. I'll let the pics speak for themselves. Razor sharp. Habaki fitted perfectly. Even seating against the fittings. The hamon blows me away. I had seen pics of the hamon for this sword on the internet, and none of them actually showed any detail. This hamon is amazing. Really. Nicest hamon I've ever seen on a production sword, hands down, no comparision.
I was going to sell off the fittings, and remount the thing as my Bride's Sword. Now, I'm still going to remount it, but I'll also keep the original fittings. I'm thinking a shadow box wall mount of some kind for them. They are too nice to let go.
Cons
------
The ito wrap is less than perfect. It's not bad, and it's certainly tight, and done with hishi-gami, but it's no Bunny or Justice...
Other than that, there are no cons.
Note: I took these pics before properly cleaning the blade... there are a few streaks and a bit of dust present.
Recommendations
----------------------
I think there are a few of these still available out there. If you've got the cash, and the inclination, you should get one.
Thanks,
jason