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Post by dirtbagd on Sept 30, 2013 10:58:20 GMT
I just had a horrible Experience with Cheness and wish I never bought a sword from them. I bought a Tenchi Ko-Katana direct from them and the first thing I immediately noticed was that there were some large scratches along the hamon, the habaki was bent on one side of the blade, and the blade was extremely dull with burrs on it. Paul assured me that it was all normal for his swords and that the sword would only get more scratched once I started cutting with it anyway and suggested I sharpen it with a ceramic sharpener. I had an really busy week at work and didn't really get to handle it for a day or two but once I wiped off all the thick white grease on the blade I noticed even more scratches along the hamon. Still not totally turned off I began passing the blade on my bolted down sharpmaker under the bright light of my work bench when I noticed that the kashira at the bottom of the handle was cracked. That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me and I immediately stopped there and emailed Cheness about returning the sword. Paul told me that I can return it but hey may have to charge me a restocking fee if I discolored the ito from over handling it. I said ok, boxed it up, and happily sent it back. A week later I got an email from Paul who told me that unfortunately he had to charge me a %20 restocking fee ($40) because I scratched the hamon when I resharpened it and it couldn't have possibly been them who did it. I found that to be extremely ridiculous because it was the first thing I complained to him about since the beginning. I tried to argue my point but it only got us into a heated argument. So now I am out the $19.10 I paid to ship it back, plus the $40 restocking fee he charged me for something that happened on their end. I am really unhappy with my experience but I am just happy to finally have that sword out of my life. What a piece of junk!
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Post by Alan_ESNTNA on Oct 1, 2013 16:42:47 GMT
I honestly think Cheness blades aren't worth the asking price, the Kaze use to be considered a good project blade but those ideals aren't worth it anymore. My Kaze i etched it about 20 times and the hamon about 5 inches in the centre refused to show itself every time i applied the acid that centre section just turned completely dark. I think my Kaze wasn't tempered properly that was my final conclusion. I haven't experienced the other offerings but the Kaze has deterred me from even considering anything Cheness (no offense Paul). I received my Kaze bent at 2 point about 12 inches up from the habaki and at the 2nd point about a further 5 inches up. But i possibly got a lemon...even still to pay the asking price for the Kaze as a project blade is too high and its value has long expired. Your better of buying a 9260 from an ebay seller and turning that into a project and you'll probably pay half as much dunno about the DH offerings. Even if Cheness is trying to stick to the entry level market its products have fallen far behind. I haven't read this entire thread and i'm sure someone has already address its value it has today. I have seen some beautiful customizations done on the Cheness line but is it really worth it to fork out the extra money to glorify and invest the time on an entry level hit n miss blade, mainly the Kaze cause of its hamon. But i'm sure people would argue some people can't afford a higher end blade so they choose the Kaze for its hamon to customize to make it look as close to a nihonto as possible without breaking the budget. I am not trying to discourage people from buying Cheness products and again i'm certain someone has already mentioned that Cheness need to lift their game and QC. I wasn't happy with my Cheness initially but after some work and hitting it on some stones i brought the edge to life and replaced the koshirae. Anyways i think this would be the last time i ever work on an entry level blade. The issues with Cheness continue to grow everyday i think there just slacking off. For your first katana that you want to use everyday,every week and all year round its totally worth it to invest in a Dojo Pro. I really think Cheness should offer a high end blade with fittings that you don't see all over ebay all the time, the tsubas you see on the Ronin Dojo Pros are never seen anywhere else besides the antiques, and they are the best looking tsubas you can find on a production blade period...sorry guys i went way off topic a bit there. but dirtbagd your lucky you got to return yours and not ever face it again i chose a different path and decided to customize mine and i regret it i should've just returned it but on the bright side i reprofiled mine with less ha niku (the Kaze is pretty meaty) and it cuts much better i only cut tatami and not bamboo like i said before i don't think its been tempered properly so i wouldn't try any other target other than the mats
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Post by Pomerinke on Jan 13, 2014 7:52:08 GMT
I'm going to chime in on this. First I'm really pleased with the environment on this forum and website. What a testament to the people here and the people who maintain it. On to Cheness.
I've been shopping around for a while now looking to purchase a very durable Katana with 9260 steel. I don't need pretty, I just need durable to sustain my abuse. When I get better, I will save up and buy pretty. What I've noticed after reading many (every post in this thread and days worth, not lying, DAYS worth of others) posts and reviews, most people who buy directly from Cheness have 50%/50% quality. Anyone who has bought it through SBG has had 100% satisfaction. May not be the case, just what I've read. Paul Southren through the SBG Store, has a pretty reassuring 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed policy. I also remember reading (though I can't find where now) that individuals buying a sword or two from a large company may loose quality because large companies are more concerned with giving good quality and service to large purchasing costumers. SBG can act as "large buying costumer" by quantifying our individual orders. Kinda like a mutual fund. Just a thought.
There is also a division in what people are looking for in a sword. Some are happy with functional steel and nice fittings. Some are happy with functional steel with durable fittings. In the sub 300$ range, it seems there is this division. I will listen to any advice steering me away from Cheness, but I am definitely looking for functional/durable. If I go with Cheness, I will definetly buy it through SBG store. If not for quality, I'll buy it at SBG to support this site. Please tell me where I'm right, wrong, and the other. And if you have a line on functional/durable 9260 katana. Keep on rockin' all and make this place awesome!
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