swordmaker688 (Yao) - "top quality katana" - a first look
Mar 15, 2013 13:42:43 GMT
Post by hhmoore on Mar 15, 2013 13:42:43 GMT
I will follow the review template to the extent that I am able.
Introduction:
Anybody that has read my introduction in Welcome Wagon, knows the basics of who/what I am. For those that haven't, the simplest explanation is that I am a long time blade enthusiast. I have knives, a few 'hawks, and a smallish group of swords (compared to many here, at least). I had seen, but avoided, many of ebay's sword vendors from china...and I fairly recently found myself reading through some of the reviews. Swordmaker688 (Yao) was one of those; and it seemed every time I was starting to feel comfortable with the idea of making a purchase, I would find more negative comments. I had already seen a couple of his offerings that were of interest to me, so I initiated contact with a member that had first hand experience with these swords. Sufficiently encouraged, I placed my order.
Full Disclosure:
I am a collector, with a small amount of long since lost training. As such, I consider myself a beginner when it comes to handling; but I do enjoy doing some backyard cutting now and then. I purchase my own swords, and receive no special considerations. This is my first review, so please be gentle if my ignorance becomes too obvious.
My reason for selecting this particular katana was almost entirely it's appearance.
The shipped price was slightly under $400; but I think it is still relevant to this forum - call it the effect of inflation since the site began.
Initial Impressions:
The katana arrived, packaged in a heavily taped styrofoam box. Inside that box was the sword box.
The katana was in a colorful silk sword bag.
The tsuka was wrapped in plastic. The blade was well oiled, and had a long thin "bag" over it in the saya.
Cleanup was easy, and I used the included stand for some of the following pictures.
As you can see, I selected the red ito, with black same. The original saya was black with a rayskin wrap, but I elected to change that to the black and red. I didn't specify the sageo color, but I think the black and white was what was shown in the auction.
Statistics (copied directly from the auction text):
Overall Length: 40.9 inch /104 cm
Nagasa Length: 27.8 inch / 70.5 cm
Handle Length: 10.6 inch / 27cm
Kissaki Shape: CHU-KISSAKI
Blade Shape: SHINOGI-ZUKURI
Blade Material: 1060 steel with clay tempered
Tsuba Material: High quality brass Tsuba
Blade Width (near Habaki): 1.26 inch / 3.2cm
Blade Width (near Kissaki): 0.91inch / 2.3cm
Weight (with Saya ): 3.20 lbs / 1.45 kg (approximately)
Weight (without Saya): 2.53 lbs / 1.15 kg (approximately)
Saya Material: High Quality Rayskin Warpped Saya
Handle Material: Genuine Ray skin + Hard wooden
Condition: Brand New
Components:
Blade - This is a DH, folded steel blade. The hamon is reasonably prominent, and the effect of the layers is visible above it. The "damascus" effect is not nearly as noticeable in person as in these images, but it isn't difficult to see.
The blade is well finished, the layers offsetting the look - it is my only folded steel blade, so I'm not sure quite how to compare it to my others. As such, I'll let you look for yourselves.
Tsuka - The handle is of comfortable thickness for me, with a slight taper.
The ito is tight, and alternating; but a bit "bulgy".
(It is one of two katana in my possession that has this type of grip, the other being a Last Legend)
It looks as if it would be uncomfortable, but I have not found it to be so. I think the bulges give it some extra thickness, and help it feel more substantial in my hand; and they seem to aid in grip, as I haven't noticed any inclination to slide while one handing it.
I'll include the menuki in this section
Tsuba - the tsuba is brass, and more detailed than many in my (smallish) collection. The fit is tight, with no movement.
The habaki is brass, and decoratively styled (pic with fuchi/kashira)
Fuchi-Kashira - nicely detailed, continuing the dragon theme
Saya - As mentioned, I substituted the black/red saya. It fits well with the red ito, and black is just too common. It has a gloss finish, and the red really comes out in the light.
(the second picture looks pretty extreme - more so than the way I usually see it - due to the combination of the particular section photographed, and the natural sunlight hitting it)
My only complaint with this katana, thus far, is that the habaki binds in the koiguchi. It takes some effort to get it fully seated...and even more to get it free afterwards. I can visualize where it binds, and I don't anticipate much difficulty correcting the problem.
Handling - This sword just feels good in my hand(s). One handed, I'm more comfortable with this than any of my other katana...I think it's a combination of the full hand feel, the weight, and the balance; but it may just be that I can relate to the dragon. I don't do a lot of single handed work with katana, though; and my stated perception was based on a couple of quick handling sessions. Obviously, "feel" is very subjective, so another person may have a very different opinion .
Test Cutting - I've not done any cutting with this katana, yet. All I can say in this regard is that the blade is quite sharp.
Conclusions, Pros, and Cons:
I've addressed the strong and weak points as I went along. Overall, I'm quite happy with my purchase; with my only negative comment being the way the habaki binds at the mouth of the saya. At this point, I feel I should state the disclaimer that this is an early impression review. I haven't had this katana long, and I haven't done much with it. As a result, I can't comment on its durability. Based on my current feelings, though, I would absolutely consider another purchase from Swordmaker688.
One thing I referenced, but neglected to describe, was the available choices. There are multiple options for tsuba and fittings, same, ito, sageo, and saya; and substitutions from what is pictured in the auction are free of charge. I spoke with Yao about the possibility of getting a longer blade, and he said that was no problem...but it would take 3-4 weeks (I didn't ask about price difference, because I wasn't pursuing it for this sword).
Introduction:
Anybody that has read my introduction in Welcome Wagon, knows the basics of who/what I am. For those that haven't, the simplest explanation is that I am a long time blade enthusiast. I have knives, a few 'hawks, and a smallish group of swords (compared to many here, at least). I had seen, but avoided, many of ebay's sword vendors from china...and I fairly recently found myself reading through some of the reviews. Swordmaker688 (Yao) was one of those; and it seemed every time I was starting to feel comfortable with the idea of making a purchase, I would find more negative comments. I had already seen a couple of his offerings that were of interest to me, so I initiated contact with a member that had first hand experience with these swords. Sufficiently encouraged, I placed my order.
Full Disclosure:
I am a collector, with a small amount of long since lost training. As such, I consider myself a beginner when it comes to handling; but I do enjoy doing some backyard cutting now and then. I purchase my own swords, and receive no special considerations. This is my first review, so please be gentle if my ignorance becomes too obvious.
My reason for selecting this particular katana was almost entirely it's appearance.
The shipped price was slightly under $400; but I think it is still relevant to this forum - call it the effect of inflation since the site began.
Initial Impressions:
The katana arrived, packaged in a heavily taped styrofoam box. Inside that box was the sword box.
The katana was in a colorful silk sword bag.
The tsuka was wrapped in plastic. The blade was well oiled, and had a long thin "bag" over it in the saya.
Cleanup was easy, and I used the included stand for some of the following pictures.
As you can see, I selected the red ito, with black same. The original saya was black with a rayskin wrap, but I elected to change that to the black and red. I didn't specify the sageo color, but I think the black and white was what was shown in the auction.
Statistics (copied directly from the auction text):
Overall Length: 40.9 inch /104 cm
Nagasa Length: 27.8 inch / 70.5 cm
Handle Length: 10.6 inch / 27cm
Kissaki Shape: CHU-KISSAKI
Blade Shape: SHINOGI-ZUKURI
Blade Material: 1060 steel with clay tempered
Tsuba Material: High quality brass Tsuba
Blade Width (near Habaki): 1.26 inch / 3.2cm
Blade Width (near Kissaki): 0.91inch / 2.3cm
Weight (with Saya ): 3.20 lbs / 1.45 kg (approximately)
Weight (without Saya): 2.53 lbs / 1.15 kg (approximately)
Saya Material: High Quality Rayskin Warpped Saya
Handle Material: Genuine Ray skin + Hard wooden
Condition: Brand New
Components:
Blade - This is a DH, folded steel blade. The hamon is reasonably prominent, and the effect of the layers is visible above it. The "damascus" effect is not nearly as noticeable in person as in these images, but it isn't difficult to see.
The blade is well finished, the layers offsetting the look - it is my only folded steel blade, so I'm not sure quite how to compare it to my others. As such, I'll let you look for yourselves.
Tsuka - The handle is of comfortable thickness for me, with a slight taper.
The ito is tight, and alternating; but a bit "bulgy".
(It is one of two katana in my possession that has this type of grip, the other being a Last Legend)
It looks as if it would be uncomfortable, but I have not found it to be so. I think the bulges give it some extra thickness, and help it feel more substantial in my hand; and they seem to aid in grip, as I haven't noticed any inclination to slide while one handing it.
I'll include the menuki in this section
Tsuba - the tsuba is brass, and more detailed than many in my (smallish) collection. The fit is tight, with no movement.
The habaki is brass, and decoratively styled (pic with fuchi/kashira)
Fuchi-Kashira - nicely detailed, continuing the dragon theme
Saya - As mentioned, I substituted the black/red saya. It fits well with the red ito, and black is just too common. It has a gloss finish, and the red really comes out in the light.
(the second picture looks pretty extreme - more so than the way I usually see it - due to the combination of the particular section photographed, and the natural sunlight hitting it)
My only complaint with this katana, thus far, is that the habaki binds in the koiguchi. It takes some effort to get it fully seated...and even more to get it free afterwards. I can visualize where it binds, and I don't anticipate much difficulty correcting the problem.
Handling - This sword just feels good in my hand(s). One handed, I'm more comfortable with this than any of my other katana...I think it's a combination of the full hand feel, the weight, and the balance; but it may just be that I can relate to the dragon. I don't do a lot of single handed work with katana, though; and my stated perception was based on a couple of quick handling sessions. Obviously, "feel" is very subjective, so another person may have a very different opinion .
Test Cutting - I've not done any cutting with this katana, yet. All I can say in this regard is that the blade is quite sharp.
Conclusions, Pros, and Cons:
I've addressed the strong and weak points as I went along. Overall, I'm quite happy with my purchase; with my only negative comment being the way the habaki binds at the mouth of the saya. At this point, I feel I should state the disclaimer that this is an early impression review. I haven't had this katana long, and I haven't done much with it. As a result, I can't comment on its durability. Based on my current feelings, though, I would absolutely consider another purchase from Swordmaker688.
One thing I referenced, but neglected to describe, was the available choices. There are multiple options for tsuba and fittings, same, ito, sageo, and saya; and substitutions from what is pictured in the auction are free of charge. I spoke with Yao about the possibility of getting a longer blade, and he said that was no problem...but it would take 3-4 weeks (I didn't ask about price difference, because I wasn't pursuing it for this sword).