Ronin Dojo Pro "Morinohana" - Model 18 (pics at bottom)
Apr 1, 2013 20:51:51 GMT
Post by kloborgg on Apr 1, 2013 20:51:51 GMT
UPDATE:
I had some experiences with this sword which I feel obliged to share. As the rest of the review outlines, besides the poor-fitting saya I was quite happy with the purchase. After cutting some more soft targets the blade continued to perform very well. However, a few days ago, I drew the sword from the saya to discover the habaki had become very loose. A slight shake would produce notable rattle. This occured seemingly out of nowhere, and it was pretty disappointing.
I contacted Paul about the issue since I bought the sword at the SBG store, and while he has so far been willing to help fix the issue, he alerted me that he would be unable to swap the sword for two reasons; A. the return policy only lasts 30 days, and B. it only lasts as long as the sword is in "original condition" (meaning no use, and no disassembly). Of course, this information was plainly available and it was my fault for not being thorough, but after seeing so many testimonials to how indestructable Ronin katanas are and how phenomenal the QC process is, I kind of took for granted that I wouldn't get a lemon. I was certainly surprised to learn that a sword known for its ability to take incredible abuse loses its warranty upon cutting into boxes.
Paul suggested I try a remount, which I did. The first time met with no results, but a second time using a few layers of thin tape and some glue seems to have (mostly) fixed the issue. I was a little disheartened though, that had I done this beforehand it would have also voided the return policy (since disassembly is obviously required). It seems weird to me that if I were to check for a cracked tsuka the same thing would have happened. I don't mean to harp on the policy (again, it was my fault for not reading into it, though I'm not sure it would have changed my mind), but it does seem weird to me and I felt obliged to mention it.
I hate to be a voice of dissent on this issue. I know the vast majority of reviews of these swords are positive. Paul is still in contact with me and I don't mean to criticize him or the SBG store as he's just following the policy. I just wanted to let any potential readers know that these swords are not guaranteed to be flawless. Hopefully I can find a better fix for the habaki, and aside from that issue and the loose saya it still seems to be a great blade for the money. Take this as my learning experience.
Introduction
I've been using these forums quite a bit to inform my buying decisions, so I've decided to try giving something back. I bought my first "real" sword, a Jubei Water Dragon from Swordnarmory, something like a year ago. I'm a student, and didn't (and still don't) have much of a budget, but I've always been interested in medieval weaponry. I bought my first euro, the H/T Bastard, a few months ago. I fell in love with the speed and balance, and after gathering together some more funds I was getting ready to get my next sword a couple weeks ago. After looking through some more euros and asking around, I went browsing through the SBG sword and saw the Ronin Dojo Pro #18. Though I wasn't planning on another katana, I was instantly struck by the design and finally clenched my teeth and bought it.
So, to recap, I'm a student with relatively little experience with swords. Aside from the Ronin, I own one euro and one $90 katana. I have no formal training (I try to follow online guides/videos), but I certainly enjoy cutting bottles/branches/whatever in my backyard. Even though I haven't handled many swords, I've been reading through Ronin reviews and recommendations for over a year now and have gathered all of the info I could. I settled on this sword because of its unique theme and Ronin's numerous accolades across the forums.
This is my first sword review, and many of the pictures I took (located at the end of the review) didn't end up looking as great as I hoped (especially pictures of the blade itself). Still, I tried to capture the overall look of the katana as best I could. In places I compare aspects of the Ronin to my Jubei sword, though I'm not trying to actually review the Jubei (I roughed up the blade pretty badly while learning to sharpen/polish). Also, I apologize if I misused any of the Japanese terms in this review.
Historical Overview
I'm fairly certain the katana originated from Japan. This particular theme is of a "forest flower".
Full Disclosure
I'm not in any way affiliated with Ronin Katana or any sword vendors. I'm a student who likes swords, and I try to make informed buying decisions.
Statistics
I'm going to repeat the official specifications given by Ronin here:
Steel: Through hardened 1060
Saya: Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri.
Weight: 2.6 pounds
POB: 4 1/2- 5 inches
Length in saya: 42 inches
Tsuka: 11 inches
Blade: 28 inches
Habaki to tip: 27 inches
Ito: Silk
Sageo: Synthetic silk
Fuchi: Backened iron
Kashira: Blackened iron
Menuki: Brass
Initiail Impressions and Components
As I've said, I read just about every review I could find before getting this sword, so I'm not going to pretend that I was "shocked" about any particular feature here or there. The sword shipped a couple days after purchase and arrived quickly. The box, which I haven't bothered showing, is a very simple cardboard box with a placeholder picture of a katana. It had 3 Styrofoam mounts for the sword, and did its job well enough. It's nothing to display, but as others have mentioned I'd rather have more money go to the sword and not the box.
The first thing about the actual sword that caught my eye was the tsuka. It's very nicely tapered (one of the main reasons I chose this katana), and while it feels similar to the chemical fiber ito on my Jubei, it has a very vibrant sheen to it. This also goes for the menuki, which look fantastic (almost like gold) next to the black samegawa. The same seems to have even nodes (though I'm no expert on this), and I feel that the black color hides any potential imperfections pretty well. The ito is nicely wrapped, and doesn't feel loose at all as some reviews have mentioned. This may change with frequent use, but for now I feel comfortable handling it. I'm not an expert on how it's meant to be tied, but the diamonds seem relatively even and the pattern alternates.
My first negative points for the sword comes from the mekugi. They're blackened and fade nicely into the same, but they seem to have been forced through rather messily. There were some loosened pieces of same around the exit holes which were initially white and quite noticeable. I took a sharpie pen to these areas and now it looks fine to me, but I was a little surprised considering the Jubei managed this much better.
The Fuchi and Kashira are plain iron, and feel quite sturdy. The Kashira is tight, with no shifting (something the Jubei had a problem with), but as you can see there were some noticeable scratches right off the bat. I don't mind much, but I thought it worth noting.
The tsuba is blackened iron and has a nice, simple design. I don't have much to say, except that the edges are not rounded and I noticed when my hand slipped up the handle in a certain way it dug in a little bit. Still, that's a small complaint.
I'm not sure how to review the seppa, but the habaki is nice. Like the Jubei it has a rough polish but it's design seems unique. It also seems to fit the blade pretty nicely.
Getting to the blade, I have to say my initial aesthetic impressions were not terribly exciting. It was covered in wax and residue, and I was a little worried after some Windex failed to remove some brownish-looking stains. 90% alcohol fixed that right up, and on second inspection I was very happy. I don't feel like this is a con as it only affects the initial impressions.
The polish may not be the best (there are a couple scuffs, and in the right light a few small scratches appear), but to me it looks almost like a mirror polish. This is especially true when put next to my other swords. It's a very attractive blade, and the counter-polished kissaki looks quite nice.
Again, I don't feel too comfortable commenting on the actual blade geometry, but I did like the diamond-shaped tip and if this makes any sense the curve of the blade seemed a little smoother than the Jubei. My pictures of the blade don't really do it any justice, and for that I apologize. Though it's difficult to see, I do believe I received a sword with one of those "ghost hamon" people talk about. I'm glad, and I think it's quite attractive.
The edge of the blade is basically what I expected. It can cut paper in the sense that if I drag it along it will go through most of it, but it's not a razor. Not dull by any stretch, but nothing entirely special.
Finally, let's get to the saya. For the most part it's what I've come to expect. It has a nice glossy black finish, but with a few special Ronin touches. The buffalo horn is, as many have stated, very attractive, though there were a few scuffs on the kurikata. I've tried to picture those. The sageo feels very nice and I have to give some praise for how tightly it sits. On my Jubei, the sageo would constantly shift and was quite annoying. On the Ronin, it feels nice and secure.
However, I do have some problems with the Saya. The fit is actually noticeably worse than the Jubei. The sword has definite movement while sheathed, and while it holds in tightly enough that it won't fall out, it doesn't draw as smoothly as the Jubei. In addition, there is a lot of wax in the Saya and I've had to get used to wiping it off every time I draw the sword. These are mere annoyances, and the saya still does its job, but I was expecting a little more.
Handling Characteristics
I'm about 5'11", and this sword feels just right. In all honesty, it doesn't seem all that different compared to the Jubei even though it lacks the bohi. The grip feels similar, though I do like the shape on the Ronin tsuka more. I have fairly large hands I found the size just right. All in all, the Ronin handles like I've come to expect a katana to handle.
Test Cutting
So far, I've only had time to cut one thing: the shipping box. Even so, I was impressed and deeply satisfied. I'm certainly not the best swordsman, but the Ronin went through the freestanding box evenly and without much force at all. The thing was in pieces before I had finished my swing. This was the main reason I chose the Ronin; its performance. Also worth nothing is that all the cuts barely left a blemish on the blade, unlike the softer steel on the Jubei which would show cosmetic scratches after any cut. This is really the part of the sword that matters, and it's everything I had hoped for.
Conclusions
EDIT:
After having gone through the process detailed in the "updated" part of the review, I will now say I'm hesitant to recommend a Ronin katana, at least for now. With any sword vendor you're going to take some risk of a lemon, but in the case of that happening I'd go with a policy that protects your purchase better. The blade I got was sharp and durable, but my experience was a mixed one. Perhaps there was a temporarily slip-up that will be fixed down the line,, but for now I can't give a full recommendation.
Pros
-Very attractive and solidly built tsuka, with traditional fittings
-Handles great, very comfortable to use
-Good polish and good cutting edge
-Seems to have great blade geometry
-Excellent cutting performance
-Attractive saya
Cons
-Messy job with mekugi
-Ito wrap diamonds uneven
-Minor blemishes and scuffs throughout blade and some fittings
-Poor blade fit with noticeable movement in the saya, and waxy residue on drawing blade
UPDATED
-Poorly fitted habaki, loosened after about a month
The Bottom Line
EDIT:
Despite a fine blade and a beautiful theme, I was ultimately not satisfied.
Pictures:
The Ronin (bottom) next to the Jubei Water Dragon.
The two tsuka side by side. Note the tsuka taper and the sheen of the Ronin's silk ito.
Overall look at the Ronin outside the saya.
A closer look at the blackened iron tsuba.
A look at one of the menuki. To me it looks kind of like a lizard rearing its head. To those who care about consistent themes with their swords, this might be a problem, but I don't really care. It's shiny and looks good.
The kashira and its scratches. Noticable, but I probably would have made them myself given time.
One of the mekugi exits. While a sharpie pen largely helped, you can still see where some of the same came loose.
A closer look at a mekugi exit. The purple is from the sharpie; it was originally white.
A look at the habaki. It doesn't sit flush with the blade, but it seems centered to me.
Another view of the habaki
The counter-polished kissaki.
The sageo and attractive buffalo horn.
A closer look at the kurikata reveals some of the scuffs on the back (circled in red).
The mouth of the saya shows some of the waxy residue that you'll have to get used to.
An attempt to show the "ghost hamon". Look near the reflection for the faint line.
Another picture of sword and saya.
The result of freestanding cuts on the shipping box.
A closer look at the cut.
I had some experiences with this sword which I feel obliged to share. As the rest of the review outlines, besides the poor-fitting saya I was quite happy with the purchase. After cutting some more soft targets the blade continued to perform very well. However, a few days ago, I drew the sword from the saya to discover the habaki had become very loose. A slight shake would produce notable rattle. This occured seemingly out of nowhere, and it was pretty disappointing.
I contacted Paul about the issue since I bought the sword at the SBG store, and while he has so far been willing to help fix the issue, he alerted me that he would be unable to swap the sword for two reasons; A. the return policy only lasts 30 days, and B. it only lasts as long as the sword is in "original condition" (meaning no use, and no disassembly). Of course, this information was plainly available and it was my fault for not being thorough, but after seeing so many testimonials to how indestructable Ronin katanas are and how phenomenal the QC process is, I kind of took for granted that I wouldn't get a lemon. I was certainly surprised to learn that a sword known for its ability to take incredible abuse loses its warranty upon cutting into boxes.
Paul suggested I try a remount, which I did. The first time met with no results, but a second time using a few layers of thin tape and some glue seems to have (mostly) fixed the issue. I was a little disheartened though, that had I done this beforehand it would have also voided the return policy (since disassembly is obviously required). It seems weird to me that if I were to check for a cracked tsuka the same thing would have happened. I don't mean to harp on the policy (again, it was my fault for not reading into it, though I'm not sure it would have changed my mind), but it does seem weird to me and I felt obliged to mention it.
I hate to be a voice of dissent on this issue. I know the vast majority of reviews of these swords are positive. Paul is still in contact with me and I don't mean to criticize him or the SBG store as he's just following the policy. I just wanted to let any potential readers know that these swords are not guaranteed to be flawless. Hopefully I can find a better fix for the habaki, and aside from that issue and the loose saya it still seems to be a great blade for the money. Take this as my learning experience.
Introduction
I've been using these forums quite a bit to inform my buying decisions, so I've decided to try giving something back. I bought my first "real" sword, a Jubei Water Dragon from Swordnarmory, something like a year ago. I'm a student, and didn't (and still don't) have much of a budget, but I've always been interested in medieval weaponry. I bought my first euro, the H/T Bastard, a few months ago. I fell in love with the speed and balance, and after gathering together some more funds I was getting ready to get my next sword a couple weeks ago. After looking through some more euros and asking around, I went browsing through the SBG sword and saw the Ronin Dojo Pro #18. Though I wasn't planning on another katana, I was instantly struck by the design and finally clenched my teeth and bought it.
So, to recap, I'm a student with relatively little experience with swords. Aside from the Ronin, I own one euro and one $90 katana. I have no formal training (I try to follow online guides/videos), but I certainly enjoy cutting bottles/branches/whatever in my backyard. Even though I haven't handled many swords, I've been reading through Ronin reviews and recommendations for over a year now and have gathered all of the info I could. I settled on this sword because of its unique theme and Ronin's numerous accolades across the forums.
This is my first sword review, and many of the pictures I took (located at the end of the review) didn't end up looking as great as I hoped (especially pictures of the blade itself). Still, I tried to capture the overall look of the katana as best I could. In places I compare aspects of the Ronin to my Jubei sword, though I'm not trying to actually review the Jubei (I roughed up the blade pretty badly while learning to sharpen/polish). Also, I apologize if I misused any of the Japanese terms in this review.
Historical Overview
I'm fairly certain the katana originated from Japan. This particular theme is of a "forest flower".
Full Disclosure
I'm not in any way affiliated with Ronin Katana or any sword vendors. I'm a student who likes swords, and I try to make informed buying decisions.
Statistics
I'm going to repeat the official specifications given by Ronin here:
Steel: Through hardened 1060
Saya: Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri.
Weight: 2.6 pounds
POB: 4 1/2- 5 inches
Length in saya: 42 inches
Tsuka: 11 inches
Blade: 28 inches
Habaki to tip: 27 inches
Ito: Silk
Sageo: Synthetic silk
Fuchi: Backened iron
Kashira: Blackened iron
Menuki: Brass
Initiail Impressions and Components
As I've said, I read just about every review I could find before getting this sword, so I'm not going to pretend that I was "shocked" about any particular feature here or there. The sword shipped a couple days after purchase and arrived quickly. The box, which I haven't bothered showing, is a very simple cardboard box with a placeholder picture of a katana. It had 3 Styrofoam mounts for the sword, and did its job well enough. It's nothing to display, but as others have mentioned I'd rather have more money go to the sword and not the box.
The first thing about the actual sword that caught my eye was the tsuka. It's very nicely tapered (one of the main reasons I chose this katana), and while it feels similar to the chemical fiber ito on my Jubei, it has a very vibrant sheen to it. This also goes for the menuki, which look fantastic (almost like gold) next to the black samegawa. The same seems to have even nodes (though I'm no expert on this), and I feel that the black color hides any potential imperfections pretty well. The ito is nicely wrapped, and doesn't feel loose at all as some reviews have mentioned. This may change with frequent use, but for now I feel comfortable handling it. I'm not an expert on how it's meant to be tied, but the diamonds seem relatively even and the pattern alternates.
My first negative points for the sword comes from the mekugi. They're blackened and fade nicely into the same, but they seem to have been forced through rather messily. There were some loosened pieces of same around the exit holes which were initially white and quite noticeable. I took a sharpie pen to these areas and now it looks fine to me, but I was a little surprised considering the Jubei managed this much better.
The Fuchi and Kashira are plain iron, and feel quite sturdy. The Kashira is tight, with no shifting (something the Jubei had a problem with), but as you can see there were some noticeable scratches right off the bat. I don't mind much, but I thought it worth noting.
The tsuba is blackened iron and has a nice, simple design. I don't have much to say, except that the edges are not rounded and I noticed when my hand slipped up the handle in a certain way it dug in a little bit. Still, that's a small complaint.
I'm not sure how to review the seppa, but the habaki is nice. Like the Jubei it has a rough polish but it's design seems unique. It also seems to fit the blade pretty nicely.
Getting to the blade, I have to say my initial aesthetic impressions were not terribly exciting. It was covered in wax and residue, and I was a little worried after some Windex failed to remove some brownish-looking stains. 90% alcohol fixed that right up, and on second inspection I was very happy. I don't feel like this is a con as it only affects the initial impressions.
The polish may not be the best (there are a couple scuffs, and in the right light a few small scratches appear), but to me it looks almost like a mirror polish. This is especially true when put next to my other swords. It's a very attractive blade, and the counter-polished kissaki looks quite nice.
Again, I don't feel too comfortable commenting on the actual blade geometry, but I did like the diamond-shaped tip and if this makes any sense the curve of the blade seemed a little smoother than the Jubei. My pictures of the blade don't really do it any justice, and for that I apologize. Though it's difficult to see, I do believe I received a sword with one of those "ghost hamon" people talk about. I'm glad, and I think it's quite attractive.
The edge of the blade is basically what I expected. It can cut paper in the sense that if I drag it along it will go through most of it, but it's not a razor. Not dull by any stretch, but nothing entirely special.
Finally, let's get to the saya. For the most part it's what I've come to expect. It has a nice glossy black finish, but with a few special Ronin touches. The buffalo horn is, as many have stated, very attractive, though there were a few scuffs on the kurikata. I've tried to picture those. The sageo feels very nice and I have to give some praise for how tightly it sits. On my Jubei, the sageo would constantly shift and was quite annoying. On the Ronin, it feels nice and secure.
However, I do have some problems with the Saya. The fit is actually noticeably worse than the Jubei. The sword has definite movement while sheathed, and while it holds in tightly enough that it won't fall out, it doesn't draw as smoothly as the Jubei. In addition, there is a lot of wax in the Saya and I've had to get used to wiping it off every time I draw the sword. These are mere annoyances, and the saya still does its job, but I was expecting a little more.
Handling Characteristics
I'm about 5'11", and this sword feels just right. In all honesty, it doesn't seem all that different compared to the Jubei even though it lacks the bohi. The grip feels similar, though I do like the shape on the Ronin tsuka more. I have fairly large hands I found the size just right. All in all, the Ronin handles like I've come to expect a katana to handle.
Test Cutting
So far, I've only had time to cut one thing: the shipping box. Even so, I was impressed and deeply satisfied. I'm certainly not the best swordsman, but the Ronin went through the freestanding box evenly and without much force at all. The thing was in pieces before I had finished my swing. This was the main reason I chose the Ronin; its performance. Also worth nothing is that all the cuts barely left a blemish on the blade, unlike the softer steel on the Jubei which would show cosmetic scratches after any cut. This is really the part of the sword that matters, and it's everything I had hoped for.
Conclusions
EDIT:
After having gone through the process detailed in the "updated" part of the review, I will now say I'm hesitant to recommend a Ronin katana, at least for now. With any sword vendor you're going to take some risk of a lemon, but in the case of that happening I'd go with a policy that protects your purchase better. The blade I got was sharp and durable, but my experience was a mixed one. Perhaps there was a temporarily slip-up that will be fixed down the line,, but for now I can't give a full recommendation.
Pros
-Very attractive and solidly built tsuka, with traditional fittings
-Handles great, very comfortable to use
-Good polish and good cutting edge
-Seems to have great blade geometry
-Excellent cutting performance
-Attractive saya
Cons
-Messy job with mekugi
-Ito wrap diamonds uneven
-Minor blemishes and scuffs throughout blade and some fittings
-Poor blade fit with noticeable movement in the saya, and waxy residue on drawing blade
UPDATED
-Poorly fitted habaki, loosened after about a month
The Bottom Line
EDIT:
Despite a fine blade and a beautiful theme, I was ultimately not satisfied.
Pictures:
The Ronin (bottom) next to the Jubei Water Dragon.
The two tsuka side by side. Note the tsuka taper and the sheen of the Ronin's silk ito.
Overall look at the Ronin outside the saya.
A closer look at the blackened iron tsuba.
A look at one of the menuki. To me it looks kind of like a lizard rearing its head. To those who care about consistent themes with their swords, this might be a problem, but I don't really care. It's shiny and looks good.
The kashira and its scratches. Noticable, but I probably would have made them myself given time.
One of the mekugi exits. While a sharpie pen largely helped, you can still see where some of the same came loose.
A closer look at a mekugi exit. The purple is from the sharpie; it was originally white.
A look at the habaki. It doesn't sit flush with the blade, but it seems centered to me.
Another view of the habaki
The counter-polished kissaki.
The sageo and attractive buffalo horn.
A closer look at the kurikata reveals some of the scuffs on the back (circled in red).
The mouth of the saya shows some of the waxy residue that you'll have to get used to.
An attempt to show the "ghost hamon". Look near the reflection for the faint line.
Another picture of sword and saya.
The result of freestanding cuts on the shipping box.
A closer look at the cut.