Ronin Elite Katana Review
Apr 11, 2013 18:16:15 GMT
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Apr 11, 2013 18:16:15 GMT
Introduction
Well this great review of a scratch & dent Elite by MK Ridgeway brought Ronin Elites to my attention, and events following it made me join this forum. I'm very happy that I rediscovered SBG, as this has evolved to a great swordforum. I remember the original idea, and Paul has lead this far beyond it, and this is a great place for all sword lovers.
Well enough history stuff... or not. I was planning to order a S&D Dojo Pro at last years sale when there were only couple left, Chris inspected the sword personally and told me I probably wouldn't want to pay international shipping on it as it had severe damage. As I had also VAT to pay, I thanked Chris for his honesty, it left a great impression to my mind. So after I saw that there were still couple Elites left at this year scratch & dent sale, and for that price they were real steals, I jumped on it. Chris was again very kind to inspect the sword personally, and messaged that the blade on another model is in better condition, and asked if I would like to switch my order. I heard his advice, and I'm very glad I did.
Historical Overview
This sword is a katana. This sword is made by laminating 7 different pieces of steels together. I know that this is commonly called Soshu kitae, but I have not read it in any of my books that Soshu smiths actually used so complex lamination.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword at Roninkatana Scratch & Dent sale, so the sword is factory second. Therefore this review will not give a 100% impression how the sword that has passed quality control will be. I must say that I don't think this would be factory second, but Chris has very impressive quality control. Well thanks to that I was able to get a great sword at great price.
Initial Impressions
Well I was with bit mixed feelings when waiting for this. I've been bit skeptical about the lamination, but I've heard so much good about the Elites. When the sword arrived I must say it topped my expectations. After inspecting the sword I must say I was thinking why the heck this is a factory second... Then I cleaned the nasty gunk that Zheng sayas have, I still couldn't see anything to complain. On very close look you can see 2 rust concentrations, one is 1,5mm and other is 2mm. Those were the only defects I was able to find from the blade. So this is almost perfect blade that I got at great discont, needless to say I was very happy.
Statistics
Nagasa: 70,7cm
Nakago: 25,5cm
Motohaba: 3,2cm
Sakihaba: 2,35cm
Motokasane: 8mm
Sakikasane: 6mm
Sori: 1,9cm @ 36cm
Bare blade weight: 850g
Weight in koshirae: 1174g
Tsuka: 26,5cm
Steel: 1095/1060/1045
Tsuba: diameter 8,1cm, thickness 7mm, weight 135g
Components
The white stuff you see in the pics is the nasty gunk that they put in saya at Zhengs. I tried to clean it off, but some of it is very stuck.
Lets start with the blade. I must say I’m quite impressed with this blade. Sword has quite nice flow, as you can see the nakago is almost straight, but it’s angled a bit. There is a slight amount of niku near the cutting edge and overall geometry is good to my eye. Kissaki on the sword is very well shaped. The mei on the nakago is a nice add on, but unfortunately it doesn’t look impressive as the lines are very thin. Nakagojiri is ha agari kurijiri. Unfortunately there is very little taper on the nakago. At first I was kinda sceptic about the lamination, but now seeing it in person I kinda like it. The lamination can only be seen near motohaba at ura side and in ura side of kissaki. Hamon might be midare. I tried to take a macro picture of that flaw on the sword, and you can see how miniature that is, the one on the other side is about similar in size.
Then the koshirae. Tsukamaki is brown silk over white rayskin. The ito is wrapped very tightly, and it's good quality ito. Wrap is not perfectly flush with fuchi. Tsuba, fuchi and kashira are flower themed and possibly made from brass, big menuki are dragons. At first I didn't like them, but seeing them more, I think they give bit unique feel to the sword. They are now ok in my mind, I would have preferred a bit plainer fittings, but as the blade is so good, it doesn't matter much. Upon inspection there was a crack in the tsuka. Hey there has to be something as this is a factory second. Saya is flawless and it's kuroro, sageo is brown silk. Fit to saya is excellent.
Conclusion
What can I say, I still can't understand how this was a factory second. After seeing this sword I believe there were many of us who got excellent deals at Ronins annual S&D sale. I probably won't cut with this one. I know that it's crazy, but I think this is better sword that I require when cutting. This sword deserves a better swordsman than me.
Well this great review of a scratch & dent Elite by MK Ridgeway brought Ronin Elites to my attention, and events following it made me join this forum. I'm very happy that I rediscovered SBG, as this has evolved to a great swordforum. I remember the original idea, and Paul has lead this far beyond it, and this is a great place for all sword lovers.
Well enough history stuff... or not. I was planning to order a S&D Dojo Pro at last years sale when there were only couple left, Chris inspected the sword personally and told me I probably wouldn't want to pay international shipping on it as it had severe damage. As I had also VAT to pay, I thanked Chris for his honesty, it left a great impression to my mind. So after I saw that there were still couple Elites left at this year scratch & dent sale, and for that price they were real steals, I jumped on it. Chris was again very kind to inspect the sword personally, and messaged that the blade on another model is in better condition, and asked if I would like to switch my order. I heard his advice, and I'm very glad I did.
Historical Overview
This sword is a katana. This sword is made by laminating 7 different pieces of steels together. I know that this is commonly called Soshu kitae, but I have not read it in any of my books that Soshu smiths actually used so complex lamination.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword at Roninkatana Scratch & Dent sale, so the sword is factory second. Therefore this review will not give a 100% impression how the sword that has passed quality control will be. I must say that I don't think this would be factory second, but Chris has very impressive quality control. Well thanks to that I was able to get a great sword at great price.
Initial Impressions
Well I was with bit mixed feelings when waiting for this. I've been bit skeptical about the lamination, but I've heard so much good about the Elites. When the sword arrived I must say it topped my expectations. After inspecting the sword I must say I was thinking why the heck this is a factory second... Then I cleaned the nasty gunk that Zheng sayas have, I still couldn't see anything to complain. On very close look you can see 2 rust concentrations, one is 1,5mm and other is 2mm. Those were the only defects I was able to find from the blade. So this is almost perfect blade that I got at great discont, needless to say I was very happy.
Statistics
Nagasa: 70,7cm
Nakago: 25,5cm
Motohaba: 3,2cm
Sakihaba: 2,35cm
Motokasane: 8mm
Sakikasane: 6mm
Sori: 1,9cm @ 36cm
Bare blade weight: 850g
Weight in koshirae: 1174g
Tsuka: 26,5cm
Steel: 1095/1060/1045
Tsuba: diameter 8,1cm, thickness 7mm, weight 135g
Components
The white stuff you see in the pics is the nasty gunk that they put in saya at Zhengs. I tried to clean it off, but some of it is very stuck.
Lets start with the blade. I must say I’m quite impressed with this blade. Sword has quite nice flow, as you can see the nakago is almost straight, but it’s angled a bit. There is a slight amount of niku near the cutting edge and overall geometry is good to my eye. Kissaki on the sword is very well shaped. The mei on the nakago is a nice add on, but unfortunately it doesn’t look impressive as the lines are very thin. Nakagojiri is ha agari kurijiri. Unfortunately there is very little taper on the nakago. At first I was kinda sceptic about the lamination, but now seeing it in person I kinda like it. The lamination can only be seen near motohaba at ura side and in ura side of kissaki. Hamon might be midare. I tried to take a macro picture of that flaw on the sword, and you can see how miniature that is, the one on the other side is about similar in size.
Then the koshirae. Tsukamaki is brown silk over white rayskin. The ito is wrapped very tightly, and it's good quality ito. Wrap is not perfectly flush with fuchi. Tsuba, fuchi and kashira are flower themed and possibly made from brass, big menuki are dragons. At first I didn't like them, but seeing them more, I think they give bit unique feel to the sword. They are now ok in my mind, I would have preferred a bit plainer fittings, but as the blade is so good, it doesn't matter much. Upon inspection there was a crack in the tsuka. Hey there has to be something as this is a factory second. Saya is flawless and it's kuroro, sageo is brown silk. Fit to saya is excellent.
Conclusion
What can I say, I still can't understand how this was a factory second. After seeing this sword I believe there were many of us who got excellent deals at Ronins annual S&D sale. I probably won't cut with this one. I know that it's crazy, but I think this is better sword that I require when cutting. This sword deserves a better swordsman than me.