Zhui Feng Yashi Katana Review
Apr 11, 2013 19:12:26 GMT
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Apr 11, 2013 19:12:26 GMT
Introduction
I know myself and couple others have been eyeing closely at Samurai Sword Shop as Dave Lorrez has the Zhui Feng swords in his inventory. Quite recently Dave has launched Fei Long Swords which ship Zhui Feng products straight from the forge, this is great news for international sword lovers. I had been thinking contacting Dave on behalf some other things, and I was stunned that he told me he would like to send me a sword for testing. I have never been reviewing a sword that I don't own, so this is the first time. Dave told me I could cut anything I like with this, but as I lack skill and materials, I will be cutting wet rolled newspaper mats, similar that I did in budget katana comparison test. That is enough challenging target for me, and will give good idea of the performance of this sword.
Big thanks to Dave Lorrez for giving this opportunity to me.
Historical Overview
It's a katana.
Full disclosure
I'm doing a honest review of a sword that was sent to me for review by Samurai Sword Shop. I'm getting no money from this review and I'm not marketing the product. I've seen some production katana of various quality, and they will act as comparison for this. I will give my independent opinion as a sword collector, and I don't fear to mention things that are not to my liking. So this will be like any other of my reviews, only this is the first time the sword is not mine, and I will ship it back after I've tested it.
Initial Impressions
Well I must say I had intention of getting this particular model to my budget katana comparison, but as I paid everything on it myself, I had to stop at 5 swords. This particular sword is from 2nd batch of Yashi katana. Dave informed me that the 2nd batch has more niku and weight than the first batch. First batch had more iaido oriented light agile swords (c.950g), and Dave said he liked their feel and balance very much. For some reason 2nd batch came out differently from forge... Weird things happen sometimes at forges in China.
Well my initial feels were very positive. I liked the black on black theme and the water & koi theme, I had quite similar koshirae planned for one of my own projects. And blade was the thing that really impressed me.
Statistics
Nagasa: 72,2cm
Nakago: 24,5cm
Motohaba: 3,15cm
Sakihaba: 2,3cm
Motokasane: 8mm
Sakikasane: 5,5mm
Sori: 2,1cm @ 34cm
Bare blade weight: 764g
Weight in koshirae: 1018g
Steel: T10
Tsuka: 26cm
Tsuba: 7,7 X 6,85cm, thickness 4,5mm, weight 80g
Components
Lets start with the blade. I must say I’m very impressed with this blade. Sword has very nice flow, as you can see the nakago has also sori, which makes the sword feel very nice. There is a good amount of niku in the blade and overall geometry is good to my eye. As you can see the bohi is very well made, and I like how it continues almost all the way through nakago. This is kinda between kaki nagashi and kaki toshi. Hi is kata-chiri meaning that the lower portion is at shinogi. Ending of bohi is hisaki agaru, as it rises above yokote, and it ends in a manner that I know many forumites prefer. The mei on the nakago is a nice add on. Nakagojiri is iriyama-gata. Kissaki is just cross polished. I really like this blade, and the sword creates very loud tachikaze when swung. I can hardly wait to cut with this, but I'll cut during this weekend.
Tsukamaki is black cotton over black rayskin. I personally like this color combination. Tsukamaki is fairly tight, I must say that it is the worst part of this sword. Tsuka has very nice shape and fits my hands well. Upper mekugi was bent and I snapped it with my fingers when I got it out. There is a big possibility that this damage was caused during my removal process as it took a lot of hammering to get it out. There is however nice steep angle for the meguki, which might affect it too. I replaced it. Tsuka core was well made and solid without cracks. I'm greatly impressed by the habaki and how well it fits. I hope my pics show this. Tsuba and fuchi & kashira are wave theme. Tsuba has mei but it's upside down. But I like small details like this. Menuki are black koi fish. Saya is brown ishime and it's very well made, sageo is cotton, black with brown spots. Saya fit is good, but sword is left couple mm's out of saya, as I'm scared to push it totally in as I don't want to damage kissaki. This could be due to climate difference.
Conclusion
Well I must say I'm very impressed by this sword and I'm just waiting that I can cut with this. I hope that this review has given a good overview of the sword. Cutting results will follow up briefly. Even though I shouldn't be looking at another production katana at the moment, I've already found myself couple times looking at DH Zhui Feng models. This is great sword for the money, if the tsukamaki would be bit better, this would be super.
I know myself and couple others have been eyeing closely at Samurai Sword Shop as Dave Lorrez has the Zhui Feng swords in his inventory. Quite recently Dave has launched Fei Long Swords which ship Zhui Feng products straight from the forge, this is great news for international sword lovers. I had been thinking contacting Dave on behalf some other things, and I was stunned that he told me he would like to send me a sword for testing. I have never been reviewing a sword that I don't own, so this is the first time. Dave told me I could cut anything I like with this, but as I lack skill and materials, I will be cutting wet rolled newspaper mats, similar that I did in budget katana comparison test. That is enough challenging target for me, and will give good idea of the performance of this sword.
Big thanks to Dave Lorrez for giving this opportunity to me.
Historical Overview
It's a katana.
Full disclosure
I'm doing a honest review of a sword that was sent to me for review by Samurai Sword Shop. I'm getting no money from this review and I'm not marketing the product. I've seen some production katana of various quality, and they will act as comparison for this. I will give my independent opinion as a sword collector, and I don't fear to mention things that are not to my liking. So this will be like any other of my reviews, only this is the first time the sword is not mine, and I will ship it back after I've tested it.
Initial Impressions
Well I must say I had intention of getting this particular model to my budget katana comparison, but as I paid everything on it myself, I had to stop at 5 swords. This particular sword is from 2nd batch of Yashi katana. Dave informed me that the 2nd batch has more niku and weight than the first batch. First batch had more iaido oriented light agile swords (c.950g), and Dave said he liked their feel and balance very much. For some reason 2nd batch came out differently from forge... Weird things happen sometimes at forges in China.
Well my initial feels were very positive. I liked the black on black theme and the water & koi theme, I had quite similar koshirae planned for one of my own projects. And blade was the thing that really impressed me.
Statistics
Nagasa: 72,2cm
Nakago: 24,5cm
Motohaba: 3,15cm
Sakihaba: 2,3cm
Motokasane: 8mm
Sakikasane: 5,5mm
Sori: 2,1cm @ 34cm
Bare blade weight: 764g
Weight in koshirae: 1018g
Steel: T10
Tsuka: 26cm
Tsuba: 7,7 X 6,85cm, thickness 4,5mm, weight 80g
Components
Lets start with the blade. I must say I’m very impressed with this blade. Sword has very nice flow, as you can see the nakago has also sori, which makes the sword feel very nice. There is a good amount of niku in the blade and overall geometry is good to my eye. As you can see the bohi is very well made, and I like how it continues almost all the way through nakago. This is kinda between kaki nagashi and kaki toshi. Hi is kata-chiri meaning that the lower portion is at shinogi. Ending of bohi is hisaki agaru, as it rises above yokote, and it ends in a manner that I know many forumites prefer. The mei on the nakago is a nice add on. Nakagojiri is iriyama-gata. Kissaki is just cross polished. I really like this blade, and the sword creates very loud tachikaze when swung. I can hardly wait to cut with this, but I'll cut during this weekend.
Tsukamaki is black cotton over black rayskin. I personally like this color combination. Tsukamaki is fairly tight, I must say that it is the worst part of this sword. Tsuka has very nice shape and fits my hands well. Upper mekugi was bent and I snapped it with my fingers when I got it out. There is a big possibility that this damage was caused during my removal process as it took a lot of hammering to get it out. There is however nice steep angle for the meguki, which might affect it too. I replaced it. Tsuka core was well made and solid without cracks. I'm greatly impressed by the habaki and how well it fits. I hope my pics show this. Tsuba and fuchi & kashira are wave theme. Tsuba has mei but it's upside down. But I like small details like this. Menuki are black koi fish. Saya is brown ishime and it's very well made, sageo is cotton, black with brown spots. Saya fit is good, but sword is left couple mm's out of saya, as I'm scared to push it totally in as I don't want to damage kissaki. This could be due to climate difference.
Conclusion
Well I must say I'm very impressed by this sword and I'm just waiting that I can cut with this. I hope that this review has given a good overview of the sword. Cutting results will follow up briefly. Even though I shouldn't be looking at another production katana at the moment, I've already found myself couple times looking at DH Zhui Feng models. This is great sword for the money, if the tsukamaki would be bit better, this would be super.