Hanwei Raptor Dashio (Shobu Zukuri and Wakizashi)
Apr 14, 2013 10:54:05 GMT
Post by George on Apr 14, 2013 10:54:05 GMT
So ive been collecting Japanese swords for a few years now. Ive owned a few, from lots of the big brands, and have sold just as many. I decided to make the jump and check out the Raptor offering from Hanwei. I have owned the Bamboo Mat and the Tactical Katana's from Hanwei in the past. Have also had a tanto or two and i have always been impressed with the Quality.
Lately my martial arts has led me to sort of 'follow' James Williams. He would be my favorite, martial artist. Anyway long story short, im saving for some higher end blades, but i wanted something cheaper as my 'beater options.' So his design into these sold them too me.
Im actually out of mats at the moment so can't provide any cutting details.
It will be a pure first impression review. I am 6'1" and the 13" tsuka is great. The blade length is good for me. So i assume they would cut well. The balance is a bit blade light, but my impression may change with some use. It should be a very nimble cutter.
Rob at Stromlo swords was happy to help. So they arrived the other day and straight away i could see the classic Hanwei quality. Now this is where i am going to throw in my educated opinion. Every Hanwei i have owned has been 100% on the mark. ALOT of the other makers of under $300 swords, while good always have that 'one little thing' while not a concern, and most people wouldn't even notice, to me i am too much of a perfectionist. Maybe i have just been super lucky with the swords i have received but i have never had a single concern with build quality of Hanwei. Thats a tip for you guys that want something of quality, that is tough as it is beautiful.
You will notice ive swapped the sageo on the Katana. This is simply as i had it there and i like it more. But the original was the same as the wakizashi.
Ill do these as a side by side review and let the pictures speak words. Nice polish i like the rougher finish on the Ha on the Katana. It really defines the blade and with use it wont leave marks. I like that in a sword to be used. The Wakizashi has that rough finish also. Im not sure what it is but it is done well, all straight like draw filing.
The wrap on the Tsukas, is good. Im not a fan of battle wrap, but its done nicely and feels good under hand. Its a good grain/cut of samegawa and everything is tight. I really like the suede, these are swords to use. Traditionally i don't like it but to actually use it provides alot of extra grip. The Menuki are nice and fitting with the theme.
So you can see the tsuka is a bit thick. The Bamboo mat was ALOT worse personally i love the size. I have big hands and as you can see its a really good fit for me.
The Kissaki on both are very clear and defined. They are a little bit thin, but this is the design of the blades, im sure the 5160 will hold up just fine. Very much like a scalpel point.
The fittings are actually different. I thought they used the same Fushi, Kashira and Tsuba on all models. Apparently this isnt so. Which is a nice touch!
Now alot of people don't like the fittings. I went in with an open mind, and now i have them they are not too much or too gaudy. We have wedge tail eagles here and they are huge, beautiful, majestic birds of prey. Looking at this from the point of what the animal depicted is and not what the fittings are, actually make them really appeal to me. Basically i like the fittings as i like the animals. Its hard to word what i mean, but everyone's biggest problem seems to be the fittings.
So the first 3 are the Katana and the last 3 are the Wakizashi. See the differences.
Now just touching on Hanwei quality again. The fit in the Habaki, on all Hanwei swords has been second to none. I really respect this, as alot of manufactures skimp on this and it really makes the value of the blade, to me, plummet. Nice and straight, no gaps and no rattle or movement.
First two are the Katana. Last ones the Wakizashi.
The saya on both are pretty standard. I much prefer the matt/stone type finish as gloss gets really dirty with hand prints and marks. The fit for the Wakizashi is perfect and the Katana is good, but when shaken hard the blade has a slight rattle. Real horn parts too which make it nice. The Sageo is nice, just basic but it feels like real silk.
I have not disassembled these. My previous experience, while against what most recommend, is that on cheaper production blades, disassembly, for no purpose is a bit of a mistake. Basically, everything is tight. I want it to stay that way, so i wont be pulling them apart. I trust the tsuka, with the extra meat wont be cracked. I have actually stuffed up one by pulling it apart. Everything was fine but it never went back the same, the habaki moved, there was a gap in the seppa. Its not worth it 'just cause' in my opinion. If i wanted to change mounts or re-wrap then of course i would.
Lately my martial arts has led me to sort of 'follow' James Williams. He would be my favorite, martial artist. Anyway long story short, im saving for some higher end blades, but i wanted something cheaper as my 'beater options.' So his design into these sold them too me.
Im actually out of mats at the moment so can't provide any cutting details.
It will be a pure first impression review. I am 6'1" and the 13" tsuka is great. The blade length is good for me. So i assume they would cut well. The balance is a bit blade light, but my impression may change with some use. It should be a very nimble cutter.
Rob at Stromlo swords was happy to help. So they arrived the other day and straight away i could see the classic Hanwei quality. Now this is where i am going to throw in my educated opinion. Every Hanwei i have owned has been 100% on the mark. ALOT of the other makers of under $300 swords, while good always have that 'one little thing' while not a concern, and most people wouldn't even notice, to me i am too much of a perfectionist. Maybe i have just been super lucky with the swords i have received but i have never had a single concern with build quality of Hanwei. Thats a tip for you guys that want something of quality, that is tough as it is beautiful.
You will notice ive swapped the sageo on the Katana. This is simply as i had it there and i like it more. But the original was the same as the wakizashi.
Ill do these as a side by side review and let the pictures speak words. Nice polish i like the rougher finish on the Ha on the Katana. It really defines the blade and with use it wont leave marks. I like that in a sword to be used. The Wakizashi has that rough finish also. Im not sure what it is but it is done well, all straight like draw filing.
The wrap on the Tsukas, is good. Im not a fan of battle wrap, but its done nicely and feels good under hand. Its a good grain/cut of samegawa and everything is tight. I really like the suede, these are swords to use. Traditionally i don't like it but to actually use it provides alot of extra grip. The Menuki are nice and fitting with the theme.
So you can see the tsuka is a bit thick. The Bamboo mat was ALOT worse personally i love the size. I have big hands and as you can see its a really good fit for me.
The Kissaki on both are very clear and defined. They are a little bit thin, but this is the design of the blades, im sure the 5160 will hold up just fine. Very much like a scalpel point.
The fittings are actually different. I thought they used the same Fushi, Kashira and Tsuba on all models. Apparently this isnt so. Which is a nice touch!
Now alot of people don't like the fittings. I went in with an open mind, and now i have them they are not too much or too gaudy. We have wedge tail eagles here and they are huge, beautiful, majestic birds of prey. Looking at this from the point of what the animal depicted is and not what the fittings are, actually make them really appeal to me. Basically i like the fittings as i like the animals. Its hard to word what i mean, but everyone's biggest problem seems to be the fittings.
So the first 3 are the Katana and the last 3 are the Wakizashi. See the differences.
Now just touching on Hanwei quality again. The fit in the Habaki, on all Hanwei swords has been second to none. I really respect this, as alot of manufactures skimp on this and it really makes the value of the blade, to me, plummet. Nice and straight, no gaps and no rattle or movement.
First two are the Katana. Last ones the Wakizashi.
The saya on both are pretty standard. I much prefer the matt/stone type finish as gloss gets really dirty with hand prints and marks. The fit for the Wakizashi is perfect and the Katana is good, but when shaken hard the blade has a slight rattle. Real horn parts too which make it nice. The Sageo is nice, just basic but it feels like real silk.
I have not disassembled these. My previous experience, while against what most recommend, is that on cheaper production blades, disassembly, for no purpose is a bit of a mistake. Basically, everything is tight. I want it to stay that way, so i wont be pulling them apart. I trust the tsuka, with the extra meat wont be cracked. I have actually stuffed up one by pulling it apart. Everything was fine but it never went back the same, the habaki moved, there was a gap in the seppa. Its not worth it 'just cause' in my opinion. If i wanted to change mounts or re-wrap then of course i would.