Zhengwu Miaodao review
Apr 26, 2013 16:02:36 GMT
Post by monginsidi on Apr 26, 2013 16:02:36 GMT
This is my first sword review on this forum, so I hope everyone could go easy on me . Some comment would be appreciated .
I've been wanting to buy a good miaodao for a while. After doing some research on the internet and looking at Scott Rodell's review on Zhengwu sword, I decided to give Zhengwu forge a try. I ordered this sword on July and the sword was finished in September. It takes them about two months to finish this sword. The sword cost me about 1400$ at that time. The blade is of sanmai lamination with high carbon steel center and 4000 layer folded steel cheek. The wooden scabbard and hilt is made from ipe wood. It is secured with two bambbo pin on the hilt. The sword comes with Zhengwu Authentication and the sword specs with some photos in chinese.
Specification:
Blade length: 35.4"/90cm
Handle length: 13.5"/34cm
Total Length: 51"/130cm
Blade Thickness: it tapers from 0.76mm from the base to 0.4mm near the point
Weight: around 2lb 8oz
POB: 5"
HRC: 56 (According to Zhengwu himself)
My first impression when the sword arrived on my apartment is it comes with good ornamental presentation box. When I opened the box I could see the sword there waiting to be unsheath. The fitting is tight and solid. The blade fit perfectly in the scabbard, there is no rattling. When I hold the sword on my hand it feels unexpectedly light for a two handed sword. I could swing it one handed with ease. It have a good balance and a solid feeling. The sword feels lively on my two hands. There is no flaw on the blade that I can see as expected on the sword of this price. It's really hard to see the folded layer on the blade, but when it exposed in sunlight you can see the layered steel clearly.
I do some cutting test with the sword. I cut some plastic bottles. It cut them with ease. It hit the cap of the gatorade bottle. There is no edge damage to the sword. Unfortunately the plastic bottle leaves the sword with a little nasty scratch. Next I do some cutting with a green bamboo pole. Despite my bad form, It cuts them easily.
All in all I think this sword is a good buy despite its steep price. The wood finishing is meticulous and the bronze fitting is just right. A sword that looks nice on the eyes aesthetically and fully functional for cutting. The edge geometry have a right bevel also for extra toughness. There're maybe other option like jinshi or sinosword with lower price out there, but for a high end chinese sword you can't go wrong with zhengwu as far as I'm concerned.
Pro:- The fitting is tight, no rattle in scabbard
- The polishing is flawless
- The edge have good hardness and toughness
Con:- The Price is so expensive
- the blade surface is easily scratched
I've been wanting to buy a good miaodao for a while. After doing some research on the internet and looking at Scott Rodell's review on Zhengwu sword, I decided to give Zhengwu forge a try. I ordered this sword on July and the sword was finished in September. It takes them about two months to finish this sword. The sword cost me about 1400$ at that time. The blade is of sanmai lamination with high carbon steel center and 4000 layer folded steel cheek. The wooden scabbard and hilt is made from ipe wood. It is secured with two bambbo pin on the hilt. The sword comes with Zhengwu Authentication and the sword specs with some photos in chinese.
Specification:
Blade length: 35.4"/90cm
Handle length: 13.5"/34cm
Total Length: 51"/130cm
Blade Thickness: it tapers from 0.76mm from the base to 0.4mm near the point
Weight: around 2lb 8oz
POB: 5"
HRC: 56 (According to Zhengwu himself)
My first impression when the sword arrived on my apartment is it comes with good ornamental presentation box. When I opened the box I could see the sword there waiting to be unsheath. The fitting is tight and solid. The blade fit perfectly in the scabbard, there is no rattling. When I hold the sword on my hand it feels unexpectedly light for a two handed sword. I could swing it one handed with ease. It have a good balance and a solid feeling. The sword feels lively on my two hands. There is no flaw on the blade that I can see as expected on the sword of this price. It's really hard to see the folded layer on the blade, but when it exposed in sunlight you can see the layered steel clearly.
I do some cutting test with the sword. I cut some plastic bottles. It cut them with ease. It hit the cap of the gatorade bottle. There is no edge damage to the sword. Unfortunately the plastic bottle leaves the sword with a little nasty scratch. Next I do some cutting with a green bamboo pole. Despite my bad form, It cuts them easily.
All in all I think this sword is a good buy despite its steep price. The wood finishing is meticulous and the bronze fitting is just right. A sword that looks nice on the eyes aesthetically and fully functional for cutting. The edge geometry have a right bevel also for extra toughness. There're maybe other option like jinshi or sinosword with lower price out there, but for a high end chinese sword you can't go wrong with zhengwu as far as I'm concerned.
Pro:- The fitting is tight, no rattle in scabbard
- The polishing is flawless
- The edge have good hardness and toughness
Con:- The Price is so expensive
- the blade surface is easily scratched