Hanwei Golden Oriole Review
Jun 5, 2013 0:16:09 GMT
Post by Valandur on Jun 5, 2013 0:16:09 GMT
Note: I bought this sword from someone on Ebay. The sword came with a Hanwei tag saying that it was made in 2004 and giving an item number. So while reading this, consider that the sword is 9 years old. If I make mistakes on terms or names, please feel free to correct me .
Link- www.cashanwei.com/product/golden ... ana/sh1018
Specs:
Overall: 42 1/4“
Blade Length: 27 1/4“
Handle Length: 14”
Weight: 2lb 3oz
Point of Balance: 4"
Width at Guard: 1.16"
Width at Tip: .85"
Thickness at Guard: .32"
Thickness at Tip: .26"
Sori: 3/4"
I took a bit of a chance buying this one. It could have been in any conditiomn. But the seller was accurate in saying the sword had sat on display and was never used. It's obvious that this sword is 'like new'. Auction link- www.ebay.com/itm/181139026197?ss ... 1439.l2649
I wanted a variation to a standard katana, and the color ( yes color) and styling attracted me. But used they are normally $700, outside my budget for sure. So when I saw this "like new" Oriole on for $499, I jumped on it. The seller was really cool and helpful, they did a stellar packing job shipping the sword and I'm very happy with my purchase. The sword came in a nice maroon silk sword bag.
A pic of the sword taken in natural light. The deep blue can finally be seen
A pic of the sword and the unopened ( until i got it) maintenance kit that came with the sword ( note the Saya shims sticking out) Thanks guys!
The POB is 4" from the Tsuba although the site lists the weight as 2 LB. 3 oz, it feels almost weightless in my hand and doesn't pull in either direction. The 14" Tsuba sounds unwieldy and perhaps if I had years training with a standard katana it would feel alien, but I don't mind it really. It's a pretty solidly built and I like the mobility the shortened blade(27,1/4") gives you.
I'm impressed with the blade as a whole. Considering that it sat basically unused for 9 years, its in excellent shape. I wonder though, what were the blades like at Hanwei 9 years ago? We're they better or worse then those being made today? Nothing moves or is loose. The only complaint I have is that the sword fits loosely in the Saya. 9 years could have taken its tole on the fit of the habaki. I've heard that the fit can be adjusted, I wonder how that's done though? The blade has a mirror finish along the "Ji" (the flat section immediently below the Mune) the remainder of the blade has more of a brushed, or even satin finish, but its very finely done and the two different effects flow well together.
Here is a shot of the Saya..
And one shot of the sword showing the Hanwei tag. (Nice touch getting that with the blade).
Here are a few shots of the blade..
The fittings on this sword are the "old style" Golden Oriole fittings. While I prefer the new style fittings, having the old style which wouldn't come on a new blade is kinda cool. What confuses me is the reason they put the golden color on some figures, but when they did it doesn't cover the figure, only part of it. And I don't grok their reasoning to expose certain parts of the Tsuba and leave other parts black as these images reflect..
Here is an image of the new version blade with a cleaner Tsuba..
Here's a side by side of the Oriole and a pretty standard sized (35" blade) hand and a half sword.
I'll post more images and a cutting video soon. I plan on using this blade, not putting it on a shelf. I think it's a well made sword and feels like it'll be a nice cutter!
I'm a bad impulsive buyer. I'll research all kinds of stuff and have the right thing all picked out, but if I walk in somewhere that doesn't have the best option I'm easily dazzled and will usually buy something anyway. I was hesitant about buying a katana of this size wondering if it might not fit me. But I can say I'm real happy with how this sword "feels". I honestly thought the 14" Tsuba would feel awkward and haft heavy but that's totally non existent. The added length of the Tsuba doesn't impair mobility and the extra length actually allows for more torque to be applied to a swing. It actually lends its self well to a mantis style movement I recall from studying Kung Fu (not that I ever learned to couple blades with the 5 different styles we were taught).
The lack of a Bo-Hi gives the blade a solid feeling and I think fits well with the size of the sword.
Could someone either post a link showing a resized image, or point me to info on how to resize these images within the tags please?
Link- www.cashanwei.com/product/golden ... ana/sh1018
Specs:
Overall: 42 1/4“
Blade Length: 27 1/4“
Handle Length: 14”
Weight: 2lb 3oz
Point of Balance: 4"
Width at Guard: 1.16"
Width at Tip: .85"
Thickness at Guard: .32"
Thickness at Tip: .26"
Sori: 3/4"
I took a bit of a chance buying this one. It could have been in any conditiomn. But the seller was accurate in saying the sword had sat on display and was never used. It's obvious that this sword is 'like new'. Auction link- www.ebay.com/itm/181139026197?ss ... 1439.l2649
I wanted a variation to a standard katana, and the color ( yes color) and styling attracted me. But used they are normally $700, outside my budget for sure. So when I saw this "like new" Oriole on for $499, I jumped on it. The seller was really cool and helpful, they did a stellar packing job shipping the sword and I'm very happy with my purchase. The sword came in a nice maroon silk sword bag.
A pic of the sword taken in natural light. The deep blue can finally be seen
A pic of the sword and the unopened ( until i got it) maintenance kit that came with the sword ( note the Saya shims sticking out) Thanks guys!
The POB is 4" from the Tsuba although the site lists the weight as 2 LB. 3 oz, it feels almost weightless in my hand and doesn't pull in either direction. The 14" Tsuba sounds unwieldy and perhaps if I had years training with a standard katana it would feel alien, but I don't mind it really. It's a pretty solidly built and I like the mobility the shortened blade(27,1/4") gives you.
I'm impressed with the blade as a whole. Considering that it sat basically unused for 9 years, its in excellent shape. I wonder though, what were the blades like at Hanwei 9 years ago? We're they better or worse then those being made today? Nothing moves or is loose. The only complaint I have is that the sword fits loosely in the Saya. 9 years could have taken its tole on the fit of the habaki. I've heard that the fit can be adjusted, I wonder how that's done though? The blade has a mirror finish along the "Ji" (the flat section immediently below the Mune) the remainder of the blade has more of a brushed, or even satin finish, but its very finely done and the two different effects flow well together.
Here is a shot of the Saya..
And one shot of the sword showing the Hanwei tag. (Nice touch getting that with the blade).
Here are a few shots of the blade..
The fittings on this sword are the "old style" Golden Oriole fittings. While I prefer the new style fittings, having the old style which wouldn't come on a new blade is kinda cool. What confuses me is the reason they put the golden color on some figures, but when they did it doesn't cover the figure, only part of it. And I don't grok their reasoning to expose certain parts of the Tsuba and leave other parts black as these images reflect..
Here is an image of the new version blade with a cleaner Tsuba..
Here's a side by side of the Oriole and a pretty standard sized (35" blade) hand and a half sword.
I'll post more images and a cutting video soon. I plan on using this blade, not putting it on a shelf. I think it's a well made sword and feels like it'll be a nice cutter!
I'm a bad impulsive buyer. I'll research all kinds of stuff and have the right thing all picked out, but if I walk in somewhere that doesn't have the best option I'm easily dazzled and will usually buy something anyway. I was hesitant about buying a katana of this size wondering if it might not fit me. But I can say I'm real happy with how this sword "feels". I honestly thought the 14" Tsuba would feel awkward and haft heavy but that's totally non existent. The added length of the Tsuba doesn't impair mobility and the extra length actually allows for more torque to be applied to a swing. It actually lends its self well to a mantis style movement I recall from studying Kung Fu (not that I ever learned to couple blades with the 5 different styles we were taught).
The lack of a Bo-Hi gives the blade a solid feeling and I think fits well with the size of the sword.
Could someone either post a link showing a resized image, or point me to info on how to resize these images within the tags please?