James Williams "Westernshigiri".

ok, paul, i think krieg just found your next review piece.

jason

That is indeed quite a beauty! Though I doubt if I could cut with it anywhere near as well as James...

I'd love to give it a try, but I feel I would waste a tatami mat... (and they are getting VERY hard to source in Australia now that the International post size restrictions means that the only way to get them in is by UPS, at US$100+ for 10 mats for the shipping alone!).

I remember the discussions on this.....

Way back when, someone brought this sword to the attention of the folks on myarmoury. There, it was pointed out that this sword really wasn't historically accurate.......

Yeah, the blade fits Oakeshott XIV, but the XIV's were never hand and a half......... And all of the XIV's had wheel pommels, to the best of my knowledge, scentstoppers need not apply.....

So, at least online, it had one big huge strike against it.

Then the review.......... that's not exactly an overwhelming endorsement of it.......

I think the concept is good, hand and a half widebody for the kat fanciers to get involved with.......

However, and please take into account this is just my opinion....

Functionally, it takes a few good things, and over does them.....

For the profile taper, there's too much distal taper, and then you have the handle length.........

For experienced western sword handlers, "feeling the point" is a very important thing...... and reading the review, that's mentioned in a subtle negative way.........