Hanwei Tiger

Introduction:
I have wanted a Tiger since I first got into collecting modern reproduction katana. The elite model is the one that really did me in, pushing me over the line from "Hey, that's cool" to "No, honey, I don't absolutely NEED it, but..." Later I was able to handle a Tiger Elite and it did nothing to dissuade my desires to send good money after bad (my wife's words, not mine) and shortly thereafter, I purchased a Tiger in shirasaya. Even unmounted, it was easy enough to see it was a completely different blade from the Elite. It struck me as a much more traditional blade better suited to harder targets than the Elite would be. It was also a subtle, beautifully graceful blade and I decided right then to get both the Elite and the original Tiger if the opportunity arose and the price was right.

So guess what finally lined up?

I know this blade is now discontinued, but I was suitably impressed enough that I thought a review might be appreciated by those who may be interested in one of these themselves and I have seen them come up for sale used, as this one did, once in a while.

Historical overview:
To the best of my knowledge, the Tiger is not based on any particular historical piece. It seems that Hanwei simply made a marketing decision by basing the title and theme on a favorite traditional motif. It is a standard shinogi-zukuri geometry, which appears to be the most popular for both modern and antiques, although the Tiger sports a ko-kissaki, but more on that later.

Disclosure:
I have no affiliation with Hanwei and paid my own hard earned money (mostly because the little missus won't give me any of hers). I bought this sword used, here in the classifieds from Studentofsword, who I have known and respected for the last few years due to our membership and interaction on this forum. He made no stipulations on writing a good review.

I have no JSA or other formal training and no particularly impressive skill at cutting defenseless, immobile objects that know I'm coming and still refuse to move. I don't think they are especially worried. Maybe they are hoping to sail out of the yard intact to safety.

Initial impression:
I was favorably impressed, to say the least. The way it felt in hand was as different for me from the non bo-hi blade in shirasaya as the shirasaya was from the Elite. Normally, since I have plenty of good quality but lower end blades to cut with and not worry about damaging, I would look at a blade in this price range and quality as an investment for my viewing only collection. But the moment I pulled it free of the saya, I thought: "This is one higher end blade I need to cut with.".

I will be comparing this blade with similar or more familiar Hanwei blades.


Tiger and tiger in shirasaya


Tiger and tiger in shirasaya


Tiger and practical plus classic


Tiger and practical plus


Tiger and practical p
Tiger and practical pro


Tiger and practical pro sori

Stats:
...........................Tiger........PPK.........Ppro......Tiger/shirasaya
Overall--------------44.5"------40.5"------45.75"------39.4"
Nagasa-------------30"--------27.50"-----29.5"-------30"
Tsuka----------------13 5/8"----12.50"-----15"---------9.5"
Weight---------------2lbs 12oz--2lbs 5oz---3lbs--------2lbs
POB------------------4.5"-------5.5"-------5.5"--------8.5"
Width@ habaki----1.25"------1.22"------1.25"-------1.27"
Width@ tip-----------.92"-------.90"-------.85"--------.90"
Thickness@ habaki-.29"-------.28"-------.31"--------.30"
Thickness@ tip-----.26"-------.20"-------.23"--------.22"
Sori------------------.75"-------.62"(5/8)--.62"--------.87"(7/8)
Tsuba---------------2.95"------3.38"------Custom------N/A

Some nontypical measurements:
---------------------Tiger-----PPK---------Ppro------Tiger/shirasaya
Tsuka thickness
@ fuchi------------.84"------.94"--------.92"--------1.02"
Tsuka thickness
@ kashira----------.75"------.75"--------.76"--------.99"
Tsuka width
@ fuchi------------1.46"-----1.53"-------1.56"-------1.76"
Tsuka width
@ kashira----------1.47"-----1.50"-------1.50"-------1.70"
Saya thickness-----.94"------.96"--------1.1"--------1.20"
Saya width---------1.60"-----1.70"-------1.79"-------1.75"

Components:
Blade:
A well done shinogi-zukuri in my opinion. It has distal as well as profile taper and even a little fumbari. (I think. No expert here.) Even though the stats don't indicate much distal taper, it is there, but the shinogi at the bottom of the bohi makes it difficult to measure.
One of my favorite features is the atypical kissaki. Not the run of the mill chu for this, but a nicely done ko-kissaki, which I don't think I've seen on any other production kat.



Tiger and tiger shirasaya on bottom- kissaki
Tiger and practical pro kissaki

It is also a longer blade, feeling almost but not quite o-katana-ish. Personally, I like this. There are different things about different swords that I like and is the reason I have so many. (Well, I don't think it's all that many, but the wife doesn't agree somehow.)
It is shaving sharp and lightened by a well done bohi. The termination is traditionally inspired. The bohi is also wider at the habaki than at the tip and gives a very crisp but not overly loud tachi-kazi.





    The hada appears the same as on the shirasaya model though not nearly as subtle. While I like the hada I would have preferred it not quite so obvious. Still, a beautiful blade, in my opinion.






    The typical Hanwei frosting of the hamon is present. Never really bothered me. Doesn't bother me now.
The mune has a nice widening at the kissaki sometimes called a snakehead, which I've always liked and felt was an added touch that gave me a feeling of quality and attention to detail. I believe this feature provides some strength to the tip, though I don't think it is required.


  
  Guard:
I believe it is made from a steel alloy, but cannot be sure. This is the only tiger present in the theme and well done in my opinion, though I do like the style of the Elite tsuba better. What I do like quite a bit about this tsuba is the pebbled sort of texture. Opinions vary. I also like that it is a smaller guard. Not that I have any preference for size, just that I like the unique.




  Handle:
The all important interface. I like it. While it is not only stick straight, but actually widens a touch at the kashira, I would NOT call this the typical 'axe handle' from Hanwei. To me it feels slender and comfortable in hand and I like it very much. Again, NOT the usual axe handle the most despise.



    The ito is tightly wrapped black cotton with proper alternation of the crosses. Diamonds are fairly uniform. Not up to Bunny standards, but well done nonetheless.
Menuki are bamboo stalks and leaves and appear to be made of brass. No movement under the ito.
Same it real white stingray and of decent quality. Nothing spectacular, but nothing to be disappointed in.



  Fittings:
We continue the pebbled design throughout the remainder of the fittings. They appear to be either copper or bronze with a patina. Yes, the red tint seen in the pictures is present in person.

  Saya:
Glossy, slender and nicely adorned with thin brass bamboo leaves inlaid. Excellent fit at the koiguchi. It takes a pretty determined shake when held upside down to make it turn loose, but thumb pressure on the tsuba is not excessive.



Handling:
I find this blade elegant, balanced and graceful. It is responsive and a pleasure to move. Again, I have no formal training so my opinion doesn't carry much weight here, but I like it very much.

Test cuts:
I have not cut with this blade, but I intend to.

Conclusions:
I did not pay full retail, but I don't think I would have been disappointed if I had. I think this is a well made, quality blade that would be a great addition to anyone's collection.

Pros:
-Light, responsive blade
-Shaving sharp
-Beautiful hada
-Well executed ko-kissaki
-Tightly wrapped grip with a slender profile
-Metal fittings at the koiguchi, koijiri and kurikata
-Leaf inlays on the saya
-Great quality and craftsmanship overall

Cons:
-No longer in production
-Hada isn't quite as subtle as I would have liked
-Typical Hanwei frosting (I don't mind, but I know some do)
-Longish grip length
-Stick straight grip
-Price

Bottom line:
If you like this blade and are in the market for something higher end, I would recommend it.









Thanks for reading guys, hope this helps someone.