Nine Circles Shoden Tameshigiri Katana
Jun 28, 2013 19:06:29 GMT
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jun 28, 2013 19:06:29 GMT
Introduction
This sword was sold at Finnish Internet auction site. I was asking questions about it as I wanted to buy it, but the seller didn't provide any pictures or measurements when asked, and I would have to travel 200 km in one direction just to fetch a sword which might or might not be Nine Circles katana as the seller couldn't post it to me and he didn't provide any info or pics, I thought it was too shady and difficult purchase... Fortunately a fellow with whom I've traded many swords called me and asked if I thought it would be a good buy, and I adviced him. He ended up buying it as I didn't want to bid against him, but not being totally satisfied with it as he likes heavy cutters, he traded the Nine Circles katana to my Last Legend MKIV.
Historical Overview
It's a katana.
Full Disclosure
This is an used sword. I believe this is their older Shoden Tameshigiri line as the new one comes with silver fittings. A fellow forumite tipped me that these are made by Kaneie and after doing some research I think he is correct and the sword is indeed a T10 sword by Kaneie. This is the first Kaneie sword I've ever owned and I must say beforehand that this review will be bit biased as I personally think this is the best production katana I've owned so far. There is some staining & scratches on the blade as the previous owner had used it for cutting. Otherwise sword is pretty much in mint condition.
Initial Impressions
I was eager to see if this sword was as it was sold when we did some sword trading again. Immidiately when seeing and holding this I knew I needed to get this sword, but unfortunately I was out of cash. He told me he would like to trade it for the Last Legend, and I agreed on the trade. Even though I liked LL very much and it was a wicked cutter, this is a lot better sword in overall. And since I don't cut much I don't need many "cutting machines", I rather prefer bit more refined swords.
Statistics
Nagasa: 74,9cm
Nakago: 24,0cm
Motohaba: 3,3cm
Sakihaba: 2,6cm
Moto-gasane: 5mm
Moto-shinogi-gasane: 7mm
Saki-gasane: 3,5mm
Saki-shinogi-gasane: 4,8mm
Sori: 1,7cm
Kissaki: 4,3cm
Bare blade weight: 870g
Weight in koshirae: 1130g
Steel: T10
Tsuka: 26,5cm
Tsuba: 7,7x7,3cm, thickness 4,5mm weight 82g
Fuchi: 41x24x12mm
Kashira: 37x17x13mm
Components
I'm not the best on describing details, and you can see them in the pictures and data even though my pics are bad like always.
Sword has a good flow, the curvature continues into the nakago. However in production swords this creates one point which I've noticed in every production sword with curved nakago, habaki & tsuba fit leaves something to desire. With this particular sword there is about 1mm gap on the underside which allows slight tsuba movement. This is bit unfortunate as I think this about the only flaw in the sword. I read the mei Kaneyuki saku, made by Kaneyuki.You can also see yasurime on nakago. Machi are aligned. Sword has nice polish, you can actually see "pattern" on the steel. My pics don't give justice to the polish. Sword has high shinogi and good amount of niku. I think this is an excellent sword.
Well the koshirae is as nice and well made as the blade. This is the best tsuka I've handled on a production katana. Tsukamaki is black cotton, and it's pretty much flawless. Funny thing is how meguki are hidden just under the tsukamaki folds, you can see this in ura pic. Tsuka shape & curvature is very much to my liking. Fittings are nothing special but good quality quite plain fittings. I must say I love the saya fit. It slides perfectly in with about 5mm left out of the saya and when you push it in by thumb it sucks the habaki in and it seats perfectly.
Conclusion
Like I said in the beginning this is the best production katana I've owned. I am fairly certain that Nine Circles Shoden series are made by Kaneie. Even though without owning one I've already recommended Kaneie when someone asks for "the best production katana", now after owning this I'll be thinking even more that way. I'll need to figure out very minor fix for that habaki tsuba underside gap and it'll be perfect for me.
EDIT: I've been using bit incorrect measurements, and from now on I'm starting to use the correct way of measuring. With the new way you will get a better understanding of the sword by just looking at the numbers.
This sword was sold at Finnish Internet auction site. I was asking questions about it as I wanted to buy it, but the seller didn't provide any pictures or measurements when asked, and I would have to travel 200 km in one direction just to fetch a sword which might or might not be Nine Circles katana as the seller couldn't post it to me and he didn't provide any info or pics, I thought it was too shady and difficult purchase... Fortunately a fellow with whom I've traded many swords called me and asked if I thought it would be a good buy, and I adviced him. He ended up buying it as I didn't want to bid against him, but not being totally satisfied with it as he likes heavy cutters, he traded the Nine Circles katana to my Last Legend MKIV.
Historical Overview
It's a katana.
Full Disclosure
This is an used sword. I believe this is their older Shoden Tameshigiri line as the new one comes with silver fittings. A fellow forumite tipped me that these are made by Kaneie and after doing some research I think he is correct and the sword is indeed a T10 sword by Kaneie. This is the first Kaneie sword I've ever owned and I must say beforehand that this review will be bit biased as I personally think this is the best production katana I've owned so far. There is some staining & scratches on the blade as the previous owner had used it for cutting. Otherwise sword is pretty much in mint condition.
Initial Impressions
I was eager to see if this sword was as it was sold when we did some sword trading again. Immidiately when seeing and holding this I knew I needed to get this sword, but unfortunately I was out of cash. He told me he would like to trade it for the Last Legend, and I agreed on the trade. Even though I liked LL very much and it was a wicked cutter, this is a lot better sword in overall. And since I don't cut much I don't need many "cutting machines", I rather prefer bit more refined swords.
Statistics
Nagasa: 74,9cm
Nakago: 24,0cm
Motohaba: 3,3cm
Sakihaba: 2,6cm
Moto-gasane: 5mm
Moto-shinogi-gasane: 7mm
Saki-gasane: 3,5mm
Saki-shinogi-gasane: 4,8mm
Sori: 1,7cm
Kissaki: 4,3cm
Bare blade weight: 870g
Weight in koshirae: 1130g
Steel: T10
Tsuka: 26,5cm
Tsuba: 7,7x7,3cm, thickness 4,5mm weight 82g
Fuchi: 41x24x12mm
Kashira: 37x17x13mm
Components
I'm not the best on describing details, and you can see them in the pictures and data even though my pics are bad like always.
Sword has a good flow, the curvature continues into the nakago. However in production swords this creates one point which I've noticed in every production sword with curved nakago, habaki & tsuba fit leaves something to desire. With this particular sword there is about 1mm gap on the underside which allows slight tsuba movement. This is bit unfortunate as I think this about the only flaw in the sword. I read the mei Kaneyuki saku, made by Kaneyuki.You can also see yasurime on nakago. Machi are aligned. Sword has nice polish, you can actually see "pattern" on the steel. My pics don't give justice to the polish. Sword has high shinogi and good amount of niku. I think this is an excellent sword.
Well the koshirae is as nice and well made as the blade. This is the best tsuka I've handled on a production katana. Tsukamaki is black cotton, and it's pretty much flawless. Funny thing is how meguki are hidden just under the tsukamaki folds, you can see this in ura pic. Tsuka shape & curvature is very much to my liking. Fittings are nothing special but good quality quite plain fittings. I must say I love the saya fit. It slides perfectly in with about 5mm left out of the saya and when you push it in by thumb it sucks the habaki in and it seats perfectly.
Conclusion
Like I said in the beginning this is the best production katana I've owned. I am fairly certain that Nine Circles Shoden series are made by Kaneie. Even though without owning one I've already recommended Kaneie when someone asks for "the best production katana", now after owning this I'll be thinking even more that way. I'll need to figure out very minor fix for that habaki tsuba underside gap and it'll be perfect for me.
EDIT: I've been using bit incorrect measurements, and from now on I'm starting to use the correct way of measuring. With the new way you will get a better understanding of the sword by just looking at the numbers.