Ronin Dojo Pro #17 Review
Oct 14, 2013 21:51:29 GMT
Post by The Lone Stranger on Oct 14, 2013 21:51:29 GMT
Hey all! I just wanted to throw down a quick review of my new Ronin Dojo Pro #17. Without further ado....
Introduction
I am an iaido practitioner and have been looking for a good sword for tameshigiri. I did some research and the Ronin Dojo Pro line seemed to fit the bill. What drew me to it were simple but good iron fittings and the nicely shaped tsuka. Many katana on the market today seem to have a very straight or "axe handle" kind of a grip.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword from Torion Swords for full price and am in no way affiliated with the company. Up front, my experience with this company gave me the impression that Mr. Ridgeway is dedicated to good service and is a straight up gentleman.
Initial Impressions
I heard the doorbell and raced to the front door. Lo and behold, a long box was at my doorstep. We all know what that is! :mrgreen:
So I opened up the box and viola! There was a sword contained in a black bag inside the secondary box. Hefting it whilst untying the bag, it felt lighter than I had expected. It's about the same weight as my iaito. Plus it felt as though the saya had a teardrop shape in cross section. Interesting.
Upon taking it out of the bag I had a grin on my face. Unsheathing it I noticed it had a pretty deep sori. I blinked a few times and the grin just got bigger. Sure it has some scabbard goobers from the wax in the saya but that will go away with time I think. I cleaned it off and I detected a ghost hamon! Yay! It's not real thick, perhaps a quarter inch, but it's there.
The only slight drawback I noticed when handling it is that the ito isn't terribly tight and I can move the menuki slightly. I was prepared for that though since I had noted that in my research so it wasn't a shock or upsetting in any way. I'll get it rewrapped.
Statistics
(Taken from the Ronin Katana site. Why re-invent the wheel? Besides, they're pretty spot on as I verified.)
Steel: Through hardened 1060
Saya: Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri.
Weight: 2.6 pounds
POB: 4 1/2- 5 inches
Length in saya: 42 inches
Tsuka: 11 inches
Blade: 28 inches with one inch sori
Habaki to tip: 27 inches
Ito: Silk
Sageo: Synthetic silk
Fuchi: Backened iron
Kashira: Blackened iron
Menuki: Brass
Handling Characteristics
Boy does it handle nice! Sort of floaty but with substance. I did a few cuts with it and it flows pretty quickly from cut to cut. Giggitygiggiitygoo!!!! I'm not sure how I can quantify that Quagmire like expression. But, it's accurate.
Test Cutting
I haven't done it just yet but I did do the paper test. She's pretty darn sharp as it sliced it like butter. However, I'll update this when I do cut some bamboo or tatami with it.
Conclusion
It is a good handling sword with nice fittings and a great blade. As many other reviews say, it has features that are not found on many production swords and definitely not usual at this price point of $275. The only thing I would ask of Ronin Katana would be to up the quality of the wrap job. Even if they charge a hundred bucks more, it would still be a screaming deal.
Pros:
Nice fittings and blade.
Handles great (though that is really a subjective thing)
Well shaped tsuka and saya.
Cons:
Not so swell tsukamaki.
Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword in a heartbeat. You're getting your money's worth.
That would be it, y'all!
Introduction
I am an iaido practitioner and have been looking for a good sword for tameshigiri. I did some research and the Ronin Dojo Pro line seemed to fit the bill. What drew me to it were simple but good iron fittings and the nicely shaped tsuka. Many katana on the market today seem to have a very straight or "axe handle" kind of a grip.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword from Torion Swords for full price and am in no way affiliated with the company. Up front, my experience with this company gave me the impression that Mr. Ridgeway is dedicated to good service and is a straight up gentleman.
Initial Impressions
I heard the doorbell and raced to the front door. Lo and behold, a long box was at my doorstep. We all know what that is! :mrgreen:
So I opened up the box and viola! There was a sword contained in a black bag inside the secondary box. Hefting it whilst untying the bag, it felt lighter than I had expected. It's about the same weight as my iaito. Plus it felt as though the saya had a teardrop shape in cross section. Interesting.
Upon taking it out of the bag I had a grin on my face. Unsheathing it I noticed it had a pretty deep sori. I blinked a few times and the grin just got bigger. Sure it has some scabbard goobers from the wax in the saya but that will go away with time I think. I cleaned it off and I detected a ghost hamon! Yay! It's not real thick, perhaps a quarter inch, but it's there.
The only slight drawback I noticed when handling it is that the ito isn't terribly tight and I can move the menuki slightly. I was prepared for that though since I had noted that in my research so it wasn't a shock or upsetting in any way. I'll get it rewrapped.
Statistics
(Taken from the Ronin Katana site. Why re-invent the wheel? Besides, they're pretty spot on as I verified.)
Steel: Through hardened 1060
Saya: Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri.
Weight: 2.6 pounds
POB: 4 1/2- 5 inches
Length in saya: 42 inches
Tsuka: 11 inches
Blade: 28 inches with one inch sori
Habaki to tip: 27 inches
Ito: Silk
Sageo: Synthetic silk
Fuchi: Backened iron
Kashira: Blackened iron
Menuki: Brass
Handling Characteristics
Boy does it handle nice! Sort of floaty but with substance. I did a few cuts with it and it flows pretty quickly from cut to cut. Giggitygiggiitygoo!!!! I'm not sure how I can quantify that Quagmire like expression. But, it's accurate.
Test Cutting
I haven't done it just yet but I did do the paper test. She's pretty darn sharp as it sliced it like butter. However, I'll update this when I do cut some bamboo or tatami with it.
Conclusion
It is a good handling sword with nice fittings and a great blade. As many other reviews say, it has features that are not found on many production swords and definitely not usual at this price point of $275. The only thing I would ask of Ronin Katana would be to up the quality of the wrap job. Even if they charge a hundred bucks more, it would still be a screaming deal.
Pros:
Nice fittings and blade.
Handles great (though that is really a subjective thing)
Well shaped tsuka and saya.
Cons:
Not so swell tsukamaki.
Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword in a heartbeat. You're getting your money's worth.
That would be it, y'all!