Post by FHideg on Feb 2, 2014 9:49:45 GMT
Hi the following is a review of my custom made "Highlander 2" (H2) fully funtional katana with "Ronin Katana" 1060 blade by Daryl Kyle owner of "Texas Steel Props and Replicas" and "Point Gallery".
Introduction
In this review, I will focus primarily on my "Highlander 2" screen accurate movie katana made by "Texas Steel Props and Replicas". I will however be using my "Highlander H1" screen accurate katana for comparison, since the H2 is supposed to be the same katana, just older.
This katana was used by Sean Connery (Ramirez) and passed on to Christopher Lambert (Connor Macloed) in the first Highlander movie. Each of the 4 movies Starring Christopher Lambert featured a different, but yet similar Connor Macleod Katana. I have previously reviewed my "Highlander H1" screen accurate Katana also made by "Texas Steel Props and Replicas", as well as including a history of all Highlander swords that have been made available. That review can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14931
History:
"Highlander" 1986
The original katana's screen presence was thought to be somewhat lacking. Thus someone on the set, presumably one of the prop personnel, molded a Chinese Lion or dragon head with tail onto a stock Marto of Spain, Masamune katana. They replaced the stock tsuba with one of their own design and added a brass screw to the tsuka and painted the tsuka white. Thus creating one of the most recognized movie swords of all time!
Movie description of the katana:
Ivory-handled Masamune katana is a weapon like no other. It was forged in 590 B.C. by the legendary master swordsmith for Immortal Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez, as a dowry for his marriage to Princess Shakiko. Using revolutionary techniques which would not become common until the 14th century A.D., Masamune folded the metal in the blade over two hundred times, creating the katana's infamous razor-sharp edge
"Highlander" H1 screen used katana specs
Blade: 26 1/2 inch stainless steel blade
Hamon: none
Habaki: yes
Finish: white, off white, no black outline of carvings
Fuchi: none
Mekugi: brass/gold screw
Seppa: none
"Highlander" H1 "Texas Steel Props & Replicas" custom made katana specs:
Blade: "Ronin Katana" 1060 TH carbon steel blade, Habaki to tip: 27 inches
Hamon: none
Habaki: yes
Finish: White, off-white, no black outline of carvings
Fuchi: none
Mekugi: brass/gold screw
Seppa: 2 brass
Screen used H1 & H2
"Highlander 2 the Quickening" 1991
Their are at least three versions of this movie that I know of. As far as I can remember, their are no truly good screen shots of the katana during the movie. Their were however some good close up photographs taken of Christopher Lambert with the H2 katana.
The katana for this movie was re-sculpted from the original 1986 H1 Katana. The lion or dragon head was more re-defined and uniformed. The Mane on top of the head was changed, made more uniformed and sharp. The tail and facial scales were changed. The design around the mouth was changed. The handle or Tsuka color was changed from white, to a bone color. The handle details were now outlined in black. The tail is more recesed into the handle or tsuka. All the details on the handle or Tsuka were more worn and smooth. The handle or tsuka was also thinner than the H1. Two of the biggest changes were; the absence of the mekugi or brass screw in the handle or Tsuka, and the absence of a Habaki. The tsuba was also changed to a more used and worn out version of the original, with dents and pieces broken off. The whole of the katana was supposed to be made to look more aged, older and used.
The second movie jumps from 1986, to the year 2024. If my math is right, the Masamune katana is now 2,614 years old. Macleod using the energy from his 2nd quickening, restores Ramirez to life. He then rejoins Macleod. Together, with Louise Marcus, they go to free a friend of Macleods, Alan Neyman. This is the first time the H2 katana appears on screen. During the rescue, Macleod, Ramirez, and Marcus walk into a trap. The three walk into a small room with two doors. Both doors slam shut, sealing them in. Above their heads a big giant head decapitating fan starts desending into the room. With nowhere to run, Ramirez slams the H2 katana into the ground blade first. He then summons his "full measure of life". With this power, he holds the fan in place and opens the doors for Macleod and Louise to escape. He then pulls a "Star Wars" Obi Wan Kenobi maneuver and disappears back to where he came from. The fan crashes down on the H2 katana and explodes. One would think that Macleod would have grabbed the katana and taken it with him. But sadly it is destroyed, or is it? During the final battle with General Katana, the H2 katana reappears in Macleods hand, just in time for the final battle against General Katana.
All in all, no matter what you think about this movie, the H2 katana is a top notch movie katana.
"Highlander 2" screen used katana specs:
Blade: 27 inch stainless steel
Hamon: yes, fake
Habaki: none
Finish: off white, bone color with black outline.
Tsuba: based on original, more worn and weathered.
Fuchi: none
Mekugi: hidden, number: unknown to me
Highlander 2 "Texas Steel Props & Replicas" "Point Gallery" custom made Katana specs:
Blade: "Ronin Katana" 1060 TH carbon steel blade, Habaki to tip: 27 inches
Hamon: none
Habaki: yes, plain brass
Finish: off white, bone color with black outline
Tsuba: based on original, more worn and weathered.
Fuchi: none
Mekugi: hidden, number:2
The review:
"Highlander 2" (H2) katana w/"Ronin Katana" 1060 blade custom made by "Texas Steel Props & Replicas" "Point Gallery" owner Daryl Kyle.
Full Disclosure:
I am not affiliated with any sword manufacturers, distributors or sellers. I did not receive the sword under review for free, nor was I paid in any form to write this review. I have however, talked back and forth, quite a bit, with the owner Daryl Kyle, as we both share an equal love of the Highlander Universe. The intent of this review is to share information with others, who share my love of Highlander swords.
Katana conception:
Christmas of 2012 I received the "Highlander" H1 katana from "Texas Steel Props & Replicas" as a Christmas gift from my wife. It was incredible! Better than the original prop. I contacted "TSP&R" owner Daryl Kyle, to thank him for the work he had done. He told me whenever I was ready for an H2, to give him a call. A couple of months later I contacted him, went over what I wanted on the H2 project, arrived at a price. And ordered the katana.
Construction process:
With the exception of the blade, this is a completely made from scratch, custom process. The Katana is made to the customers exact specifications. TSP&R sends pictures and updates, throughout the whole project. So you follow your katana, from the start to the finish.
Finished project arrival:
The katana arrived via fedex in a round shipping tube. Upon openning the tube, I found a katana wrapped in bubble wrap. Upon removing the bubble wrap, I found that the Katana was wrapped in a a black sword bag. Removing the bag, as more and more is uncovered. the only thing I can think of is "WOW"!!!!!!!
Specifications:
Overall length: 39.5 inches
Blade length: 27 inches
Blade width at habaki: 1.25 inches
Blade width at yokote: .75 inches
Tuka length: 11.3 inches
Weight: 2 pounds 14.9 ounces
Tsuka:
The tsuka or handle is what makes all the Highlander swords a work of art. The mold used to make the H2 tsuka, is an actual "screen used" mold. Each handle or tsuka is made using the "Point Gallery" carbon fiber Kevlar method. It's about as close to indestructible as a tsuka of this design could be made. If anyone has ever held one of the Marto or Chinese highlander tsukas, this feels nothing like them. Totally different. Feels really solid and strong. The tsuka is thinner than Highlander H1 Katana, it feels great in hand. The Lion or dragon head is slightly turned to the heads, right. On the H1, the head is turned to the left. I always assumed that the head on both versions were straight. But they are not. The lion or dragon head on the H2 is more re-defined and uniformed, than the H1. The H2 Mane on top of the head of Lion or Dragon was changed, made more uniformed and sharp. The tail and face texture of the H2 was changed to scales. The design around the mouth was also changed. The handle or Tsuka color of the H2 was changed from white, to a bone color. This bone color is achieved, through a trial and error process, much like mixing paints to achieve the right color. The handle details of the H2 are outlined in black. The tail is more recesed into the handle or tsuka. All the H2 details on the handle or Tsuka are more worn and smooth. The whole of my H2 katana is made to look more aged, older and used, just like the original prop.
Tsuba:
The tsuba on this katana is a work of art. The screen used H2 tsuba was chewed up, had indentions in it from sword contact, and had pieces broken off. This from talking to Daryl Kyle is the most labor intensive tsuba of all the Highlander Katana's to reproduce. The tsuba was cast from a screen used stunt tsuba, then he had to combine the 2 halves in wax. Then add all the details of the original, age it, then do a "lost wax casting" in bronze. I love the appearance of it. The edge is bright and shiny. The top, bottom and inside have been aged to give it that centuries old appearance.
Habaki:
The screen used prop had no habaki. Which was really unique. For this H2, I chose to have a plain brass habaki added. Without the habaki, the katana would rattle around in the saya.
Seppa:
The screen used blade had no seppa. And this H2 also has no seppa.
Mekugi: two hidden mekugi,
Saya:
Not screen accurate. As far as I know, no saya ever appeared on screen. TSP&R does make a screen accurate H1 saya complete with all the bells and whistles, that would be perfect for any of the Highlander Katana's.
Blade:
Ronin Dojo Pro 1060 carbon steel blade. No Hamon, through harned, tough as nails, blade. Nice and sharp. Ronin Katana, Katana's have been reviewed here many, many times. This, in my opinion, is the perfect blade for a screen accurate fully functional H1 katana. Since the H1 original prop had no Hamon. The screen used H2 katana had a etched Hamon. But since the H2 is supposed to be the same as the H1, just older. I decided to stay with the same blade for a matched set.
Cutting:
This katana should perform just as we'll as any Ronin 1060 katana. I haven't done any cutting as of yet. Probably won't do any til spring.
Finished Katana:
Pros:
Original screen used tsuka mold
Original screen used tsuba solid bronze
Tsuba aging
Tsuka coloring & aging
Ronin Katana 1060 blade
Cons:
None,zero, love it, fantastic!
Conclusion:
10 out of 10. This katana has the authentic "look and feel" and " screen presence" that I have always imagined the "Highlander H2" to have. If I had my choice between the original "Highlander 2" screen used katana or this "H2" made by TSP&R , I would have to chose this one." There can be only One" and this is it!
Daryl Kyle is a "Super nice guy", extremely passionate about what he does. Daryl genuinely loves making these swords and it shows. These are not some Katana's being run down some assembly line. These are hand poured, hand crafted, fully funtional and assembled right here in the greatest country in the world. Each one, a individual work of art.
Can't wait to get a "Highlander 3" katana to complete the collection.