Musashi TH 1045 Shirasaya Review (pics up)
Apr 4, 2014 3:08:17 GMT
Post by Mikeeman on Apr 4, 2014 3:08:17 GMT
Welcome to the New-and-Improved Review Template!
Thanks, Daniel. I feel at home already
Introduction
Just wanted something to mess with. Practice polishing and blade modifying. It has served it's purpose and is going up for sale locally. Just wanted to review it before I sent it on it's way. Honestly, this review isn't for the base blade. It's kinds for the ease of customization and durability. Kinda weird, but that's what shirasaya is for, right?
Historical overview
Hell, I don't know. It's sharp steel. They had that in the past, right?
Full Disclosure
Nobody paid me.
Initial Impressions
Well, I got this used off another forumite about a year ago. It was mostly untouched except where he had taken a chisel to the tsuka because it was jammed on there so tight that he couldn't get it off. Not a problem for me considering I just wanted the blade, but honestly, the tsuka was pretty easy to glue back together and reprofile or whatever you call it into a pretty functional handle. There's not much a little Guerrilla Impact Resistant Super Glue cant handle.
Statistics
I changed all this, so it's not really important. I'm not reviewing this as it's historical accuracy or it's aesthetics. It's purely it's functionality and performance. A little branch out from the nitpicking of little things.
Components
It was a shirasaya, so... Yeah. Basically the blade, habaki, and some wood.
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade it's self is actually pretty tough. Before I started messing with it I took it to some targets and it held up just fine. It's got that ugly (or at least I think so) wire brush hamon. I sanded part of it out so it almost has a "real" hue to it now, but not really. The kissaki was a joke, but like I said, I changed that. I extended the kissaki about an inch. I like O-kissakis. Just a personal thing, though.
The Handle/Tsuka
Chunk of laquered wood. The fit is oddly good for such a low end katana. That's pretty cool. Perfectl for reshaping. Has stood up VERY WELL considering the shape I got it in.
The Guard/Tsuba
Invisible
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Also invisible
Habaki
Hands down the WORST fitting habaki I have ever seen. It fits side to side just fine, but will travel 1/4" front to back and tilts. I know this isn't really the habaki's fault so much as whoever profiled the tang, but geez. The only good thing about it is that it holds the blade in the saya just fine.
Nakago
Ok, like... What... The... Poop. Are you guys seeing this? How can they even send this out? It just LOOKS like a missing toe waiting to happen. How is this not broken already? Honestly, I have no idea. As jankey as it looks, I guess it holds up pretty well considering I did use it like it was meant to be. It's sturdy, I guess. But I'm not real happy about it. Never seen a Musashi come like that before and I think I've owned 4 or 5. Also, the nakago gets VERY thin VERY fast. It almost gets sharp at the botton because it get's so thin. I mean, that's not really a bad thing. I think extreme taper is kind of cool and unique. Kinda want to do that to another blade I have, but then I'd have to make a new tsuka.
Mekugi
A cheap set of chopsticks. I didn't get one with it, so I just made one.
The Scabbard/Saya
Honestly, I totally dig the natural wood grain of the saya. Koiguchi (?) is plastic, but looks good. It rattles some, and has a ding or two, but I got it second hand, so that's not really an issue. It holds the blade and looks good doing it. Mission complete.
Handling Characteristics
Now this is something that I'm kind of excited to talk about. I've handled this exact same blade mounted up and it was very light and "fun" to use. I guess that would be the way to say it. It was very reactive and glided flawlessy (in my opinion) through the air with little effort. With this one, lacking the weight of the fittings to balance it out, it was more blade heavy. Although, to me, this is actually a good thing. I like blade heaviness and it still retains that "fun" feel without sacrificing cutting power. It's still incredibly light and agile just like the other one, it just feels a bit more agressive.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Yes, yes it is. Before customizing it, I took it to the usual. Soda bottles, soda bottles, and more soda bottles. Lol. Hit some wet beach mats and some small green twiglings. It wasn't super sharp when I got it, but I got it to sharpen and polish and all around change, so I wasn't upset with this. I just wanted to know it could take a beating. Just like the other Musashi I had, it was pretty tough and didn't mind anything I put in front of it.
Conclusions
All things cosidered, I'd say it's worth the price. It cuts well if you sharpen it, the blade is pretty tough and mod-ready. The wood that comes with it is tough enough for regular use, provided you contour and mount it up right. The saya is really cool with the gloss natural grain. If you're wanting something to try your hand at blade customizing, don't want to break the bank, but still want it to be useable at the end of the day, you found the right thing. These are what? $40?
Pros
-Mod Ready
-"fun" to use.
-Price
Cons
-Nakago coming with a traditional WTF shape
-Typical low end kat probs (poor fit and finish)
The Bottom Line
If you wan't something to practice messing with, get this and some cheap alloy eBay fittings until you are good enough redo and remount higher end blades.
Thanks, Daniel. I feel at home already
Introduction
Just wanted something to mess with. Practice polishing and blade modifying. It has served it's purpose and is going up for sale locally. Just wanted to review it before I sent it on it's way. Honestly, this review isn't for the base blade. It's kinds for the ease of customization and durability. Kinda weird, but that's what shirasaya is for, right?
Historical overview
Hell, I don't know. It's sharp steel. They had that in the past, right?
Full Disclosure
Nobody paid me.
Initial Impressions
Well, I got this used off another forumite about a year ago. It was mostly untouched except where he had taken a chisel to the tsuka because it was jammed on there so tight that he couldn't get it off. Not a problem for me considering I just wanted the blade, but honestly, the tsuka was pretty easy to glue back together and reprofile or whatever you call it into a pretty functional handle. There's not much a little Guerrilla Impact Resistant Super Glue cant handle.
Statistics
I changed all this, so it's not really important. I'm not reviewing this as it's historical accuracy or it's aesthetics. It's purely it's functionality and performance. A little branch out from the nitpicking of little things.
Components
It was a shirasaya, so... Yeah. Basically the blade, habaki, and some wood.
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade it's self is actually pretty tough. Before I started messing with it I took it to some targets and it held up just fine. It's got that ugly (or at least I think so) wire brush hamon. I sanded part of it out so it almost has a "real" hue to it now, but not really. The kissaki was a joke, but like I said, I changed that. I extended the kissaki about an inch. I like O-kissakis. Just a personal thing, though.
The Handle/Tsuka
Chunk of laquered wood. The fit is oddly good for such a low end katana. That's pretty cool. Perfectl for reshaping. Has stood up VERY WELL considering the shape I got it in.
The Guard/Tsuba
Invisible
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Also invisible
Habaki
Hands down the WORST fitting habaki I have ever seen. It fits side to side just fine, but will travel 1/4" front to back and tilts. I know this isn't really the habaki's fault so much as whoever profiled the tang, but geez. The only good thing about it is that it holds the blade in the saya just fine.
Nakago
Ok, like... What... The... Poop. Are you guys seeing this? How can they even send this out? It just LOOKS like a missing toe waiting to happen. How is this not broken already? Honestly, I have no idea. As jankey as it looks, I guess it holds up pretty well considering I did use it like it was meant to be. It's sturdy, I guess. But I'm not real happy about it. Never seen a Musashi come like that before and I think I've owned 4 or 5. Also, the nakago gets VERY thin VERY fast. It almost gets sharp at the botton because it get's so thin. I mean, that's not really a bad thing. I think extreme taper is kind of cool and unique. Kinda want to do that to another blade I have, but then I'd have to make a new tsuka.
Mekugi
A cheap set of chopsticks. I didn't get one with it, so I just made one.
The Scabbard/Saya
Honestly, I totally dig the natural wood grain of the saya. Koiguchi (?) is plastic, but looks good. It rattles some, and has a ding or two, but I got it second hand, so that's not really an issue. It holds the blade and looks good doing it. Mission complete.
Handling Characteristics
Now this is something that I'm kind of excited to talk about. I've handled this exact same blade mounted up and it was very light and "fun" to use. I guess that would be the way to say it. It was very reactive and glided flawlessy (in my opinion) through the air with little effort. With this one, lacking the weight of the fittings to balance it out, it was more blade heavy. Although, to me, this is actually a good thing. I like blade heaviness and it still retains that "fun" feel without sacrificing cutting power. It's still incredibly light and agile just like the other one, it just feels a bit more agressive.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Yes, yes it is. Before customizing it, I took it to the usual. Soda bottles, soda bottles, and more soda bottles. Lol. Hit some wet beach mats and some small green twiglings. It wasn't super sharp when I got it, but I got it to sharpen and polish and all around change, so I wasn't upset with this. I just wanted to know it could take a beating. Just like the other Musashi I had, it was pretty tough and didn't mind anything I put in front of it.
Conclusions
All things cosidered, I'd say it's worth the price. It cuts well if you sharpen it, the blade is pretty tough and mod-ready. The wood that comes with it is tough enough for regular use, provided you contour and mount it up right. The saya is really cool with the gloss natural grain. If you're wanting something to try your hand at blade customizing, don't want to break the bank, but still want it to be useable at the end of the day, you found the right thing. These are what? $40?
Pros
-Mod Ready
-"fun" to use.
-Price
Cons
-Nakago coming with a traditional WTF shape
-Typical low end kat probs (poor fit and finish)
The Bottom Line
If you wan't something to practice messing with, get this and some cheap alloy eBay fittings until you are good enough redo and remount higher end blades.