Zheng Qi Ren DH Black Shinogi Zukuri No. 2 of 4.
May 17, 2014 13:02:43 GMT
Post by Damacus on May 17, 2014 13:02:43 GMT
Introduction
I bought this as my first entry katana. I collect defensive weapons. I was looking for something with a pleasing blade and hamon and quality sturdy tsuka with good overall reliable fitment. I was looking for something that was not ornate yet had a somewhat tactical feel. I'm a few months old researching katana's and this is my first blade. I've always liked this sword since I was young due to its magical properties.
Historical overview
This is the second of 4 batch swords made personally by Zheng Qi Ren, purchased for $400 shipped (approximately $350 w/o shipping) , the sword shipped from Jacky at Huawei Sword Co. The sword was shipped on the 7th and arrived in GuamUSA to my door on the 16th. China - SF - HI - Guam. by Guam standards this is decent speed. A good review of the first of 4 swords, by skane, is at, viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20138
Information on Zheng Qi Ren, a notable and rising sword smith,
can be found, viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21283
Full Disclosure
I'm not affiliated with Huawei. I do like their products due to they tend to provide quality blades and furniture with good reliable fitment for cutting.
Initial Impressions
There was nothing that stood out during unpacking that was not as I expected. I was pleased with the sword. Saya, tsuka, tsukamaki, blade, good sturdy feel, very solid assembly. I believe this to be a medium weight cutter. I like the swordbag which is made of a linen material and decorated black and silver. The hamon is unique and attractive and with good lighting is exactly as advertixed.
Statistics
Stats are well documented by skane and accurate....
POB (Point of Balance): 4 and 7/8ths inches not including habaki.
Weight: 2.4 lbs, 2lb 6.4oz, 1090g
Components
The Blade/Nagasa - happy
Shinogi Zukuri style. B+ workmanship. Very nice polish. Visually very clean and sharp ha. The DH on the Qi Ren swords are known to be durable and relatively difficult to break based on videos of testing. This blade is a T8/T10 MV steel blade based on input and research into Qi Ren. Likely a .7 to .8 carbon content. The blade has slim to no niku based on the curvature of the reflections there are areas where the image bends slight concave. Other of the sibling blades have reported minimal niku. This blade will work well for mats and likely bamboo and probably carcasses and other swords for a number of sets. Based on testing videos similar Qi Ren blades have withstood very hard use. This blade will bend and break and is less durable than for example a 9260 spring steel blade.
The polish is good and quite reflective. The geometry is shinzuk and seems to follow the tradition decently. The yokote and the kissaki are not as clean as they could be. The blade was quickly polished and shows some evidence remaining from heavier grits. I believe this is what I'm seeing. The habaki is solid copper which is a nice touch. The habaki has a close fit to the blade and the blade is mounted symmetrical to the habaki. There is an area at the top of the habaki where the blade is exposed. I find this a bit irregular.
The Handle/Tsuka - very happy
The nakago is a good length. The tsuka is very firm and well wrapped with synthsilk. The shape of the tsuka is very nice and shapely and compact. The silk is clean and has limited fuz. I haven't inspected the internals of the tsuka but the pins look decent and are fit in the typical modern opposite direction style. Both pins clear the itowrap crossings. The wrap is very cleanly done with well shaped diamonds including hishigami and a tight compact end knot, there are no unsightly gaps in the ito at any area of the tsuka. Menuki are slightly off center but it's not obvious. The samegawa is panels and it appears based on the curve of the wrap that they are inset into the tsuka core. I'll be disecting the tsuka in more detail in the future.
The Guard/Tsuba - ok
The tsuba is stamped steel and painted black with a very soft coating of crappy paint. One idea I had was a nickel plating would look nice. Or possibly cerakote. The tsuba could use a good filing in some places and could be rounded a bit to give it a slightly more custom look. This blade will get a new custom bronze tsuba in the future. I like the style of the tsuba and it looks good on this tactically inclined sword.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira - meh
cast alloy, rough cut, painted black. But seem to be fit very snug and blend in well.
The Scabbard/Saya - happy
The saya is very nice. A bit more unique style than the typical saya. The blade fit is close with a nearly tight fit at the tip (very minor rattle) and a slightly overtight fit at the habaki, just a slight tug. The sayawrap is ito and should be upgraded. There are a few slight cosmetic items that are no big deal, mostly the lacquer coating could be a bit better, see photos. What looks like a chip is actually a reflection. The fit is continuous with the tsuka and there are no unsightly gaps or loud rattles when sheathed. The furniture is horn.
Handling Characteristics - Happy
Feels good to swing like a redneck. I'm looking forward to cutting some stuff eventually. POB and weight of sword look good. It's not too heavy in my 6'1" opinion.
Test Cutting
This set of swords hasn't been used for a lot of documented cutting. But the Qi Ren swords are tough based on a few reports. I haven't cut with this sword yet. Another user has cut with it and indicated it was tied as his favorite mid range cutter.
Conclusions
You can't take much more steel off of this blade. And a few heavier grit scratches are apparent upon close examination. It could be polished maybe a bit more to remove the scratches. A few very slight inconsistencies in the blade but overall obviously pleasing to the eyes. The rest of the sword appears to be polished at least up to 1000 grit and beyond. The hamon could be brought out a bit more with a quality etch and polish. Tsubafuchikashira could be made out of more traditional materials. The handle has a very tight and solid feel. Everything is tightly fit together and ready to cut. I'm happy with this sword and confident that it would last through some hard sets. I'd think this sword would fall between the Dynasty Forge Musha and Bushi swords along the lines of quality, just for example.
Pros
Awesome offerings for $350, $400shipped. I passed up a long list of $400 kats because this one is relatively complete and reliably assembled and nice to look at. This sword will certainly do good sword work. I'm confident in the handle construction which is hard to find in many chitana.
Cons
• edge protrusion at habaki.
• blade shape and polish could be done with a bit more care
• crap fuchikashira, but good look and fit
• stamped steel tsuba, rough finish, crap paint
• Definitely a mid range chitana offering with a good pricepoint.
The Bottom Line
I'm happy this functional sword was made by an established sword smith own hands. I definitely recommend it as a good first sword to own at the $350 pricepoint. It exhibits some finer points that are sometimes completely botched in similar priced swords. Overall I'm totally stoked with this purchase.
Please share your thoughts and comments on what you observe about this sword good or bad I'd really benefit from sbg input on my first katana purchase.
I bought this as my first entry katana. I collect defensive weapons. I was looking for something with a pleasing blade and hamon and quality sturdy tsuka with good overall reliable fitment. I was looking for something that was not ornate yet had a somewhat tactical feel. I'm a few months old researching katana's and this is my first blade. I've always liked this sword since I was young due to its magical properties.
Historical overview
This is the second of 4 batch swords made personally by Zheng Qi Ren, purchased for $400 shipped (approximately $350 w/o shipping) , the sword shipped from Jacky at Huawei Sword Co. The sword was shipped on the 7th and arrived in GuamUSA to my door on the 16th. China - SF - HI - Guam. by Guam standards this is decent speed. A good review of the first of 4 swords, by skane, is at, viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20138
Information on Zheng Qi Ren, a notable and rising sword smith,
can be found, viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21283
Full Disclosure
I'm not affiliated with Huawei. I do like their products due to they tend to provide quality blades and furniture with good reliable fitment for cutting.
Initial Impressions
There was nothing that stood out during unpacking that was not as I expected. I was pleased with the sword. Saya, tsuka, tsukamaki, blade, good sturdy feel, very solid assembly. I believe this to be a medium weight cutter. I like the swordbag which is made of a linen material and decorated black and silver. The hamon is unique and attractive and with good lighting is exactly as advertixed.
Statistics
Stats are well documented by skane and accurate....
POB (Point of Balance): 4 and 7/8ths inches not including habaki.
Weight: 2.4 lbs, 2lb 6.4oz, 1090g
Components
The Blade/Nagasa - happy
Shinogi Zukuri style. B+ workmanship. Very nice polish. Visually very clean and sharp ha. The DH on the Qi Ren swords are known to be durable and relatively difficult to break based on videos of testing. This blade is a T8/T10 MV steel blade based on input and research into Qi Ren. Likely a .7 to .8 carbon content. The blade has slim to no niku based on the curvature of the reflections there are areas where the image bends slight concave. Other of the sibling blades have reported minimal niku. This blade will work well for mats and likely bamboo and probably carcasses and other swords for a number of sets. Based on testing videos similar Qi Ren blades have withstood very hard use. This blade will bend and break and is less durable than for example a 9260 spring steel blade.
The polish is good and quite reflective. The geometry is shinzuk and seems to follow the tradition decently. The yokote and the kissaki are not as clean as they could be. The blade was quickly polished and shows some evidence remaining from heavier grits. I believe this is what I'm seeing. The habaki is solid copper which is a nice touch. The habaki has a close fit to the blade and the blade is mounted symmetrical to the habaki. There is an area at the top of the habaki where the blade is exposed. I find this a bit irregular.
The Handle/Tsuka - very happy
The nakago is a good length. The tsuka is very firm and well wrapped with synthsilk. The shape of the tsuka is very nice and shapely and compact. The silk is clean and has limited fuz. I haven't inspected the internals of the tsuka but the pins look decent and are fit in the typical modern opposite direction style. Both pins clear the itowrap crossings. The wrap is very cleanly done with well shaped diamonds including hishigami and a tight compact end knot, there are no unsightly gaps in the ito at any area of the tsuka. Menuki are slightly off center but it's not obvious. The samegawa is panels and it appears based on the curve of the wrap that they are inset into the tsuka core. I'll be disecting the tsuka in more detail in the future.
The Guard/Tsuba - ok
The tsuba is stamped steel and painted black with a very soft coating of crappy paint. One idea I had was a nickel plating would look nice. Or possibly cerakote. The tsuba could use a good filing in some places and could be rounded a bit to give it a slightly more custom look. This blade will get a new custom bronze tsuba in the future. I like the style of the tsuba and it looks good on this tactically inclined sword.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira - meh
cast alloy, rough cut, painted black. But seem to be fit very snug and blend in well.
The Scabbard/Saya - happy
The saya is very nice. A bit more unique style than the typical saya. The blade fit is close with a nearly tight fit at the tip (very minor rattle) and a slightly overtight fit at the habaki, just a slight tug. The sayawrap is ito and should be upgraded. There are a few slight cosmetic items that are no big deal, mostly the lacquer coating could be a bit better, see photos. What looks like a chip is actually a reflection. The fit is continuous with the tsuka and there are no unsightly gaps or loud rattles when sheathed. The furniture is horn.
Handling Characteristics - Happy
Feels good to swing like a redneck. I'm looking forward to cutting some stuff eventually. POB and weight of sword look good. It's not too heavy in my 6'1" opinion.
Test Cutting
This set of swords hasn't been used for a lot of documented cutting. But the Qi Ren swords are tough based on a few reports. I haven't cut with this sword yet. Another user has cut with it and indicated it was tied as his favorite mid range cutter.
Conclusions
You can't take much more steel off of this blade. And a few heavier grit scratches are apparent upon close examination. It could be polished maybe a bit more to remove the scratches. A few very slight inconsistencies in the blade but overall obviously pleasing to the eyes. The rest of the sword appears to be polished at least up to 1000 grit and beyond. The hamon could be brought out a bit more with a quality etch and polish. Tsubafuchikashira could be made out of more traditional materials. The handle has a very tight and solid feel. Everything is tightly fit together and ready to cut. I'm happy with this sword and confident that it would last through some hard sets. I'd think this sword would fall between the Dynasty Forge Musha and Bushi swords along the lines of quality, just for example.
Pros
Awesome offerings for $350, $400shipped. I passed up a long list of $400 kats because this one is relatively complete and reliably assembled and nice to look at. This sword will certainly do good sword work. I'm confident in the handle construction which is hard to find in many chitana.
Cons
• edge protrusion at habaki.
• blade shape and polish could be done with a bit more care
• crap fuchikashira, but good look and fit
• stamped steel tsuba, rough finish, crap paint
• Definitely a mid range chitana offering with a good pricepoint.
The Bottom Line
I'm happy this functional sword was made by an established sword smith own hands. I definitely recommend it as a good first sword to own at the $350 pricepoint. It exhibits some finer points that are sometimes completely botched in similar priced swords. Overall I'm totally stoked with this purchase.
Please share your thoughts and comments on what you observe about this sword good or bad I'd really benefit from sbg input on my first katana purchase.