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Post by frankthebunny on Sept 4, 2014 18:29:59 GMT
I gave the tsuka on this Paper Crane katana a makeover including shaping and thinning the core and carefully rearranging the samegawa panels so the emperor's node was positioned near the kashira instead of somewhere in the middle. The same panels were also polished to remove the hooks, smooth out the larger nodes and brighten the color up a bit. I also tied the beautiful stock silk sageo in a cho-musubi (butterfly knot). Tsukamaki is with black silk ito in hinerimaki style, lacquered. This is a beautiful sword and I've always wanted to see the koshirae up close and finally having had the chance, it didn't disappoint. I am slowly getting a review together and will post it as soon as I'm able. This sword is a great example of the exceptional craftsmanship and design Hanwei is capable of imho. Thanks for looking -Josh
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Sept 4, 2014 19:56:51 GMT
Gorgeous. Can't wait to see the review!
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Post by whitefeathers on Sept 4, 2014 22:27:51 GMT
Beautiful. Nice that you got a chance to handle one of these
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Post by frankthebunny on Sept 5, 2014 4:33:07 GMT
Thanks They really paid a lot of attention to every detail on this one. It also handles very well, for those who like a lighter sword, like me.
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Post by Madmartigen on Sept 5, 2014 4:58:51 GMT
This looks very clean and crisp, with a nice flow and beautiful detail. Very nice.
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Post by frankthebunny on Sept 5, 2014 19:43:11 GMT
Thanks
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Post by Curtis_Louis on Sept 5, 2014 21:18:49 GMT
Beautiful! Looking forward to your review and pics of the blade.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Sept 5, 2014 23:03:43 GMT
Great work as usual
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Post by Elrikk on Sept 5, 2014 23:23:01 GMT
Wow...beautiful!
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Post by frankthebunny on Sept 6, 2014 2:24:05 GMT
Thanks very much fellas
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Post by Bob B on Sept 21, 2014 17:55:39 GMT
Is the review ready yet? This model always peaked my interest.
Bob
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Post by danmasamori on Sept 21, 2014 18:27:00 GMT
Great work as always Frank. I had the opportunity to handle one of these some time ago, gorgeous koshirae, however what did you think of the polish on the blade? Imo this is one area they could have improved on. For what they were asking for these you could get a Dynasty Forge Tama blade with a much nicer polish....
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Post by frankthebunny on Sept 21, 2014 19:28:39 GMT
Thanks I have been so busy working on swords lately and I'm going to get that review up as soon as I get a bit of time, sorry. The reason I wanted to get a closer look at this particular sword was for the koshirae but as far as the blade polish, I felt it was pretty much typical for the higher end Hanwei swords. Not bad, but not nearly as nice as a Kaneie or similar. I do feel though that Hanwei's knowledge of and attention to the blade geometry and other details is part of what we're paying for. I'll get more into these details in the review
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Post by Bob B on Sept 22, 2014 0:25:24 GMT
According to "The Spirit of Steel" Ron went to train in Japan. I know their lines have gotten a lot better through the years and that was probably bound to happen anyhow. I'll be really interested to see your review.
Josh, if I could request...could you get a couple shots of the nakago, and in context with a full shot of the entire blade. I'd be interested to see if any thing was different on this model compared to the other Hanwei models in regards to traditional shaping on that end of the blade. Would like to see if it has "curvature flow" It didn't appear that way, but only pics out there are with the tsuka on.
Thanks,
Bob
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Post by Bob B on Sept 22, 2014 0:32:37 GMT
When you have time of course....I know how it is Bob
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Post by frankthebunny on Sept 22, 2014 1:01:46 GMT
Robert, I have since sent the sword back to the owner so I won't be able to take any additional pics. I do however have a separate cache of "review pics" set aside for that purpose. I do believe I have shots of the nakago as well as a full blade shot.
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Post by Bob B on Sept 22, 2014 1:33:54 GMT
Josh,
Awesome, looking forward to it. I'll keep an eye out.
Bob
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Post by Ichiban on Jan 7, 2015 3:57:50 GMT
Damn good job! Always loved those Cranes.
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Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
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Post by Mikeeman on Jan 7, 2015 4:14:05 GMT
ICHIBAN! YOU STILL EXIST!
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Jan 7, 2015 4:17:03 GMT
Dunno how I missed this one on the old forum; the Paper Crane has always been one of my favorite looking Hanwei katana. The aesthetics are just so wonderfully subdued, yet eye-catching, and the subtle reshaping you did just really brings out the best in the sword. Great job, Josh.
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