Musashi Paulownia Mon Budget Katana
Nov 3, 2014 1:19:32 GMT
Post by Mikeeman on Nov 3, 2014 1:19:32 GMT
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01527.jpg)
Welcome to the New-and-Improved Review Template!
Thanks again, Daniel. Like my shoes?
Introduction
I frequent this forum in spurts. Mainly because my hobbies flip-flop so much. I'm currently in to playing with my swords again. I decided to get this sword specifically for review because SnA had it on sale for something like $32. That's a hell of a deal for a functional sword. I apologize in advance for the fuzzy pictures. I had to use two very different cameras. Neither of which I was used to and they kept trying to focus on things I didn't want them to. So it's hard to see the sword, but MAN that grass is pretty. :lol:
Historical overview
I don't really know what to put here, so here's a link to the sword directly from SnA
www.swordnarmory.com/Handmade-Pa ... ss-127.htm
The price has gone up a bit since I bought mine. I'm not really sure why.
Full Disclosure
Nobody paid me to do this review. I don't do JSA or any katana focused martial art. I just like swords and enjoy making confetti out of soda bottles.
Initial Impressions
Well, I mean... It's a sword. One of the things I didn't like about it right out of the box was how "cheap" it looked. But in it's defense, it WAS cheap.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 27.5"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall Length: 38.5"
Weight: Not sure. Typical light katana weight and balance.
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade on these are through hardened 1045. I particularly like these blades because they don't come with that nasty wired brushed hamon. I much prefer it this way. There's nothing real fancy about the blade. It's polished up to about 320/400 grit or so. Perfect for a $32 budget sword, IMO. The kissaki is actually not done too aweful bad. I've seen worse, but I've definitely seen better. I REALLY didn't like the shiny gold on the habaki. However, it did fit really good. Better than a couple higher dollar swords I've had.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01536.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01540.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01541.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01539.jpg)
The Handle/Tsuka
It's cheap. REAL cheap. The ito sucks terribly and is wrapped equally as bad. The end knots are basically a joke. The rayskin is that fake foam stuff. The menuki are the same cast dragon menuki you see on every other katana under $100 or so. On the plus side, the tsuka actually fits perfectly. It's not loose, it's not split, and it stays on just fine.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01531.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0739.jpg)
The Guard/Tsuba
It's not fancy. I'm not 100% sure what it's made out of, but it does the job and doesn't look all too shabby. It keeps my hands of the blade and at $32 that's all you can really ask for.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01529.jpg)
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
I think they are copper, but I'm not sure. Possibly cheap alloy that has been copper coated. No designs. Just plain.
The Scabbard/Saya
I didn't snap a picture of it, but it's got a neat little engraving on it. It holds the blade just fine and I like the matte black finish. It's got a metal collar thing. I'm not sure what the name of it is, but it's a pretty neat addition to a sword, IMO. Especially at this price point. Comes off pretty easy, though. Nothing a little Elmers Glue couldn't fix if I was that worried about it.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01532.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01533.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/DSC01534.jpg)
Handling Characteristics
It handles just fine, I guess. It's got a hi so it's pretty easy to put it where you want it. It's not the best handling katana in the world, but it's not the worst.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Started of with the basics. My younger brother (who can be heard in the video) had never cut anything with a sword before. So I stuck a milk jug full of water on a stump and told him to try it out. Not bad for an 11 year old's first cuts with a sword.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0722.jpg)
Of course, I had to show a little skill and clipped the cap off with the jug empty and unsupported. Flawless edge alignment? Probably not. :lol:
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0723.jpg)
Found a water bottle.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0724.jpg)
Well, it handled that pretty well. So here it is, one last time, in it's fully functional and unscathed form.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0721.jpg)
Now comes the part that makes everyone cringe. I've owned a few TH Musashi's and think they are pretty tough for what they are. I've never taken one THIS far, though. First, I gave it a nice deep plunge in to the edge of the stump we were cutting on. It put a mark or two in the blade, but that was basically it.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0719.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0718.jpg)
Well, that wasn't enough to stop it, so I went and found a small, dead tree. It wasn't green, so it was actually pretty hard. Ever tried to cut a dried out stick? No so easy. Here's what it looked like before I started.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0725.jpg)
Half way through.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0726.jpg)
And all the way through.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0728.jpg)
Well, that didn't work either. The only noticeable damage to the blade was a few scratches and it was slightly duller where I was hitting the tree. Ok. Next step. The log split...
As you can clearly see, this did quite a number in the blade. It actually bent it towards the ha considerably
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0731.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0732.jpg)
However, just a few well placed whacks on the stump on the mune side returned it to true. Which actually surprised me.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0735.jpg)
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0734.jpg)
Ito stayed together better than I imagined.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0733.jpg)
Conclusions
For the price I paid for this thing, I honestly believe it to be the most cost efficient buy on the market. It's not the best, it's not the toughest, and it's certainly not winning any beauty contests. But for it to go through all that and still come out looking the way it does, I'd say it's a pretty solid buy and would recommend them to anyone who wanted a katana on a budget. Here's a pic post demolition derby.
![](http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac271/Mikeeman321/Musashi%20Paulownia%20Mon%20Katana/100_0741.jpg)
Pros
- Price. Provided SnA puts them back on sale for under $40, again.
- Pretty tough, clearly.
- Comes sharp and ready to wreck yesterdays soda bottle
Cons
- Cheap ito.
- fittings are plain and cheap
The Bottom Line
Absolutely outstanding out-of-the-box performance for what you pay for it. 10/10 would recommend to anyone wanting to wreck some light targets and say they own a "real" sword for a just a few dollars.