|
Post by uchiha998 on Nov 28, 2014 16:27:42 GMT
I know what you mean when you say some blades just don't feel the way their specs measure out. It's kind of odd to me being a logically minded kind of person. Not that I don't believe in the spiritual or intangible aspects of things. Especially things like handmade swords. But first and foremost I look on the scientific aspect of things. So it is in my nature to believe there is something in the numbers that explains these things. It is likely however that in order to get down to the answer with the numbers, that way too many measurements(possibly even equations) would be required to find the answers we are looking for.
As for your modded Musashi Daito, I wonder if cutting the tsuka down and thus moving the POB forward placed the Pivot Point in better place and that is why it feels so lively. Out of curiosity does it feel more lively and better balanced than your stock Musashi Daito?
|
|
|
Post by VicoSprite on Nov 29, 2014 5:18:03 GMT
Very much so. However I am one who just can't seem to understand how to use/hold a 15" tsuka, lol, so not really a good comparison. That being said, I bought the 2nd daito since I loved the first so much, and while it is a good blade, it doesn't click with me like the first one did.
This reminds me, Matthew Jenson has purchased another 2 or 3 Bamboo Mat s trying to find one like his first, so far unsuccessful. Which leads me to believe that Hanwei makes their blades by hammer, so there will be more variations from blade to blade.
This leads me to my last point on this. If you come across a blade that you click with, do whatever you can to get it and never let it go, as you may never find a good replacement. Cheers guys, Cody
|
|
Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
|
Post by Mikeeman on Nov 29, 2014 5:28:57 GMT
Honestly, that's how I feel about my Jubei Lion Dog. It's just a $100 sword, but man, I love it. I like my Musashi Bamboo almost as much, but not quite as much.
|
|
|
Post by uchiha998 on Nov 29, 2014 12:13:53 GMT
Your right about that when you find a sword that feels perfect to you, or even close to perfect, you should never let it go. Another reason that Matthew may not be able to find a Bamboo Mat that feels like his first one could be that the Bamboo Mat model they are making now is has been purposely altered by Hanwei. So therefore it is really not the same sword. Hanwei may have tried to do something to improve it or make more cost efficient is what I'm saying. I mean Hanwei has changed their other models(Golden Oriole comes to mind). So it could be more than just the slight variations between blades. Then again, it could be just that.
Lol! and yeah a 15" tsuka would be beyond me also. I think there was reason this was never(or maybe rarely is a better word)done in old Japan. It just seems unwieldy not matter how well balanced the sword might be the tsuka would just get in the way.
|
|
|
Post by Aurélien on Nov 29, 2014 13:05:12 GMT
I've got the same feeling - since the infamous factory fire, I think that Hanwei quality standards have slightly decreased, or, at least, changed. No Hanwei bashing here - I'm a huge fan of their products. But I have to admit that the Hanwei swords of my collection made before the factory fire are slightly better than the ones forged after. Crisper geometry lines, koshirae cut and designed with more care, and so on... on the other hand, I think the shape of their tsuka is less axe-handle-like than before.
|
|
|
Post by uchiha998 on Nov 30, 2014 13:57:16 GMT
I find their tsuka still very axe-handle like. I guess it is because it seems like no Hanwei katana have a tsuka that follows the curve of the blade. Now I suspect this is more of an issue with the nakago than than tsuka itself. After all if your nakago doesn't follow the curve of the sword then it is hard to shape a tsuka that does and still attach it to the nakago. At least if you expect the same durability from it. Right? I'm hoping someone can elaborate on this.
Also one reason I think Hanwei doesn't do curved nakago is because, I have heard you get a tighter fit when mounting the fittings on straight nakago. This I am unsure of too, but one of Hanwei's biggest selling points is the way all the koshirae fit so nicely on the blade. Now I know they can do curved nakago and get a good the koshirae to fit nicely because Bugei, which is of course the same forge as Hanwei, does curved nakago and tsuka and they look really nice.
P.S. Just in case anyone on the forum hasn't already noticed. KoA has quite a few Hanwei factory seconds right now. Some of which are running extremely cheap compared to the normal KoA price. The only issues seem to be with the saya. The lacquer on the saya of the factory second swords are either chipped, blotchy, bubbly, or otherwise a little sloppy looking some more than others but if I had cash to spend on my self right now. I'd pick up that Golden Oriole Wakizashi for $299 or that Kaeru Katana for $599.
|
|
|
Post by VicoSprite on Dec 1, 2014 2:02:15 GMT
Just note that the Hanwei 2nds have been punched on the mune near the habaki and on the habaki itself. About Hanwei, I have noticed I tend to be drawn to their older models. Since they tend to be classic geometry ( ie not elite or xl style) and have a long nagasa. I purchased a older tiger katana, which may have been my current favorite, but FedEx destroyed it. So instead of trying to find another one out there, I have decided to redo my Daito with my Roman Urban bamboo stems tsuba. And have the other daito done up with my gold musashi tsuba made by fellow member Lee Bray. www.tosogu.cz/Okisato_foto.htmlCheers guys, Cody
|
|
|
Post by atrixnet on Dec 1, 2014 2:27:59 GMT
Lovely tsuba, Cody.
|
|
Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
|
Post by Mikeeman on Dec 1, 2014 3:17:32 GMT
For anyone wondering, I took the Lion Dog out for pictures and test cutting. Got all the photos and videos I needed. Review should be up within a matter of days. Also, I had the sword in it's box in the back of my car. Some (censored)hole pulled out in front of me, I slammed on my brakes, and it fell in my floorboard where I had other thingamajigs and it dented the box in a few places. So, I hope you weren't super in love with the box, Aurelien. Or, if you're concerned about it, I can make you a new one. It will take some time, though.
|
|
|
Post by VicoSprite on Dec 1, 2014 3:41:12 GMT
Atrixnet, thanks buddy. I nearly got a tear in my eye when I got it from Roman. He did an amazing job on it, I could tell he was proud of his work. As humble of a guy he is, that was a good feeling. He gave me as a gift the folded steel blank he made it from, which is very cool of him. It adds a subtle depth to it. I wish I knew his patina technique. The steel is very black, I have gotten close, but nowhere near as black as he achieved.
Bummer about the box, but honestly it is nothing special. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Lion Dog mike. Cheers guys, Cody
|
|
|
Post by Aurélien on Dec 1, 2014 19:56:32 GMT
It's ok, I'm not a box fetishist. Hope the sword's alright...
|
|
|
Post by VicoSprite on Dec 1, 2014 22:42:40 GMT
What is this about the Raptor Unokubi Zukuri club and how can I join? ;-) I still haven't found the charger to the camera. But I will look around again tonight. Cheers buddy, Cody
|
|
Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
|
Post by Mikeeman on Dec 1, 2014 23:14:30 GMT
The sword is just fine. It was inside the box when it fell, so it was protected.
|
|
|
Post by atrixnet on Dec 1, 2014 23:25:29 GMT
But the box... the box guys!
|
|
|
Post by VicoSprite on Dec 1, 2014 23:42:36 GMT
Talking about making the guy feel bad. I didn't want to say, but mine is the front door of my fort. Lol Cheers guys, Cody
|
|
|
Post by Aurélien on Dec 2, 2014 7:09:39 GMT
So the box accomplished its mission!
|
|
|
Post by Aurélien on Dec 2, 2014 7:16:28 GMT
You just have to get a Raptor Unokubi... and a lot of other blades. And then realize year after year that the most efficient (and therefore the most beautiful) battle sword you have is the Raptor. Even compared to much more expensive katana. Definitely a keeper. And a blade you can trust.
|
|
Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
|
Post by Mikeeman on Dec 3, 2014 4:47:51 GMT
Review is up for your viewing pleasure.
|
|
|
Post by atrixnet on Dec 5, 2014 17:15:40 GMT
Late to the game. I'm checking it out. Work has been insane this week.
|
|