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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Dec 19, 2015 19:29:57 GMT
It was a full custom order. And as for the components and koshirae, I have a vintage fuchi kashira set that would work well on a new blade, iron of course, and once I get a tsuba in a matching theme, I'll pay to have someone convert the shirasaya to a regular koshirae set. I'm just kinda disappointed that Jacky didn't actually make a hitatsura hamon - Huawei has done so in the past, and for a price of over $300, I'm not sure that a regular choji hamon would be worth it. The more elaborate hamon is where I assumed most of the money would be going. The blade also doesn't look ot be folded steel either, but we;ll see once I get it Sounds nice, its cool you can put those fittings laying around to work. Looking forward to seeing the finished project. Yeah, if I specifically requested a blade with a specific hamon and didn't receive it I would be a bit annoyed. It does look like the steel is folded (you can slightly make out folds above and below the hamon in a few pics, the resolution makes it hard), but whether or not the blade has a more convex geometry remains to be seen. Here's to hoping! Thanks, and I agree - I would have expected Jacky of all people to get something as simple as the hamon type right, but it seems that even he is far from perfect. Still, I'm holding out hope that the blade has a convex geometry, at least, otherwise I'm going to be mighty disappointed.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 19, 2015 23:12:09 GMT
I like the choji hamon a lot, but it's not at all hitatsura. If it lacks the geometry you asked for, I'd say to ask for a replacement. I know that they will change a hamon if they don't think the style will work with the steel and geometry, but that choji goes up pretty high so I don't see why the other wouldn't work just as well. Like you said, they've offered it before, so it's not like they couldn't get another. Not providing images until it was shipped was not a cool move. I think I might see some hada, but I can't be sure. Do my eyes deceive me, or did they actually do a single mekugi?
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Dec 20, 2015 3:30:56 GMT
I like the choji hamon a lot, but it's not at all hitatsura. If it lacks the geometry you asked for, I'd say to ask for a replacement. I know that they will change a hamon if they don't think the style will work with the steel and geometry, but that choji goes up pretty high so I don't see why the other wouldn't work just as well. Like you said, they've offered it before, so it's not like they couldn't get another. Not providing images until it was shipped was not a cool move. I think I might see some hada, but I can't be sure. Do my eyes deceive me, or did they actually do a single mekugi? They actually did a single mekugi, as that's what i asked for. I tend to find tsuka with two mekugi more and more unsightly each time I see them, which is why I'm now a firm believer in the single-pin construction. However, because it's also single mekugi'd, I also know that this was indeed my sword and not someone other's that they mistakenly took a picture of. Which means, they DID get my hamon completely wrong. As far as a hada or hira-niku~ness, I don't yet know, though I asked for both. And if I recieve neither on to of that, I'll have to pursuit a return, I think. I'm trying to remain optimistic, but so far, my luck on a good sword blade has been anything but positive.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 20, 2015 4:43:22 GMT
I hope you get satisfaction. Huawei gets a lot of positive press these days, and while I agree that their offerings seem much better than other eBay vendors, it would behoove them to step up the customer service. I'd love to see their CS and order accuracy on par with their blade quality.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Dec 23, 2015 22:16:56 GMT
Well, I just got my Huawei katana in... DAM.
The thing is a BEAST in my hands, I'm kinda regretting not going with regular Shonigi Zukiri now. XD The hamon is NOT Hitatsura, sadly, which is kinda a bummer, but there is indeed niku, which is a plus.
It also contributes to its weight, as the LAST thing this is is nimble in the hands. LMAO I honestly bet I could make it through a quadruple tatami mat with this thing, it's just THAT beastly.
Unfortunately, I dented up the tsuka quickly trying to get it off, though it's crack-free - Jacky used shims to make the nakago fit UNGODLY tight, I was sweating and grunting on it for a good 10 minutes. >_<
What's strange though is without the shims, it seems to be a perfect fit with no rattle, so I dunno why they used them.
I'll throw up some pics later, if you all want. :)
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Mikeeman
Member
Small Business Operator
Posts: 2,904
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Post by Mikeeman on Dec 23, 2015 22:23:33 GMT
Tight fits at first are a really good sign. As time goes on, it will loosen up, so the extra tight fit at first is to ensure it still has a good fit down the road. In both the tsuka and the saya.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 23, 2015 22:24:45 GMT
Yes, pictures please.
The wood for the tsuka may have swollen or shrunk in transit, so the shims may have been needed when they went in. I'd keep them around if they are now out, just in case.
It has niku, and a single peg, so that's a couple of steps in the right direction for an eBay vendor. Is it folded? Are you going to keep it?
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Post by Alexander on Dec 23, 2015 22:38:46 GMT
Mine was very tight too at first. Just within the last week of having it, it has become easier to draw. It is also now fitting flush, it wouldn't do that at first. So yeah it will work in just fine.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Dec 23, 2015 22:55:41 GMT
Everything seems tight yes, including the saya fit. I can't tell if it is folded or not, by eye, I can't tell - I'm still looking for by Black Light to tell for sure. The kissaki is a little awkward looking with the yokote not SUPER defined, but it's good enough.
I'll probably keep it, even though the hamon wasn't what I wanted/asked for. And I'll take some pictures right when I get back from my friend's Christmas party. :P
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 24, 2015 1:35:29 GMT
I hope it's at least folded. The etch might have covered it up, but you should be able to see something.
As always, feel free to post about your thoughts and experiences in the eBay vendor/forge review thread, and thanks for keeping us updated, helping me get my vicarious sword thrills, hahaha.
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Post by MessengerofDarkness on Dec 24, 2015 16:20:33 GMT
Well sorry, no pictures yet, I'm having a hard time capturing the hamon, as the good polish is obscuring it in most of my photos. XD but anyways, the POB is around 8 inches (yeah, it's beastly), and there does look to be SOME kind of activity on the ji of the blade that appears to be vague, indistinct little white spots and blobs, outside of the hamon. I can't tell if they're from folding or whatnot.
The kissaki could use some more zazz.
And yeah, I'd call this a Choji hamon, not hitatsura. *Sighs* Oh well, the hunt continues..
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Post by Kiyoshi on Dec 24, 2015 19:34:19 GMT
Have you tried putting a black cloth in the background, turning off the light, and shining a bright LED or similar at the blade? That might make the hamon pop.
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ShinKenRyu
Member
Just signed up to see what's going on. I love the info and discussions here.
Posts: 2
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Post by ShinKenRyu on May 8, 2016 18:25:32 GMT
I understand completely Jussi. You can't look at the blade, see that it has a specific style of hamon making, a specific style of geometry, folding, etc, and say "this is a sheng sword." The differences are mostly in the fit and finish since all of these guys are looking to make what someone will pay for and not follow a specific school or style of making it. They'll take on just about anything given the right price. They'll try to use whatever forging techniques they think will move. So I see what you mean. Most of us here are nitpicking who offers what at what price a picking who has the best quality through that.
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addertooth
Member
Working the tsuka on two bare blades from Ninja-Katana, slow progress
Posts: 458
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Post by addertooth on May 8, 2016 22:43:43 GMT
Messenger, if you ship it to me I will be happy to give it a look, you know I have the hardware to do the analysis.
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