Slavedge tactical wakizashi prototype.
Jan 21, 2015 9:39:54 GMT
Post by justin520 on Jan 21, 2015 9:39:54 GMT
Disclaimer:
I'm in no way receiving compensation to review this Slavedge prototype. I payed out of pocket in an effort to test performance of the design and suggest improvements that Slav may make if he decides to put this into production.
Further notes:
I will not be covering the sheath in this review as it is not the sheath design Slav intends to do if these go into production. My understanding from his previous thread on this design is he would prefer a kydex rig. I will be taking this to a custom kydex maker in my area and at a later date posting images of the rig in order to give Slav an example of a standardized awesome sheath design. It must also be noted that the the handle and blade length are my own custom specs suited for my needs and in no way reflect what Slavs standardized specs may be.
Specs:
Blade length: 17"
Handle length: 11"
Steel: 9260
Rockwell Hardness: 58-60
Coating: Gun blue
Same: Carbide griptape black
Ito: Synthetic silk black with an epoxy coat
Tsuba: Parachord turks head knot
Menuki: Agate
P.O.B: 2" from guard
Initial impressions:
I opened this in the only proper way to do so, using my otanashi noh ken, one neo Japanese tactical blade to open another. I was quite happy with what I saw as well as a bit confused. You'll learn more of this as the review continues.
Blade:
The 17 inch blade of this tactical ko katana type sword is very nice indeed save for a minor flaw, some minor edge rolling had occurred at the kissaki before I'd ever received the item. This is not a problem as I intend to add a secondary bevel at a later date. Now to cover that confusion I mentioned above. This thing is not very wide, only 1 & 1/8th inches at its widest point with fumbari that brings it to just under an inch at its slimmest. It's about the width of the cold steel heavy duty sword cane. The 9260 blade has been gun blued for corrosion resistance. This coat isn't exactly even in spots so Slav may need to find a way to improve the method of applying this for perfectionists, I however sort of like this as it gives an antique look. It has a ko kissaki profile as well, overall this contributes to the small but large look of this sword.
Tsuka:
The handle is, much in the same way as the blade not very wide at all. It's super slim having only an inch of width at it's widest point. In order to compensate for this the large agate menuki have been mounted in gyaku position which actually gives a really comfortable palm swell. The carbide griptape in place of samegawa was an interesting choice, at a glance you may not notice but it becomes apparent upon inspection. Is it bad, no, but it may not be desirable for some. This same replacement is covered in a synthetic silk tsuka ito with some sort of epoxy coating turning the ito into a virtual micarta composite. No need to worry about hishigami here as this stuff will be impossible to displace. At the top where the tsuba and fuchi would be a parachord turks head knot is used as a substitute. This turks head knot is coated in the same epoxy becoming a part of the micarta composite itself. At the bottom a small piece of tang has been left exposed to be used for tsuka-ate (pommel strike) techniques when necessary.
Handling:
This thing is feather light! I find myself moving at speeds not possible with my other swords. With it's low P.O.B and it's uber light slim blade you can handle very well 1 handed, it's like swinging nothing at all and is probably comparable in speed to a machete. Your enemies will be hard pressed to parry when you move with such quickness!
Test cutting:
Well here's the meat and potatoes, how will our slim profiled tiny little guy fair at the prospect of slicing through hard targets? Really f&*%ing well actually! I had done the paper test out of box and even managed phone book paper in single sheets with no trouble, but this is just a formality, let's get to business. The first test target I broke out was my beloved dinner O' mine cut test. I sliced a side of beef ribs suspended from my heavy bag stand no trouble at all, in fact, almost to easily. You know what this means, on to bigger and better cuts! So out came the 1" wooden dowel, and down that thing went with no trouble at all! Cut after cut slicing cleanly through a piece of wood. Now this is what I call a weapon.
Pros:
Synthetic materials mean the handle isn't going to be destroyed by regular use, you must seek to destroy it if you wish to do so.
Agate menuki improve ergonomics
Light handling characteristics
Good hard target cutter
Skull crushing pommel
Gun blue blade coating
Cons:
Slight edge roll in the kissaki when received
Gun blue unevenly applied
Neutrals:
Fake samegawa
Slim profile
Suggested improvements:
An integral guard created from the piece of steel as blade and tang.
Improving your bluing process
Using real rayskin
Secondary bevel
Overall:
For the $250 I payed I received a well made weapon with only one minor defect. This is a quality design that will last until I die and can safely recommend it to anyone seeking to buy it. I can also safely say that Slav should put this in production given its quality and the response it receivedon the sbg facebook page. Overall I'm giving this prototype a 9 out of 10.
I'm in no way receiving compensation to review this Slavedge prototype. I payed out of pocket in an effort to test performance of the design and suggest improvements that Slav may make if he decides to put this into production.
Further notes:
I will not be covering the sheath in this review as it is not the sheath design Slav intends to do if these go into production. My understanding from his previous thread on this design is he would prefer a kydex rig. I will be taking this to a custom kydex maker in my area and at a later date posting images of the rig in order to give Slav an example of a standardized awesome sheath design. It must also be noted that the the handle and blade length are my own custom specs suited for my needs and in no way reflect what Slavs standardized specs may be.
Specs:
Blade length: 17"
Handle length: 11"
Steel: 9260
Rockwell Hardness: 58-60
Coating: Gun blue
Same: Carbide griptape black
Ito: Synthetic silk black with an epoxy coat
Tsuba: Parachord turks head knot
Menuki: Agate
P.O.B: 2" from guard
Initial impressions:
I opened this in the only proper way to do so, using my otanashi noh ken, one neo Japanese tactical blade to open another. I was quite happy with what I saw as well as a bit confused. You'll learn more of this as the review continues.
Blade:
The 17 inch blade of this tactical ko katana type sword is very nice indeed save for a minor flaw, some minor edge rolling had occurred at the kissaki before I'd ever received the item. This is not a problem as I intend to add a secondary bevel at a later date. Now to cover that confusion I mentioned above. This thing is not very wide, only 1 & 1/8th inches at its widest point with fumbari that brings it to just under an inch at its slimmest. It's about the width of the cold steel heavy duty sword cane. The 9260 blade has been gun blued for corrosion resistance. This coat isn't exactly even in spots so Slav may need to find a way to improve the method of applying this for perfectionists, I however sort of like this as it gives an antique look. It has a ko kissaki profile as well, overall this contributes to the small but large look of this sword.
Tsuka:
The handle is, much in the same way as the blade not very wide at all. It's super slim having only an inch of width at it's widest point. In order to compensate for this the large agate menuki have been mounted in gyaku position which actually gives a really comfortable palm swell. The carbide griptape in place of samegawa was an interesting choice, at a glance you may not notice but it becomes apparent upon inspection. Is it bad, no, but it may not be desirable for some. This same replacement is covered in a synthetic silk tsuka ito with some sort of epoxy coating turning the ito into a virtual micarta composite. No need to worry about hishigami here as this stuff will be impossible to displace. At the top where the tsuba and fuchi would be a parachord turks head knot is used as a substitute. This turks head knot is coated in the same epoxy becoming a part of the micarta composite itself. At the bottom a small piece of tang has been left exposed to be used for tsuka-ate (pommel strike) techniques when necessary.
Handling:
This thing is feather light! I find myself moving at speeds not possible with my other swords. With it's low P.O.B and it's uber light slim blade you can handle very well 1 handed, it's like swinging nothing at all and is probably comparable in speed to a machete. Your enemies will be hard pressed to parry when you move with such quickness!
Test cutting:
Well here's the meat and potatoes, how will our slim profiled tiny little guy fair at the prospect of slicing through hard targets? Really f&*%ing well actually! I had done the paper test out of box and even managed phone book paper in single sheets with no trouble, but this is just a formality, let's get to business. The first test target I broke out was my beloved dinner O' mine cut test. I sliced a side of beef ribs suspended from my heavy bag stand no trouble at all, in fact, almost to easily. You know what this means, on to bigger and better cuts! So out came the 1" wooden dowel, and down that thing went with no trouble at all! Cut after cut slicing cleanly through a piece of wood. Now this is what I call a weapon.
Pros:
Synthetic materials mean the handle isn't going to be destroyed by regular use, you must seek to destroy it if you wish to do so.
Agate menuki improve ergonomics
Light handling characteristics
Good hard target cutter
Skull crushing pommel
Gun blue blade coating
Cons:
Slight edge roll in the kissaki when received
Gun blue unevenly applied
Neutrals:
Fake samegawa
Slim profile
Suggested improvements:
An integral guard created from the piece of steel as blade and tang.
Improving your bluing process
Using real rayskin
Secondary bevel
Overall:
For the $250 I payed I received a well made weapon with only one minor defect. This is a quality design that will last until I die and can safely recommend it to anyone seeking to buy it. I can also safely say that Slav should put this in production given its quality and the response it receivedon the sbg facebook page. Overall I'm giving this prototype a 9 out of 10.