RK#2 European Sword Destructive Review
Feb 16, 2015 23:44:53 GMT
Post by Avery on Feb 16, 2015 23:44:53 GMT
Ronin Katana Two Handed European Sword
By Avery Pierce
Introduction
Last fall, I got wind that Chris over at Ronin Katana was planning to release a new European line of blades. One that offered an overall better package of a scabbard and suspension system but coming under the $300 price point this forum is dedicated to. Needless to say, I was intrigued. I contacted Chris in order to tell him I planned on picking one up when finances allowed and we discussed his new endeavor. Then,disaster struck; before I could get my hands on one, a fellow member laid down cash on the barrel head and took the plunge. What's worse? His tang broke while cutting bottles. "That seals it" I thought. "I'm getting one". Not to clear Chris or Ronin Katana, but to see if these hold the standard we're used to from Ronin. Chris, it seems, had other plans. He had already decided that he was going to send out the 4 models to 4 different testers. I was to be one of the four. Does it stand up? Read on to find out.
Stats
Blade length- 33 1/8"
Overall length - 42 1/2"
Weight -2# 7oz
Blade material - 1075
Blade width at base - 1 3/4"
Blade with 1" from tip - 13/16"
Fuller widths - 1/8"
Tang width at shoulders-13/16"
Tang width at pommel- 5/8"
Cross guard width - 8 1/2"
P.O.B. from guard - 6"
C.O.P. from guard - 20 1/4"
Full Disclosure
In the interest of full disclosure, I am not being compensated in any way for this. My only compensation is that I get to beat the s#!t out of a new line of swords. That is compensation enough.
History
As Draven said in his review, it's a little hard to nail down the type. I really can't decide where to put it in either the Petersen or Oakeshott scales so let's just call it maybe a "High Middle Ages" sword. Given that its profile taper is pretty steep and it heads to a relatively sharp point, I think that'll suffice.
Upon Arrival
Given the history of Ronins shipping, I wont dwell too much here. Of course I get excited when I see the big brown box. We all know that feeling; kinda like Christmas but more personal....crap I just plagerised Avengers, didn't I? Oh well. It doesn't matter how the box looks on the outside, it's how it's packed that counts. This one was well done.
Styrofoam stabilizers, solid box, I give it 4 1/2 stars. I'd go five, but it could use a little bubble wrap on the top and bottom to ensure no damage in transit. A nit pick, I know, but my feelings are just same.
Fit and Finish
Hilt Assembly
The hilt is a hex nut assembly, which I prefer. I know most purists insist on a peen, and it has it's advantages as well; I've just always liked the ability to break down a sword for cleaning or customizing. The grip is wooden core with a simple black leather wrap. The seam, at first look, appears nice and tight. More on that later.
The channel in the grip for tang looks be tight and well done, no real play when assembled for dry handling.
Of course, before even dry handling, I immediately broke it down for inspection. One of the best perks to a hex nut assembly. I'll be honest here, what I found was not encouraging. First,though, a look at all the components.
The tang itself looks nice and solid, but the threaded portion,....well I was somewhat concerned. First, the threads themselves are out of line with the tang, and second the weld looks pretty rough.
Now, having said that, I've known welders all my life. I've seen very pretty welds that couldn't stand up to pressure and I've seen ugly welds that last for decades. I'll take function over form any day, but the question remains; how well does it hold up? Read on dear reader and let's find out.
As for the pommel and guard, they're just your basic, no frills straight cross guard and wheel pommel. Both still have light sanding/buffing marks and at this price point I wont complain a bit. In the pictures below you can see that the guard recess to receive the blade is pretty clean and where the grip meets the pommel is nice and snug.
Scabbard/Suspension
Well, I'll go ahead and say it; this is hands down the best scabbard package I've seen for a sword at this price point. Period. With most swords in the $250 price range, you're doing pretty good to get a scabbard; with this you get the scabbard and a nice suspension system. The stitching looks nice and tight and with the risers on the scabbard it self, you don't have to worry about the sword "riding up" on you. A definite bonus if you're going to wear this for any length of time at a faire or comic con.
Here's a shot of the scabbard stitching -
And one around the risers -
Plus, with me being a lefty, it wasn't hard to reconfigure, just a bit of knot work. The blade fit snugly into the scabbard, I was able to hold it upside down with no slipping, but still easily drawn. The only draw back of the entire scabbard was that the belt may be too small for some; I'm a 38" in the waist these days and it fit me fine. Go much larger though and it'll be too small.
Chape
I've seen this style of chape on other scabbards before, and find them very attractive. This one fits nice and tight against the leather with no real gaps to speak of.
Blade
Fullers
I'm a sucker for triple fullers, always loved the look on later type swords. These are nicely done, evenly ground with clean terminations. There is a small ridge running from the center fuller to the tip. The termination of the center fuller is slightly out of line with the ridge on one side. I'd say less than 1/16" but more than 1/32".
The fullers also terminate well under the cross guard. Oddly, the termination under the cross guard is fairly haphazard.
Honestly, I don't see this as an issue, but it does make me wonder why.
As for the sharpness of the edge, it's serviceable but that's about it. It's an even, apple seed bevel with no deviation, but would need attention if you intend to do silent or trick cuts.
Flex Test
The steel is advertised as 1075; the jury is still out on that particular point, it could very well be closer to 5160. How do I know this? I had the steel tested. My main concern was that the threaded part in the tang couldn't handle stress, so before any cutting, I did a flex test.
I'll admit, I put a little more pressure on the pommel than I normally would. Still, the blade flexed, the pommel took it and all returned to true.
Now,for the moment we've all been waiting for.
Cutting Video
As you can see, the test went beyond use and into abuse. Indeed, the weld did break. Yet only after me bashing it far more than I would any sword. Also, the blade itself held up extremely well under stress. No edge rolling or chipping. It had some heavy scuffing after the test, but with a little Scotchbrite here and that took off the majority of the mess.
The wood in the grip did wallow out toward the end, but I had an extremely tight hold and it was taking hits at all kinds of odd angles. I really don't think this'd be an issue under normal use. The leather on the grip itself came loose around the seam as well, but again I think this was due to the amount of torque I was applying. And as you can see, it didn't loosen very much.
Of course, the largest issue is the breakage. After looking at the threaded rod it appears to be harder than the tang. You can see in the picture the milky color the break shows.
The common consensus among me and my smith friends is that this part was either already hardened or it became hardened through a process called hydrogen embrittlement. Here again I feel the need to reiterate the amount of abuse it took before finally failing. I also suspect that this could be avoided altogether by either brazing or soldering the threads instead of welding. Or doing away with it altogether and threading the tang. However, I can understand the added cost and if it'll hold up under normal use then there's no reason is there?
Pros and Cons
Pros -
- Well under our $300 price range
- Affordable overall package with very attractive scabbard and belt
- Durable and serviceable blade
- Not related to the sword itself, but Chris is extremely easy to communicate and deal with
Cons
- Grip will be small for larger hands
- Will have to make a larger belt if you're over a size 38" or so
- The blade isn't shaving sharp, only serviceable. (nit pick)
- Will not withstand heavy, sustained abuse.
Conclusion
Would I recommend this line to someone? Yes, absolutely. Whether it be for cosplay or backyard cutting I would have no reservations whatsoever. After seeing and feeling the abuse this sword took I'd feel confident advising someone on this package. It's an overall great starter kit that has excellent potential for customization. Would I also inform any potential buyers about the tang? Of course I would. And then I would say "sit down and watch this video". Let's face it, there are always going to be lemons and this is a new line where growing pains are to be expected. This is where the vendor has the opportunity to either shine or sink. Chris has always struck me as a man of integrity and I think that he will always stand by any product he sells. As for the sword, well I beat the tee total sempr!ni out of it; I used bad form, bad edge alignment and hard targets. I took this blade farther than I would ever take one of my own, and it took more abuse than I ever imagined.