Musashi Bamboo Anniversary Review
Mar 23, 2015 22:47:42 GMT
Post by Mikeeman on Mar 23, 2015 22:47:42 GMT
Introduction
I bought this sword right around this time last year. I don't remember exactly when, but it was close
Historical overview
This sword's history is pretty much what is in the videos below. Including what it did in this video, it's been through about 25-30 small trees, over 100 bottles, and parts of a couple cutting stands. It's had no easy life. All the pictures were taken after the testing and abuse over the last year. That's why you see scuffs, stains, scratches, etc.
Full Disclosure
I got this sword at a 10% discount. I had got an order a little different than it was listed so they gave me a discount to use whenever I wanted. So, I guess I got it at something like $90 instead of $100.
Initial Impressions
Seemed ok, to me. It felt pretty good in the hands and came with a typical cheap sword bag. Nothing was loose and looked nice.
Statistics
From the website. Haven't taken my own measurements.
Blade/Nagasa Length: 28.25"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.875" (Holy specific)
Weight: No clue
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade on this looks just about like every other low-end sword.
This one is DH 1060 with a really weird notare style hamon. It's like the waves are way too close together. That's just an asthetic nit-pick, though. Bo-hi is done about like every other bo-hi on cheap kats. The kissaki is done alright. I've seen better, but maybe not in this price range.
The habaki on this sword is probably the most perfect habaki fit I've ever seen on a production katana. At least in the sub $300 market. It fits almost perfectly. It DOES move foreward backward (towards ha/mune) just enough to make a little "click" sound, but other than that, it fits absolutely great.
The Handle/Tsuka
The handle on this seems pretty solid. It's been through an entire year of abuse, and it still doesn't move, squeak, have loose fittings or ito, and no gap between the fuchi and tsuba. (which is really uncommon when you abuse a sword that hard.) The ito is still tight with no gaps or moving. I honestly don't know how, since there (assumably) aren't any hishigami in there. The F/K are iron and unique to other things at this price range. And iron fittings on a $100 sword is awesome. Usually, it's that painted alloy junk. Menuki are also different. Anything other than the typical dragon ones are fine by me. These are pretty neat, though.
The Guard/Tsuba
The tsuba has a cool and unique bamboo theme. Plus, it's iron instead of alloy.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Already described. I guess that's what I get for just snapping pics instead of taking them specific to parts of the review template.
The Scabbard/Saya
It, um... It holds the blade. Gloss black with black sageo. Honestly, I don't get worked up about sayas. They just hold my blades while I'm not using them. It's got what I assume is a plastic kojiri. No rattles or anything. Blade fit nicely when I first got it, but now it's a little loose from a year of use.
Handling Characteristics
It handles pretty good. It's just a tad tip heavy for a small blade with a hi, though. I think they should have made it just a tad shorter and it would greatly improve the handling. It feels like it really wants power behind it, which is odd for this kind of blade.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Oh geez... Where to begin. It's been through a lot of things. A LOOOOOT of things. It's been through WAY more than just this video shows. It's still truckin' along, although it could stand to be sharpened. I haven't sharpened it since I got it. Sorry for the bad video. By brother was more worried about getting spiders on him than filming, he was having trouble figuring out how the camera worked, and my ultra-fancy camera angling device (soda can) threw off the focus on the last part. I didn't realize it until I got home and had already started editing. So it's just gonna have to be fuzzy. The second round of bottle cutting was after being through the trees to show that it still holds some kind of edge. Check out my excellent edge alignment at 5:37.
Conclusions
This thing really sets the standard for value vs price in the katana world. Well, this and the Jubei Lion Dog. I like the Lion Dog just a tad better, but the kashira fell off and I lost it. So no review for it. Both kats are absolutely outstanding for what you pay for them
The Bottom Line
This is, in my opinion, the standard for how much a sword should cost for this level of craftsmanship. I would reccomend one to anyone wanting a katana on a budget, but that wanted something DH instead of their cheaper, 1045, TH swords. Excellent performance for what you pay.
And then you're done!
Hey, cool. That wasn't so bad. Thanks for reading!
I bought this sword right around this time last year. I don't remember exactly when, but it was close
Historical overview
This sword's history is pretty much what is in the videos below. Including what it did in this video, it's been through about 25-30 small trees, over 100 bottles, and parts of a couple cutting stands. It's had no easy life. All the pictures were taken after the testing and abuse over the last year. That's why you see scuffs, stains, scratches, etc.
Full Disclosure
I got this sword at a 10% discount. I had got an order a little different than it was listed so they gave me a discount to use whenever I wanted. So, I guess I got it at something like $90 instead of $100.
Initial Impressions
Seemed ok, to me. It felt pretty good in the hands and came with a typical cheap sword bag. Nothing was loose and looked nice.
Statistics
From the website. Haven't taken my own measurements.
Blade/Nagasa Length: 28.25"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.875" (Holy specific)
Weight: No clue
The Blade/Nagasa
The blade on this looks just about like every other low-end sword.
This one is DH 1060 with a really weird notare style hamon. It's like the waves are way too close together. That's just an asthetic nit-pick, though. Bo-hi is done about like every other bo-hi on cheap kats. The kissaki is done alright. I've seen better, but maybe not in this price range.
The habaki on this sword is probably the most perfect habaki fit I've ever seen on a production katana. At least in the sub $300 market. It fits almost perfectly. It DOES move foreward backward (towards ha/mune) just enough to make a little "click" sound, but other than that, it fits absolutely great.
The Handle/Tsuka
The handle on this seems pretty solid. It's been through an entire year of abuse, and it still doesn't move, squeak, have loose fittings or ito, and no gap between the fuchi and tsuba. (which is really uncommon when you abuse a sword that hard.) The ito is still tight with no gaps or moving. I honestly don't know how, since there (assumably) aren't any hishigami in there. The F/K are iron and unique to other things at this price range. And iron fittings on a $100 sword is awesome. Usually, it's that painted alloy junk. Menuki are also different. Anything other than the typical dragon ones are fine by me. These are pretty neat, though.
The Guard/Tsuba
The tsuba has a cool and unique bamboo theme. Plus, it's iron instead of alloy.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Already described. I guess that's what I get for just snapping pics instead of taking them specific to parts of the review template.
The Scabbard/Saya
It, um... It holds the blade. Gloss black with black sageo. Honestly, I don't get worked up about sayas. They just hold my blades while I'm not using them. It's got what I assume is a plastic kojiri. No rattles or anything. Blade fit nicely when I first got it, but now it's a little loose from a year of use.
Handling Characteristics
It handles pretty good. It's just a tad tip heavy for a small blade with a hi, though. I think they should have made it just a tad shorter and it would greatly improve the handling. It feels like it really wants power behind it, which is odd for this kind of blade.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Oh geez... Where to begin. It's been through a lot of things. A LOOOOOT of things. It's been through WAY more than just this video shows. It's still truckin' along, although it could stand to be sharpened. I haven't sharpened it since I got it. Sorry for the bad video. By brother was more worried about getting spiders on him than filming, he was having trouble figuring out how the camera worked, and my ultra-fancy camera angling device (soda can) threw off the focus on the last part. I didn't realize it until I got home and had already started editing. So it's just gonna have to be fuzzy. The second round of bottle cutting was after being through the trees to show that it still holds some kind of edge. Check out my excellent edge alignment at 5:37.
Conclusions
This thing really sets the standard for value vs price in the katana world. Well, this and the Jubei Lion Dog. I like the Lion Dog just a tad better, but the kashira fell off and I lost it. So no review for it. Both kats are absolutely outstanding for what you pay for them
The Bottom Line
This is, in my opinion, the standard for how much a sword should cost for this level of craftsmanship. I would reccomend one to anyone wanting a katana on a budget, but that wanted something DH instead of their cheaper, 1045, TH swords. Excellent performance for what you pay.
And then you're done!
Hey, cool. That wasn't so bad. Thanks for reading!