Review of SBG Store Special Shirasaya + Fred Lohman
May 27, 2015 1:06:45 GMT
Post by jikoli on May 27, 2015 1:06:45 GMT
Introduction
This is my first real sword. I have been an on and off martial artist all my life with experience in Taekwondo, Aikido, and western sport fencing (sabre) and I wanted to get more serious about kenjutsu. Over the course of a couple months, I researched swords and learned what I could like and including this very site, and two years ago I bought the SBG Special Run Shirasaya blade for $ 500 USD. It was somewhat of an impulse buy, but it did fit all my criteria of being a relatively short, laminated and differentialy heat treated katana blade, and I wanted it to have custom fittings. Just this year I finally had it fit by Fred Lohman.
This is kind of a strange review, as the blade was of a limited run that is long since over, and I will be reviewing this sword as I got it from Fred Lohman's shop, as I don't remember my impressions from two years ago too well.
Historical overview
The style of blade is, as previously mentioned katana style, I imagine most of you are fairly familiar with this type of sword, but for those of you who don't know a katana is a short, single edged, curved, Japanese longsword originating in the 14th century. Though mine is a reproduction, some fairly modern features of my sword would place it as most likely a late Edo style blade.
Full Disclosure
This is my first sword, and I am quite partial to it. Also I have a weakness for things that are rare (limited run blade) and the work of craftsmen (Fred Lohman fittings) so please forgive me if I show any bias.
Initial Impressions
Just a warning the fittings do take a while (think a couple of months), and you don't get a lot of communication from Mr. Lohman's shop, but if you want truly professional fittings on a Japanese style sword, he's your man.
When I first got the sword I noticed that the blade was incredibly sharp, one time during cleaning I sliced my pinky without feeling a thing, but when I closed it back up it healed easily. For reference I cut about 4 mm deep and left a little white scar, but my fingerprint matches up perfectly
The sword was immaculately wrapped in a purple sword bag (I don't remember but I think this was a separate part of my order), and I was too eager in my opening of it to take a picture of the original wrap. Furthermore the saego was tied to the tsuba in such a way that the blade was held closed, and I undid that as well.
I typically train with a heavy bokuto, so the weight of a real sword was not much more than I was used to, but the balance was excellent in comparison.
Statistics
All I've got is a kitchen scale and a tape measure, but here are the stats I've gathered.
Blade/Nagasa Length:
28 1/2"
Handle/Tsuka Length:
11"
Overall Length:
39 1/2"
Guard/Tsuba Width:
3 1/8"
POB (Point of Balance):
5 1/2"
COP (Center of Percussion):
24"
Weight:
2lb 3oz
Components
The Blade
The blade is Chinese made, and to my understanding handled by the same forge which does the Project X blades. It is a short katana blade with bo hi and an aggressive choji hamon. It has two holes for two meguki, is laminated in the Soshu Kitae style, and terminates in a geometric yokote.
The Handle
The handle core is genuine hinoki with a full unbleached stingray wrap. It is wrapped in a dark green silk (or synth silk, I can't remember) ito, and has black bow & arrow themed menuki. The grip tapers nicely and is comfortable in the hand. The ito is incredibly tight, and the rayskin is rough, but not too aggressive.
The Guard
The guard is of the "prayer wheel" type, and while I don't know what kind of prayer wheel it refers to (12 spokes?), it is relatively attractive and sturdy, it is made of steel and is blackened.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
The fuchi-kashira set is plain blackened steel and is smooth to the touch. Furthermore the washers (seppa) have been blackened at the fitter's discretion to match the overall dark look of the sword.
The Scabbard/Saya
The scabbard is also Japanese Hinoki wood, with a slick black lacquer. The fittings are buffalo horn, and they join with an attractive seam. I have dark green synthetic saego on this scabbard. One thing to note is there are marks from the first wrapping of the saego (which I cannot replicate). I'm not really bothered but others might be.
Handling Characteristics
As far as katana go, this sword is light, well balanced, and a bit short. It handles much better than my bokuto and the fullers make a nice whistling sound when I have the right blade angle. I don't have anything to cut, so I will do that later.
Conclusions
Everything about this sword screams of quality. Honestly, I think I would have been better off with a SBG custom for my first sword, but the SBG limited run shirasaya blade is definitely beautiul, and to my knowledge of excellent quality. Furthermore, The fittings by Fred Lohman are of excellent quality, and the full assembly is masterful in its craftsmanship and artistry, excepting the small blemish on the scabbard's finish.
Pros
- sharp and attractive blade
- excellent build quality
- very nice handling
- Attractive, understated tooks
Cons
- The scabbard's lacquer, that's it.
The Bottom Line
If you ever are in the market for a truly high quality sword, this is a great way to do it ( this ultimately cost me $ 2092, including the bag and a sword cleaning kit, I could get a setup of similar quality for less, but this is truly custom, and I get the feeling that Mr. Lohman would be willing to take the extra step in fitting a sword to your specific needs). Honestly though, This really should be for serious martial artists, if you're just getting into it, I might suggest going with an SBG custom as your first.
This is my first real sword. I have been an on and off martial artist all my life with experience in Taekwondo, Aikido, and western sport fencing (sabre) and I wanted to get more serious about kenjutsu. Over the course of a couple months, I researched swords and learned what I could like and including this very site, and two years ago I bought the SBG Special Run Shirasaya blade for $ 500 USD. It was somewhat of an impulse buy, but it did fit all my criteria of being a relatively short, laminated and differentialy heat treated katana blade, and I wanted it to have custom fittings. Just this year I finally had it fit by Fred Lohman.
This is kind of a strange review, as the blade was of a limited run that is long since over, and I will be reviewing this sword as I got it from Fred Lohman's shop, as I don't remember my impressions from two years ago too well.
Historical overview
The style of blade is, as previously mentioned katana style, I imagine most of you are fairly familiar with this type of sword, but for those of you who don't know a katana is a short, single edged, curved, Japanese longsword originating in the 14th century. Though mine is a reproduction, some fairly modern features of my sword would place it as most likely a late Edo style blade.
Full Disclosure
This is my first sword, and I am quite partial to it. Also I have a weakness for things that are rare (limited run blade) and the work of craftsmen (Fred Lohman fittings) so please forgive me if I show any bias.
Initial Impressions
Just a warning the fittings do take a while (think a couple of months), and you don't get a lot of communication from Mr. Lohman's shop, but if you want truly professional fittings on a Japanese style sword, he's your man.
When I first got the sword I noticed that the blade was incredibly sharp, one time during cleaning I sliced my pinky without feeling a thing, but when I closed it back up it healed easily. For reference I cut about 4 mm deep and left a little white scar, but my fingerprint matches up perfectly
The sword was immaculately wrapped in a purple sword bag (I don't remember but I think this was a separate part of my order), and I was too eager in my opening of it to take a picture of the original wrap. Furthermore the saego was tied to the tsuba in such a way that the blade was held closed, and I undid that as well.
I typically train with a heavy bokuto, so the weight of a real sword was not much more than I was used to, but the balance was excellent in comparison.
Statistics
All I've got is a kitchen scale and a tape measure, but here are the stats I've gathered.
Blade/Nagasa Length:
28 1/2"
Handle/Tsuka Length:
11"
Overall Length:
39 1/2"
Guard/Tsuba Width:
3 1/8"
POB (Point of Balance):
5 1/2"
COP (Center of Percussion):
24"
Weight:
2lb 3oz
Components
The Blade
The blade is Chinese made, and to my understanding handled by the same forge which does the Project X blades. It is a short katana blade with bo hi and an aggressive choji hamon. It has two holes for two meguki, is laminated in the Soshu Kitae style, and terminates in a geometric yokote.
The Handle
The handle core is genuine hinoki with a full unbleached stingray wrap. It is wrapped in a dark green silk (or synth silk, I can't remember) ito, and has black bow & arrow themed menuki. The grip tapers nicely and is comfortable in the hand. The ito is incredibly tight, and the rayskin is rough, but not too aggressive.
The Guard
The guard is of the "prayer wheel" type, and while I don't know what kind of prayer wheel it refers to (12 spokes?), it is relatively attractive and sturdy, it is made of steel and is blackened.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
The fuchi-kashira set is plain blackened steel and is smooth to the touch. Furthermore the washers (seppa) have been blackened at the fitter's discretion to match the overall dark look of the sword.
The Scabbard/Saya
The scabbard is also Japanese Hinoki wood, with a slick black lacquer. The fittings are buffalo horn, and they join with an attractive seam. I have dark green synthetic saego on this scabbard. One thing to note is there are marks from the first wrapping of the saego (which I cannot replicate). I'm not really bothered but others might be.
Handling Characteristics
As far as katana go, this sword is light, well balanced, and a bit short. It handles much better than my bokuto and the fullers make a nice whistling sound when I have the right blade angle. I don't have anything to cut, so I will do that later.
Conclusions
Everything about this sword screams of quality. Honestly, I think I would have been better off with a SBG custom for my first sword, but the SBG limited run shirasaya blade is definitely beautiul, and to my knowledge of excellent quality. Furthermore, The fittings by Fred Lohman are of excellent quality, and the full assembly is masterful in its craftsmanship and artistry, excepting the small blemish on the scabbard's finish.
Pros
- sharp and attractive blade
- excellent build quality
- very nice handling
- Attractive, understated tooks
Cons
- The scabbard's lacquer, that's it.
The Bottom Line
If you ever are in the market for a truly high quality sword, this is a great way to do it ( this ultimately cost me $ 2092, including the bag and a sword cleaning kit, I could get a setup of similar quality for less, but this is truly custom, and I get the feeling that Mr. Lohman would be willing to take the extra step in fitting a sword to your specific needs). Honestly though, This really should be for serious martial artists, if you're just getting into it, I might suggest going with an SBG custom as your first.