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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 11, 2015 20:30:21 GMT
I've handled nihonto which didn't have a sharp transition in the yokote, while being healthy and not tired. Since the niku transfers into the kissaki, thus keeping it strong, I can't see the problem. The "geometric yokote" I've seen on other chinese swords was just ground to make the sharp transition, making the kissaki weak. Most production blades don't have fumbari, and also shortened nihonto which still ferform great, so I can't see the problem here too. Kaneie don't make swords more than 35mm wide (most are 34), while specialized goza cutters are 37+. Please provide specific measurements fore motohaba and sakihaba if you can, so we'll know exactly how wide and thin it is. The blade should have taper. Mine all had at least 10mm of tapering between motohaba to sakihaba, and at least 2mm between motokasane and sakikasane. I do agree regarding the polish. I think it was better before. Overall they're still the best chinese forge I've experienced, and I prefer going safe with them, instead of trying my luck with st-forge and the like for training equipment. They do make quality swords. I won't argue that. What I believe is that they are not $1,200 good. They aren't even $700 good. They might be $600 good though. I personally wouldn't buy them at that price or even lower, but that is because of taste. I've gotten a few swords from st-nihonto. Their fittings are pretty bad, as per usual, but they have some nice blades and I can get them made to my specifications. I get the hamon I want, the boshi, kissaki, measurements, etc. I can remount a blade I like but it is pricey to get a $1,200 sword only to replace the blade, tsuka, tsuba, and fittings...
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 11, 2015 20:33:57 GMT
I don't think there is an argument, just a discussion. Maybe their quality has taken a nasty downturn lately? Your opinion is a valid as anyone elses everyone can feel the way they feel. For example the only Kaneie I've owned felt quite clunky and I traded mine away as I didn't like the feel of it. I share your opinion that they usually cost much more than I am willing to spend on Chinese made production sword. My apologies then, I mistook the tone of your reply. I'm not too good at that to be honest. I've handled only one nihonto and dozens of Chinese katana. Most of my "knowledge" of nihonto comes from books and discussions with people who own them. So I'm not by any means an expert. But even then I am not the worst.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Aug 11, 2015 21:08:54 GMT
Hah, you don't need to apologize a thing. My reply sounded bit grumpier than it should have been as it was so short. We all have different tastes and that is what makes these forums fun. For example I've been liking Last Legend swords for c.10 years even though they are really not that special. It's just that they cut very well and seem to usually fit me. In reality they are quite mediocre swords but I have good memories with them when I was young and my big tachi just zipped through mats at a tameshigiri camp like there was nothing there. When you start putting 1000$/€ to a sword that is a lot of money. That's starting to be in category where I would recommend saving a bit more for real Japanese sword. And of course in that price range you expect a lot from the sword. I think there was a very loose tsukamaki from Kaneie/Hanwei line in one thread recently? I know that the Kaneie forge might be bit behind schedule and I remember that Jeffrey of TSW told me a while ago that they don't currently take orders on custom blades. And one important thing is, just because it's Japanese doesn't mean it's good. Of course as I am not martial artist I'm not really qualified to say what is supposedly a well balanced sword but I know what I like. I've handled few nihonto that to me felt absolutely horrible, and would not fit me at all. Someone else might like them though as it's a personal thing what you like. Most likely I will never get a Kaneie again as they cost more than I will spend on one. I traded the one I had for 350€ sword so I got it in good (and traded for even better deal ). I would jump on one if I could get one for under 500€'s as they are good swords. I think like you were thinking earlier, they are good swords but 1200$'s is a lot of money.
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Post by Google on Aug 11, 2015 21:13:17 GMT
I'm not arguing, just discussing. Personally, I think the quality of Kaneie that's available in the US might be lower than what I've seen. Hell, I had one that balanced better than an expensive iai shinsakuto. You are entitled to your opinion, though. But I don't understand what you do consider to be 1200usd worth sword.
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Post by Pika007 on Aug 11, 2015 21:50:23 GMT
+1 to google.... To my left, on my desk, i have an edo period nihonto with a recent polish by a togishi in japan (full hadori), an older kaneie blade, and a new kaneie blade. (europe, not one of the U.S models) First of all, regarding the polish- Yes, they have changed their style. The new style uses more hazuya on the transition line (where the nioi should be), making it stand out more. I'll even say i like this style less than the old subtle style, which you can see on the older blade i have here. But personal feelings aside- it's fully fledged, well executed Hadori, and it's one of the reason Kaneie really take the cake in comparison to other blades, in my opinion. The transition lines are good, there's niku in the kissaki, it's everything done right.
No sword in the world with proper hadori is worth only 600$, i'd like to see good real-life pics of the models you guys have complaints about, because from what i have here, i have no idea where it's all coming from, and my honest opinion is they are well worth the money. It's not only the blade- the tsuka is great, fittings are exceptional, the only thing i consistently don't like about them are the saya.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 11, 2015 22:43:46 GMT
I think there is a difference then. Mine had circular scratches on it that I didn't notice until I was very close. The final polish on mine was done with something other than stone. The marks reminded me of a machine sander. I have no way to prove this obviously, but it wasn't very settling on a part of the blade that is supposed to be burnished. They likely used proper stones to a point, but I don't see it as a full traditional polish if it is finished off with a sander giving the mune and shinogi ji a mirror finish. I also didn't see much niku. It was there, I think, but it was very little. I've tried the card test and saw no real curve in the reflection. It was pretty well balanced though. Only a little tip heavy. I think a heavy tsuba, some tapering, or both would have made the balance really good. But it just didn't feel right in my hands and it definitely didn't feel right doing noto or nukitsuke. As I don't cut so much, just the occasional urge, I don't see myself buying a blade that feels like a cutter. It was relatively taller than any sword I've held (hence the goza cutter comparison) and that was probably the weirdest feeling part for iai. One day I plan to own nihonto, but we'll see how well I do in a clinic once I graduate before my dreams get that big. Lol
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 11, 2015 22:47:39 GMT
Hah, you don't need to apologize a thing. My reply sounded bit grumpier than it should have been as it was so short. We all have different tastes and that is what makes these forums fun. For example I've been liking Last Legend swords for c.10 years even though they are really not that special. It's just that they cut very well and seem to usually fit me. In reality they are quite mediocre swords but I have good memories with them when I was young and my big tachi just zipped through mats at a tameshigiri camp like there was nothing there. When you start putting 1000$/€ to a sword that is a lot of money. That's starting to be in category where I would recommend saving a bit more for real Japanese sword. And of course in that price range you expect a lot from the sword. I think there was a very loose tsukamaki from Kaneie/Hanwei line in one thread recently? I know that the Kaneie forge might be bit behind schedule and I remember that Jeffrey of TSW told me a while ago that they don't currently take orders on custom blades. And one important thing is, just because it's Japanese doesn't mean it's good. Of course as I am not martial artist I'm not really qualified to say what is supposedly a well balanced sword but I know what I like. I've handled few nihonto that to me felt absolutely horrible, and would not fit me at all. Someone else might like them though as it's a personal thing what you like. Most likely I will never get a Kaneie again as they cost more than I will spend on one. I traded the one I had for 350€ sword so I got it in good (and traded for even better deal ). I would jump on one if I could get one for under 500€'s as they are good swords. I think like you were thinking earlier, they are good swords but 1200$'s is a lot of money. Thanks. I like last legend as well. A dojo member had one and I had handled it. Not a bad blade. I have very plain tastes. I like simple and functional. A lot of production swords have fancy fittings and tsuba. I used to like the looks of the older ronin swords, but those are no good for iai. Sorry about the multiple posts. I'm on a phone and it is hard to quote multiple people on this thing.
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Post by Robert in California on Aug 20, 2015 17:07:23 GMT
Thanks for the review. Well done. Honest appraisal from your point of desires and experience. Not every shoe fits every foot. Best wishes and thanks! RinC
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Post by Kiyoshi on Aug 20, 2015 18:15:35 GMT
Thanks for your kind words. I'll be reviewing a custom daisho set from st-nihonto. I plan on going more in depth than this since the one I am getting I was VERY specific on what I wanted.
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