|
|
Post by disappearingone on Oct 2, 2015 19:22:58 GMT
I'll say upfront this is just going to be my quick thoughts and a bunch of pics... due to the limited production of this sword I'll try to keep it in it's original condition and don't intend to try to cut with it anytime soon. The cut that it made on palm of my hand last night can verify that it is indeed pretty dang sharp.
Aesthetically, this is an all blacked-out (and possibly copyright-infringing) version of Michonne's sword from The Walking Dead. Yep, it's blackity black on blackity black black. This didn't come in the usual Ronin Katana graphic box. It was just a plain brown box with a little sticker on either end that says "Ronin Katana 10th Year Made in China".
Stats (shamelessly copied and pasted from the SBG Store):
Blade length: 30 inches Handle: 12 inches In saya: 43 inches Weight: 2 pounds 13 oz weight in saya: 3 pounds 7 oz
Thick, expertly tempered, hand forged Differentially Hardened carbon steel blade with real hamon and black titanium coating. All IRON Tsuba, Fuchi and Kashira. Black Cotton Ito Wrap, Real Blackened Rayskin and Brass Menuki handle ornament. Double pegged mekugi. Hand cut and polished buffalo horn Kurikata, Koguchi and Kojiri on Saya.
The blade is the highlight of the sword. It's pretty dang pretty with that black finish and real hamon.
I have no idea what the kanji means. Anyone?
Overall I like it... a little gimmicky maybe, but I still think it's a cool sword. I did get suckered in a bit by the limited production run of only 15. My only real gripe is the "leather" strap. I don't know for sure but I think it may be pleather. The way it was packed was folded up with a rubber band around it which has made a bunch if indentations in it that I think will probably always be there. But that blade.... it's so pretty.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robnose on Oct 2, 2015 20:08:59 GMT
what's the sori? looks deep from the pics. I like it.
|
|
|
|
Post by disappearingone on Oct 2, 2015 20:56:08 GMT
You're getting a bit past my admittedly layman's knowledge of swords here... all I can really say is that the first thing I noticed when pulling it out of the saya for the first time was that the curvature of the blade is definitely more extreme than what I'm used to.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robnose on Oct 3, 2015 22:52:19 GMT
I like it. Wishing I'd picked one up!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2015 23:31:26 GMT
How much did this cost? Looks amazing. Makes me want to go back to collecting katanas
|
|
|
|
Post by jmax5105 on Oct 4, 2015 1:13:48 GMT
I was sooooo close to pulling the trigger on one of these too! Now I wish I would have! Thanks for sharing (and making me jealous). GREAT looking blade.
|
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Oct 4, 2015 3:34:53 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by blackchapel on Oct 8, 2015 18:13:16 GMT
Great news that they're coming back. What was the price on these? I'll definitely be picking one up.
|
|
|
|
Post by disappearingone on Oct 9, 2015 5:16:40 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Venom on Oct 9, 2015 13:10:08 GMT
what's the menuki on this one?
|
|
|
|
Post by disappearingone on Oct 19, 2015 18:37:53 GMT
Just a heads up... 5 of these are currently available on Kult of Athena if anyone is interested.
|
|
|
|
Post by fiercesaint on Oct 20, 2015 10:44:12 GMT
Weird... The KoA page lists it as being 1045 steel while the SBG page listed it as 1060. I was so sad when I missed this one on the SBG, and now that they're up, I'm definitely getting one if I can, but the conflicting information on the type of steel does bother me enough to make me apprehensive.
PS: The gold kanji means "Ronin Katana". ' v '
|
|
|
|
Post by Croccifixio on Oct 20, 2015 14:35:32 GMT
Isn't it more likely 1060 if differentially hardened? 1045 might be too soft for a decent dh
|
|
|
|
Post by disappearingone on Oct 20, 2015 18:15:23 GMT
Isn't it more likely 1060 if differentially hardened? 1045 might be too soft for a decent dh That's my thinking too... doesn't seem like differentially hardening 1045 would be worth the trouble. Hopefully someone in the know will say something. |
|
|
|
Post by zabazagobo on Oct 21, 2015 0:38:51 GMT
Ronin does do DH 1045. I agree it seems way too soft for a reliable edge hardness for a DH blade, but they make them.
This sword does look really cool in its own right. The blade is extremely nice, I'll have to consider picking one up if they do another run.
|
|
|
|
Post by fiercesaint on Oct 21, 2015 3:37:27 GMT
I just got a reply from Chris at Ronin Katana, apparently Kult of Athena's batch are indeed 1045 DH. It's a really REALLY nice sword, but $300 is a lot for a 1045, and I'm really unsure if the leather-wrapped saya and titanium coating (and the gold kanji, if it really is gold) justifies over double the price of their standard RK 1045 DH line, and I'd hate to sharpen one and lose the titanium edge.
If the legends are true about how wicked amazing titanium is, I suppose that might be enough to justify the 1045... And it's an amazing piece overall, I suppose.
' v '
|
|
|
|
Post by ntorresla on Oct 30, 2015 19:16:27 GMT
any updates on this beatiful blade? how it handles the cuts
|
|
|
|
Post by fiercesaint on Nov 3, 2015 5:38:01 GMT
Got mine a couple days ago from KoA. I've never handled an RDP but I definitely got the impression of a solid bred-for-cutting blade as I held it. The POB is about 6" from the tsuba and you can really feel the power it has. Sails through tatami.
Aesthetics is where it shines. Every part of the sword is gorgeous and gives the impression of an expertly crafted and customized sword and scabbard. The cotton ito is very clean too, not the shoelacy stuff you might find on a Musashi.
The back strap might feel like a gimmick but I think it's nice. It's actually pretty comfortable on my back and I can even draw it easily enough from there. Unfortunately the straps holding the metal rings in place broke way too easily. Nothing big, just replace them with sturdier leather ASAP (or wrap the original straps in black duct tape for a temporary fix) so they don't break and damage your sword.
There's also a lot of wax inside the saya. I can't draw it without it taking a lot of it with itself on the blade. Hopefully after a while it'll fade.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 10, 2015 4:45:14 GMT
That's a pretty classic thing with Ronin, hahaha. Yes, the wax will go away.
|
|
|
|
Post by knowntocustomize on Apr 26, 2016 21:46:27 GMT
I know this is an old thread but I wanted to point out that they are selling the 1060 model at roninkatana for 200 on the sword of the month deal.
|
|
