Hanbon Swords Gyaku-Kobuse Blade Hazuya Polished Katana
Dec 1, 2015 13:34:54 GMT
Post by seijitsuwadoryu on Dec 1, 2015 13:34:54 GMT
Introduction
Hi all and welcome to my first review. I have been training in Martial Arts (Wado Ryu Karate) for over 35 Years, I have also trained with various weapon art instructors as well. Bokken, Iaido etc. Many techniques we use in the empty hand arts come from the sword, so why did it take me until 2012 to buy my first hand forged Japanese sword?....I wish I knew!
Anyway I now have a small collection of 7 swords (A very nice Daisho of Katana and Wakizashi. A katana. Two tanto's. A Naginata. And a Type 36 NCO's sword from 1936). And this one makes 8....shhh, dont tell my much better half.
I am very pleased with all my swords, all were acquired at very reasonable prices and are all hand forged (except the Type 36 WW2 sword) so I took the plunge and spent a bit more of my money on the the sword I am about to review here:-
All my new made swords are made by Hanbon swords, the reason is I have always had great service from Yao Xumin, the owner/swordsmith of Hanbon swords. I have no affiliation with Hanbon I am just a collector and customer.
I first saw the blade/sword I wanted on Ebay, it was advertised as a Ko-Katana. Heres a link
www.ebay.com/itm/TOP-QUALITY-TRADITIONAL-HAND-FORGED-KO-KATANA-JAPANESE-SAMURAI-DRAGON-SWORD-/201429157054
I contacted Yao through his Hanbon Sword website and explained that I would like the blade as a full length Katana (2.45 Shaku) but with the same fittings (Koshirae, saya) as the ebay listings. He was only too happy to oblige. The price advertised was $530, this converts to £351 (I live in the UK) the price included a sword box and sword bag and also a sword stand, AND shipping to the UK. FYI - We are allowed to import traditional hand forged Swords into the UK. We just get hit by customs changes of approximately 20%, if they pick your parcel out, sometimes you get hit sometimes you dont, this time I didn't.
It took Yao about two weeks to get the sword made, shipped to me and then a further few days to get it through UK customs before it was delivered into my greasy hands.....
Historical overview
I have always lusted after a double steel sword, this one being Gyaku-Kobuse (reverse, It has 1095 steel as the core "wrapped' in 1060) and that was the attraction, it may not have any significant historical reference, but I have a Musashi copied Daisho to cover that area.
I just love the craftsmanship and the pix on eBay blew me away.
Full Disclosure
As mentioned I didn't have any affiliation to Yao at Hanbon Swords, just a saya full of loyalty towards him, because he as always treated me fairly and offered great service, even if there as been a small issue, he has bent over backward to rectify any problems, ultimately this is a sign of excellent service.
Initial Impressions
It arrived in the obligatory foam box, I love theses boxes, it means that I have something nice, but I hate these boxes, because it means I will be using the vacuum cleaner for about ten minutes after opening to clear away the bloody mess.....
Inside was a stand and underneath the black sword box, upon opening I found the black cotton sword bag containing my prize, I quickly opened it and noticed that I had several work colleagues around me (I work for a very understanding company). I pulled the sword and saya from the sword bag and there in front of me was a thing of beauty, even more beautiful than Angela Jones (my first love, I wonder where she is now?)
Anyway I unsheathed the sword, slid of the protective condom (a safe sword is a happy sword), wiped of the excess oil and there she was, gleaming in the light, the hada grain sparkling next to the polish and the most wonderful hamon. I inspected every piece, she was exactly as ordered. I couldn't be happier.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 2.45 Shaku
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.6 inch / 27cm
Components
The Blade/Nagasa - 2.45 Shaku Gyku-Kobuse 1095 and 1060 steel - folded 12 times creating 4096 layers.
The blade has a fantastic wave hamon and the folded grain is spectacular. The blade shape is Shinogi Zukuri and has been Hazuya polished.
My pictures do not do it justice. It appears to be razor sharp, I asked for the blade to be as sharp as possible, also the tang has been signed by the smith.
The Handle/Tsuka
The Tsuka (handle) core is wooden and it is tightly wrapped over genuine Ray skin Samegawa with leather Ito. The Fuchi and Kashira are brass with tiger design. The Tang of the sword is secured by two Mekugi. Two copper Menuki are on each side of the Tsuka.
The Guard/Tsuba
The Tsuba (guard) of the sword is brass with tiger&lion design . The Habaki (blade collar) is a one piece brass construction. Two Seppas (spacer) secure the Tsuba.
The Scabbard/Saya
.The saya of the sword is hard wooden. Sage-O has been tied around the bright copper Kurikata of the scabbard. The koiguchi and Kurikata features bull horn, another excellent touch
Handling Characteristics
The sword is an excellent weight, the double steel gives it extra 'meat' compared to my other swords.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
None yet, but all my swords get used for Tamishigeri, this sword will be tested in the spring.
Conclusions
I am absolutely over the moon with this sword, easily the best I have purchased.
Pros
- nice leather grip
- good weight, feels like a sword should
- beautiful blade as described above
- beautiful saya and fittings
- customer service
Cons
Maybe not historically accurate, unless anyone knows different.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword and indeed Yao at Hanbon Swords to any collector, of course if you're the type of person that has a sticking point about Chinese made swords then I wont change your mind. But for the more open minded among use, swords have been made in Long Quan, China for centuries, so they might just might, know what they are doing.
An excellent product, you wont be disappointed.
With respect.
Hi all and welcome to my first review. I have been training in Martial Arts (Wado Ryu Karate) for over 35 Years, I have also trained with various weapon art instructors as well. Bokken, Iaido etc. Many techniques we use in the empty hand arts come from the sword, so why did it take me until 2012 to buy my first hand forged Japanese sword?....I wish I knew!
Anyway I now have a small collection of 7 swords (A very nice Daisho of Katana and Wakizashi. A katana. Two tanto's. A Naginata. And a Type 36 NCO's sword from 1936). And this one makes 8....shhh, dont tell my much better half.
I am very pleased with all my swords, all were acquired at very reasonable prices and are all hand forged (except the Type 36 WW2 sword) so I took the plunge and spent a bit more of my money on the the sword I am about to review here:-
All my new made swords are made by Hanbon swords, the reason is I have always had great service from Yao Xumin, the owner/swordsmith of Hanbon swords. I have no affiliation with Hanbon I am just a collector and customer.
I first saw the blade/sword I wanted on Ebay, it was advertised as a Ko-Katana. Heres a link
www.ebay.com/itm/TOP-QUALITY-TRADITIONAL-HAND-FORGED-KO-KATANA-JAPANESE-SAMURAI-DRAGON-SWORD-/201429157054
I contacted Yao through his Hanbon Sword website and explained that I would like the blade as a full length Katana (2.45 Shaku) but with the same fittings (Koshirae, saya) as the ebay listings. He was only too happy to oblige. The price advertised was $530, this converts to £351 (I live in the UK) the price included a sword box and sword bag and also a sword stand, AND shipping to the UK. FYI - We are allowed to import traditional hand forged Swords into the UK. We just get hit by customs changes of approximately 20%, if they pick your parcel out, sometimes you get hit sometimes you dont, this time I didn't.
It took Yao about two weeks to get the sword made, shipped to me and then a further few days to get it through UK customs before it was delivered into my greasy hands.....
Historical overview
I have always lusted after a double steel sword, this one being Gyaku-Kobuse (reverse, It has 1095 steel as the core "wrapped' in 1060) and that was the attraction, it may not have any significant historical reference, but I have a Musashi copied Daisho to cover that area.
I just love the craftsmanship and the pix on eBay blew me away.
Full Disclosure
As mentioned I didn't have any affiliation to Yao at Hanbon Swords, just a saya full of loyalty towards him, because he as always treated me fairly and offered great service, even if there as been a small issue, he has bent over backward to rectify any problems, ultimately this is a sign of excellent service.
Initial Impressions
It arrived in the obligatory foam box, I love theses boxes, it means that I have something nice, but I hate these boxes, because it means I will be using the vacuum cleaner for about ten minutes after opening to clear away the bloody mess.....
Inside was a stand and underneath the black sword box, upon opening I found the black cotton sword bag containing my prize, I quickly opened it and noticed that I had several work colleagues around me (I work for a very understanding company). I pulled the sword and saya from the sword bag and there in front of me was a thing of beauty, even more beautiful than Angela Jones (my first love, I wonder where she is now?)
Anyway I unsheathed the sword, slid of the protective condom (a safe sword is a happy sword), wiped of the excess oil and there she was, gleaming in the light, the hada grain sparkling next to the polish and the most wonderful hamon. I inspected every piece, she was exactly as ordered. I couldn't be happier.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 2.45 Shaku
Handle/Tsuka Length: 10.6 inch / 27cm
Components
The Blade/Nagasa - 2.45 Shaku Gyku-Kobuse 1095 and 1060 steel - folded 12 times creating 4096 layers.
The blade has a fantastic wave hamon and the folded grain is spectacular. The blade shape is Shinogi Zukuri and has been Hazuya polished.
My pictures do not do it justice. It appears to be razor sharp, I asked for the blade to be as sharp as possible, also the tang has been signed by the smith.
The Handle/Tsuka
The Tsuka (handle) core is wooden and it is tightly wrapped over genuine Ray skin Samegawa with leather Ito. The Fuchi and Kashira are brass with tiger design. The Tang of the sword is secured by two Mekugi. Two copper Menuki are on each side of the Tsuka.
The Guard/Tsuba
The Tsuba (guard) of the sword is brass with tiger&lion design . The Habaki (blade collar) is a one piece brass construction. Two Seppas (spacer) secure the Tsuba.
The Scabbard/Saya
.The saya of the sword is hard wooden. Sage-O has been tied around the bright copper Kurikata of the scabbard. The koiguchi and Kurikata features bull horn, another excellent touch
Handling Characteristics
The sword is an excellent weight, the double steel gives it extra 'meat' compared to my other swords.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
None yet, but all my swords get used for Tamishigeri, this sword will be tested in the spring.
Conclusions
I am absolutely over the moon with this sword, easily the best I have purchased.
Pros
- nice leather grip
- good weight, feels like a sword should
- beautiful blade as described above
- beautiful saya and fittings
- customer service
Cons
Maybe not historically accurate, unless anyone knows different.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword and indeed Yao at Hanbon Swords to any collector, of course if you're the type of person that has a sticking point about Chinese made swords then I wont change your mind. But for the more open minded among use, swords have been made in Long Quan, China for centuries, so they might just might, know what they are doing.
An excellent product, you wont be disappointed.
With respect.