The SBG Ryujin Custom Katana
Dec 24, 2015 20:09:31 GMT
Post by Bookie on Dec 24, 2015 20:09:31 GMT
Something plain, simple, and dressed in black was what I was seeking. I received such a sword exactly one week after ordering. Fast service in my opinion. The sword arrived wrapped in a black sword bag, surrounded by foam peanuts, inside a plain cardboard shipping box. There was no rattle created by the sword inside the box when shook, nor was any shipping damage evident on the sword. Another plus, so far. After reading many of Paul's reviews as well as studying some rather critical ones from other sites, I felt I was loaded for bear when it was unwrapped. I will give what I feel are pros and cons as I continue this epistle.
Upon grasping the tsuka to remove it from the bag, the very first thing I really noticed was the cotton tsuka-ito. It was black, rather fuzzy, and appeared to be shoe lace. The diamonds were not even, but they were not expected to be on a sword at this price point. The ito is pretty tightly wrapped to my satisfaction and no wood is showing. The brass menuki contrast very well against the real same, which is white, and surrounded by the black wrapping. The mekugi were a minor disappointment for me. They were each 3/16" too long and stuck far above the ito. They were nice bamboo, but poorly shaped. The lead on the pegs for ease of starting them into their respective mekugiana was almost insufficient and portions of the mekugi chipped the edges of the openings in the same. The holes in the same were rather raggedy from being drilled. In 10 minutes time, this was all history and looking good. The worst issue I have found is that the menuki are what I feel set up for a left handed swordsman as they are on opposite sides of the tsuka from what I see is the norm in photos. Be warned. I am not going to loose sleep on this. Just yet, anyway.
The quality and craftsmanship of the iron tsuba is delightful. It's of the "Mushahi" or perhaps more correctly, the "double sea cucumber" style and mounted very well. Absolutely no rattle, wobble, scratches, dings, dents, or paint runs. What I really liked is that the tsuba did not have the "hammered" finish and there are NO casting lines visible that are often seen elsewhere. The habaki and seppas are pristine. No scratches or discolorations present. All in all, the tsuka area is quite acceptable for this price point.
The blade had very few bits of saw dust on it and was adequately oiled. An old t-shirt was used to remove the oil so a close examination could be made. There are no deep scratches remaining anywhere on the blade. The kissaki is nicely polished and each side match. When looking down on the mune, the sakikasane is evenly divided by the ridge atop the mune. The blade does not drift off to one side, the bo-hi are even, no nicks or flat spots show on the ha, and the hamon is very, very nice. Overall, it's a nice sword and one that will do what I intended it for. Sure, there are little defects, but I feel that I received my monies worth for an entry level katana. So, Paul, this is a keeper and you're not getting it back.
Upon grasping the tsuka to remove it from the bag, the very first thing I really noticed was the cotton tsuka-ito. It was black, rather fuzzy, and appeared to be shoe lace. The diamonds were not even, but they were not expected to be on a sword at this price point. The ito is pretty tightly wrapped to my satisfaction and no wood is showing. The brass menuki contrast very well against the real same, which is white, and surrounded by the black wrapping. The mekugi were a minor disappointment for me. They were each 3/16" too long and stuck far above the ito. They were nice bamboo, but poorly shaped. The lead on the pegs for ease of starting them into their respective mekugiana was almost insufficient and portions of the mekugi chipped the edges of the openings in the same. The holes in the same were rather raggedy from being drilled. In 10 minutes time, this was all history and looking good. The worst issue I have found is that the menuki are what I feel set up for a left handed swordsman as they are on opposite sides of the tsuka from what I see is the norm in photos. Be warned. I am not going to loose sleep on this. Just yet, anyway.
The quality and craftsmanship of the iron tsuba is delightful. It's of the "Mushahi" or perhaps more correctly, the "double sea cucumber" style and mounted very well. Absolutely no rattle, wobble, scratches, dings, dents, or paint runs. What I really liked is that the tsuba did not have the "hammered" finish and there are NO casting lines visible that are often seen elsewhere. The habaki and seppas are pristine. No scratches or discolorations present. All in all, the tsuka area is quite acceptable for this price point.
The blade had very few bits of saw dust on it and was adequately oiled. An old t-shirt was used to remove the oil so a close examination could be made. There are no deep scratches remaining anywhere on the blade. The kissaki is nicely polished and each side match. When looking down on the mune, the sakikasane is evenly divided by the ridge atop the mune. The blade does not drift off to one side, the bo-hi are even, no nicks or flat spots show on the ha, and the hamon is very, very nice. Overall, it's a nice sword and one that will do what I intended it for. Sure, there are little defects, but I feel that I received my monies worth for an entry level katana. So, Paul, this is a keeper and you're not getting it back.