Ronin Katana S&D Dojo Pro Model #15 26" blade Katana Review
Apr 4, 2016 15:59:43 GMT
Post by nddave on Apr 4, 2016 15:59:43 GMT
Ronin Katana Scratch and Dent Dojo Pro Model #15 Katana Review
Reviewed by, NDDave (David Burkhart) Emmett, ID
Hi everybody,
So a little over a week ago I found myself financially able to purchase a new sword. Most of you know that I have been on a European kick lately trying to compile a group of sub-$300 swords matching each numerical typology of Ewart Oakeshott. So while contemplating what new sword to get I browsed along Daniel's thread promoting the 2016 Ronin S&D sale. I've always liked Ronin Katana as a vendor as well as the looks of the Ronin Dojo Pros and their 26" katana model has been on my wish list for years now. So seeing a 26" model #15 I just had to bite. A week later I have a new katana in my hands and a new review to share with you all.
Historical Overview
( Kato Kiyomasa charging with a Dotanuki Katana)
The blade of the Ronin Dojo Pro Katana is based on the historical Japanese Dotanuki Blade. Dotanuki blades emerged in the Sengoku Period of Japan, though closer to the later end ( mid-late 15th century) and were prominently used up until the beginning of the Edo Period. The blades were a favorite of Generals Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Kato Kiyomasa and were almost exclusively used in their invasion of Korea which lasted from 1592-1598. Kiyomasa was so impressed with the durability and effectiveness of the Dotanuki blades that when Hideyoshi sent him to lead the invasion of Korea, he had Dotanuki smiths accompany him to produce the blades on field.
Dotanuki blades were renowned for their superior strength, durability and cutting ability. The founder of the school, Dotanuki Masakuni cared little for aesthetics and focused more on producing a true sword of war that could survive battlefield conditions. These blade types slightly differed in profile to standard Shinogi Zukuri blades by having a broader blade profile and thicker geometry. It is also said that the majority of Dotanuki blades were Maru or Mono blades, being a non laminated single piece of forged steel. It seems that after the beginning of the Edo Period the more battle focused blades like the Dotanuki were replaced by more elegant and aesthetic blades establishing the Shinto era of katana. None the less the Dotanuki blade came to be revered by Japanese historians and katana enthusiasts as very efficient battle swords. They have also been acclaimed and even elaborated on through various forms of Japanese literature and media over the years crediting their significance in the Koto and even Shinto Periods.
Full Disclosure
In disclosure I am not affiliated with Ronin Katana, I bought this sword at the discounted price for a "as is" scratch and dent model of their Dojo Pro line. I am not being paid for this review, I’m just a fellow sword loving forum member that enjoys reviewing and discussing swords here on this forum with it’s awesome community.
Initial Impressions
Being my first Ronin Katana and fourth Japanese production sword purchase I was really excited to see and handle this sword first hand. After watching and reading all the reviews on Ronin Dojo Pros over the years I had a few expectations and some knowledge of what to expect from the sword. It came shipped in a outer brown shipping box and an inner black manufacture's box with a katana printed on top. Inside the box was the sword housed inside a black sword bag and held securely by two Styrofoam blocks. After removing the bag I was treated to a really nice looking sword with an attractive Saya and Tsuka. I'll go into more detail of what scratch and dent issues I found in the review but overall I was impressed at the first hand appearance of this sword. I added in the statistics part of the review the stats of my Musashi Shirakawa katana to compare to the Ronin. I'll be comparing each to one another throughout the review in regards to what differs between each sword at their respective prices in the production market. Overall I hope that this review is informative regarding not only how these S&D Dojo Pro models are but also how the line itself compares to more budget production offerings like the Musashi Shirakawa line and the standard Dojo Pros themselves. Just remember this is a scratch and dent model and issues I have shouldn't reflect against the full price models or the buyer warranties offered by Ronin Katana which as is stated are not available to purchasers of the S&D sale models.
Statistics
Ronin Dojo Pro
Blade Length: 25 3/4", Kissaki Length: 2 1/4"
Blade Widths: Base)1 1/4", Middle)1",
1" before the Yokote
Handle Length: 11 1/4"
Handle Widths: at Fuchi)4 1/4", middle)3 3/4",
before Makidome) 3 5/16"
Overall Length: 37 1/4"
Guard: 2 3/4"x 2 3/4" 9 1/2" round
Point of Balance: 4 1/2"
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Musashi Shirakawa
Blade Length: 28 1/4" Kissaki length: 1 1/4"
Blade Widths: Base)1 1/4", Middle)1", 3/4" Before
Yokote
Handle Length: 10 3/4"
Handle Widths: at Fuchi)4 1/4", middle) 4", before Makidome) 3 3/4"
Overall Length: 39 1/2"
Guard: 3" x 3" 9 3/4" round
Point of Balance: 4 3/4"
Weight: 2.2 lbs
The Blade
The blade as mentioned in the historical section is a Dotanuki style mono steel blade. It is in a sense a special edition of the Dojo Pros being a 26" blade as opposed to the standard models' 28" blade length. Similarly to the other Dojo Pros of longer length it appears to have the same amount of Sori and Niku. The blade is razor sharp and has an even unbeveled edge from the Habaki to the tip of the Kissaki. Lines are even and smooth on the faces and spine of the blade, this blade also has a nice satin finish that matches the counter polished Chu-Kissaki. The blade also has a feint ghost hamon as seen with other Dojo Pro models which stand out the most in the middle section of the blade. This is the first no-hi blade I've owned since my Hanwei Practical and though I prefer bo-hi blades I think this sword looks better without hi with its wider blade profile. Overall it is a very attractive well made mono steel blade.
On to the S&D issues my sword came with only a few stains and blemishes on the blade, I'll go from Habaki to Kissaki as I mention them. For starters the Habaki though snug and secure does have some gap to it on both face sides. It is also not aligned correctly to the edge and there is a slight gap between the Hamachi and Habaki. Nothing really apparent first hand until you are wiping down the blade and have the cloth snag there. Moving up from the Habaki there are some light scratches from what appears polishing errors on both faces. There were also a few light stains or possible polishing stone marks on the edge of the blade right about in the middle. Moving up there were a few blemish spots right around the sweet spot of the blade on each side. These seemed to be only on the surface which was proven by removing them quite easily with some 0 grade steel wool. Overall the S&D issues of the blade were very minor and easily remedied.
Comparatively I think this blade does show that you do get more for a couple hundred dollars more. For example the lines and profile looks crisper and even. The polish is slightly better in my opinion as the mirror polish of the Musashi does seem to mark up easier. Durability of the blade is obviously what people are more concerned about and it seems that the Dojo Pro is the better of the two in those regards from various destructive and cutting tests. The Ronin also came sharper than the Musashi. One benefit for enthusiasts who prefer deferentially hardened blades and natural Hamon, the Musashi is DH with Hamon as opposed to the Dojo Pro. Though one must remember that since the Dojo Pro blade is a representative of the Dotanuki blade type, even a Nihonto Dotanuki would likely not be DH either. Overall I think that there are a few similarities in design but in the end the Dojo Pro has a few advantages regarding the blade as far as durability and detail.
The Handle
First impressions of the Tsuka were good. Nice evenly casted Fuchi and Kashira, alternating Ito, tight Makidome knots and decent looking Samegawa panels. Menuki are brass and have a odd looking but still attractive insect/lion hybrid design to them. Mekugi are clean and even bamboo and are in good shape and removed easily without splitting or jamming. Samegawa looks like your average medium grade white variety seen on most production katana with smaller nodes. It appears that the panels are one piece on both sides and not the split pieces like some have reported on their Dojo Pros. If they're not, its hidden well enough that I cant tell which works for me. Ito is soft silky black that does alternate though does have some slight movement around the Menuki and middle of the Tsuka. Diamonds are small and a little uneven but nothing too drastic and similar to other mid range katana I've owned and handled. Obviously Hishagami is not used during Tsukamaki and as others reported I do believe mine also is held in place due to glue being used on the edges of the wood. Like others have mentioned I believe the Ito is actually synthetic silk rather than actual silk but more on that in the S&D paragraph below. What I like best is the shape of the Tsuka itself. It tapers more and has a thinner circumference than most other Tsuka I've handled. Maybe a con to some but I do prefer a slimmer tsuka. Overall a well made comfortable Tsuka.
As far as S&D issues the Tsuka there really isn't much to mention. Some of these are kind of run of the mill with production katana but I'll detail them anyway. For starters the Ito isn't as tight as I would have liked it to be. According to a few older reviews of Dojo Pros it was stated that Ronin uses Hishagami when wrapping the Tsuka but as far as I can tell none were used. There are also a few visible gaps where you can see the Tsuka core on a few diamonds and the folds themselves on the diamonds are a little sloppy, obviously causing slight movement when pressed with your thumb. Also there was a snag in the Ito inside one of the diamonds. Why I think the Ito is synthetic is because to remedy this I took a lighter and melted the strand sticking out. The only real major issue I have with the Tsuka is that I cant seem to remove it. It is extremely tight to the Nakago. Tight enough that I gave up trying to remove it (to check the Tsuka core and tang for the review) for fear of damaging the Tsuka. It could be glued but I've never read of Ronin even on these S&D models gluing the Tsuka to the tang. Overall aside from not being able to actually remove the Tsuka I feel its has the least S&D of the sword.
Comparatively to the Musashi there are a few things I like better from Ronin and a lot more that Musashi seems to do just better than Ronin in regards to the tsuka. For starters the Tsukamaki on the Shirakawa is much better than the Dojo Pro. The diamonds are more even and even though I've owned my Shirakawa for over four years the Ito hasn't budged a centimeter in that time. Honestly even compared to the higher end production models I've handled Musashi just seems to have the best Tsukamaki work in the production market. Samegawa on each sword is about the same with the only difference being the Dojo Pro's is a bright white while the Musashi had a more aged look that has darkened even more over the years. The shape of the Musashi Tsuka core itself seems to be better and has more curvature than the Dojo Pro and flow with the Sori of the blade better. What I do like better about the Dojo Pro though is the slimmer Tsuka shape and the Fuchi and Kashira are of better quality than the Musashi. The cotton Ito of the Musashi is also more comfortable than the synthetic used on the Dojo Pro. Plus the Musashi Tsuka is removable without the need of apparent effort and or damage done to the Tsuka core. Overall I feel the Musashi Shirakawa has the edge regarding the Tsuka.
The Guard
The Tsuba is a nicely cast iron circular design. It is smaller than most other circular Tsuba I have seen and has an attractive four pointed Shuriken or more specifically Shaken design that looks similar to a traditional Japanese Mon. Only issue I can really find with the Tsuba is the cutouts are kind sharp on the inside, as others have mentioned regarding the Dojo Pro Tsubas. The benefit of this Tsuba compared to others with cutout designs is the cut outs aren't very wide so to feel them you really have to push your finger in and feel it. On the upper part of the hand the Tsuba feels comfortable due to the flat texture less surface. There are no apparent flaws to the Tsuba and it sits flush to the Fuchi with only a slight gap between it and the Habaki on the Ha side. There is no movement from the Tsuba itself but there is slight movement from the upper Seppa. Habaki and Seppa are brass. The Habaki is a two tone single piece. It is very attractive and aside from the few issues mentioned above in the Blade section, fits flush and doesn't have any movement. Seppa are the coin variety found on most mid-range production katana. As mentioned there is some slight movement of the Seppa between the Habaki and Tsuba. Overall a nice and attractive guard.
As far as S&D issues with the guard the Habaki issues stand out the most. Even though they could be considered more or less production issues as most mid-tier production katana do experience the same issues from time to time. For reference per section I will post the issues I found here again as well as section specific ones. The Habaki doesn't line up with the edge correctly and there is a tiny gap between it and the Hamachi. Just below there is a slight gap between the Seppa and Habaki on the same side. When I first got the sword the Habaki and Seppa were discolored with some kind of crud on them. Much like with the blade though a quick polish with some steel wool remedied that and got them back to their shiny luster.
Compared to the Musashi I think the Dojo Pro has the edge regarding gaurd components and aesthetics. The Dojo Pro Habaki is much more attractive but does loose to the Musashi for fit as the Musashi Habaki fits perfectly to the blade and lines up evenly to the Tsuba. Then again as we all know with the production market just one good sword doesn't mean the whole batch is good and vice versa. Seppa are the same quality and both Tsuba are iron but again the Dojo Pro has a simplistic and functional look and feel to it that the Musashi is lacking, even if the Musashi Tsuba is a little more decorative and attractive to the eye. Both fit well and there is no play in movement.
The Scabbard
The Saya is attractive with it's two tone color scheme of a white upper portion and black lower portion. Almost simulating a Rattan wrapped Saya. As with all Dojo Pro models it has the Buffalo Horn Koiguchi, Kojiri and Kurigata, they are colored black. Saya mouth is carved well and fits snug to the Habaki. It has the issue of the wax lining inside of the Saya smearing the blade, as has been mentioned in other Ronin Katana reviews. Aside from that it is a decent Saya made of what appears to be a solid durable wood. The Sageo is a black synthetic silk with white accents. I really like this Sageo and it matches the Saya nicely. Sageo knot is done very nicely as well and is tight.
As far as S&D issues go the Saya definetly carries the bulk of them. Starting from top to bottom, inside the mouth of the Saya there is a chip in the wood on one side right at the top of the mouth revealing the horn on the outside. So far it hasn't affected the hold on the Habaki but eventually it will probably need shimmed if any more of the wood chips off. On the outside there are two chips in the lacquer on the Koiguchi. The Sageo is also badly freyed and the braids have been unraveling. Another mild issue is the line where the black and white meet is uneven, though I kind of like the look. There is also slight movement inside the Saya but I wouldn't necessarily call it rattle as the movement is very minimal.
Compared to my Musashi Saya I think again the edge goes to the Musashi. The Musashi Saya feels like it has a little more substance to it and is made of a harder wood. It is lacking a horn Kojiri and Kurigata but its Kojiri has stayed in good shape as well as it's horn Koiguchi. The Dojo Pro gets points regarding the Sageo as the synthetic silk is of better quality than the cheap cotton used on the Musashi. The Musashi also houses the blade better as there is no movement whatsoever and for the time I've owned it so far the mouth still holds the Habaki snug. Overall I think the Musashi Saya is better built but the Dojo Pro has better furniture.
Handling Characteristics
The balance is good and this sword doesn't feel blade heavy in the slightest. I have been spoiled though by katana with bo-hi and comparatively to my other katana this one does feel more forward in hand. It doesn't feel too off though and only took a couple hours to get used to the difference in handling. A lot of the comfort in handling comes from the shape of the Tsuka and though maybe small for some I feel it is a perfect fit for me. Iai is very fluid thanks to the 2" reduction of blade length. I can easily draw and sheath from an Obi without the need to adjust the Saya which is nice. It actually took a little getting used to as I was so accustomed to compensating for the 28" blade I've used and own. The sword moves easily and fluidly through Katas and feels good both one handed or two. Overall this is a great handling sword and feels like a definite cutter. Not much to say in the S&D part of the review as none of the S&D issues really effect handling and are mostly cosmetic.
Compared to the Musashi I'm having a hard time making any judgments because I like the handling of both. It's funny because even though my scale reads both swords at 2.2 lbs. and there's only a quarter of an inch in difference in point of balance as well as a 2" length difference the Musashi feels lighter in hand, even though it has the higher point of balance. I think it is simply my scale as the Dojo Pro does feel slightly heavier and more than likely is by a few ounces. Though the weight isn't really drastic so maybe its just me? Perhaps it is due to me being so used to the Musashi that it simply feels more comfortable and as such light and more maneuverable. At the end though I have to give handling to the Dojo Pro as with it's 26" blade and slimmer Tsuka, this sword just feels too right for me not to. This doesn't negate anything towards the handling of the Musashi though as I feel it handles great and is a nice light sword in its own right.
Test Cutting
I have only done light cutting so far with the Dojo Pro. A few water bottles and a couple paper tests to be exact. The sword went through both like a hot knife through butter so I am definitely pleased with the cutting ability and edge of the Dojo Pro. I'm not into destructive tests and really don't want to do anything that would damage either my Dojo Pro or Musashi so as far as comparisons go I still think the Dojo Pro by other's evidence and testing is the more durable and effective cutter. But for light cutting like pool noodles and bottles I think both can handle these exercises easily with the Dojo Pro winning out due to its ability to do more medium to heavy cutting as opposed to the Musashi's ability for light to medium cutting. In the future I may step up and try some bamboo or Tatami with my Dojo Pro but for now I'll let other reviews and destructive tests testify for the durability and performance of the Dojo Pro. As far as I can tell through my inspections of the sword there is nothing really wrong with it as a S&D model that would affect its durability and performance as a cutting weapon. Then again not all problems can be seen on the surface so if I do any heavy cutting and have something happen, I'll definitely update the review.
Conclusions
Overall I’m very happy with my Dojo Pro Model #15. There are numerous things about it that put it above other production katana to me and if you have similar preferences as me in a katana you should be very happy too. As far as the scratch and dent issues, I found the bulk of them simply cosmetic and also easily remedied with a little sword maintenance and repair knowledge and experience. Some of the things like the Sageo and chips in the Saya maybe out of the average enthusiast's range of ability to fix or need to eventually be replaced. Though overall none of these S&D issues have any real detriment to the swords function and performance. There are a few things I would like to see though from Ronin Katana done better but these again don't really hurt this line regarding it's abilities in function and performance.
Pros
- Durable and nicely forged 1060 TH blade
- Attractive yet simple Koshirea made of iron
- Quality Saya with horn fittings and quality Sageo
- Nicely shaped Tsuka with alternating Ito and quality Samegawa
- Hard to find blade length suited for the shorter practioner and enthusiast
Cons
- Ito not very tight and diamonds uneven
- Mono steel blade may not be for those who prefer a more aesthetic katana with a laminated blade or DH
- Synthetic silk Ito advetised as silk
- Tsuka may not be to some's liking being a thinner and straighter shape
- 26" blade may not be for those who prefer a more standard length katana or O-katana
The Bottom Line
Even though it is a scratch and dent sword, I think it is a great sword and a must have for anyone looking for a simple yet effective katana with much attention given to the function, durability and overall longevity of the katana for the practical martial artist or enthusiast. In final thoughts on the S&D issues, as mentioned before the bulk of them were minor and simply cosmectic and I would feel completely at ease purchasing another S&D model after examining and using mine. They really are a bargan for half the price and this katana is a welcome addition to my sword collection and will definetly benefit me in regards to my Kenjutsu studies.
In regards to the comparisions to the Musashi, I do feel that even though Musashi did a few things better for less than the Dojo Pro, overall the Dojo Pro has many more benefits for the additional price regarding durability and performance. I feel that with the Dojo Pro that if some of the things holding it back were addressed that for the price, the Dojo Pro line could easily compete with even higher price points as the Dojo Pro does a lot of things better than some of them. Anyway hope this review was fun and informative and has helped you decide if the Ronin Katana Dojo Pro line is right for you, the S&D models are acceptable to your standards and if the jump to a mid priced katana is worth it compared to what may be bought at a lower price point.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all enjoyed,
David
Reviewed by, NDDave (David Burkhart) Emmett, ID
Hi everybody,
So a little over a week ago I found myself financially able to purchase a new sword. Most of you know that I have been on a European kick lately trying to compile a group of sub-$300 swords matching each numerical typology of Ewart Oakeshott. So while contemplating what new sword to get I browsed along Daniel's thread promoting the 2016 Ronin S&D sale. I've always liked Ronin Katana as a vendor as well as the looks of the Ronin Dojo Pros and their 26" katana model has been on my wish list for years now. So seeing a 26" model #15 I just had to bite. A week later I have a new katana in my hands and a new review to share with you all.
Historical Overview
( Kato Kiyomasa charging with a Dotanuki Katana)
The blade of the Ronin Dojo Pro Katana is based on the historical Japanese Dotanuki Blade. Dotanuki blades emerged in the Sengoku Period of Japan, though closer to the later end ( mid-late 15th century) and were prominently used up until the beginning of the Edo Period. The blades were a favorite of Generals Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Kato Kiyomasa and were almost exclusively used in their invasion of Korea which lasted from 1592-1598. Kiyomasa was so impressed with the durability and effectiveness of the Dotanuki blades that when Hideyoshi sent him to lead the invasion of Korea, he had Dotanuki smiths accompany him to produce the blades on field.
Dotanuki blades were renowned for their superior strength, durability and cutting ability. The founder of the school, Dotanuki Masakuni cared little for aesthetics and focused more on producing a true sword of war that could survive battlefield conditions. These blade types slightly differed in profile to standard Shinogi Zukuri blades by having a broader blade profile and thicker geometry. It is also said that the majority of Dotanuki blades were Maru or Mono blades, being a non laminated single piece of forged steel. It seems that after the beginning of the Edo Period the more battle focused blades like the Dotanuki were replaced by more elegant and aesthetic blades establishing the Shinto era of katana. None the less the Dotanuki blade came to be revered by Japanese historians and katana enthusiasts as very efficient battle swords. They have also been acclaimed and even elaborated on through various forms of Japanese literature and media over the years crediting their significance in the Koto and even Shinto Periods.
Full Disclosure
In disclosure I am not affiliated with Ronin Katana, I bought this sword at the discounted price for a "as is" scratch and dent model of their Dojo Pro line. I am not being paid for this review, I’m just a fellow sword loving forum member that enjoys reviewing and discussing swords here on this forum with it’s awesome community.
Initial Impressions
Being my first Ronin Katana and fourth Japanese production sword purchase I was really excited to see and handle this sword first hand. After watching and reading all the reviews on Ronin Dojo Pros over the years I had a few expectations and some knowledge of what to expect from the sword. It came shipped in a outer brown shipping box and an inner black manufacture's box with a katana printed on top. Inside the box was the sword housed inside a black sword bag and held securely by two Styrofoam blocks. After removing the bag I was treated to a really nice looking sword with an attractive Saya and Tsuka. I'll go into more detail of what scratch and dent issues I found in the review but overall I was impressed at the first hand appearance of this sword. I added in the statistics part of the review the stats of my Musashi Shirakawa katana to compare to the Ronin. I'll be comparing each to one another throughout the review in regards to what differs between each sword at their respective prices in the production market. Overall I hope that this review is informative regarding not only how these S&D Dojo Pro models are but also how the line itself compares to more budget production offerings like the Musashi Shirakawa line and the standard Dojo Pros themselves. Just remember this is a scratch and dent model and issues I have shouldn't reflect against the full price models or the buyer warranties offered by Ronin Katana which as is stated are not available to purchasers of the S&D sale models.
Statistics
Ronin Dojo Pro
Blade Length: 25 3/4", Kissaki Length: 2 1/4"
Blade Widths: Base)1 1/4", Middle)1",
1" before the Yokote
Handle Length: 11 1/4"
Handle Widths: at Fuchi)4 1/4", middle)3 3/4",
before Makidome) 3 5/16"
Overall Length: 37 1/4"
Guard: 2 3/4"x 2 3/4" 9 1/2" round
Point of Balance: 4 1/2"
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Musashi Shirakawa
Blade Length: 28 1/4" Kissaki length: 1 1/4"
Blade Widths: Base)1 1/4", Middle)1", 3/4" Before
Yokote
Handle Length: 10 3/4"
Handle Widths: at Fuchi)4 1/4", middle) 4", before Makidome) 3 3/4"
Overall Length: 39 1/2"
Guard: 3" x 3" 9 3/4" round
Point of Balance: 4 3/4"
Weight: 2.2 lbs
The Blade
The blade as mentioned in the historical section is a Dotanuki style mono steel blade. It is in a sense a special edition of the Dojo Pros being a 26" blade as opposed to the standard models' 28" blade length. Similarly to the other Dojo Pros of longer length it appears to have the same amount of Sori and Niku. The blade is razor sharp and has an even unbeveled edge from the Habaki to the tip of the Kissaki. Lines are even and smooth on the faces and spine of the blade, this blade also has a nice satin finish that matches the counter polished Chu-Kissaki. The blade also has a feint ghost hamon as seen with other Dojo Pro models which stand out the most in the middle section of the blade. This is the first no-hi blade I've owned since my Hanwei Practical and though I prefer bo-hi blades I think this sword looks better without hi with its wider blade profile. Overall it is a very attractive well made mono steel blade.
On to the S&D issues my sword came with only a few stains and blemishes on the blade, I'll go from Habaki to Kissaki as I mention them. For starters the Habaki though snug and secure does have some gap to it on both face sides. It is also not aligned correctly to the edge and there is a slight gap between the Hamachi and Habaki. Nothing really apparent first hand until you are wiping down the blade and have the cloth snag there. Moving up from the Habaki there are some light scratches from what appears polishing errors on both faces. There were also a few light stains or possible polishing stone marks on the edge of the blade right about in the middle. Moving up there were a few blemish spots right around the sweet spot of the blade on each side. These seemed to be only on the surface which was proven by removing them quite easily with some 0 grade steel wool. Overall the S&D issues of the blade were very minor and easily remedied.
Comparatively I think this blade does show that you do get more for a couple hundred dollars more. For example the lines and profile looks crisper and even. The polish is slightly better in my opinion as the mirror polish of the Musashi does seem to mark up easier. Durability of the blade is obviously what people are more concerned about and it seems that the Dojo Pro is the better of the two in those regards from various destructive and cutting tests. The Ronin also came sharper than the Musashi. One benefit for enthusiasts who prefer deferentially hardened blades and natural Hamon, the Musashi is DH with Hamon as opposed to the Dojo Pro. Though one must remember that since the Dojo Pro blade is a representative of the Dotanuki blade type, even a Nihonto Dotanuki would likely not be DH either. Overall I think that there are a few similarities in design but in the end the Dojo Pro has a few advantages regarding the blade as far as durability and detail.
The Handle
First impressions of the Tsuka were good. Nice evenly casted Fuchi and Kashira, alternating Ito, tight Makidome knots and decent looking Samegawa panels. Menuki are brass and have a odd looking but still attractive insect/lion hybrid design to them. Mekugi are clean and even bamboo and are in good shape and removed easily without splitting or jamming. Samegawa looks like your average medium grade white variety seen on most production katana with smaller nodes. It appears that the panels are one piece on both sides and not the split pieces like some have reported on their Dojo Pros. If they're not, its hidden well enough that I cant tell which works for me. Ito is soft silky black that does alternate though does have some slight movement around the Menuki and middle of the Tsuka. Diamonds are small and a little uneven but nothing too drastic and similar to other mid range katana I've owned and handled. Obviously Hishagami is not used during Tsukamaki and as others reported I do believe mine also is held in place due to glue being used on the edges of the wood. Like others have mentioned I believe the Ito is actually synthetic silk rather than actual silk but more on that in the S&D paragraph below. What I like best is the shape of the Tsuka itself. It tapers more and has a thinner circumference than most other Tsuka I've handled. Maybe a con to some but I do prefer a slimmer tsuka. Overall a well made comfortable Tsuka.
As far as S&D issues the Tsuka there really isn't much to mention. Some of these are kind of run of the mill with production katana but I'll detail them anyway. For starters the Ito isn't as tight as I would have liked it to be. According to a few older reviews of Dojo Pros it was stated that Ronin uses Hishagami when wrapping the Tsuka but as far as I can tell none were used. There are also a few visible gaps where you can see the Tsuka core on a few diamonds and the folds themselves on the diamonds are a little sloppy, obviously causing slight movement when pressed with your thumb. Also there was a snag in the Ito inside one of the diamonds. Why I think the Ito is synthetic is because to remedy this I took a lighter and melted the strand sticking out. The only real major issue I have with the Tsuka is that I cant seem to remove it. It is extremely tight to the Nakago. Tight enough that I gave up trying to remove it (to check the Tsuka core and tang for the review) for fear of damaging the Tsuka. It could be glued but I've never read of Ronin even on these S&D models gluing the Tsuka to the tang. Overall aside from not being able to actually remove the Tsuka I feel its has the least S&D of the sword.
Comparatively to the Musashi there are a few things I like better from Ronin and a lot more that Musashi seems to do just better than Ronin in regards to the tsuka. For starters the Tsukamaki on the Shirakawa is much better than the Dojo Pro. The diamonds are more even and even though I've owned my Shirakawa for over four years the Ito hasn't budged a centimeter in that time. Honestly even compared to the higher end production models I've handled Musashi just seems to have the best Tsukamaki work in the production market. Samegawa on each sword is about the same with the only difference being the Dojo Pro's is a bright white while the Musashi had a more aged look that has darkened even more over the years. The shape of the Musashi Tsuka core itself seems to be better and has more curvature than the Dojo Pro and flow with the Sori of the blade better. What I do like better about the Dojo Pro though is the slimmer Tsuka shape and the Fuchi and Kashira are of better quality than the Musashi. The cotton Ito of the Musashi is also more comfortable than the synthetic used on the Dojo Pro. Plus the Musashi Tsuka is removable without the need of apparent effort and or damage done to the Tsuka core. Overall I feel the Musashi Shirakawa has the edge regarding the Tsuka.
The Guard
The Tsuba is a nicely cast iron circular design. It is smaller than most other circular Tsuba I have seen and has an attractive four pointed Shuriken or more specifically Shaken design that looks similar to a traditional Japanese Mon. Only issue I can really find with the Tsuba is the cutouts are kind sharp on the inside, as others have mentioned regarding the Dojo Pro Tsubas. The benefit of this Tsuba compared to others with cutout designs is the cut outs aren't very wide so to feel them you really have to push your finger in and feel it. On the upper part of the hand the Tsuba feels comfortable due to the flat texture less surface. There are no apparent flaws to the Tsuba and it sits flush to the Fuchi with only a slight gap between it and the Habaki on the Ha side. There is no movement from the Tsuba itself but there is slight movement from the upper Seppa. Habaki and Seppa are brass. The Habaki is a two tone single piece. It is very attractive and aside from the few issues mentioned above in the Blade section, fits flush and doesn't have any movement. Seppa are the coin variety found on most mid-range production katana. As mentioned there is some slight movement of the Seppa between the Habaki and Tsuba. Overall a nice and attractive guard.
As far as S&D issues with the guard the Habaki issues stand out the most. Even though they could be considered more or less production issues as most mid-tier production katana do experience the same issues from time to time. For reference per section I will post the issues I found here again as well as section specific ones. The Habaki doesn't line up with the edge correctly and there is a tiny gap between it and the Hamachi. Just below there is a slight gap between the Seppa and Habaki on the same side. When I first got the sword the Habaki and Seppa were discolored with some kind of crud on them. Much like with the blade though a quick polish with some steel wool remedied that and got them back to their shiny luster.
Compared to the Musashi I think the Dojo Pro has the edge regarding gaurd components and aesthetics. The Dojo Pro Habaki is much more attractive but does loose to the Musashi for fit as the Musashi Habaki fits perfectly to the blade and lines up evenly to the Tsuba. Then again as we all know with the production market just one good sword doesn't mean the whole batch is good and vice versa. Seppa are the same quality and both Tsuba are iron but again the Dojo Pro has a simplistic and functional look and feel to it that the Musashi is lacking, even if the Musashi Tsuba is a little more decorative and attractive to the eye. Both fit well and there is no play in movement.
The Scabbard
The Saya is attractive with it's two tone color scheme of a white upper portion and black lower portion. Almost simulating a Rattan wrapped Saya. As with all Dojo Pro models it has the Buffalo Horn Koiguchi, Kojiri and Kurigata, they are colored black. Saya mouth is carved well and fits snug to the Habaki. It has the issue of the wax lining inside of the Saya smearing the blade, as has been mentioned in other Ronin Katana reviews. Aside from that it is a decent Saya made of what appears to be a solid durable wood. The Sageo is a black synthetic silk with white accents. I really like this Sageo and it matches the Saya nicely. Sageo knot is done very nicely as well and is tight.
As far as S&D issues go the Saya definetly carries the bulk of them. Starting from top to bottom, inside the mouth of the Saya there is a chip in the wood on one side right at the top of the mouth revealing the horn on the outside. So far it hasn't affected the hold on the Habaki but eventually it will probably need shimmed if any more of the wood chips off. On the outside there are two chips in the lacquer on the Koiguchi. The Sageo is also badly freyed and the braids have been unraveling. Another mild issue is the line where the black and white meet is uneven, though I kind of like the look. There is also slight movement inside the Saya but I wouldn't necessarily call it rattle as the movement is very minimal.
Compared to my Musashi Saya I think again the edge goes to the Musashi. The Musashi Saya feels like it has a little more substance to it and is made of a harder wood. It is lacking a horn Kojiri and Kurigata but its Kojiri has stayed in good shape as well as it's horn Koiguchi. The Dojo Pro gets points regarding the Sageo as the synthetic silk is of better quality than the cheap cotton used on the Musashi. The Musashi also houses the blade better as there is no movement whatsoever and for the time I've owned it so far the mouth still holds the Habaki snug. Overall I think the Musashi Saya is better built but the Dojo Pro has better furniture.
Handling Characteristics
The balance is good and this sword doesn't feel blade heavy in the slightest. I have been spoiled though by katana with bo-hi and comparatively to my other katana this one does feel more forward in hand. It doesn't feel too off though and only took a couple hours to get used to the difference in handling. A lot of the comfort in handling comes from the shape of the Tsuka and though maybe small for some I feel it is a perfect fit for me. Iai is very fluid thanks to the 2" reduction of blade length. I can easily draw and sheath from an Obi without the need to adjust the Saya which is nice. It actually took a little getting used to as I was so accustomed to compensating for the 28" blade I've used and own. The sword moves easily and fluidly through Katas and feels good both one handed or two. Overall this is a great handling sword and feels like a definite cutter. Not much to say in the S&D part of the review as none of the S&D issues really effect handling and are mostly cosmetic.
Compared to the Musashi I'm having a hard time making any judgments because I like the handling of both. It's funny because even though my scale reads both swords at 2.2 lbs. and there's only a quarter of an inch in difference in point of balance as well as a 2" length difference the Musashi feels lighter in hand, even though it has the higher point of balance. I think it is simply my scale as the Dojo Pro does feel slightly heavier and more than likely is by a few ounces. Though the weight isn't really drastic so maybe its just me? Perhaps it is due to me being so used to the Musashi that it simply feels more comfortable and as such light and more maneuverable. At the end though I have to give handling to the Dojo Pro as with it's 26" blade and slimmer Tsuka, this sword just feels too right for me not to. This doesn't negate anything towards the handling of the Musashi though as I feel it handles great and is a nice light sword in its own right.
Test Cutting
I have only done light cutting so far with the Dojo Pro. A few water bottles and a couple paper tests to be exact. The sword went through both like a hot knife through butter so I am definitely pleased with the cutting ability and edge of the Dojo Pro. I'm not into destructive tests and really don't want to do anything that would damage either my Dojo Pro or Musashi so as far as comparisons go I still think the Dojo Pro by other's evidence and testing is the more durable and effective cutter. But for light cutting like pool noodles and bottles I think both can handle these exercises easily with the Dojo Pro winning out due to its ability to do more medium to heavy cutting as opposed to the Musashi's ability for light to medium cutting. In the future I may step up and try some bamboo or Tatami with my Dojo Pro but for now I'll let other reviews and destructive tests testify for the durability and performance of the Dojo Pro. As far as I can tell through my inspections of the sword there is nothing really wrong with it as a S&D model that would affect its durability and performance as a cutting weapon. Then again not all problems can be seen on the surface so if I do any heavy cutting and have something happen, I'll definitely update the review.
Conclusions
Overall I’m very happy with my Dojo Pro Model #15. There are numerous things about it that put it above other production katana to me and if you have similar preferences as me in a katana you should be very happy too. As far as the scratch and dent issues, I found the bulk of them simply cosmetic and also easily remedied with a little sword maintenance and repair knowledge and experience. Some of the things like the Sageo and chips in the Saya maybe out of the average enthusiast's range of ability to fix or need to eventually be replaced. Though overall none of these S&D issues have any real detriment to the swords function and performance. There are a few things I would like to see though from Ronin Katana done better but these again don't really hurt this line regarding it's abilities in function and performance.
Pros
- Durable and nicely forged 1060 TH blade
- Attractive yet simple Koshirea made of iron
- Quality Saya with horn fittings and quality Sageo
- Nicely shaped Tsuka with alternating Ito and quality Samegawa
- Hard to find blade length suited for the shorter practioner and enthusiast
Cons
- Ito not very tight and diamonds uneven
- Mono steel blade may not be for those who prefer a more aesthetic katana with a laminated blade or DH
- Synthetic silk Ito advetised as silk
- Tsuka may not be to some's liking being a thinner and straighter shape
- 26" blade may not be for those who prefer a more standard length katana or O-katana
The Bottom Line
Even though it is a scratch and dent sword, I think it is a great sword and a must have for anyone looking for a simple yet effective katana with much attention given to the function, durability and overall longevity of the katana for the practical martial artist or enthusiast. In final thoughts on the S&D issues, as mentioned before the bulk of them were minor and simply cosmectic and I would feel completely at ease purchasing another S&D model after examining and using mine. They really are a bargan for half the price and this katana is a welcome addition to my sword collection and will definetly benefit me in regards to my Kenjutsu studies.
In regards to the comparisions to the Musashi, I do feel that even though Musashi did a few things better for less than the Dojo Pro, overall the Dojo Pro has many more benefits for the additional price regarding durability and performance. I feel that with the Dojo Pro that if some of the things holding it back were addressed that for the price, the Dojo Pro line could easily compete with even higher price points as the Dojo Pro does a lot of things better than some of them. Anyway hope this review was fun and informative and has helped you decide if the Ronin Katana Dojo Pro line is right for you, the S&D models are acceptable to your standards and if the jump to a mid priced katana is worth it compared to what may be bought at a lower price point.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all enjoyed,
David