|
Post by emunger on Apr 5, 2016 18:56:20 GMT
Introduction:
To begin with, this is not really a review, more of a picture showcase; since there has been many Ronin Elite blade reviews, this is a factory second, and I connected with this sword in a way that it is impossible for me to be unbiased. To me, the flaws on this blade are what makes this blade even more special. This post contains no functional information - just the aesthetics of the blade, with a focus on the interaction between the hamon and lamination lines. However, sometime soon, I will post a full review on a Ronin Elite O Katana.
Part One: Blade Side 1
|
|
|
Post by Bushido on Apr 7, 2016 21:16:36 GMT
Looks really nice! What kind of flaws did you find On yours? Looks like yours has a bit of hada, is that a hammer forged elite bare blade by chance??
|
|
|
Post by emunger on Apr 8, 2016 6:45:47 GMT
I think when I eventually mount it, I am going to save up and go all out; what are you planning for your bare blade? Maybe many flaws is an overstatement; the main ones are the lamination lines on the other side start thick but then taper pretty close to the ha at two points on the blade (I'll post more pictures soon), and there is a tiny nick in the polish (pic 4). I really enjoy the patches of hada, especially the diversity of patterns; I asked Chris for more information regarding the nature of the blade, and he couldn't really help me out unfortunately. Pretty absurd blade for $200.
|
|
|
Post by Bushido on Apr 8, 2016 10:03:13 GMT
I think when I eventually mount it, I am going to save up and go all out; what are you planning for your bare blade? Maybe many flaws is an overstatement; the main ones are the lamination lines on the other side start thick but then taper pretty close to the ha at two points on the blade (I'll post more pictures soon), and there is a tiny nick in the polish (pic 4). I really enjoy the patches of hada, especially the diversity of patterns; I asked Chris for more information regarding the nature of the blade, and he couldn't really help me out unfortunately. Pretty absurd blade for $200. Right now I'm planning on keeping it in the shirasaya as I really like the clean wooden look out of a purely aesthetical point of view, but someday I would like to try and customize it myself, make my own fittings etc. I see. I think it looks really good, and the fact that you have hada in yours is really interesting to me! That's not just any old soshu kitae elite blade, that's something else. Which means that maybe mine is too, which would account for the lack of lamination lines... How's the kissaki geometry on yours? It looks really nice, congrats on an awesome blade! And I agree, that kind of blade for $200 is friggin' insane..
|
|
|
Post by emunger on Apr 10, 2016 5:15:24 GMT
I am not sure how many S&D bare blades were available, but they went so quickly I doubt there were that many; so what are the odds that the two we review are somewhat abnormal or unique elites? Also the claying pattern on yours look very similar to mine, so I wonder if they were made or at least clayed by the same person? Do you know if they specify the master who forged the blade in the kanji on the tang? I am really curious to take it down, but it seems like the mekugi are lacquered over on mine?
The kissaki geometry is pretty excellent, as is almost all the geometry of the blade. Mine has way less width taper towards the tip compared to my dojo pro, and is super blade heavy (although lack of mounting and tsuba accentuate this). Did you find the geometry and balance of all your elites to be very similar?
Yeah congrats to you as well, it is weird how similar of experiences we had with this S&D sale. Just getting out of college, having money from a new job, stars aligning...
|
|