musashi gold series midnight kame katana
May 1, 2016 8:35:11 GMT
Post by knowntocustomize on May 1, 2016 8:35:11 GMT
Hey all, I finally figured out how to paste pictures on my smart phone although i may have to post them in the comment section ive been wanting to do this for some time, so I'm going to attempt my third time doing this review.
Intro-
I purchased this and (so far) three other katanas to do reviews and customization threads. I wanted to buy swords from well known forges as well as less familiar and hard to research companies as well. I will be going over some ways to overcome some of the problem areas that come along with buying production katana. I bought this specific sword because Musashi is a fairly highly regarded company.
Full disclosure-
I do not work for and am not affiliated with Musashi in any way and have received no favors or discounts from Musashi, Bud-k. I am doing a non-biased review of this sword.
Initial impressions-
I was happy to see a rectangular box on my front porch, I have no pictures as I made a video for YouTube that never got put up. The sword was well packaged box, styrofoam, decent looking but frivolous decorative sword box with sword, maintenance kit, sword bag, certificate and sword were included for 240 USD shipped to Alaska, I originally was unhappy with the decent quality of the box because I was hoping every bit of my money went into the sword itself. I was very surprised to see that this did not seem to effect the quality of the sword as it was very beautiful and well balanced. Fit and finish was superb. In fact this sword was so great that out of the three I've bought so far, this one was so well built I do not wish to do any customization or repair so in the customization thread on this one will only include me scuffing the blade to all beejesus and doing a repolish. I also gave the yokote a slight geometric change, as much as i was confortable withoit taking too much away from the boshi. I even hesitated to do this as the hamon and hada are so beautiful and it has pretty decent niku, luckily I know what I'm doing -wink-. The hamon was not enhanced in any way and almost appeared to be an illusion but since I have already done the repolish and decided to go ahead and do an acid etch I can say the hamon is in fact very real.
Stats-
Overall length- 41.5", blade length- 28", tsuka (handle/hilt) length- 11.5", width1.25" at habaki', tsuba (guard)- 3", HRC 58*. Hand forged 1045+1065 high carbon steel clay tempered Damascus blade.
Cutting test-
I've only killed an army of water bottles a couple of gallon milk jugs and a 2 liter soda bottle all have met their demise and very easily I might add. This sword feels like it weighs nothing. Very easily changes direction midcut superb balance and handling.
Conclusion-
I would recommend this sword to anybody looking for a step up from the silver series. It is real Damascus as it contains more than one carbon content steel which much like lamination gives the blade the properties of both steels the durability of the lower carbon content steel and the strength and edge retention of the higher content steel, lamination being the better of the two options because you can put those properties exactly where you want them. I will add that Damascus is known for the microscopic serrated edge that it can produce if done correctly. I will also point out that the two steels used in my opinion are of lower carbon content than I would've preferred, my preference would be like 1055+1080 that would have been my choice given I had a choice at the time although I have been very surprised with the durability of this sword, so much that as part of my scuffing project I had to see what this thing could really do since it felt nearly indestructible I performed some very poor cuts and hit the cutting stand twice, on purpose mind you, and there was absolutely no vend or damage to the blade!!! At all!! So amazing.
Pros- beautiful and very durable blade, fit of the habaki' and tsuba, absolutely top notch. Saya fit, perfect, no rattle. Ito is very very tight. Balance is amazing, it is lightening fast and easy to exact accuracy. Fancy frilly extras don't take away from the quality of the blade.
Cons- kissaki- non geometric yokote, counterpolished for effect. the samegawa, of decent quality but very small nodules. Fuchi gashira, fuchi has very slight movement which is not noticeable until used extensively and still not so much that it presents any problem at all for me. The kashira was a tiny bit crooked and seemed to fight the Ito wrap for space but super solid so again not enough of a problem for me atleast, to require a rewrap. I've actually grown kind of accustomed to the slightly crooked kashira. I know this is causing fumes to come out of some people's ears but you have got to feel how solid and well built this sword feels to understand. I love the character this sword has. The mekugi could have been a little better trimmed. The Ito is not cotton which is a plus for me as well. The theme of the fittings at first I was not a fan of but they are very unique and I have grown to love them and you won't find them on any other sword. The saya is made of very light pine. I will be making a new saya, there is no horn except on the koiguchi and I'm not a fan of high gloss laquer. I may just do a rattan wrap and add horn. The sageo has become freyed on both ends, this seems to be a common theme with these swords and is a problem for me. Its nic before it freys so maybe take the time to tie better knots before this happens. But a good solid airtight fitting saya the sword can be placed upside down and shaken and it does not fall out. I know it seems like there are more cons than pros but not to me at all. I will be keeping this one for myself
Intro-
I purchased this and (so far) three other katanas to do reviews and customization threads. I wanted to buy swords from well known forges as well as less familiar and hard to research companies as well. I will be going over some ways to overcome some of the problem areas that come along with buying production katana. I bought this specific sword because Musashi is a fairly highly regarded company.
Full disclosure-
I do not work for and am not affiliated with Musashi in any way and have received no favors or discounts from Musashi, Bud-k. I am doing a non-biased review of this sword.
Initial impressions-
I was happy to see a rectangular box on my front porch, I have no pictures as I made a video for YouTube that never got put up. The sword was well packaged box, styrofoam, decent looking but frivolous decorative sword box with sword, maintenance kit, sword bag, certificate and sword were included for 240 USD shipped to Alaska, I originally was unhappy with the decent quality of the box because I was hoping every bit of my money went into the sword itself. I was very surprised to see that this did not seem to effect the quality of the sword as it was very beautiful and well balanced. Fit and finish was superb. In fact this sword was so great that out of the three I've bought so far, this one was so well built I do not wish to do any customization or repair so in the customization thread on this one will only include me scuffing the blade to all beejesus and doing a repolish. I also gave the yokote a slight geometric change, as much as i was confortable withoit taking too much away from the boshi. I even hesitated to do this as the hamon and hada are so beautiful and it has pretty decent niku, luckily I know what I'm doing -wink-. The hamon was not enhanced in any way and almost appeared to be an illusion but since I have already done the repolish and decided to go ahead and do an acid etch I can say the hamon is in fact very real.
Stats-
Overall length- 41.5", blade length- 28", tsuka (handle/hilt) length- 11.5", width1.25" at habaki', tsuba (guard)- 3", HRC 58*. Hand forged 1045+1065 high carbon steel clay tempered Damascus blade.
Cutting test-
I've only killed an army of water bottles a couple of gallon milk jugs and a 2 liter soda bottle all have met their demise and very easily I might add. This sword feels like it weighs nothing. Very easily changes direction midcut superb balance and handling.
Conclusion-
I would recommend this sword to anybody looking for a step up from the silver series. It is real Damascus as it contains more than one carbon content steel which much like lamination gives the blade the properties of both steels the durability of the lower carbon content steel and the strength and edge retention of the higher content steel, lamination being the better of the two options because you can put those properties exactly where you want them. I will add that Damascus is known for the microscopic serrated edge that it can produce if done correctly. I will also point out that the two steels used in my opinion are of lower carbon content than I would've preferred, my preference would be like 1055+1080 that would have been my choice given I had a choice at the time although I have been very surprised with the durability of this sword, so much that as part of my scuffing project I had to see what this thing could really do since it felt nearly indestructible I performed some very poor cuts and hit the cutting stand twice, on purpose mind you, and there was absolutely no vend or damage to the blade!!! At all!! So amazing.
Pros- beautiful and very durable blade, fit of the habaki' and tsuba, absolutely top notch. Saya fit, perfect, no rattle. Ito is very very tight. Balance is amazing, it is lightening fast and easy to exact accuracy. Fancy frilly extras don't take away from the quality of the blade.
Cons- kissaki- non geometric yokote, counterpolished for effect. the samegawa, of decent quality but very small nodules. Fuchi gashira, fuchi has very slight movement which is not noticeable until used extensively and still not so much that it presents any problem at all for me. The kashira was a tiny bit crooked and seemed to fight the Ito wrap for space but super solid so again not enough of a problem for me atleast, to require a rewrap. I've actually grown kind of accustomed to the slightly crooked kashira. I know this is causing fumes to come out of some people's ears but you have got to feel how solid and well built this sword feels to understand. I love the character this sword has. The mekugi could have been a little better trimmed. The Ito is not cotton which is a plus for me as well. The theme of the fittings at first I was not a fan of but they are very unique and I have grown to love them and you won't find them on any other sword. The saya is made of very light pine. I will be making a new saya, there is no horn except on the koiguchi and I'm not a fan of high gloss laquer. I may just do a rattan wrap and add horn. The sageo has become freyed on both ends, this seems to be a common theme with these swords and is a problem for me. Its nic before it freys so maybe take the time to tie better knots before this happens. But a good solid airtight fitting saya the sword can be placed upside down and shaken and it does not fall out. I know it seems like there are more cons than pros but not to me at all. I will be keeping this one for myself