Hanbon Ko Katana
May 2, 2016 4:20:07 GMT
Post by lygon on May 2, 2016 4:20:07 GMT
EDIT:
Introduction
I bought this sword primarily for home defense/martial practice. This was my first sword, I'm a first time reviewer ...so yeah.... I found this sword on the Hanbon website after googling Hanbon. I heard about them from reading stuff on this site. I think I paid about $209 for this sword. I requested a quote on the site on the custom fittings I wanted, they responded and I told them to send me a paypal invoice. 2 weeks later they sent me pics. 8 days after that it was on my doorstep. It was clockwork.
Historical overview
This is a modern reproduction sword from Longquan China. Its as much Chinese as Japanese at this point in my opinion. But I'm still quite new.
Full Disclosure
At the time of writing this review, I'm about 4 months into Japanese sword studies, 3 months into handling Japanese swords, and I have only owned 3 Japanese swords total. Im a noob by my own standards --so please correct my missteps, and keep this in mind as you read my review.
Initial Impressions
This sword blew me away --Love at first sight, but it was far heavier than I'd imagined. In retrospect I now know this sword is a featherweight. -glad I ordered no-hi for this one.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 20" 21.5" if you include the habaki length.
Handle/Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall Length: 32.5"
Guard/Tsuba Width: originally 3"x3", I have since replaced the tsuba with a 2"x1" version
POB (Point of Balance): about 4"
COP (Center of Percussion): about 2" down from the tip
Weight: about 2 lbs roughly
Components
The Blade/Nagasa
Maru 1095 steel, with shinogi-zukuri geometry, cosmetic yokote, differentially hardened with midare hamon. No-hi. Really nice amount of sori!
The Handle/Tsuka
battle wrap - see pics.
The Guard/Tsuba
I have had 3 different tsubas on this blade. Settled with a small one, see pics
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Kaeru! (frog)
The Scabbard/Saya
Matte black with black paint splatter, no buffalo horn, sword rattles in saya. Nice fit at koiguchi.
PHOTOS:
From hanbon before they sent the blade:
After I added my custom made iron tsuba, 11' sageo, and sterling silver menuki:
Final tsuba once I decided this sword was a home defense weapon and not going to be my beater:
Handling Characteristics
This sword is fast and strong.
Test Cutting
A great cutter, It even cleaves my 4x4 wood stand like butter --I took an inch off the corner, and it didn't take damage or even dull! (however, I have put a bunch of scratches on it) I've since stopped pressing my luck and ordered another sword to beat on. This one has been retired to be my "sh*t has hit the fan" apocalypse go-to defensive blade. So now I treat it with more respect than my other swords. (all of which I attend to daily)
Plastic Bottles - fun!
Plastic 1-gallon Jugs - moar fun!
Tatami Mats - not tested yet... but I will. and Ill get video and update
Cardboard - blasts thru cardboard, cuts the first 2/3 then pounds thru the last 1/3.
Conclusions
I have to say I really love this sword for the price. Its a great first sword, --a great "learn about japanese sword fittings" -take apart sword, its perfect for me in just about every regard. I'll update this section if I learn of any flaws not mentioned. I do wish it had a geometric yokote.
Pros
- customizable to user taste (for me this is important)
- inexpensive!
- very sharp/hard edge
- tight fittings
- excellent amount of sori
Cons
- fake silk ito (its nylon, --I should have asked for cotton)
- Saya very basic. no buffalo horn, and blade rattles in saya - not good for ninja! (I should have asked for an upgraded saya)
- sageo came too short for back mounting (I should have asked for 11' sageo)
- no geometric yokote
- tang not signed
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to a friend, the value for money on this sword is very high.
I will likely buy something similar from Hanbon for each man in my family. I love it!
Introduction
I bought this sword primarily for home defense/martial practice. This was my first sword, I'm a first time reviewer ...so yeah.... I found this sword on the Hanbon website after googling Hanbon. I heard about them from reading stuff on this site. I think I paid about $209 for this sword. I requested a quote on the site on the custom fittings I wanted, they responded and I told them to send me a paypal invoice. 2 weeks later they sent me pics. 8 days after that it was on my doorstep. It was clockwork.
Historical overview
This is a modern reproduction sword from Longquan China. Its as much Chinese as Japanese at this point in my opinion. But I'm still quite new.
Full Disclosure
At the time of writing this review, I'm about 4 months into Japanese sword studies, 3 months into handling Japanese swords, and I have only owned 3 Japanese swords total. Im a noob by my own standards --so please correct my missteps, and keep this in mind as you read my review.
Initial Impressions
This sword blew me away --Love at first sight, but it was far heavier than I'd imagined. In retrospect I now know this sword is a featherweight. -glad I ordered no-hi for this one.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length: 20" 21.5" if you include the habaki length.
Handle/Tsuka Length: 11"
Overall Length: 32.5"
Guard/Tsuba Width: originally 3"x3", I have since replaced the tsuba with a 2"x1" version
POB (Point of Balance): about 4"
COP (Center of Percussion): about 2" down from the tip
Weight: about 2 lbs roughly
Components
The Blade/Nagasa
Maru 1095 steel, with shinogi-zukuri geometry, cosmetic yokote, differentially hardened with midare hamon. No-hi. Really nice amount of sori!
The Handle/Tsuka
battle wrap - see pics.
The Guard/Tsuba
I have had 3 different tsubas on this blade. Settled with a small one, see pics
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Kaeru! (frog)
The Scabbard/Saya
Matte black with black paint splatter, no buffalo horn, sword rattles in saya. Nice fit at koiguchi.
PHOTOS:
From hanbon before they sent the blade:
After I added my custom made iron tsuba, 11' sageo, and sterling silver menuki:
Final tsuba once I decided this sword was a home defense weapon and not going to be my beater:
Handling Characteristics
This sword is fast and strong.
Test Cutting
A great cutter, It even cleaves my 4x4 wood stand like butter --I took an inch off the corner, and it didn't take damage or even dull! (however, I have put a bunch of scratches on it) I've since stopped pressing my luck and ordered another sword to beat on. This one has been retired to be my "sh*t has hit the fan" apocalypse go-to defensive blade. So now I treat it with more respect than my other swords. (all of which I attend to daily)
Plastic Bottles - fun!
Plastic 1-gallon Jugs - moar fun!
Tatami Mats - not tested yet... but I will. and Ill get video and update
Cardboard - blasts thru cardboard, cuts the first 2/3 then pounds thru the last 1/3.
Conclusions
I have to say I really love this sword for the price. Its a great first sword, --a great "learn about japanese sword fittings" -take apart sword, its perfect for me in just about every regard. I'll update this section if I learn of any flaws not mentioned. I do wish it had a geometric yokote.
Pros
- customizable to user taste (for me this is important)
- inexpensive!
- very sharp/hard edge
- tight fittings
- excellent amount of sori
Cons
- fake silk ito (its nylon, --I should have asked for cotton)
- Saya very basic. no buffalo horn, and blade rattles in saya - not good for ninja! (I should have asked for an upgraded saya)
- sageo came too short for back mounting (I should have asked for 11' sageo)
- no geometric yokote
- tang not signed
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to a friend, the value for money on this sword is very high.
I will likely buy something similar from Hanbon for each man in my family. I love it!