Post by jrock on Mar 19, 2017 20:12:33 GMT
Introduction
Greetings...
Today I will be going over my thoughts and opinions about the Guardian katana that was offered by Cas/Hanwei and produced by Kaneie Art Swords. This one is from Kaneie's Menkyo line which has a higher grade of polish than their cheaper Okuden line. I have been a sword enthusiast for many years. I first started collecting when I was in my teens with various wallhangers and eventually moved up to swords from Windlass Steelcrafts and Del Tin. Ive always wanted a nice katana for my collection but I always went for the cheaper brands like Musashi. Ive always admired the beauty and elegance of actual Japanese nihonto and through out the years have studied and learned the differences between "real" nihonto and production katana that is produced in China. There is no doubt that some of the Chinese made production katana can come close to the look and feel of Japanese nihonto, however there really will be no comparison. I am by no means as expert on Japanese or any other type of sword so this review will just be my thoughts and opinions.
Historical Overview
This is a Chinese reproduction of a Japanese nihonto. However, the tsuba, fuchi/kashira, and the silk ito were made in Japan. This sword itself is not a copy of any one particular nihonto.
Full Disclosure
This katana was purchased from Kult of Athena back in December of 2016. Full price was paid. I have no affiliation with Kaneie, Cas/Hanwei, or Kult of Athena. I am merely a collector and this sword will not be used to cut with.
Initial Impressions
The sword arrived in a double boxed package covered with bubble wrap and lots of tape. Kult of Athena did an outstanding job making sure the sword was protected during shipping. Upon initial inspection of the sword, I was immediately impressed with the overall quality done by Kaneie. This was no cheap Musashi. It was placed in a purple cotton sword bag. The sageo was nice and came unattached to the saya. The fittings were prestine and the saya was absolutely beautiful. The red silk ito was very, very tight and well done. You could tell that a glue was used to keep the ito from moving because there were tiny little dots of glue on the end knots as well as one or two of the crossovers. This in no way deterred from the overall beauty of the tsuka and could not be visiable unless you looked really really hard. The blade...man the blade. All I can say is that Kaneie knows how to produce a blade. Crisp clean lines, well done overall shape, the hamon is eye-popping gorgeous, and the kissaki is well done.
Statistics
Nagasa/blade length: 28.75 inches measured from tip to habaki
29.50 inches measured from tip to tsuba
Tsuka length: 10.60 inches measured from tsuba to end of kashira
Overall length: 40.50 inches
Tsuba width: 3.10 inches
POB: 6.50 inches from tsuba
Blade Thickness at Habaki: 7mm
Blade Thickness at Yokote: 4mm
Components
Blade/Nagasa: The blade is nice, very nice. Differentially hardened T10 tool steel, water quenched. I don't really see any flaws at all. It has a nice flow to it. No bends, wobbles, or scratches. The polish is done in a keshi hadori style which brings out the hamon and gives the blade hada. This is not a folded blade however there is hada present. The kissaki is a medium length with geometric yokote. The hamon flows all the way to the tip and has a nicely done boshi. The lines of the kissaki are crisp and well executed, however not exactly the same on both sides. Hardly noticeable but present. There is niku to this blade. Mostly ha niku but you can tell this blade is meant for medium to hard targets.
Tsuka: Ill start with the kashira. It is silver plated brass with a lion dog carved into it. Nicely executed. I do not think this was cast. You can almost tell it was hand carved. It looks really amazing up close.
The tsuka has a nice shape to it. Not to small and not to fat. Hourglass shape. It feels comfortable in the hands and the silk ito is very high quality. The rayskin is of decent quality. The nodes aren't super big but they aren't small either. There isn't an emporer node.
The fuchi is again silver plated brass. Same quality as the kashira. Hand carved and not cast. Nicely done lion dog theme.
The Tsuba is made of iron and has a lion dog theme carved out. At first I thought the tsuba would be to tacky looking but now I really like it. It doesn't cut into my hand at all and the edges are smooth and refined.
Handling Characteristics
Overall the sword is balanced pretty decent. The shorter tsuka does give the blade a tip heavy feel, however when swung, its hardly noticeable. This katana is not beefy at all but rather has a nice elegent feel to it. It by no means feels like a light and cheaply made katana. It has presence and would be well suited for iai or tamishigiri.
Test Cutting
As I'm purely a collector and not a martial artist per say, I will not be doing any type of cutting with this blade. I do feel that the blade is definitely up to the task, the polish is way to nice to scratch up. Also the price tag of $1300USD prevents me from doing much else but admiring it. Plus my wife would kill me.
Conclusion
All in all, this katana was worth (to me at least) every penny. From the well executed fittings to the absolute amazing blade. I have no doubt that I will cherish this sword for many years to come. Right now I keep it locked up in a gun case and only take it out to give it a good wipe down. Kaneie produces very fine katana, albeit Chinese reproductions of real nihonto. Ive been told on several occasions that Kaneie only produced 250 of this style in the U.S. I cant confirm this but I have not seen the Guardian at all circulating around the internet so I believe this to be true.
Pros
Very high quality blade
Well executed fittings
Nicely done saya that fits perfectly, no rattle
Cons
Fairly high price
Availability
The Bottom Line
If you can find this katana and have the funds to purchase it I would say definitely get it. The high quality justifies the price which at the time mine was purchased was just over $1200USD at Kult of Athena. Kaneie's are getting hard to find in the U.S. these days so if you can find one, get it. You wont be disappointed in my opinion.
I will post more photos in a continuation thread below.
Thanks for reading...Jason