Sinosword custom katana(s)
Jan 12, 2018 20:31:06 GMT
Post by LH on Jan 12, 2018 20:31:06 GMT
Sinosword custom katana.
Introduction
My original idea was to buy 3 different custom katanas from 3 different vendors and compare the buying experience and how different prices might affect the quality. This, as some of you may know, didn't quite go as planned.
I ordered one from Huawei (most expensive) that I never got. Second was Sinosword (middle price) which is what this review is about. Third was Ryujin (cheapest) from SBG Shop.
As I never got one from Huawei I think I'll just do a short review of the Sino katana. Maybe I'll do one of the Ryujin katana too some day.
Full Disclosure
This was my first time ordering from Sinosword. I paid full price for the sword (not for the second one as will be explained later).
I have been doing martial arts for a lot of years but in cutting and swinging swords I have very limited experience and at the moment have no possibility to do any cutting. So this review is not about cutting performance or handling because I do not know enough of the subject. I am mostly a collector of swords (at least at the moment).
Ordering a custom katana
I ordered a custom katana from Sino on July 18th through their web page and later email. We agreed to a certain spec and the price was $278 + $55 shipping. The communication with Sino was excellent from day one. Most answers came the same day.
There were a few emails of me asking if the blade is ready and on September 28th I received a few pics. Sword looked nice but the blade profile was Shinogi-zukuri (I ordered a shobu). I told this and I was promised a new sword. I offered to buy the Shinogi katana if I got some discount on the other one which I did.
So another sword. Not complaining.
I asked to change the tsuba to another one and hamon to midare on the new blade. Other than that same spec.
On November 11th I got pics of the new sword which I approved. Unfortunately shipping from China to Finland had just been made impossible by Chinese government (or something). Sinosword tried to ship my swords but no luck. They offered to refund everything but I wanted my swords.
Fortunately with the help of a German forum member kaiyo we managed to ship the swords to Germany and then Finland. The German customs took ages with the swords but finally on January 4th I got my swords.
Specs (the important ones)
Blade 1: 29" (Measured 29" including habaki)
T10, Shobu-zukuri
mirror polish
bohi with geometric hi
hamon Midare
Blade 2: 29" (Measured 29" including habaki)
T10, Shinogi-zukuri
mirror polish
bohi with geometric hi
hamon Gunome togare
1082 g (2lbs 6 oz) measured weight
Tsuka: 11" (Measured 11")
Full black samegawa
Ito brown cotton with hishi-gami
Saya: Black lacquer with 1/4 rayskin
Initial Impressions
So the swords are almost identical except the tsubas and the lack of yokote on the other sword. The shobu isn't quite as shobu as I wanted but I could have included a pic when I ordered. The lines are clean and nice on both and they are very sharp. Hamon looks about the same on both blades but I like them.
Sayas look very nice and neither of them rattle at all. Both hold the sword when turned upside down. The other one was a bit too tight but now that I have handled it a bit it's great. I was very surprised about the sayas not rattling. They have come from another side of the planet after all and it's winter here so I would have guessed they had some play in them. Other one has shitodome other doesn't. Makes no difference to me.
The tsuka feels excellent in hand (my uneducated opinion) with full same. They are both oval shaped and taper a bit towards the kashira (which in the other sword is a bit loose). Ito is tightest I have ever seen. I can't move it at all.
The other tsuba moves very slightly sideways if you twist it. It doesn't rattle. Does not bother me much.
I haven't taken them apart yet but if I do I'll do an update.
Conclusions
I really like these swords and for the price they are excellent. For $278 (and the second a lot cheaper) value for money is very good. There are almost no negative things to say about them. I bet some of you find a few but as Mr. Arias said for what I was expecting I'm very pleased.
Communicating with Sinoswords was very easy and all problems were solved as soon as possible. I liked their web page where you can customize your sword and then just send that forward and then Sino will contact you and make your sword.
I would and will order again from them. Highly recommended.
Introduction
My original idea was to buy 3 different custom katanas from 3 different vendors and compare the buying experience and how different prices might affect the quality. This, as some of you may know, didn't quite go as planned.
I ordered one from Huawei (most expensive) that I never got. Second was Sinosword (middle price) which is what this review is about. Third was Ryujin (cheapest) from SBG Shop.
As I never got one from Huawei I think I'll just do a short review of the Sino katana. Maybe I'll do one of the Ryujin katana too some day.
Full Disclosure
This was my first time ordering from Sinosword. I paid full price for the sword (not for the second one as will be explained later).
I have been doing martial arts for a lot of years but in cutting and swinging swords I have very limited experience and at the moment have no possibility to do any cutting. So this review is not about cutting performance or handling because I do not know enough of the subject. I am mostly a collector of swords (at least at the moment).
Ordering a custom katana
I ordered a custom katana from Sino on July 18th through their web page and later email. We agreed to a certain spec and the price was $278 + $55 shipping. The communication with Sino was excellent from day one. Most answers came the same day.
There were a few emails of me asking if the blade is ready and on September 28th I received a few pics. Sword looked nice but the blade profile was Shinogi-zukuri (I ordered a shobu). I told this and I was promised a new sword. I offered to buy the Shinogi katana if I got some discount on the other one which I did.
So another sword. Not complaining.
I asked to change the tsuba to another one and hamon to midare on the new blade. Other than that same spec.
On November 11th I got pics of the new sword which I approved. Unfortunately shipping from China to Finland had just been made impossible by Chinese government (or something). Sinosword tried to ship my swords but no luck. They offered to refund everything but I wanted my swords.
Fortunately with the help of a German forum member kaiyo we managed to ship the swords to Germany and then Finland. The German customs took ages with the swords but finally on January 4th I got my swords.
Specs (the important ones)
Blade 1: 29" (Measured 29" including habaki)
T10, Shobu-zukuri
mirror polish
bohi with geometric hi
hamon Midare
Blade 2: 29" (Measured 29" including habaki)
T10, Shinogi-zukuri
mirror polish
bohi with geometric hi
hamon Gunome togare
1082 g (2lbs 6 oz) measured weight
Tsuka: 11" (Measured 11")
Full black samegawa
Ito brown cotton with hishi-gami
Saya: Black lacquer with 1/4 rayskin
Initial Impressions
So the swords are almost identical except the tsubas and the lack of yokote on the other sword. The shobu isn't quite as shobu as I wanted but I could have included a pic when I ordered. The lines are clean and nice on both and they are very sharp. Hamon looks about the same on both blades but I like them.
Sayas look very nice and neither of them rattle at all. Both hold the sword when turned upside down. The other one was a bit too tight but now that I have handled it a bit it's great. I was very surprised about the sayas not rattling. They have come from another side of the planet after all and it's winter here so I would have guessed they had some play in them. Other one has shitodome other doesn't. Makes no difference to me.
The tsuka feels excellent in hand (my uneducated opinion) with full same. They are both oval shaped and taper a bit towards the kashira (which in the other sword is a bit loose). Ito is tightest I have ever seen. I can't move it at all.
The other tsuba moves very slightly sideways if you twist it. It doesn't rattle. Does not bother me much.
I haven't taken them apart yet but if I do I'll do an update.
Conclusions
I really like these swords and for the price they are excellent. For $278 (and the second a lot cheaper) value for money is very good. There are almost no negative things to say about them. I bet some of you find a few but as Mr. Arias said for what I was expecting I'm very pleased.
Communicating with Sinoswords was very easy and all problems were solved as soon as possible. I liked their web page where you can customize your sword and then just send that forward and then Sino will contact you and make your sword.
I would and will order again from them. Highly recommended.