Huawei Shinogi Zukuri, 1.5" Sori
May 6, 2018 23:34:39 GMT
Post by Brian Weiss on May 6, 2018 23:34:39 GMT
Introduction
This Huawei is my 4th katana, and I didn't think I would actually ever receive it. I ordered it via eBay in late Feb, and it was shipped in early Mar. After bouncing around China for a couple of weeks, it seemingly "fell off the boat". Jacky from Huawei refunded my money a couple of weeks ago, and was very apologetic about the matter. Then, a couple days ago, it just appeared. After checking it out, I sent Jacky his money back and was a happy camper.
Full Disclosure
This is a brand new sword, which I paid full price for via the Huawei ebay store. Similar swords are available for purchase here: www.ebay.com/itm/282659837178
Initial Impressions
Noticed a couple of small blemishes on the horn parts, but nothing dramatic. The rest of the piece blew me away... the blade quality is outstanding. Nice clean lines, well polished, and everything looks and feels symmetrical.
Statistics
Nagasa /blade length- 71cm
Motohaba- 3.2cm
Motokasane - 0.76cm
Sakihaba - 2.4cm
Sakikasane - 0.5cm
Nakago Length -26.5cm
Sori/curvature - tori sori 3.8cm
Chu kissaki -4.5cm
Tsuka Length - 27.5cm
Mekugi-ana- 2
The Blade/Nagasa
Blade is T10, differentially hardened monosteel. The blade was well greased prior to shipment, and shows no signs of oxidation. Obviously, it has a much deeper sori than typically seen on most blades. The edge doesn't feel that sharp to me, but there is a significant amount of niku.
The polish is excellent, very close to the quality of the Kaneie art polish. The hamon does not appear to have been enhanced in any way, and has a beautiful pattern. Yokote is geometric, and well defined.
Habaki fit is awesome. It's pretty meaty, but it's well finished and fitted all the way around.
The Handle/Tsuka
Ito is dark blue over black lacquered same. I not 100% certain that the ito is silk, but it's definitely not cotton and it doesn't feel synthetic. If it is synthetic, it's damn good.
Tsuka core is pretty thick, and there's not much of a shape to it. There's no wood peeking out from behind the ito or the same panels, and the wrap was well executed.
The Guard/Tsuba
Nami design, made of alloy. No wiggle or lateral play, and design doesn't feature and sharp edges or unfinished spots that can annoy you during handling.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Nami design as well, and also made of alloy. No issues with these.
The Scabbard/Saya
Kuro ishimi style finish, with a Nami style alloy kojiri to match the fuchi/kashira. There is ZERO saya rattle, and fully seating the habaki into the koguchi gives you a nice tactile click. As noted before, there are a couple of cosmetic blemishes on the horn parts. Don't care for the brass shitodome, would've preferred copper or nothing at all. The sageo is the same material as the ito, to the best of my knowledge.
Handling Characteristics
The deep sori significantly changes how the sword feels. The sword feels very light in hand (lighter than any of the previous swords I've reviewed), but on a stroke it seems to "pull" a little more, requiring more effort to stop than the rest. It's pretty weird, but cool at the same time.
Conclusions
I now understand why Huawei's are held in such high regard. The attention to detail on the blade itself is outstanding, and I was pleasantly surprised that the fittings weren't complete throwaways. That said, it's a blade worthy of some custom work and higher quality fittings.
Pros
- fantastic blade quality
- excellent polish
- unique blade form
- excellent ito wrap
- solid fittings
Cons
- may take you 2 weeks to get, may take you 3 months
- not cutting sharp out of the box
The Bottom Line
At around $400, this Huawei offers similar, and in some aspects superior blade quality to top end production swords that will cost you an extra $600-$800 or more. The fit and finish was well beyond my expectations, and I can't wait to plunk down more money for a custom dotanuki-style blade in the near future.
This Huawei is my 4th katana, and I didn't think I would actually ever receive it. I ordered it via eBay in late Feb, and it was shipped in early Mar. After bouncing around China for a couple of weeks, it seemingly "fell off the boat". Jacky from Huawei refunded my money a couple of weeks ago, and was very apologetic about the matter. Then, a couple days ago, it just appeared. After checking it out, I sent Jacky his money back and was a happy camper.
Full Disclosure
This is a brand new sword, which I paid full price for via the Huawei ebay store. Similar swords are available for purchase here: www.ebay.com/itm/282659837178
Initial Impressions
Noticed a couple of small blemishes on the horn parts, but nothing dramatic. The rest of the piece blew me away... the blade quality is outstanding. Nice clean lines, well polished, and everything looks and feels symmetrical.
Statistics
Nagasa /blade length- 71cm
Motohaba- 3.2cm
Motokasane - 0.76cm
Sakihaba - 2.4cm
Sakikasane - 0.5cm
Nakago Length -26.5cm
Sori/curvature - tori sori 3.8cm
Chu kissaki -4.5cm
Tsuka Length - 27.5cm
Mekugi-ana- 2
The Blade/Nagasa
Blade is T10, differentially hardened monosteel. The blade was well greased prior to shipment, and shows no signs of oxidation. Obviously, it has a much deeper sori than typically seen on most blades. The edge doesn't feel that sharp to me, but there is a significant amount of niku.
The polish is excellent, very close to the quality of the Kaneie art polish. The hamon does not appear to have been enhanced in any way, and has a beautiful pattern. Yokote is geometric, and well defined.
Habaki fit is awesome. It's pretty meaty, but it's well finished and fitted all the way around.
The Handle/Tsuka
Ito is dark blue over black lacquered same. I not 100% certain that the ito is silk, but it's definitely not cotton and it doesn't feel synthetic. If it is synthetic, it's damn good.
Tsuka core is pretty thick, and there's not much of a shape to it. There's no wood peeking out from behind the ito or the same panels, and the wrap was well executed.
The Guard/Tsuba
Nami design, made of alloy. No wiggle or lateral play, and design doesn't feature and sharp edges or unfinished spots that can annoy you during handling.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Nami design as well, and also made of alloy. No issues with these.
The Scabbard/Saya
Kuro ishimi style finish, with a Nami style alloy kojiri to match the fuchi/kashira. There is ZERO saya rattle, and fully seating the habaki into the koguchi gives you a nice tactile click. As noted before, there are a couple of cosmetic blemishes on the horn parts. Don't care for the brass shitodome, would've preferred copper or nothing at all. The sageo is the same material as the ito, to the best of my knowledge.
Handling Characteristics
The deep sori significantly changes how the sword feels. The sword feels very light in hand (lighter than any of the previous swords I've reviewed), but on a stroke it seems to "pull" a little more, requiring more effort to stop than the rest. It's pretty weird, but cool at the same time.
Conclusions
I now understand why Huawei's are held in such high regard. The attention to detail on the blade itself is outstanding, and I was pleasantly surprised that the fittings weren't complete throwaways. That said, it's a blade worthy of some custom work and higher quality fittings.
Pros
- fantastic blade quality
- excellent polish
- unique blade form
- excellent ito wrap
- solid fittings
Cons
- may take you 2 weeks to get, may take you 3 months
- not cutting sharp out of the box
The Bottom Line
At around $400, this Huawei offers similar, and in some aspects superior blade quality to top end production swords that will cost you an extra $600-$800 or more. The fit and finish was well beyond my expectations, and I can't wait to plunk down more money for a custom dotanuki-style blade in the near future.