Sinosword/Jkoo (sinosword.com) custom order
Sept 21, 2019 23:51:41 GMT
Post by adamjabz on Sept 21, 2019 23:51:41 GMT
hello everyone,
this is more of a story about my order with www.sinosword.com aka Jkoo.
I have not received the shipment yet received and I would like to tell the story of my experience with them as it unfolds until i receive the order and can show everything. date of first order was on May 12, and we confirmed everything on june 3rd i believe, and now its september 22nd. it will probably be sometime in october before i receive the shipment so that's almost 5 months lets hope its worth it.
so the order is of three blades and they have been shipped yesterday and theoretically should be with me for a full review and unboxing video in 2/3 weeks maybe longer if the german customs want it so X(
so through the whole experience my only form of communication with sinosword have been via Email exclusively with Mr. Kane. he has been very patient with me however he takes a long time to reply sometimes and that can be partially to my constant emailing and being a nonsense to them LOL.
the sizes and dimensions i went with I didn't just come up with them, I actually made 3d designs in autocad of them and virtually tested balance and made bokens as close to their unofficial weights to test out and those are the three styles that i found suited me the best. I am not an expert with katanas HOWEVER I am a kendoka and even tho kendo is modeled off of the samurai and real swords our shinais (bamboo fighting swords) are not to the average katana dimensions. and so I decided to go around it from a different approach and model my swords to what I actually am used to fighting and competing with. after all my true commitment is to Kendo and not the swords themselves, meaning I want to practice cut and do katas with katanas that represent what i actually hold and fight with in competition for most of my time which is a shinai. I think i would feel more comfortable and a person can always get used to a wight a lot faster and easier than getting used to a distance and range. those are my own thoughts anyway and will see if that actually be fruitful.
here is what have been ordered and I was very specific VERY SPECIFIC:
3 Katanas
Katana #1 aka (Red): shobu zukuri, folded steel, sanmai construction, chu-kissaki, without Bohi
blade length 30", Tsuka length 12" (haichi style tsuka), motohaba 3.5cm, motokasane 9mm, sakihaba 2.4cm, sakasane 5mm. sori 2 cm (chusori)
comments about the blade: If you think its heavy and big scroll down to #2 and #3 XD .
so this was my first blade and it was supposed to be maru blade but i changed my mind after they have already made the blade before polishing and sharpening (FYI I changed my mind like 100 times on these guys i am surprised they didn't just refuse to serve me and banned me). well to my surprise they made a new one for me without extra cost for the blade they already made, I understand that they probably sold it regardless and it did not really go to waste but keep in mind it's not the average 3.2 motohaba and 2.2 sakihaba and on top of it all its a 30" blade and 9mm thickness so selling it will be tough.
the pictures have been sent to me from sinosword workshop as they progressed in the making of them.
here is first look at RED from the workshop:
she's beautiful but I have concerns about the tip it's a little thin i think.
now onto blade #2 aka Thicc
Katana #2 aka (Thicc): shobu zukuri, folded steel, kobuse construction, chu-kissaki, double Bohi
starts after 7cm from the habaki to lower the balance to 4 cm from habaki which is ideal.
blade length 29", Tsuka length 11" (haichi style tsuka), motohaba 3.8cm, motokasane 8mm, sakihaba 3cm, sakasane 5mm.
Sori 2cm (chusori). the dimensions were based on famous tameshigiri katanas dimensions minus the length that was just me because i am a bit tall.
comments about the blade: this one was cursed from the get go, just nothing was going well with it. first the tsuka was not like i requested, the koshire had a big hole in it that was obvious so they fit shitadome in it to cover it which at first looked ridiculous but I went with it anyway because at that point i got sick of constantly waiting and changing. after all that the saya came out hilarious and so stupid, I asked for a natural color rattan top and they made such a small section that the sageo covered it completely and not only that but also it was not natural color it was painted brown and a bad shade of brown at that. and to add insult to injury i asked for a brown horn kogire and what did they make? black ofcourse, so at that point i was ready to pull the plug and just ask them to start from scratch. WHICH i ofcourse did . and so they did the saya was made from scratch and i kept the tsuka the way it was because i know it could be worst if they tried another fittings on it. anyway here are the pictures of it
and now for the last one #3 aka (tsuki)
Katana #3 aka (Tsuki): shinogi zukuri, folded steel, sanmai construction, ko-kissaki, single Bohi
starts after 25 cm from the habaki to 2/3 of the blade just for aesthetic reason I have not actually checked if it has a major effect on the balance, will find out when it arrives
blade length 29", Tsuka length 11" (rikko style tsuka), motohaba 3.7cm, motokasane 8mm, sakihaba 2.7cm, sakikasane 6mm.
Sori 1.9cm (koshi sori).
a similar story to Thicc just not what I asked for BUT somehow it turned out good so i kept it the way it is. the saya was supposed to be red with black marking like they advertise with pics on their website however it came out inverted black with slight hardly seen red markings BUT it actually all together might be better looking this way i find. and ofcourse they put black horn even tho i specified brown three times at that point , i said it three times after he missed up the second blade to make sure its brown horn on this one but of course they did not. but because this saya took such a long time to make i went with it anyway. enough @#$$@# and lets see Tsuki:
AND that's it for now fellas, I will update this post with a video of unboxing and better quality photos i will take my self once they arrive and I hope they arrive in great shape. I will keep you all updated.
just a recap on my experience so far: sinosword, they are good and from what i gathered from youtubers and other reviewers they are honest and there hasn't yet been a case of misleading or devious play in what they offer so i have no reason to believe the katanas are not what i paid for structure wise, however i will be using them heavily so i will find out if there is any. their customer service is as legendary as I heard and read, I mean I was as difficult as I can possibly be, changed my mind several times and made them redo things that were already done sometimes for their mistakes yes but also i did it sometimes because i simply didn't like how it turned out. so do I recommend them so far, just based on the customer service I say yes.
so...
they arrived
link just incase:
AND the unboxing video, it's a long video guys I wanted it to be real without editing or any changes just to go through it all with you, and yes i cut myself, first two katanas were so solid in the saya and the third one has no catch or traction whatsoever in the saya and i cut myself. the video goes through it all but in a nutshell, the bladesmith's work and the steel are top notch, the fittings are OK for the most part, the saya fit was great on the first two swords and AWEFUL and none existent in the third, the sayas have minor and small dents and scratches here and there not noticeable unless you looked really close for them. transitions are ok but could've been better. if you read the comments in the youtube unboxing video you will understand what the conclusion is regarding the woodwork on the tsukas and sayas, basically I think what another youtuber noticed is correct and that the sayas are premade and might have been just slapped on these blades. to sinoswords defense they had a flooding in the summer and they notified me that they had to fix their workshop before doing the sayas, but i think what happened was is they subcontracted someone else that does production sayas and tsukas and they just fit the sayas that were already made on, that's just a possibility. the fittings were great on one sword and it blew me away however the third sword i reviewed in the video (RED) had damages on the horn and fuchekashira, the first blade i reviewed in the video (thicc) had minor rust on the tsuba and the menuki is sub bar and the details on it are ridiculous, specially when compared with the first sword reviewed (tsuki) the menuki on it is almost as if it is genuine japanese menuki, but that seems to be an acauring story here with jkoo things are from extreme to another either beyond perfect or bad, so maybe these things need to be more addressed with them beforehand.
all in all, I am happy and I think they were worth the money, I didn't pay much so for the issues to be woodwork and aesthetics and not steel and smithing I feel blessed. thank you guys and I hope this review helps whoever is looking into buying a katana from sinosword.
Hello Again guys,
Due to financial reasons in these hard times I am selling my swords the ad will be in the classified section, I am not sure how long shipping will be possible but it is for now. the price is 1200 euro for the 3 swords including shipping. the swords are in the same condition as I have not cut with them. they are well maintained and oiled regularly every 2 weeks. I used a katana kit for cleaning. I did some minor fixes on one saya to fit snug. there is minor marks from saya rub on 2 blades but its small and expected, it is easily fixed with polishing however i didn't have the time to polish all 3. I have not fixed the rattle in the saya issue because i barely removed them from their stand. If you have an offer to make please do it soon because I dont know how long shipping will be possible. if there is one that you are interested in please pm me for an offer. if you live in Germany or live in Berlin and you want to pick it up then the price will be lowered. the swords will come with the bags and boxes they came in as well as the stand and care kit plus some steel oil and polish materials.
It hurts me to sell them and part with them specially after all the time and effort that was put into this project, however I am in financial crises and will have to let go of a few things I own.
this is more of a story about my order with www.sinosword.com aka Jkoo.
so the order is of three blades and they have been shipped yesterday and theoretically should be with me for a full review and unboxing video in 2/3 weeks maybe longer if the german customs want it so X(
so through the whole experience my only form of communication with sinosword have been via Email exclusively with Mr. Kane. he has been very patient with me however he takes a long time to reply sometimes and that can be partially to my constant emailing and being a nonsense to them LOL.
the sizes and dimensions i went with I didn't just come up with them, I actually made 3d designs in autocad of them and virtually tested balance and made bokens as close to their unofficial weights to test out and those are the three styles that i found suited me the best. I am not an expert with katanas HOWEVER I am a kendoka and even tho kendo is modeled off of the samurai and real swords our shinais (bamboo fighting swords) are not to the average katana dimensions. and so I decided to go around it from a different approach and model my swords to what I actually am used to fighting and competing with. after all my true commitment is to Kendo and not the swords themselves, meaning I want to practice cut and do katas with katanas that represent what i actually hold and fight with in competition for most of my time which is a shinai. I think i would feel more comfortable and a person can always get used to a wight a lot faster and easier than getting used to a distance and range. those are my own thoughts anyway and will see if that actually be fruitful.
here is what have been ordered and I was very specific VERY SPECIFIC:
3 Katanas
Katana #1 aka (Red): shobu zukuri, folded steel, sanmai construction, chu-kissaki, without Bohi
blade length 30", Tsuka length 12" (haichi style tsuka), motohaba 3.5cm, motokasane 9mm, sakihaba 2.4cm, sakasane 5mm. sori 2 cm (chusori)
comments about the blade: If you think its heavy and big scroll down to #2 and #3 XD .
so this was my first blade and it was supposed to be maru blade but i changed my mind after they have already made the blade before polishing and sharpening (FYI I changed my mind like 100 times on these guys i am surprised they didn't just refuse to serve me and banned me). well to my surprise they made a new one for me without extra cost for the blade they already made, I understand that they probably sold it regardless and it did not really go to waste but keep in mind it's not the average 3.2 motohaba and 2.2 sakihaba and on top of it all its a 30" blade and 9mm thickness so selling it will be tough.
the pictures have been sent to me from sinosword workshop as they progressed in the making of them.
here is first look at RED from the workshop:
she's beautiful but I have concerns about the tip it's a little thin i think.
now onto blade #2 aka Thicc
Katana #2 aka (Thicc): shobu zukuri, folded steel, kobuse construction, chu-kissaki, double Bohi
starts after 7cm from the habaki to lower the balance to 4 cm from habaki which is ideal.
blade length 29", Tsuka length 11" (haichi style tsuka), motohaba 3.8cm, motokasane 8mm, sakihaba 3cm, sakasane 5mm.
Sori 2cm (chusori). the dimensions were based on famous tameshigiri katanas dimensions minus the length that was just me because i am a bit tall.
comments about the blade: this one was cursed from the get go, just nothing was going well with it. first the tsuka was not like i requested, the koshire had a big hole in it that was obvious so they fit shitadome in it to cover it which at first looked ridiculous but I went with it anyway because at that point i got sick of constantly waiting and changing. after all that the saya came out hilarious and so stupid, I asked for a natural color rattan top and they made such a small section that the sageo covered it completely and not only that but also it was not natural color it was painted brown and a bad shade of brown at that. and to add insult to injury i asked for a brown horn kogire and what did they make? black ofcourse, so at that point i was ready to pull the plug and just ask them to start from scratch. WHICH i ofcourse did . and so they did the saya was made from scratch and i kept the tsuka the way it was because i know it could be worst if they tried another fittings on it. anyway here are the pictures of it
and now for the last one #3 aka (tsuki)
Katana #3 aka (Tsuki): shinogi zukuri, folded steel, sanmai construction, ko-kissaki, single Bohi
starts after 25 cm from the habaki to 2/3 of the blade just for aesthetic reason I have not actually checked if it has a major effect on the balance, will find out when it arrives
blade length 29", Tsuka length 11" (rikko style tsuka), motohaba 3.7cm, motokasane 8mm, sakihaba 2.7cm, sakikasane 6mm.
Sori 1.9cm (koshi sori).
a similar story to Thicc just not what I asked for BUT somehow it turned out good so i kept it the way it is. the saya was supposed to be red with black marking like they advertise with pics on their website however it came out inverted black with slight hardly seen red markings BUT it actually all together might be better looking this way i find. and ofcourse they put black horn even tho i specified brown three times at that point , i said it three times after he missed up the second blade to make sure its brown horn on this one but of course they did not. but because this saya took such a long time to make i went with it anyway. enough @#$$@# and lets see Tsuki:
AND that's it for now fellas, I will update this post with a video of unboxing and better quality photos i will take my self once they arrive and I hope they arrive in great shape. I will keep you all updated.
just a recap on my experience so far: sinosword, they are good and from what i gathered from youtubers and other reviewers they are honest and there hasn't yet been a case of misleading or devious play in what they offer so i have no reason to believe the katanas are not what i paid for structure wise, however i will be using them heavily so i will find out if there is any. their customer service is as legendary as I heard and read, I mean I was as difficult as I can possibly be, changed my mind several times and made them redo things that were already done sometimes for their mistakes yes but also i did it sometimes because i simply didn't like how it turned out. so do I recommend them so far, just based on the customer service I say yes.
so...
they arrived
link just incase:
AND the unboxing video, it's a long video guys I wanted it to be real without editing or any changes just to go through it all with you, and yes i cut myself, first two katanas were so solid in the saya and the third one has no catch or traction whatsoever in the saya and i cut myself. the video goes through it all but in a nutshell, the bladesmith's work and the steel are top notch, the fittings are OK for the most part, the saya fit was great on the first two swords and AWEFUL and none existent in the third, the sayas have minor and small dents and scratches here and there not noticeable unless you looked really close for them. transitions are ok but could've been better. if you read the comments in the youtube unboxing video you will understand what the conclusion is regarding the woodwork on the tsukas and sayas, basically I think what another youtuber noticed is correct and that the sayas are premade and might have been just slapped on these blades. to sinoswords defense they had a flooding in the summer and they notified me that they had to fix their workshop before doing the sayas, but i think what happened was is they subcontracted someone else that does production sayas and tsukas and they just fit the sayas that were already made on, that's just a possibility. the fittings were great on one sword and it blew me away however the third sword i reviewed in the video (RED) had damages on the horn and fuchekashira, the first blade i reviewed in the video (thicc) had minor rust on the tsuba and the menuki is sub bar and the details on it are ridiculous, specially when compared with the first sword reviewed (tsuki) the menuki on it is almost as if it is genuine japanese menuki, but that seems to be an acauring story here with jkoo things are from extreme to another either beyond perfect or bad, so maybe these things need to be more addressed with them beforehand.
all in all, I am happy and I think they were worth the money, I didn't pay much so for the issues to be woodwork and aesthetics and not steel and smithing I feel blessed. thank you guys and I hope this review helps whoever is looking into buying a katana from sinosword.
Hello Again guys,
Due to financial reasons in these hard times I am selling my swords the ad will be in the classified section, I am not sure how long shipping will be possible but it is for now. the price is 1200 euro for the 3 swords including shipping. the swords are in the same condition as I have not cut with them. they are well maintained and oiled regularly every 2 weeks. I used a katana kit for cleaning. I did some minor fixes on one saya to fit snug. there is minor marks from saya rub on 2 blades but its small and expected, it is easily fixed with polishing however i didn't have the time to polish all 3. I have not fixed the rattle in the saya issue because i barely removed them from their stand. If you have an offer to make please do it soon because I dont know how long shipping will be possible. if there is one that you are interested in please pm me for an offer. if you live in Germany or live in Berlin and you want to pick it up then the price will be lowered. the swords will come with the bags and boxes they came in as well as the stand and care kit plus some steel oil and polish materials.
It hurts me to sell them and part with them specially after all the time and effort that was put into this project, however I am in financial crises and will have to let go of a few things I own.