IntroductionMy review is for Ryujin's offering of this item through the SBG Store:
sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product821.htmlIt is priced at $149.99. I opted for the "Lotus" decoration theme, which is what is shown here.
Historical overview
The sword is a modern reproduction, with a 1060 DH monosteel bo-hi blade as well as steel fittings, of a typical Japanese shinogi-zukuri katana with buke-zukuri mounts, as widely produced for the samurai class during the Edo period.
Full Disclosure
This sword was provided at no cost to me, by SBG, for purposes of testing and review.
Initial Impressions
The sword arrived in a simple, single layer corrugated cardboard shipping box which seemed somewhat the worse for wear. The contrast with the Ryujin gunto I bought a while back was very noticeable.
Upon opening, the contrast was strongly reinforced, though the box was anything but. Rather than any sort of full encapsulation (such as the solid Styrofoam packaging common on Longquan swords ordered direct from China), the sword was loosely confined by Styrofoam spacers, which had shed white particles that clung to the black sword bag. Good thing I opened it outside.
On closer inspection, a tear in the sword bag could be seen, caused by friction between the tsuba, the bag, and the box.
The box contained the sword in its black, Ryujin-embroidered bag, as well as the usual Ryujin certificate folded into a gray envelope designed to simulate a Japanese certification envelope. Unlike the packing, the sword itself made an immediately positive impression. The cotton ito is tightly wrapped, and the thick steel kashira, fuchi, and tsuba, besides fitting snugly, gave an immediate sensation of solidity. Nothing was in the least bit loose. The lacquer on the saya was a flawless shiny black with no imperfections. Of course, the tsuba was on backwards with respect to where the kozuka hole goes on a katana mounting, but at least it was on nice and tight.
The sword certificate:
Despite what the certificate says, the edge is harder (at 60+ HRC), the blade length greater, and the weight less, than given.
Statistics (Measured)
Nagasa Length: 28 inches (71.12 cm)
Tsuka Length: 11.50 inches (29.21 cm)
Overall Length: 40.75 inches (103,50 cm)
Motohaba/Sakihaba: 1.25 / 0.90" (3.18/2.29 cm)
Motokasane/Sakikasane:0.32" / 0.19" (0.81/0.48 cm)
Moto-shinogi-gasane/Saki-shinogi-gasane: 0.32" / 0.19" (0.81/0.48 cm)
Sori: 0.751" (1.91 cm)
Tsuba Width: 2.98 by 3.14 inches (7.57 by 7.98 cm)
POB (Point of Balance): 5 inches from tsuba. (12.7 cm)
Weight: 2.2 pounds (1.0 kg)
Components
Nagasa
The blade I received has a very unusual hamon for a Longquan sword, being a wide suguha with some midare ripple on top, rather than the gunome midare named in the cert. It has a counter-polished, non geometric yokote, and a chu kissaki. The kissaki hamon is wide and easily seen.
The nakago has a stamped mei, along with "RYUJIN" and a serial number stamped on it. It was shipped with a generous coating of oil secured with easily pulled off plastic wrap. The removal of the blade wrap allowed the saya to rattle slightly when shaken. The hardness is proper, and the blade slices foam rubber (a good test for sharp, better than paper) perfectly right out of the box.
OTOH, the hamachi and munemachi don't line up, and both are crudely done with a grinder.
Tsuka, Tsuba, and Associated Parts
I did not remove the tsuka from the blade until test cutting was complete, and nothing loosened during testing. Getting the tsuka, tsuba, and nakago apart was difficult, requiring much tedious mallet work. One complication was that the mekugi holes had been drilled through the tsuka and nakago at an angle to each other, which may be a means to increase wedging, rather than an error.
The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are all well made of thick stainless (may be drop forged or hot stamped, they ring when struck) with a durable black surface treatment. The tsuba is extremely well done, simulating an original, and is very strong, the best I've seen come on a Longquan sword.
SayaThe saya is a standard shiny black Longquan wood saya with no frills other than the brass washers for the sageo (yes, I know what they are called, but the "semprini" filter doesn't like the word
). There were no defects when received. The koiguchi is snug on the habaki, but the blade will rattle a bit when shaken.
Handling Characteristics
The sword feels well balanced and lively. Cutting targets with it is easy, for those with some practice and experience. The tsuka has the menuki under the fingers, Edo peacetime style, instead of in the palms, but is otherwise acceptable.
Test Cutting
Immediately upon removal of the protective plastic wrap on the blade, I tested its sharpness by cleanly slicing through a 3 inch (7.62 cm) cube of foam rubber. This test was repeated at the end of the test series illustrated below. The blade was still razor sharp.
Testing consisted of kesagiri against freshly harvested 3 inch (7.62 cm), 2 inch (5.08 cm), and 1 inch (2,54 cm) bamboo, in that order, followed by both kesagiri and one-handed horizontal backslashes against water-filled plastic bottles. Prior to serious testing, the sword was used to cut off the numerous side branches on the upper sections of the bamboo targets.
Severing the 3 inch bamboo required at least two cuts per section. During this process, the monouchi of the blade took a slight sinuous bend. The bend was easily removed by compression in a carpenter's vise, but not until the completion of testing.
The smaller diameters of bamboo were easily severed by single cuts.
One gallon bottle with decorative sheath
Same bottle after low angle kesagiri. Note that bottle is still sitting on bucket.
Same bottle after horizontal return slash. Still sitting on bucket.
Bleach bottle target.
Bleach bottle after kesagiri through handle and body. Note damage to bucket, and that bottle has barely moved.
The other half of the bleach bottle. Note the cleanness of the cut. This was the last cut of the test series.
The significance of the low target movement is that it indicates that the blade was sharp and with minimal drag throughout the testing.
Conclusions
Despite some minor cosmetic issues, a good cutting sword overall.
Pros
The steel fittings are beautifully done. The hamon is not only astounding for a monosteel, but is also uniformly wide without being dangerously so. The heat treatment seems to have been very properly done, and I wouldn't have known this was 1060 unless the ad and the cert said so. The ito is tightly wrapped, and tsuka and fittings are tight and free of movement when received. The fuchi was filed to fit the the nakago, as were the seppa. The tsuba piercings are designed to fit the fuchi and seppa without undershoot or overhang.
Slightly deeper sori than most Longquan katana, which improves slicing.
Cuts well and accurately. Has a very noticeable tachikaze. Stayed tight and sharp during testing.
This style of hamon is very unusual at this low price point.
Cons
Inadequately packed. Sword bag tore at some point during shipping.
Machi not ground to same length. Habaki not relieved with slit for edge. Those two not uncommon deficiencies are related.
Nakago crudely and deeply ground at munemachi at a slight inward angle.
The Bottom Line
To summarize, the sword overall is a superior cutter for the money, with attractive fittings and a solid presentation. It's fun to cut with, and I like it.