Ryan Sword Nodachi Test Cutting & Review
Feb 27, 2022 17:15:27 GMT
Post by Kane Shen on Feb 27, 2022 17:15:27 GMT
I did some extensive cutting with a Ryan Sword Nodachi (with a later period katana style mounting). It features a 36.25" blade (35" nagasa), and an overall 53" length. Coming in at 1463 grams (3 lbs 4 oz), its weight is on par with an average medieval European longsword, but has a somewhat forward-heavy feel, with a point of balance at 6.25" from the tsuba, due to its profile and distal taper having a similar degree to a regular katana that typical has a 27"-29" blade.
motokasane (thickness above the habaki): 7.5mm
thickness at midpoint: 6mm
sakikasane (thickness at the yokote): 4.8mm
motohaba(width near habaki) : 31.5mm
width at midpoint: 26.5mm
sakihaba (width at the yokote): 21.5mm
Having a longer blade increases its tip speed dramatically compared to a shorter katana, and it performs incredibly well in cutting. The 1095 steel blade is completely rigid from the differentially hardening process, and both the cutting and thrusting capabilities benefit greatly from the stiffness of the blade. The blade features only a slight amount of niku, but the edge is quite durable, cutting through the thick plastic necks and caps of bottles without any chipping or deformation. The blade features a straight suguha style hamon, and a half length fuller. The tameghigiri polish is done well with minimal rippling on the blade surfaces, and the shinogi lines are well defined.
The sword features bamboo green ito wrapping and it's quite tight. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira have a matching domoe theme, while having a tachi style habaki. The transitions are rather well done, especially considering the blade is on sale for $158, having a regular price of only $210, if purchased directly from Ryan Sword. If purchased from Swords of Northshire, the completely identical sword (even with the same marketing photos) would cost 2.5-3 times as much. For the price, I was quite impressed. After cutting up 40 or so targets, it still remains the same condition it arrived in.
Other than the test cutting and a close-up look at the fit and finish, I also looked at the history of nodachi and odachi, mainly as cavalry swords in the Nanboku-cho period of Japan, but also discussing its viability in foot combat. I compared it to a stereotypical katana of shorter length, a Chinese two-handed miao dao (sprout sabre), and a medieval European longsword (Albion Ringeck), and had some interesting findings regarding to their handling traits.
motokasane (thickness above the habaki): 7.5mm
thickness at midpoint: 6mm
sakikasane (thickness at the yokote): 4.8mm
motohaba(width near habaki) : 31.5mm
width at midpoint: 26.5mm
sakihaba (width at the yokote): 21.5mm
Having a longer blade increases its tip speed dramatically compared to a shorter katana, and it performs incredibly well in cutting. The 1095 steel blade is completely rigid from the differentially hardening process, and both the cutting and thrusting capabilities benefit greatly from the stiffness of the blade. The blade features only a slight amount of niku, but the edge is quite durable, cutting through the thick plastic necks and caps of bottles without any chipping or deformation. The blade features a straight suguha style hamon, and a half length fuller. The tameghigiri polish is done well with minimal rippling on the blade surfaces, and the shinogi lines are well defined.
The sword features bamboo green ito wrapping and it's quite tight. The tsuba, fuchi and kashira have a matching domoe theme, while having a tachi style habaki. The transitions are rather well done, especially considering the blade is on sale for $158, having a regular price of only $210, if purchased directly from Ryan Sword. If purchased from Swords of Northshire, the completely identical sword (even with the same marketing photos) would cost 2.5-3 times as much. For the price, I was quite impressed. After cutting up 40 or so targets, it still remains the same condition it arrived in.
Other than the test cutting and a close-up look at the fit and finish, I also looked at the history of nodachi and odachi, mainly as cavalry swords in the Nanboku-cho period of Japan, but also discussing its viability in foot combat. I compared it to a stereotypical katana of shorter length, a Chinese two-handed miao dao (sprout sabre), and a medieval European longsword (Albion Ringeck), and had some interesting findings regarding to their handling traits.