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Post by Cottontail Customs on Sept 20, 2022 12:09:18 GMT
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Post by alientude on Sept 20, 2022 14:53:17 GMT
Thank you for this amazing write-up! Very detailed, very informative, even if I did have to constantly cross-reference some of the katana terminology.  |
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Post by soulfromheart on Sept 20, 2022 16:14:01 GMT
Awesome long awaited review ! How would you compare it to Huawei (wait time nonewithstanding) ? |
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Sept 20, 2022 16:38:12 GMT
Thank you for this amazing write-up! Very detailed, very informative, even if I did have to constantly cross-reference some of the katana terminology. Thanks for the feedback, Kyle. I went and added in more descriptions, definitions and links  |
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Sept 20, 2022 16:47:05 GMT
Awesome long awaited review ! How would you compare it to Huawei (wait time nonewithstanding) ? Thank you. I feel that this particular model was constructed very similarly to a Huawei t10 dh model katana. both have above average (or possibly becoming the new average?) craftsmanship, quality materials and blade geometry. both also have well created and defined hamon. the standard simple brass "fern" fittings on the basic Huawei katana are much more generic quality than those on the Tuoyuan, which are nearly the quality of Yamato, based on this example. while the Z-Sey obviously has a more aesthetically appealing polish, I can typically see more fine detail in Huawei's simple acid etch enhanced hamon. overall, I would give the Z-Sey a few more points for it's refined look over Huawei's somewhat utilitarian aesthetic. In my opinion, both brands offer impressive production and custom katana for their respective price points. |
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zabazagobo
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Suspended until 4/23/2023
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Post by zabazagobo on Sept 21, 2022 1:42:59 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to write, photograph and share this excellent review. I really do appreciate your "under the hood" photos of the core as that can be where the monsters under the bed often lurk. This one looks through and through pretty nice, seems like it might fit the niche that Kaneie use to cater to. Still holding out on a good tachi or handachi design from them before I take the plunge.
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Post by xingfan1227 on Sept 21, 2022 6:09:37 GMT
For those who don't know, Z-sey (known as Zhang Shi in China) is known to be one of the best makers in China, especially in this price range, almost as a standard where others are compared to.
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Yagoro
Member
Ikkyu in Kendo and Kenjutsu Practitioner
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Yagoro on Sept 21, 2022 6:10:23 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to write, photograph and share this excellent review. I really do appreciate your "under the hood" photos of the core as that can be where the monsters under the bed often lurk. This one looks through and through pretty nice, seems like it might fit the niche that Kaneie use to cater to. Still holding out on a good tachi or handachi design from them before I take the plunge. Still cautious of them as no destructive tests of their blades have been done yet. I know Matthew Jensen stated his test will not be destructive in nature, so no idea who would fill that niche. The polish does look fantastic, but the fittings are rather lacking. |
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Post by soulfromheart on Sept 21, 2022 9:55:49 GMT
For those who don't know, Z-sey (known as Zhang Shi in China) is known to be one of the best makers in China, especially in this price range, almost as a standard where others are compared to. And now I'm totally curious about the other best makers in China at this price range (not only for katanas either)... š |
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Sept 21, 2022 14:03:20 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to write, photograph and share this excellent review. I really do appreciate your "under the hood" photos of the core as that can be where the monsters under the bed often lurk. This one looks through and through pretty nice, seems like it might fit the niche that Kaneie use to cater to. Still holding out on a good tachi or handachi design from them before I take the plunge. Still cautious of them as no destructive tests of their blades have been done yet. I know Matthew Jensen stated his test will not be destructive in nature, so no idea who would fill that niche. The polish does look fantastic, but the fittings are rather lacking. Youāre right, I guess until someone does do a destructive test, just try to avoid repeatedly whacking iron posts with your Z-Sey;) |
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Sept 21, 2022 14:06:05 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to write, photograph and share this excellent review. I really do appreciate your "under the hood" photos of the core as that can be where the monsters under the bed often lurk. This one looks through and through pretty nice, seems like it might fit the niche that Kaneie use to cater to. Still holding out on a good tachi or handachi design from them before I take the plunge. A handachi would be very nice Iām sure. Yes, thereās been a big gap since Kaneie/Kurin dissolved, I hope this grows and creates a new standard |
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zabazagobo
Member
Suspended until 4/23/2023
Posts: 2,279
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Post by zabazagobo on Sept 21, 2022 21:48:52 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to write, photograph and share this excellent review. I really do appreciate your "under the hood" photos of the core as that can be where the monsters under the bed often lurk. This one looks through and through pretty nice, seems like it might fit the niche that Kaneie use to cater to. Still holding out on a good tachi or handachi design from them before I take the plunge. A handachi would be very nice Iām sure. Yes, thereās been a big gap since Kaneie/Kurin dissolved, I hope this grows and creates a new standard I concur. I'm hopeful that with more reviews like yours they can fine tune their products even more. Blades already look spot on and the tsuka shaping seems solid, now if they could fine tune the koshirae and saya finish I'd be willing to give them a whirl. They had some sort of handachi fitted sword listed on their website previously but the koshirae was pretty out there, pretty much just solid brass it looked like with no detailing at all. I just think there's a shortage in the market for quality handachi fittings in general and it's a huge missed opportunity. |
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zabazagobo
Member
Suspended until 4/23/2023
Posts: 2,279
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Post by zabazagobo on Sept 21, 2022 21:52:35 GMT
Thanks for taking the time to write, photograph and share this excellent review. I really do appreciate your "under the hood" photos of the core as that can be where the monsters under the bed often lurk. This one looks through and through pretty nice, seems like it might fit the niche that Kaneie use to cater to. Still holding out on a good tachi or handachi design from them before I take the plunge. Still cautious of them as no destructive tests of their blades have been done yet. I know Matthew Jensen stated his test will not be destructive in nature, so no idea who would fill that niche. The polish does look fantastic, but the fittings are rather lacking. I'm in the same boat. Blades are very nice and the tsuka shape seems good, but the koshirae would benefit from a bit more attention. I'm looking forward to seeing more substantive testing come out which shows how well they resist deformation. I know on the one hand from a 'collector' perspective it'd be a shame to muck up the polish, but on the other hand from a 'practitioner' perspective it'd be a shame not to see what it can do. |
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Post by jeff190 on Sept 23, 2022 4:55:31 GMT
Very impressive. Z-Sey (ē« ę°ļ¼is an quite old brand in China
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Post by ggolden219 on Sept 23, 2022 22:11:15 GMT
       I placed an order with Z-Sey earlier this year and had a custom design built off of this same blade model - Tuoyuan Katana. The order took about 6 months to arrive at my door (arrived two days after Cottontail received his sword), but was well worth the wait. Z-Sey was upgrading their products, materials, and processes, so I was willing to wait for the best quality they could offer on this order. After reading Cottontail's review a few times, I decided to compare his findings to my own recent purchase (mainly the cons listed because the pros are all the same: - The pictures of the blade are much prettier in the above review, but my blade was free of any scratches (which almost never happens).
- Personally, I really like the polish. It may "partially obscure some details," but the overall appearance is stunning.
- The alignment between the saya koiguchi is done much better and the saya itself is not as wide.
- The ito is not frayed and in great condition.
- The fittings have no sharp edges and the quality of the gold-plating/painting is well done.
- The tsuba looks like it would have some sharp points, but I think it is powder-coated steel and feels very smooth on the hand.
- I don't know how thick the paint is on the saya, but I smacked it on a hard edge and it made a tiny impression vs chipping the paint.
- I also had issues with initial saya fitment, but once it acclimated to the change in weather there were no longer issues.
- My sword did not come with a sword bag either, but I was told that sword bags will be the new norm moving forward.
I think many issues presented within the review had been improved before Cottontail's review was posted. After talking with Z-Sey's representative, it seem like they are continuing to improve their quality and if you've been watching them, that quality is reflected in the increased prices.
As far as toughness, I don't doubt it's capability to perform well at cutting mats. If you're looking to smack trees, this isn't for you because at the end of the day, it is still a differently hardened blade, so don't expect the toughness to compete with a through hardened blade; Z-sey offers other stuff for that.
Mr. Cottontail was very thorough with his review and I really appreciate him checking under the hood of the tsuka. Sometimes a great sword can hide all kinds of nightmares under the tsuka and I'm glad to see there isn't anything to worry about. Plus, mine feels solid and I try not to take swords apart unless it is absolutely necessary.
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Yagoro
Member
Ikkyu in Kendo and Kenjutsu Practitioner
Posts: 1,423
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Post by Yagoro on Sept 23, 2022 23:08:43 GMT
I placed an order with Z-Sey earlier this year and had a custom design built off of this same blade model - Tuoyuan Katana. The order took about 6 months to arrive at my door (arrived two days after Cottontail received his sword), but was well worth the wait. Z-Sey was upgrading their products, materials, and processes, so I was willing to wait for the best quality they could offer on this order. After reading Cottontail's review a few times, I decided to compare his findings to my own recent purchase (mainly the cons listed because the pros are all the same: - The pictures of the blade are much prettier in the above review, but my blade was free of any scratches (which almost never happens).
- Personally, I really like the polish. It may "partially obscure some details," but the overall appearance is stunning.
- The alignment between the saya koiguchi is done much better and the saya itself is not as wide.
- The ito is not frayed and in great condition.
- The fittings have no sharp edges and the quality of the gold-plating/painting is well done.
- The tsuba looks like it would have some sharp points, but I think it is powder-coated steel and feels very smooth on the hand.
- I don't know how thick the paint is on the saya, but I smacked it on a hard edge and it made a tiny impression vs chipping the paint.
- I also had issues with initial saya fitment, but once it acclimated to the change in weather there were no longer issues.
- My sword did not come with a sword bag either, but I was told that sword bags will be the new norm moving forward.
I think many issues presented within the review had been improved before Cottontail's review was posted. After talking with Z-Sey's representative, it seem like they are continuing to improve their quality and if you've been watching them, that quality is reflected in the increased prices.
As far as toughness, I don't doubt it's capability to perform well at cutting mats. If you're looking to smack trees, this isn't for you because at the end of the day, it is still a differently hardened blade, so don't expect the toughness to compete with a through hardened blade; Z-sey offers other stuff for that.
Mr. Cottontail was very thorough with his review and I really appreciate him checking under the hood of the tsuka. Sometimes a great sword can hide all kinds of nightmares under the tsuka and I'm glad to see there isn't anything to worry about. Plus, mine feels solid and I try not to take swords apart unless it is absolutely necessary.
Thanks! |
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Post by captainharlock on Dec 16, 2022 18:46:59 GMT
Fantastic review as always. You produce the best sword reviews out there. Excellent detail, well organized, and easy to follow. I am liking what I am seeing from these new production companies such as Z-sey and Huawei. I am old enough to remember when Hanwei was really your only viable choice for a quality production made katana. Things have come a long ways. |
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Post by Roscoe57 on Feb 4, 2023 13:27:54 GMT
Z-Sey told me the following: the blade if tuoyuan is clay tempered. All of the clay tempered blades would bend because of a bad cut.
This I understand, though of all my years of cutting I have yet to bend a blade that was clay tempered. On the Matthew Jenson video when he was using the Tuoyuan he noted it did bend on a bad cut. And others have said the blade is a bit on the fragile side.
I am not real sure why Z-Sey is using Crucible Steel and not something stronger?
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George
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Banned
Posts: 1,899
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Post by George on Feb 4, 2023 14:58:40 GMT
Z-Sey told me the following: the blade if tuoyuan is clay tempered. All of the clay tempered blades would bend because of a bad cut. This I understand, though of all my years of cutting I have yet to bend a blade that was clay tempered. On the Matthew Jenson video when he was using the Tuoyuan he noted it did bend on a bad cut. And others have said the blade is a bit on the fragile side. I am not real sure why Z-Sey is using Crucible Steel and not something stronger? I think crucible steel gives them amazing hada when polished nicely. They seem to be more like tamahagane made blades and not our modern 1095/9260 options that don't have much excitement with the steel. Just my though. They also do make swords with steel for dedicated cutting? Just not this model lol
The clay tempered point is not wrong.
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Post by john2000 on Feb 8, 2023 18:49:35 GMT
its t10 steel,ones i got was t10/t8 you should really ask what it is before handing over money. i also have one that is 1095 |
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