Dragonsword Naginata Naoshi review
Dec 20, 2022 3:36:44 GMT
Post by Yagoro on Dec 20, 2022 3:36:44 GMT
swordcn.com/product/9260-steel-wakizashi
I purchased this sword on December 6th with black samegawa. I could have customized the fittings, but chose not to. Also opted for Hishigami pro, which added 60 dollars to the price, totaling to around 250 dollars.
Initial Impressions
My first thoughts upon unboxing this sword was "wow". I legit could not believe that this was only 250 dollars.
Blade
The blade of this waki is the main selling point: through hardened 16 inch blade in a naginata naoshi style, with a nice and symmetrical iori mune. The lines of the blade are very crisp, especially for this price. The blade is very symmetrical, and I like how they mirror polished the shinogi and satin polished the ha. While the blade does not have any niku, thats not something i was expecting at this price, and i cant say im disappointed on that aspect.
Saya
The saya of this sword is the only thing i can really point to as being an issue: no horn kurikata, koiguchi, or kojiri. Now since this is a wakizashi, I wouldnt say its a must have, but it is still nice to have, and probably wouldnt cost much to include as an option. However, again considering the price point, horn on the saya isnt a must have or to be expected. The lacquer on the saya while thin is in a nice ishime finish. The kojiri has some flaws, with a large gloop of lacquer being present in the middle. Other than that, it is quite good. No saya rattle is present, and the habaki to koiguchi fit is great.
Tsuka
Probably the part that surprised me the most is the tsuka. The tsuka on this sword is better executed than 2000 dollar hanwei offerings, and no I am not kidding. Properly transitioning ito, real silk tsuka ito, omote and ura knots on the proper side, real paper hishigami, inlaid samegawa, the whole nine yards. The transitions are great, the ito is super tight and does not move under pressure, no ledges, nothing. Honestly I am shocked how well it is pulled off, and have assumptions that it is due to the hishigami pro option being added.
Fittings
Another downside of this sword is that the fittings are rather poorly cast. Details are sloppy, and while it is better on the fuchi kashira than tsuba, it is still quite bade. However since they are still rather simple, I do not find it that big of a problem. I am a fan of the black menuki, as gold menuki tend to highlight the bad casting quality. The fittings are in a flower style.
Handling
The blade handles quite well. It is light but still retains significant blade presence. There is a distinct tachikaze present with proper edge alignment.
Pros
Great Tsukamaki
Great blade
Unique offering at the price point
Good saya fit
Handles well
Nice tsuka shaping
Nice transitions
decent sageo
Cons
lacquer job on saya could be better
Horn saya parts as an option would be nice
Casting quality on fittings is rather sloppy, but not atypical at the price point
Overall thoughts
I am extremely happy with my purchase of this wakizashi. If you have 250 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, and like naginata naoshi, this is a must buy imo. I highly recommend choosing the hishigami pro option as well. I will update this review with a cutting test, as well as include more pics and a potential comparison with a hanwei practical waki.
photos.app.goo.gl/Xe2eifuztBza9poc7
photos are linked above
I purchased this sword on December 6th with black samegawa. I could have customized the fittings, but chose not to. Also opted for Hishigami pro, which added 60 dollars to the price, totaling to around 250 dollars.
Initial Impressions
My first thoughts upon unboxing this sword was "wow". I legit could not believe that this was only 250 dollars.
Blade
The blade of this waki is the main selling point: through hardened 16 inch blade in a naginata naoshi style, with a nice and symmetrical iori mune. The lines of the blade are very crisp, especially for this price. The blade is very symmetrical, and I like how they mirror polished the shinogi and satin polished the ha. While the blade does not have any niku, thats not something i was expecting at this price, and i cant say im disappointed on that aspect.
Saya
The saya of this sword is the only thing i can really point to as being an issue: no horn kurikata, koiguchi, or kojiri. Now since this is a wakizashi, I wouldnt say its a must have, but it is still nice to have, and probably wouldnt cost much to include as an option. However, again considering the price point, horn on the saya isnt a must have or to be expected. The lacquer on the saya while thin is in a nice ishime finish. The kojiri has some flaws, with a large gloop of lacquer being present in the middle. Other than that, it is quite good. No saya rattle is present, and the habaki to koiguchi fit is great.
Tsuka
Probably the part that surprised me the most is the tsuka. The tsuka on this sword is better executed than 2000 dollar hanwei offerings, and no I am not kidding. Properly transitioning ito, real silk tsuka ito, omote and ura knots on the proper side, real paper hishigami, inlaid samegawa, the whole nine yards. The transitions are great, the ito is super tight and does not move under pressure, no ledges, nothing. Honestly I am shocked how well it is pulled off, and have assumptions that it is due to the hishigami pro option being added.
Fittings
Another downside of this sword is that the fittings are rather poorly cast. Details are sloppy, and while it is better on the fuchi kashira than tsuba, it is still quite bade. However since they are still rather simple, I do not find it that big of a problem. I am a fan of the black menuki, as gold menuki tend to highlight the bad casting quality. The fittings are in a flower style.
Handling
The blade handles quite well. It is light but still retains significant blade presence. There is a distinct tachikaze present with proper edge alignment.
Pros
Great Tsukamaki
Great blade
Unique offering at the price point
Good saya fit
Handles well
Nice tsuka shaping
Nice transitions
decent sageo
Cons
lacquer job on saya could be better
Horn saya parts as an option would be nice
Casting quality on fittings is rather sloppy, but not atypical at the price point
Overall thoughts
I am extremely happy with my purchase of this wakizashi. If you have 250 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, and like naginata naoshi, this is a must buy imo. I highly recommend choosing the hishigami pro option as well. I will update this review with a cutting test, as well as include more pics and a potential comparison with a hanwei practical waki.
photos.app.goo.gl/Xe2eifuztBza9poc7
photos are linked above