Sue Tegai Wakizashi Review
Jan 23, 2023 21:04:12 GMT
Post by Yagoro on Jan 23, 2023 21:04:12 GMT
Decided to make a review of the Shinto Wakizashi I recently obtained in an auction. Its in its original Handachi Koshirae, and ive been using it as my shoto in kenjutsu(we dont do much with the shoto, so i basically just wear it). I paid $885 for this
Initial thoughts:
This is a prime example of what seperates production from the real deal. This thing handles like an absolute dream, while still having nice amounts of hira niku and having a rather substantial length. It handles much better than my dragonsword naginata naoshi, all while being 4 inches longer. To add to this, you could tell whoever made the saya knew what they were doing. While wearing the sword in my obi, i could barely tell it was there. No pain, discomfort, and i didnt feel as if something was laying against my pelvis for the hour that i did batto with it.
Blade:
The blade is excellent. Only negative is that the polish is old, so observing any activity is rather difficult. However, besides that, the kissaki burnishing is still intact, only very superficial edge damage(tiny 1mm roll that could easily be polished out by a togishi without any geometry being affected), as well as zero rust(besides on the nakago obviously). The blade is very whippy, and has insane amounts of sorii(pretty sure its 1 inch+). Nagasa is around 21 inches, and according to a friend who lives in japan and is studying Yamato school swords, it is most likely from the Kashu school of smiths.
Fittings:
Probably the most pleasing part of this sword is the handachi fittings. Original antique brass, with ornate little vines engraved onto them. The kashira is a little loose on the tsuka(used a bit of wood glue so it wouldnt unravel the tsukamaki), but the fuchi fits perfectly. The fittings on the saya are recessed and do not catch on my obi at all. The tsuba is an aoi gata style made of what I believe is copper. The Habaki is a fujo style which is either silver plated copper of completely silver. All I can say is the fittings are worth about half if not more than half of what i paid for this package.
Saya:
The saya fits perfectly, has zero cracks, and zero lacquer flaws(besides one tiny chip). This surprised me the most considering that the koshirae on this piece are original. Besides the fittings, the saya has a slot for a kozuka, as well as a black ishime finish.
Overall fit and finish:
Overall, im rather happy with how everything fits. While i needed to insert a plastic seppa in to make the tsuba snug, everything else fit rather well(besides the kashira).
Final thoughts:
Overall, I am extremely happy with this piece, and do not believe i couldve gotten it at a better price. Some of the features on it make me question the decisions of production sword makers that are currently on the market, while appreciating others even more(zsey).
Pics:
photos.app.goo.gl/f34sJreAgUn93oca8
Initial thoughts:
This is a prime example of what seperates production from the real deal. This thing handles like an absolute dream, while still having nice amounts of hira niku and having a rather substantial length. It handles much better than my dragonsword naginata naoshi, all while being 4 inches longer. To add to this, you could tell whoever made the saya knew what they were doing. While wearing the sword in my obi, i could barely tell it was there. No pain, discomfort, and i didnt feel as if something was laying against my pelvis for the hour that i did batto with it.
Blade:
The blade is excellent. Only negative is that the polish is old, so observing any activity is rather difficult. However, besides that, the kissaki burnishing is still intact, only very superficial edge damage(tiny 1mm roll that could easily be polished out by a togishi without any geometry being affected), as well as zero rust(besides on the nakago obviously). The blade is very whippy, and has insane amounts of sorii(pretty sure its 1 inch+). Nagasa is around 21 inches, and according to a friend who lives in japan and is studying Yamato school swords, it is most likely from the Kashu school of smiths.
Fittings:
Probably the most pleasing part of this sword is the handachi fittings. Original antique brass, with ornate little vines engraved onto them. The kashira is a little loose on the tsuka(used a bit of wood glue so it wouldnt unravel the tsukamaki), but the fuchi fits perfectly. The fittings on the saya are recessed and do not catch on my obi at all. The tsuba is an aoi gata style made of what I believe is copper. The Habaki is a fujo style which is either silver plated copper of completely silver. All I can say is the fittings are worth about half if not more than half of what i paid for this package.
Saya:
The saya fits perfectly, has zero cracks, and zero lacquer flaws(besides one tiny chip). This surprised me the most considering that the koshirae on this piece are original. Besides the fittings, the saya has a slot for a kozuka, as well as a black ishime finish.
Overall fit and finish:
Overall, im rather happy with how everything fits. While i needed to insert a plastic seppa in to make the tsuba snug, everything else fit rather well(besides the kashira).
Final thoughts:
Overall, I am extremely happy with this piece, and do not believe i couldve gotten it at a better price. Some of the features on it make me question the decisions of production sword makers that are currently on the market, while appreciating others even more(zsey).
Pics:
photos.app.goo.gl/f34sJreAgUn93oca8