Post by frankthetank on Aug 23, 2023 0:28:09 GMT
Introduction
Originally bought this katana (and the wakizashi) from Craigslist second hand with the intent to sell or trade them for something with a longer blade as most others in my collection are the standard 27in nagasa with 10.5in tsuka and I wanted some variety. I've previously owned a few hanwei and was not blown away by them, but I did regard them as a well made sword I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to someone.
Historical overview
To the best of my knowledge this sword is not based off of any one historical sword. It is however in the shining zukuris style
Full Disclosure
Full disclosure I did purchase this sword second hand with my own money. Some issues that are present on this sword are due to its age (said he'd had them over ten years) and lack of knowledge by the previous owner on how to care for it. I have no reason to believe the sword came with these issues from the factory, as the guy I bought the sword from showed me the flaws right away.
Initial Impressions
I did not expect to like this sword, infact I got it convinced that it wasn't what I wanted.
It was something I could trade for a sword I did want though. However, after holding it and swinging it around I could tell that opinion was bound to change.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length:27
Handle/Tsuka Length:11.5
Overall Length:40
Guard/Tsuba Width:1.2
POB (Point of Balance): 5.5
Weight:2 pounds 10 ounces
Components
The Blade/Nagasa: expected to hate the length of the katana being so short, but I don't. This sword is quick for what it is. It glides. And with proper hasuji provides the tachi kaze I would expect from a blade with a bohi (It's feedback is audible) The K120C powdered steel is beautiful. The hada is fairly prominent and the hamon I actually like quite a bit. There is slight oxidization from the previous owner on the tip of the kissaki, but other than that it's perfect.
The Handle/Tsuka: the tsuka is amazing (can't believe I'm saying that about hanwei either!) Very thin and feels perfect in hand, like a natural extension of the arm. The wrap is also tight!( Also couldn't believe this in a hanwei!) The end knot needed a little glue from the previous owner handling it, and the ito doesn't look as bright as it's pictured online on other sites.
The Guard/Tsuba: this is the other part I expected not to like, as I literally just put this same tsuba (a much cheaper brass one) with the same design on either side on another katana I own. I usually opt for black fittings in a sword, sometimes when they try to do too much they miss the mark, or it ends up looking cheesy.That was not the case here the tsuba on this sword is dobe extremely well. The look of the polished brass on the outside of the tsuna with the dark inner part highlighted by what looks to be silver is very well done. I was beyond impressed.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira: Fuchi-kashira is also well done. Very defined and set a higher standard than many of the swords I've had previously. The transitions are executed well and I don't experience any irritation in my hands swinging the sword for long periods of time. The menuki are pretty good also and feel of good quality.
The Scabbard/Saya: The saya is one of the parts of this sword I knew I'd like. One of the first swords I ever bought was a handmadesword 1045 folded steel katana I bought off Craigslist over 10 years ago. That sword attempted the saya that this sword pulled off. Its slim and oblonged. It has a slight glitter to the paint and feels great in hand. The retention is perfect. If I lean forward it won't fall out and to draw i.need to lightly break the seal by sliding my thumb forward with minimal effort. It slides well in the obi doing sayabiki. The mouth of the saya, the end, and the part where the Sageo slide through are all done in a bullhorn that has an amazing pattern.
Handling Characteristics: One of the best parts of this sword is how it handles. It's a full body blade, on the shorter side for katana, but it handles like a dream. It has presence but can be stopped on a dime. The sword is incredibly fast out of the saya on the draw due to being on the shorter side. It has heft but feels graceful at the same time. The longer tsuka is a huge part of this. The added length makes one handed draws easier somehow, (at least I've found that to be true) as well as providing you more options. I love it and I wish more companies would include longer tsuka in their line ups.
Test Cutting: I love cutting. I love sharpening and polishing. I Don't think I can do any of that to this blade. The blade is far too pretty. I originally wasn't going to cut with it because I wanted to sell it, now I won't cut with it because I love the looks of the blade. Being a backyard cutter mainly I have to talk myself out of cutting with it almost daily. It's a safe queen for now.
Conclusions: Honestly this might be the best sword I've had to date (Probably only second to one i had from He Who Shall Not Be Named)I've been at this a long time, and I've had a lot of katana in that time. Mostly I stuck to the 300-800 range. I've had hanweis before too, but this sword blew me away. The fit and finish, the attention to detail, the blade, it all just came together really well on this one.
Pros
- hishigami tight ito
- well done fittings
- gorgeous lively blade
Cons
- saya has slight rattle
- blade is on the shorter side for a katana
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is that this is a great sword. I bought this thing to sell and ended up falling in love with it. I had myself convinced for a while that the higher end hanwei stuff was over priced and over rated. I bought this sword expecting it to reaffirm those beliefs, however it shattered them. I did buy this blade second hand but after having this one I would buy a new one in a heartbeat. This was a home run from hanwei and I've already been looking at other blades from them and bugei in that price range.
Hope my review helps. I'll add some pictures on the wife's laptop tomorrow because doing it from my phone isn't as easy as I thought it would be
Originally bought this katana (and the wakizashi) from Craigslist second hand with the intent to sell or trade them for something with a longer blade as most others in my collection are the standard 27in nagasa with 10.5in tsuka and I wanted some variety. I've previously owned a few hanwei and was not blown away by them, but I did regard them as a well made sword I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to someone.
Historical overview
To the best of my knowledge this sword is not based off of any one historical sword. It is however in the shining zukuris style
Full Disclosure
Full disclosure I did purchase this sword second hand with my own money. Some issues that are present on this sword are due to its age (said he'd had them over ten years) and lack of knowledge by the previous owner on how to care for it. I have no reason to believe the sword came with these issues from the factory, as the guy I bought the sword from showed me the flaws right away.
Initial Impressions
I did not expect to like this sword, infact I got it convinced that it wasn't what I wanted.
It was something I could trade for a sword I did want though. However, after holding it and swinging it around I could tell that opinion was bound to change.
Statistics
Blade/Nagasa Length:27
Handle/Tsuka Length:11.5
Overall Length:40
Guard/Tsuba Width:1.2
POB (Point of Balance): 5.5
Weight:2 pounds 10 ounces
Components
The Blade/Nagasa: expected to hate the length of the katana being so short, but I don't. This sword is quick for what it is. It glides. And with proper hasuji provides the tachi kaze I would expect from a blade with a bohi (It's feedback is audible) The K120C powdered steel is beautiful. The hada is fairly prominent and the hamon I actually like quite a bit. There is slight oxidization from the previous owner on the tip of the kissaki, but other than that it's perfect.
The Handle/Tsuka: the tsuka is amazing (can't believe I'm saying that about hanwei either!) Very thin and feels perfect in hand, like a natural extension of the arm. The wrap is also tight!( Also couldn't believe this in a hanwei!) The end knot needed a little glue from the previous owner handling it, and the ito doesn't look as bright as it's pictured online on other sites.
The Guard/Tsuba: this is the other part I expected not to like, as I literally just put this same tsuba (a much cheaper brass one) with the same design on either side on another katana I own. I usually opt for black fittings in a sword, sometimes when they try to do too much they miss the mark, or it ends up looking cheesy.That was not the case here the tsuba on this sword is dobe extremely well. The look of the polished brass on the outside of the tsuna with the dark inner part highlighted by what looks to be silver is very well done. I was beyond impressed.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira: Fuchi-kashira is also well done. Very defined and set a higher standard than many of the swords I've had previously. The transitions are executed well and I don't experience any irritation in my hands swinging the sword for long periods of time. The menuki are pretty good also and feel of good quality.
The Scabbard/Saya: The saya is one of the parts of this sword I knew I'd like. One of the first swords I ever bought was a handmadesword 1045 folded steel katana I bought off Craigslist over 10 years ago. That sword attempted the saya that this sword pulled off. Its slim and oblonged. It has a slight glitter to the paint and feels great in hand. The retention is perfect. If I lean forward it won't fall out and to draw i.need to lightly break the seal by sliding my thumb forward with minimal effort. It slides well in the obi doing sayabiki. The mouth of the saya, the end, and the part where the Sageo slide through are all done in a bullhorn that has an amazing pattern.
Handling Characteristics: One of the best parts of this sword is how it handles. It's a full body blade, on the shorter side for katana, but it handles like a dream. It has presence but can be stopped on a dime. The sword is incredibly fast out of the saya on the draw due to being on the shorter side. It has heft but feels graceful at the same time. The longer tsuka is a huge part of this. The added length makes one handed draws easier somehow, (at least I've found that to be true) as well as providing you more options. I love it and I wish more companies would include longer tsuka in their line ups.
Test Cutting: I love cutting. I love sharpening and polishing. I Don't think I can do any of that to this blade. The blade is far too pretty. I originally wasn't going to cut with it because I wanted to sell it, now I won't cut with it because I love the looks of the blade. Being a backyard cutter mainly I have to talk myself out of cutting with it almost daily. It's a safe queen for now.
Conclusions: Honestly this might be the best sword I've had to date (Probably only second to one i had from He Who Shall Not Be Named)I've been at this a long time, and I've had a lot of katana in that time. Mostly I stuck to the 300-800 range. I've had hanweis before too, but this sword blew me away. The fit and finish, the attention to detail, the blade, it all just came together really well on this one.
Pros
- hishigami tight ito
- well done fittings
- gorgeous lively blade
Cons
- saya has slight rattle
- blade is on the shorter side for a katana
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is that this is a great sword. I bought this thing to sell and ended up falling in love with it. I had myself convinced for a while that the higher end hanwei stuff was over priced and over rated. I bought this sword expecting it to reaffirm those beliefs, however it shattered them. I did buy this blade second hand but after having this one I would buy a new one in a heartbeat. This was a home run from hanwei and I've already been looking at other blades from them and bugei in that price range.
Hope my review helps. I'll add some pictures on the wife's laptop tomorrow because doing it from my phone isn't as easy as I thought it would be