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Post by blairbob on Mar 23, 2024 20:09:23 GMT
i didn't think it was Zsey that had QC issues but Dragonsword, especially in review samples they sent out. Then got mad and called the reviewers, inexperienced.
Im not for sure on this though they have claimed otherwise but it's likely true from most of the evidence. Annoying. Customers don't like to be duped.
that being said, i really want their work to be good because it looks nice. not that i really have the kind of money to buy Z-sey atm. I could but it would be dumb and better spent on other things. Especially because of what I'm looking for.
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Post by blairbob on Mar 23, 2024 20:25:37 GMT
The one thing I will say about something being forged out of China by whoever, is like Motohara, I could get a finished product a lot cheaper than Motohara or having a Japanese blade remounted with a new saya or tsuka (basically $1.5+k and a year wait or more). Let's say 3-6months because someone mentioned that a custom Motohara decked out may take much longer than 3-4 months. F it, let's say 9. I could probably manage if I bought something in the meantime lol.
It could have the menuki I want, horimono if i want, this wrap or that fuchi and kashira, etc. I don't think it sounds like they are really building thick blades to cut with but that's fine because I wouldn't buy one for them that is meant to cut yellow bamboo wrapped in mats or even kabutowari (I'm not the type to go start trying to cut doors and rebar and semprini)
collectors rarely care if the tsuka or nagasa are long enough to train or cut with unless on the rare occasion they are going to train with it frequently rather than put it on display.
I have a buddy and though he is a practitioner mentioned he would like to have a nihonto like his sensei, though he doesn't want to spend 5 digits on one and probably more in that 2-4k range. He doesn't even care if it's built for him to use because it's more of a status thing after training for 30years?
I was looking again at Komonjo the other night and while the pictures and measurements are up, there are none for any of the tsuka of the swords that are not just in shirasaya. I can sorta guess at their length and most seem to be in decent polish besides the ones that are not. Gimei, Mumei doesn't matter as much to me if I'm not gonna pay 5-6 digits for something like a Murasama ( I once tried to bid on a reforged one because of the history even if it was worth sempriniall and in bad polish and in need to be mounted and got outbid at 3 bc I just wasnt good at the bidding process-probably better because remounting it would have bankrupted me to the point of i would have needed to sell it)
None of the other smiths really hold much meaning to me other than..."that's pretty cool"
Once I start wanting to look for blades longer than 70cm it can get to be real slim pickings, if I want to stay under 3-4k. Which I suppose, I should just have 10-20k but oh well.
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voidec
Member
Back in the game after like 8 years
Posts: 144
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Post by voidec on Mar 24, 2024 2:09:10 GMT
The one thing I will say about something being forged out of China by whoever, is like Motohara, I could get a finished product a lot cheaper than Motohara or having a Japanese blade remounted with a new saya or tsuka (basically $1.5+k and a year wait or more). Let's say 3-6months because someone mentioned that a custom Motohara decked out may take much longer than 3-4 months. F it, let's say 9. I could probably manage if I bought something in the meantime lol. It could have the menuki I want, horimono if i want, this wrap or that fuchi and kashira, etc. I don't think it sounds like they are really building thick blades to cut with but that's fine because I wouldn't buy one for them that is meant to cut yellow bamboo wrapped in mats or even kabutowari (I'm not the type to go start trying to cut doors and rebar and semprini) collectors rarely care if the tsuka or nagasa are long enough to train or cut with unless on the rare occasion they are going to train with it frequently rather than put it on display. I have a buddy and though he is a practitioner mentioned he would like to have a nihonto like his sensei, though he doesn't want to spend 5 digits on one and probably more in that 2-4k range. He doesn't even care if it's built for him to use because it's more of a status thing after training for 30years? I was looking again at Komonjo the other night and while the pictures and measurements are up, there are none for any of the tsuka of the swords that are not just in shirasaya. I can sorta guess at their length and most seem to be in decent polish besides the ones that are not. Gimei, Mumei doesn't matter as much to me if I'm not gonna pay 5-6 digits for something like a Murasama ( I once tried to bid on a reforged one because of the history even if it was worth sempriniall and in bad polish and in need to be mounted and got outbid at 3 bc I just wasnt good at the bidding process-probably better because remounting it would have bankrupted me to the point of i would have needed to sell it) None of the other smiths really hold much meaning to me other than..."that's pretty cool" Once I start wanting to look for blades longer than 70cm it can get to be real slim pickings, if I want to stay under 3-4k. Which I suppose, I should just have 10-20k but oh well. Antiques are honestly art pieces like most people including me would never cut with them
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Post by blairbob on Mar 24, 2024 3:46:52 GMT
if they are mumei or gimei, especially post Meiji...
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Post by jdc on Mar 25, 2024 23:16:33 GMT
I recently ordered a ShadowDancer hira zukuri, and frankly didn't expect it to show up for a couple months. Boy was I shocked when it arrived - from China and thru Customs - in two weeks.
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voidec
Member
Back in the game after like 8 years
Posts: 144
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Post by voidec on Mar 26, 2024 21:12:28 GMT
How was it, any issues?
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Post by Roscoe57 on Apr 5, 2024 13:21:52 GMT
I believe that ShadowDancer and Z-Sey are the same. High end vs mid to low range. Out of 3 Z-Sey I bought, I was only disappointed in the cutting aspect of one. The other two are top cutters. S7 Performance cutter and a Tuoyuan Katana MKIII that came with some serious issues. All of which I fixed. Bad fitted habaki and a bent blade. With this Z-Sey gave me the Tuoyuan for free. Note the Tuoyuan was discounted to make up for the one that failed to cut mats.
Z-Sey is very easy to work with. Very fast email replies.
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Post by doctorock78 on Apr 25, 2024 5:57:50 GMT
Just to give everyone interested some hope: I just received my custom from Huawei. It really is amazing, and after about a 2 year wait, I am relieved - no - stoked!! Exactly what I wanted, even down to the aged samegawa. I hope everyone eventually gets theirs and if it's any consolation I want to say the quality is absolutely still there. I'll post pics as soon as life allows. CHeers
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Post by wildv on Apr 25, 2024 6:40:18 GMT
Just to give everyone interested some hope: I just received my custom from Huawei. It really is amazing, and after about a 2 year wait, I am relieved - no - stoked!! Exactly what I wanted, even down to the aged samegawa. I hope everyone eventually gets theirs and if it's any consolation I want to say the quality is absolutely still there. I'll post pics as soon as life allows. CHeers Sadly I do believe this story is the exception and not the rule. Good for you though!
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Post by eastman on Apr 25, 2024 23:03:38 GMT
Just to give everyone interested some hope: I just received my custom from Huawei. It really is amazing, and after about a 2 year wait, I am relieved - no - stoked!! Exactly what I wanted, even down to the aged samegawa. I hope everyone eventually gets theirs and if it's any consolation I want to say the quality is absolutely still there. I'll post pics as soon as life allows. CHeers
they probably only had fresh samegawa when you ordered and had to ripen it a bit before making your sword
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Post by doctorock78 on May 2, 2024 19:09:20 GMT
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Post by doctorock78 on May 2, 2024 19:26:34 GMT
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Post by crazyjons on May 2, 2024 19:49:20 GMT
Nice sword!
Jon
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Post by samuraiguy on May 3, 2024 1:39:40 GMT
Just beautiful
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Post by LeFaust on May 3, 2024 2:14:14 GMT
Beautiful! Can you share some details about the customizations?
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Post by doctorock78 on May 3, 2024 2:32:29 GMT
Beautiful! Can you share some details about the customizations? -28.75 or 29 cm tsuka length -Chu-kissaki (geometric) 5cm -Suguha hamon -High quality mokko higo iron tsuba -wave theme fuchi, kashira and koi fish menuki -Copper habaki/seppa like HW529 -White samegawa with emperor nodes, age / patina the white samegawa with subtle light stain for antique appearance -Black real silk ito and sageo -Black gloss saya with light metallic sparkles inside black finish (like HW540 saya), dark buffalo horn koiguchi, kurogata, and kojiri -2 mekugi peg for safety during practice
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Post by doctorock78 on May 3, 2024 2:37:54 GMT
I am smitten, thanks all. I wanted it to be understated, basic, classic but with saya sparkles of course. I think it may have o-kissaki instead of chu but I haven't measured it or cared because I love love love this kissaki. I am rooting for everyone to get theirs if they have waited a long time, maybe Jacky has some good help and will crank em out!
EDIT: Still haven't measured kissaki but I'm thinking it's a Chu after all.. I guess the Suguha makes it look more "elongate" somehow. Optical illusion.
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