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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 9, 2009 18:58:20 GMT
Great review of a very nice sword Shadow ! When you first posted the review yesterday I wasn't able to view your photographs for some reason. Glad that I can now as they are very informative and "tell the story" of this sword well. Between Marc's and your review, it looks like Hanwei might have a convert. Thanks.....+ 1 2 U...after my karma mojo rejuvenates. There was a computer conspericy I tell you... both Marc and I had computer issues just as we finished up our reviews of these Raptors. Mine was a AWEFUL virus attack, which I still have not been able to remove from my PC... I dunno what happened to Marc's computer. I was able to 'beat back' the virus (it kept hijacking my web browser and pulling my away from where I wanted to go) long enough to post a rough draft version of the review... but it got 'jumbled' which is why you couldn't see the pics. Later, I was able to get on my wife's virus-free laptop and repair the review. I find it odd that both Marc and I had issue's posting this review... I suspect conspericy!!! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2009 19:38:10 GMT
Awesome review, can't wait until I get to a computer where I can see the pictures. (blocked from my work PC) Thanks for the quick review after receiving the sword, as many of us are either waiting on our own, or wanting to buy one down the road.
I wonder if the reason why the blade seems not as sharp as other Hanweie, is because of their history of chipping on harder targets? Since this blade was intended for cutting, not to mention "none traditional targets" it seems a likely reason for the sharpness factor.
Now off to read Marc's review and hoping to see one on a Shinogi soon, as I'm planning to buy that model. Curious to find out it's weight/balance compared to the other two models.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2009 21:00:13 GMT
I suppose a major problem with having three different swords reviewed by different people is consistency. No matter how hard some one tries to stay within a set criteria personal factors will always "taint" a review. A blade that may feel light for one person can be equally heavy for another.
On the issues of sharpness its probably as gman said. Having a super sharp edge on a blade intended for non-conventional harder targets would lead to constant chipping through misuse. Equally as anyone that owns duplicate hanwei swords will know that quality control can be an issue. We'll find out in due time as more peoples raptors arrive.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2009 21:11:50 GMT
another review of the highest quality, a real good look at the blade, thanks sean, +1 in an hour.
now i really like the look of that blade, as you said very crisp lines,
i like the flat mune, how far do the shinogi taper back, would you say it is noticeable?
again, GREAT review! thanks for taking the time to post it.
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 9, 2009 22:12:11 GMT
i like the flat mune, how far do the shinogi taper back, would you say it is noticeable? Not sure I follow ya... break it down in laymens terms and I'll try and respond without sounding too much like a blithering idiot. The shinogi is the main ridge of the blade... what do you mean by 'taper back'? Do you mean at the kissaki?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2009 22:21:41 GMT
i like the flat mune, how far do the shinogi taper back, would you say it is noticeable? Not sure I follow ya... break it down in laymens terms and I'll try and respond without sounding too much like a blithering idiot. The shinogi is the main ridge of the blade... what do you mean by 'taper back'? Do you mean at the kissaki? sorry my fault i should have worded it better, i might even be using the wrong words.... imagine a snapped blade cross section, what would be the paralel flat section (this is what i referred to as the shinogi but i might be wrong) on a regular katana, on the shobu do they taper back towards the spine, to form something of a diamond cross section?
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 10, 2009 6:00:32 GMT
I think I understand what your asking now... ...it tapers back a LITTLE toward the mune, but it looks to be pretty much the same shape as my practical wak, so I think it's pretty standered for hanwei.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Apr 11, 2009 4:23:48 GMT
Great review as usual, Sean - and with that, you get tipped over the edge into the Shortlist. Welcome here!
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 11, 2009 9:09:09 GMT
Great review as usual, Sean - and with that, you get tipped over the edge into the Shortlist. Welcome here! Glad to be here... I should have a couple other reviews comming up in a week or two...
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Apr 11, 2009 14:56:22 GMT
Go Shadow.......
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2009 1:31:37 GMT
Thanks Sean +1. Nice review I love birds and like all these fittings, but somehow all together it is just too much for me. The shobu is an elegant looking blade. I read somewhere that the shape was commonly used on wakizashi and tanto, is it good for thrusting? Just as an aside, I understand your concern about the focus being on the blade in your videos, but I think that video without a swordsman is really hard to follow. Perhaps you could add some slo-mo? For those of us with slower vision Thanks Debbie
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Post by shadowhowler on Apr 12, 2009 4:39:20 GMT
Thanks Sean +1. Nice review I love birds and like all these fittings, but somehow all together it is just too much for me. The shobu is an elegant looking blade. I read somewhere that the shape was commonly used on wakizashi and tanto, is it good for thrusting? Just as an aside, I understand your concern about the focus being on the blade in your videos, but I think that video without a swordsman is really hard to follow. Perhaps you could add some slo-mo? For those of us with slower vision Thanks Debbie Thank you Debbie... With the video, the only reason I really use it is to add credit/proof that the sword cuts, and how well. Pictures can be faked, with video... well, it can be faked, but it takes more skill then *I* have to do so. As for thrusting... A shobu could thrust, but certaily not as well as a more traditional sword with a true kissaski reinforced for doing so. It's certainly designed to optimise the cut.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2010 5:21:53 GMT
Thank you very much, Shadowhowler, this review was great and useful.
This blade style looks really cool, I'm pretty sure that this one will be my first katana.
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Post by shadowhowler on May 27, 2010 16:29:22 GMT
Thank you very much, Shadowhowler, this review was great and useful. This blade style looks really cool, I'm pretty sure that this one will be my first katana. Awesome Thread-O-Mancy. The Raptor Shobu is a solid sword... the only real complaint might be the beefy tsuka... a lot of Hanwei's lower - midrange swords have a pretty thick, axe-handle like tsuka. Not a problem for guys like me with huge hands... but if you have normal or smaller hands, you might find it less then ideal. Still, thats one minor nitpick on a sword that, for the money, is a very good buy.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2010 16:40:15 GMT
Great review shadowhowler. have a safe and fun trip.
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