Photos Of Katana
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:55 pm
For some reason these would not post on the Prior Thread.
Having said this I have only been able to review Cold Steel, Mushashi, Hanwei, and Shinwa Katana.
The Hanweis are usually (in appearance) of traditional manufacture.
However taken it as a given that the Hanwei swords follow traditional methods, they also, generally boast the best "furniture" with the nearest next best choice being the "Cold Steel" Katana which generally lack a proper Hamon.
All the swords NOT of Hanwei manufacture are what are called 'sai-gunto' and are machine made but still, allegedly, boast a harder Ha and a softer Mune. I have not had an opportunity to review higher priced blades as of this time.
The Hanwei Shinto (set) Blue Oriole (set) and Miramoto Mushashi (set) appear tradtionally made, but the Sayas do not appear 'lacquered" just done with a shiny paint.
Mushashi are Sai Gunto blades, but are very sharp and many are billed as fully functional.
Most Officer and Non Com Katana of the War period were/are 'sai-gunto' and, by reputation, served without problem.
The specimens of wartime blades that came into my hands were, as I noted, Sai Gunto and the skills were not available close at hand to rewrap the Same.
Now, my student Ron can rewrap such blades-or any blade-should you wish a better wrap or improved furniture. Tsukas can be recarven.
At present we cannot polish blades or maufacture them or other parts.
Be sure the blade you send to us is worthy of the time and $$$ that will be required.
It takes about 2.5 days to properly wewrap a tsuka, 60 minutes to just replace a Tsuba, and 2-3 days to re carve a poplar tsuka and/or add 'furniture'.
The blade rebuilt was a Hanwei "Practical Katana" and as rayskin was not available to us, the tsuka had to be (recarved) and underwrapped with 'stippled' white leather, and still looks quite good.
John
Having said this I have only been able to review Cold Steel, Mushashi, Hanwei, and Shinwa Katana.
The Hanweis are usually (in appearance) of traditional manufacture.
However taken it as a given that the Hanwei swords follow traditional methods, they also, generally boast the best "furniture" with the nearest next best choice being the "Cold Steel" Katana which generally lack a proper Hamon.
All the swords NOT of Hanwei manufacture are what are called 'sai-gunto' and are machine made but still, allegedly, boast a harder Ha and a softer Mune. I have not had an opportunity to review higher priced blades as of this time.
The Hanwei Shinto (set) Blue Oriole (set) and Miramoto Mushashi (set) appear tradtionally made, but the Sayas do not appear 'lacquered" just done with a shiny paint.
Mushashi are Sai Gunto blades, but are very sharp and many are billed as fully functional.
Most Officer and Non Com Katana of the War period were/are 'sai-gunto' and, by reputation, served without problem.
The specimens of wartime blades that came into my hands were, as I noted, Sai Gunto and the skills were not available close at hand to rewrap the Same.
Now, my student Ron can rewrap such blades-or any blade-should you wish a better wrap or improved furniture. Tsukas can be recarven.
At present we cannot polish blades or maufacture them or other parts.
Be sure the blade you send to us is worthy of the time and $$$ that will be required.
It takes about 2.5 days to properly wewrap a tsuka, 60 minutes to just replace a Tsuba, and 2-3 days to re carve a poplar tsuka and/or add 'furniture'.
The blade rebuilt was a Hanwei "Practical Katana" and as rayskin was not available to us, the tsuka had to be (recarved) and underwrapped with 'stippled' white leather, and still looks quite good.
John