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Shinken Katana Comments Page 1 (Prev/Next)

Tori XL Katana

Sales Pitch (Tori XL Katana)

The Tori katana is an all-new design from CAS/Hanwei that incorporates truly elegant furniture with the functionality of our performance series. The K120C powder steel blade is differentially tempered using the traditional claying method which produces a HRC60 edge and HRC40 back. This allows for superior edge holding and cutting ability while allowing the blade to absorb the shock of a blow. The hamon (temper line) and hada (folding pattern) are very prominent. Featuring a flying crane tsuba, brown leather tsuka-ito over black same and a dark brown/black saya, the Tori is available in three folded steel cutting blade profiles and three Iaito blade lengths. This is undoubtedly one of the most elegant mounts ever crafted by CAS/Hanwei. This katana was designed and built specifically for martial artists.

Comments

The Tori is very impressive and ranked at the top of every category.  This is the first sword to pass the long time favorite Toshi Katana #16.  Even judges who do not like the feel of leather liked the feel and balance of this blade.  The ribbed saya got mixed reviews, but everyone liked the fittings and the folded blade.  The reviewers liked the brown horn saya fittings matching the color theme, but the sharp edges of the koiguchi need to be smoothed with emery paper.  The Tori cuts through tatami like butter and outperformed every other sword.  This sword was unmodified and tested straight out of the box without sharpening.

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Toshi Katana (#16) - Custom Tsuba/Saya

Sales Pitch (Tozai Imports)

There are a wide variety of Japanese style swords available in today’s market ranging from production blades made in China to semi custom, and custom blades made in the US. Each manufacturer holds offerings that cater to specific applications. One of the more popular applications is Tameshigiri, or test cutting. Tameshigiri is most commonly associated with the practice of cutting tatami-omote. Different ryuha approach tameshigiri differently, and some not at all. Tozai Imports is proud to offer the Kotetsu design by Hataya Mitsuo Sensei and Kenpaku Yasutoshi of Sagamihara.

Comments

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Tori Elite Katana

Sales Pitch (Tori Elite Katana)

The Tori katana is an all-new design from CAS/Hanwei that incorporates truly elegant furniture with the functionality of our performance series. The K120C powder steel blade is differentially tempered using the traditional claying method which produces a HRC60 edge and HRC40 back. This allows for superior edge holding and cutting ability while allowing the blade to absorb the shock of a blow. The hamon (temper line) and hada (folding pattern) are very prominent. Featuring a flying crane tsuba, brown leather tsuka-ito over black same and a dark brown/black saya, the Tori is available in three folded steel cutting blade profiles and three Iaito blade lengths. This is undoubtedly one of the most elegant mounts ever crafted by CAS/Hanwei. This katana was designed and built specifically for martial artists.

Comments

The Tori is very impressive and ranked very high every category, but we could not cut with the sword tested.  Even judges who do not like the feel of leather liked the feel and balance of this blade.  The ribbed saya got mixed reviews, but everyone liked the fittings and the folded blade.  The smaller sized blade allowed the ribbed saya size to be more manageable.   The reviewers liked the brown horn saya fittings matching the color theme, but the sharp edges of the koiguchi need to be smoothed with emery paper.

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Musashi XL (custom heavy tsuba)

Sales Pitch (Musashi XL Katana)

Miyamoto Musashi, arguably the most famous swordmaster in Japanese history, fought more than 60 duels before retiring and writing his famous treatise on swordplay, the “Book of Five Rings”. Development of the two-sword style of swordplay, with the Daito (long sword) and Wakizashi being used together, is credited to Musashi. Mounted in black, the Musashi is faithful to the original down to the famous double-ring iron tsubas. The tsuka-ito is in leather over ray skin. The blade is hand-forged in high-carbon steel, with new geometry to enhance cutting ability. It is edge-tempered using the traditional clay tempering method, resulting in a distinct hamon. Edge hardness is HRC60, back hardness HRC40. The grip is double-pegged to the tang for safety. Supplied with a protective cloth bag and traditional maintenance kit.

Comments

This Musashi XL was customized with a heavy tsuba to improve the balance.  This pulls the weight back from the kissaki.  It was ranked as the #2 cutting sword beating out swords costing 5 times as much.  Most reviewers found the leather tsuka-ito (handle wrap) to give it a very positive feel.

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