In other words, we intend to provide you with a serviceable weapon, not a personal grooming implement. Our goal is to provide you with a usable edge for cutting practice that will hold up to some use and not require constant re-sharpening. The resulting edge will be “sword sharp” not razor sharp.
Our sword sharpening expert has personally sharpened several thousand swords at this point, so will provide you with a professional service. We can sharpen only the last half or third of an edge, for example.
If you have a different preference, feel free to make that request in the special instructions at check out. By default we will sharpen as much of the blade as possible including any false edges if appropriate. The blades are rested between passes to prevent them from becoming hot and damaging their temper. The process involves many passes with sanding belts of various grits. The sharpening service is done with a belt sander.
We adjust the angle of the edge to suit the specific blade and attempt to get as close to a bevel-less edge as possible without marring the surface of the blade. Some blades will take and hold sharper edges than others and the thickness of the blade will determine how wide the bevel will need to be. The resulting edge is somewhat dependent on the particular blade. The result is typically “very sharp” with a small secondary bevel and a bit of an “apple seed” profile. Our sharpening service will provide a good serviceable edge on the blade. The market for early Japanese weaponry is surprisingly slim, and I feel this blade, if dressed right, would really fit the bill.
) The transport box, while nice, mainly sits with the others in my closet.Ĭoncluding this review, I’d make a proposal on how to improve this particular model: Scrap the whole idea that this is an ‘uchigatana’, and dress the sword in 9th century or so inspired ‘ Tachi ‘ or ‘ chokuto ‘ koshirae. The blade collar has a tiny bit of play, the hilt wrapping is a teeny bit loose, and the scabbard to blade collar fit is not very snug ( i’ve since remedied that with a wooden shim, though. My particular example came with some minor detractors, though. The blade does blade things very well, the cutting parts cut, the stabbing bit stabs, and it’s everything I’d expect out of a T10 clay tempered sword. It even handles like it, the balance is remarkable, the sword really wants to dance in your hands with fluid motion, It becomes very easy to be one with the Tao with this in your hands. To me, it seems, it’s a Chinese copy of a Japanese copy of an earlier Chinese ‘ Dao ‘ type of sword. Each sword is individually handmade so specifications vary slightly from sword to sword.I really love this sword. It is durable enough for cutting tameshigiri and bamboo.
It is a very good choice for Dojo students, gifts, cutting practice, and display. The tang is secured into the handle with two bamboo mekugi and features a hand engraved Mei(signature). It comes with a black lacquered hard wood saya and silk sageo/ito, copper fittings, and genuine same (rayskin). The blade is very sharp and folded 13 times resulting in over 8,000 layers. This is a well-made folded steel Katana, following the traditional Japanese process.