alant
September 19th, 2007, 10:05 PM
This is a copy of the review I posted on Sword Buyers Guide (SBG).
Musashi Swords Black Dragon by AlanT, Maine, USA . From the same model line as the Wind, Poison Ivy, Bamboo, etc. (model numbers SS750-x)
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon5.jpg
This is my starter sword, if there is such a thing. Katanas have always held a special interest for me, and Musashi Swords makes a great first impression. At $160 (less a 5% SBG member discount from Swords of Might) the price was also a plus.
Unpacking and initial dry handling impressions...
As anyone who's bought a sword from Musashi probably knows, they really go out of their way to make a good presentation. The wooden display/shipping box covered in blue cloth with a dragon pattern has a hinged cover. The sword bag is royal blue with a gold lining that matches the box lining. My maintenance kit had a piece broken off the cover, something quickly repaired with a little wood glue.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon2a.jpg
The sword itself was in perfect shape, a thin layer of oil covered the blade, no rattling noises when shaken, tight ito, no noticeable blemishes on saya or sword. Shipping took 3 business days, and the UPS tracking link kept me aware of progress.
Statistics
Blade length: 29.75" 75.6cm, tsuba to kissaki, listed as 28.5 by the retailer
Hilt length: 11.2" 28.5cm
Overall: 41.2"
Guard Height: 3.1" 8cm (has a square tsuba)
POB (point of balance): 5.9" from base of guard
COP (center of percussion - 'the sweet spot'): ??.?" from the guard (if someone can explain this I'll try to answer)
Weight: 2.5 lbs according to the sales advertisement.
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
Flex testing is something I'll leave to others, but a slight scratch showed up just short of the kissaki when I was examining the hamon under a magnifying glass. It probably happened when the kissaki was being polished. The hamon itself looks good, I certainly can't tell if it is real or not. Swords of Might's add says this model line is clay tempered. http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=290
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon11.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon12.jpg
A certificate accompanies the sword and I find some of the language a bit confusing. The cert says: "Traditional hand forge muku-kitae method, with high carbon steels with tsukurikomi process." Being curious, I Googled muku-kitae (made of one kind of steel) and tsukurikomi (combines 2-4 kinds of steel, depending on the reference). Hmmm!
The Tsuka (handle)
The tsuka is kept tightly attached by a single mekugi (peg) which I have yet to remove. Authentic white rayskin panels are covered by a tightly braided black cotton ito. At one point I noticed the ito had gotten out of place around the lower menuki. It returned almost to normal by itself.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon9.jpg
The Tsuba (guard)
An oriental dragon wraps itself around the square tsuba but black paint doesn't allow much detail to show. Paul touched up the tsuba on his Wind nicely by scuffing off some of the paint and I may do the same at a later date.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon8a.jpg
The Saya (scabbard)
Fairly standard, a well lacquered black saya with black sageo.
TESTING
Cutting 8-)
Prior to any lessons I had to try a few water bottles and pool noodles using a homemade stand. (Thanks for the safety instructions Paul.) Mind you I have zero technique, so be generous or at least kind.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon19.jpg
It felt quite satisfying to make packing material out of those noodles, but the water bottles were more trouble. Maybe I was a little to worried about hitting the stand?
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon20.jpg
Not to miss out on any extra gift certificates ;)
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon15a.jpg
CONCLUSION and SBG Ratings
Other than a few wall hangers I've never held another katana, but this sword has a nice feel to it. After I've gained some knowledge and technique from my classes there may be some revision to this review. When you have little to say splash around a lot of pictures!
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon13a.jpg
Historical Accuracy: 3/5
Fit and Finish: 3/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon6.jpg
Musashi Swords Black Dragon by AlanT, Maine, USA . From the same model line as the Wind, Poison Ivy, Bamboo, etc. (model numbers SS750-x)
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon5.jpg
This is my starter sword, if there is such a thing. Katanas have always held a special interest for me, and Musashi Swords makes a great first impression. At $160 (less a 5% SBG member discount from Swords of Might) the price was also a plus.
Unpacking and initial dry handling impressions...
As anyone who's bought a sword from Musashi probably knows, they really go out of their way to make a good presentation. The wooden display/shipping box covered in blue cloth with a dragon pattern has a hinged cover. The sword bag is royal blue with a gold lining that matches the box lining. My maintenance kit had a piece broken off the cover, something quickly repaired with a little wood glue.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon2a.jpg
The sword itself was in perfect shape, a thin layer of oil covered the blade, no rattling noises when shaken, tight ito, no noticeable blemishes on saya or sword. Shipping took 3 business days, and the UPS tracking link kept me aware of progress.
Statistics
Blade length: 29.75" 75.6cm, tsuba to kissaki, listed as 28.5 by the retailer
Hilt length: 11.2" 28.5cm
Overall: 41.2"
Guard Height: 3.1" 8cm (has a square tsuba)
POB (point of balance): 5.9" from base of guard
COP (center of percussion - 'the sweet spot'): ??.?" from the guard (if someone can explain this I'll try to answer)
Weight: 2.5 lbs according to the sales advertisement.
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
Flex testing is something I'll leave to others, but a slight scratch showed up just short of the kissaki when I was examining the hamon under a magnifying glass. It probably happened when the kissaki was being polished. The hamon itself looks good, I certainly can't tell if it is real or not. Swords of Might's add says this model line is clay tempered. http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=290
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon11.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon12.jpg
A certificate accompanies the sword and I find some of the language a bit confusing. The cert says: "Traditional hand forge muku-kitae method, with high carbon steels with tsukurikomi process." Being curious, I Googled muku-kitae (made of one kind of steel) and tsukurikomi (combines 2-4 kinds of steel, depending on the reference). Hmmm!
The Tsuka (handle)
The tsuka is kept tightly attached by a single mekugi (peg) which I have yet to remove. Authentic white rayskin panels are covered by a tightly braided black cotton ito. At one point I noticed the ito had gotten out of place around the lower menuki. It returned almost to normal by itself.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon9.jpg
The Tsuba (guard)
An oriental dragon wraps itself around the square tsuba but black paint doesn't allow much detail to show. Paul touched up the tsuba on his Wind nicely by scuffing off some of the paint and I may do the same at a later date.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon8a.jpg
The Saya (scabbard)
Fairly standard, a well lacquered black saya with black sageo.
TESTING
Cutting 8-)
Prior to any lessons I had to try a few water bottles and pool noodles using a homemade stand. (Thanks for the safety instructions Paul.) Mind you I have zero technique, so be generous or at least kind.
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon19.jpg
It felt quite satisfying to make packing material out of those noodles, but the water bottles were more trouble. Maybe I was a little to worried about hitting the stand?
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon20.jpg
Not to miss out on any extra gift certificates ;)
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon15a.jpg
CONCLUSION and SBG Ratings
Other than a few wall hangers I've never held another katana, but this sword has a nice feel to it. After I've gained some knowledge and technique from my classes there may be some revision to this review. When you have little to say splash around a lot of pictures!
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon13a.jpg
Historical Accuracy: 3/5
Fit and Finish: 3/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q184/Fed_Slayer/BlackDragon6.jpg