msmalik
November 18th, 2008, 04:48 PM
Before I review this, let me tell you I am not trained. I am by no means an expert, and am relatively new to swords and tameshigiri. Moving on, let's get to the brief review.
First thing, let me tell you, this thing is huge and heavy. I'm 6ft and I feel that it's too long for me sometimes. It feels like i'm swinging around a big pole, but then again that is expected with an O katana from cold steel. The blade is quite thick. This sword isn't nearly as sharp as a hanwei sword from everything i've heard about them. But it is tough! Here is a video about the sharpness, or lack of sharpness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOFUApiB_KA&fmt=18
I contacted cold steel, they said their edges aren't as sharp as some katana's so they retain their edges better. They did however offer to sharpen it for free to make it a bit sharper. I'm planning on sending it out to them sometime this week. The sword will still cut well with good forum and a powerful swing. Aside from the sharpness, I love the cold steel! The fittings on it are nice and the tsuka is wrapped tightly. If you like big, tough swords that can withstand a lot of abuse, the warrior O katana from cold steel is a good choice. However it will lack the elegance of let's say a cheness kaze or a hanwei sword. They didn't even bother with a hamon on the cold steel. And another thing, if you decide to go with the O katana make sure you have the strength to cut with this!
Here is another video ( not from me this time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V__Ierrz0hQ
As you can see, the guy is swinging it like a baseball bat. Kind of reminds me of happy gilmore. But the results speak for themselves, if you have the strength to swing like that, this sword can CUT. However some people do say that getting a giant and heavy sword like this defeats the whole purpose of having a katana. The balance on this isn't the greatest either, very tip heavy. Overall, if you are looking for a backyard beater sword this wouldn't be a bad option. If you want more pictures (or videos) let me know and i'll be glad to take some for you.
First thing, let me tell you, this thing is huge and heavy. I'm 6ft and I feel that it's too long for me sometimes. It feels like i'm swinging around a big pole, but then again that is expected with an O katana from cold steel. The blade is quite thick. This sword isn't nearly as sharp as a hanwei sword from everything i've heard about them. But it is tough! Here is a video about the sharpness, or lack of sharpness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOFUApiB_KA&fmt=18
I contacted cold steel, they said their edges aren't as sharp as some katana's so they retain their edges better. They did however offer to sharpen it for free to make it a bit sharper. I'm planning on sending it out to them sometime this week. The sword will still cut well with good forum and a powerful swing. Aside from the sharpness, I love the cold steel! The fittings on it are nice and the tsuka is wrapped tightly. If you like big, tough swords that can withstand a lot of abuse, the warrior O katana from cold steel is a good choice. However it will lack the elegance of let's say a cheness kaze or a hanwei sword. They didn't even bother with a hamon on the cold steel. And another thing, if you decide to go with the O katana make sure you have the strength to cut with this!
Here is another video ( not from me this time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V__Ierrz0hQ
As you can see, the guy is swinging it like a baseball bat. Kind of reminds me of happy gilmore. But the results speak for themselves, if you have the strength to swing like that, this sword can CUT. However some people do say that getting a giant and heavy sword like this defeats the whole purpose of having a katana. The balance on this isn't the greatest either, very tip heavy. Overall, if you are looking for a backyard beater sword this wouldn't be a bad option. If you want more pictures (or videos) let me know and i'll be glad to take some for you.