Musashi Red Shirasaya

[msmalik]

I bought the Musashi Shirasaya right here on swordsofmight.com for $40 dollars. What attracted me to it was the price, and after watching paul southern from SBG cut tatami with it I was convinced that anything that performed like that for 40 dollars was definitely a must buy. It also looked very simplistic and graceful to me. I liked the rosewood saya.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/msmforever69/IMG_1018.jpg


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/msmforever69/IMG_1009.jpg


http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/msmforever69/IMG_1010.jpg

The sword arrived in a cardboard box, nothing too special. But it was packaged very well. It also came with a sword bag. It was held in place by styrofoam spacers. The shipping was very fast with SOM as usual. And they packaged it very well.

Musashi Red Shirasaya Features:

Here is some information about the sword:

Hand honed carbon steel blade (Sharpened)
Matte red finish on scabbard and handle
Single pegged
Makes for a great custom sword project
Comes with black sword bag
Measurements:

Blade: 27"
Handle: 10 1/2"
Overall: 38 1/2"
Weight: 2 Lbs

DESIGN, FIT AND FINISH

The Blade: The blade has a cosmetic hamon, but it isn't one of those "sharkteeth" type triangle looking ones you find on cheap wall hangers. The hamon is there just for aesthetic purposes. This can be a positive of negative to some people. To me it just adds to the looks of the sword, and I think it is nicely done on this sword. The blade does have a bo hi. This sword is VERY light. Sharpness wise the blade was sharp right out of the box. The kissaki had a very thin point, and that is most likely why it got bent a little already when my friend hit the tip on the stand. In general, the blade is sharp, but it will chip easily if abused.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/msmforever69/IMG_1014.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/msmforever69/IMG_1017.jpg

The habaki: This fits tight in the saya. This is the way I like it to be because after drawing and resheating a lot they eventually loosen up.

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/msmforever69/IMG_1015.jpg

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo197/msmforever69/IMG_1013.jpg

The finish on the saya and tsuka is very nice in my opinion. It has this smooth feeling, and had no chips on it what so ever. The rosewood color looked fantastic. Of course being a shirasaya there isn't much to say about the fittings.

CUTTING

Well I don't use this for cutting to much, because it doesn't have a tsuba...but I have done it and I was pleased with the results. Bottles are no problem, and it cuts half and full tatami mats without much issue. My cutting form isn't the greatest, so if I can cut tatami with it, then someone who actually has training and can cut with their eyes closed i'm sure.

Here is a video of me cutting full and half mats using two swords, the tenchi and the rosewood shirasaya. Please keep in mind this was the 3rd cutting session of my life, so my form is terrible I'm sure. But this goes to show you that if I can cut with, then anyone can.

The shirasaya was used from the beginning until 17 seconds in. Then from 40 seconds until the end of the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtDd1PgIvS8&feature=channel_page

CONCLUSION RATINGS

Overall this is a GREAT deal for 40 dollars. I'm thinking of getting more to give to people who are interested in swords since it is so cheap! For the price you cannot beat this. It will serve you well as a display piece and for occasional cutting. The blade is razor sharp. The fittings are..well non existent, but that's expected with a shirasaya. Although I will say you have to be really careful when cutting with this since it is a shirasaya. This would be perfect if you want to do a custom project and add your own fitting on it.


Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 5/5 (very light and easy to maneuver)
Structural Integrity: 3/5 (the blade will easily chip, and the kissaki will bend easily if you use it on harder targets)
Value for Money: 6/5 !!

OVERALL: 4.5/5

Despite the flaws, for 40 dollars the value for the money gives a 4.5/5 overall. Buy it now! Swordsofmight.com is a GREAT place to buy. Jason is a great guy to deal with, they ship FAST, and they have the best prices. I will definitely buy from them again.

[goose710]

Msmalik
Really is Christmas for you two swords !!!!
da gooseman

[bobO]

Nice cutting! Do you soak your mats? Careful with that shirasaya. Nice review.

[Taygrd]

Great review. I love this sword as well. It is nice to keep out for display and play since you do not have to worry about the koshirae getting dusty.

[msmalik]

Nice cutting! Do you soak your mats? Careful with that shirasaya. Nice review.

Yes I do soak them, these were tatami mats. Although I was a bit unpatient this time and took them out earlier then I should have.

[Jason Moore]

Nice reviews! =D>

[Torawashi]

Great review MSM.......interesting info and nice sword. thanks for posting it.

[msmalik]

Thanks Guys! I updated the images and they are not viewable in the forum.

[gypes37]

Your shirasaya is a bit different from mine. I got it rom the musashi swords website a while back ago or at least i think i did lol. Anyway my sword doesnt have those notches in at the tsulka and more importantly the hamon on mine is much different. TO be honest the hamon on mine is livlier than yours. The fit has gotten loose from sword drawing and the paint is chipping nicely from bad poor upkeep thanks to me having plans to house it in fittings that never came to blossom.... oh well lol. Either way nice review.

[the blade master]

hi nice review put me in the mood for one thanks:celebration:

[Gauche]

I just got the exact same sword (from S.O.M. of course) 2 days ago. It is so far the best of my collection. But I must ask: can all of the blade chop or only the end of it?

[Taygrd]

Traditionally you usually only cut with the first 18 inched of the blade. A shirasaya is designed for storage and is dangerous to cut with. The shirasaya tsuka may not hold up to regular cutting and will not hold up to heavy cutting and can break setting the blade free. The fuchi and ito give support and strenght to a mounted blade that the shirasaya lacks. The blade is strong and has a good temper to it and if properly mounted.

[Gauche]

Traditionally you usually only cut with the first 18 inched of the blade. A shirasaya is designed for storage and is dangerous to cut with. The shirasaya tsuka may not hold up to regular cutting and will not hold up to heavy cutting and can break setting the blade free. The fuchi and ito give support and strenght to a mounted blade that the shirasaya lacks. The blade is strong and has a good temper to it and if properly mounted.But do you think it could at least slice a filled-up water bottle in half?

[Kurubushi Kamu]

It will cut the bottle well, but it will cut your FINGERS better when your hand slides onto the blade due to lack of TSUBA. Its not IF you will get cut doing tameshigiri with shirasaya but WHEN. Im not trying to be harsh here,but that overwhelming urge to cut can wait for SAFER equipment. Please be careful! KK

[Firehand10k]

I think if you are careful CUTTING will be ok but stabbing is a definite no go.
I've been collecting for about ten years now and done much stranger stuff than cutting with a guardless blade and I've never been cut by a sword.
Just respect the blade and be very mindful of its presence.

[Taskmaster99]

Ive only done milk jugs with mine. Cuts with ease. I will heed all your warnings and not attempt the beach mats...lol.

[photopro818]

Thats a good sword for its price.

The Kissaki didn't bent cuz its thin. Most likely the carbon and steel mix wasn't right.And you did say carbon steel Not High Carbon steel. So your friend didn't do it. From my personal experience don't give your swords to anyone.~X(

[Taygrd]

I have this sword and the Ha-machi and Mune-machi on mine are finished differently. I do like the blade, it have a nice elegant lokk to it. Thanks for the review and welcome to the forum.=D>

[msmalik]

In response to blade maide, I didn't copy my review from SBG. I just pasted this same review on there. I put this review here because SOM is where I got the sword from.

[Jason Moore]

Pay no attention to Blade Maid, he is gone. Thanks for your review my friend.

[CountessaAsryon]

This is such a lovely sword. I had bought it via Ebay before I stumbled upon SoM, but it suposedly got "lost in transit" T_T I have no idea how that can happen, but the seller dissapeared from e-bay little after.

I've wondered about it getting it again from here, but I am trying to stay in the $100+ range for new swords.

[Jason Moore]

Musashi's lower end line is very very nice. Worth much more than the asking price. There is no better lower end shirasaya IMHO...

[CountessaAsryon]

Musashi's lower end line is very very nice. Worth much more than the asking price. There is no better lower end shirasaya IMHO...

I am considering it because shirasayas are just drop dead sexy XO alas I have the Zetsurin already and I've heard it is the same blade in both swords. Is this true?

[Jason Moore]

I would say they are the same blade.

[msmalik]

For the price Jason sells this sword at, you must have it... I have seen wall hanger shirasays sell for 50 dollars on ebay, ridiculous. This sword is a great display piece as well, and the bonus is it's a functional blade!

[photopro818]

I like the PC Black ZET for 100$ you cant go wrong