Cold Steel Warrior Katana

[Torawashi]

This is a sword I've had for a while. It's the older version. As Jason can attest, the newer version has a different tsuba and different menuki but is essentially the same sword.

I have some very nice katana, both visually and from a cutting standpoint, but I believe this is arguably the sturdiest, sharpest, and most dangerous katana I own (including the Cheness Tenchi which is an awesome weapon). This sword was made to CUT!

It makes no pretensions about what it is. In appearance it is a classic looking katana. The tsuka is nicely done in an "hourglass" shape with very high quality same' and high quality black cotton wrap, no fuzz. The fuchi and kashira are black iron, the fuchi is of ocean waves, the kashira is rounded (my favorite) and features a carved whirlpool. The tsuba is a black dragon winding around the guard. The menuki are brass dragons.
The seppa are of copper and the habaki is brass.

The blade is what impresses me most about this sword. It is unpretentiously done without a hamon. It is of through hardened 1050 steel with a deep bo-hi and is about 29 1/2 inches long (the size I need for my height, I'm 6'1"). The edge of this blade is "don't touch me" sharp. The kissaki is long and VERY sharp, especially the very tip which is like a needle. It cuts through soaked tatami mats like they're soft butter!

The statistics are as follows:

Weight: 40.6 oz.

Blade Thick: 9/32"

Blade Length: 29 3/8"

Handle: 11 3/8" Samé (Ray Skin). black braid cord with brass Menuki

Steel: 1050 High Carbon

Overall Length: 40 3/4"

Sheath: Black Lacquered Wood Scabbard

Enclosed are some pictures I have put together of him. I have named the sword: Koku-Ryu (Black Dragon). Enjoy!
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/coldsteelwarriorWood.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/coldsteelwarrior9g.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/coldsteelwarrior9c.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/coldsteelwarrior8.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/coldsteelwarrior6.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/coldsteelwarrior5.jpg

[goose710]

Toro
I love that tusba! is it a photo lighting thing or is the rim a silver color?
anyway great looking sword , i have the o-tanto . i can only imagin what a 29" bugger is like!!
da gooseman
ps- Dude you steal ALL the great names for swords!!!!! i love- em

[Torawashi]

Goose; the tsuba is all black.....what you're seeing is just a reflection of the light.....thanks for your kind words.......yes it's a real bugger of a weapon, if I had to go to war with a katana this would be the one!

[Taygrd]

Tora that is a great review. The sword looks fantastic, very clean in fit and finish-I felt a twinge of jealousy. You have enough swords now to arm Poland.=))

[Jason Moore]

I agree! Excellent review! =D>

[Torawashi]

LOL,Taygrd; actually Poland and Lower Slobbovia come to me for edged weapons........Jason; thanks so much for the kind words.

[Drakan]

The sword looks beautiful! great review :>

I was always thinking about the Imperial double edged katana... seems to be alot of people complaining about the wieght though... i say line up more tatami's!

[69NINJA]

The sword looks beautiful! great review :>

I was always thinking about the Imperial double edged katana... seems to be alot of people complaining about the weight though... i say line up more tatami's!

Oh your gonna fit in nicely here =D>



Another great review Torawashi.

~

[Torawashi]

[quote=Drakan;13298]seems to be alot of people complaining about the wieght though...

....those people are known as "Wimps".... you have to be a man to wield a sword. If it's too heavy for them, perhaps they need to take up a different interest......needlepoint maybe?? :mace:

[bradg]

Gonna commit some threadomancy here to add a comment.
I have owned a CS Warrior now for about four years. I have cut hundreds of bamboo poles with it (about all we cut is bamboo). I own five katanas I use to cut with. The Warrior is the one i use the most, 'cause it's never failed to cut, as long as my technique is reasonably close to being correct. Joints in the bamboo? No problem. Two poles at once? Three poles at once? No problem. Bamboo pole with a mat wrapped around it? No problem. Bad cuts? Shrugs them off, no damage.
The only problem i ever had with this sword was that the end cap came loose. I fixed it and it's fine.
Want to do forms with it? It's several ounces heavier than I'd like for that; but if you want to cut, the Warrior will do the job.

[the blade master]

hi jim
that dose look a sweet piece makes me want one for my collection
that blackened furniture look dose seem to suit the katana better
than any other ive seen.:ohyeah:

[bradg]

I forgot to mention that of the various katanas i have used, the Warrior has the best sound. Must be the particular shape of the bo-hi.

[the blade master]

hello jim
has the tsuba and the rest of the fittings got a satin matt finish
or is it just the lighting as i would like to apply the same finish on a kat im playing about with at the moment.
can you tell me when your on holiday so i can break in and steal it providing mr colt or misses smith&wesson are out
of town=))=)) must admit those are nice pics:ohyeah:
regards mick