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RobbyDoom
March 14th, 2009, 09:23 PM
So the box is open and I have succumb to the excitement that had been stalking me since the purchase of this finely crafted instrument made to cut.
At first glance this katana appears simplistic, but the details are between the lines, so to speak.
Boku nukihanasu. The nagasa is epic and bares no bohi. I'm blinded by its comeliness and overwhelmed by its size. It's almost the same feeling as seeing breasts for the first time.
With sword in hand, you almost feel as if power is at your mercy. The first notion that comes to mind is "CUT, CUT, CUT" The girth of this broad katana almost taunts you to do so.
The faux suede tsuka-ito's soft caress and comfort is of the utmost. The copper coloured menuki gives this uncomplicated katana a bit of charm. Gazing past the menuki and ito, the faux samegawa is revealed, purest of white. The fuchigashira and tsuba are undemanding and noir. Their ego is muted, only to tell you "I'm here on business".
Turning the nagasa mune down, you can see its beautifully honed edge. "CUT, CUT, CUT" taunting me still. Turned to face the omote side the hamon unvails its indistinct glory. This katana is of noticeable weight, yet none so much as to steer you away from using it. "CUT, CUT, CUT" plaguing me still.
The saya, straightforward and black, with ito untied.
In conclusion, Paul Chen's Practical XL has an amazing look and feel. I recommend that everyone should have one in their collection. I will review further once I have cut with it.


Thanks for reading






- Robby

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photopro818
March 14th, 2009, 09:43 PM
Congrats on your new sword brother:lager:
Ohhh i wona know how that baby cuts
Are we going to get some pictures?

bobO
March 14th, 2009, 09:53 PM
=D> Great review! Now tell us how you really feel, jk.=))

RobbyDoom
March 14th, 2009, 10:10 PM
Congrats on your new sword brother:lager:
Ohhh i wona know how that baby cuts
Are we going to get some pictures?
Photos are up now!! :):)

photopro818
March 14th, 2009, 11:10 PM
Really nice hamone. Nice pics

Brian Brazier
March 15th, 2009, 01:38 AM
Typical Chen Notare Hamon, I would really like to see them do something else

goose710
March 15th, 2009, 01:51 AM
i agree
da gooseman

Caliper
March 15th, 2009, 03:28 AM
nice presentation and pics, hehehe
did you cut with it already? CUT CUT CUT! :evilbat:

photopro818
March 15th, 2009, 06:34 AM
Typical Chen Notare Hamon, I would really like to see them do something else
I relly like the hamon on Katsumushi Katana Limited Edition
http://reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=2690

the blade master
March 15th, 2009, 08:09 AM
hi robby
thats a nice tri polish on that blade
are those menuki sakura/cherry blossom
flowers a real nice piece i know the plain
finish on the stuka butcap and collar
is not to every ones taste but i like it
whats your preference for katana
furniture
mick

RobbyDoom
March 15th, 2009, 09:18 AM
hi robby
thats a nice tri polish on that blade
are those menuki sakura/cherry blossom
flowers a real nice piece
Yup, they are cherry blossoms. I think they look sweet.
i know the plain
finish on the stuka butcap and collar
is not to every ones taste but i like it
whats your preference for katana
furniture
i know the plain
finish on the stuka butcap and collar
is not to every ones taste but i like it
whats your preference for katana
furniture
I'm a big fan of simple/plain fuchigashira. I especially like this style of kashira, round! Not a big fan of the flat kashira, but if the rest of the kashirae is nice, then I'll settle with a flat kashira.

the blade master
March 15th, 2009, 09:33 AM
you know i just cant belive ive just spelt
the part of a katana the same way you spell
the german dive bomber christ it should be
tsuka not stuka sorry folkes:writing:
oh yes robby i have several kats finished that way by masahiro ryumon etc
even my new handforged morpheous sword has the blued steel fittings now
that dose really look the part finished that way and yes im a big fan of a well rounded butt to

RobbyDoom
March 15th, 2009, 09:37 AM
you know i just cant belive ive just spelt
the part of a katana the same way you spell
the german dive bomber christ it should be
tsuka not stuka sorry folkes:writing:
No apology needed. Everyone has a typo her and there.

prabshiro
March 15th, 2009, 10:01 AM
hi robby

i also have this piece along with other high end hanweis .
this one takes the cake , the thick blade and cutting power. of it is great.
overall fitting wise it looks a beuty .
is my premier cutter .
the only minor probelm you are gnna get which i hope not . is that it mite chip cuz it is soo sharp [according to a review by sensei] However i ahve been lucky with it not happening , and i hope the same goes for you .

belive me this sword when it comes cutting is probably imho .. on of thee best cutting swords made in the production line , i have a good source to actually back this claim up lol. and personnal experiance.

the blade master
March 15th, 2009, 10:13 AM
No apology needed. Everyone has a typo her and there.


you know ive just checked the others i have and have found theres at least 10 others i have with plain fittings like that and discovered suddenly
that i have at least 30 + kats not including diasho,s and three piece sets
stored in the back room + the paul chen basket hilted broadswords and
the chen two handed claymore chen one handed dao and some lotr swords chen tsunami ninto some decent knives might be some bits there
for you if your insterestd mako just cost you postage might do a swop
one for one if we both have somthing the other wants :ohyeah:

RobbyDoom
March 17th, 2009, 02:57 PM
It's a beautiful day here, so I thought I'd rock a few more photos.
Enjoy!!!!!!!

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Jason Moore
March 17th, 2009, 04:16 PM
Very nice...=D>

RedZorak
March 17th, 2009, 04:50 PM
Nice pictures! Looks good :ohyeah:

bobO
March 17th, 2009, 06:58 PM
Robby, great pic's, nice sword. Just no more wood, don't want to look at no more damn wood piles.

RobbyDoom
March 17th, 2009, 11:04 PM
Robby, great pic's, nice sword. Just no more wood, don't want to look at no more damn wood piles.
Were you out chopping wood today bobO?

RobbyDoom
March 18th, 2009, 12:01 AM
Here's my first time cutting with the XL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSnZyI70-I

photopro818
March 18th, 2009, 12:06 AM
Here's my first time cutting with the XL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mSnZyI70-I
Isn't that XL blade sharp or what!!!!;)

Did you like it?

RobbyDoom
March 18th, 2009, 12:18 AM
Isn't that XL blade sharp or what!!!!;)

Did you like it?
It is, and indeed I did!!

photopro818
March 18th, 2009, 02:07 AM
Ok i have to get me PK XL now.:)

the blade master
March 18th, 2009, 08:16 AM
robby hi
i notice that whilst cutting you were putting
a wet blade back into the saya i,d have thought that
drying the blade before re inserting the blade into the saya
would be better than correct form? er wet saya and the wood swells
and splits resulting in one messed up saya im not having a go rob
its just a general observation on my part and ive seen this on some other cutting videos so its not just you chum
regards mick

RobbyDoom
March 18th, 2009, 12:55 PM
robby hi
i notice that whilst cutting you were putting
a wet blade back into the saya i,d have thought that
drying the blade before re inserting the blade into the saya
would be better than correct form? er wet saya and the wood swells
and splits resulting in one messed up saya im not having a go rob
its just a general observation on my part and ive seen this on some other cutting videos so its not just you chum
regards mick
lol, I didn't put the nagasa back wet, I wiped after every cut. I just edited it out of the video. I thought it was monotonous to show it after every cut. I only showed it on the first cut, to show that I was in fact wiping the blade. Good eye though Mick.

the blade master
March 18th, 2009, 03:57 PM
eyes like a sh.t house rat chum=))=))=))