Brian Brazier
October 21st, 2007, 01:35 AM
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/art_perf_KT_blade.jpg
Initial Impression
I have often heard that a Samurai Sword should feel like an extension of your arm, and when I held the Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite (PPKE) for the first time, that was the feeling I got. For my first time ever owning a sword I knew exactly what everyone was talking about, and to be honest it gave me goosebumps. I had very high expectations of the new PPKE, and honestly the PPKE superseded all of my expectations, Paul Chen Hanwei have really raised the bar, especially in the sub $400 market.
I took advantage of Jason's new layaway program so I could afford the new PPKE, and once it was paid off it took about 7 days total to arrive from PA to WA. The packaging from Swords of Might was superb, the PC Sword box was packed tightly inside an outer box with popcorn packaging for cushion and support.
After I got the sword out and cleaned off the heavy oil PC uses to protect the blade, I did a thorough polishing, then cleaning, as I do with all my swords when I first receive them. I was greatly pleased to see no surface rust, or major blemishes of any kind, and the polish on the Elite really looks good.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0334.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0342.jpg
Fit and Finish
The PPKE is done in the Japanese Dogwood motif, the Kashira (buttcap) and Fuchi (collar) featuring Japanese Kousa (Dogwood) flowers, and the Tsuba (handgaurd) has a Sunburst pattern. All these fittings are made of Iron, and give the sword a subtle beauty that I really appreciate. The Habaki (blade collar) and Seppa (spacers) are make of brass with the Habaki featuring a falling rain pattern, which I really like. The Tsuka (handle) has a very good shape, with the Tsuka-Ito (handle wrap) done in black cotton over real Same (rayskin). The Ito is very tightly wrapped, with a very nice diamond pattern, it feels great in the hand, and is perfect for tameshigiri or years of kata. Under the Ito are Dragon Menuki (ornaments), which appear to be done in brass with a very nice polish. The blade has the new Performance shape which is wider than the Classic PC Katanas, the wider blade gives the PPKE not only a great look, but makes the sword and excellent cutter. The Hamon (temperline) is very pronounced, and is done in the notare pattern that is found on most PC Katanas. I belive that that because the Hamon on the PPKE is so pronounced that it probably has been enhanced, but I my opinon it adds to the beauty of the sword. The Saya (scabbard) has a rugged black textured finish, and also appears to have buffalo horn at the Kurikata (knob), Koiguchi (throat), and Kojiri (tip), which I was unaware of. The sword fits very well in the Saya, and needed no adjustment, eventually some adjustment will be needed if you are constantly sheathing and unsheathing the sword, but PC has you covered with detailed instructions that make the process very easy. The Sageo (cord) is black, I would say medium quality, and is the standard length. Also included is a single cord black sword bag, it's made from black cotton, nothing special but it does the job.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0349.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0350.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0357.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0323.jpg
Handling
I was a bit skeptical that such a wide blade could still be quick, but with a balance point of between 4" and 5" from the Tsuba, the PPKE is very quick. The weight of this sword is just right for me, in fact I believe a person with a smaller frame, or a woman would have no problem handling the PPKE. All these things along with the other components of the PPKE, make this sword very easy to handle, and very comfortable to handle. Cutting is a real treat with the PPKE, it moves though targets like a hot knife through butter. I recently cut some 2 liter bottles which I had only filled about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way, which makes cutting them more difficult, and I was very happy to see that the blade passed through the bottle very smoothly, without any tearing or ripping of the plastic. This is the easiest way for me to test the sharpness of the blade with products that I have in my house.
Conclusion
I would recommend that anyone looking for a great dojo cutter, or just a great functional piece, take a good look at the Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite. Though not the fanciest sword on the market, the Practical Plus Performance Series is in my opinion the best value in Japanese style swords under $400. If anyone has a question, or wants a more specific picture of anything feel free to ask.
Where to Buy
Swords of Might of course, Jason has top notch customer service, will match any advertised price (except Ebay), a new layaway option, and if he doesn't have it in stock, it will normally only take a couple days to get it in.
http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=85
Historical Accuracy 3/5
Fit and Finish 5/5
Handling 5/5
Structural Integrity 4/5
Value for the Money 5/5
Overall 4/5 Excellent
Thanks,
Brian Brazier
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/th_806bd145.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/?action=view¤t=806bd145.pbr)
Description from Paul Chen
Elite Series: Incorporating a blend of the features of the Katanas in our popular Classic Series and those in our new Performance Series, the swords in our Elite Series embody a careful blend of form and function. As in the Classic Series, the swords have an upgraded standard of blade polish and other refinements in detail while changes in blade design have been introduced to enhance cutting performance.
The Practical Plus Elite Katana provides a very economical cutting sword as dependable as the Practical Elite Katana (SH6000KPC), but using more traditional fittings and construction methods. The blade is forged and differentially tempered (HRC60 edge, HRC40 back) and the hamon is prominent. The Practical Plus Elite features genuine Same (Rayskin) on the Tsuka, with a tightly-woven cotton wrap (Tsuka-Ito). The long tang is double-pegged for security. The fittings of the Practical Plus Elite are decorated in a Japanese Dogwood motif with dragon menuki, and the handsome Tsuba is of an iron “sunburst” design with a brass habaki.
Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite Katana Features:
Economical cutter
Traditional tang construction
High carbon hand forged blade
Quality fittings
Genuine same and cotton wrapped tsuka
Sword bag included
Measurements:
Blade: 28"
Handle: 11"
Overall: 40"
Weight: 2lbs 7oz
Initial Impression
I have often heard that a Samurai Sword should feel like an extension of your arm, and when I held the Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite (PPKE) for the first time, that was the feeling I got. For my first time ever owning a sword I knew exactly what everyone was talking about, and to be honest it gave me goosebumps. I had very high expectations of the new PPKE, and honestly the PPKE superseded all of my expectations, Paul Chen Hanwei have really raised the bar, especially in the sub $400 market.
I took advantage of Jason's new layaway program so I could afford the new PPKE, and once it was paid off it took about 7 days total to arrive from PA to WA. The packaging from Swords of Might was superb, the PC Sword box was packed tightly inside an outer box with popcorn packaging for cushion and support.
After I got the sword out and cleaned off the heavy oil PC uses to protect the blade, I did a thorough polishing, then cleaning, as I do with all my swords when I first receive them. I was greatly pleased to see no surface rust, or major blemishes of any kind, and the polish on the Elite really looks good.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0334.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0342.jpg
Fit and Finish
The PPKE is done in the Japanese Dogwood motif, the Kashira (buttcap) and Fuchi (collar) featuring Japanese Kousa (Dogwood) flowers, and the Tsuba (handgaurd) has a Sunburst pattern. All these fittings are made of Iron, and give the sword a subtle beauty that I really appreciate. The Habaki (blade collar) and Seppa (spacers) are make of brass with the Habaki featuring a falling rain pattern, which I really like. The Tsuka (handle) has a very good shape, with the Tsuka-Ito (handle wrap) done in black cotton over real Same (rayskin). The Ito is very tightly wrapped, with a very nice diamond pattern, it feels great in the hand, and is perfect for tameshigiri or years of kata. Under the Ito are Dragon Menuki (ornaments), which appear to be done in brass with a very nice polish. The blade has the new Performance shape which is wider than the Classic PC Katanas, the wider blade gives the PPKE not only a great look, but makes the sword and excellent cutter. The Hamon (temperline) is very pronounced, and is done in the notare pattern that is found on most PC Katanas. I belive that that because the Hamon on the PPKE is so pronounced that it probably has been enhanced, but I my opinon it adds to the beauty of the sword. The Saya (scabbard) has a rugged black textured finish, and also appears to have buffalo horn at the Kurikata (knob), Koiguchi (throat), and Kojiri (tip), which I was unaware of. The sword fits very well in the Saya, and needed no adjustment, eventually some adjustment will be needed if you are constantly sheathing and unsheathing the sword, but PC has you covered with detailed instructions that make the process very easy. The Sageo (cord) is black, I would say medium quality, and is the standard length. Also included is a single cord black sword bag, it's made from black cotton, nothing special but it does the job.
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0349.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0350.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0357.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/IMG_0323.jpg
Handling
I was a bit skeptical that such a wide blade could still be quick, but with a balance point of between 4" and 5" from the Tsuba, the PPKE is very quick. The weight of this sword is just right for me, in fact I believe a person with a smaller frame, or a woman would have no problem handling the PPKE. All these things along with the other components of the PPKE, make this sword very easy to handle, and very comfortable to handle. Cutting is a real treat with the PPKE, it moves though targets like a hot knife through butter. I recently cut some 2 liter bottles which I had only filled about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way, which makes cutting them more difficult, and I was very happy to see that the blade passed through the bottle very smoothly, without any tearing or ripping of the plastic. This is the easiest way for me to test the sharpness of the blade with products that I have in my house.
Conclusion
I would recommend that anyone looking for a great dojo cutter, or just a great functional piece, take a good look at the Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite. Though not the fanciest sword on the market, the Practical Plus Performance Series is in my opinion the best value in Japanese style swords under $400. If anyone has a question, or wants a more specific picture of anything feel free to ask.
Where to Buy
Swords of Might of course, Jason has top notch customer service, will match any advertised price (except Ebay), a new layaway option, and if he doesn't have it in stock, it will normally only take a couple days to get it in.
http://www.swordsofmight.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=85
Historical Accuracy 3/5
Fit and Finish 5/5
Handling 5/5
Structural Integrity 4/5
Value for the Money 5/5
Overall 4/5 Excellent
Thanks,
Brian Brazier
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/th_806bd145.jpg (http://s158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bbrazierkendo/?action=view¤t=806bd145.pbr)
Description from Paul Chen
Elite Series: Incorporating a blend of the features of the Katanas in our popular Classic Series and those in our new Performance Series, the swords in our Elite Series embody a careful blend of form and function. As in the Classic Series, the swords have an upgraded standard of blade polish and other refinements in detail while changes in blade design have been introduced to enhance cutting performance.
The Practical Plus Elite Katana provides a very economical cutting sword as dependable as the Practical Elite Katana (SH6000KPC), but using more traditional fittings and construction methods. The blade is forged and differentially tempered (HRC60 edge, HRC40 back) and the hamon is prominent. The Practical Plus Elite features genuine Same (Rayskin) on the Tsuka, with a tightly-woven cotton wrap (Tsuka-Ito). The long tang is double-pegged for security. The fittings of the Practical Plus Elite are decorated in a Japanese Dogwood motif with dragon menuki, and the handsome Tsuba is of an iron “sunburst” design with a brass habaki.
Paul Chen Practical Plus Elite Katana Features:
Economical cutter
Traditional tang construction
High carbon hand forged blade
Quality fittings
Genuine same and cotton wrapped tsuka
Sword bag included
Measurements:
Blade: 28"
Handle: 11"
Overall: 40"
Weight: 2lbs 7oz