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View Full Version : Starting up again, Great Wave first look...

Code-Red
February 25th, 2010, 02:14 PM
Ill try to sum up a bit about me before i do this, so you allo get a little backround info so you can point me in the right direction because ive forgotten a lot of what I once knew.

So i used to have a collection of about 15 katana's about 7 years ago. Some were beaters, a few were show piece only, and the rest were what i like to call WoW's or "wall only weapons" not sure what you guys would call em tho'

Well they all went away while my family and I were down in Florida. Our house caught fire and I dont think i need to explain what a lot of heat does to already tempered blades. I got the collection when a cousin of mine passed away and left him to me. Two were easily in the 2-3k range altough I dont have any details on them because all documentation literally went up in smoke.

That being said I was at an auction the other day with my friend (he makes a living selling stuff on ebay) and I saw what looked like an excellent katana up for grabs. I couldnt be sure at first because the only info on it was full tang and high-carbon steel and petroleum jelly was all over it. I could tell the overall theme was Tomoe though so I googled tomoe katana on my phone and after a few sites foud out it was a Paul Chen (CAS or Hanwei = same i believe) Great Wave and was stoked. Open bid was $100 and only one other guy competed with me for it. I got this bad boy for $220!

Naturally I want to show off my lucky find so i joined the forum. Have really wanted to talk with someone who has one but they dont seem to be very popular cause i cant find any noteworthy reviews on it. So ill do my best to give a proper review of it, this has totally got me addicted again.

Been a while since ive practiced Kendo so please correct my mistakes...

A few in stand shots, nothing flashy here...

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01860.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01862.jpg

Only thing i dont like is on the saya where imo a tomoe themed Kojiri should be...

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01863.jpg

Now for some good shots. Good look at the Fuchi, Tsuba, and fitting although i forget what they are called. I really like how the tomoe theme was incorporated here. Oh and I even managed to capture a snow flake in the first shot...

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01851.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01852.jpg

Here is a good shot of the Menuki...atleast i think thats what its called looks like an Oni or something of that nature to me. Pretty good shot of the ray skin and part of the Tsuka to.

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01848.jpg

Now for the kashia, it looks great imo. I really like the texture appearence the grooves add (its also my avatar lol)

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01846.jpg

The next are gonna be of the blade and hamon. Zoom in on the water drops it looks pretty cool!

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01864.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01865.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01843.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01844.jpg

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01855.jpg

Overall i am pleased with it. Hamon looked even more milky when I got it, but in the pics i had done some very light polishing, not sure if I want to mess with anymore though.

Took me a sec, the tang really did not want to come free, but i got it all apart...

http://i594.photobucket.com/albums/tt25/WFCodeRed/DSC01859.jpg

And thats its for pics. Sorry for so many and their size but I really wanted to capture the sword and highlight its features. Havent got to use it yet but once I have ill try to give it a full review. I will say this though, it is solid! It feels like I could cut through a tree and it would be no worse for the wear, although i would never attempt it lol...
goose710
February 25th, 2010, 02:22 PM
Code red
Although i don't know this sword i like the understated elegance of the fittings, simple/ clean/ low key.
also i LOVE that long kissaki!!
a great start to another collection!

da gooseman
Torawashi
February 25th, 2010, 02:29 PM
Code Red; congratulations on a verry nice sword. I am a fan of the long kissaki too. This is the beginning of your new collection, and, as you will see, your new addiction. A warm welcome to the forum.
Code-Red
February 25th, 2010, 02:36 PM
Code red
Although i don't know this sword i like the understated elegance of the fittings, simple/ clean/ low key.
also i LOVE that long kissaki!!
a great start to another collection!

da gooseman

The fittings are what really sold me, otherwise i would have just walked on by. The kissaki is much longer then any previous katana ive had, it was a bit strange to me at first. I cant wait to use this though, im sure i could eat up quite a bit of half/full mats even with my rusty form lol...
Caliper
February 26th, 2010, 12:15 AM
Nice, I like your big pictures, shows there's nothing to hide B-)

nice catch getting a good price on the katana, a good way to start collecting again, welcome to the forum buddy

you got all the names right, here's a little image for you to catch up

http://www.trueswords.com/images/katana_sword_parts.jpg

Cas/Hanwei is the brand, or can be refered as Paul Chen katana, someone correct me if I'm wrong, Cas-Iberia is the official distributor, Paul Chen forge (Hanwei) is the Chinese forge
Code-Red
February 26th, 2010, 12:23 AM
Nice, I like your big pictures, shows there's nothing to hide B-)

nice catch getting a good price on the katana, a good way to start collecting again, welcome to the forum buddy

you got all the names right, here's a little image for you to catch up

http://www.trueswords.com/images/katana_sword_parts.jpg

Cas/Hanwei is the brand, or can be refered as Paul Chen katana, someone correct me if I'm wrong, Cas-Iberia is the official distributor, Paul Chen forge (Hanwei) is the Chinese forge

Thx the diagram will be a big help. Got a line on a Shinto Elite earlier today so that will most likely be my next purchase...
zentredi
February 26th, 2010, 02:06 AM
nice find:ohyeah:
goose710
February 26th, 2010, 08:44 AM
Code-red

See sticky of sword terms and glossery, it's big but got all the terms and discriptions you'll ever have a need for.
it's under Japanese swords at the top

da gooseman
Mako
February 26th, 2010, 12:36 PM
Welcome aboard.

The 'Tsunami' is a good choice, I've never read anything bad about it. ;)
Code-Red
February 26th, 2010, 01:36 PM
Welcome aboard.

The 'Tsunami' is a good choice, I've never read anything bad about it. ;)


As you said "tsunami" ive been wondering if it is just a translation issue. A tsunami is basically a "great wave" so I could see where it could be confused...
bobO
February 26th, 2010, 02:01 PM
Nice pic's CR nice sword. Cal right you are.
Mako
February 26th, 2010, 08:53 PM
As you said "tsunami" ive been wondering if it is just a translation issue. A tsunami is basically a "great wave" so I could see where it could be confused...
The Paul Chen/Hanwei 'Great Wave' was originally marketed as 'The Tsunami' but for some reason tsunami fell from grace, maybe it was something to do with the fairly recent disasters in the Indian and Pacific Oceans but I'm just guessing. :-?
Code-Red
February 26th, 2010, 11:52 PM
The weather really didnt permit me to do any test cutting today, and my garage is to full right now, but I can still give an over view of the basic handling and such.

As i stated before this sword is solid. When holding it you can feel the power of the blade. It really feels like you could destroy a tree with it. The (o) kissaki is like a scalpel, and beyond the swords cutting potential its piercing potential is equally great.

The tsuka ito is wrapped great, very tight with even cross laying. No play with any of the fittings (habaki, seppa, etc.) either. Balance is good, 5" in, but its not the quickest of katana and you have to use a little more force to change directions quickly but its not bad mind you.

Even without "really" testing its cutting ability I would recommend giving it a look based on, again imo, its understated looks and quality build if you can get it at a good price.

Pics and vids of cutting prowess later this weekend...
Code-Red
February 26th, 2010, 11:54 PM
The Paul Chen/Hanwei 'Great Wave' was originally marketed as 'The Tsunami' but for some reason tsunami fell from grace, maybe it was something to do with the fairly recent disasters in the Indian and Pacific Oceans but I'm just guessing. :-?

I see. Thx for clearing that up for me.