Firehand10k
January 5th, 2008, 01:15 AM
Masahiro Cherry Blossom Katana reviewed by Firehand10k
$85.00 from Swords of Might
Initial Impression: This is probably the prettiest katana I own. I ordered the Burgundy version of this and after the usual short shipping time from Swords of Might I unwrapped it to find a sword that was actually much better looking than its pictures. The triangular box it comes in includes wooden pieces to make it into a display stand that looks great but is really too big to use unless you have a lot of shelf space or very few swords. The fittings all shined at me and the ito looked so tight everything looked perfect. Then I pulled it out of the saya to discover a nicely polished blade sharpened with a secondary bevel. That secondary bevel was a disappointment to find but I was still happy to be holding my first functional traditionally assembled (not really traditionally made, just assembled) katana and for only $85. Fifteen or so katanas later this one is still the quickest to catch the eye.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/Masahiro1.jpg
STATISTICS:
Blade length- 27 ½”
Tsuka length- 11”
Overall length- 39 ¾”
Balance Point-5 ¾” from tsuba
Weight- 2 Lbs. 5 oz.
FIT and FINISH:
Blade- This is the best polished blade I have seen for under $100. It really is a mirror finish, The hamon is etched on but achieves a natural look by not using an even repeating wave pattern as many in this price range do.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5296.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5295.jpg
Unfortunately the edge is applied in a secondary bevel at nearly 45 degrees and is not very sharp. I can safely run my fingers along the edge applying pressure without fearing a cut. In fact I haven’t been able to cut anything with the factory edge on this. It is a very tough blade though and withstands serious batting of water bottles with no signs of bending or other damage.
Tsuba (Hand Guard)- Also extremely good looking. It is finished in a gloss black with gold accents painted on the cherry blossoms and what looks like willow braches depicted on it.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5289.jpg
It is a fairly common tsuba that I have seen on a few other production katanas but holds more of a shine than the other versions.
Tsuka (Handle)- The tsuka looks very nice even with a faux ray skin wrap. The tsuka-ito is tight and even over the whole length of the tsuka.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5292.jpg
The same is just panels on each side of the handle but it is applied with no gaps visible under the ito.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5293.jpg
I did remove the mekugi and attempt to move the handle but it is very securely mounted and I didn’t want to damage it so I ended up not disassembling it.
Saya- The saya is fairly plain but very nicely finished. The color is even and shiny over the whole length. The metal collar at the mouth of it is finished to match the tsuba and the rest of the sword’s furniture.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5291.jpg
The sageo is tightly and evenly knotted helping to make the overall saya look more expensive than it really is.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5290.jpg
Cutting - This is a great looking sword but is not sharp enough for cutting. I have hit many plastic bottles with it in unsuccessful attempts. If you listen to the video audio you can here how hard the blade strikes the bottles with no harm to it. The bottle can even be heard bouncing in the background after it is hit to the wall.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/th_MyMovie1.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/?action=view¤t=MyMovie1.flv)
CONCLUSION- This is a very attractive sword and very durable, great for a beginning collector. It is not a good cutter out of the box but as durable as it is I am sure it could cut well if sharpened up better. As a decorative piece it is great. The fine shiny lacquer and glossy furniture make it a definite eye grabber which works great when I have guests since with the dull edge I can feel safe letting them handle it a little. When I first got this I planned on sharpening it and was very happy with its sturdy construction. Now that I have several other swords I’ll probably never get around to sharpening it. This sword really kick started my interest in collecting more katanas.
Fit and Finish- 5/5
Handling- 4/5
Structural Integrity-5 /5
Value for the money- 4/5
Overall- 4/5
$85.00 from Swords of Might
Initial Impression: This is probably the prettiest katana I own. I ordered the Burgundy version of this and after the usual short shipping time from Swords of Might I unwrapped it to find a sword that was actually much better looking than its pictures. The triangular box it comes in includes wooden pieces to make it into a display stand that looks great but is really too big to use unless you have a lot of shelf space or very few swords. The fittings all shined at me and the ito looked so tight everything looked perfect. Then I pulled it out of the saya to discover a nicely polished blade sharpened with a secondary bevel. That secondary bevel was a disappointment to find but I was still happy to be holding my first functional traditionally assembled (not really traditionally made, just assembled) katana and for only $85. Fifteen or so katanas later this one is still the quickest to catch the eye.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/Masahiro1.jpg
STATISTICS:
Blade length- 27 ½”
Tsuka length- 11”
Overall length- 39 ¾”
Balance Point-5 ¾” from tsuba
Weight- 2 Lbs. 5 oz.
FIT and FINISH:
Blade- This is the best polished blade I have seen for under $100. It really is a mirror finish, The hamon is etched on but achieves a natural look by not using an even repeating wave pattern as many in this price range do.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5296.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5295.jpg
Unfortunately the edge is applied in a secondary bevel at nearly 45 degrees and is not very sharp. I can safely run my fingers along the edge applying pressure without fearing a cut. In fact I haven’t been able to cut anything with the factory edge on this. It is a very tough blade though and withstands serious batting of water bottles with no signs of bending or other damage.
Tsuba (Hand Guard)- Also extremely good looking. It is finished in a gloss black with gold accents painted on the cherry blossoms and what looks like willow braches depicted on it.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5289.jpg
It is a fairly common tsuba that I have seen on a few other production katanas but holds more of a shine than the other versions.
Tsuka (Handle)- The tsuka looks very nice even with a faux ray skin wrap. The tsuka-ito is tight and even over the whole length of the tsuka.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5292.jpg
The same is just panels on each side of the handle but it is applied with no gaps visible under the ito.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5293.jpg
I did remove the mekugi and attempt to move the handle but it is very securely mounted and I didn’t want to damage it so I ended up not disassembling it.
Saya- The saya is fairly plain but very nicely finished. The color is even and shiny over the whole length. The metal collar at the mouth of it is finished to match the tsuba and the rest of the sword’s furniture.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5291.jpg
The sageo is tightly and evenly knotted helping to make the overall saya look more expensive than it really is.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/IMG_5290.jpg
Cutting - This is a great looking sword but is not sharp enough for cutting. I have hit many plastic bottles with it in unsuccessful attempts. If you listen to the video audio you can here how hard the blade strikes the bottles with no harm to it. The bottle can even be heard bouncing in the background after it is hit to the wall.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/th_MyMovie1.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/Masahiro%20Cherry/?action=view¤t=MyMovie1.flv)
CONCLUSION- This is a very attractive sword and very durable, great for a beginning collector. It is not a good cutter out of the box but as durable as it is I am sure it could cut well if sharpened up better. As a decorative piece it is great. The fine shiny lacquer and glossy furniture make it a definite eye grabber which works great when I have guests since with the dull edge I can feel safe letting them handle it a little. When I first got this I planned on sharpening it and was very happy with its sturdy construction. Now that I have several other swords I’ll probably never get around to sharpening it. This sword really kick started my interest in collecting more katanas.
Fit and Finish- 5/5
Handling- 4/5
Structural Integrity-5 /5
Value for the money- 4/5
Overall- 4/5