69NINJA
June 24th, 2008, 03:55 PM
Katsumushi:http://www.reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=2690
Well I'm not experienced at writing reviews especially for a sword as nice as this, but for the most part the pictures will speak for themselves.
I came across this sword one night at Relics.com, I was actually searching the web for custom tsubas, dragonfly to be exact. I've thought about buying a Paul Chen great wave and customizing it to resemble the Cold Steel Dragonfly katana, but when I came Across this I found everything I was looking for and more.
I really don't know where to start except to say I truly love this sword and recommend it to anyone.
my only regret it that I couldn't order it through Jason here at SOM (yes I tried).
OK, now to the sword,
Blade Length: 28.5"
Overall Length: 39.75"
Blade Material: 1065 High Carbon Steel HRC 60 edge and HRC 40 spine
Weight: 2.2 lbs.
First here's the relics description,
The Katsumushi is a 500 pc. limited edition collaboration between Paul Chen along with the Hanwei forge and Reliks Swords and Collectibles. Traditionally known in Japan as katsumushi, or the "invincible insect," the dragonfly is a favorite symbol of strength and victory, admired for its elegance and lightness, yet it is also a symbol of Japan herself, as the shape of the islands are said to resemble this intriguing insect. This functional katana takes inspiration from the strength of the dragonfly with an antiqued solid iron tsuba with cut outs depicting the dragonfly alongside a set of bulrush. The dragonfly theme is also carried to the antiqued kashira and fuchi as well as boasting copper finished dragonfly menuki. The 11" tsuka has been dressed in black same or ray skin and expertly wrapped in premium Japanese cotton with a "katate-maki" coil wrap or war wrap(battle wrap). The seppa and habaki have also been constructed with copper to match the menuki with this traditional Japanese material. The Katsumushi Katana features a hand forged 28.5" 1065 high carbon steel blade and is differentially tempered using traditional clay tempering methods to produce a HRC60 edge and HRC40 spine. This allows for superior edge holding and cutting ability while allowing the blade to absorb the shock of a blow. The temper line is prominent with a notare (wave) hamon with accenting toran (high wave) near the point of balance and the effective cutting area. The wooden saya features a black stone finish with polished horn fittings along with green Japanese cotton sageo. The Katsumushi Katana is supplied with a protective cloth bag as well as a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by Paul Chen
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10034.jpg
11'' tsuka:
this is by far the nicest done tsuka that I have ever owned, Its extremely tight and ive always loved the battle wrap on katanas.
The same is beautiful it has a shine to it that you could compare to polished black onyx. and they truly brought the dragonfly theme to every aspect of this sword with detail that goes above and beyond the price tag.
As Brian noticed, they even blackened both mekugi. its all in the details my friends.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10004.jpg
The blade: wow!
To me this blade is truly unique, ive never seen anything like it, the shallow to high wave hamon is a concept ive never been familiar with and would love to know more about it if anyone can comment.
It has an amazing mirror polish down the back of the blade, obviously no bo-hi, and a kind of satin finish to resist scratches down the front.
This thing is SHARP hrc 60/40! very well done, the hamon is breathtaking.
copper habaki.
No I havent cut with it and I probably wont, this piece is destined to be a well maintained piece of art.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10017.jpg
Saya:
The saya is a work of art all in its own, It features beautifully done buffalo horn on the kurigata, kojiri and koiguchi.
The stone finish on this saya is the first ive owned of this finish, and will definitely be something I will look for in any new sword purchases, it resists fingerprints and ads a little protection against small scratches and dents. and as you can see from some of the pictures below, it just looks cool.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10037.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10035.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10031.jpg
Sageo:
I just love how they tied the ends, I know its common on high end swords, but this is my first. This is a great shot of the finish on the saya also.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10030.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10025.jpg
Menuki:
The menuki is done in copper and again very detailed, all the way to the veins in the wings.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10036.jpg
Tsuba:
the tsuba is done actually very simple, its done in antiqued solid iron and features the dragonfly and a couple of pond cat-tails.
Even though its simple, sometimes less is more and I wouldn't change a thing.
You can also see in this picture the dragonfly on the Kashira, its actually just as detailed as the menuki but its very blurry in the picture, I apologize the day I took these pictures I had just bought this camera and I was still trying to learn how to use it and its settings. I'm still confused as hell. I was just trying to get the tsuba in the shot anyway.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10011.jpg
Well I'm not experienced at writing reviews especially for a sword as nice as this, but for the most part the pictures will speak for themselves.
I came across this sword one night at Relics.com, I was actually searching the web for custom tsubas, dragonfly to be exact. I've thought about buying a Paul Chen great wave and customizing it to resemble the Cold Steel Dragonfly katana, but when I came Across this I found everything I was looking for and more.
I really don't know where to start except to say I truly love this sword and recommend it to anyone.
my only regret it that I couldn't order it through Jason here at SOM (yes I tried).
OK, now to the sword,
Blade Length: 28.5"
Overall Length: 39.75"
Blade Material: 1065 High Carbon Steel HRC 60 edge and HRC 40 spine
Weight: 2.2 lbs.
First here's the relics description,
The Katsumushi is a 500 pc. limited edition collaboration between Paul Chen along with the Hanwei forge and Reliks Swords and Collectibles. Traditionally known in Japan as katsumushi, or the "invincible insect," the dragonfly is a favorite symbol of strength and victory, admired for its elegance and lightness, yet it is also a symbol of Japan herself, as the shape of the islands are said to resemble this intriguing insect. This functional katana takes inspiration from the strength of the dragonfly with an antiqued solid iron tsuba with cut outs depicting the dragonfly alongside a set of bulrush. The dragonfly theme is also carried to the antiqued kashira and fuchi as well as boasting copper finished dragonfly menuki. The 11" tsuka has been dressed in black same or ray skin and expertly wrapped in premium Japanese cotton with a "katate-maki" coil wrap or war wrap(battle wrap). The seppa and habaki have also been constructed with copper to match the menuki with this traditional Japanese material. The Katsumushi Katana features a hand forged 28.5" 1065 high carbon steel blade and is differentially tempered using traditional clay tempering methods to produce a HRC60 edge and HRC40 spine. This allows for superior edge holding and cutting ability while allowing the blade to absorb the shock of a blow. The temper line is prominent with a notare (wave) hamon with accenting toran (high wave) near the point of balance and the effective cutting area. The wooden saya features a black stone finish with polished horn fittings along with green Japanese cotton sageo. The Katsumushi Katana is supplied with a protective cloth bag as well as a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by Paul Chen
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10034.jpg
11'' tsuka:
this is by far the nicest done tsuka that I have ever owned, Its extremely tight and ive always loved the battle wrap on katanas.
The same is beautiful it has a shine to it that you could compare to polished black onyx. and they truly brought the dragonfly theme to every aspect of this sword with detail that goes above and beyond the price tag.
As Brian noticed, they even blackened both mekugi. its all in the details my friends.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10004.jpg
The blade: wow!
To me this blade is truly unique, ive never seen anything like it, the shallow to high wave hamon is a concept ive never been familiar with and would love to know more about it if anyone can comment.
It has an amazing mirror polish down the back of the blade, obviously no bo-hi, and a kind of satin finish to resist scratches down the front.
This thing is SHARP hrc 60/40! very well done, the hamon is breathtaking.
copper habaki.
No I havent cut with it and I probably wont, this piece is destined to be a well maintained piece of art.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10017.jpg
Saya:
The saya is a work of art all in its own, It features beautifully done buffalo horn on the kurigata, kojiri and koiguchi.
The stone finish on this saya is the first ive owned of this finish, and will definitely be something I will look for in any new sword purchases, it resists fingerprints and ads a little protection against small scratches and dents. and as you can see from some of the pictures below, it just looks cool.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10037.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10035.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10031.jpg
Sageo:
I just love how they tied the ends, I know its common on high end swords, but this is my first. This is a great shot of the finish on the saya also.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10030.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10025.jpg
Menuki:
The menuki is done in copper and again very detailed, all the way to the veins in the wings.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10036.jpg
Tsuba:
the tsuba is done actually very simple, its done in antiqued solid iron and features the dragonfly and a couple of pond cat-tails.
Even though its simple, sometimes less is more and I wouldn't change a thing.
You can also see in this picture the dragonfly on the Kashira, its actually just as detailed as the menuki but its very blurry in the picture, I apologize the day I took these pictures I had just bought this camera and I was still trying to learn how to use it and its settings. I'm still confused as hell. I was just trying to get the tsuba in the shot anyway.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q10/dragonsbrew717/SDC10011.jpg