Bamboo Wakizashi by Handmade Sword.

[gypes37]

I just got my new wakizashi in today, it came in a cardboard tube and was packaged well. It came with a standard black sword bag and a certificate. The certificate is in all Japanese and sadly not so well done. Now onto the blade, it is sharp and has good geometry. The bo-hi is done well and the balance is quite good. The fittings are good quality and are very tight. The ito feels very cottonany and a little thin but it is wrapped tightly. This goes for the sageo as well. Besides the ito the only other downfall which is quite a big one is that there are a bit a scratches along the base of the blade at the hamon. The kissaki is a little uneven but that goes with most lower end blades. The hamon is real and after using some metal glow it shows well. The really good part about this sword is that it is very light and has great balance. I cut a few pieces of paper to test the sharpness of the blade and it carried out the job quite well. Overall im going to give the blade 3 1/2 stars out of 5. I would have given it a 4 if not for the marks on the blade. Also the same is surprisingly nice... better quality than i had imagined it to be. Also the tsuka has a good feel in the hands and allows for a good grip. the blade fits very snug in the saya and that too is done well. Thats really it, if your thinking about getting one of thier blades i would go ahead make the purchase but at the same time don't expect miracles.

[FrozenIpaq]

Good to hear a good review from that site, was this your first katana purchase?

[gypes37]

No i've been collecting for about 3year and a half. I have quite a few katana, this is however my first functional wakizashi that i have purchased. I should have some reviews laying around he forum somewhere unless i never re-did them from the time that forum changed. Yoou can see some more if you browse through the ryumon and Masahiro sections. I've reviewed the White shadow, fuji, and musashi from Masahiro. The painted dragon, tanto, and zatoichi from ryumon. And i should have a revie on the bushido raijin and musashi zetsurin and shira saya on the site aswell.

[FrozenIpaq]

No i've been collecting for about 3year and a half. I have quite a few katana, this is however my first functional wakizashi that i have purchased. I should have some reviews laying around he forum somewhere unless i never re-did them from the time that forum changed. Yoou can see some more if you browse through the ryumon and Masahiro sections. I've reviewed the White shadow, fuji, and musashi from Masahiro. The painted dragon, tanto, and zatoichi from ryumon. And i should have a revie on the bushido raijin and musashi zetsurin and shira saya on the site aswell.

Ok great (didn't bother to look). Compared to those that you have purchased how does it stand up? Also if possible could we get some pictures up? No one has really built a solid review on the swords from that store so the more info the merrier (to help other interested buyers as well, google brings up a few inquiries but not enough I think).

[gypes37]

It stands up nicely, it would best be compared to Masahiro. As far as pictures go the only thing i have to take them with is a built in web camera in my laptop which doesn't take very nice pictures. If you go to the site you can see the blade i bought. Here's the link.
http://www.handmadesword.com/207m.html
I plan on getting some more of their blades, the WWII katana they have are very nice... not many in stock though. I think ill get one after i get one of the SOM swords. Cant wait to see those. Also they have very good customer service, i called to change my order the day it as to ship and they did it without question and still shipped it out that day.

[Brian Brazier]

the problem with the etching on the Hamon is pretty normal for any enhanced Hamon, my Tori Elite has a couple small areas where the enhancement is missing

[Torawashi]

I like the tsuba. it's nicely understated and elegant looking.

[gypes37]

Thats why i got this particular wakizashi. I like the simple type of tsuba design.