Congrats on the anniversary, keep it up, what is your thought on the hammon of this particular blade, would it be better/ more durable with 1095 mono steel and no differential hardwning?
Thanks! Theoretically if it's sanmai that is 1095 monosteel at the edge, only the side panels are folded. What makes it potentially fragile is how thin the edge is on this sword, like a straight razor. Some swords do have more meat (niku) for a tougher edge, but tend to be heavier, and maybe not as good for cutting soft targets. A good modern monosteel, well-tempered and well-shaped, makes an impressively tough blade. The Cold Steel and Ronin Dojo Pros come to mind, as well as some of the hardier Hanwei's. Their L6 Bainite swords have great reputations, but they'll certainly cost you.
Dia Duit Mr.Rizzo. both katana are nice, I'm a function over cosmetics kind of guy. Over the years I've gradually swayed over to tactical swords, though I've been considering buying a Hammered katana, believe it is a 1065 steel, a cutter by the look of it. Question. Do you watch Matthew Jensen, he is very knowledgeable about katana's and their durability. By the way, when using a lighter sword against a sturdier sword, bypass to the target. Slan Go Foil ☘
It's pretty addicting isn't it? I remember when I got my first sword from the budK catalog lol it looked very nice but was far from hand Forged I forget the steel but I guarantee that it could not pass any bend test whatsoever. But when I got my first hand Forged sword you have to have another one and you get a sense to respect the sword it's hard to explain basically to take care of it treat it as a living thing and respect every part of it.
Happy 2nd birthday! It might be worth considering that the original Kogarasu Maru was a tachi of 62.8 cms,the sugata therefore does not lend itself to iai and its component parts .... just a thought.
Yes, sword-drawing arts came very late in Samurai history, and the original example tachi is thought to be Eigth or Ninth Century. Plus, tachi were worn edge-down, so there was no issue with it being double edged. Though I did read an early Gunto prototype had this profile.
@@michaelrizzo5523 several early kyu gunto are partially double edged, but not to pay homage to kissaki moroha, rather, to look more like western Saber types of the time.
Most of the back edge on antique kissaki moroha is dull, on most examples, for this reason. My kissaki moroha from Musashi and Jkoo are both made this way, so I don't worry much about noto
@@erichusayn you may want to order a custom one, because not all companies (jkoo or Musashi) make kissaki moroha with a full back hamon as standard, the boshi will wrap around a little more than normal, but not all the way (which is the same for most antiques as well, although many antique blades without a back hamon may still be polished as if they do). Historically there are many grey areas between moroha - shobu, as well as kissaki moroha - kanmuri otoshi.
My example: 2.9cm-2.3cm, 8mm-3mm. But as these are handmade, and this one is at least 2.5 years old, that probably won't be what you receive. I have two of the same unokubi zukiri swords made at the same time with very different specs, including nagasa and kissaki. Ruan or someone else at Lyuesword might be able to give you the stats on a specific blade. The stats listed on their website for this sword don't match mine.
Love the vid and all your vids... I just ordered this blade after watching your video! The blade has detail for example like the Hamon going around the backside of the blade! Definitely unique and different! Love there product thanks for sharing!
G'day Michael, another excellent review. Based on your first review I purchased a Kogarasu Maru from Lyuesword which I've now owned for a couple of months. Very good fit and finish for the price. The ito is tight and the diamonds are even but the menukis move under the wrap. Not a big deal, they ain't going anywhere. The front half of the main edge would put a smile on Doug Marcaida's face "it will cut", unfortunately the same can't be said for the false edge "it will butter bread". Zero complaints about the saya. I like the look of it and it holds the katana with just the correct amount of grip and only a very minor amount of rattle. It's hard to tell from watching the video on my lap-top but it looks like they may have changed the design of the blade slightly. The bo-hi on my sword measures approx 25cm from the front of the habaki and the false edge approx 43cm to the kissaki. Overall I'm happy with the product, now to find someone that makes a replica of Kikuchiyo's nodachi from The Seven Samurai😊
There's a difference in the bohi between my two supposedly identical unokubi zukiri Lyueswords, so I think you're getting a lot a variation from blade to blade in the hand-making process. Glad you like yours! And thanks!
Really like this new review format, i dont mind the longer videos when the content is this good. Really like those handling demos too! Happy 2 year youtube anniversary and for many more to come!
Also hats off to the decor in the background, totally my style. Keep up the videos, the collecting and stay safe.
My evolving studio gets more cluttered as the channel progresses. Soon to have an entirely new look.
Congrats on the anniversary, keep it up, what is your thought on the hammon of this particular blade, would it be better/ more durable with 1095 mono steel and no differential hardwning?
Thanks! Theoretically if it's sanmai that is 1095 monosteel at the edge, only the side panels are folded. What makes it potentially fragile is how thin the edge is on this sword, like a straight razor. Some swords do have more meat (niku) for a tougher edge, but tend to be heavier, and maybe not as good for cutting soft targets. A good modern monosteel, well-tempered and well-shaped, makes an impressively tough blade. The Cold Steel and Ronin Dojo Pros come to mind, as well as some of the hardier Hanwei's. Their L6 Bainite swords have great reputations, but they'll certainly cost you.
Glad to see you out of the brace, great review, beautiful sword, looks like it held up well.
Thanks, my friend!
Dia Duit Mr.Rizzo. both katana are nice, I'm a function over cosmetics kind of guy. Over the years I've gradually swayed over to tactical swords, though I've been considering buying a Hammered katana, believe it is a 1065 steel, a cutter by the look of it. Question. Do you watch Matthew Jensen, he is very knowledgeable about katana's and their durability. By the way, when using a lighter sword against a sturdier sword, bypass to the target. Slan Go Foil ☘
Matthew Jensen was one of my main inspirations for starting the channel!
@@michaelrizzo5523 😁, thanks for the correction. ☘
It's pretty addicting isn't it? I remember when I got my first sword from the budK catalog lol it looked very nice but was far from hand Forged I forget the steel but I guarantee that it could not pass any bend test whatsoever. But when I got my first hand Forged sword you have to have another one and you get a sense to respect the sword it's hard to explain basically to take care of it treat it as a living thing and respect every part of it.
Happy 2nd birthday!
It might be worth considering that the original Kogarasu Maru was a tachi of 62.8 cms,the sugata therefore does not lend itself to iai and its component parts .... just a thought.
Yes, sword-drawing arts came very late in Samurai history, and the original example tachi is thought to be Eigth or Ninth Century. Plus, tachi were worn edge-down, so there was no issue with it being double edged. Though I did read an early Gunto prototype had this profile.
@@michaelrizzo5523 several early kyu gunto are partially double edged, but not to pay homage to kissaki moroha, rather, to look more like western Saber types of the time.
Congrats on the 2 years ✊️👏
I have a feeling you're gonna be leary with noto. I always said if I ever got one, I would not wear saya in obi to prevent that out of habit.
God yes! Doable, but dangerous as hell, especially with a sword this sharp.
Most of the back edge on antique kissaki moroha is dull, on most examples, for this reason. My kissaki moroha from Musashi and Jkoo are both made this way, so I don't worry much about noto
@@yotomuramasa you know I'm crazy about sharpness though, so if I were to get one, that false edge would be just as sharp as the ha.
@@yotomuramasa Yes, I have the Musashi! I may do a video on that one, though I think it's been out of production for a while.
@@erichusayn you may want to order a custom one, because not all companies (jkoo or Musashi) make kissaki moroha with a full back hamon as standard, the boshi will wrap around a little more than normal, but not all the way (which is the same for most antiques as well, although many antique blades without a back hamon may still be polished as if they do).
Historically there are many grey areas between moroha - shobu, as well as kissaki moroha - kanmuri otoshi.
This style is one of the oldest geometries on Japanese swords, used to be about as prolific as shinogi zukuri in early Japanese swords
The original smith was supposedly evolving the earlier straight swords into curved tachi. Makes sense.
Man, every time I watch you swing a sword around I'm inspired to train harder. Like you said, keep it coming.👍🌲
Very cool.
I'd love to have a sping tempered katana blade, put on a simpler side sword hilt.
Like mixing the kveten side sword with a katana.
I've had some similar ideas!
Congratulations on the two year anniversary . Keep it goin' .
What is the exact motohaba/sakihaba - motokasane/sakikasane of the kogarasu blade?
My example: 2.9cm-2.3cm, 8mm-3mm. But as these are handmade, and this one is at least 2.5 years old, that probably won't be what you receive. I have two of the same unokubi zukiri swords made at the same time with very different specs, including nagasa and kissaki. Ruan or someone else at Lyuesword might be able to give you the stats on a specific blade. The stats listed on their website for this sword don't match mine.
Love the vid and all your vids... I just ordered this blade after watching your video! The blade has detail for example like the Hamon going around the backside of the blade! Definitely unique and different! Love there product thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Let me know what you think when you get it!
G'day Michael, another excellent review. Based on your first review I purchased a Kogarasu Maru from Lyuesword which I've now owned for a couple of months.
Very good fit and finish for the price. The ito is tight and the diamonds are even but the menukis move under the wrap. Not a big deal, they ain't going anywhere.
The front half of the main edge would put a smile on Doug Marcaida's face "it will cut", unfortunately the same can't be said for the false edge "it will butter bread".
Zero complaints about the saya. I like the look of it and it holds the katana with just the correct amount of grip and only a very minor amount of rattle.
It's hard to tell from watching the video on my lap-top but it looks like they may have changed the design of the blade slightly. The bo-hi on my sword measures approx 25cm from the front of the habaki and the false edge approx 43cm to the kissaki.
Overall I'm happy with the product, now to find someone that makes a replica of Kikuchiyo's nodachi from The Seven Samurai😊
There's a difference in the bohi between my two supposedly identical unokubi zukiri Lyueswords, so I think you're getting a lot a variation from blade to blade in the hand-making process. Glad you like yours! And thanks!
Really like this new review format, i dont mind the longer videos when the content is this good. Really like those handling demos too! Happy 2 year youtube anniversary and for many more to come!
Thanks!