Thanks for this review. I have always been interested in DS's Hira Zukuri katana. This sword behaves exactly as I expected. Light and fast and moves through mats really easier, but durable also. However, on their website it's advertised as weighing 667 grams without the saya, but your measurements show it weigh 870 grams. I think it's probably a typo on their end, as they really meant weight without koshirae instead of saya.
Definitely the most well fitted and has the most attention to detail I've seen to date. I wish it had a hamon and a slightly more interesting tsuba but I guess thats the trade off for the the exactness of the fittings and saya. Nice review
Shadow dancer is killing it (IMO). Their fittings are unique in a good way and they look “real Japanese”. Also their non typical pieces (like nagamaki) look good and the also have a correct shape. Where other companies nagamaki/naginata , I have no idea where they got the profile of those blades from but they are not even close lol !My opinion of course lol
Id say the delicate nature of that blade geometry is why one doesn't typically see it in the repro/back yard cutter market as much. Always liked the style though, they cut & thrust better against light targets.
As I come from a European sore background I prefer simple clean lines over most decorations. On Japanese swords in particular I prefer simple undecorated fittings that are well made over elaborate ones that look bad; utilitarian over bling.
Great review! Would be awesome if you could review one of shadow dancer's sx105v katanas and push it to failure. Not many reviews of katanas with that steel around.
I just bought one of these it hasn't arrived yet, hopefully it's as good as the one you got. I'd prefer a yokote and no bohi but this sword is actually easy to aquire no wait time so
Awesome Sword and review would you (anybody) say, i can get a live blade AFTER ive learned how to draw/sheathe properly? OR should i get an IAITO first?
I think it is good to use an iaito but you do you. I use a live blade to train because of reviews and because there are some I just love but when I want to focus on learning I prefer an iaito.
There is nothing saying you can’t start training with a live blade. That said it can increase your risk of accident/injury. Really it boils down to you.
Did you subject it to the croquet stick of doom? I heard some people have their doubts about whether or not it is actual s5 steel. On the one hand, most of us will never put it to the test. On the other the 9260 version is less than half the cost.
@@Matthew_Jensen I understand what you're saying. My interest is for purely selfish verification. Knowing what it can take is about the only way we have of making sure it is what the website says it is. I really appreciate your opinion and reviews. I've learned a lot. They also have helped guide me on reputable brands and what to look for or stay away from.
I bought an S5 kodachi and an S5 Black Lotus Katana, (Cloudhammer) and I have a feeling that S5 blades are going to be the new T10 katanas or some other “magical” blade that will end up falsely labeled and plastered all over Ebay. Just a prediction.
at least lawn samurai's and backyard ninjas can do something stupid with it like chopping large branches off an oak or mulberry and most of them have bad edge alignment during the cut I saw a T10 bend on a soda bottle even a 5160 arming sword.
@@hobbyman47 “Lawn Samurai’s?!” That’s hilarious LOL I think finding a legit forge/manufacturer that is spot on with their heat treats could help said Lawn Samurai’s 😁 blades from turning into sword-like objects. I too have seen swords made out of indestructible spring steels (5160, 6150, 9260) take bends and just plain fail. I was just saying that all of the “world renowned” forges, from who knows where on EBay, will have grand claims of S5 steel blades that are just multicolored 1045 blades. What arming sword was it if you don’t mind me asking?
@@Kratos_God_of_50_BMG if i remember it's an Darksword armory back in 2008 or 2009 I think. he whack an soda bottle 1.5 Sprite to be precise and one bad swing and also heat treatment we have a bend sword. also new practitioners eager to test there new katana but ended up bend sword by whacking a bamboo or a large branch does are under $300 T10 katana. I said to them go for 9260 or 5160 its much more cheaper and forgiving. also a couple of cans of beer can do some nasty damage I mean the drunk wielder.
@@hobbyman47 I was never a fan of Darksword. I thought they were way overpriced for what other manufacturers were making of equal value and asking less money for. I totally agree that new practitioners should start out with a less expensive spring steel (or the German 51crv4). Even EN45, or the 65mn that I hear is somewhat comparable to 9260/5160, would be more forgiving to improper blade technique and would be infinitely less expensive if the person is strong or inexperienced enough to somehow make spring steel take a set!
@@Kratos_God_of_50_BMG try W2 I have a Cloudhammer black handachi in W2 its only under $800 also it's the cheapest W2 with a good heat treatment if you don't want to spend more than 5 grand on a Walter Sorrell's W2 or Howard Clark L6. I am more too Japanese chef knives in terms of collecting like a Yu kurosaki. Senko series and his Fujin series. Takeshi Saji to name a few.
If the blade was deferentially tempered the first cut on the tatami mat would result in a bent blade. Thru hardened is more resilient. Blade would flex on a bad cut. There are better options. Get RONIN Katana for $300 to name one. My opinion. Watch on this channel what it takes to destroy a Ronin blade. Thanks for the review Matthew.
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Looked at their 9260 one more than a few times. Glad to see a review on a similar sword.
Looks like a great option for a mat cutter.
Thanks for this review. I have always been interested in DS's Hira Zukuri katana. This sword behaves exactly as I expected. Light and fast and moves through mats really easier, but durable also. However, on their website it's advertised as weighing 667 grams without the saya, but your measurements show it weigh 870 grams. I think it's probably a typo on their end, as they really meant weight without koshirae instead of saya.
Thei old version of Z-Seys (theyre the same company i believe) $1680 hira zukuri is 1lb 9oz. Best feeling in hand of the 40 or so katana I own.
@@erichusayn That, sounds like a dream.
Definitely the most well fitted and has the most attention to detail I've seen to date. I wish it had a hamon and a slightly more interesting tsuba but I guess thats the trade off for the the exactness of the fittings and saya. Nice review
Matthew, you may not be an authority in general, but you are probably the leading authority on breaking swords!
The stick of doom has claimed many 😂
He treads the razors edge that no other sword reviewer could handle with such panache!
Shadow dancer is killing it (IMO). Their fittings are unique in a good way and they look “real Japanese”. Also their non typical pieces (like nagamaki) look good and the also have a correct shape. Where other companies nagamaki/naginata , I have no idea where they got the profile of those blades from but they are not even close lol !My opinion of course lol
Id say the delicate nature of that blade geometry is why one doesn't typically see it in the repro/back yard cutter market as much. Always liked the style though, they cut & thrust better against light targets.
Hira zukuri. Im all ears.
Wallet: 😰 someone make him stop!
oh damn i’m so happy your reviewing this
i love a good hira
As I come from a European sore background I prefer simple clean lines over most decorations. On Japanese swords in particular I prefer simple undecorated fittings that are well made over elaborate ones that look bad; utilitarian over bling.
Great review! Would be awesome if you could review one of shadow dancer's sx105v katanas and push it to failure. Not many reviews of katanas with that steel around.
I just bought one of these it hasn't arrived yet, hopefully it's as good as the one you got. I'd prefer a yokote and no bohi but this sword is actually easy to aquire no wait time so
I hope it is as nice for you as it was for me.
Can you review the Musashi basic clay temper by Shadow Dancer? Great video as always thanks Matt!
I didn't know that DS changed their name to Shadow Dancer. Thanks! I bought a daisho from them based on your recommendation.
How do you like it?
They changed their name because they gave Dragon Sword a bad reputation.
Looks like a very handsome sword!
Thanx! I'm was deliberating on it ;-)
Looks like a budget version of Z-Seys $1600 hira zukuri.
Hi Matt you ask which sword I bought from shadow dancer. I bought the sakabato Kantana ( advanced )
Looks good. I like it.
Awesome Sword and review
would you (anybody) say, i can get a live blade AFTER ive learned how to draw/sheathe properly? OR should i get an IAITO first?
I think it is good to use an iaito but you do you. I use a live blade to train because of reviews and because there are some I just love but when I want to focus on learning I prefer an iaito.
There is nothing saying you can’t start training with a live blade. That said it can increase your risk of accident/injury. Really it boils down to you.
Did you subject it to the croquet stick of doom? I heard some people have their doubts about whether or not it is actual s5 steel. On the one hand, most of us will never put it to the test. On the other the 9260 version is less than half the cost.
I did not. I smacked it hard but did not break it. I did with the 9260 and their s7 I figured that was enough
@@Matthew_Jensen I understand what you're saying. My interest is for purely selfish verification. Knowing what it can take is about the only way we have of making sure it is what the website says it is.
I really appreciate your opinion and reviews. I've learned a lot. They also have helped guide me on reputable brands and what to look for or stay away from.
I want one! Can i buy THAT one?⚔️
Nope, gonna hang onto it. Only hira kat I have at the moment.
@@Matthew_Jensen dangit,lol. I did buy the Blue S5 that john sent you. Should get it next week.
Love it.
ok so, now shadow dancer, zsey and mini katana all look like very similar sword qualities...alot of similarities
Are the tsuka from Shadowdancer easy to remove or need percussion?
They need more than a tap on the wrist but not so much that a hammer is required.
S-5 is a very tough tool steel. My interest is peaked.
I bought an S5 kodachi and an S5 Black Lotus Katana, (Cloudhammer) and I have a feeling that S5 blades are going to be the new T10 katanas or some other “magical” blade that will end up falsely labeled and plastered all over Ebay. Just a prediction.
at least lawn samurai's and backyard ninjas can do something stupid with it like chopping large branches off an oak or mulberry and most of them have bad edge alignment during the cut I saw a T10 bend on a soda bottle even a 5160 arming sword.
@@hobbyman47 “Lawn Samurai’s?!” That’s hilarious LOL
I think finding a legit forge/manufacturer that is spot on with their heat treats could help said Lawn Samurai’s 😁 blades from turning into sword-like objects. I too have seen swords made out of indestructible spring steels (5160, 6150, 9260) take bends and just plain fail. I was just saying that all of the “world renowned” forges, from who knows where on EBay, will have grand claims of S5 steel blades that are just multicolored 1045 blades. What arming sword was it if you don’t mind me asking?
@@Kratos_God_of_50_BMG if i remember it's an Darksword armory back in 2008 or 2009 I think. he whack an soda bottle 1.5 Sprite to be precise and one bad swing and also heat treatment we have a bend sword.
also new practitioners eager to test there new katana but ended up bend sword by whacking a bamboo or a large branch does are under $300 T10 katana. I said to them go for 9260 or 5160 its much more cheaper and forgiving. also a couple of cans of beer can do some nasty damage I mean the drunk wielder.
@@hobbyman47 I was never a fan of Darksword. I thought they were way overpriced for what other manufacturers were making of equal value and asking less money for. I totally agree that new practitioners should start out with a less expensive spring steel (or the German 51crv4). Even EN45, or the 65mn that I hear is somewhat comparable to 9260/5160, would be more forgiving to improper blade technique and would be infinitely less expensive if the person is strong or inexperienced enough to somehow make spring steel take a set!
@@Kratos_God_of_50_BMG try W2 I have a Cloudhammer black handachi in W2 its only under $800 also it's the cheapest W2 with a good heat treatment if you don't want to spend more than 5 grand on a Walter Sorrell's W2 or Howard Clark L6. I am more too Japanese chef knives in terms of collecting like a Yu kurosaki. Senko series and his Fujin series. Takeshi Saji to name a few.
The cost was about $1000.00
I just payed $900 for a beatful sword from shadow dancer😊
what did you get?
@@Matthew_Jensen a beat full katana it’s a advanced version
It looks more like a wakizashi than a Katana.
If the blade was deferentially tempered the first cut on the tatami mat would result in a bent blade. Thru hardened is more resilient. Blade would flex on a bad cut. There are better options. Get RONIN Katana for $300 to name one. My opinion. Watch on this channel what it takes to destroy a Ronin blade. Thanks for the review Matthew.