One of the Lightest & Fanciest Swords... Is it Good?

This is the White Serpent by LK Chen, a reproduction of a Ming Dynasty jian (double-edged Chinese sword). Quite a fancy design, with beautiful ornamentation and elegant profile.
Let's see how well made it is, of course complete with cutting test on soaked tatami mats and "armored" water bottles (wrapped in thick leather). In this review I'll tell you my opinion of the fit & finish, handling, and practical performance.
** Specifications **
Overall length: 97.5 cm (38'')
Blade length: 76 cm (30'')
Blade thickness: 6.5 mm (1/4'') tapering down to 3 mm (just under 1/8'')
Weight: 830 g (1 lb 13 oz)
Point of balance: 11 cm (4-1/3'') from the guard
Blade material: 3 options - GB 60Si2MnA (equivalent to 5160), or pattern welded T10 tool steel, or 1060 carbon steel + T9
Hilt assembly: Full-tang, pinned
** Where to get it **
kultofathena.c...
lkchensword.co...
** Music credits **
"Liyan" by Elerya
opengameart.or...
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)
"Radakan - Mist Forest" by Janne Hanhisuanto
opengameart.or...
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
theslantedroom...
Used with artist's permission
** Merch **
www.bonfire.co...
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: www.bonfire.co...
** Support the channel **
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
/ skallagrim
/ @skallagrim
www.subscribes...
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
www.kultofathe...
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
www.woodensword...
Want to treat your face fluff? I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.c...
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - www.amazon.com...
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
** Social media **
/ _skallagrim_
/ skallagrimyt
/ skallagrim_yt