It's a good sword. I got one back in the early 2000's & I liked it well enough. Though I will say now that I'm more experienced I do prefer a shorter tsuka.
Great review! Thanks for all the detail. I have a CAS Oriole in my collection. It is quite a unique sword in terms or dimensions and geometry; but it was a super fun sword to cut tatami with. It handled really well in directional transition cuts, and one-handed cuts.
I recently purchased a Takeda Shingen Katana from Hanwei and it’s interesting how similar the fit and finish are to the Oriole. The menuki, the one side of nice same, down to the short kissaki. One difference is my Takeda has a beautiful silvered habaki. Love the sword compared to the musashi and lesser Iron Tiger Forge I’ve had. Hanwei is a great replica brand in my opinion!
When I saw this video pop up I was like, "Oh, its that time of year again!". I just had a big birthday a few weeks ago so I've been planning on either getting several swords or something extra special. Hoping for Lunar New Year sales. Nice sword!
I believe the tip of the sword the rough grind on the spine of the blade you mention is to aid when sheathing the sword back so you can feel and reference where the tip ends so you dont over extend and miss the saya opening by dragging the tip over and past the opening. If that makes sense...
When I got the old Golden Oriole back in 2002, I wouldn’t have been able to press my finger into the kissaki like you did here... it was like a scalpel tip.
I think these long 3-15 inch tsukas are from inspiration of Yanagi Ryu and Nami Ryu of James Williams. Atleast in Nami Ryu, the power hand is actually the right hand and left hand manouvers the blades orientation. But the way to cut in Nami Ryu is little different, because it uses the center of the body and arms are only conduits for the energy. The influence of Yoshida Kotaro and Daito Ryu are clearly visible there. I think the long tsuka gives very big leverage strenght if that is your prefered cutting mechanic.
Makes a lot of sense! I personally alternate between which hand is driving vs guiding the sword. Depends for me on cutting technique, angle, combinations.
Great looking blade. Excellent review Mike. Hanwei makes great stuff, I've found dragon king is also generally on par with hanwei as well. If you haven't, check em out
@michaelrizzo5523 I like those too. Seems like they perfected what Hanwei tried to do with their tactical line. Not traditional but not over the top modern.
Hi Michael! I would like to know your opinion about 1850 Union Staff and field officer saber, made by Windlass. I have It and I think, althoug on the hefty side, it's not bad at all.. It has some distal taper, not very long (~30 inches, like originals) and overall pretty easy to manouver. You could check it and if you think you could like it,given the status ( kult of Athena very useful for that) and if you like the aesthetic ( I do and honestly, much better live then from pictures) maybe give it a chance. Also it's pretty low price. I would like to hear you review it :) Bye from Italy
@@michaelrizzo5523 will do... I don't have many swords. I have a Katana i bought for 2200 from Samurai Workshop 14 years ago. It's tamahagane and its an absolute gem. I also have a real japanese made iaito and this is my first wak.
The Hanweis seem to be very well built sturdy swords, I’ve found them to be very nice (if you can get over the fake hamon), very cool!, you’ll have fun with that.
I do love Hanwei katana , I have them of caring ages from the very first huge Musashi XL katana Daisho , to 2006 Musashi XL , frog katana and a 2016 Bushido , what annoys me with them is they don’t pay attention to the hidden parts , like mouth of seppa and tsuba on every one of mine are terrible so have either bought or made seppa and file and clean up tsuba to stop them moving. It’s very hit and miss with Hanwei
Right off the bat I will say this I love the length of that grip it would suit me perfectly but does the blade match the length I really only watch the first 30 seconds of this video before I made this comment so I don't know the blade matches the grip of length but if it does that would be a beautiful sword for me to add to my collection I just recently added the hanwei Raptor to my collection and I'm loving it I just wish the blade was longer to account for the grip but the grip is perfect length for me
If you can find the recently re-issued original Musashi it has a longer blade on a tsuka of this length. Similar to the Practical Pro, but not as heavy.
It's a good sword. I got one back in the early 2000's & I liked it well enough. Though I will say now that I'm more experienced I do prefer a shorter tsuka.
Great review! Thanks for all the detail. I have a CAS Oriole in my collection. It is quite a unique sword in terms or dimensions and geometry; but it was a super fun sword to cut tatami with. It handled really well in directional transition cuts, and one-handed cuts.
I also subbed.... love your channel!
Good lord this is excellent! I've learned so much with your presentation and knowledge thank you! Again.
Thanks! I'm glad it was useful!
I recently purchased a Takeda Shingen Katana from Hanwei and it’s interesting how similar the fit and finish are to the Oriole. The menuki, the one side of nice same, down to the short kissaki. One difference is my Takeda has a beautiful silvered habaki. Love the sword compared to the musashi and lesser Iron Tiger Forge I’ve had. Hanwei is a great replica brand in my opinion!
Oh sweet, now I'm here watching your vid!
When I saw this video pop up I was like, "Oh, its that time of year again!". I just had a big birthday a few weeks ago so I've been planning on either getting several swords or something extra special. Hoping for Lunar New Year sales.
Nice sword!
Your review helped me pull the trigger. She just arrived today. The wakizashi should be here next week.
How does it feel in hand?
@michaelrizzo5523 so far, so good. I'm taking baby steps with it.
I believe the tip of the sword the rough grind on the spine of the blade you mention is to aid when sheathing the sword back so you can feel and reference where the tip ends so you dont over extend and miss the saya opening by dragging the tip over and past the opening. If that makes sense...
Beautiful blade. Hope it brings you years of happiness. 🖖. ☘️
Are Grayman and Red Planet books? Also curious about the titles on your wall.
Book series. There are currently 6 of one and 8 of the other. Selection of covers on the wall.
A sword I have always wanted is a Katana forged my Yoshindo Yoshihara.I finally got an opportunity to purchase one earlier this year.
Not in my budget, I'm afraid. How long is the turn-around from order to receipt?
When I got the old Golden Oriole back in 2002, I wouldn’t have been able to press my finger into the kissaki like you did here... it was like a scalpel tip.
I think these long 3-15 inch tsukas are from inspiration of Yanagi Ryu and Nami Ryu of James Williams.
Atleast in Nami Ryu, the power hand is actually the right hand and left hand manouvers the blades orientation. But the way to cut in Nami Ryu is little different, because it uses the center of the body and arms are only conduits for the energy. The influence of Yoshida Kotaro and Daito Ryu are clearly visible there.
I think the long tsuka gives very big leverage strenght if that is your prefered cutting mechanic.
Makes a lot of sense! I personally alternate between which hand is driving vs guiding the sword. Depends for me on cutting technique, angle, combinations.
Great looking blade. Excellent review Mike. Hanwei makes great stuff, I've found dragon king is also generally on par with hanwei as well. If you haven't, check em out
I've considered the new Dragon King Modern Katana (and Tanto).
@michaelrizzo5523 I like those too. Seems like they perfected what Hanwei tried to do with their tactical line. Not traditional but not over the top modern.
Hi Michael!
I would like to know your opinion about 1850 Union Staff and field officer saber, made by Windlass. I have It and I think, althoug on the hefty side, it's not bad at all.. It has some distal taper, not very long (~30 inches, like originals) and overall pretty easy to manouver. You could check it and if you think you could like it,given the status ( kult of Athena very useful for that) and if you like the aesthetic ( I do and honestly, much better live then from pictures) maybe give it a chance. Also it's pretty low price.
I would like to hear you review it :)
Bye from Italy
Interesting... I'll definitely consider it!
I have two , sadly one is back in Borneo and rusted I could not bring it back . I love it so much I bought another luck too get it here in the UK
Good friend has the wakizashi. Its an older version, and he let me cut with it. Beautiful, tight, sharp sword that made me look good.
No one’s ever reviewed my first ever katan
Thanks man 🙏
It is a very nice and unusual sword. I'm glad I bought it.
just got the wakizashi version of this sword... hopefully its nice... good deal at 460 brand new so couldn't pass it up.
Let me know what you think of the wak!
@@michaelrizzo5523 will do... I don't have many swords. I have a Katana i bought for 2200 from Samurai Workshop 14 years ago. It's tamahagane and its an absolute gem. I also have a real japanese made iaito and this is my first wak.
The Hanweis seem to be very well built sturdy swords, I’ve found them to be very nice (if you can get over the fake hamon), very cool!, you’ll have fun with that.
The sword that I have on my wishlist is Marc Singers in the original "Beastmaster" .
Now there's a classic! Seems like there's only been very limited custom editions, so definitely a Grail Sword if you can find one.
@@michaelrizzo5523
The sword from
HAWK
The only problem i had with my first one bought in 2022 was that the blade ofter polishing reviled a floor a tiny hole, hanwai would not replace it .
i love it i'm getting one
Let me know what you think of yours!
will do. ever heard of gold mountain forge?@@michaelrizzo5523
I do love Hanwei katana , I have them of caring ages from the very first huge Musashi XL katana Daisho , to 2006 Musashi XL , frog katana and a 2016 Bushido , what annoys me with them is they don’t pay attention to the hidden parts , like mouth of seppa and tsuba on every one of mine are terrible so have either bought or made seppa and file and clean up tsuba to stop them moving. It’s very hit and miss with Hanwei
The Dragon King Savior Katana has that same ‘sandpaper’ section at the top of the kissaki as well. Maybe a CAS Iberia thing.
Right off the bat I will say this I love the length of that grip it would suit me perfectly but does the blade match the length I really only watch the first 30 seconds of this video before I made this comment so I don't know the blade matches the grip of length but if it does that would be a beautiful sword for me to add to my collection I just recently added the hanwei Raptor to my collection and I'm loving it I just wish the blade was longer to account for the grip but the grip is perfect length for me
If you can find the recently re-issued original Musashi it has a longer blade on a tsuka of this length. Similar to the Practical Pro, but not as heavy.
@@michaelrizzo5523 thanks
@@outlawsamurai47 This is the one: www.chicagoknifeworks.com/cas-hanwei-classic-musashi-katana/
@@michaelrizzo5523 thanks
Of all katanas i have , this cuts with no real effort .