I think your reviews are very informative and I think the braking of swords tells us a lot about what to expect of their durability in normal use. I appreciate that you sacrifice your review samples for getting this information to other sword enthusiasts. I'm guessing you could have kept many of them for yourself. Good job Matt.
I came across your channel from your colab with Matt Easton/Scholargladitoria (pretty sure it was with him). This is the first video of your sword reviews I've watched since, and I have to say I'm really impressed with the detail you go into the design, fit/finish, and other physical aspects of the weapon. I love the weapon reviewers in the HEMA community (Matt, Skall, even Shadiversity), but none really do a proper breakdown of the non-handling part of a sword in the way you do. Even just 4 minutes in and I was already sitting back going "yeah, that's something that I'd be wanting to know about" even if it's not anything I would have thought of prior to buying a sword (the cast molding and its quality being an example). Great work.
Thanks for being so comprehensive Matt. Always a bit sad to see such a pretty blade bite it, but it provides a lot of useful information for us as well as the makers! Keep it up boss.
Regarding the glue on the scabbard fittings and if they have been corrected or not in the last year - I'm going to say no, or possibly improved but not entirely fixed. I got their Miao Dao a few weeks back (shipped direct from LKC, so relatively factory fresh) and had to remount the scabbard collar as it would just fall right off when turned upside down. It was an easy fix, but a necessary one regardless.
Considering that the swords are made in a very humid area the wood is probably shrinking quite a bit and there is almost nothing that can be done for that in terms of glue unless they go to the lots of flexible epoxy method.
I have come to appreciate chinese swords since LK Chen has come around. Obviously there are still some hilt styles im not fond of like jian w/ round handles for example but i like them. My rule of thumb on such is usually round handles only on curved swords. Lol
I wonder how the other blade choices for this sword would hold up. I don't really care about the "commander grade" as it almost doubles the price, but the "elite" is not much more expensive than this one but has differential hardening. I assume the edge would be harder thus having less rolling damage, but the toughness should be similar. I wish every sword had destructive testing videos on it.
I think LK Chen does better on through hardening blades. The differentially hardened blades I have had from them were nice but have had more issues with durability. All of their through hardened pieces have held up very well blade wise.
Thanks for showing this, very interesting how Chinese swords differ from most others, I get the overall impression that they choose asechtic appeal over comfort and function, enjoy Lk chen videos as most Chinese swords are compared to them...haven't changed my descion that I think they are somewhat over priced, or that might be the standard for Chinese swords in general because of how they are built and embedded...Great Job Matt
I am impressed that you are even capable of calling that a Hibachi I see a piece of tubing that has been pressed into shape and then driven on thank you for now calling it a blade collar
It looks like your practicing the movements you might have seen.. or that I think I seen.. when you went to see that Chinese sword practician... Sorry don't know his name... But he was like, dancing with the sword... I think it was a jao. And he said it was kinda heavy for what he's used to... And started to like it more after practice.. But it looks like your trying some of the movements he was doing...No???
In what Situation does one play a fencing drill with a guy with a steel rod. Especially when one has bloodthirsty blade and sure as hell doesn’t want to destroy it on his opponents,seemingly plain steel baton. I’m not buying the destruction test unfortunately. I think wild animal is ultimate test of a sword if not a straight up aggressive peon. Even then 🤔 if your sword breaks and you still kill your opponent…that’s still a weapon well served🧐
I am not arguing it is not abusive or the ideal target for a sword. The steel rod can act as an analogy for a spear head, another sword, the rim of a shield, the top of a helmet, a missed strike into a wall or wagon wheel. None of those are an ideal target but they could conceivably happen in the heat of battle.
I don't give a damn about the blade I just saw the handle it's $100 knife. And if you pull the thing out of the sheath I will only go down in price because so far the handle looks like something that a prison butcher would be carrying. And yes I am so glad that I only started looking when you started showings the handle right after showing the price of the sheath at the Emporium
So you hate all messers as well, as they have intentionally knife-style grips? And you realize that many swords are constructed with wood slats riveted over the tang, right? They may have leather, cord, etc. wrapped around it, but that's an incredibly common and historical way to make a sword. And if you are complaining because it has a cap instead of a pommel, then I guess no Japanese blades are "real" swords then either. Forget the historical soldiers that carried this kind of sword into combat as a prized sidearm. I bet the truth is that this just isn't "fancy" enough for you. Get a shiny wall hanger and leave the appreciation of quality manufacture to others, then. How about stop being a snob and do yourself the favor ob being able to appreciate different kinds of construction.
I think your reviews are very informative and I think the braking of swords tells us a lot about what to expect of their durability in normal use. I appreciate that you sacrifice your review samples for getting this information to other sword enthusiasts. I'm guessing you could have kept many of them for yourself. Good job Matt.
I came across your channel from your colab with Matt Easton/Scholargladitoria (pretty sure it was with him). This is the first video of your sword reviews I've watched since, and I have to say I'm really impressed with the detail you go into the design, fit/finish, and other physical aspects of the weapon. I love the weapon reviewers in the HEMA community (Matt, Skall, even Shadiversity), but none really do a proper breakdown of the non-handling part of a sword in the way you do. Even just 4 minutes in and I was already sitting back going "yeah, that's something that I'd be wanting to know about" even if it's not anything I would have thought of prior to buying a sword (the cast molding and its quality being an example). Great work.
Glad you find some value in the rambles. The kind words are much appreciated. Happy swording.
Thanks for being so comprehensive Matt. Always a bit sad to see such a pretty blade bite it, but it provides a lot of useful information for us as well as the makers! Keep it up boss.
Glad it helps!
I could see "pointy pointy, stabby stabby" on T-shirts. Good review Matthew, wishing good vibes from the Detroit area!
Regarding the glue on the scabbard fittings and if they have been corrected or not in the last year - I'm going to say no, or possibly improved but not entirely fixed. I got their Miao Dao a few weeks back (shipped direct from LKC, so relatively factory fresh) and had to remount the scabbard collar as it would just fall right off when turned upside down. It was an easy fix, but a necessary one regardless.
Considering that the swords are made in a very humid area the wood is probably shrinking quite a bit and there is almost nothing that can be done for that in terms of glue unless they go to the lots of flexible epoxy method.
MATHEW YOU HAVE THE BEST STYLE OFSWORD REVIEWING ON RUclips, END OF
Oh my word.. I wish that jao u tested had the blade last like this... Holy hell. That's awesome.. good job LK
The sad music while you were breaking the sword made me feel sad for the sword lol.
Emotions!
Loled at "If you need to deliver percussive maintenance"
It's a really interesting blade. I did some cutting with it, but I need to do a full review of this one.
I have come to appreciate chinese swords since LK Chen has come around. Obviously there are still some hilt styles im not fond of like jian w/ round handles for example but i like them. My rule of thumb on such is usually round handles only on curved swords. Lol
Great review Matthew !!!!
Thanks
Looks like a lightsaber in the thumbnail lol
I wonder how the other blade choices for this sword would hold up. I don't really care about the "commander grade" as it almost doubles the price, but the "elite" is not much more expensive than this one but has differential hardening. I assume the edge would be harder thus having less rolling damage, but the toughness should be similar. I wish every sword had destructive testing videos on it.
I think LK Chen does better on through hardening blades. The differentially hardened blades I have had from them were nice but have had more issues with durability. All of their through hardened pieces have held up very well blade wise.
@@Matthew_Jensen ,
Thanks for the input. It's always appreciated, especially when it might also save me a little cash.
LK Chen now offers this sword in S7 steel.
Hi Matt, any chance of getting hold of a early HWS-1 Bugei Old Pine katana for review and testing?
Not likely. Not sure why they stopped doing them but they are a rare find. Also it would not be very helpful because you cannot get them.
@@Matthew_Jensen Even better to compare the HWS-1 version to the current version, right?
i love tang heng dao
Thanks for showing this, very interesting how Chinese swords differ from most others, I get the overall impression that they choose asechtic appeal over comfort and function, enjoy Lk chen videos as most Chinese swords are compared to them...haven't changed my descion that I think they are somewhat over priced, or that might be the standard for Chinese swords in general because of how they are built and embedded...Great Job Matt
This is why i love your videos, you bash these swords to mince.
I am impressed that you are even capable of calling that a Hibachi I see a piece of tubing that has been pressed into shape and then driven on thank you for now calling it a blade collar
Hello there swordfren
LK CHEN DEEZ NUTZ
Mi-git-deez-nuts
It looks like your practicing the movements you might have seen.. or that I think I seen.. when you went to see that Chinese sword practician... Sorry don't know his name... But he was like, dancing with the sword...
I think it was a jao.
And he said it was kinda heavy for what he's used to... And started to like it more after practice..
But it looks like your trying some of the movements he was doing...No???
This video was from before that.
Looks like Sinestro, Green Lantern's enemy, in the thumbnail given he colored himself red and his glowing yellow lol
I was going for the red assed monkey kind of red..
@@Matthew_Jensen fair enough!
In what Situation does one play a fencing drill with a guy with a steel rod. Especially when one has bloodthirsty blade and sure as hell doesn’t want to destroy it on his opponents,seemingly plain steel baton. I’m not buying the destruction test unfortunately. I think wild animal is ultimate test of a sword if not a straight up aggressive peon. Even then 🤔 if your sword breaks and you still kill your opponent…that’s still a weapon well served🧐
I am not arguing it is not abusive or the ideal target for a sword. The steel rod can act as an analogy for a spear head, another sword, the rim of a shield, the top of a helmet, a missed strike into a wall or wagon wheel. None of those are an ideal target but they could conceivably happen in the heat of battle.
I don't give a damn about the blade I just saw the handle it's $100 knife. And if you pull the thing out of the sheath I will only go down in price because so far the handle looks like something that a prison butcher would be carrying. And yes I am so glad that I only started looking when you started showings the handle right after showing the price of the sheath at the Emporium
So you hate all messers as well, as they have intentionally knife-style grips? And you realize that many swords are constructed with wood slats riveted over the tang, right? They may have leather, cord, etc. wrapped around it, but that's an incredibly common and historical way to make a sword. And if you are complaining because it has a cap instead of a pommel, then I guess no Japanese blades are "real" swords then either. Forget the historical soldiers that carried this kind of sword into combat as a prized sidearm.
I bet the truth is that this just isn't "fancy" enough for you. Get a shiny wall hanger and leave the appreciation of quality manufacture to others, then.
How about stop being a snob and do yourself the favor ob being able to appreciate different kinds of construction.
@@jameswoodard4304 putting way too many words in my mouth