I can speak of the Kaizen and say that the consistency in the Fit and finish is pretty much identical, so that would mean the buyer may end up with the exact same level of quality in the rendition they may pick up, which is obviously a GOOD thing and a comforting aspect to those whom are interested. Matthew as always a fantastic job in the hard work & time in putting this together. I will end up echoing much of your commentary on my review as I agree and see much of the same. Well Done!!!
Kenshi, thank you for taking the time to make this work. Your thoughts are appreciated and your humble opinion and approach is so very understated and amazing....your knowledge and understanding of what is possible is inspiring...as always you bring valuable insights into the sword.. I bow low to your attention to detail Matthew- Samma...
Thanks for the thorough educational review. The TikTok generation desperately needs some videos longer than their typical attention span of 7.6 seconds to learn more about swords. Glad to see this channel can find competent makers to supply swords that might not be perfect but nevertheless take extra attention to detail than the usual katanas found on the market.
For most kiddos and young adults tik tok satisfies their curiosity for info but also their low attention spans. Ive seen some gerbils with higher ones.
I have a $600 katana from MiniKatana. The prancing serpent as it’s called. It’s a quality blade from my experience thus far. Soon I gotta do some Tameshigiri with it to really test it. Tuning in because I’m curious about these and trust Matthew’s opinion.
Very interesting. I know on several forums Mini Katana gets a lot of shade for less than average products, so maybe this will change some people's mind to some degree
@crocketgsxr6 do they help design new sword ideas at least? I thought they were a bit more involved than purely dropshipping. I'm aware it's the same Longquan forge in China that makes many other swords who manufacturers them in bulk.
I don't know specific models, but as soon as I saw these, Shadowdancer and Z-Sey came to mind. Mini katana sourcing these models from one of the two mentioned isn't farfetched. I don't think mini katana makes anything and sources all their product.
Great review. Personally, I prefer the synthetic horn at the mouth of the saya. Real horn looks nicer, but it's much more prone to failure by splitting, and it's not in an area that draws the eye closely. For a sword intended for drawing/cutting use, I think it's a functional decision also rather than just cost savings.
Great review. Thank you. Always wanted one since I was little watching ninja movies. Now I'm looking to buy one. Looking around online, I missed out on a real 500 year old and next available was $5,000.. way out of my price range. Looking for quality and fighting durability like a true warrior fighting sword. But really not sure where to go to pick one that is authentic made.. discovered mini katana and the one you're showing in this video. Really close to wanting the all black one, but could you recommend some others or other places to look? Was really wanting a 2 pin and right at the $1,000 would be the most I would like to spend. And I'm all about quality. 1 tiny thing lacking or flaw or poor judgment will really turn me off fast. The parts you mentioned that are slightly lacking are exactly what I would like improved on a purchase. Think of it as if you where gonna buy 1 sword your whole life, what would you be happy with :) I love your attention to all the fine details and it's why I want to ask you. I feel there's not a whole lot of people who really know and can even see the things you mentioned in this video and I see every bit of that and respect your knowledge and the eye for details.
How about doing some reviews of swords from Lyuesword, also I would like to see some reviews on ninja swords from different manufactures, yes I know they are dreamed up in Hollywood.
Maybe I’m wrong but the shitedome (I know I spelled that wrong.. not looking it up) they look like dragon sword or zsey. Considering traditions and ito, Think they farmed it out to them
Over in a Katana Forum that sounds like "read it" ( I can't write the word normally for some reason RUclips doesn't like that) called r/ katanas they are saying that Min. Katana tricked you into reviewing the same sword, a Shadow Dancer sword, twice. It's currently at the top of the posts but I can't link it because YT makes the whole comment disappear if I do
what if I just add a bunch of superglue to the whole grip setup at the different connections how much would that improve the homogeneous fit of the pieces?
Going well thus far, I hope all is well with you too. I have broken more than the average person, but I doubt it is the most in human history. I am sure there are a number of people who have broken more swords but probably not many on RUclips.
@@Matthew_Jensen I hope you test these swords' durability too. I know breaking such expensive swords can't feel great even for you, but it's important info and durability can be the #1 consideration for a lot of people.
hey man i was wondering if Hanbon forge shipped worldwide o was trying to order but Norway doesn't appear on the selection even though they say that they ships worldwide
I think only push them to failire if they start selling more. Its understandable if they r sold out u wouldnt want to break them. But its absolutely helpful to know where these stand in the hierachy of reliable blades in my opinion. Basically will they be pushed as far as say a Ronin Dojo Pro? You were the reason I got a dojo pro and it was because it was able to withstand as much or more than other swords in the same and even higher price range. You r the only one really that has the unique opportunity to shatter a $1k sword and not cry or b thrown out in the streets by your wife for spending so much lmao
look at those cheap handles hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..............Dont buy at mini Katana ..................i knew it pppffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
The Kaizen is literally the shadow dancer 1095, without the hishgami Pro upgrade, and with an inferior saya. For twice the price. Which means Mini Katana are way overpriced.
The tsuba is the same, can’t remember if the koiguchi is worse. Polish is better on the mini, size is very similar. I will have to look at them both side by side.
@@Matthew_Jensen I really would like to know the outcome of that comparison. Sir, if you wouldn't mind. I'm about to purchase the Shadow dancer 1095 on your recommendation. Praising it as you did in a previous review. My sincerest thanks.
I don't know specific models, but as soon as I saw these, Shadowdancer and Z-Sey came to mind. Mini katana sourcing these models from one of the two mentioned isn't farfetched. I don't think mini katana makes anything and sources all their product.
It's an absolute honor seeing our swords on your channel! Thank you so much for the feedback.
I can speak of the Kaizen and say that the consistency in the Fit and finish is pretty much identical, so that would mean the buyer may end up with the exact same level of quality in the rendition they may pick up, which is obviously a GOOD thing and a comforting aspect to those whom are interested. Matthew as always a fantastic job in the hard work & time in putting this together. I will end up echoing much of your commentary on my review as I agree and see much of the same. Well Done!!!
Kenshi, thank you for taking the time to make this work. Your thoughts are appreciated and your humble opinion and approach is so very understated and amazing....your knowledge and understanding of what is possible is inspiring...as always you bring valuable insights into the sword..
I bow low to your attention to detail Matthew- Samma...
Thanks for the thorough educational review. The TikTok generation desperately needs some videos longer than their typical attention span of 7.6 seconds to learn more about swords. Glad to see this channel can find competent makers to supply swords that might not be perfect but nevertheless take extra attention to detail than the usual katanas found on the market.
For most kiddos and young adults tik tok satisfies their curiosity for info but also their low attention spans. Ive seen some gerbils with higher ones.
I have a $600 katana from MiniKatana. The prancing serpent as it’s called. It’s a quality blade from my experience thus far. Soon I gotta do some Tameshigiri with it to really test it. Tuning in because I’m curious about these and trust Matthew’s opinion.
Im a complete sucker for brown Ito.. 😏. The Kaisen is a beautiful blade
Very interesting. I know on several forums Mini Katana gets a lot of shade for less than average products, so maybe this will change some people's mind to some degree
Mostly due to making cheaper quality anime themed swords, but it's a niche they excelled in for sales.
@@crocketgsxr6yeah exactly they’re essentially the same thing as RVA but more gimmicky lol
@crocketgsxr6 do they help design new sword ideas at least? I thought they were a bit more involved than purely dropshipping. I'm aware it's the same Longquan forge in China that makes many other swords who manufacturers them in bulk.
@@martialman12 i know RVA is in direct contact with cloud hammer and gives them input and ideas into what to make next. i am not sure with mini katana
I don't know specific models, but as soon as I saw these, Shadowdancer and Z-Sey came to mind. Mini katana sourcing these models from one of the two mentioned isn't farfetched. I don't think mini katana makes anything and sources all their product.
Nice machigane in the habaki talk about attention to details.
Great review.
Personally, I prefer the synthetic horn at the mouth of the saya. Real horn looks nicer, but it's much more prone to failure by splitting, and it's not in an area that draws the eye closely. For a sword intended for drawing/cutting use, I think it's a functional decision also rather than just cost savings.
I would love to hear what a sword polisher has to say about how easy or hard it is to polish and bring out characteristics of different sword brands?
Great review. Thank you.
Always wanted one since I was little watching ninja movies.
Now I'm looking to buy one. Looking around online, I missed out on a real 500 year old and next available was $5,000.. way out of my price range.
Looking for quality and fighting durability like a true warrior fighting sword. But really not sure where to go to pick one that is authentic made.. discovered mini katana and the one you're showing in this video. Really close to wanting the all black one, but could you recommend some others or other places to look? Was really wanting a 2 pin and right at the $1,000 would be the most I would like to spend.
And I'm all about quality. 1 tiny thing lacking or flaw or poor judgment will really turn me off fast. The parts you mentioned that are slightly lacking are exactly what I would like improved on a purchase.
Think of it as if you where gonna buy 1 sword your whole life, what would you be happy with :)
I love your attention to all the fine details and it's why I want to ask you. I feel there's not a whole lot of people who really know and can even see the things you mentioned in this video and I see every bit of that and respect your knowledge and the eye for details.
I have not seen a perfect sword. Not for 1k not for 10k and not for 100k. There are a few that are nipped and tucked better.
They are now all the same price and a few more 1k options made out of T8.
How about doing some reviews of swords from Lyuesword, also I would like to see some reviews on ninja swords from different manufactures, yes I know they are dreamed up in Hollywood.
Maybe I’m wrong but the shitedome (I know I spelled that wrong.. not looking it up) they look like dragon sword or zsey. Considering traditions and ito, Think they farmed it out to them
That’s what I get for drinking and typing. Can’t spell transitions or use question marks.
Over in a Katana Forum that sounds like "read it" ( I can't write the word normally for some reason RUclips doesn't like that) called r/ katanas they are saying that Min. Katana tricked you into reviewing the same sword, a Shadow Dancer sword, twice.
It's currently at the top of the posts but I can't link it because YT makes the whole comment disappear if I do
what if I just add a bunch of superglue to the whole grip setup at the different connections
how much would that improve the homogeneous fit of the pieces?
Great review again! I’ve seen this Kuma Cage from Tops. It looks fun, maybe useful. Any chance you would review something like that? 🙂
Hi Mr. Jensen! How's y'er day going? :D How does it feel to be the man who's broken the most swords, possibly in human history?
Going well thus far, I hope all is well with you too. I have broken more than the average person, but I doubt it is the most in human history. I am sure there are a number of people who have broken more swords but probably not many on RUclips.
@@Matthew_Jensen I hope you test these swords' durability too. I know breaking such expensive swords can't feel great even for you, but it's important info and durability can be the #1 consideration for a lot of people.
I really like the Kaisen. Please don't do the croquet stick of doom to these blades.
hey man i was wondering if Hanbon forge shipped worldwide o was trying to order but Norway doesn't appear on the selection even though they say that they ships worldwide
i would email them and see what they say
he usually replies in a few hours
Just one mekugi whole hahahaaaaaaaaaaaa whtas that shit .................
I think only push them to failire if they start selling more. Its understandable if they r sold out u wouldnt want to break them. But its absolutely helpful to know where these stand in the hierachy of reliable blades in my opinion. Basically will they be pushed as far as say a Ronin Dojo Pro? You were the reason I got a dojo pro and it was because it was able to withstand as much or more than other swords in the same and even higher price range. You r the only one really that has the unique opportunity to shatter a $1k sword and not cry or b thrown out in the streets by your wife for spending so much lmao
look at those cheap handles hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..............Dont buy at mini Katana ..................i knew it pppffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
The Kaizen is literally the shadow dancer 1095, without the hishgami Pro upgrade, and with an inferior saya. For twice the price. Which means Mini Katana are way overpriced.
The tsuba is the same, can’t remember if the koiguchi is worse. Polish is better on the mini, size is very similar. I will have to look at them both side by side.
@@Matthew_Jensen I really would like to know the outcome of that comparison. Sir, if you wouldn't mind. I'm about to purchase the Shadow dancer 1095 on your recommendation. Praising it as you did in a previous review. My sincerest thanks.
I don't know specific models, but as soon as I saw these, Shadowdancer and Z-Sey came to mind. Mini katana sourcing these models from one of the two mentioned isn't farfetched. I don't think mini katana makes anything and sources all their product.