THIS ITEM, I NOW NAMED "THE BLACK MAMBA WAKIZASHI" AND IS NOW A LISTED STOCKED ITEM ON THEIR SITE SEE PRODUCT LINK romanceofmen.com/collections/wakizashi/products/the-black-mamba-wakizashi?variant=44490002989246
Quality vid Joe! that's a sweet looking waki ( I still don't own a single waki but have a ko katana / with waki blade) think i'll have to check them out when i'm ready to get myself one, R.o.M looks like they're really giving the other LQ forges some competition now for the price 👍
ROM is definitely in the game now...and many thanks for the compliments, hey the first wakis I have are of late...they are great and fun swords to own and use, they and tanto don't get enough attention
Great videography Joe. I'm surprised that waki performed so well. I'm still on the fence about ROM, but seeing that the fit and finish and performance is on point is an encouraging sign.
@JoeSteel1 absolute best customer service I have ever seen as well. They keep in constant contact and respond to all my stupid questions. I cannot say enough good things about them. Cheers from canada
Hey, Joe! I see the folks over at RoM liked your wakizashi design choice so much they went and added it as a production listing in your honor. I myself am currently waiting on a custom katana order I put in from them, water themed with a blue pattern steel blade.
Yeah that was really cool of them they asked me to name it and requested my pics...Henriquelam is just a fantastic fella...love colab with him...his products are very well done with pride
Seems like really good value for money! I believe Beatrix Kiddo herself would’ve liked it. ☺️ PS: ‘Waki’ literally means “side”. So whenever people use that term they’re really just saying that they like side/sides/a side/your side … 😁
Interpretations can be seen differently depending on whom it is...wakizashi from what I know is considered short sword...but yes this Black Mamba is a great buy...good..."short sword"
@@JoeSteel1 I can certainly appreciate your ‘side’ of this issue. 😉 Firstly: I really enjoy your content! The image quality and general production standards you uphold are great! Keep up the good work. 👍🏻☺️ Secondly; I actually don’t have quite the same knee-jerk reaction that, for many years, I used to have when people refer to (or “shorthand” / “abbreviate”) wakizashi as “waki”. If I’m being perfectly honest, I used to automatically, as they say, ‘throw up in my mouth a little’ when I heard it said or read it somewhere. But I have mellowed over the years - well, somewhat. 😁 That said, when I read through the comments section of this video, I did experience some involuntary twitching…! 😖 Allow me to explain: The umbrella-term for “short sword” in Japanese is ‘shotō’; literally meaning “small blade (in context; sword)”. This can be any type of short-bladed sword - like a companion sword to the ‘daitō’ (“big sword”, e.g. tachi or uchigatana) - that is under 60 cm in blade-length; and thus any kodachi, wakizashi or even tantō. The term ‘Wakizashi’ is already an abbreviation of ‘wakizashi no katana’; literally meaning "side inserted/worn sword" (when read as the Japanese would), or "sword thrust/worn at one's side" when read in the opposite direction (i.e. backwards). 🤓 This term can indeed technically also be applied to any of the aforementioned (companion) short-swords (shotō). Notably, many shorter wakizashi resembles longer tantō (for their part; defined as having a blade-length under 30 cm). Now; here comes the fun part: The ‘waki’-section of the term stems from the concept of “side”; more specifically, in this context, in the (anatomical) understanding of “one's side” (i.e. the side of your body). 😃 The ‘zashi’-part has its root in the concept of “to put”; which in this context is understood as “to place, insert (in clothing) or wear” an object (on your person), when combined with ‘waki’ - i.e. the specific position on your body (!) where the object is placed/worn. (I TOLD you this was fun…!) 😆🍸🏜️🌵🦗 Over time, of course, the [sword]-part of the term (‘no katana’) came to be implied. However; further “reductionism” pertaining to the term - beyond the accepted ‘wakizashi’ - is, shall we say, somewhat “unconventional”. If not outright ill-advised. One thing is that some Westerners tend to “butcher” other languages (and names!) - another thing entirely is to “butcher” well-established concepts and terminology… (Now; I’m not suggesting that the more old-school Japanese sword-scholars would be secretly and vividly dreaming of “kiri’ing” our “hara” - but yeah; they probably would…) ⚔️🧐🎓 😁 What can be inferred is that, following from now firmly established Japanese sword-terminology, if one wants to make reference to a specific sub-type of Japanese sword (the generic term for single-edged swords being ‘katana’), for example to a type of shotō, it is prudent to actually use the correct terminology. It would, for instance, be considered odd, or confusing (and quite rightly so!), if we alluded to the Japanese dagger - the tantō; literally translated as “short blade” - simply as a “tan” (i.e. “short”). Example: “You’ve got a really nice “tan” there!” ☀️🧴⛱️ / 🤏🏻🤪🥳 So, on account of all of the above; as to conclude: Ever-so-reverent mention of a/the/your “waki” makes precious little sense. Unless it’s your intention to, say, compliment someone’s ‘growth in personality’; or make a literal, anatomical reference to the side of somebody’s torso - in the general hip-area. Example: “I absolutely ADORE this new “waki” (i.e. “side”) of you/yours!” 👌🏻👍🏻 🎉 Which, I’d argue, in the context of discussing a specific type of sword, is really just rather “whacky” (😉), weird or (unintentionally!) hilarious…! 👀🧐 / 🙃🤣 Anyhoo; let’s “put this ‘sword’ to one side” (for now)… 😅😁
Wow, you worked hard and with diligence on this comment, your insight, knowledge and insight are very much appreciated, as well as the compliments on my work that I really appreciate as well👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@JoeSteel1 Thanks JS1-mate! 👍🏻 I did intentionally take the time to go over (and rewrite) the initial “draft”; just to ensure that I gave it some brevity! ☺️ I really didn’t want to come across as some ‘crashing bore’, or as (overly!) snooty. 🥱/🧐 😁
THIS ITEM, I NOW NAMED "THE BLACK MAMBA WAKIZASHI" AND IS NOW A LISTED STOCKED ITEM ON THEIR SITE SEE PRODUCT LINK romanceofmen.com/collections/wakizashi/products/the-black-mamba-wakizashi?variant=44490002989246
Never seen a saya like that before, love it. Great share and review
Yes me neither and if I did it was cheesy and poorly done...and many thanks to you
Gdamn, that intro was 🔥
So so glad you enjoyed it
Nice wakizashi, really like the fitting, the only thing I would change is the sageo.
Fair enough! and agreed, it's a showcase item, not for real use although a nice looking Sageo would look nice on that saya
Joe, into was so well done. Waki is sweet✌️
Very happy you liked it...love going this stuff...thanks my man
Just ordered mine, Joe & it's right on time for Halloween pumpkin carvin' let's goooo
Excellent your gonna love it...use in good health
Quality vid Joe! that's a sweet looking waki ( I still don't own a single waki but have a ko katana / with waki blade) think i'll have to check them out when i'm ready to get myself one, R.o.M looks like they're really giving the other LQ forges some competition now for the price 👍
ROM is definitely in the game now...and many thanks for the compliments, hey the first wakis I have are of late...they are great and fun swords to own and use, they and tanto don't get enough attention
Great videography Joe. I'm surprised that waki performed so well. I'm still on the fence about ROM, but seeing that the fit and finish and performance is on point is an encouraging sign.
They are improving with every sword they send me...been very content with the price, quality ratio been good...and many kind thanks
I just ordered the black mamba from RoM. It's my 6th sword from them. I love RoM
Man that's awesome for you and great choice, ROM is such a great brand maker especially for the money
@JoeSteel1 absolute best customer service I have ever seen as well. They keep in constant contact and respond to all my stupid questions. I cannot say enough good things about them. Cheers from canada
Hey, Joe! I see the folks over at RoM liked your wakizashi design choice so much they went and added it as a production listing in your honor. I myself am currently waiting on a custom katana order I put in from them, water themed with a blue pattern steel blade.
Yeah that was really cool of them they asked me to name it and requested my pics...Henriquelam is just a fantastic fella...love colab with him...his products are very well done with pride
Absolutely kick ass video Joe!
So appreciated my friend Karl .
Awesome!
Good stuff as always brother 👊🏻
Thanks for the visit brother, and much appreciated 👊
@@JoeSteel1
You’re welcome!
Good review Joe, thanks for sharing YAH bless brother!
My pleasure!! and many thanks and blessings Michael
You need to name this the venom-zashi
Yuppies I like that...it definitely takes some great bites..🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍
A pile of bodies and a pile of heads lol venom quotes are always fire
Nice. Gonna have to grab something from them. How long did the customized one take?
1 to 2 months I believe not terrible long
Seems like really good value for money! I believe Beatrix Kiddo herself would’ve liked it. ☺️
PS: ‘Waki’ literally means “side”. So whenever people use that term they’re really just saying that they like side/sides/a side/your side … 😁
Interpretations can be seen differently depending on whom it is...wakizashi from what I know is considered short sword...but yes this Black Mamba is a great buy...good..."short sword"
@@JoeSteel1 I can certainly appreciate your ‘side’ of this issue. 😉
Firstly: I really enjoy your content! The image quality and general production standards you uphold are great! Keep up the good work. 👍🏻☺️
Secondly; I actually don’t have quite the same knee-jerk reaction that, for many years, I used to have when people refer to (or “shorthand” / “abbreviate”) wakizashi as “waki”.
If I’m being perfectly honest, I used to automatically, as they say, ‘throw up in my mouth a little’ when I heard it said or read it somewhere. But I have mellowed over the years - well, somewhat. 😁
That said, when I read through the comments section of this video, I did experience some involuntary twitching…! 😖
Allow me to explain:
The umbrella-term for “short sword” in Japanese is ‘shotō’; literally meaning “small blade (in context; sword)”.
This can be any type of short-bladed sword - like a companion sword to the ‘daitō’ (“big sword”, e.g. tachi or uchigatana) - that is under 60 cm in blade-length; and thus any kodachi, wakizashi or even tantō.
The term ‘Wakizashi’ is already an abbreviation of ‘wakizashi no katana’;
literally meaning "side inserted/worn sword" (when read as the Japanese would), or "sword thrust/worn at one's side" when read in the opposite direction (i.e. backwards). 🤓
This term can indeed technically also be applied to any of the aforementioned (companion) short-swords (shotō). Notably, many shorter wakizashi resembles longer tantō (for their part; defined as having a blade-length under 30 cm).
Now; here comes the fun part: The ‘waki’-section of the term stems from the concept of “side”; more specifically, in this context, in the (anatomical) understanding of “one's side” (i.e. the side of your body). 😃
The ‘zashi’-part has its root in the concept of “to put”; which in this context is understood as “to place, insert (in clothing) or wear” an object (on your person), when combined with ‘waki’ - i.e. the specific position on your body (!) where the object is placed/worn.
(I TOLD you this was fun…!) 😆🍸🏜️🌵🦗
Over time, of course, the [sword]-part of the term (‘no katana’) came to be implied.
However; further “reductionism” pertaining to the term - beyond the accepted ‘wakizashi’ - is, shall we say, somewhat “unconventional”. If not outright ill-advised. One thing is that some Westerners tend to “butcher” other languages (and names!) - another thing entirely is to “butcher” well-established concepts and terminology…
(Now; I’m not suggesting that the more old-school Japanese sword-scholars would be secretly and vividly dreaming of “kiri’ing” our “hara” - but yeah; they probably would…) ⚔️🧐🎓 😁
What can be inferred is that, following from now firmly established Japanese sword-terminology, if one wants to make reference to a specific sub-type of Japanese sword (the generic term for single-edged swords being ‘katana’), for example to a type of shotō, it is prudent to actually use the correct terminology.
It would, for instance, be considered odd, or confusing (and quite rightly so!), if we alluded to the Japanese dagger - the tantō; literally translated as “short blade” - simply as a “tan” (i.e. “short”). Example:
“You’ve got a really nice “tan” there!” ☀️🧴⛱️ / 🤏🏻🤪🥳
So, on account of all of the above; as to conclude:
Ever-so-reverent mention of a/the/your “waki” makes precious little sense.
Unless it’s your intention to, say, compliment someone’s ‘growth in personality’; or make a literal, anatomical reference to the side of somebody’s torso - in the general hip-area. Example:
“I absolutely ADORE this new “waki” (i.e. “side”) of you/yours!” 👌🏻👍🏻 🎉
Which, I’d argue, in the context of discussing a specific type of sword, is really just rather “whacky” (😉), weird or (unintentionally!) hilarious…! 👀🧐 / 🙃🤣
Anyhoo; let’s “put this ‘sword’ to one side” (for now)… 😅😁
Wow, you worked hard and with diligence on this comment, your insight, knowledge and insight are very much appreciated, as well as the compliments on my work that I really appreciate as well👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏
@@JoeSteel1 Thanks JS1-mate! 👍🏻
I did intentionally take the time to go over (and rewrite) the initial “draft”; just to ensure that I gave it some brevity! ☺️
I really didn’t want to come across as some ‘crashing bore’, or as (overly!) snooty. 🥱/🧐 😁
Keep mind it is PU Leather, aka Plastic. Huge difference between PU leather and real leather.
Not a huge difference on an ITO wrap other than the quality jump, i've used both with same or similar tightness, feel & longevity
Directed by nobody lol
That's Mr. Nobody my friend 😀😀😀