Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Mar 31, 2009 22:16:57 GMT -5
Oni Forge Gunbai II
First the specs.
Gunbai-II Configuration
Nagasa: 28.5 in.
Tsuka: 14 in.
Weight:@2.3 lbs
Brown Wrap
Black Rayskin
Gunbai Sukashi Tsuba
Alloy Kodogu
Kuroishime-nuri Saya
1060 Steel Blade
Aesthetics
At the $200 mark, the Gunbai is a pretty good looking sword.The ito is brown, same black.The maki is tight, and the diamonds well formed and even,and the ito is of decent quality.
The alloy hardware is nicer than I expected, and edges out the three Cheness I have owned for quality.
The polish is to a high satin, and the hamon is faux(etched).
One of the nice things about the blade is the kissaki. Shobu means Iris , and the point is shaped like an Iris leaf.Shobu do not have yokote, so the sword is without that patch of rough counterpolish that passes for a kissaki /yokote on most production blades.
Handling Characteristics
Absent from the Gunbai is the sports car like handling of the Tonbo,Ryu and Kiyomaro. The sword handles fine, but that responsiveness that seems to come alive in your hand is not there...nor probably should it be at less than half the price.
The Gunbai's handling is reminescent of the Cheness Higo. Not tip heavy or slow, just steady and there. Like a pick -up truck compared to a Corvette.
Cutting
The Gunbai is sharp,and cuts well. The blade is sturdy and it is a robust cutter. There is none of the feeling of fragility that comes with the Hanwei PK elite, but by the same token, there is none of the finesse either.
You get the feeling this sword could handle most sensible targets you throw at it, but it isn't going to win any awards for tracking,and won't magically improve the cutters abilities like some blades seem to.
Again, it is reminescent of the Cheness Higo.
Conclusion
The Gunbai, at it's price point, is more that a competitor for other similarly priced katana. The cutting and handling characteristics are on par with other companies, but the fit and finnish of the mounting outclasses most competitors.
While it lacks the magic of it's big brothers at the $500 price point, it is still an able, attractive and fun sword, and at its price, well worth adding to your collection.
First the specs.
Gunbai-II Configuration
Nagasa: 28.5 in.
Tsuka: 14 in.
Weight:@2.3 lbs
Brown Wrap
Black Rayskin
Gunbai Sukashi Tsuba
Alloy Kodogu
Kuroishime-nuri Saya
1060 Steel Blade
Aesthetics
At the $200 mark, the Gunbai is a pretty good looking sword.The ito is brown, same black.The maki is tight, and the diamonds well formed and even,and the ito is of decent quality.
The alloy hardware is nicer than I expected, and edges out the three Cheness I have owned for quality.
The polish is to a high satin, and the hamon is faux(etched).
One of the nice things about the blade is the kissaki. Shobu means Iris , and the point is shaped like an Iris leaf.Shobu do not have yokote, so the sword is without that patch of rough counterpolish that passes for a kissaki /yokote on most production blades.
Handling Characteristics
Absent from the Gunbai is the sports car like handling of the Tonbo,Ryu and Kiyomaro. The sword handles fine, but that responsiveness that seems to come alive in your hand is not there...nor probably should it be at less than half the price.
The Gunbai's handling is reminescent of the Cheness Higo. Not tip heavy or slow, just steady and there. Like a pick -up truck compared to a Corvette.
Cutting
The Gunbai is sharp,and cuts well. The blade is sturdy and it is a robust cutter. There is none of the feeling of fragility that comes with the Hanwei PK elite, but by the same token, there is none of the finesse either.
You get the feeling this sword could handle most sensible targets you throw at it, but it isn't going to win any awards for tracking,and won't magically improve the cutters abilities like some blades seem to.
Again, it is reminescent of the Cheness Higo.
Conclusion
The Gunbai, at it's price point, is more that a competitor for other similarly priced katana. The cutting and handling characteristics are on par with other companies, but the fit and finnish of the mounting outclasses most competitors.
While it lacks the magic of it's big brothers at the $500 price point, it is still an able, attractive and fun sword, and at its price, well worth adding to your collection.