Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Mar 31, 2009 21:46:36 GMT -5
Kiyomaro & Wind and Thunder: A Comparitive Review
Jan.6,2007
Today was another beautiful , sunny , 70 degree day in GA;so I took the opportunity to do some cutting.
The sword was a new Kiyomaro from Oni Forge. I know that the Kiyomaro is a little over $300, but Loren sells seconds for $299 which fits in it. I have owned 5 Oni seconds, and it's hard to tell what is wrong with them. Some folks on SFI wanted a comparison to the W&T so that is what I've done
I ordered the 32-14 configuration, and the sword dwarfs my Wind and Thunder, a bruiser in it's own right.
The kake is homemade so please refrain from reviewing it too harshly..I'm no craftsman;)
Here's the specs on the blades
Kiyomaro
Nagasa 32 in.
Tsuka 14 in.
Sori: 7/8 in.
Moto-Haba: 1 3/8 in.
Saki-Haba: 1 1/16 in.
Moto-Kasane: 5/16 in.
Saki-Kasane: 4/16 in.
weight : 3.3 lbs
Wind and Thunder
Nagassa 29.75
Motohaba 1.4"
motokasane around 7 mm
saki kasane 5.5-6mm
kissaki 3.4 inches
weight 3lbs 5 ounces.
sori .6 inch.
tsuka 11.75 inches
The Oni blade is actually just 2 tenths of an ounce lighter that the Wind and Thunder, despite being considerably longer.
The Kiyomaro also has considerably more sori, and the tsuka follows the sori much better than the W&T
Aesthetics
Aesthetically , the W&T has the edge in a couple of catagories: the hardware,polish and kissaki.
The hardware on the Oni is actually pretty nice,there's only a slight edge for the W&T there.The maki on the Oni is tighter and better shaped, even though the W&T has slightly superior ito.
Polish wise, the Hanwei has a better hybrid polish. The Kiyomaro has what would be a knockout hamon,but does not show it off at all.
The Kiyomaro would have the edge in the kissaki dept, as i think the shaping is better, but the W&T features an actual yokote whereas the Kiyomaro is counter polished.
Here you can just make out the hamon on the Kiyomaro
The Oni has the 8 circles tsuba on it, which I think is elegant,but possibly a little small and light for the sword.The fuchi-gashira are stone textured and the menuki are silver waves.
Overall presentation goes to the Oni, despite the slight edge in some catagories by the W&T.
In the end , the sugata, sori and tsuka shaping combine to make the Kiyomaro more eyepleasing to this reviewer.
Handling Characteristics
Surprisingly, the Kiyomaro handles like a much smaller sword.The balance point is 6 inches from the tsuba,compared to 6.5 for the W&T.
The W&T handles ok, but feels much more tip heavy and awkward.The Kiyomaro feels much lighter , despite the fact that it is not.
Changes of direction are effortless, and the Kiyomaro does not require adjustments to the tosen,like the W&T did when I first got it.Picking it up and swinging it, the Kiyomaro feels like any other lighter ,well balanced katana.
It is , however , a workout for the forearms. The seeming weightlessness is an illusion of the excellent balance. Picking up it's little brother,the tonbo,after swinging this sword is like holding a feather.
The shaping of the Wind and Thunder tsuka is more pleasing to the hand,but the contour and angle of the Kiyomaro wins out.
All in all this monstorous sword handles very well...as good as most lighter katana in the pricerange, though the forearms do tire quickly.
Cutting
This Kiyomaro is a laser!!!
As stated earlier ,the wind and thunder's weight causes me to have to make tosen adjustments... the first cut with the Kiyomaro sliced an empty 20 ouncer in two, lightly dropping the top to the ground,and leaving the bottom capsized on the cutting stand.
The tracking on cuts is first rate.I was able to quickly and evenly picklechip some milk jugs, though I didn't come close to Restita's record:o
I did not cut any Bamboo today, but am sure the Kiyomaro would have no problem with 2-3 inch bamboo. I think the W&T has the advantage on larger bamboo stalks and mat rolls. They cut equally well on medium targets, but the Kiyomaro cuts light targets MUCH better.
Conclusion
As an everyday working sword, the Kiyomaro beats the W&T hands down. It's cutting and handling characteristicsare far superior to the W&T.
While on close up inspection the W&T presents itself better(polish kissaki , hardware) back away 5 feet and the sugata and sori of the Kiyomaro edge it out.
While I won't be selling my W&T, I do really like the Kiyomaro...this swords a winner.
Thanks for reading!
Jan.6,2007
Today was another beautiful , sunny , 70 degree day in GA;so I took the opportunity to do some cutting.
The sword was a new Kiyomaro from Oni Forge. I know that the Kiyomaro is a little over $300, but Loren sells seconds for $299 which fits in it. I have owned 5 Oni seconds, and it's hard to tell what is wrong with them. Some folks on SFI wanted a comparison to the W&T so that is what I've done
I ordered the 32-14 configuration, and the sword dwarfs my Wind and Thunder, a bruiser in it's own right.
The kake is homemade so please refrain from reviewing it too harshly..I'm no craftsman;)
Here's the specs on the blades
Kiyomaro
Nagasa 32 in.
Tsuka 14 in.
Sori: 7/8 in.
Moto-Haba: 1 3/8 in.
Saki-Haba: 1 1/16 in.
Moto-Kasane: 5/16 in.
Saki-Kasane: 4/16 in.
weight : 3.3 lbs
Wind and Thunder
Nagassa 29.75
Motohaba 1.4"
motokasane around 7 mm
saki kasane 5.5-6mm
kissaki 3.4 inches
weight 3lbs 5 ounces.
sori .6 inch.
tsuka 11.75 inches
The Oni blade is actually just 2 tenths of an ounce lighter that the Wind and Thunder, despite being considerably longer.
The Kiyomaro also has considerably more sori, and the tsuka follows the sori much better than the W&T
Aesthetics
Aesthetically , the W&T has the edge in a couple of catagories: the hardware,polish and kissaki.
The hardware on the Oni is actually pretty nice,there's only a slight edge for the W&T there.The maki on the Oni is tighter and better shaped, even though the W&T has slightly superior ito.
Polish wise, the Hanwei has a better hybrid polish. The Kiyomaro has what would be a knockout hamon,but does not show it off at all.
The Kiyomaro would have the edge in the kissaki dept, as i think the shaping is better, but the W&T features an actual yokote whereas the Kiyomaro is counter polished.
Here you can just make out the hamon on the Kiyomaro
The Oni has the 8 circles tsuba on it, which I think is elegant,but possibly a little small and light for the sword.The fuchi-gashira are stone textured and the menuki are silver waves.
Overall presentation goes to the Oni, despite the slight edge in some catagories by the W&T.
In the end , the sugata, sori and tsuka shaping combine to make the Kiyomaro more eyepleasing to this reviewer.
Handling Characteristics
Surprisingly, the Kiyomaro handles like a much smaller sword.The balance point is 6 inches from the tsuba,compared to 6.5 for the W&T.
The W&T handles ok, but feels much more tip heavy and awkward.The Kiyomaro feels much lighter , despite the fact that it is not.
Changes of direction are effortless, and the Kiyomaro does not require adjustments to the tosen,like the W&T did when I first got it.Picking it up and swinging it, the Kiyomaro feels like any other lighter ,well balanced katana.
It is , however , a workout for the forearms. The seeming weightlessness is an illusion of the excellent balance. Picking up it's little brother,the tonbo,after swinging this sword is like holding a feather.
The shaping of the Wind and Thunder tsuka is more pleasing to the hand,but the contour and angle of the Kiyomaro wins out.
All in all this monstorous sword handles very well...as good as most lighter katana in the pricerange, though the forearms do tire quickly.
Cutting
This Kiyomaro is a laser!!!
As stated earlier ,the wind and thunder's weight causes me to have to make tosen adjustments... the first cut with the Kiyomaro sliced an empty 20 ouncer in two, lightly dropping the top to the ground,and leaving the bottom capsized on the cutting stand.
The tracking on cuts is first rate.I was able to quickly and evenly picklechip some milk jugs, though I didn't come close to Restita's record:o
I did not cut any Bamboo today, but am sure the Kiyomaro would have no problem with 2-3 inch bamboo. I think the W&T has the advantage on larger bamboo stalks and mat rolls. They cut equally well on medium targets, but the Kiyomaro cuts light targets MUCH better.
Conclusion
As an everyday working sword, the Kiyomaro beats the W&T hands down. It's cutting and handling characteristicsare far superior to the W&T.
While on close up inspection the W&T presents itself better(polish kissaki , hardware) back away 5 feet and the sugata and sori of the Kiyomaro edge it out.
While I won't be selling my W&T, I do really like the Kiyomaro...this swords a winner.
Thanks for reading!