Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Apr 8, 2009 23:20:53 GMT -5
Hanwei Raptor Series :
U-no-kubi Zukuri Katana
Review by Marc Kaden Ridgeway------------- 8 April 2009
Hanwei recently released the Raptor series, and I knew I had to get one , because I am a fan of U-no-kubi zukuri, and these mark Hanwei's first real departure from the shinogi zukuri sugata.
Historically, u-no-kubi zukuri is based on cut down pole arms. Usually seen on short swords, naginata were cut down to make wakizashi, and known as naginata naoshi. Today, there is much confusion , even among knowlegable people as to what exactly is naginata naoshi, unokubi , and kanmuri otoshi.
Basically a unokubi is a combination sword. The blade starts off as shinogi zukuri, and about 1/3 of the way transforms into the recessed shinogi ji form that is definitive of shobu zukuri, then, at the mune kado, transforms back into shinogi zukuri.
The slender mune , and swelling at the kissaki give it the name... which mean commorant's neck, because the sword resembles the shape of that bird.
When Marc from WSS informed me that they were availiable for preorder, I reserved one right away. These katana are very affordable , being sold by WSS and Sword Nation for about $240.
UPS handled shipping very quickly, and the sword arrived within 24 hours of shipment. The sword ws well packaged in a styrofoam box within a box. No cleaning kit was included.
Specifications
Nagasa-------- 28.5 in
Tsuka-----------13 in with fittings
Nakago---------12 in
Motohaba-------1.25 in
Sakihaba--------1.0 in
Motokasane-----6.5mm
POB----------------4.25 in from tsuba
Sori-----------------.7 in
Steel----------------5160 through hardened
Aesthetics
Sugata is u-no-kubi zukuri with chu-kissaki. The yokote is geometric.
The polish is a dull satin, except for the burnished shinogi ji. It shoild also be noted that the polish has waves, ripples and dips in the surface. This Raptor is not to the same level of polish of any other Hanwei katana I've owned.
The Tsuka-ho is panelled in white samegawa and wrapped is katate maki stlye with black suede ito. The menuki are gold colored feathers.
The fittings all have a bird of prey theme, and the tsuba is quite attractive, in fact , its one of my favorite things about this sword.
The saya is stone finished in black matte , with black sageo.
My biggest complaint about the aesthetics is the way the mune "humps" at the kissaki... I've just never seen anything quite like it.
Construction: Fit & Finish
Everything on the Raptor is solid and tight. The 13 inch tsuka has a full 12 inches of steel in it. The fittings are all tiight, the tsuba is peened to prevent lateral play. The habaki is well fit.
The tsuka is also fitted well, without the use of shims. A couple of taps unseats it from its snug seat, and then it slides of easily.
The sword fits securely in the saya , and does not rattle.
Handling Characteristics
The Raptor is nimble and fast. With 12 inches of steel in the 13 inch tsuka, and the strongly relieved shinogi ji, the feel belies the 2.7 lb. weight.
The sword feels light... almost insubstantial.
The balance point is about 4.2 inches from the tsuba.
Normally I dislike longer tsuka , but do not notice on the Raptor.
My biggest complaint is the tsuka shaping, or lack thereof.
The Raptor seems to be a throwback to the old days of Hanwei katana with axe-handle tsuka. The tsuka is THICK, and not at all tapered or waisted.
Cutting
This was the most important aspect of the review for me, as the Raptor is being marketed as a tough cutter. SO I put it through its paces.
I started out with small bamboo and worked up. I believe I found the Raptors limit, at least in my hands, at about 4 -4.5 inch diameter bamboo stalks. Having found this limit , I proceeded to make some UGLY cuts (on purpose I SWEAR) that would have set many blades. The Raptor came out unscathed, and still handled both wet and dry bottles after the bamboo.
I'm pretty impressed with the toughness and resilence of the Raptor.
The Good , The Bad & The Ugly
Here in my critical section I like to point out the flaws, or whatever I just don't like. In this case, the sword is mostly damn fine for the price with just a few points I disliked , like the tsuka shaping, the end knot, the wavy polish and the mune at the kissaki.
Pros
Cons
Now for sake of comparison , I'm going to show a couple of comparison photos with a similar sugata sword, the Oni Forge Ryu , which is roughly twice the price. Even though the Ryu is a much more massive sword , you can see the Raptors much beefier tsuka.
Conclusion
Hanwei developed and marketed this as an affordable and durable cutter , and I think they hit the mark. From the observations I've made, this is a light and nimble but tough as nails sword, that your really won't have to be fearful of. It cuts as well as the Tori, with a tougher edge and more resilent blade, and beats the PK hands down.
At the price WWS and Sword Nation have offered them at, this is a fine cutter , and a good match for other through hardened cutters on the market.
While not much makes it outshine the alternatives like a musha class DF, it is a least equal , and small details can make or break the choice as to how to go.
I would reccomend this sword as a solid cutter , and well made piece.
Thanks for reading.
U-no-kubi Zukuri Katana
Review by Marc Kaden Ridgeway------------- 8 April 2009
Hanwei recently released the Raptor series, and I knew I had to get one , because I am a fan of U-no-kubi zukuri, and these mark Hanwei's first real departure from the shinogi zukuri sugata.
Historically, u-no-kubi zukuri is based on cut down pole arms. Usually seen on short swords, naginata were cut down to make wakizashi, and known as naginata naoshi. Today, there is much confusion , even among knowlegable people as to what exactly is naginata naoshi, unokubi , and kanmuri otoshi.
Basically a unokubi is a combination sword. The blade starts off as shinogi zukuri, and about 1/3 of the way transforms into the recessed shinogi ji form that is definitive of shobu zukuri, then, at the mune kado, transforms back into shinogi zukuri.
The slender mune , and swelling at the kissaki give it the name... which mean commorant's neck, because the sword resembles the shape of that bird.
When Marc from WSS informed me that they were availiable for preorder, I reserved one right away. These katana are very affordable , being sold by WSS and Sword Nation for about $240.
UPS handled shipping very quickly, and the sword arrived within 24 hours of shipment. The sword ws well packaged in a styrofoam box within a box. No cleaning kit was included.
Specifications
Nagasa-------- 28.5 in
Tsuka-----------13 in with fittings
Nakago---------12 in
Motohaba-------1.25 in
Sakihaba--------1.0 in
Motokasane-----6.5mm
POB----------------4.25 in from tsuba
Sori-----------------.7 in
Steel----------------5160 through hardened
Aesthetics
Sugata is u-no-kubi zukuri with chu-kissaki. The yokote is geometric.
The polish is a dull satin, except for the burnished shinogi ji. It shoild also be noted that the polish has waves, ripples and dips in the surface. This Raptor is not to the same level of polish of any other Hanwei katana I've owned.
The Tsuka-ho is panelled in white samegawa and wrapped is katate maki stlye with black suede ito. The menuki are gold colored feathers.
The fittings all have a bird of prey theme, and the tsuba is quite attractive, in fact , its one of my favorite things about this sword.
The saya is stone finished in black matte , with black sageo.
My biggest complaint about the aesthetics is the way the mune "humps" at the kissaki... I've just never seen anything quite like it.
Construction: Fit & Finish
Everything on the Raptor is solid and tight. The 13 inch tsuka has a full 12 inches of steel in it. The fittings are all tiight, the tsuba is peened to prevent lateral play. The habaki is well fit.
The tsuka is also fitted well, without the use of shims. A couple of taps unseats it from its snug seat, and then it slides of easily.
The sword fits securely in the saya , and does not rattle.
Handling Characteristics
The Raptor is nimble and fast. With 12 inches of steel in the 13 inch tsuka, and the strongly relieved shinogi ji, the feel belies the 2.7 lb. weight.
The sword feels light... almost insubstantial.
The balance point is about 4.2 inches from the tsuba.
Normally I dislike longer tsuka , but do not notice on the Raptor.
My biggest complaint is the tsuka shaping, or lack thereof.
The Raptor seems to be a throwback to the old days of Hanwei katana with axe-handle tsuka. The tsuka is THICK, and not at all tapered or waisted.
Cutting
This was the most important aspect of the review for me, as the Raptor is being marketed as a tough cutter. SO I put it through its paces.
I started out with small bamboo and worked up. I believe I found the Raptors limit, at least in my hands, at about 4 -4.5 inch diameter bamboo stalks. Having found this limit , I proceeded to make some UGLY cuts (on purpose I SWEAR) that would have set many blades. The Raptor came out unscathed, and still handled both wet and dry bottles after the bamboo.
I'm pretty impressed with the toughness and resilence of the Raptor.
The Good , The Bad & The Ugly
Here in my critical section I like to point out the flaws, or whatever I just don't like. In this case, the sword is mostly damn fine for the price with just a few points I disliked , like the tsuka shaping, the end knot, the wavy polish and the mune at the kissaki.
Pros
- Tough heat treat
- Well Built
- Good Cutter
- Superb handling
- Attractive tsuba
- Geometric Yokote
Cons
- "Axe-handle " tsuka
- No hamon
- wavy polish
- strange (to me) mune-kado
Now for sake of comparison , I'm going to show a couple of comparison photos with a similar sugata sword, the Oni Forge Ryu , which is roughly twice the price. Even though the Ryu is a much more massive sword , you can see the Raptors much beefier tsuka.
Conclusion
Hanwei developed and marketed this as an affordable and durable cutter , and I think they hit the mark. From the observations I've made, this is a light and nimble but tough as nails sword, that your really won't have to be fearful of. It cuts as well as the Tori, with a tougher edge and more resilent blade, and beats the PK hands down.
At the price WWS and Sword Nation have offered them at, this is a fine cutter , and a good match for other through hardened cutters on the market.
While not much makes it outshine the alternatives like a musha class DF, it is a least equal , and small details can make or break the choice as to how to go.
I would reccomend this sword as a solid cutter , and well made piece.
Thanks for reading.
