Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on Mar 31, 2009 22:15:19 GMT -5
Oni Forge Imperial Katana
Oni Forge is gone, reincarnated as Kensei, but its heritage lives on in the form of the swords that remain.
A few Oni Forge models are still availiable, one of these is the Imperial.
These are on clearance right now at sword-saint.com.
The Imperial is of the Oni Forge Performance Series, which means through-hardened 1050 steel, and a bias as a durable cutter.
Specifications
Nagasa: 28.5 inches
Tsuka : 11 inches
Motohaba : 1.25 inches
Sakihaba : 7/8 inch
Motokasane :7.5 mm
Sakikasane : 6 mm
Sori : .75 inch
Weight : 2.25 lbs
POB: 5 inches from tsuba
Aeshetics
Sugata is shinogi zukuri, with chu-kissaki. the kissaki is counterpolished, but has a nice profile.
The bo-hi is nicely done, and burnished to a mirror sheen. the ji are satin... there is no hamon.
Habaki and seppa are nickle-silver, and the tsuba is a steel sunburst design.
Fuchigashira are the stone textured set that have been shared with several other Oni , and Kensei models.
the tsuka is paneled with white same and wrapped in Grey ito. I love the grey ito... very hard to find.
The menuki are silver colored dragons.
Fit & Finish
Fit and finish is superb. Rock solid ito and fittings. Nicely fitted saya with only a tiny bit of rattle if shaken laterally.
This sword is solid very nicely put together
Handling
The Imperial handles like a dream. The slim tsuka is tightly wrapped, and the ito is very tactile. The crossovers make for a rocksolid, well formed gripping surface.
The nicely done hi combines with the sori and solid steel tsuba to give a balance point of just 5 inches from the tsuba... making this very agile and fast through the guards, yet still with a nice blade presence.
Cutting
Being from the performance series , cutting is the bread and butter of this sword... I haven't done a whole lot of cutting with it, because I'm likely going to sell it, but I have owned several tonbo... the other performance series sword that shared this blade. It was one of the best cutters I've owned.
I couldn't resist trying a few strokes to see how this matched up. On empty bottles, this is every bit the beast the tonbo is...
because I I just gotten home from golfing when UPS brought this... I tried a slightly different cutting test.
I "teed" up a golf ball on a bottle on my stand... and took four swings at it... its a bit difficult to hit a golf ball. The first strike I missed, and cut the bottle out from under the ball. Second strike I winged it... and cut a sliver off the ball, and then cut the bottle out from under it... last two strokes were on center hits... but it seems to be very hard to cut an unrestrained golf ball in half...maybe a new contest?
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Again, this is the section I use to highlight problems with the sword. Again, they are hard to find.The sword is well built, a good cutter, and handles well. the fittings and maki are tight... and it is properly wrapped and assembled... what more can you ask from a good sub $300 sword?
The kissaki is counter-polished, but that's par for the course, and it is done well.
On the tsuka, if you really look , you can see a bit of the tsuka -ho wood in the cornersof the ito diamonds. I was unable to capture this on film because it was a bright day, and the contrast with light and shadow simply would not highlight this minor cosmetic issue.
The fuchi fit is a tad funky... and that pictured real well.. in fact it is exaggerated by the photo, it is not near as pronounced in person.
Conclusion
This is classic Oni Forge at its finest.
Oni Forge eventually became known for unique designs and interesting sugata , as well as high performing swords. However, when Oni Forge first evolved from Loren's old customising company, Orochi Shinken, the sword that really marked the transition was the tonbo. A no-frills , well built , well designed, all business functional cutter. A workhorse.
The imperial is the second generation tonbo... a little more refined, slimmer tsuka for instance,but still all about business. It's a properly built, tough, attractive yet not ornate cutting machine. Every little detail isn't perfect, and it isn't high on the bling factor... but all pieces as a whole become a d**n good sword.
They are on clearance now for $279 , originally $400. At that price they are one of the best deals going , if you are in the market for a tough , no nonesense , spring -tempered cutter.
So, you still reading this? You haven't bought one yet ?
Oni Forge is gone, reincarnated as Kensei, but its heritage lives on in the form of the swords that remain.
A few Oni Forge models are still availiable, one of these is the Imperial.
These are on clearance right now at sword-saint.com.
The Imperial is of the Oni Forge Performance Series, which means through-hardened 1050 steel, and a bias as a durable cutter.
Specifications
Nagasa: 28.5 inches
Tsuka : 11 inches
Motohaba : 1.25 inches
Sakihaba : 7/8 inch
Motokasane :7.5 mm
Sakikasane : 6 mm
Sori : .75 inch
Weight : 2.25 lbs
POB: 5 inches from tsuba
Aeshetics
Sugata is shinogi zukuri, with chu-kissaki. the kissaki is counterpolished, but has a nice profile.
The bo-hi is nicely done, and burnished to a mirror sheen. the ji are satin... there is no hamon.
Habaki and seppa are nickle-silver, and the tsuba is a steel sunburst design.
Fuchigashira are the stone textured set that have been shared with several other Oni , and Kensei models.
the tsuka is paneled with white same and wrapped in Grey ito. I love the grey ito... very hard to find.
The menuki are silver colored dragons.
Fit & Finish
Fit and finish is superb. Rock solid ito and fittings. Nicely fitted saya with only a tiny bit of rattle if shaken laterally.
This sword is solid very nicely put together
Handling
The Imperial handles like a dream. The slim tsuka is tightly wrapped, and the ito is very tactile. The crossovers make for a rocksolid, well formed gripping surface.
The nicely done hi combines with the sori and solid steel tsuba to give a balance point of just 5 inches from the tsuba... making this very agile and fast through the guards, yet still with a nice blade presence.
Cutting
Being from the performance series , cutting is the bread and butter of this sword... I haven't done a whole lot of cutting with it, because I'm likely going to sell it, but I have owned several tonbo... the other performance series sword that shared this blade. It was one of the best cutters I've owned.
I couldn't resist trying a few strokes to see how this matched up. On empty bottles, this is every bit the beast the tonbo is...
because I I just gotten home from golfing when UPS brought this... I tried a slightly different cutting test.
I "teed" up a golf ball on a bottle on my stand... and took four swings at it... its a bit difficult to hit a golf ball. The first strike I missed, and cut the bottle out from under the ball. Second strike I winged it... and cut a sliver off the ball, and then cut the bottle out from under it... last two strokes were on center hits... but it seems to be very hard to cut an unrestrained golf ball in half...maybe a new contest?
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Again, this is the section I use to highlight problems with the sword. Again, they are hard to find.The sword is well built, a good cutter, and handles well. the fittings and maki are tight... and it is properly wrapped and assembled... what more can you ask from a good sub $300 sword?
The kissaki is counter-polished, but that's par for the course, and it is done well.
On the tsuka, if you really look , you can see a bit of the tsuka -ho wood in the cornersof the ito diamonds. I was unable to capture this on film because it was a bright day, and the contrast with light and shadow simply would not highlight this minor cosmetic issue.
The fuchi fit is a tad funky... and that pictured real well.. in fact it is exaggerated by the photo, it is not near as pronounced in person.
Conclusion
This is classic Oni Forge at its finest.
Oni Forge eventually became known for unique designs and interesting sugata , as well as high performing swords. However, when Oni Forge first evolved from Loren's old customising company, Orochi Shinken, the sword that really marked the transition was the tonbo. A no-frills , well built , well designed, all business functional cutter. A workhorse.
The imperial is the second generation tonbo... a little more refined, slimmer tsuka for instance,but still all about business. It's a properly built, tough, attractive yet not ornate cutting machine. Every little detail isn't perfect, and it isn't high on the bling factor... but all pieces as a whole become a d**n good sword.
They are on clearance now for $279 , originally $400. At that price they are one of the best deals going , if you are in the market for a tough , no nonesense , spring -tempered cutter.
So, you still reading this? You haven't bought one yet ?