08:08 Great that you're pointing this out. For those who don't know, the mekugi is supposed to be at an angle. It prevents it from falling out, and it actually secures the sword better in the tsuka. Any push or pull (like when cutting), and any shaking of the sword (like when it hits something) will shake a mekugi loose if it's put in straight. At an angle, the nakago will bite into the mekugi a bit, securing it tighter. Another bonus is that when you're taking out the mekugi, one end is not underneath the itomaki. If some people don't like it, they don't know what makes a good koshirae. It's really one of the great benefits of ordering from Z-Sey. Their attention to the most important details, that most customers don't even know about, is impeccable. I know Shadow Dancer also sell some swords from the same smith, but idk if this particular one is.
Great review Matt, thanks for covering that! $250 is a decent price for a sword as such, and L6 blades from forges like Murasama are usually $100-$200 more.
The color of the ito and the quality look nice for the price. The looseness of the ito was very saddening though. Slight plus for the angled mekugi peg. Another minus for the rattle out of the box.
Very nice review. I really like this style. Good to see you do a bit of Iai with the sword and talk a little more about it's functionality for practitioners. Take care!
I really liked the addition of kata practice (at least in the art you're allowed to show us) and how the sword worked for you. I've also come to appreciate angled mekugi as the pins fit between the alternating diamonds vs coming up under one of the crosses, which can make them harder to drive out. Cheers!
I did not get to cutting anything with it. This video has a little less in it than I typically have. Partly because folks asked me about it and wanted info before the holidays and partly because I am lazy. In terms of Shadow Dancer L6, the nagamaki they sent me is also made from L6. Is it L6, no idea. Is it durable, yes. Off camera that sword got handed to someone unfamiliar with katana. When they were moving the sword and went to a high guard, they dropped the sword and yeeted it onto the asphalt. It took some edge damage but nothing more than .5mm. I could sharpen it out mostly. It seems pretty good for being tossed onto a hard surface tip first.
@@Matthew_Jensen Thanks, Matt. In the future, would appreciate a side-by-side breakage of T10 vs L6 (non-baininte) if you can swing that. Sorry tall ask. Will just watch whatever you do.
Mat, I like this style of approach with this review, more engaging, well done, looking forward to getting mine on the chopping block, I agree for the most part with all of your views..still think for the price the ito could have been a little more firm, but agreed don't think it will be an issue in use
I bought a couple siwode swords from Amazon out of curiosity and they are really nice swords. Way under priced for what you get. Amazon has a few good dealers now
I bought two walking dead siwode swords. They came insanely sharp, the leather covered saya is very nice on both. One has the bo-hi and one without. Both sword are very well made and both saya are clean and stitched well. I got them for $104 and $107. Honestly I was going to return the one but wanted to feel both in hand. I couldn't let either go. The blades are so nice I took one and refitted with my personal furniture I had and a training saya. Never let a good blade get away for $100 🤣
That is NOT L6.... L6 has a very distinct hamon that is thin and hard to see without a semi art polish. And it does not shine up like a mirror polish like that. That is most likely 1060 as it's a milky hamon. Even t10 is a different hamon...sus AF...
I don't have a way to easily verify. Anytime a forge offers an exotic or uncommon steel, there is skepticism. You are not wrong to be skeptical. The only thing I can offer is the testing I did on a different sword. I tested an S7 from shadow dancer, it was one of the most durable swords tested. Was it S7, no idea.. Was it durable for $450, yes. I don't like the idea that there may be false advertising but without a way to test it, I need to take it at face value.
08:08 Great that you're pointing this out. For those who don't know, the mekugi is supposed to be at an angle. It prevents it from falling out, and it actually secures the sword better in the tsuka. Any push or pull (like when cutting), and any shaking of the sword (like when it hits something) will shake a mekugi loose if it's put in straight. At an angle, the nakago will bite into the mekugi a bit, securing it tighter. Another bonus is that when you're taking out the mekugi, one end is not underneath the itomaki. If some people don't like it, they don't know what makes a good koshirae.
It's really one of the great benefits of ordering from Z-Sey. Their attention to the most important details, that most customers don't even know about, is impeccable. I know Shadow Dancer also sell some swords from the same smith, but idk if this particular one is.
Great review Matt, thanks for covering that! $250 is a decent price for a sword as such, and L6 blades from forges like Murasama are usually $100-$200 more.
Yea I'm really surprised to see the price. Most actual L6 blades I've seen start at around $600 minimum.
@ I know right?
I was very impressed as well. Great review.
I got this exact one from them. I love it.
absolutely fantastic review love this style of video
I dig the color.
The color of the ito and the quality look nice for the price. The looseness of the ito was very saddening though. Slight plus for the angled mekugi peg. Another minus for the rattle out of the box.
I just ordered the green one from this collection. I'm super curious to hold it. I will have it next Friday. I have an affinity for green saya 🤣
Very nice review. I really like this style. Good to see you do a bit of Iai with the sword and talk a little more about it's functionality for practitioners. Take care!
Great video Matt! Love the serious reviews of budget swords and practical insight as always. Like watching the Iado👍
I really liked the addition of kata practice (at least in the art you're allowed to show us) and how the sword worked for you. I've also come to appreciate angled mekugi as the pins fit between the alternating diamonds vs coming up under one of the crosses, which can make them harder to drive out. Cheers!
What art is he not allowed to show us?
Nice review I know your not gonna break it and I don't blame you you did buy it after all but I am curious how a l6 clay tempred blade would hold up
Matt, did you find any appreciable increase in toughness/edge retention/bend resistance vs T10 here? Nice colour choice btw
I did not get to cutting anything with it. This video has a little less in it than I typically have. Partly because folks asked me about it and wanted info before the holidays and partly because I am lazy. In terms of Shadow Dancer L6, the nagamaki they sent me is also made from L6. Is it L6, no idea. Is it durable, yes. Off camera that sword got handed to someone unfamiliar with katana. When they were moving the sword and went to a high guard, they dropped the sword and yeeted it onto the asphalt. It took some edge damage but nothing more than .5mm. I
could sharpen it out mostly. It seems pretty good for being tossed onto a hard surface tip first.
@@Matthew_Jensen Thanks, Matt. In the future, would appreciate a side-by-side breakage of T10 vs L6 (non-baininte) if you can swing that. Sorry tall ask. Will just watch whatever you do.
Mat, I like this style of approach with this review, more engaging, well done, looking forward to getting mine on the chopping block, I agree for the most part with all of your views..still think for the price the ito could have been a little more firm, but agreed don't think it will be an issue in use
I bought a couple siwode swords from Amazon out of curiosity and they are really nice swords. Way under priced for what you get. Amazon has a few good dealers now
That's good to hear because I've always been weary of buying functional blades from Amazon.
I bought two walking dead siwode swords. They came insanely sharp, the leather covered saya is very nice on both. One has the bo-hi and one without. Both sword are very well made and both saya are clean and stitched well. I got them for $104 and $107. Honestly I was going to return the one but wanted to feel both in hand. I couldn't let either go. The blades are so nice I took one and refitted with my personal furniture I had and a training saya. Never let a good blade get away for $100 🤣
Oh and the ito on them are the tightest of my 25 or so katana. I really didn't expect that at all
Is your TSKSR club under the Kyoso-shibu?
Sugawara
Can You reviews about naginata?
Matt, how could you miss the version with swirling mitsudomoe! The Gold Red version of this sword!
With price in mind... The sword looks fantastic and works well. The ito being that loose sucks.
that was the worse part with mine as well but a session of spray lacquer immediately fixed it
Budget Z-Sey. Companies are either the same or work very closely together. Seem like a killer option for the price
That is NOT L6.... L6 has a very distinct hamon that is thin and hard to see without a semi art polish. And it does not shine up like a mirror polish like that. That is most likely 1060 as it's a milky hamon. Even t10 is a different hamon...sus AF...
I don't have a way to easily verify. Anytime a forge offers an exotic or uncommon steel, there is skepticism. You are not wrong to be skeptical. The only thing I can offer is the testing I did on a different sword. I tested an S7 from shadow dancer, it was one of the most durable swords tested. Was it S7, no idea.. Was it durable for $450, yes. I don't like the idea that there may be false advertising but without a way to test it, I need to take it at face value.