I was stumbling around on youtube and your name looked familiar. I clicked on it, and to my surprise - it's my old RK. Yes, I used it a lot for backyard cutting because it was my transition blade from through hardened to differently hardened. If it sat on the market for another week, I would've pulled this from the sell and used it to practice a new sharpening technique. I'm glad to see it found itself in the hands of someone who didn't just stick in on the wall.
Hey man! Thanks again for the great deal on it, it's one of my favorite swords and I wasted no time getting use out of it. It'll definitely keep making appearances on the channel.
Excellent video and totally agree. I've gotten several swords from RK's amazing scratch and dent sale they do in feb every year. Each blade has been good enough to still have been worth original sticker price in my opinion. My first was a dojo pro, and while I love the thing; it gave me the understanding of just how solid and capable a katana should be, it also drove home how small the average samurai was lol. The next year I got the dojo pro O-katana (Odachi) that has a 6 inch longer blade and a longer handle; it feels much better to use two handed when you're 6'4!
While having you talk to the camera is probably always the most engaging, as it's the most personal, the narration style works well and is probably easier which could mean more videos.
I remember seeing your old videos from a few years ago. You’ve really improved in your iaido! Well done 👏🏽 I’ve also been practicing and trying to improve from each video I post
While I completely agree with you about Mr. Jensen, I feel I should point out that you're videos are also very informative and entertaining as well. Keep up the good work.
I just ordered this katana as an entry level katana and decided to look at more reviews although I was a bit skeptical thinking this was going to be a weeb video but it was very informative and you seem to have training in proper handling of a katana from drawing and your strikes. Nice 👍🏾
Awesome man, hope you enjoy it when it comes! Probably the best value for the money that I've seen, at least for the one I received. I don't have any formal training but it's amazing what you can learn if you dedicate enough time to practice.
I study Toyama Ryu and I tried to use my Ronin Dojo Pro #14 for regular kata and it will definitely build up some strength in your arms. We train a lot with the heavy suburito so it makes it better. Then I switch to my light weight Iaito from Tozando and I'm over doing it. So the key is no matter what you're using, remembering to relax. :) Thanks for the vid.
I have a Ronin Dojo Pro # 12. Its a great value, & I like the balance. Its not so expensive, so you can practice sharpening, & not worry. Their $69 Tanto is also an amazing value, I got mine so sharp! Stay well, I enjoyed your video!
I agree, the dojo pros are also a great value. I've been checking for 3 years for the #31 to go on scratch and dent haha. I definitely plan to pick up one of their tanto models sometime.
My ronin katana entry level fits the sheath really well actually. I am not sure if this is true for everyone and the one you are using was second hand. So the sword fits well. I hope it does for others.
Lol at the saya rattle scene. That was funny. Nice entry level swords. I have a 1045 dojo model 1 from 10 years ago and it's been a tough one. Only mystery is how you got through that much iai without the handle coming apart.
Have you had issues with the tsuka or pegs? I'd be interested to know as I use it often and am really impressed by the mekugi quality compared to my other blades. The only sword that ever gave me issues was my hanwei, and I just had to carve my own mekugi to fix.
@@KF1 Oh that makes sense, yeah ito tightness is one of the things that always seems to vary. I've had ito issues on a few swords but fortunately not this one.
Hey. New subscriber My first Katana was a Hanwei model sh2073. I have it to this day. I don’t own a ronin dojo pro, but I like the model 7. Why doesn’t more people cover John Lee katana? My favorite piece I own is the practical. What exact model is this Ronin?
This is the entry level model 1, or RK 1 I believe they call it. I hadn't heard of John Lee before your comment, I looked it up. It seems to be more popular in the European market? Maybe not as well known/distributed in the U.S as of now.
Hello! I bought Ronin Katana and it seems to me that the handle is too thin (almost 4.1 inches). it's my first Katana and I don't know how thick the handle should be but I saw on youtube videos that have thicker handles. What do you think, does Ronin Katana have handles that are too thin?
Hey! Great video, I recently got my ronin katana this week! A lot heavier than I expected. I was wondering where you got that belt to carr your sword in? ( I don't know what the proper term is)
Nice! Hope you like it. Did you get an entry level or a dojo pro? The Japanese term for belt/sash is Obi, you can buy them from a ton of places. I use a generic martial arts obi that came with one of my shinobi uniforms, most obi you find will be similar. Proper obi for iaido and such are wider and more traditional if that is what you are into.
@@diamondlong23 If you want a thinner one like I have, you can find them anywhere. I googled Obi for sale and found a black one like mine(used to be black anyway) for around 6 bucks on amazon. The wider traditional obi are more expensive with the cheapest I've seen being $50. Sites like tozando and e-bogu both carry traditional obi I believe.
I have heard great things, and every year I check to see if certain swords are in the sale. Every post I've read about it shows that the flaws are very minor and often hard to notice. Some of the best quality for the money in my opinion. They just never have the items I want haha.
@@JuardianK would you recommend I get a ronin entry level or a swords of northshire entry level? Both around the same price but swords of northshire are 1060 instead of 1045
@@jaytpmc I would absolutely say ronin over Northshire. Swords of Northshire uses the same blade stock and customizeable parts as other longquan forges but inflates the price. There are cases where they literally have the same item as Hanbonforge or similar sites but they charge up to double. In my opinion the ronin swords have much better tsuka and blade shaping as well as general build quality. A properly heat treated (and clay tempered)1045 from ronin is much better than a lower end 1060 from SoN. I myself own a budget 1060 blade from a longquan seller and it was far weaker than even my 50 dollar 1045 musha swords. The cheap 1060 took a bend easily and the kashira broke of from minor abusive testing while my cheap mushas were subjected to abuse from my dumb teenage self and never failed. If you hold out for the scratch and dent from RK they always have plenty of entry level models on sale. Go with whichever option you feel suits you, but that's my opinion on it.
I was stumbling around on youtube and your name looked familiar. I clicked on it, and to my surprise - it's my old RK.
Yes, I used it a lot for backyard cutting because it was my transition blade from through hardened to differently hardened. If it sat on the market for another week, I would've pulled this from the sell and used it to practice a new sharpening technique. I'm glad to see it found itself in the hands of someone who didn't just stick in on the wall.
Hey man! Thanks again for the great deal on it, it's one of my favorite swords and I wasted no time getting use out of it. It'll definitely keep making appearances on the channel.
Nicely done. I love the skills you’ve displayed. Entry level folks could learn some things from you.
Excellent video and totally agree. I've gotten several swords from RK's amazing scratch and dent sale they do in feb every year. Each blade has been good enough to still have been worth original sticker price in my opinion. My first was a dojo pro, and while I love the thing; it gave me the understanding of just how solid and capable a katana should be, it also drove home how small the average samurai was lol. The next year I got the dojo pro O-katana (Odachi) that has a 6 inch longer blade and a longer handle; it feels much better to use two handed when you're 6'4!
While having you talk to the camera is probably always the most engaging, as it's the most personal, the narration style works well and is probably easier which could mean more videos.
I remember seeing your old videos from a few years ago. You’ve really improved in your iaido! Well done 👏🏽 I’ve also been practicing and trying to improve from each video I post
Haaa! Your reference to the Red tail hawk is cool! Love your review on this RK #1👍
While I completely agree with you about Mr. Jensen, I feel I should point out that you're videos are also very informative and entertaining as well. Keep up the good work.
Nice forms. Glad to see this. Like the narrated style. Also a fan of Matthew Jensen. Thanks!
i’m so glad you were happy with your purchase 🥳
Love the narration 👍👍👍
I just ordered this katana as an entry level katana and decided to look at more reviews although I was a bit skeptical thinking this was going to be a weeb video but it was very informative and you seem to have training in proper handling of a katana from drawing and your strikes. Nice 👍🏾
Awesome man, hope you enjoy it when it comes! Probably the best value for the money that I've seen, at least for the one I received. I don't have any formal training but it's amazing what you can learn if you dedicate enough time to practice.
I study Toyama Ryu and I tried to use my Ronin Dojo Pro #14 for regular kata and it will definitely build up some strength in your arms. We train a lot with the heavy suburito so it makes it better. Then I switch to my light weight Iaito from Tozando and I'm over doing it. So the key is no matter what you're using, remembering to relax. :) Thanks for the vid.
Is that the RK model#1 ? I have that model,very nice ! Budget swords in general are raising the standards,and getting better.
Yes! Model #1. I absolutely agree.
Kult of Athena sells many Misha swords for around $65 & the Musashi 1060 swords for around $120
I have a Ronin Dojo Pro # 12. Its a great value, & I like the balance. Its not so expensive, so you can practice sharpening, & not worry. Their $69 Tanto is also an amazing value, I got mine so sharp! Stay well, I enjoyed your video!
I agree, the dojo pros are also a great value. I've been checking for 3 years for the #31 to go on scratch and dent haha. I definitely plan to pick up one of their tanto models sometime.
@@JuardianK Yes, for sure! Treat yourself to the Tanto, its so reasonably priced, you cant go wrong🙂
My ronin katana entry level fits the sheath really well actually. I am not sure if this is true for everyone and the one you are using was second hand. So the sword fits well. I hope it does for others.
Lol at the saya rattle scene. That was funny.
Nice entry level swords. I have a 1045 dojo model 1 from 10 years ago and it's been a tough one.
Only mystery is how you got through that much iai without the handle coming apart.
Have you had issues with the tsuka or pegs? I'd be interested to know as I use it often and am really impressed by the mekugi quality compared to my other blades. The only sword that ever gave me issues was my hanwei, and I just had to carve my own mekugi to fix.
@@JuardianK Not the pegs by my ito came apart right away. Have put spine dents in mekugi from cutting but never outright destroyed any.
@@KF1 Oh that makes sense, yeah ito tightness is one of the things that always seems to vary. I've had ito issues on a few swords but fortunately not this one.
Hey. New subscriber
My first Katana was a Hanwei model sh2073. I have it to this day. I don’t own a ronin dojo pro, but I like the model 7.
Why doesn’t more people cover John Lee katana? My favorite piece I own is the practical.
What exact model is this Ronin?
This is the entry level model 1, or RK 1 I believe they call it. I hadn't heard of John Lee before your comment, I looked it up. It seems to be more popular in the European market? Maybe not as well known/distributed in the U.S as of now.
I love the fact the founder of RK was a guy down in Texas almost 20 ago who was mad about all the swords he bought on ebay being garbage lol.
Hello! I bought Ronin Katana and it seems to me that the handle is too thin (almost 4.1 inches). it's my first Katana and I don't know how thick the handle should be but I saw on youtube videos that have thicker handles. What do you think, does Ronin Katana have handles that are too thin?
Enjoyed this. Subbed
Hey! Great video, I recently got my ronin katana this week! A lot heavier than I expected. I was wondering where you got that belt to carr your sword in? ( I don't know what the proper term is)
Nice! Hope you like it. Did you get an entry level or a dojo pro? The Japanese term for belt/sash is Obi, you can buy them from a ton of places. I use a generic martial arts obi that came with one of my shinobi uniforms, most obi you find will be similar. Proper obi for iaido and such are wider and more traditional if that is what you are into.
@@JuardianK I think it's a entry level, its the clay tempered model 13. And okay, thanks, do you know where I can get a obi?
@@diamondlong23 If you want a thinner one like I have, you can find them anywhere. I googled Obi for sale and found a black one like mine(used to be black anyway) for around 6 bucks on amazon. The wider traditional obi are more expensive with the cheapest I've seen being $50. Sites like tozando and e-bogu both carry traditional obi I believe.
@@JuardianK Alright, thanks!
how long does it usually take to ship? im waiting for mine but can’t find any info on shipping time
Not sure, I got mine secondhand. Hope you enjoy it when it comes!
👍👍👍
thoughts on scratch and dent sale?
I have heard great things, and every year I check to see if certain swords are in the sale. Every post I've read about it shows that the flaws are very minor and often hard to notice. Some of the best quality for the money in my opinion. They just never have the items I want haha.
You sound like you're from Pittsburgh 🤔
Lol that's a first.
@@JuardianK would you recommend I get a ronin entry level or a swords of northshire entry level? Both around the same price but swords of northshire are 1060 instead of 1045
@@jaytpmc I would absolutely say ronin over Northshire. Swords of Northshire uses the same blade stock and customizeable parts as other longquan forges but inflates the price. There are cases where they literally have the same item as Hanbonforge or similar sites but they charge up to double. In my opinion the ronin swords have much better tsuka and blade shaping as well as general build quality.
A properly heat treated (and clay tempered)1045 from ronin is much better than a lower end 1060 from SoN. I myself own a budget 1060 blade from a longquan seller and it was far weaker than even my 50 dollar 1045 musha swords. The cheap 1060 took a bend easily and the kashira broke of from minor abusive testing while my cheap mushas were subjected to abuse from my dumb teenage self and never failed. If you hold out for the scratch and dent from RK they always have plenty of entry level models on sale. Go with whichever option you feel suits you, but that's my opinion on it.
@@JuardianK Thanks for the reply bro 🙏 I'll go with the ronin 💪
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