The edge holding capability and when it snapped tells me they're doing a higher hardness on this monosteel than is typically done. They are probably doing it mainly for the edge holding and retention quality that many Japanese swordsmanship users prefer over a "tougher" less hard blade.
I have 2 from hanbon and were custom length for my ryuha, for the money I easily can say I recommend them. They work well for kata and even with the extra length were worth more than what I payed.
As far as Japanese swordsmanship I've never had a formal lesson I just love swords and back yard cutting. That being said I've been looking for affordable offerings to practice with. The most expensive katana i own is a cold steel but it handles like a crowbar compared to my way cheaper shinwa. So its great that you put them through their paces so we see exactly what we would be buying. Thank you.
Fantastic review Mat, extremely thorough, well thought out and extremely well done....impressed at what you got from them for 200.00 price....what steel was the blade made of...dont remember if you mentioned it
@@mattsimon2292 yeah i do hero sword is really nice because they don’t lie they have a really clear description on their website that tells you what your getting. the handle on mine is very tightly wrapped and the blade itself is extremely nimble and sharp out of the box. i have a showcase up on my channel right now if you wanna check it out. it’s called hero sword review
In my wife's native land the wedding band is worn on the right and in the US it is on the left. I usually have both of them on but the band does not fit my right hand anymore. I keep them on both (when I can) for her.
Hello do you know if swords of north shire are better quality, then Hanbon swords Both of the sword companies use Long Quan China. The swords on Hanbon are cheaper 30% to 50% around. does swords north shire just mark up the price for the same thing ?
Hello. As a practioner you are and with a lot of experience in a large variaty of swords that you have, what is your opinion/preferrence about bohi (in a functional term, not aesthetically)?
I don't find swords with bohi are more or less ridged, and they are not always lighter. At least in my experience with Chinese made katana. Bohi (apart from the aesthetics) tend to be louder in the swishing sound they make. That can be helpful with practice. I don't think they aid in cutting or thrusting, likewise I have not found them to hinder unless really poorly made. In theory their maybe something they do to enhance the structure or reduce weight but I don't find that to be the case, specifically in smashing Chinese made katana in my backyard.
Depends on the context. Iaido, I prefer light under 2lb, 2.5lb if it is longer. Cutting Tatami, I prefer some closer to 3-3.5lb (probably) but it still depends.
I zone out on that stuff a bit. I want to say it was pretty quick but I got it before the supply chain was completely on fire. I think most of these go ocean freight and I would speculate there are a lot of swords suck in the LA harbor at the moment.
I find most tsuba are rough on the hands. Causing rub and blistering, which is why Samurai and Shinobi wore Tekko. I don't think I've ever handled a katana which wasn't a bit rough on the hands. Great review.
Breaking swords is fun but the nicer they are the worse I feel about it. Don't get me wrong, I would do it if someone sent me a fancy sword specifically to break it but I would also feel bad about it.
My dad always said "be smart, learn from my mistakes". Saving the rest of us money there. Still a few to watch through but differently hardened T10 or through hardened 1060 seems good choices.
I invite everybody to come join the katana fun over at r/katanas Reddit. Okay, maybe not all that fun. Like any forum therexare fools and scholars and the "action" is a little slow at times, but every now and then there's some interesting posts. Also, if you go to the Hanbon Forge Facebook page and check the POSTS section for February 16th '22, you'll see my latest sword from them. At least the latest one, of 7, as of this post
The edge holding capability and when it snapped tells me they're doing a higher hardness on this monosteel than is typically done. They are probably doing it mainly for the edge holding and retention quality that many Japanese swordsmanship users prefer over a "tougher" less hard blade.
Did the grain look large to you?
@@Matthew_Jensen not too large but yeah. That's common with a slightly higher hardness if they are only doing a quench and temper
I have 2 from hanbon and were custom length for my ryuha, for the money I easily can say I recommend them. They work well for kata and even with the extra length were worth more than what I payed.
As far as Japanese swordsmanship I've never had a formal lesson I just love swords and back yard cutting. That being said I've been looking for affordable offerings to practice with. The most expensive katana i own is a cold steel but it handles like a crowbar compared to my way cheaper shinwa. So its great that you put them through their paces so we see exactly what we would be buying. Thank you.
Get formal training you lame
Easily i could comfortably buy one from these people. Nice review and thanks again sword friend for the detailed and well thought out advice. 🌪️🌊🛡️😎🗡️
Good review. I like that tsuba as well. Soft shinogi-ji would make for a smooth bottle cutter. Nice
I really like it... This is the price range I can do.. hope they are still available
I am here coz right now I am in the processes of communicating with HanBon about a possible customized order 😁
I'm looking into getting an unsharpened katana for Iaido. Would this company be fine for that?
It was hardened enough to not bend which caused it to break easier. Some would say this is good and some would say it's bad.
Fantastic review Mat, extremely thorough, well thought out and extremely well done....impressed at what you got from them for 200.00 price....what steel was the blade made of...dont remember if you mentioned it
Advertised as 1095
Good review again. Is the Ronin Katana dojo pro sword $300 range really as durable as advertised?
They seem to be.
He has tested them before. I have one myself haven't done any abusive testing but it seems built like a tank.
Tsuka disability, but strong blades. Have one of their 1045 line. It's tough stuff
@@KF1would you prefer their 1045 clay tempered steel over Han bon 1060?
Nice video !
Thanks you for this test and really complete review ;)
what do you use for sharpening your katana? Electric sharpener? Whetstone? Have you used the AccuSharp Knife & Tool Sharpener?
He legit tells you what he used in the video.
20:07
The copper habaki is more authentic but the damage is part of why modern ones favor brass.
would be nice to see a review on hero swords .... imperticular 1095 clay tempered. . nice clip thou....
i have a hero sword with that and i fucking love it
Do you know much about them... i hav 2 ...1095 clay tempered...
@@mattsimon2292 yeah i do
hero sword is really nice because they don’t lie
they have a really clear description on their website that tells you what your getting.
the handle on mine is very tightly wrapped and the blade itself is extremely nimble and sharp out of the box. i have a showcase up on my channel right now if you wanna check it out.
it’s called hero sword review
th-cam.com/video/DGkf9vHVbcI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=11jCiZLW5lGjmv6K
Is there any significance to having a wedding band on both hands?
In my wife's native land the wedding band is worn on the right and in the US it is on the left. I usually have both of them on but the band does not fit my right hand anymore. I keep them on both (when I can) for her.
Hello do you know if swords of north shire are better quality, then Hanbon swords
Both of the sword companies use Long Quan China.
The swords on Hanbon are cheaper 30% to 50% around.
does swords north shire just mark up the price for the same thing ?
They are a reseller of ryansword who uses deceitful practice, should only buy from hanbon or huawei for longquan.
What’s your thoughts on the Hanbon GYAKU-KOBUSE option? I hope I made a good choice getting the upgraded blade.
Sorry was the 9260?
What steel is it? HanBon offers different types
Hello. As a practioner you are and with a lot of experience in a large variaty of swords that you have, what is your opinion/preferrence about bohi (in a functional term, not aesthetically)?
I don't find swords with bohi are more or less ridged, and they are not always lighter. At least in my experience with Chinese made katana. Bohi (apart from the aesthetics) tend to be louder in the swishing sound they make. That can be helpful with practice. I don't think they aid in cutting or thrusting, likewise I have not found them to hinder unless really poorly made. In theory their maybe something they do to enhance the structure or reduce weight but I don't find that to be the case, specifically in smashing Chinese made katana in my backyard.
@@Matthew_Jensen Thank you for your ansewr.
Do jo ronin costs more, but very nice. What total weight of a katana do you prefer?
Depends on the context. Iaido, I prefer light under 2lb, 2.5lb if it is longer. Cutting Tatami, I prefer some closer to 3-3.5lb (probably) but it still depends.
Hi Matt, Looking to buy one of hanbon forge for 150 USD, any suggestions and how long did the sword take to ship? Thanks!
I zone out on that stuff a bit. I want to say it was pretty quick but I got it before the supply chain was completely on fire. I think most of these go ocean freight and I would speculate there are a lot of swords suck in the LA harbor at the moment.
I find most tsuba are rough on the hands. Causing rub and blistering, which is why Samurai and Shinobi wore Tekko. I don't think I've ever handled a katana which wasn't a bit rough on the hands. Great review.
Not bad for $200.
Copper softer than brass because it takes tin and Copper to make brass
You mean bronze
We are obviously going to have to fund a master forged Japanese Katana to destroy for comparison.
Breaking swords is fun but the nicer they are the worse I feel about it. Don't get me wrong, I would do it if someone sent me a fancy sword specifically to break it but I would also feel bad about it.
My dad always said "be smart, learn from my mistakes". Saving the rest of us money there.
Still a few to watch through but differently hardened T10 or through hardened 1060 seems good choices.
I invite everybody to come join the katana fun over at r/katanas Reddit.
Okay, maybe not all that fun. Like any forum therexare fools and scholars and the "action" is a little slow at times, but every now and then there's some interesting posts.
Also, if you go to the Hanbon Forge Facebook page and check the POSTS section for February 16th '22, you'll see my latest sword from them. At least the latest one, of 7, as of this post
I wish I could show you how to do a solid review.
I would welcome the advice. What do you recommend?
Just my opinion. One who buys and uses tools, should know how to maintain those tools. Anyone can be a buyer or a user. Be more, self educate!