Paul Chen (Hanwei) Shinto Katana

[bsodmike]

Hello guys...

Many of you may not know that I like to collect knives and balis... I'm currently trying to get my Tachyon revived - now a collectors piece as it is no longer in production and a pretty sweet bali!

Here is my latest purchase:



The Shinto Katana which cost a fair bit (~400quid) and here a bit of history on it

The Shinto Katana has a hand-forged 1065 high-carbon steel blade (nagasa) and is differentially tempered using a traditional claying method.
This katana is mounted in black and the tsuka-ito is made of premium black Japanese cotton. The saya is done in a deep black lacquer with a black cotton sageo. A finely rendered dragon, detailed in gold, with true front-and-back detail, forms the black iron tsuba. This is the companion piece to the Shinto Wakizashi.

The fittings are superbly antiqued adding to the aesthetics of the set. The blade features a groove (bo-hi) on both sides and are constructed with a medium length (chu) kissaki. The Shinto is the Cornerstone of the Hanwei line and is forged in Hanwei.

Once they arrive this week I'll post back with some pics. I've also ordered a pretty nice stand.

[Nick F]

lets just hope the police don't come knocking on your door.

[skuzgib]

Err... are those things legal?

[ajbrun]

I wouldn't try to go throught aiport security with those things.

P.S. Don't you think it's strange that the first three replies you got were about security ?

[Beck]

I don't think you are allowed to keep those at uni mike, better check it out first.

[Butuz]

Shinto kat is pretty nice.

It isnt a folded sword, and i wouldnt call it the cornerstone of the hanwei line myself, but its a nice sword all the same.

Btw keeping swords for display purposes is fine, as long as you don't a) go out of your house with it, or b) kill anyone with it

Butuz

[ikkitousen]

dam thats a some nice stuff but mate £400 ouch you must be loaded

[Butuz]

Some peeps spend £400 on a gfx card, at least a good sword always remains a good sword, a good gfx card will be utter worthless turd in 2 years

Butuz

[Swafe]

Some peeps spend £400 on a gfx card, at least a good sword always remains a good sword, a good gfx card will be utter worthless turd in 2 years

Butuz

Depends if you use it to cut your toenails with it or not

[bsodmike]

Hahah, some cool replies. I got them to keep 'em in my room at home, besides I have a thing for katanas...any one know if it is alright to take em on an aircraft as checked luggage? (i.e. in the hold NOT carry on heh)

update: just did some googling on this:

For safety reasons, dangerous articles such as those listed below, must not be carried in passenger's baggage. Specifically: Compressed gases, Corrosives, Explosives, Flammable liquids and solids, Radioactive materials, Briefcases with installed alarm devices, Oxidising materials, Poisons, Medicines and Toiletries. Furthermore, sharp metal objects should not be carried in your hand luggage.

The following items should not be packed to your checked baggage, but should be carried with you at all times: medicines, jewellery, money, securities, negotiable papers, documents, samples, other valuable and fragile items. Also, food in semi-solid or liquid condition should be packed in wooden boxes lined in with absorbent material, in order not to cause damage to others from possible leakages.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT SHARP METAL OBJECTS ARE PROHIBITED INSIDE PASSENGERS' CABIN AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY THEM INSIDE YOUR HANDLUGGAGE. ITEMS SUCH AS SCISSORS, KNIVES, MANICURE SETS, KNITTING NEEDLES, E.T.C. SHOULD BE PLACED ONLY INSIDE YOUR CHECKED BAGGAGE.

So it seems that anything metal and sharp can go inside checked baggage no problemo...amazing

[bsodmike]

Shinto kat is pretty nice.

It isnt a folded sword, and i wouldnt call it the cornerstone of the hanwei line myself, but its a nice sword all the same.

Btw keeping swords for display purposes is fine, as long as you don't a) go out of your house with it, or b) kill anyone with it

Butuz

I was considering the orchid katana, which looked pretty sweet. I might end up snagging that at some point.

What are some good folded katanas you know of?

[Butuz]

All of the chen / hanwei folded kats are pretty good. Bushido / orchid / tiger. Kami is a bit overdecorated for my liking. I actually prefer the Bushido. Check out http://www.blades-uk.com

If you want to spend more then Bugei are the next step - they use the finest blades hanwei produce and hand build them. Check out http://www.bugei.com/

If you want to spend more there are loads of custom sword smiths that will relieve you of a few thousand in return for a stunning blade if you so wish.

Butuz

[bsodmike]

Got an email from blades-uk today saying that they couldn't ship the Shinto to me as they were out of stock....and then there was a cancelled and the Shinto has shipped yay!

I plan to collect the Shinto and in the future buy the Wakizashi (of the same)...then maybe grab the orchid at some point...

Butuz - thanks for that bit of info...

[bsodmike]

W000t!

It arrived!

(Click on the image for a much larger image)


OMG, I'm really in love with this katana - simply amazing! The quality of this is astonishing, the weight is equally impressive - just perfect.

I'm seriously thinking of getting the Wakizashi or the Orchid next...

Butuz: BTW it wasn't me calling the Shinto the 'cornerstone' of the Hanwei line. I copied the description off a sword selling site!