Blue thunder katana

[Barry housley]

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Blue Thunder katana

Well I ordered this katana not expecting a lot for £89.00, a budget katana for a budget price? Well a budget price yes but a budget katana most definitely not. It comes in the typical brocade box which is nice, but nothing to write home about a sword stand (not opened as I have one see photos) a maintenance kit in a very nice box that contains all you need to look after the sword blade. This kit can be a display pieces all on it’s own with the lid off sat below the sword on its stand looks the part. Also in the brocade box is the sword in a black sword bag sat in its own recess so no damage or harm can come to it while in transit.

Opening the bag

Sliding the bag off the sword the first thing that struck me was the dark blue saya, very dark, in fact nearly black, but the deep deep blue shine made it so different it’s lustres. The tsuks is wrapped in blue cotton ito, this could be tighter but after lacquering it with a diluted PVA solution this sets it in place and it will never move again. The tsuba has almost a 3D effect; it’s not just your average tsuba, oval in shape and has what must be the heads of the god’s of thunder appearing in relief. The kashira, fuchi and menuki all follow the same theme being made of a metal and all well defined.

The blade

This is the part that everyone looks at in a sword and look you might. The blades polish is good in fact very good. Looking down the flat of the blade there are no ripples in the steel that you tend to see on katana of this price range. It is reasonable sharp with a good surface finish. but, and that is a big but, the hamon is stunning. I have had Hanwai swords that cost three times as much as this did and they did not have such a prominent and ghostly hamon as this sword has, stunning and awesome is the words I’m looking for that describes this blade £89.00 more like £289.00 if you ask me.

Overall

If you put an asking price of £ 250.00 you would not be disappointed, but at this price, a gift!

[the blade master]

I wouldn't go around mentioning idea,s of £250 if I were you we don't wont
to give Lawrence any idea,s now would we
nice review tho

[liquidator96]

Great pics, excellent review, cheers dude.

[SteveS]

I bought one too.Thank you for sending me such a beautiful work of art.Can I cut anything with it or is it strictly a display item.(I wasn't expecting such a beautiful thing and I'd love to cut a few branches with it if it's safe).

[the blade master]

hi steve
forget branches (allways) better alternatives are water filled plastic bottles pool noodles the cardboard tubes from the middle of carpets
or any cardboard tubes for that matter even tatami mats if you can afford them that should do you till you know what your doing (properly)
and yes your katana is a user BUT only on light targets only '

[Maynar]

Blade Master has it, Steve. No branches! That's what they make axes for.

If you can find a dollar store that will stock beach mats, they are cheaper than tatami, but no less work, Roll, tie and soak. A seasonal activity, to be sure.

Congrats Barry, on your NSD (new sword day)!

[the blade master]

beach mats I knew i.d forgotten something
oh steve maynars dollar store is the same as our pound shop