Shadow of Leaves recently supported a test cutting evaluation of the Botoken, Citadel and Dynasty Forge line using specifically selected models as chosen by Dave Wilson and his partner Jim Alvarez at Mugen Dachi Tatami Omote. The primary purpose was to select new katana for their use while teaching cutting seminars. The review follows verbatim:
Target Cutting Review
By: Dave Wilson Height: 6’3” Date: 11/06
Techniques Performed: Kesa, Kiriage, Yoko
Targets: Mugen Dachi half and full tatami omote
Katana Used: Botouken Shirayuri
Nagasa (Length): 27”
Sori (Curvature): .520” Type: Torii-zori
Nakago Length: 9-3/8” No of Mekugi: 2 Tsuka-ito: Leather Same’: Panels
Mihaba (Width) at Mune-machi: 1.300” Mihaba at Yokote: .980”
Kasane (Thickness) at Mune-machi: .235” Kasane at Yokote: .185”
Flare at tip: Minimal
Hada (Grain): None
Hamon (Hardened Boundary Pattern): Visible
Niku: Very Slight
Secondary Bevel on Edge: No
w/o Saya-Fully fitted Weight: 2lb-4oz Fully fitted POB: 5-3/8”(in front of tsuba)
Result: All of the targets cut through cleanly with minimal effort.
Observations/Comments: The blade has a high shinogi line, tapering inwards from the shinogi to the mune, and a fair amount of distal taper that ends in a long point with a thin cross-section. The shape and size of the tsuka were very comfortable in my hands and the sword felt quick and cut well. The saya is done simply with no shitodome and very nice lacquer work. The tsuba, habaki, and single ornate seppa are nicely done with the tsuba needing a bit more attention to the polish in places. Interestingly the habaki does not have a cutout for the mune-machi. The tsuba was fitted with a piece of copper that was wedged between it and the side of the blade and I did not want to take this apart to find out how the habaki is kept from sliding forward. The fuchi and kashira are not the same quality as the rest of the fittings and detract from the overall look of the sword.
Drawbacks: The leather tsuka-ito does not lay down well and the appearance of handle wrap was not appealing. The saya was a bit snug at the kissaki end which may wear on the polish. The mekugi-ana are drilled through at an angle, which seems to be an unfortunate modern cost-saving measure.
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Jim’s Review
By: Jim Alvarez Height: 5’8” Date: 11/06
Katana Used: Botouken Shirayuri
Result:
Cut all targets well.
Observations/Comments: Saya has black lacquered finish with no visible flaws. Kurigata contained no shitodome. Blade fit well in saya with no rattle. The sukashi style tsuba with silver finish is well done. One ornate seppa on habaki side of tsuba with no seppa on the tsuka side. The fuchi/kashira are cast and have a dark brass finish with simple filigree lines on them. The tsuka has two pegs with tightly wrapped suede leather tsukaito over same’ panels. Tsuka has small overall diameter. The blade has a very nice silver habaki and a cutting polish. Good overall balance and weight, nice lines and a light wavy hamon.
Drawbacks: Tsuka has a smaller overall diameter than other production swords and could be too small for larger hands. Pegs although tight could have had a larger diameter to fit better in holes.Polish could be better.
Target Cutting Review
By: Dave Wilson Height: 6’ 3” Date: 11/06
Techniques Performed: Kesa, Kiriage, Yoko
Targets: Mugen Dachi half and full tatami omote
Katana Used: Citadel “Yoshi”
Nagasa (Length): 28-1/2”
Sori (Curvature): .50” Type: Very slightly Koshi-zori
Nakago Length: 10-1/8” No of Mekugi: 1 Tsuka-ito: Silk Same’: Full Wrap
Mihaba (Width) at Mune-machi: 1.310” Mihaba at Yokote: .960”
Kasane (Thickness) at Mune-machi: .280” Kasane at Yokote: .210”
Flare at tip: Slight
Hada (Grain): Not Noticeable
Hamon (Hardened Boundary Pattern): Slightly Visible
Niku: Very Slight
Secondary Bevel on Edge: No
w/o Saya-Fully fitted Weight: 2lb-9oz Fully fitted POB: 5-1/4” (in front of tsuba)
Result: All of the targets cut through cleanly with minimal effort.
Observations/Comments: This is a very different sword than the Citadel I used in Europe in 2005. This blade profile is much closer to a traditionally made Japanese Katana. The blade has a high shinogi line, tapering inwards from the shinogi to the mune, which helps to keep the weight down. The fittings are simple but are a very high quality and nicely done. The fit and finish of the saya and tsuka are very well done and the handle wrap is excellent. Everything about this sword shows a real commitment to quality throughout and Citadel has come a long way in a short time. The sword feels very nice and swings beautifully.
Drawbacks: The tsuka dimensions are a bit too wide, top to bottom, giving a slightly unsettled feeling in the hand. The mekugi-ana is drilled through at an angle, which seems to be an unfortunate modern cost-saving measure.
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Jim’s Review
By: Jim Alvarez Height: 5’8” Date: 11/06
Katana Used: Citadel “Yoshi”
Result: Cut all targets well with little effort.
Observations/Comments: The saya has a very mild “stone” satin finish with a nice feel as you slide your hand. The shitodome are fitted tightly in the buffalo horn kurigata with no rough edges to catch and fray a sageo. The tsuba is polished blackened iron with a cut-through design and plain blackened fuchi/kashira. The tsuka contains one mekugi, has tightly wrapped tsuka-ito with full wrap same’. Not something usually found on production swords. Fit well in my hands. The blade has a good overall balance but a little heavier than I am used to. It has a good polish up to the tip, which was noticeably coarser. Good lines overall but could be tighter at the tip. Nice simple hamon. Habaki is plain copper and well fitted. Blade fits very well in saya with no rattle.
Drawbacks: Single peg could be considered a safety issue. Polishing through to tip of sword would improve overall appearance of blade. Sword furniture is somewhat plain for my tastes.
** Note **
The polish on the tip is the result of the tip polish which creates an actual yakote and not a cosmetic facsimile. The polishers are still refining their craft.
Target Cutting Review
By: Dave Wilson Height: 6’ 3” Date: 11/06
Techniques Performed: Kesa, Kiriage, Yoko
Targets: Mugen Dachi half and full tatami omote
Katana Used: Dynasty Forge Daimyo 1095
Nagasa (Length): 28-5/8”
Sori (Curvature): .585” Type: Torii-zori
Nakago Length: 10-3/8” No of Mekugi: 1 Tsuka-ito: Silk Same’: Panels
Mihaba (Width) at Mune-machi: 1.300” Mihaba at Yokote: .970”
Kasane (Thickness) at Mune-machi: .270” Kasane at Yokote: .170”
Flare at tip: Slight
Hada (Grain): None
Hamon (Hardened Boundary Pattern): Visible
Niku: None
Secondary Bevel on Edge: No
w/o Saya-Fully fitted Weight: 2lb-4oz Fully fitted POB: 5-1/2”(in front of tsuba)
Result: All of the targets cut through cleanly with virtually no effort.
Observations/Comments: The blade has a high shinogi line, tapering inwards from the shinogi to the mune, and no niku, which helps to keep the weight down and makes this sword almost too light for my taste, but it sure cuts like a demon. This sword is very light and fast, cut with almost no effort at all, and was fun to use. The upper section of the saya for this sword had inlaid same’, which was very nicely done, as was the lacquer work. The fittings, except for the menuki, were a matte finish iron and reasonably well finished.
Drawbacks: The tsuka-ito is a bit loose and is very thick, this produces large knots and crossovers, which are uncomfortable in the hand. The shitodome on the tuska and saya were installed in a way that made them stick up and they can snag on things. The saya, which is beautiful on the outside, is a bit large on the inside and allows the sword to rattle. The tuska on this particular sword had an oversized opening and had a very thick shim inserted which had cracked the wood core. The mekugi-ana is drilled through at an angle, which seems to be an unfortunate modern cost-saving measure.
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Jim’s Review
By: Jim Alvarez Height: 5’8” Date: 11/06
Katana Used: Dynasty Forge Daimyo 1095
Result: Cut all targets well. This was a very sharp blade that required almost no effort to cut. Blade profile is especially suited for cutting Tatami targets.
Observations/Comments: Very nice saya with same’ inlaid into the top half. Bottom half has a black lacquered finished. The shitodome are fitted poorly into the kurigata with rough edges that can catch and fray the sageo. The tsuba is the Musashi double cucumber design with an unpolished matte finish. I like this design, although it is simple this one has a nice look and feel. The fuchi/kashira were a matching matte black finish with a simple design. The tsuka contains one mekugi, has moderately well wrapped tsukaito with paneled same’ on both side of tsuka. It held the blade tightly with no vibration in my hands while cutting. The blade has a brass habaki that held it in the saya very tightly, although the blade still rattled a bit in the saya. The blade has a very good polish all the way to the tip. The hamon looks very uniform all the way down the blade, possibly etched. Good lines overall. Nice even balance, not too heavy and not too tip heavy. I could swing this sword for hours.
Drawbacks: Blade rattle in saya. Single peg could be considered a safety issue.
** Note from Derrick Guo of Dynasty Forge **
We will strive to continue to improve our work and all comments will be sent back to our workshops. We hope to have the Ito tighter and Tsuka assembly fixed by our next batch of swords. I am happy to hear that the blade performed well in the cutting tests. Please note that we don't etch our Hamon. They are brought out with fingerstones.