Cheness Kaze -interesting info

[akadave2]

I was not aware but I just got confirmation that the fuchi/kashira on the Cheness Kaze and probably on the whole line is made of zinc/aluminum alloy. I found a youtube vid showing someone melting the pieces that were listed as brass. So they are not brass but an alloy of zinc and aluminum.

Im hoping this does not pose a problem with using the blades to cut. I would hate for the tsuka to blow up in my hands.

 

[horseclover]

This was quite true when the line was first introduced and a reason so many of the inexpensive swords are worth second considerations in terms of safety and longevity of use. A good many of the cheap Tsuba are made of zinc as well.

Cheness went so far as to introduce other metals for tsuba but it may be that the rest of the fittings are still zinc. Nothing is going to explode but cracks in the tsuka are not uncommon, even on unused swords.

Another thing to consider is that critique can be slanted to support many claims or tests. What a product is worth depends on a lot of factors. I would look elsewhere and probably spend more money if buying a Chinese made katanaesque sword but that's just me. Some folk love Cheness.

Cheers

GC

 

[akadave2]

I did get the Kaze. Wanted to start tameshigiri. I also have collected real Nihonto in the past and still own 6 examples but nothing I would care to swing at a target.

I imagine I Could get replacement Fuchi /Kashira from Fred Lohman or something like that if it bothered me too much. Ate least the tsuba is steel or iron...a magnet sticks.

Paul Chen told me the alloy they use will stand up to any cutting activity.