Howdy folks, I figured this would probably be the best place to ask this so as to not bog down the main forum with questions. So recently I've gotten a terrible itch to own an Everest Katana, more or less five years of creeping want made an abrupt turn to pressing need in about a week's time. Seeing as I'm a nerd I've been searching desperately for some detailed specifications on the swords past what Yangdu provides, like blade and handle length, point of balance, point of percussion, distal taper, that kind of fun stuff to compare with other swords I'm familiar with while I wait to get the dollars together and for my better half to give the green light. I know the beauty of HI pieces is they're all hand made, which leads to variation between final products, but I'm wondering if any of you lucky enough to have acquired one of these swords have taken the time to make some additional measurements.
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Everest Katana specifications?
- Thread starter JNKoehn
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I would dig out my Bura-made Everest Katana, but the trunk it's in is literally buried with a dozen boxes. I'll be sure to find it once the holidays are over...all those boxes are what houses our Christmas decorations.
The variation is pretty significant across the board. Various kamis have made them thicker, thinner, curvier, straighter, etc.
The most reset example I have is a shorter wakizashi I just ordered last week. Kumar seems to be making most of the swords now, but his work is amazing. I have a falcata by him that is the greatest weapon I own.
This short sword is a bit straighter than the full size, and he tends to give them a bit more of a tanto point over a more rounded one, but the balance is great, maybe.
I say maybe because if you are looking for a real katana that checks off all the traditional boxes and is a slicing machine...you aren't looking for an Everest Katana or really anything the kamis make in the sword category.
My new sword is about 27" long overall and probably clocks in at 30oz give or take. It's harder for me to judge weight by hand when it gets over 20".
The handle is about 7-8" from the butt to the bottom of the brass guard. It's a cramped fit for 2 hands, but it really is a 1 handed sword. The balance hits right about 12.25" out from the guard, so it is ever so slightly blade heavy.
The spine is right at 1/4" on the nose and laser straight.
My Bura-made sword is about 13 years old. Very well done, but honestly I think Kumar's current work is a step above. He really is a master of the long blade and fine edge.
Just remember, this is a bruiser of a sword in Kat's clothing. It will not behave like a "real" katana, cut like a "real", or earn you lofty accolades from learned sword aficionados.
What it will do is serve you well. Traditional katana were used in such a way as to square off and make exercised cuts in as few of motions as possible by trying to feign your opponent into giving you a deadly opening.
The Everest is more head on in nature. It will slice, it will parry, etc. You're just not going to be worried about telegraphing your moves. It's an offensive kind of blade, and basically indestructible to boot.
The variation is pretty significant across the board. Various kamis have made them thicker, thinner, curvier, straighter, etc.
The most reset example I have is a shorter wakizashi I just ordered last week. Kumar seems to be making most of the swords now, but his work is amazing. I have a falcata by him that is the greatest weapon I own.
This short sword is a bit straighter than the full size, and he tends to give them a bit more of a tanto point over a more rounded one, but the balance is great, maybe.
I say maybe because if you are looking for a real katana that checks off all the traditional boxes and is a slicing machine...you aren't looking for an Everest Katana or really anything the kamis make in the sword category.
My new sword is about 27" long overall and probably clocks in at 30oz give or take. It's harder for me to judge weight by hand when it gets over 20".
The handle is about 7-8" from the butt to the bottom of the brass guard. It's a cramped fit for 2 hands, but it really is a 1 handed sword. The balance hits right about 12.25" out from the guard, so it is ever so slightly blade heavy.
The spine is right at 1/4" on the nose and laser straight.
My Bura-made sword is about 13 years old. Very well done, but honestly I think Kumar's current work is a step above. He really is a master of the long blade and fine edge.
Just remember, this is a bruiser of a sword in Kat's clothing. It will not behave like a "real" katana, cut like a "real", or earn you lofty accolades from learned sword aficionados.
What it will do is serve you well. Traditional katana were used in such a way as to square off and make exercised cuts in as few of motions as possible by trying to feign your opponent into giving you a deadly opening.
The Everest is more head on in nature. It will slice, it will parry, etc. You're just not going to be worried about telegraphing your moves. It's an offensive kind of blade, and basically indestructible to boot.
That pretty well affirms why I've wanted one for so long, I like the idea of having a tank of a sword with the aesthetics of a katana. To be quite honest I've never practiced any Japanese sword arts but I've done quite a bit of Italian longsword and German messer work, so the everest katana has always tickled a sweet spot between the two for me. If they're nearly as rugged as my M-43, which I've beaten the hell out of and still looks almost brand new, then I'll be a happy camper.
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Here are a couple examples of the possible variations.
From the Himalayan Imports online store, one example of the Standard (not the Kothimoda style) Everest Katana:
36 inches overall, 10 inch handle. The handles are wood but have a traditional oval shape. This katana has been tested by experts and rated tough as nails. This is not a Japanese katana clone but the Everest Katana. For people who love swords and use them heavily. See test results in HI forum.
Note that the handle is the chiruwa full tang type. A similar-looking Everest Katana can also be made in a "stick tang" version (with the full length tang being part of the same piece of steel as the blade).
Another type of variation (pictured below) was recently being made by Kumar, with a "stick tang" handle having a flared pommel (somewhat like a tarwar handle):
36 inch 45 ounce Everest Katana by Kumar. Satisal wood handle.
Doing a forum search for "katana" will bring up a bunch of examples previously offered for sale as a Deal of the Day.
From the Himalayan Imports online store, one example of the Standard (not the Kothimoda style) Everest Katana:
36 inches overall, 10 inch handle. The handles are wood but have a traditional oval shape. This katana has been tested by experts and rated tough as nails. This is not a Japanese katana clone but the Everest Katana. For people who love swords and use them heavily. See test results in HI forum.
Note that the handle is the chiruwa full tang type. A similar-looking Everest Katana can also be made in a "stick tang" version (with the full length tang being part of the same piece of steel as the blade).
Another type of variation (pictured below) was recently being made by Kumar, with a "stick tang" handle having a flared pommel (somewhat like a tarwar handle):
36 inch 45 ounce Everest Katana by Kumar. Satisal wood handle.
Doing a forum search for "katana" will bring up a bunch of examples previously offered for sale as a Deal of the Day.
Oh I'm well aware kama, that's a big part of what I love about those guys. I'm interested in the specs after completion to compare with one another, as I'm a bit of a data nerd and this kind of production process that doesn't produce uniform results interests me greatly.
And Steve, I appreciate your reply. I'm intimately familiar with the "katana" search in particular, I've done it probably a hundred times over the past few years and gone back so far the pictures aren't up any longer. I can't believe I missed the part about the handle length on the first kat you posted, that's the exact kind of thing I've been looking for and I know I've seen that sword.
And Steve, I appreciate your reply. I'm intimately familiar with the "katana" search in particular, I've done it probably a hundred times over the past few years and gone back so far the pictures aren't up any longer. I can't believe I missed the part about the handle length on the first kat you posted, that's the exact kind of thing I've been looking for and I know I've seen that sword.
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Here is my Rajkumar Katana. I have a few more Wakizashi's since then. Guess its time to update family photo.
The Christmas Kothimoda Katana (top)
Overall length --36 inch long
Weight -- 45 oz
Spine thickness --1/4''
Handle length -- 10"
Balance point -- 5 7/8" from tsuba
Steel guard
Brass bolster and buttcap
Chiruwa style walnut wood handle with leaf shape bone inlaid
Beautifully done nickel silver sheath
The Christmas Kothimoda Katana (top)
Overall length --36 inch long
Weight -- 45 oz
Spine thickness --1/4''
Handle length -- 10"
Balance point -- 5 7/8" from tsuba
Steel guard
Brass bolster and buttcap
Chiruwa style walnut wood handle with leaf shape bone inlaid
Beautifully done nickel silver sheath
Here's a picture of my HI Katana by Young Sher Kami. It's 36" OAL, weighs 36 oz (not counting the sheath), and the handle is Hawaii Koa. The handle is 10" long from guard to butt.
For comparison, here are a couple of pictures of an HI Tarwar, also by Young Sher Kami. It's 29" OAL, 41 oz (not counting the sheath), and has a nicely engraved handle that is, however, a bit hard on the hands. It's put away right now, but I believe the handle is about 8" long, enough for a good two-handed grip.
By the way, it's been a long time since I've seen a blade by Young Sher posted here. I hope he's all right. Does anybody know?
For comparison, here are a couple of pictures of an HI Tarwar, also by Young Sher Kami. It's 29" OAL, 41 oz (not counting the sheath), and has a nicely engraved handle that is, however, a bit hard on the hands. It's put away right now, but I believe the handle is about 8" long, enough for a good two-handed grip.
By the way, it's been a long time since I've seen a blade by Young Sher posted here. I hope he's all right. Does anybody know?
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Man thats a beauty of a Tarwar! Ive not heard anything about Young Sher? Sure like to see more of his work tho:thumbup:
So this isn't exactly what you requested, but I don't think you would mind knowing the specs on my Mini Wajaski (the HI Wakizashi gets called a Wajaski, not sure what the story is on why) which is actually more of an O-Tanto that is just barely short of a Ko-Wakizashi. But first a picture.
And the album is here: http://s723.photobucket.com/user/Scott_Slack/library/Mini%20Wajaski
Kumar-made Mini Wajaski with an oak hilt
Overall length: 18 and 1/8"
Weight: 14 and 1/8 oz
Blade length measured from bolster to tip (along spine in a straight line): 11.75"
Handle length (not including peened buttcap): 4 and 5/8"
Bolster length: 1 and 3/8"
Tsuba length: 2.75"
Blade width at bolster: 1.25"
Blade width at midway point: 1.25"
Blade width at the corner before tip: 1 and 1/8"
Primary edge length: 10 and 13/16"
Secondary edge length: 1 and 5/8"
Bolster thickness: 7/32"
Spine thickness at bolster 3/16"
Spine thickness at 2/3 point of blade: 1/8"
Point of Balance: 3" from tsuba
And the album is here: http://s723.photobucket.com/user/Scott_Slack/library/Mini%20Wajaski
Kumar-made Mini Wajaski with an oak hilt
Overall length: 18 and 1/8"
Weight: 14 and 1/8 oz
Blade length measured from bolster to tip (along spine in a straight line): 11.75"
Handle length (not including peened buttcap): 4 and 5/8"
Bolster length: 1 and 3/8"
Tsuba length: 2.75"
Blade width at bolster: 1.25"
Blade width at midway point: 1.25"
Blade width at the corner before tip: 1 and 1/8"
Primary edge length: 10 and 13/16"
Secondary edge length: 1 and 5/8"
Bolster thickness: 7/32"
Spine thickness at bolster 3/16"
Spine thickness at 2/3 point of blade: 1/8"
Point of Balance: 3" from tsuba
Last edited:
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So this isn't exactly what you requested, but I don't think you would mind knowing the specs on my Mini Wajaski (the HI Wakizashi gets called a Wajaski, not sure what the story is on why) which is actually more of an O-Tanto that is just barely short of a Ko-Wakizashi. But first a picture.
And the album is here: http://s723.photobucket.com/user/Scott_Slack/library/Mini%20Wajaski
Kumar-made Mini Wajaski with an oak hilt
Overall length: 18 and 1/8"
Weight: 14 and 1/8 oz
Blade length measured from bolster to tip (along spine in a straight line): 11.75"
Handle length (not including peened buttcap): 4 and 5/8"
Bolster length: 1 and 3/8"
Tsuba length: 2.75"
Blade width at bolster: 1.25"
Blade width at midway point: 1.25"
Blade width at the corner before tip: 1 and 1/8"
Primary edge length: 10 and 13/16"
Secondary edge length: 1 and 5/8"
Bolster thickness: 7/32"
Spine thickness at bolster 3/16"
Spine thickness at 2/3 point of blade: 1/8"
Man, I think I need one of those...and a chiruwa katana.
Oh and a new AK bowie. Also a Tibetan Sword. Oh and a...
My New Years resolution is to spend most of my gun money on HI stuff
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- 3,065
JNK, heres another data point for your katana spreadsheet:
Christmas kothimoda katana by Bura.
LOA 36.5
Weight 46.65 oz
Spine Thickness @ Habaki 5/16
Spine Thickness @ Yokote 1/4
Handle length 9 3/4 (not including 1/4 peened tang end cover)
PoB 3 3/4 ahead of Tsuba
Christmas kothimoda katana by Bura.
LOA 36.5
Weight 46.65 oz
Spine Thickness @ Habaki 5/16
Spine Thickness @ Yokote 1/4
Handle length 9 3/4 (not including 1/4 peened tang end cover)
PoB 3 3/4 ahead of Tsuba
Man, I think I need one of those...and a chiruwa katana.
Oh and a new AK bowie. Also a Tibetan Sword. Oh and a...
My New Years resolution is to spend most of my gun money on HI stuff
Gotta say, it's a little weird that now I've got people who've been around a lot longer than me saying that about my blades. Even weirder because you have quite a lot that I would love, like a Falcata.
Thus far I'm a bit surprised at what I'm seeing. With how much you hear about the everest katana's heft and sturdiness I figured the point of balance would be farther out. I'd really like to handle one to see how it holds up to other swords, though I think very little at this point could sway me away from wanting one myself.
Just realized that I forgot to mention the point of balance on my Mini Wajaski. Just added it in. I'm surprised that at least one Everest Katana has almost the same balance point as my much shorter Mini Wajaski.