Hanwei PK blade bent

I'd know that sig anywhere - you're from SFI!

By "bigger issues" I am referring in particular to the:

lack of an actual kissaki/yokote (it bugs me, may not bug you). All generations.

the general thinning of the blade in later generations - the higher shinogi and decreased cross section concern me - earlier generations were thicker, which I think is a decent strengthening measure on what is essentially a bottom-tier sword. This is only the newer runs.

poor fit for the saya (in general, there are good ones but the ones I've seen all had a bit of "roughness" to them. Applies to all generations.

snapping incidents - you've probably seen the posts on SFI - such fragility shouldn't be the norm, but since they're mass produced the failures of a few have to count against all of them (in my opinion). Frankly, I have no idea which generation's swords were most susceptible.

All of these, in my opinion, are problems that demand more attention than an almost imperceptible twist. Hope this cleared things up!

(Just to defend myself against holding the failures of a few katanas against the entire line: The swords in question are made in relatively large quantities, with as little variation between any two swords as possible. Assuming the steel source is relatively homogeneous, the shaping process is consistent between batches of swords, and heat treatment does not vary, then the problems of one are as likely as not to be the problems of all.)
 
I hear you, on the durability issues. It had been PPKs breaking during tameshigiri that raised some eybrows. Agreed also that it might well have been the tip of an iceberg because we do represent such a small faction of the market.
I've not read of a recent failure, so maybe it was a small iceberg (batch).

As far as the aesthetics go, some seem to think they have gotten better (with the antiqued look). The thinner blades have been met with some dismay. My 4th generation plugs on. It's been used mostly for mats and has actually gotten compliments from JSA students. There really are few options below $300 these day. I dislike calling any of them Japanese swords and am fond of the term katanaesque.

As to swords bending, twisting after the fact; I have read of some intances with spring tempered, through hardened blades. At least one that seemed to behave as a barometer (changing back and forth).

Cheers

Hotspur; Here, there and everywhere
 
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