Opinions on Masahiro Swords?

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rottwang

Joined
Feb 5, 2006
Messages
310
I just purchased a Masahiro Bamboo sword from ebay for $75 after shipping. (here's a review: http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/masahiro.html)

I don't know how much this sword can take. It looks like it's actually a weapon, but the steel is fairly soft. I know this isn't a primarily sword oriented forum, but does anyone have any experience with these swords or other monosteel beaters?

edit: i did a search :( sorry for the redundancy.
 
No worries. :) In the name of redundancy I just wanted to add my oft repeated refrain... when one buys a 75 dollar sword... they get what they pay for. :)
 
I've used a Masahiro for cutting practise
not too bad, on a level with some of the much more expensive mass produced swords out there

enjoy!
 
I'm worried about the blade failing catastrophically like the infamous 'katana slip' internet video clip during cutting.
 
no, I've taken mine apart, its got a proper tang

the ones that fall apart have a threaded rat tail tang welded to the blade (the blade stops at the tsuba)
thats what you have to watch out for
and of course stainless steel blades that snap off

your masahiro is carbon steel with a proper tang
it won't stay sharp as long as an expensive sword, and it won't stand up to abuse as well, become rattly and loose quickly
but its not dangerous for cutting practise as long as you use low impact cutting mediums

in my opinion from my experience with the brand

good luck!
 
Also do a couple searches on Swordforum.com for the Masahiro Bamboo. At least three extensive reviews I think over the last couple years. Decent... for the price ;).
 
I ended up getting the blade professionally sharpened at Razor Sharp Cutlery (Polk St., San Francisco) .. it is sharp enough to shave with, that's for sure. one caveat--the blade is now all scuffed and scratched. I'll post some pics of the blade itself close up and it's cutting through a water bottle if anyone's interested.
 
rottwang said:
I ended up getting the blade professionally sharpened at Razor Sharp Cutlery (Polk St., San Francisco) .. it is sharp enough to shave with, that's for sure. one caveat--the blade is now all scuffed and scratched. I'll post some pics of the blade itself close up and it's cutting through a water bottle if anyone's interested.
Click to expand...
sounds rather unprofessionally sharpened to me. Consider, again, going on Swordforum (and other sword forums, like Netsword) and search for "hybrid polishing" - details some simple ways to get a good, well-polished geometry, as well as the use of acidic substances (lemon juice, etc.) to enhance the hamon (often incorrectly called the "temper line").
"Hybrid polishing" seems to be a term specific to a Western method to sharpen and polish Japanese-styled blades. However, many of the same shaping techniques and materials work well for many cultural styles of blades (of course).
Basically, it is just using higher and higher grits of sandpaper, much like many knifemakers do to get that nice polish.
 
That's all well and good but do you know of anybody in San Francisco willing to do it? I'm willing to accept that the blade is now functional in exchange for a little cosmetic damage.. It's not an art piece, it's a production sword and a cheap one at that. The shop sharpens with equipment made for kitchen knives for crying out loud.
 
sorry for snapping. It's just that Razor Sharp's sharpening is usually hair-popping-sharp and I have come to depend on them.
 
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