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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Please don't hurt me for asking, but...
- Thread starter ERINT
- Start date
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- Dec 12, 2001
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- 939
you can check out swordforums international for better answer but you'll have to register for free. overall it is a decent sword, but understand it will not handle like a katana if that's what you are used to since it is a straight blade. some like it a lot, some don't like it so much, but the quality is there.
http://swordforum.com/
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http://swordforum.com/
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- Joined
- Jul 2, 2000
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I apologize for the slow response.
My initial impressions of the zatoichi were very poor. The blade was not made with even lines or very good fit/finish and the balance was extremely far out (around 9 inches from the absent guard).
Some friends of mine picked one up later to see what I meant, and they too felt it was garbage.
However, none of us have tried the zatoichi II or any zatoichi swords that have been produced in the last year or so, so it's always possible that the product has improved.
My initial impressions of the zatoichi were very poor. The blade was not made with even lines or very good fit/finish and the balance was extremely far out (around 9 inches from the absent guard).
Some friends of mine picked one up later to see what I meant, and they too felt it was garbage.
However, none of us have tried the zatoichi II or any zatoichi swords that have been produced in the last year or so, so it's always possible that the product has improved.
Err, maybe I'm a bit late with a reply here, but over the past 6 months I got the Zatoichi, a Practical Katana (PK) and a Practical Plus Katana (PPK).
Now, the Zatoichi for what it sells for is a decent deal. Lately the quality of Paul Chen swords improved a bit, and the fit and finish of my Zatoichi were really nice. It does have a crude matte blade finish and the machined temper line on it, but it came sharp enough to slice paper with no effort, and after significant amount of cutting light targets it is still alost as sharp as when it first came in. The blade geometry on mine is very even, and the kissaki is beautifully shaped too. That being said, I agree with the previous posters about the balance of the sword: it SUCKS! The thing handles like a sharp stick and it is so tip-heavy it makes me wanna cry. I did some cutting in reverse grip, and it felt a bit better that way, but still it is nowhere as nice as a PK or a PPK. Oh, and the wood on the scabbard and the handle is very soft (nicks easy even with my fingernails), and it's very slippery too, so in sweaty hands the thing starts to rotate during a cut.
However, now I am pondering about removing its handle and making a new handle, to make a hollywood-ninja-like sword out of it. The weight of the tsuba, fuchi/kashira and the menuki on the 13" handle I plan to make should shift the point of balance closer to where it should be, but it is still a straight blade...
Sooo, do I regret buying it? Nope. For what I paid for it the Zatoichi is a very neat and useable sword. It cuts and although it doesn't look too refined it also makes a nice conversation piece, especially on a nice stand. Does it compare to Orchid katana or even a PK or PPK? Nope, not even bloody close. But then again, even a PK costs almost 2X more than Zatoichi. But I've no regrets with the Zatoichi, it is the one sword I own that I don't worry about destroying, and if I manage to customize it and repolish the blade, it'll be a very fine specimen.
Oh, and if now after owning the Zat, PK and PPK I was presented with a chance to turn back the clock and change what I bought, I would still buy a Zatoichi, pass on a PK and get a PPK. Zatoichi is just cheap and fun, and PPK is more traditional, cuts well, doesn't cost a fortune and can be taken apart unline the PK.
And finally (yes, I know I am a real windbag tonight), I took apart my PK and am in the process of modifying it. New handle, real rayskin, real silk wrap, new fittings in Bamboo motif. Overall the PK now cost me the same as a PPK...
Now, the Zatoichi for what it sells for is a decent deal. Lately the quality of Paul Chen swords improved a bit, and the fit and finish of my Zatoichi were really nice. It does have a crude matte blade finish and the machined temper line on it, but it came sharp enough to slice paper with no effort, and after significant amount of cutting light targets it is still alost as sharp as when it first came in. The blade geometry on mine is very even, and the kissaki is beautifully shaped too. That being said, I agree with the previous posters about the balance of the sword: it SUCKS! The thing handles like a sharp stick and it is so tip-heavy it makes me wanna cry. I did some cutting in reverse grip, and it felt a bit better that way, but still it is nowhere as nice as a PK or a PPK. Oh, and the wood on the scabbard and the handle is very soft (nicks easy even with my fingernails), and it's very slippery too, so in sweaty hands the thing starts to rotate during a cut.
However, now I am pondering about removing its handle and making a new handle, to make a hollywood-ninja-like sword out of it. The weight of the tsuba, fuchi/kashira and the menuki on the 13" handle I plan to make should shift the point of balance closer to where it should be, but it is still a straight blade...
Sooo, do I regret buying it? Nope. For what I paid for it the Zatoichi is a very neat and useable sword. It cuts and although it doesn't look too refined it also makes a nice conversation piece, especially on a nice stand. Does it compare to Orchid katana or even a PK or PPK? Nope, not even bloody close. But then again, even a PK costs almost 2X more than Zatoichi. But I've no regrets with the Zatoichi, it is the one sword I own that I don't worry about destroying, and if I manage to customize it and repolish the blade, it'll be a very fine specimen.
Oh, and if now after owning the Zat, PK and PPK I was presented with a chance to turn back the clock and change what I bought, I would still buy a Zatoichi, pass on a PK and get a PPK. Zatoichi is just cheap and fun, and PPK is more traditional, cuts well, doesn't cost a fortune and can be taken apart unline the PK.
And finally (yes, I know I am a real windbag tonight), I took apart my PK and am in the process of modifying it. New handle, real rayskin, real silk wrap, new fittings in Bamboo motif. Overall the PK now cost me the same as a PPK...
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2001
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and that sums up my points about that sword. the quality of the sword for the money you pay on line is worth it, but it will never be like a katana simply because it's not. It's a straight blade that is made according to a movie, and it will never have the best balance.
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2001
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yes, it won't cost much to get something along the lines of the PK or PPK, but if one were set on the zatoichi, there are very few choices, and you can do a lot worse than hanwei forge.
The only two stick-type swords I know of that are cutting quality are the Last Legend Blind Swordsman sword and the Paul Chen Zatoichi I and II. Zatoichi II is actually a folded steel blade with real hamon, a bargain at the price you can get it online. But I still have to say that for US$70 or so the Zatoichi is a very good buy. I mean, okay, PK is obviously a more katana-like sword, but the Zatoichi was never meant to be a classic katana, so comparing it to PK, PPK, etc., doesn't quite work. And even then Zatoichi is $70, PK is $160, and PPK is $230. So there's quite a jump in the price there.
I did lots of cutting with Zatoichi and the PK, and actually while the Zatoichi handle held the handle on the PK cracked in half on the flat side under the fake plastic rayskin. I didn't know about it until I unwrapped the tsuka and popped off the plastic rayskin panels. It was shocking to see that the tsuka was split in half all the way down. I suspected something was wrong because the plastic panels were cracking in the middle, but it's a good thing that the tsuka was completely epoxied to the tang, or I would have been in deep doo-doo...
Anywho, if you are interested in it for its shape and functionality, it's good. Not great, not awesome, but a cutting blade anyways, certainly good for $70 or so.
Oh, oh! And if you shell out $230, get a PPK, cut with it a few hundered times it'll get dull. Then what? Sharpen it yourself? That'll either change the edge geometry or remove the temper line, which will then have to be re-etched, and if you don't know what you're doing the sword will be a mess. This is one of the few things I did not consider when I got the PK/PPK. At least with the Zatoichi you won't mess up anything expensive sharpening it up...
Edited: Forgot to add that while Zatoichi handle is slippery and a little on the short side, this sword is very light. Much lighter than the PK, PPK, etc. And the actual cutting edge is quite a bit longer too. And being able to easily and quickly swing this long blade one-handed was a big plus for me. Sure it handles like a crowbar at first, but once you get used to it the thing can score some really nice cuts...
I did lots of cutting with Zatoichi and the PK, and actually while the Zatoichi handle held the handle on the PK cracked in half on the flat side under the fake plastic rayskin. I didn't know about it until I unwrapped the tsuka and popped off the plastic rayskin panels. It was shocking to see that the tsuka was split in half all the way down. I suspected something was wrong because the plastic panels were cracking in the middle, but it's a good thing that the tsuka was completely epoxied to the tang, or I would have been in deep doo-doo...
Anywho, if you are interested in it for its shape and functionality, it's good. Not great, not awesome, but a cutting blade anyways, certainly good for $70 or so.
Oh, oh! And if you shell out $230, get a PPK, cut with it a few hundered times it'll get dull. Then what? Sharpen it yourself? That'll either change the edge geometry or remove the temper line, which will then have to be re-etched, and if you don't know what you're doing the sword will be a mess. This is one of the few things I did not consider when I got the PK/PPK. At least with the Zatoichi you won't mess up anything expensive sharpening it up...
Edited: Forgot to add that while Zatoichi handle is slippery and a little on the short side, this sword is very light. Much lighter than the PK, PPK, etc. And the actual cutting edge is quite a bit longer too. And being able to easily and quickly swing this long blade one-handed was a big plus for me. Sure it handles like a crowbar at first, but once you get used to it the thing can score some really nice cuts...
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2003
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- 284
From what I've heard, the Zaiotchi should not be considered as a cutter. It's construction is completely sub-par, and it presents a significant risk to the user if used for cutting or anything of that sort.
Get a PK or PK+, or if you're looking for something better, one of the Paul Chen entry-level katanas (Shinto, Oriole, Musashi). Personally, I wouldn't do with anything less than a good Bugei (www.bugei.com) or Goot (DGuertin, forged by Fred Chen), but then again, it's up to you.
Get a PK or PK+, or if you're looking for something better, one of the Paul Chen entry-level katanas (Shinto, Oriole, Musashi). Personally, I wouldn't do with anything less than a good Bugei (www.bugei.com) or Goot (DGuertin, forged by Fred Chen), but then again, it's up to you.
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i'd like to point out that the OP is *NOT* looking for a katana, he is looking for a zatoichi or similar sword which is completely different from a katana.
i am just going to repeat that in the current market, among the zatoichi type swords, you can do a lot worse than going with hanwei forge.
i am just going to repeat that in the current market, among the zatoichi type swords, you can do a lot worse than going with hanwei forge.
888KNIVESRUS
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I love the movies. "Zaiotchi" was fantasy movies. For movies made in the late '60s, they were well done. IMO. For what it is worth. Shintaro Katsu who played the part, played it well.
IMHO, if you like the movies and want a sword like Zaiotchi carried, buy one. If you want to use one, beware it is a $70.00 sword. I own a Zaiotchi ll sword and love it. Use it?, not me.
IMHO, if you like the movies and want a sword like Zaiotchi carried, buy one. If you want to use one, beware it is a $70.00 sword. I own a Zaiotchi ll sword and love it. Use it?, not me.
- Joined
- May 19, 2002
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- 353
WOW! I had no idea so many people responded after my last post in this thread. I must thank you guys for the info.
Might as well give an update since I'm bringing this back from the grave. I didn't get the PCZ. Your opinions saved me and I just never had the spare cash anyway, being young and poor with expensive tastes is a real bummer.
Anyway, I'm glad I didn't. Earlier this year PC released a newer more attractive version of the Zatoichi with a much nicer etched hamon. Will soon be adding one to my edged thingies collection.
I wish I could have gotten a PCZII when they were available. Heard they are a great looking and even a good cutting blade. I'd hope so at $499 a pop.
Oh well. Thanks for humoring me back then guys. Saved me from wasting $70.
Might as well give an update since I'm bringing this back from the grave. I didn't get the PCZ. Your opinions saved me and I just never had the spare cash anyway, being young and poor with expensive tastes is a real bummer.
Anyway, I'm glad I didn't. Earlier this year PC released a newer more attractive version of the Zatoichi with a much nicer etched hamon. Will soon be adding one to my edged thingies collection.
I wish I could have gotten a PCZII when they were available. Heard they are a great looking and even a good cutting blade. I'd hope so at $499 a pop.
Oh well. Thanks for humoring me back then guys. Saved me from wasting $70.
I've been planning to purchase my first Hanwei Sword for sometime, and I initially was interested in the Practical Plus Katana (PPK), as it was fairly inexspensive in comparison to higher end items, and I thought I should start off there and work my way up.
However, after doing alot of research, I headed the advice of others whom suggested that it would worthwhile to just keep the money that would of paid for the PPK, and just save up and buy a higher quality Katana straight up. You do get what you pay for when it comes to katana's, and so I purchased a Miyamoto Musashi Daito Katana at a resonable price, it was a toss up between the Daito and the Golden Oriole, but since I do not plan to do tamashigiri with it, and merely display it, the large size would look great on display.
So my advice would be to at the least purchase a PPK, but try and go for the mid-range to higher-end of the line, as it will be worthwhile in the long run. However if you have your heart set on the Zatoichi, and you don't plan on cutting with it, then go ahead, but do not expect it to compare to the more expensive products.
I'm pleased that I kept the couple of hundred for the PPK, and just spent another hundred or two to purchase the Daito.
Good luck Erint, hope you find exactly what you want. At the end of the day, it's your decision, and you have to live with it, and in my opinion, any of the Hanwei products are fine purchase, as there is alot of junk out there, and if you do want a Zatoichi, it's gotta be better than some others no?.
However, after doing alot of research, I headed the advice of others whom suggested that it would worthwhile to just keep the money that would of paid for the PPK, and just save up and buy a higher quality Katana straight up. You do get what you pay for when it comes to katana's, and so I purchased a Miyamoto Musashi Daito Katana at a resonable price, it was a toss up between the Daito and the Golden Oriole, but since I do not plan to do tamashigiri with it, and merely display it, the large size would look great on display.
So my advice would be to at the least purchase a PPK, but try and go for the mid-range to higher-end of the line, as it will be worthwhile in the long run. However if you have your heart set on the Zatoichi, and you don't plan on cutting with it, then go ahead, but do not expect it to compare to the more expensive products.
I'm pleased that I kept the couple of hundred for the PPK, and just spent another hundred or two to purchase the Daito.
Good luck Erint, hope you find exactly what you want. At the end of the day, it's your decision, and you have to live with it, and in my opinion, any of the Hanwei products are fine purchase, as there is alot of junk out there, and if you do want a Zatoichi, it's gotta be better than some others no?.
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Junk, Junk, Junk!!!!ERINT said:
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I think that the Last Legend version would be pretty serviceable...
The newer PC Zatoichis are pretty well done - a real habaki, and improved polish and overall looks. They changed the tip from a brass plate to a rubber onlay - I'm not sure what to think of that. Still grade-A wallhangers, but better looking.
On the subject of straight blades, though - mu-zori katana aren't unheard of, and there are certain rather nice renditions of the form on the internet here and there. Regular koshirae, though - so they're not exactly Zatoichi swords. I have a straight shobu-zukuri blade by Randal Graham that needs a polish and mounts - when it's done, it'll have as good a balance as any sword. The curvature in most notable Japanese blades (excepting tachi) isn't particularly huge, and balance is more a function of the smith's ability to take a lot of factors into account during forging.
The newer PC Zatoichis are pretty well done - a real habaki, and improved polish and overall looks. They changed the tip from a brass plate to a rubber onlay - I'm not sure what to think of that. Still grade-A wallhangers, but better looking.
On the subject of straight blades, though - mu-zori katana aren't unheard of, and there are certain rather nice renditions of the form on the internet here and there. Regular koshirae, though - so they're not exactly Zatoichi swords. I have a straight shobu-zukuri blade by Randal Graham that needs a polish and mounts - when it's done, it'll have as good a balance as any sword. The curvature in most notable Japanese blades (excepting tachi) isn't particularly huge, and balance is more a function of the smith's ability to take a lot of factors into account during forging.
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FYI if youre interested in the Chen Orchid Wakizashi, I am selling one in the for sale production knives forum. I think retail is a boatload, internet prices are around 600, and im asking 450.