- Joined
- Sep 11, 2002
- Messages
- 3,548
It was kinda hot out today, but I wanted to play with some new HI toys, and see how they fared against some other swords. So this isn't meant to be a test, just a fun field report.
The players:
HI Tarwar by Sher (20.5" blade)
HI katana by Kumar (26" blade)
Cold Steel Katana (the 88K, not the cheaper "Warrior" model; 30" blade)
Cold Steel Grosse Messer (31" blade falchion style sword)
The Cold Steel blades are made from 1050 carbon steel and have very sharp convex edges. The HI blades were sharpened by me to working sharp edges that can both shave (katana) or scrape (tarwar) arm hair.
All measurements are from tip to guard, including unsharpened parts of blade.
The "tests"
On the swordforums, they cut a 1/4" thick piece of plywood for cutting tests. Or they cut pool noodles, which are often cheaper and easier to find than tatami mats.
I only had 1/2" plywood, which was considerable tougher than I thought.
The katanas both nicked a 1/2-3/4" deep cut into the plywood and then bounced off. I think I was pulling my blows, but katanas are also not meant to cut plywood. Both blades held up fine, no nicks or rolling. The Cold Steel is heavier and less balanced than the HI, so it fared a little better. Kumar's katana has incredible balance and often feels like I'm carrying nothing at all. I really like the sword, and it was worth the wait.
The heavier swords fared better against the plywood, both putting heavy 2-3" gouges into the wood. The 31" bladed Messer cut a little deeper than the much shorter Tarwar, probably because it was also much thinner- 3/16" versus the Tarwar's 5/16". The Messer is too unwieldy to be clearing brush, but it would serve as a fine weapon. The Tarwar also has a great feel in the hand and I found myself clearing out dead branches with it. It is no khukuri though, and my 25" Sirupati would definitely outchop it. The Tarwar excels at clearing brush. It is no slouch at chopping deadwood, but it requires a lot more backswing than a khukuri of similar heft, since it lacks the khuk's leverage.
Because I had no pool noodles or tatami mats, I went after some 1" and smaller branches with the katanas. The Cold Steel has the heft and length advantage, but does not handle as gracefully as Kumar's blade. Both made good snap cuts and cut springy branches with ease. Kumar's blade was better at cutting, the Cold Steel was a little better at chopping, expected because it is 4" longer and heavier (even though it has a fuller).
The points all held up well to stabbing into dead logs. The Tarwar could be jabbed into logs and split chunks off. It was the toughest of the bunch.
Conclusions:
The Messer got the least testing because it is just too darn big. It requires two hands, has a big guard, and really isn't suited as a field blade. If I had to defend a castle, I'd take it over the others. For $240, this is a very good reproduction sword that can take some abuse. It's 2" wide falchion blade is something you do not want to be on the wrong end of. It will not double as a tool, like HI blades will.
The Tarwar is a little monster. It can't outchop a khukuri of the same length, but if you need a machete shaped blade, it is an excellent value. It looks, works, and handles great. It was the most solid of the bunch. I found myself wanting to throw it spear-style. If I had to use it in combat I would attack the other guy's sword with it first, that's how strong it feels.
The HI katana by Kumar is not as beautiful as some of the repro katanas you can find, but it not a wall-hanger like the ones you generally see. It has a beauty all its own. The gently swelled handle feels better than the traditional cord wrap over rayskin, and the balance is impeccable. It compares to the Mad Dog Panther and Randall Sasquatch, two big combat knives by reknowned makers (each which cost 3-4x as much as the katana). I will admit that the katana's willowy handling made me wary of doing any heavy chopping with it. If I find some wild bamboo I will go wild on it and report. It makes excellent snap cuts.
The Cold Steel katana retails for almost 3x as much as the HI katana. On the net you can find it in the unpolished Warrior version for $379. The polished one goes for $660. I found it for $500 through a secondary market. The HI comes mirror polished (the "magic stone" finish) for $245. You could buy a Kothimoda katana for less.
The Cold Steel is a decent sword, but being machine-made, it doesn't have the attention to detail in the balance that Kumar's does. It seems more suited to hacking than slicing. If you want a katana that has traditional rayskin and cord wrapped handle, with a carved tsuba and a lacquered scabbard, it is a decent deal. It also comes razor sharp, like all of Cold Steel's blades. However, unlike HI, if you break it by chopping anything they will probably void your warranty. The sword came with a warning that katanas are not meant to chop wood, but didn't mention what was allowed to be chopped. Rope? Tatami? paper?
If any of you have been eyeing the HI katana, but were worried that it would be too thick to handle like a dueling sword should, this should allay your fears. It is more akin to the Chitlangi and Gelbu special than the Tarwar and the AK.
One of these days I'll break down and buy the long Tibetan sword and put it up against the Grosse Messer. They are the same price, and both have full tangs. My money's on HI in that one.
The players:
HI Tarwar by Sher (20.5" blade)
HI katana by Kumar (26" blade)
Cold Steel Katana (the 88K, not the cheaper "Warrior" model; 30" blade)
Cold Steel Grosse Messer (31" blade falchion style sword)
The Cold Steel blades are made from 1050 carbon steel and have very sharp convex edges. The HI blades were sharpened by me to working sharp edges that can both shave (katana) or scrape (tarwar) arm hair.
All measurements are from tip to guard, including unsharpened parts of blade.
The "tests"
On the swordforums, they cut a 1/4" thick piece of plywood for cutting tests. Or they cut pool noodles, which are often cheaper and easier to find than tatami mats.
I only had 1/2" plywood, which was considerable tougher than I thought.
The katanas both nicked a 1/2-3/4" deep cut into the plywood and then bounced off. I think I was pulling my blows, but katanas are also not meant to cut plywood. Both blades held up fine, no nicks or rolling. The Cold Steel is heavier and less balanced than the HI, so it fared a little better. Kumar's katana has incredible balance and often feels like I'm carrying nothing at all. I really like the sword, and it was worth the wait.
The heavier swords fared better against the plywood, both putting heavy 2-3" gouges into the wood. The 31" bladed Messer cut a little deeper than the much shorter Tarwar, probably because it was also much thinner- 3/16" versus the Tarwar's 5/16". The Messer is too unwieldy to be clearing brush, but it would serve as a fine weapon. The Tarwar also has a great feel in the hand and I found myself clearing out dead branches with it. It is no khukuri though, and my 25" Sirupati would definitely outchop it. The Tarwar excels at clearing brush. It is no slouch at chopping deadwood, but it requires a lot more backswing than a khukuri of similar heft, since it lacks the khuk's leverage.
Because I had no pool noodles or tatami mats, I went after some 1" and smaller branches with the katanas. The Cold Steel has the heft and length advantage, but does not handle as gracefully as Kumar's blade. Both made good snap cuts and cut springy branches with ease. Kumar's blade was better at cutting, the Cold Steel was a little better at chopping, expected because it is 4" longer and heavier (even though it has a fuller).
The points all held up well to stabbing into dead logs. The Tarwar could be jabbed into logs and split chunks off. It was the toughest of the bunch.
Conclusions:
The Messer got the least testing because it is just too darn big. It requires two hands, has a big guard, and really isn't suited as a field blade. If I had to defend a castle, I'd take it over the others. For $240, this is a very good reproduction sword that can take some abuse. It's 2" wide falchion blade is something you do not want to be on the wrong end of. It will not double as a tool, like HI blades will.
The Tarwar is a little monster. It can't outchop a khukuri of the same length, but if you need a machete shaped blade, it is an excellent value. It looks, works, and handles great. It was the most solid of the bunch. I found myself wanting to throw it spear-style. If I had to use it in combat I would attack the other guy's sword with it first, that's how strong it feels.
The HI katana by Kumar is not as beautiful as some of the repro katanas you can find, but it not a wall-hanger like the ones you generally see. It has a beauty all its own. The gently swelled handle feels better than the traditional cord wrap over rayskin, and the balance is impeccable. It compares to the Mad Dog Panther and Randall Sasquatch, two big combat knives by reknowned makers (each which cost 3-4x as much as the katana). I will admit that the katana's willowy handling made me wary of doing any heavy chopping with it. If I find some wild bamboo I will go wild on it and report. It makes excellent snap cuts.
The Cold Steel katana retails for almost 3x as much as the HI katana. On the net you can find it in the unpolished Warrior version for $379. The polished one goes for $660. I found it for $500 through a secondary market. The HI comes mirror polished (the "magic stone" finish) for $245. You could buy a Kothimoda katana for less.
The Cold Steel is a decent sword, but being machine-made, it doesn't have the attention to detail in the balance that Kumar's does. It seems more suited to hacking than slicing. If you want a katana that has traditional rayskin and cord wrapped handle, with a carved tsuba and a lacquered scabbard, it is a decent deal. It also comes razor sharp, like all of Cold Steel's blades. However, unlike HI, if you break it by chopping anything they will probably void your warranty. The sword came with a warning that katanas are not meant to chop wood, but didn't mention what was allowed to be chopped. Rope? Tatami? paper?
If any of you have been eyeing the HI katana, but were worried that it would be too thick to handle like a dueling sword should, this should allay your fears. It is more akin to the Chitlangi and Gelbu special than the Tarwar and the AK.
One of these days I'll break down and buy the long Tibetan sword and put it up against the Grosse Messer. They are the same price, and both have full tangs. My money's on HI in that one.
