S5 Steel Super Sharp Mirror Tameshigiri Katana Reviews

4.6 Rating 5 Reviews

About Swordis:

Swordis, an online retail store, specializes in a wide array of swords, showcasing selections from some of the most esteemed brands in the industry. This emerging startup has expanded its scope by incorporating SwordEncyclopedia, a blog known for its extensive sword resources and recognized as a leading authority in this niche. Swordis' shop section offers an impressive range of over 1000 products in various categories. Their collection not only includes Japanese swords, Historical European Swords, and Military swords, but also extends to specialized items such as Technical knives, machetes, and a fascinating variety of fantasy swords and more. Featuring 19 distinguished brands, Swordis caters to a diverse clientele, ranging from historical enthusiasts to imaginative collectors.

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How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“The sword arrived faster than I expected. When I opened the package, I noticed that everything looked great at first glance. Initially, I didn’t see any visible signs of damage. The sword came very sharp, and the polish was magnificent. Upon closer inspection, when I disassembled the sword, I found that tsuka was not broken—it was actually very well-made. It was a bit difficult to remove, but I managed to take it off without damaging any parts. However, the habaki was not a perfect fit. It was quite loose, so I had to add a couple of shims to keep it securely in place. The sword felt somewhat light—lighter than what I’m used to. On further examination of the blade, I noticed very small chips and a tiny brown spot that seemed to be the beginning stages of rust within those microchips. Overall, the sword seems to be of good quality. The ito wrap is very tight, and the stuba is well-crafted. The saya fits perfectly and has a nice color with a polished exterior. While the sword is impressive, I would have rated it a 5 if the fittings were perfect and there were no chips on the blade. I plan to start cutting tatami mats soon to see how well it cuts.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 weeks ago

Hi Joffre, Thank you for your feedback, and I’m sorry to hear that you weren’t fully satisfied with the sword. I’d like to clarify a few things. Both ShadowDancer and Z SEY use traditional methods for the mekugi, drilling it at an angle. This approach, used in crafting traditional Japanese swords, allows for easy disassembly. While this has the advantage of enabling you to fix rattling issues after prolonged use, it comes with a minor drawback: if the mekugi is damaged during transportation, it may slightly loosen the habaki. On the other hand, swords designed to be non-disassemblable—using straight mekugis or double mekugis—offer additional stability. However, once disassembled and reassembled, they lose their original alignment, unlike traditionally made katanas. The good news is that this is an easy fix! You just need to replace the mekugi, and we’ve included an extra mekugi in your shipment for this purpose. We also have a short video that explains how to resolve this in seconds, which we’ll share with you. Could you please provide our support team with more photos of the blade? We inspect every sword thoroughly before shipping and would like to investigate what might have caused the issue. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and we truly appreciate your understanding!

Posted 2 weeks ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Essential piece for tameshigiri practice! this is the lowest price I've seen for an s5 steel blade. I'm not a big fan of the design of the tsuba but like I said, s5 blade at a good price!”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“My new favorite sword. Looks amazing, blade is super sharp and retains edge very well even with items like plastic water bottles. Handles really well, no rattling on fittings on the sword or scabbard, the handle wrap is tight and comfortable. I would be open to getting another if different motifs are available. I don't personally like the mottled design for the scabbard, but its something I can live with.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“Mid-end price for high-end katana. Love the S5 steel, very tough and durable, balance and geometry is beautiful. Would have loved a blade with hamon but that wasn't an option. Edge is very sharp, edge retention is marvelous. Overall, if you are considering this sword, get it, you won't regret it.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

How's the Blade?

How are the Handle and Fittings?

“I bought this after I saw Matthew Jensen's video on the sword. Very well put together compared to most. It cuts very well and is quite forgiving for beginners to tameshigiri because of the s5 steel used. Fittings are simple and fit very well. Most might complain about the simple fittings, but it actually is more comfortable for practitioners as certain designs can interfere with wielding the sword. The cord wrap is tight and tied seamlessly, again better than most of the other brands, giving a secure grip.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago