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CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 25th March Several years ago, there was a trend to through hardened (i.e. non differentially hardened/no hamon) Katana...
While the traditionalists hated them, the more practical minded cutters found them to be both highly effective and extremely strong and forgiving.
While it has taken Hanwei several years to catch on to this trend, the time taken to create their own line of through hardened monosteel Katana has been well spent to watch the market, and give it what it wants...
Introducting the 'Raptor' Series of through hardened 5160 Spring Steel Katana that promise to be as tough as hell, in three unique geometries - with a standard Shinogi Zukuri (standard blade), Unokubi Zukuri and a Shobu Zukuri on the table - all with an attractive and practical 'battle wrap' style ito.
Not due out until Summer 2009, you can get a taste of what to expect by checking out This Page on the CAS Iberia Website (well worth checking out, if not just for the cool cutting tests by Bugei's legendary James Williams).
CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 3 March, 2009
It's been a long wait, but it looks like it has been very worthwhile...
FINALLY, three of the Tinker Pearce swords (well six actually, all three basic designs are available in either a sharp or blunt training variant) are in stock and good to go!
Here is what the man of the hour himself had to say about them: "Well, the 'corrected' Early Medieval Single-Hand sword sharps and the fullered bastardsword are in! I have to say, they are looking good! A couple of months ago when the first EMSHSs came in everything looked good- then you picked one up... ouch. There was a 1/4 pound too much material in the blade! A few slipped out, but most were sent back to be fixed. And fixed they were- they are now the correct weight and balance and look and handle great. When the first Longswords and Bastardswords from the Tinker Line came out a lot of people complained that they didn't cut all that well until they were re-sharpened. Personally I haven't seen one yet that I couldn't use to cut mats with right out of the box, but that's me... A lot of people also complained that it didn't have an 'Appleseed edge' like swords costing 2-3 times as much. CAS/Hanwei initiated a 'fix' for this. Thus when the Fullered bastardsword arrived I was delighted to see that my initial suggestions about the edge geometry and bevels had been put into effect- the edge is MUCH thinner prior to sharpening and is bevelled at a shallower angle. Initially when I examined the sword I could see light at several places along the edge; I believed that these were simply burs, so I sliced a piece of cardboar and checked again. Bingo- the bur was gone. I'd recommend that the first thing that anyone try to slice with one of these swords be a piece of heavy cardboard or leather to remove this bur. Also with the better edge geometry those that just have to have an Appleseed edge will find it much easier to do themselves. The real surprise came with the new EMSHSs, however. These actually have an 'Appleseed edge' with no defined secondary edge bevel! The pic below show this clearly:
Moreover they have done a good job on the edge- after chatting with Barry [owner of Cas-Hanwei's US operation] I think that we can expect to see this sort of edge on future models as well...Since I got mine I think that it's safe to assume that these swords are on dealer's shelves also. I'm pretty impressed that the folks at CAS/H have been so quick to respond to customer input, and that theses swords are coming out so well! While there are still some minor issues with the edge, namely some fine burring - testing them on a cardboard box or slicing some leather cleans it up in no-time (and of course, Hanwei are kind enough to provide a cardboard box with every purchase). CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 27 November, 2008 The Prototype of the Hanwei/Tinker Pearce collaboration have been approved by the man himself! Here’s a bit of a sneak preview of this sword along with some comments by the man himself on how close to his vision it is as well as his initial observation of both the sharp and blunt version.
What Tinker had to say about it: First impression- Thrilled! The execution of these is excellent- well done Paul and Company! The wire wrap on the pommel is a silver color instead of brass, which looks nice though I think brass would make it 'Pop' more. Mind you I am not complaining; the wire is a separate piece and nicely done. I really like what they have done with the scabbard, too. I like the suspension rings and the U-shaped chape is a nice touch; I particularly like that it is secured with nails instead of just being glued on. Definitely looking forward to get hold of one of these myself and seeing this exciting new line as it unfolds. CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 27 October, 2008 Well, after a false start the Michael "Tinker" Pearce Longswords have been reworked at the forge and have received the blessing from the man who designed them. Modifications such as rounding the guard, shoulders and other edges as well as giving the handle the correct Octagonal shape have resulted in a very nicely designed longsword that handles very close to what Tinker originally envisaged. Below is a picture of the hilt disassembled.
The only thing that Tinker was a little disappointed with was that the balance of the blunt and sharp version were noticably different, though, in his own words: "Not a LOT different, mind you, but more than originally intended. I'm maybe a little too particular; no one else seems to have a problem with it so I am not going to complain!".
The other thing that wasn't quite what it was hoped for is the price... Unfortunatley the MSRP on these swords is to be a little higher than what it was originally intended to be - MSRP US$359 for the Sharp and $328 for the blunt (which means that the lowest authorized price will be US$305.15 for the sharp and $279.65 for the blunt)...
While this is a little expensive, considering the way these swords are designed to handle and perform, in reality they really are quiet a bargain.
Only a small amount were made for the first batch, so they are still not widely available - however you should see them 'hitting the shelves' in the next 2-3 months. More information and hopefully a hands on review to come.
CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 10 September, 2008
The new Hanwei Catalog isn't very far off, and even though no one has seen it yet, there is some pretty exciting new products about to be unleashed on an unsuspecting sword buying public!
Most of you who are regular SMG readers will know about the upcoming Tinker Line of course, and these will feature quite heavily. However, there are also quite a few nice Cutlasses, Hangers and Civil War swords that will be making a refreshing debut, as well as at least 6 or 7 new Chinese blades in the sub US$300 price point - and the mysterious "Western Cutting Sword Bainite!".
So stay tuned, as news and previews come to hand, you'll be the first to know...!
P.S. There will also be some price changes, some swords will be going up in price unfortunately. But others will be coming down, so it is going to be interesting no matter which way you look at it, that is for sure!
CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 29 August, 2008
People who are waiting for the Tinker Pearce Longswords will have to wait just a little longer unfortunately...
To quote Cas Iberia's Marketing Director, Blake Pogue: "A quick update on the Tinker designed line of Sharp / Blunt Longswords. We got a shipment in late last week that unfortunately had some manufacturing errors that have kept us from releasing them. Over the last few days we've ironed out the issues with Hanwei and expect our next shipment will be correct. So while the news is a bit disappointing due to the delay, it is also extremely positive because it means that they are extremely serious about getting the details spot on when these swords are finally ready - and that is, in the end, VERY GOOD NEWS for the Longsword enthusiast community...
CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 18 March, 2008 Another sneak preview of the collaboration of Michael Tinker Pearce and Hanwei, the EMS (Early Medieval Sword) prototype (pictured below) looks to be another winner.
Here’s a few stats:
Oakeshott Type: XII I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is a very exciting time for Euro sword enthusiasts...
CAS IBERIA/HANWEI NEWS: 16 February, 2008
The long awaited collaboration with eminent sword smith Michael 'Tinker' Pearce now has its first prototype longswords (Oakeshott Type XVIIIa War Swords) - a sparring blunt and a sharp for cutting that will be available for around the US$320-330 price point.
No final date on when these swords will be made available has yet been set, as they still have to endure some rather rigourous testing before final approval of the production run. However, early feedback from Michael reveals that these 5160 Spring Steel blades handle extremely well, are quite strong and very flexible, able to bend up to 60 degrees and return to true.
Another line to keep a close eye on, it really is great to see the big manufacturers finally starting to take medieval swords seriously...
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