Masahiro Rollercoaster

by Jose Rosario
(San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Well, I'm Jose Rosario from Puerto Rico, better know in the SBG forums as AkuZokuZan. I've had and have a few Masahiro pieces and I must agree with the information given in this page. I owned a Masahiro Practical Katana with the generic Oda Nobunaga Tsuba and blue ito. I must say that sword was superb for its price (I bought it at a measle $25 on one of sunpoint usa eBay's stores).

Razor sharp out of the box, it never dissappointed me, however you must regard that it is a LIGHT DUTY CUTTER, and by no means can be compared to a Cold Steel, Chenness or Paul Chen piece. Next I got a Furubushidoo (Masahiro rebrand) Demigod Katana, which sported red leather ito, some engravings on the bottom of the blade and a very long tsuka.

Aesthetically superior to the Practical Series one, however when called to action, it dissappointed. What was a clean, swift cut with the Practical against fearsome water jugs, the Demigod performed, but sub par, some of the edges were serrated, not sliced.

Then I got two more Masahiro swords at closeout price from an eBay seller, one was good and sharp, the second was reasonably sharp and the third one was as blunt as an iaito. So, then again, QC is a serious issue with Masahiro, but if buying from a reputed seller, you might get a decent sword for a very cheap price.