MUSASHI SWORDS NEWS: 29 JUNE 2008

Continuing the trend in the Katana market to create sub US$300 Differentially Hardened Katana, Musashi have taken a slightly different approach with their 1045 carbon steel ‘Presentation Line’ of blades (pictured below).

Concentrating primarily on aesthetics, with elaborate and very attractive tsuba, fuchi and Kashira in a wide variety of themes, to keep prices down they have made the blades themselves from 1045 carbon steel, which is generally considered to be more suitable for occasional cutting and display than as a serious dojo sword.

However, by doing so they have filled a niche in the market – for collectors primarily interested in a Katana with REAL hamon that looks excellent for display purposes and as a talking point that want a sword that at least in theory could be used for the occasional cut or two.

The editor has one in his possession and is planning on testing and reviewing it on Sword Buyers Guide very soon. However, initial impressions are quite positive – and it is certainly a very attractive piece, though he has yet to put it through it paces and to determine if the 1045 steel is up to the task of regular cutting.

Watch this space, more news will be coming on this line soon.

P.S. The swords are available at Musashi.com for US$200, however with free shipping and a 15% discount (which brings the price down to $160 SHIPPED!) it is pretty hard to go wrong – and if you want one for display purposes, they won’t disappoint. But if you want to know how they perform, you’ll need to wait a few weeks for the results.