Please Note: This Katana has a matching Wakizashi available separately. Combine the two to create a matched daishō set!
The Senshi Erai Hito No Katana is a superbly well-balanced and swift-striking Katana with classical styling. The blade is handforged from folded 1095 high carbon steel with a deep bohi groove which reduces unneeded weight and greatly aids in making a sword that is a deft and agile performer – an easy and natural extension of the swordsman’s arm that retains respectable and powerful cutting potential. Once forged into form the blade was quenched in the traditional clay-tempering process to imbue it with a natural and genuine hamon of hardened steel to imbue it with an edge hardness of 59-60 HRc and a spine and body of 40-45 HRc. The blade was finished with a careful hand-polish to bring out the full beauty of its hamon and the ripple-like patterning of the forge-folded steel.
The tsuba, fuchi and kashira are crafted from antiqued, heat-blued steel which is embellished with inlaid silver. The grip is well-carved from wood and is fitted with genuine rayskin which is tightly bound with brown silk tsuka ito cord with a wrap done in the katate-maki style. Silver-plated menuki are carefully fitted beneath these grip wrap folds to finish the Wakizashi. Its matching Saya scabbard is crafted from wood with a final finish of layered glossy black lacquer and a panel of inlaid rayskin which was polished flush before having its recesses filled with lacquer to create a unique mottled finish. Its koiguchi, kurigata and kojiri are polished buffalo horn and the sageo cord is premium brown silk. The sword comes with a silk sword bag and a manufacturer’s production certificate.
Like the Japanese swords of many vendors – it is common for the lacquer finish on the scabbard to have some visible scuffs, scratches and other minor cosmetic blemishes visible when examined closely.
Hfinn –
I finally made my decision about getting a katana. This is the senshi erai hito katana from battleblades. The brand is new and I think it deserves attention. The pictures don’t do justice to the sword, it is stunning. I did not buy it from the Kult of Athena, just want to give my impressions.
I had a proper chance to handle the weapon and talk with the seller. To start with, I have limited experience of katana’s, mostly I have trained European sword arts for many years in the past. Then I had a chance to handle and also cut with good quality weapons, longswords, arming swords and Italian style side swords. These days I train kenjutsu. Still I have had a chance to handle some Hanwei and Cold steel katanas and see their quality myself. Take anything I say about katana’s with a pinch of salt and judge yourself.
The overall quality of this katana is in my opinion very good. The blade is well done. The bohi is symmetrical on both sides, hamon well visible and so is the folding pattern. I like the small, simple tsuba. Kashira and fuchi are simple and stylish. I’m not so sure if I like the yellow same but it goes well with the colour of the ito. Ito feels like good guality material and the wrap is tight, not super tight, I can just move it by pressing hard with fingers. The wrapping pattern is not totally even and that can be criticized. Tsuka construction is solid, there is no movement in any parts. The habaki and seppa have some patterning, which is a nice addition. Everything is fitted well.
What convinced me was the handling. It feels natural, not overly tip heavy. I understand that katana is compared to european swords a very different weapon. Still it moves easily. It has weight, but in movement the weapon feels purposeful but lighter than the actual mass. I can’t explain it, but it kind of floats through the movement.
The saya is in my opinion well executed. The same on the saya is a nice touch. The kurikata has a metal (brass?) shitodome. Fitting of the saya to the blade and habaki is good, it keeps the blade well but breaks with a gentle push of the thumb. Sageo is nicely wrapped and knotted and looks good, it is properly thick and good quality, not a shoelace material.
I want to offer also some criticism. The edge could be a bit sharper. Maybe the sharpener did not want to ruin the hamon, I don’t know, the edge is almost there. It cuts, but would need a finish. Anyway I’m probably not going to cut much with this, I will train very carefully with this sword and just admire it, like a piece of art.
Is this worth the asking price? It is subjective what you want to pay and what you expect. I’m personally happy with my purchase.