Thanks for testing and reviewing! In retrospect, I should've let you break it. FWIW, literally, the $530 s7 did not include shipping, whereas the $700 s5 includes shipping inside the US. Also, the painted brass adds $50 (lol, because I liked it, and this is going to eventually be my beater). So apples to apples, not including shipping and upgrades, the s5 would come out to about $575 vs the $535 s7 you got. Also, because of feedback from all you awesome YT reviewers, the kashira and shitodome are now glued down, and the ledges are mostly fixed.

Agree about the leather ito that Cloudhammer uses. The one I reviewed was the most comfortable-feeling leather ito I've experienced. Slightly soft in a really comfortable way without feeling loose.

thankyou for reviewing this! a bit disconcerted if the panels are not inlaid and that play in the fuchi but other than that, impressed. personally ok with boring brass and crane/dragon furniture so long as they can be swapped out.

Angel Sword has been using S7 for years to great success, I know some people don't like the company, but I've used swords from their S7 line and they're excellent cutters with a long lasting edge while being very, very tough. S5 is very similar, I'd expect good results if it's carefully heat treated.

@2zen777

Жыл бұрын

Angel sword is a very cool company if you look at them for what they offer. Highly artistic one of a kind weapons with high durability, is what i see as their main selling point and i can concur that they are very good cutters i have one myself. Just looking at their facebook page you can see all the artistic talent and passion that goes into their swords. They may not be historically accurate, but that is not what they are trying to be. Ive seen some crazy looking blades at the ren fest that you just cant find that same artistic flair from many other companies out there that i know of (i would love to find another tho)

@RockModeNick

Жыл бұрын

@@2zen777 yes I like the stuff I've gotten from them. The trade in policy helps offset how pricy they can get, and keeps cool vintage items coming back in as well. The changes over the decades have been interesting too.

@2zen777

Жыл бұрын

@@RockModeNick facts im going next year to trade in the sword i got right now for something better, ill probaly go all the way to texas just to see what they got there

@RockModeNick

Жыл бұрын

@@2zen777 sadly I'm in NY, things just haven't been the same at the big NY faire since they left - have fun on your trip! I'm glad there's some other people that realize they're just a fun company that makes cool stuff that does what they say it does.

I would second Matts opinion. I have a companion (as well as a couple others) to that one koshirae wise (9" tsuka, 23.5" nagasa). I'm pretty sure that makes it a kodachi, and I found that S5 to be very good steel. Took a stupid sharp edge. And holds it. Even though it's TH, it performs so close to DH in my experience. Hopefully, they will fix the minor issues and continue innovating the steels and whatnot.

@rvakatana

Жыл бұрын

so to get your blood pumping, we're experimenting with a different heat treat of s5 that will bring the HRC up by 1, at the cost of 30j of impact resistance (which will still make it 12x stronger than T10)

@KF1

Жыл бұрын

@@rvakatana Eric makes a good point. Really like the idea of a TH sword with the edge-capability nearer to DH. Best of both worlds. I beat the crap out of the 51CrV4, and although the edge wasn't the strongest when thinned out, it never twisted or took a set. The slightly harder S5 sounds like an excellent option for sharpness and brittle target resistance. I think even the 51CrV4 is good enough with some tweaking. Really like having mine as an iaito because the tsuka is so on point. (have replaced fuchi to something more flush and like it more all the time)

Great review blade brother, sweet katana ❤️😎🔥

Great review, Matthew :D

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Thank you sir.

Not as fond of the fittings but the blade seems pretty nice. Though i should this is the problem i have w/ most swords these days. Blades usually look good while the hilt is usually where they cut corners.

She’s coming to me now( for good). I caught it and bought it before Eric sent it back to John.

Nice show of the sword. Frozen branches must be tough to cut! Looked up the distal measurement conversion to mm. 8.05mm distal to 4.65mm. That actually sounds pretty good if the transition is linear. For the profile height, converted as 31.93mm taper to 26.14mm, which is a touch wider than standard at the tip. Not bad. One thing I notice that effects the balance and feel is the thickness of the tang. Got a roninkatana with an 8mm thick tang that doesn't thin much, and really like having the extra heft directly in hand. (heavy tsubas have always been a pet peeve, which balance a stationary sword but then feel like a hammer transitioning at speed) Can appreciate the general distaste for silver and gold paint on the fittings, but in this case it's not as bad. Kinda like that silver crane on the kashira, though would definitely switch out the tsuba. Good review Matt

are you still yusing your hanwei bamboo mat katana for cutting practice if yes how s the blade holding up?

Hey Matt, good review. Would have been epic if you had been able to use it against Anathar. lol.

your comments about the small details reminds me of the anecdote about Guns and Roses (?) who would make insane demands like 15 red M&Ms and 47 green ones; they said this was because they had a lot of pyro going off on stage and it required their team to pay attention to all the details.... and if they skip on the small details, it makes you question whether or not the skipped on the important things. becomes some times very important things, can also be in the very small details.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Its like that but with way less cocaine

Would you be interested in reviewing a "tamahagane" swords of northshire katana I recently received?

Hi Matthew, have you ever tried the Affordable LiuYe Dao made by Jkoo Sword? Is pretty cheap, and I'm curious to know if it is a good choice to start doing a bit of cutting practice.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

I think their dao have improved. The last one I tested was a bit hefty but in general it was pretty good.

Is there any big difference between S7 and S5 sword steel? I have heard that S5 is a tougher steel.

What Matt? do you need to re-think your apoc steel, is it S5 now..😄...Great job as always, I would agree at 700.00 even though I'm sure most of the value is in the blade, certain aspects should be done better...but as a hard use cutter it does well, but they have been taking criticism and improving on following lines, which is a good testament to QC.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

No doubt they will continue to improve. I know a lot of folks go gaga over the steel type but I cannot prove or disprove what it is made of. I am left with what did it do, and this sword did stuff good!

I ordered a custom S5 tachi from Byzen/Cloudhammer/Whatevertheirnameis. If they ever finish it and you're down, could let you review it. It would be a very different look and feel from their katanas.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

It would be fun but I am too far behind to say yes. Maybe some day I will get to check one out.

@hammerfist8763

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen So are they. Might be ready some time next year if you are.

Do some research into the origins of CloudHammer. Everyone that makes sowrds in longquan china knows the story of Byzer / CloudHammer. Much better choices at this price point.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Do you know where I could read up? I know a lot of sword reviewing is opinion based but objectively their swords have held up well to abuse. It gets into the weeds a bit on how useful that level of durability is vs the cost but I see a generally good product. I am curious how their origins would change that?

@tomharmon1858

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen I found the info on SGB forum. Not a very honest company. As far as the quality only time will tell.

Z-Sey has a S7 High Performance KATANA. $499. Just how much difference is it between S7 and S5?

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

I am not sure but S7 (if done correctly) is tough stuff.

@Kirk1957

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen I just ordered the S7 from Z-Sey. Nuch better features for less money than ClownHammer.

@Kirk1957

Жыл бұрын

Z-Sey stopped production of the S7. Cloudhammer would be the one to go with now.

@jordanclymer995

6 ай бұрын

I have no experience with any of them, but just principally, many value companies focus more on making a feature list that looks good vs making sure the features they do have are done right. For example. S7 steel is fine and well, but do they temper it properly? Again, I don’t know that answer, just something to keep in mind with any product/company.

Matt... What is that old John Deere in the background???

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I had it as a toy when I was a kid. Now my little guy plays on it.

It in your your usual range of swords but have you considered reviewing a thai Daab?

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

I would be happy to but I don't have any at the moment.. Who do you think makes a good one?

@MrTryAnotherOne

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen I only know of a swordsmith in Thailand who presents his products on Facebook. Sorry.

I agree on the whole silver and gold thing to me silver and Gold fittings just seem cheap I mean look at how many $50 $100 1045 katana's have them but I'm tired of all these cranes and dragon themes I want wolf themes where's my wolf swords #wolfsword okay that's all I'm going to say why can't we get something different on the market am I the only one who thinks this I'm out peace

@utubepunk

Жыл бұрын

I would love a 3 wolves & moon themed katana!

@Tygrus

Жыл бұрын

@@utubepunk heh

@JordanClymer-fh3pf

6 ай бұрын

@@utubepunk when I was a kid, my mom bought me a bunch of super tacky wolf shirts when I was a kid. I'm sure you can find stuff like that cheap and just wear it when you wield the blade. It may be a functional compromise.

Matt, I missed your last few live streams. Any update on the My Little Pony katana?

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately fitting seem to be a sticking point..

Imagine European swords made of S5 steel!!!

Tbh it looks like a $200 sword. Fittings just look cheap. Is the blade any better than DojoPro 1060? Maybe. At least the leather ito looks quite good.

@erichusayn

Жыл бұрын

Way better than ronins 1060. This TH S5 is sooooooooo close to the hardness of a DH blade (59 HRC if im not mistaken), plus you get the resilience of a TH blade. And that ito does indeed feel good in hand. This company actually cares, and is striving to improve. They also analyze their steel (not a metalurgist, so i am not sure of the method they use) as well before it goes out I own a couple dojo pros and this exact same cloudhammer sword in my possession as I type. As well as own 2 others or theirs in S5. I would bet my collection that a cloudhammer S5 would smoke a 1060 dojo pro any day.

Shes in my hands now! Im going to put a laser sharp edge on her and take her to some noodles and mybe some bottles....

@erichusayn

Жыл бұрын

Those frozen trees did a number on the edge but only as far as sharpness. No chips, rolls, etc. Thanks for not breaking this one, cuz I'm digging the tip heaviness for a change of pace, and was given permission to sharpen her, so fun will ensue.

If you’re not an expert then who is

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Depends on the particular aspect of swords. There is the history and culture of the sword. The usage in a historical context or modern one. The manufacturer of the sword. The market and or collectability of swords. Then each of those can be divided out across each sword type. I can't think of anyone that knows it all from every angle but I know I don't know it all form any angle. Transparently and realistically I'm a hobbyist. I invest time and energy in learning about things and can share interesting bits. That said, I get a lot of stuff wrong and have much to learn. Simple concepts, movie tropes, and silly assumptions still bite me in the ass. Maybe one day I will be an expert but not today.

700$ for a monotemper....eeeehhhhh...

@theman5893

7 ай бұрын

I dont think you understood the video my g

@jeremiahsmith7924

7 ай бұрын

Why would anyone want a differentially hardened sword that will STAY bent? What is wrong with you people who there is a reason that is any good? You end up with a half soft, but not spring tempered, and half easily chipped and broken piece of sharp steel. A monotempered, through hardened, SPRING steel blade is FAR superior to that differentially hardened crap. Wow, the traditional katana myths are still alive and well, even in this age of information, it's insane

@theman5893

7 ай бұрын

@@jeremiahsmith7924 A lot of people and yeah i think it will do more harm to S5 if they Differentially hardened it tbh and 700 dallors is for the steel

@Happy_Porg

7 ай бұрын

@@jeremiahsmith7924to me a hamon is more of a traditional and artistic choice, but the whole selling point of this blade is the mono tempered steel which in this state offers an ungodly amount of resistance to damage. So I get where these comments are coming from but why they would bring it up on this sword is simply beyond me 😂