It is really classy. The rough cast texture adds extra charm to that beautiful handle design indeed.

This was always one of my favorite jian produced back in the day. Really cool to see how you dressed it up.

What a pleasant project, with an awesome background story, both 2000 years ago, and today. It seems that fate dictates I acquire one of these from a sword friend, who promises to polish up his and sent it to me. Looking forward to get my hands on it. Thank you for introducing it to me!

About that knife: I believe that was a feature, it's called "Cold Steel" for a reason. ;P

The pommel looks to be a classic sand cast finish, to me from the angle I’m seeing it, great video, very informative, you are the best sword salesman on the world wide internet webs, Happy Independence Day, Sword Friend, Matt Jensen

I can't help but notice the wolverine on the shelf

Nice sword imo. At least from what i can tell. I used to not like chinese swords too much but over the years i have gained an appreciation for them.

I got one of these new for a little over $400 back just after they first came out. The only thing not great about it was the rayskin on the grip & scabbard. It was very solid & tight, but the color wasn't really a good match for the rest of the piece, it was surprisingly clumsy in the way it had been cut & applied, & it was not natural or comfortable to grasp. I left both sections on & intact but covered them with a tight leather wrap ( the rayskin is perfect for holding the leather in place without using any glue - I hate glue ). Also, not being one for shiny metals either, I blued the blade. At any rate, it's one of my favorites - perfectly balanced, incredibly fast, strong & tough, holds an edge - for me it's just perfect. As light & quick as it is, the blade darkened with bluing renders it all but invisible to an "opponent"; they'll know where it is when they get to feel rather than see it, if you know what I mean. Further Note: It does, in fact, ring like a lovely little bell when struck lightly with a bit of hard metal. For a sword from a good, reliable but lower price range maker, Hanwei really did put a lot into this one. I see where the prices are up now that they're out of production but, to quote Ferris Bueller, I think it was, "If you have the means (& can find one), I highly recommend picking one up."

Another thorough, clear and engaging review. Thank you.

interesting story project behind this, turned out well

Your pronunciation is pretty spot on.

As always great job

Looks really nice!

thats awesome jian i love red leather

That was one of the first swords I ever wanted. Very cool completed project you have there. Good showing

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

What made you want the sword?

@KF1

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen The single-piece construction is intriguing. I like the seamless shape and nicer blade than their disappointing "practical tai chi sword". Was the coolest thing on reliks at the time imo.

@KF1

Жыл бұрын

If you still have the cold steel frosthander knife, would be cool to wrap the handle in paracord, it's great stuff. Works also for sword handles or machetes where you may need a strong rope in a pinch. (used some yesterday to secure a heavy air conditioner to a dolly for transporting down a staircase)

Thank you for the review! This sword has been on my radar since at least 2007. I've always been a bit too, erhm, "frugal" to invest in it, but I've been sorely tempted many times. Looks like I wouldn't have made a bad buy, if I had!

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

If you ever get the chance, then hopefully this gives you a better idea. What put it on your radar in the past?

@c99kfm

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen I was about to start a roleplaying campaign (yes, tabletop nerd here) which could easiest be compared to Highlander, and I was browsing through sword shops looking for something that "spoke" to me. Katanas were cool, but a bit "overexposed", and I wanted something matching up with the style and backstory of my character which included Asian martial arts, so I read the descriptions of the swords as well as just looked at them. This one and the Hanwei Banshee made the final cut. The story you mention in the video, of the "singing" swords, was featured in the description, and it felt like a really cool touch - a sword my character could use to create an audio cue when announcing himself. "Rule of cool", and so on. After more or less deciding to use the sword for my character, I then started reading what people thought about it, to find out how it would best be used in combat (slashing, cutting, thrusting, parrying...) and in general, people seemed to share your opinion - it isn't just a cool sword, it's a fun one to use, as well. At the time, I felt I didn't have the money to "waste" on it, but I kept coming back to it. Once I had a steady income and economy, I unfortunately hit a bit of a mental block, as I had taught myself not to buy things I don't need. ...and, to be honest, I don't need a sword. I just want this one. ;)

I always look forward to your content, and watch it religiously. Thank you!

Great video! That leatherwork turned out very nicely. I bought one of these a few years ago in new condition for $600. The ray skin provides a good grip, as you mentioned. I haven't done anything with it yet, as the blade would require significant sharpening. It is blunt except for the last 5 or six inches. I can understand why others have tried and had difficultly with sharpening the blade. It is very thick and narrow with a thick blunt edge for most of the blade, so the amount of grinding needed to produce a good edge anywhere other than at the tip would be significant, as the entire primary bevel would need to be ground down. I like the idea of a one piece construction. I'm curious as to how it would stand up to heavy use. EDIT: And yes, that shmutz filled hole is in fact a hole, presumably for a tassel or lanyard, if you feel like cleaning it out.

@danielflynn9141

Жыл бұрын

I believe this is why secondhand Qi Jian blade has such a dramatic profile taper. The previous owner attempted to sharpen the edge numerous times and kept failing. I reprofiled the edges and polished it up, but I won't be sharpening it at all. There's very little cutting edge left. It can definitely still function as a thrusting blade.

This is one of the swords I've always wanted, which makes it all the more sadder that the jian is discontinued due to Hanwei losing the forge it was made in.

@laksivrak2203

Жыл бұрын

Have you seen any on the secondary market??

@OwlskiTV

Жыл бұрын

@@laksivrak2203 Very rarely, from time to time. It's quite a sought after piece, so there's usually a higher price/demand for them.

Sword friend Matt did a terrific job here.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

thank you

At one time, I worked as a chef. We would use a burnishing rod on our knives in between shapenings to keep the edge keen. I've found that if you know how to use one, you can wrap an old T-shirt around the lower half of a sword blade and use the same motion as you would if it was a knife to sharpen up the top third of the blade without leaving any scratches, if it isn't very dull. Sounds crazy, but it works.

I Triple Dog Dare You!!!!! Hahahaha. Looks like a fun sword. Still have yet to get my hands on a Jian.

Great review. Do you believe the drop forging affected the balance negatively? Also, while these are dual purpose (capable of cutting and thrusting), a jian is made more for thrusting. Flick-of-the-wrist cuts with these are intended to be used against exposed and unarmored body parts. In my experience, to get the same cutting performance as a tachi or katana, a jian requires a larger arcing swing. Definitely in my case, as my jian is significantly broader, thicker, and heavier than this one.

Hi, have you come across or reviewed already the Ryujin T10 Grey Wolf katana ? as i was thinking of getting it when its back in stock here in the UK. Thanks.

I want to know about that kriegsmesser and what looks to be in a apakatana from zombie tools behind you

@alientude

Жыл бұрын

The kriegsmesser is the new LK Chen/Balaur Arms one.

@outlawsamurai47

Жыл бұрын

@@alientude thanks bro

Hey Matthew 😊👋 I would like to buy a katana. My choice‘s between the Hanwei paper crane and the Citadel lotus. As I would like to collect a few and make easy cuts, what would you recommend me and why? What do you think about the tamahagane Kombüse from Hanwei and the mono steel from Citadel? Thanks in advance and best regards, Martin

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

They are very different swords with different perks. I think the citadel would be my choice. No folding and a simpler look but the Paper Crane likely suffers from many of the same issues other high end Hanwei swords have. I would gamble the citadel is probably a better experience in the cut and for general use.

@martinking320

Жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Matthew for you quickly respond. Then it‘s gonna be the Citadel lotus 👍😊

Is that the zombie tools apokatana in the back? where's that video Mat!

Could you make a videos of your collection?

I am passing my Qi jian onto a sword friend. I bought mine secondhand and it had some defects. The previous owner attempted to sharpen the edges and failed multiple times. So, as a consequence, the sword has a significant profile taper now and an acute point. I just finished reprofiling the edges and polishing it up, and it feels basically like a rapier blade now. It couldn't cut to save its life, but it feels like it will thrust like a needle.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Out of curiosity, was yours in worse shape than mine? Do you mind telling me how much it sold for? I am curious on the value of these and given their are uncommon, I have no idea what to expect from a value standpoint. I probably spent as much cleaning the grip up as I did on the sword.

@danielflynn9141

Жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen They last had a retail price of $1,200 or so, according to CAS Iberia. I bought mine for $500 second-hand many years ago when the retail price was lower. I felt it was worth the price despite its issues because of the rare construction, lovely handling, and artistic value. I believe someone recently tried to sell one of these on a forum for about $800, which I think is fair if it's in its original condition. That high retail price suggested by CAS Iberia just won't fly with most people right now. Yours still has a cutting edge, whereas mine was reprofiled a few too many times and is now a rapier-like blade. It still works, of course, and if I was some Chinese nobleman accosted by thugs in an alley, it could definitely deliver capable thrusts. But with its ability to cut compromised by the previous owner, I don't think I'll ask $500 for mine. I spent some money on glue and sanding belts, but that's about it. The other issues mine had is a missing pin in the scabbard hardware and some looseness in the scabbard parts. I just glued the parts to make the fit tighter. So apart from the missing pin and some SLIGHT deterioration in a section of the rayskin grip wrap roughly the width of a fingernail, it's in very good condition.

🙃

Years ago when i saw this I thought this was a joke. There are no historical swords remotely resembling it. One could call it a fantasy sword to be fair.

The pammel is supposed to have the face of a Chinese dragon

If you were to sell this sword, what would you ask for it? (I'm done buying swords, I swear!)