Love these types of videos Matt 👍

Enjoyable to hear you ramble about these favorites. I very much get it about the customized Bamboo Mat, that is “your” Katana. I have to confess to having Motohara envy, I especially like that Tenshu with the broad Bohi. Perhaps someday I will find the resources to get my own Motohara. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

The hamōn on that Hanwei is gorgeous!

Awesome swords!, very well presented and discussed, the heart wants what the heart wants,…no excuses needed for voicing your preferences,…we’ll done!

YOU KNOW YOUR SHIT... WHY I ALWAYS LOOK TO YOU FOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE KATANA...Thanks Matt.

Ryansword 1336 O-katana and Skyjiro Takachigai 30" nagasa and 11.5" tsuka are my go to for training. Every once in a while I bring out the Dragon King Winter Sun to train with.

really love your videos. I requested a light mat cutter just now on their site because of this video. I don't know much about swords out in the market today and I just own one SkyJiro sword(also because of your videos) so I trust your expertise a lot. Thank you!

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear!

@MrNagabomb

2 жыл бұрын

What sort of cost is your light mat cutter?

Good video. Love your channel.

I remember the swirly mitusdome from back when. Still a beautiful sword.

My own personal weapon is also from Korea courtesy of my Teacher who had occasion to return for family matters. The item itself has felt like an extension of my person from day one, and owing to the great emphasis Korean sword places on cutting my teacher also coated the grip with a traditional resin which vastly improved my control without impacting handling. FWIW.

currently my go to's for training are my kaneie budo 2 with yellow silk ito rewrapped by nihonzashi, and my kaneie black tiger. Former is more used for kata, latter more for cutting

Your Bamboo Mat is an heirloom. It's the Jensen family sword.

Bamboo Mat, the Jensen classic ^_^

I finally received my Skyjiro Emperor Katana, it is beautiful, but it's also very light and agile. I haven't done any cutting with it yet but as soon as the weather clears up I will. It is tight and the fit and finish is good for now, but I expect it will loosen up with use, and the ivory Tsuka Maki isn't my favorite because it shows wear quicker than othe colors, but I will address that with time

@New2Kendo

2 жыл бұрын

It took 9 months to get from Skyjiro, they originally told me 3 months

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you got it and you are happy.

Well presented. Would you be able to list out each of these 3 swords info in the video description box along with links to where to purchase?

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

Done! - At least as much as I can.

@NickBrakattack

2 жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen you rock! Thanks so much

Skallagrim made me aware of your channel. Great stuff!

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Thank you.

Yep. Motohara/evolution blades are the best on the market. Next is skyjiro. Then the rest. My fav is my musashi masurao custom. And my new fav for beater is my siwode t10. A unicorn for the price.

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

From a JSA production/semi-custom sword perspective, Evolution/Motohara is the tops. Citadel would be my second, Skyjiro is in third. When you are talking about $2k blades anyway. I might choose Huawei over Skyjiro in the $500-$800 range.

Awesome video! You had mentioned that these are your favorites but you probably wouldn't take these into battle. Which katana would you take into battle?

you have a great speaking voice. and thank you for the video info.

@Matthew_Jensen

10 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

The third katana has a end cap on the tsuka that's classical in a lot of swords that have a lot of sori. As it is, on that katana, do you see more of a solid grip pushing and pulling the sword. With that kashara? The first katana looks very expensive with the finished vintage look of the tsuka. It's very handsome having that traditional ito. Thank you for going over swords as they are your favorites.

early! love ur vids man!

my Favorite sword.. is the LK Chen Silver Swallow Miao Dao and LK Chen Tang Zhan Ma Dao.

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

I have not played with either of them. Big swords are fun.

If you want a Antique Katana dating from 1300 AD check out the lanes armoury based in UK.

You love your hanwei bamboo

Yourbest one is tezlly beautyfull! Like fuchi and kashira. Do you know a shop of fittings, i ll soon make a brown shinken that would be my best one.

I've gone through all the videos you have on your channel that include the tensho motohara in an effort to get the measurements for the tsuka and the nagasa, but to no avail...I can't seem to find them. I'd like to emulate that sword with JKOO, (to the best of their ability, anyway) and the hourglass shape of your tensho is exactly what I would like. I figure to get that type of shape, the length is probably important. Can you give me the measurements (just length) of that tsuka and nagasa, please? Much appreciated! Great video!

Your probably not going to answer this question but do you have any idea how to obtain the custom sageo that came with the Bugei Shi Shi or Lion Dog katana ? I figure if anyone would have any idea it would be you, I like your channel.

That Motahara I'm sure I got that name wrong But the first sword of the vid .It is absolutely fantastic looking, the nodules on the Ray skin are very unique plus the leather adds a nice touch.How long have you had it actually how old is the complete piece?BTW I love this chanle very informative some humor and lots of blade porn.!!Thanks again keep up the good work....

I'm thinking about joining a Toyama Ryu dojo near me. As a beginner, can you recommend a good iaitō and shinken? Nothing cheap but nothing that I'd have to sell a kidney for. I'm looking at the Hanwei Practical Plus XL Light (or maybe the regular XL) for cutting mats. Would this be good or should I save a little more and get something better and what?

Which sword would you choose to go to war with?

Everybody's different! I prefer a 47" Katana with katate-maki style grip. I stand around 5'5" so I like the extra reach and blade manouverability. I own a couple of Hanweis but i'm not disappointed with many Longquan swords. And as far as mere Tatami-cutters go, when the zombie apocalypse/nuclear war breaks out, a Tatami-cutter will be worth it's weight in gold. In such a scenario, I'll value my blades and bows over my guns!. Edit: anyway why not review the benefits of different blade lengths, such as the Okatana/Kokatana?

Bonjour!!! Quel marque de katana le plus serieux conseillez-vous pour un budjet de 2500.-??

Interesting talk, Matthew. I get your unreasonable affection for your reworked Bamboo Mat katana...right now my Bugei Crane is away for a new set of clothes at a price that would buy two Cranes, and I don't care. It will be a proud display piece at home and very much _my sword_ . If I ever get back to formal Iaido study, I'll probably get a nice iaito rather than use a sharp blade. You never mentioned the cost of the Motohara blades...can you give us at least a general hint?

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

They are around $2k each.

Well, now I'm curious...what sword would you take into battle...or a zombie apocalypse 🤔

Hey do you have any recommendations for wooden training swords for sparring or something like that? Ik it’s a bit specific but o spar with some friends and have been using what’s basically broom handles lengthened to preferred length and gripped with paracord

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

You can try Fukuroshinai if you don't have equipment. It is a little kinder to people without padding. They flex more than a sword does but you can work things with them. Nihonzashi makes some padding fiberglass rod stuff for sparing too. They hurt so a padded helmet is a good idea.

@xelanihc

2 жыл бұрын

Shinai may be a tad safer, but would still hurt. Prob a bit more expensive too.

@isaacstokes3132

2 жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen ty I’ll check it out now!!

@isaacstokes3132

2 жыл бұрын

@@user-dj8fr9sg7h ty I’ll hv a look!

@isaacstokes3132

2 жыл бұрын

@@xelanihc alr sounds good!

What katana would you recommend if you had to go to war?

👀👍

I clicked the website and it just shows pictures of swords it doesn't show any prices or anything

@Matthew_Jensen

2 ай бұрын

Evolution blade is around $3kish to start

Why haven't you kept any of the Howard Clark or Rick Barrett katanas for your use?

@notanotherswordreviewchann4901

2 жыл бұрын

They are on eBay for sale

@ssjronin3972

2 жыл бұрын

@@notanotherswordreviewchann4901 You can't answer my question. He has had multiple from both smiths over the years. I want to know why he chose to not keep any for his personal use.

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

There are some I regret selling. Some I had bad experiences making/buying and could not see past the frustration when I looked at them. Might make for a fun video topic to explain. Most have not been the right fit for me and I wanted to move onto the next project.

@ssjronin3972

2 жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen would definitely watch that

@ssjronin3972

2 жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen could be a eye opener to those seeking custom pieces

Hi there how can I order an evolution blades?

Cutter: 2018 HSTS Tsunami in Unokubi Zukuri Aestetics: Feilong Higo Sentimental: My James Raw custom (despite the cost cutting options)

Can I ask why you'll not get motohara if there is a war or zombie apocalypse?

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

Maintenance is the main thing. The L6 blade would rust quickly, the LMC is too fragile, either are still subject to the general maintenance required for katana.

@gabrielivanov1496

2 жыл бұрын

@Matthew Jensen what do you thing about SGT steel hard target cutter from motohara ?

Just a comment for the algorithm.

How much you spend on that katana?

For war or zombie apocalypse which sword will be your first choice?

Master, howcan you oil all your swords?? There is a dwarf under your table?

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

I put oil on a rag or towel and apply it generously. Does that answer the question?

@gunsrose8541

2 жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen seems true

@gunsrose8541

2 жыл бұрын

@@Matthew_Jensen 😅😂😂😂

How much does the first one cost?

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

Around $2k

건우 2분 전 hanwei bamboo mat katana is too fat tsuka, hamon is chemical heat treatment.

@Matthew_Jensen

Жыл бұрын

Hanwei Tsuka tend to be fat. Supposedly some people like that. The hamon on the bamboo mat is probably an etch but under the etch it is a real hamon.

@user-bq8nw2ix9f

Жыл бұрын

Hamon is real, but it's made of drug heat treatment, which is aimed at reducing unit prices. I have a bamboo mat and I'm generally satisfied, but I don't like the fact that polishing is omitted. Among Chinese-made Japanese products, I think Huanuo(dynasty forge)and Kaneie products are much higher in quality.

A bow is silent and many ennemies if you get back your arrows

The advantage of a blade is that you can kill a lot of people. Guns need bullets and is noisy.

Too bad their swords are NOT affordable lol

@Matthew_Jensen

2 жыл бұрын

They are on the pricy side, if I went for swords under $500 then it would look a bit different. The Huawei that was on loan from sword friend Scott was great! I am also playing with a Skyjiro Iron Warrior that is close to $400, it too has some charm for iaido.

I own a genuine katana used by my father in law officer of the imperial Japanese army with ancestry who werere bushi retainers of the Takeda clan, ..... however it is only for display and will remain that way. In Japan I did som years with ko budo but as you know ordinary people are not allowed to own a sharp katana in Japan and if you are allowed you have to pay at least USD 5000 for one... now in Sweden I have ordered a bamboo mat katana by Hanwey from Germany, which is extremely cheap USD 1100. I hope it will stand against traditional katanas in Japan. it is a shame that Chinese manufacturer lead the production of katanas around the world, not Japanese. I am a Japanese woman and worried that I wont be able to handle such heavy katana as the bamboo mat.

@neerajnongmaithem392

4 ай бұрын

Katana production is extremely restricted in Japan and owning one is also very expensive. It's a shame because Japanese swordsmiths are extremely good and are more importantly very consistent with their swords.

@karascrow

4 ай бұрын

@@neerajnongmaithem392Which is why we should all be giving respect to those still keeping the art alive, especially in Japan. I won’t discredit anyone that makes Japanese style swords outside of Japan, because they are doing their part to keep the craft alive in these modern times. Hopefully, one day Japan loosens up the restrictions of sword smithing and also buying, selling and owning a katana. I believe that would give a balance to the market of these swords. A lot of these Chinese manufacturers and sword smiths would lose sales for the more expensive swords, but people would still purchase the tatami beaters.

@neerajnongmaithem392

4 ай бұрын

@@karascrow oh I am definitely sure, it will have a massive rise in popularity/demand. People all around all the world are mystified by the allure of owning a real katana from Japan but the pricing is not allowing 99% sword collector a chance to ever have one. But then at the end of the day different countries have different priorities, Japan being an extremely arms averse country makes its extremely hard to imagine them laxing the restriction on katana manufacturing. Atleast they don't have such heavy restrictions on knife manufacturing so atleast you can really good chef's knife if you want some of that Japanese metal

@theangrycanuck8331

4 ай бұрын

​​@@karascrow The reason they're so restricted is because after ww2 the U.S banned all weapons in Japan. The Japanese government along with the population, notably martial arts practictioners, argued that Katana were more than swords. They were the soul of Japanese, religious symbols and offerings to honour their gods, artwork that reflects the spirit of the Japanese, and national identity. The Katana is so integral to Japanese that their origin story is that the god Akamatsu (I may have the god wrong, could be Amaterasu) dipped their Katana into the ocean, and the droplets formed the Japanese Islands. Katana are regulated as works of art, are certified for ownership, and are strictly regulated for export. In Japan, no sword made outside of Japan, No sword not made of Tamahagane, or not made by a certified Japanese smith, is considered a Katana. That is why they are priced so high. You can buy Katana, but at minimum to have one forged is 7-8000 USD. You can buy Antique Shinken. Prices range from 4 thousand to tens or hundreds of thousands depending on age, smith, owners, condition.