'Kigan' T10 Katana Review

by J Rockwater
(Sword from Sword N Armory - Munetoshi Brand)

Since this review is as much about the purchase experience as it is the product, I'll start by saying this was not my first choice from Munetoshi. The sword I originally ordered, while excellent in every way, had just too much niku for my liking. I'm sure it would sail through tatami mats, but we never got past the paper test - it failed to cut cleanly and SwordNArmory paid for its return shipping. Now - this is just my preference mind you - and my ONLY other experience with shinken are the Hanwei Practical Plus swords that I have - which are razor sharp though obviously not as high quality as the Munetoshi. Be that as it may, SwordNArmory agreed to search their inventory and send me the sharpest model of that sword they could find.

Well not even four days had passed when I got an e-mail from them saying they've refunded my money! Apparently, all their stock of that particular model had a beefy niku and they felt I would not be satisfied. Now up to this point SwordNArmory has paid for shipping in both directions, not charged me a penny and refunded my money without being asked! Needless to say, I felt I owed them a sale - so I asked them to recommend a sword which they thought I might like based on my original selection. I'm glad I did. the result was the Munetoshi T 10 "Kigan" (prayer) and henceforth the subject of this review.

When I spend money on a sword, I want the money to be spent on a sword - not a fancy display box that I'll never use, or a cleaning kit or any other accessories which I didn't choose to purchase - so I was very pleased when I opened the package and found just that - a fine sword - at a ridiculous price - with a nice silk-looking blue and gold sleeve with gold tassels to wrap it with should I ever decide to take it out of my home. Packed in a box within a box and delivered by FedEx it found me completely unscathed.

The saya is finished in a mirror black laquer and is perfectly fitted to the blade. Eight wraps of blood red synthetic sageo set off nicely with a brass grommet (shitotome) in the kurikata. There is no rattle of the sword in the saya whatsoever and with just a flick of the thumb you've unleashed the first few inches of a 28 inch razor blade.

The brass habaki carries the Munetoshi brand and is fitted perfectly to the blade - no space on either side. The tsuba is a rather unique black iron "royal wheel" type pattern which I think works well with the next detail (one of my favorites) jet-black authentic same wrapped in a super tight blood red ito! Fuchi-kashira are no-frills / dark alloy patterned with matching menuki ( I honestly can't figure out what they are) situated near the two bamboo mekugi. If I were to order a custom sword from Paul - it would look just like this (Except it would have a bo-hi, which Kigan doesn't).

I haven't taken this masterpeice apart for two reasons - because I have no desire to and I've never done it before! This is the finest sword I've ever seen (I know - I gotta get out more) and I'd never forgive myself if I screwed something up. As I said earlier - my only experience with shinken is this Munetoshi, the one I returned (NOT a T10 Kigan) and my PPK daisho. So take this review for what it is - I may have missed something or I might not know what i'm talking about!

Ok - I've done the order/delevery, fit and finish, furniture, saya - what did I forget? Oh yeah - the 28 inch life-ending, limb severing, singing mirrored razor blade! Did I mention how much I appreciate a sharp sword? Well the guys at SwordNArmory actually tested this very blade on paper and on tatami before recommending it to me! (How's THAT for service?) Is this blade sharp? Let's just say it makes may PPK's look like butter knives by comparison.

The T10 blade is diferentially tempered to reveal a subtle gunome hamon. I love the way it wraps around the kissaki - I'll try to get a pic of that. When I hold this sword, it feels like anything less than a telephone pole could be sliced in half. Balance point is about 6" from tsuba - which is great for cutting. Even without a bo-hi it sings like the wind. Full tatami mats are sliced to pieces by my novice swing as if they were blades of grass. Oh - and as far as paper well - my wife hasn't been able to read the news since I got it!

Seriously - for $259US (w/free shipping) this sword is a steal. Even though I've never held a $1,000 plus blade I can't imagine what could be better (tighter, straighter, sharper, neater) than this Munetoshi (ditto for the one I sent back). I can't help thinking that if I was willing to wait for one of SBG's custom katanas - it would be as good (if not better) than this "Kigan" from Munetoshi.

EDITORS NOTE AND WHERE TO BUY

Definitely a great brand and an excellent sword, I've seen and tested several of these myself and agree with that they are extremely good value for money (and as many of you will know, I am very fond of T10 tool steel when it comes to the more traditional but low cost Katana with real hamon).

Available exclusively Here at Swordnarmory.com
- Paul Southren